Abstract: A resin based fluorescent marking stain is formulated from a resin present in a concentration of about 10 percent to about 20 percent of the marking stain, an active solvent for and compatible with the resin present in a concentration of about 65 percent to about 85 percent of the marking stain, a plasticizer present in a concentration of about 1.0 percent to about 5.0 percent of the marking stain, an optical brightener present in a concentration of about 0.5 percent to about 5.0 percent of the marking stain and a fluorescent dye present in a concentration of about 0.1 percent to about 5.0 percent of the marking stain.

Abstract: A label applicator of the type for separating labels from a continuous carrier strip and applying the labels to an object positioned at the applicator, includes a tamp pad for receiving the label at a first position and contacting the label to the object to apply the label to the object when the tamp pad is at a second position. The tamp pad operably connected to a tamp pad cylinder having a compressed gas inlet for extending the cylinder and a compressed gas inlet for retracting the cylinder. A pressure transducer is in communication with the compressed gas inlet for extending the cylinder and measures pressure in the cylinder. A controller controls movement of the cylinder between a retracted position for receiving the label and an extended position for applying the label to the object. The controller receives input signals from the pressure transducer for returning the tamp pad from the extended position to the retracted position.

Abstract: A label applicator of the type for separating labels from a continuous carrier strip and applying the labels to an object positioned at the applicator, which applicator includes a supply roll and a rewind roll configured to move the strip through the applicator, a tamp pad for applying the labels to the object, and an unwind sensor. The unwind sensor includes a supply disk positioned coaxially on the supply roll. The supply disk has a plurality of equally spaced openings therein. A sensor is configured for sensing the passing of the supply disk openings. A counter counts the openings passing the sensor. The applicator includes means for determining a level of labels remaining on the supply roll.

Abstract: A dispenser assembly for a strapping machine of the type having a frame supporting a feed assembly, a chute and a strap supply provides ready accessibility and ease of loading or reloading a coil of strap material in the machine. A strapping machine includes a strapping head disposed between the feed assembly and the chute. The machine is configured to receive first and second courses of associated strap material, position, tension and seal the strap material around a load. The strap material is provided on a coil having a axis of rotation about which the coil rotates to dispense the strap material. The dispenser assembly includes a support panel hingedly mounted to the frame that is pivotable between an open position and a closed position. The support panel includes a central hub defining an axis for carrying the coil of strap material.

Abstract: A swivel mount is configured for use with a tamp pad for a label applicator of the type for receiving a label at a first retracted position and applying the label to an object at a second, extended position. The mount includes a mounting block for fastening to the tamp pad. The mounting block has a bore therein having an inner, open cross-sectional region and a retaining region. A knuckle fitting is received within the bore and is engageable with the retaining region. The knuckle fitting has a largest cross-sectional area that is larger than the open cross-sectional area of the retaining region such that a portion of the knuckle fitting is retained within the bore. A spring is positioned to provide a force against the knuckle fitting against the retaining region. The mount permits movement of the tamp pad from an orientation perpendicular to a direction of movement between the retracted and extended positions to an orientation inclined relative to the direction of movement.

Abstract: A coil handling device for engaging a coil having a depth and an interior surface defining a diameter and defining a longitudinal axis, is configured to engage the coil with the longitudinal axis oriented vertically and reorient the coil to position the longitudinal axis horizontally. The handling device includes a transport assembly, a lift assembly and a manipulating assembly. The manipulating assembly is mounted to the lift assembly and includes a pair of spaced apart support arms and a pivoting carriage carried by the support arms. The carriage includes a locking arm for engaging the interior surface of the coil along the depth of the coil and a thrust lever including a bearing arm and a lever arm disposed at an obtuse angle to one another opposite the locking arm.

Abstract: A heat treated steel strap usable in a strapping machine has a tensile strength of at least about 170 KSI, and an elongation of at least about 6.5 percent. The steel strap is fabricated from a coiled steel reduced by cold rolling. The strap has a composition of 0.30 to 0.36 percent carbon, 0.90 to 1.25 percent manganese, and 0.75 to 1.10 percent silicon. The strap is heated to a temperature of about 815° C. to about 900° C. and quenched to a temperature of about 370° C. to about 510° C. The strap has a seal joint break strength of about 4350 pounds when the strap has a width of about one inch and a thickness of 0.030 inches. A method for forming the strap is also disclosed.

