Abstract: Static dissipative labels are described which comprise a polyester or polyimide backing film laminated to a conductive primer layer which in turn is laminated to a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer. The primer layer and adhesive layer contain conductive particles, e.g. metals, and the conductive particles in the adhesive layer are arranged such that they span the thickness of the layer.

Abstract: Coating compositions for making ink jet recording media are disclosed which comprise a mixture of a binder composition comprising a non-cationic water-insoluble binder resin having a surface energy greater than 40 dyn/cm dissolved or dispersed in an alcoholic liquid medium or dispersed in an aqueous liquid medium, the liquid medium having a boiling point less than 150.degree. C. and a viscosity up to 100 kpa:s at 25.degree. C., and hydrophilic pigment particles having a number average particle size in the range from 1-25 microns and an oil absorption of at least 60 g oil/100 g particles, the composition having a pigment particle to binder resin weight ratio in the range from 0.5:1 to 3:1. A recording medium for ink jet printing is also described which may be made using this coating composition, along with a process for making it. A process for making a water-resistant color image on a support material using the described recording medium, along with the product obtainable by that process, is also disclosed.

Abstract: An air regulator valve has a knob which is slidable between a locked position in which it engages teeth on the end of a valve bushing and an unlocked position in which it can be rotated about the valve bushing to rotate the valve shaft. A lock tab is fastened to the end of the shaft and extends through an opening in the knob. The knob is locked in the down position by passing a padlock shackle through an opening in the lock tab.

Abstract: A cable locking device for use with a flexible cable, the device including a handle member and a trigger member that pivot about a pivot axis. The trigger member forms a channel that extends through and perpendicular to the pivot axis and the handle member forms two other channels, one on either side of the trigger member channel, all of the channels concentric when the device is in an open position. One end of the cable is securable to the handle member and the other end can be fed through the channels, the cable being moved in either direction through the channels to increase or decrease the length of the cable forming a locking loop. The apparatus can be moved from the open position to a locked position thereby misaligning the trigger member channel and the handle member channels to clamp the cable so as to limit movement of the cable through the channels. Once in a locked position, the handle and trigger member can be secured.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for printing and dispensing labels for precise and accurate placement on an article. The present invention also minimizes label queue and the distance between the point of printing and the point of label dispensing. The invention has a retractable print head for printing information on a label while the label moves from a preprinting position to a fixed label dispensing position. The print head is movable to a dispensing position thereby allowing access to the printed label at the fixed label dispensing point by a transfer device. A dispenser having a stripper plate is provided to receive the web having the printed label thereon from the print head while in a printing position. The stripper plate strips the liner from the printed label after the transfer device comes in positive contact with the printed label by moving to a dispensing position. The printed label can then be placed on an article with extreme accuracy.

Abstract: The present invention provides a label applicator for removing pressure-sensitive, very thin, sub-surface printed labels from a web and applying the labels to PCMCIA memory cards carried on a shuttle such that the labels are more reliably and exactly placed than conventional labelers. The label applicator includes a peel plate for removing the adhesive-backed labels from a web and a vacuum applicator drum for transferring the labels from the peel plate to an unlabeled article carried on the shuttle. The shuttle is provided with micrometers to separately adjust the position of the memory cards about three independent axes to allow greater precision in label placement. Placement of labels on the memory cards is also enhanced through the use of a number of sensors which determine relative positions of the labels on the transfer drum and the linearly moving shuttle so that rotation of the drum can be synchronized to match movement of the shuttle.

Abstract: A device particularly suited for blocking access and locking out a circuit breaker or other switch of the type having a solid stem without holes, which includes a base having an opening for positioning on the switch base and receiving the switch stem, a clamping member, and a thumb screw for operation with the clamping member to clamp the device onto the switch stem to immobilize it. The device further includes a cover which is pivoted over a structure forming an aperture for receiving a lock shackle, the cover blocking operation of the thumb screw when the lock shackle is positioned and secured in said aperture.

Abstract: A valve lock has a body and a moveable jaw for releasably gripping a lever handle of the valve against the body. The jaw has a threaded shaft that extends through a hole in the body, and a locking cleat is slidable on the threaded shaft. An arm is attached to the shaft between the body and the locking cleat, and is rotatable about the shaft to abut either the valve or a pipe connected to the valve. A hand wheel is threaded onto the shaft and can be tightened against the locking cleat which then forces the arm against the body to inhibit rotation of the arm about the shaft. The locking cleat has an aperture for receiving the shackle of a padlock, and the hand wheel has a plurality of notches in an exterior surface with one of the notches receiving the shackle to restrict movement of the wheel along the shaft.

Abstract: A printer assembly that can handle media of different width and thicknesses has a pivotable platen with a lower body portion and a curved upper portion which extends from the lower portion. The curved portion is pivoted forward to contact the carrier material. A wound torsion spring, with one end held against a stop and the other end free to move the platen, is utilized to urge the platen in a forward direction to contact the carrier strip. The spring pressure is sufficient to keep the platen from being moved by the force of printing elements striking the material to be printed on. The assembly is also provided with spring-mounted edge guides for handling different widths of printing media to be fed through the printer assembly.

Abstract: A chip removal method and apparatus for a sign engraving machine. The method involves engraving a sign blank in such a manner that chips fall from a cutting region on the sign blank into an enclosure, and swirling the chips in the enclosure so that the chips exhaust through an opening in the periphery of the enclosure and eventually pass through a chute into a receptacle. The apparatus is a guide member located parallel to an outer envelope of the volume that can be occupied by a rotating cutting head of the engraver. The guide member has a surface for contacting the sign blank. The contact surface has an access opening at its center to allow chips to enter the guide member from a cutting region on the sign blank. The guide member tapers away from the cutting region and has an exhaust opening and chute for exhausting the chips. The guide member is used with a rotating cutting head that propels chips circumferentially and allows them to be exhausted through the chute.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatic line width adjustment for engraving characters on a piece of sign material utilizes two cutters sliding by each other in face-to-face opposing relationship. Line width is controlled by controlling the spacing between a pair of cutter tips. The two cutters are moved over a portion of a sign blank while being rotated with the selected spacing between the cutter tips to effect a selected cutting width. The cutters are held in holders and are replaceable when worn out. An internal ratchet-and-pawl mechanism provides fifteen different cutter line widths. The cutter head is moved into engagement with an external pawl mechanism to operate the internal ratchet-and-pawl mechanism.

Abstract: A pipemarker consists of an elongated sign, which has a front face for bearing identifying information and a rear face with a bracket-receiving channel, and at least one bracket that can be attached to a pipe with strapping. The bracket includes a rachet for tightening the strapping and an outward projection containing a compression spring which snaps into the bracket-receiving channel of the sign.

Abstract: A high-speed impact hammer type solenoid capable of operating at high speed such as 500 to 1000 strokes per second and with a relatively long stroke length. It is housed in a cylindrical shell and includes two separate coils and magnetic circuits operating on a single short plunger. The plunger is driven magnetically in both directions. The short plunger has reduced mass. This is made possible by elongated backstops extending through the coils to the plunger and by a flux washer extending from the shell to the plunger. Close control of the plunger stroke is achieved by a non-magnetic sleeve surrounding the plunger and spacing the backstops which are screw threaded into the shell. Resilient anti-residual pads on each side of the plunger absorb the impact of the plunger with the backstop, start the plunger in the opposite direction and speed up the decay of the magnetic field.

Abstract: A pair of replaceable, identical cutter inserts are provided for a cutter head assembly of a sign engraving machine. The cutter inserts have inside edges formed at an angle of approximately 15.degree. from a cutter tip axis. The inside edges of the cutter insert overlap to form an "X" when installed in the cutter head for sign engraving operations. Chips migrate up the inside edges from the cutter tips and are exhausted from the cutting area.

Abstract: A microprocessor controlled signmaking machine (1) including a reciprocating plunger (210) that impacts adhesive sheet material (46, 46a-d) to form a sign (48) including one or more characters separable from the sheet material (46, 46a-d) that can be adhered to the surface of an object.