Abstract: A label applicator is of the type for separating labels from a continuous carrier strip and applying the labels to an object positioned at the applicator. The applicator includes a frame, a supply roll operably mounted to the frame for supplying the carrier strip having the labels thereon and a separator for removing the labels from the carrier strip. The applicator includes a rewind roll operably mounted to the frame for rewinding the carrier strip after the labels have been removed therefrom. The supply and rewind rolls are configured to move the carrier strip through the applicator. A rewind assembly has a motor, a pivoting arm and a sensing assembly cooperating with the pivoting arm. The sensing assembly is adapted to sense the presence or absence of a sensed element mounted on the pivoting arm as the arm moves from a first home position to a position other than the home position.

Abstract: A swab for cleaning electronic and electro-mechanical components includes a handle and a pull-truded fiber cleaning head. The handle is elongated and has a cleaning head end and a grasping end. The cleaning head end defines a securing region for securing the cleaning head to the handle. The cleaning head is formed from a plurality of fibers that are pulled through a die to compress the fibers into a substantially rigid, elongated cleaning head. The swab includes a tether to secure the swab and prevent inadvertent misplacement.

Abstract: A bundling assembly for use with a strapping machine that is configured to position a strap material around a load and tension the strap material around the load includes first and second moving belts positioned at the strapping machine entrance in opposing relation to one another. The belts each have a paddle mounted thereto and define a pathway through the bundling assembly. A movable stop is positioned at the exit of the strapping machine and is movable between a stop position and a convey position. The moving belts rotate to contact the paddles with the load, urging the load into the entrance of the strapping machine and into an area under the chute. The belts stop rotation, thus stopping movement of the load upon contact of the load with the stop. The movable stop then moves to the convey position and the moving belts rotate such that the paddles move the load out of the exit of the strapping machine. A stabilizing assembly applies a slight pressure on the load during the strapping cycle.

Abstract: A strapping machine for forming a seal between two portions of strapping material includes a fixed support and a movable support movable away from and toward the fixed support to form the seal. The strapping machine includes an eccentric shaft defining primary and secondary axes of rotation, and having a key extending from an end thereof. The movable support moves about the secondary axis. An actuating lever rotates about the primary axis to move the movable support toward and away from the fixed support. A shaft securing member has a key receiving aperture for engaging the shaft key in only one orientation. The shaft securing member is fastened to the body to secure the shaft in a desired orientation. The strapping machine includes a reversible actuating lever to accommodate strapping operations in multiple orientations. A variable strap width assembly accommodates use of various strap widths.

Abstract: A piezo-electric printhead is formed from a first piezo-electric actuator disposed parallel to a second piezo-electric actuator. The first and second piezo-electric actuators have a shared inner electrode disposed between them, a first control electrode disposed on an outside surface of the first piezo-electric actuator and a second control electrode disposed on an outside surface of the second piezo-electric actuator. The actuators are formed from a block having a piezo-electric layer disposed on a ceramic base, in which the piezo-electric layer has two parallel, distinct electrode patterns embedded therein in the form of a metal paste.

Abstract: A method of controlling ink drop volume in an inkjet printhead includes the steps of providing a piezoelectric module. The module has a plate with an integrated ink chamber in flow communication with an integrated ink supply manifold and an integrated ink orifice. The ink chamber includes a main channel that connects the ink supply manifold to the ink orifice, and multiple piezoelectric actuators depending from the main channel and spaced apart by ink subchannels in flow communication with the main channel that define an array of piezoelectric actuators. A ground electrode is in contact with a first end of each of the actuators, and a cover plate is bonded to the piezoelectric plate to seal the chamber and the manifold. The cover plate is in contact with a control electrode and is configured to conduct control signals from the control electrode to the actuators.

Abstract: A fluorescent lubricant that is applied to an associated object in a liquid state and dries to a solid coating is formulated from a solid lubricant present in a concentration of about 60 percent to about 80 percent of the fluorescent lubricant. The solid lubricant is a solid at room temperature. A diluent for and compatible with the solid lubricant is present in a concentration of about 10 percent to about 40 percent of the fluorescent lubricant. An optical brightener is present in a concentration of about 0.1 percent to about 5.0 percent and a fluorescent dye is present in a concentration of about 0.1 percent to about 5.0 percent of the fluorescent lubricant. The fluorescent lubricant is heated to a temperature above about 130 degrees F., is applied to the associated object and cools to form solid, lubricating fluorescent coating on the associated object. A method for coating an object with a lubricating fluorescent coating is also disclosed.

Abstract: A non-flammable ternary liquid cleaner is formulated from first, second and third solvents. The first solvent is a hydrofluorocarbon, the second solvent is a dichloroethylene and the third solvent is a hydrochlorofluorocarbon. The hydrochlorofluorocarbon imparts low flammability to the cleaner. The hydrofluorocarbon is present in a concentration of about 10 percent to about 80 percent by weight of the cleaner, the dichloroethylene is present in a concentration of about 10 percent to about 60 percent by weight of the cleaner and the hydrochlorofluorocarbon is present in a concentration of at about 10 percent to about 40 percent by weight of the cleaner. The third solvent is non-flammable and thus renders the ternary cleaner non-flammable.

Abstract: A purge/clean system and an associated method for a fluid jet apparatus, such as an ink jet printing system, having a fluid chamber including a chamber wall having an exterior surface and at least one orifice through which fluid is ejected from the fluid chamber toward a substrate involves a cavity defined adjacent the exterior surface of the chamber wall into which fluid which is expelled from the at least one orifice during a purging or cleaning operation is permitted to flow and a vacuum pump for withdrawing fluid which is contained within the cavity. The cavity can be provided by a plurality of plates arranged in an assembled, or stacked, relationship against the exterior surface of the chamber wall and, with the aid of a fan or compressor, can be used to create a zone of above-atmospheric pressure adjacent the exterior surface of the printer head.

Abstract: A time-out indicator is adapted for use in a pneumatic strapping tool for tensioning a strap around a load, adhering the strap onto itself, and cutting a feed end of the strap. The strapping tool has a cylinder housing, a piston disposed within a cylinder in the cylinder housing, a pneumatic weld motor operably connected to the piston, a vibrating weld element operably connected to the piston for contacting the strap and adhering the strap onto itself. A pneumatic module is mounted to the cylinder housing to provide compressed gas to the cylinder housing and the pneumatic weld motor. The time-out indicator includes a sleeve fitted into an opening in the module. The opening is disposed above and in communication with the cylinder. The sleeve defines a central, longitudinal opening. An indicator is biasedly mounted in the sleeve and disposed for contact with the piston.

Abstract: A hot-melt ink for use with an ink jet printing apparatus is a liquid at about 100° C. to about 130° C. and solidifies to a two-phase solid having an elastic phase and a crystalline phase. The ink is formulated from a carrier, a first plasticizer, a linear block copolymer, a block copolymer plasticizer, a flow additive and a colorant. The block copolymer plasticizer, in combination with the linear block copolymer forms an elastic phase of the ink upon solidifying. The first plasticizer exhibits sufficiently low viscosity at elevated temperatures to permit ejection of the liquid ink from the printing apparatus. A method for producing indicia is also disclosed.

Abstract: A winder for a strapping machine that positions a strap material around a load and tensions the strap material around the load includes a rotating head portion having a stationary element and a pivotal element. The elements each define an outer surface around which the strap material is wound and a slot therebetween for receiving the strap material. The elements each include a gripping portion at about respective ends opposingly facing one another. The pivotal element pivots between an open position in which the gripping portions are spaced from one another and a closed position in which the gripping portions cooperate with one another to engage and secure the strap material. The winder includes a pivot assist assembly to urge the winder to the closed position. A strapping machine and a strapping head are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fluorescent marking stain for marking items is formulated from a resin present in a concentration of about 1 percent to about 5 percent of the stain, an active solvent for and compatible with the resin present in a concentration of about 40 percent to about 50 percent of the stain, a dye solvent present in a concentration of about 20 percent to about 30 percent of the stain, a diluent present in a concentration of about 10 percent to about 20 percent of the stain, an adhesion promoter present in a concentration of about 1 percent to about 5 percent of the stain, an optical brightener present in a concentration of about 1 percent to about 5 percent of the stain and a fluorescent dye present in a concentration of about 0.2 percent to about 5 percent of the stain. A marking pen for use with the marking stain is also disclosed.