Abstract: Various apparatus embodiments include first, second, third and fourth shafts, and further include a first movable shaft having a first movable axis that is movable between a first axis position and a second axis position, and a second movable shaft having a second movable axis that is movable between a third axis position and fourth axis position. At least one linkage connects the first movable shaft to the second movable shaft. A motor linkage connects the at least one linkage to at least one motor for providing simultaneous movement of the first and second movable shafts.

Abstract: Various device embodiments perform a sealing operation on a moving web, and comprise, among other things a plate assembly with an air cylinder assembly. The air cylinder assembly comprises a mount, a back plate, at least one air cylinder positioned between the mount and the back plate. The first plate assembly further includes a linear servo motor for linearly moving the air cylinder assembly with respect to the first base, and a first tooling plate with a sealing surface area. The first tooling plate coupled to the back plate.

Abstract: Various apparatus embodiments include first, second, third and fourth shafts, and further include a first movable shaft having a first movable axis that is movable between a first axis position and a second axis position, and a second movable shaft having a second movable axis that is movable between a third axis position and fourth axis position. At least one linkage connects the first movable shaft to the second movable shaft. A motor linkage connects the at least one linkage to at least one motor for providing simultaneous movement of the first and second movable shafts.

Abstract: Various apparatus embodiments include first, second, third and fourth shafts, and further include a first movable shaft having a first movable axis that is movable between a first axis position and a second axis position, and a second movable shaft having a second movable axis that is movable between a third axis position and fourth axis position. At least one linkage connects the first movable shaft to the second movable shaft. A motor linkage connects the at least one linkage to at least one motor for providing simultaneous movement of the first and second movable shafts.

Abstract: Various apparatus embodiments include first, second, third and fourth idler shafts, and further include a first movable idler shaft having a first movable axis that is movable between a first axis position and a second axis position, and a second movable idler shaft having a second movable axis that is movable between a third axis position and fourth axis position. At least one linkage connects the first movable idler shaft to the second movable idler shaft. A motor linkage connects the at least one linkage to at least one motor for providing simultaneous movement of the first and second movable idler shafts.

Abstract: Various device embodiments perform a sealing operation on a moving web, and comprise, among other things a plate assembly with an air cylinder assembly. The air cylinder assembly comprises a mount, a back plate, at least one air cylinder positioned between the mount and the back plate. The first plate assembly further includes a linear servo motor for linearly moving the air cylinder assembly with respect to the first base, and a first tooling plate with a sealing surface area. The first tooling plate coupled to the back plate.

Abstract: Various apparatus embodiments include first, second, third and fourth idler shafts, and further include a first movable idler shaft having a first movable axis that is movable between a first axis position and a second axis position, and a second movable idler shaft having a second movable axis that is movable between a third axis position and fourth axis position. At least one linkage connects the first movable idler shaft to the second movable idler shaft. A motor linkage connects the at least one linkage to at least one motor for providing simultaneous movement of the first and second movable idler shafts.

Abstract: Various apparatus embodiments include first, second, third and fourth idler shafts, and further include a first movable idler shaft having a first movable axis that is movable between a first axis position and a second axis position, and a second movable idler shaft having a second movable axis that is movable between a third axis position and fourth axis position. At least one linkage connects the first movable idler shaft to the second movable idler shaft. A motor linkage connects the at least one linkage to at least one motor for providing simultaneous movement of the first and second movable idler shafts.

Abstract: Various device embodiments perform a sealing operation on a moving web, and comprise, among other things a plate assembly with an air cylinder assembly. The air cylinder assembly comprises a mount, a back plate, at least one air cylinder positioned between the mount and the back plate. The first plate assembly further includes a linear servo motor for linearly moving the air cylinder assembly with respect to the first base, and a first tooling plate with a sealing surface area. The first tooling plate coupled to the back plate.

Abstract: Various device embodiments include first and second plate assemblies. Each plate assembly includes a base, a seal plate, one or more air bladders and a servo motor to provide a linear motion of the seal plate with respect to the base. The device further includes at least one plate assembly motor operably linked to the bases of the plate assemblies to provide a linear motion of the first and second plate assemblies toward each other to perform a sealing operation and away from each other. The device further includes a controller connected to the at least one plate assembly motor and to the first and second servo motors to coordinate the motion of the first and second seal plates to perform a seal operation on a web while traveling with the web.

Abstract: Various method embodiments move web equipment from a first web processing station to a second web processing station. According to a method embodiment, the web equipment is raised away from the first web processing station, where raising includes rotating the web equipment about a rotary axis. The rotary axis is linearly moved along a linear axis. The web equipment is lowered toward the second web processing station, wherein lowering includes rotating the web equipment about the rotary axis. Various embodiments move a laser head from one web processing station into operational position at another web processing station.

Abstract: Various device embodiments include first and second plate assemblies. Each plate assembly includes a base, a seal plate, one or more air bladders and a servo motor to provide a linear motion of the seal plate with respect to the base. The device further includes at least one plate assembly motor operably linked to the bases of the plate assemblies to provide a linear motion of the first and second plate assemblies toward each other to perform a sealing operation and away from each other. The device further includes a controller connected to the at least one plate assembly motor and to the first and second servo motors to coordinate the motion of the first and second seal plates to perform a seal operation on a web while traveling with the web.

Abstract: Various device embodiments include first and second plate assemblies. Each plate assembly includes a base, a seal plate, one or more air bladders and a servo motor to provide a linear motion of the seal plate with respect to the base. The device further includes at least one plate assembly motor operably linked to the bases of the plate assemblies to provide a linear motion of the first and second plate assemblies toward each other to perform a sealing operation and away from each other. The device further includes a controller connected to the at least one plate assembly motor and to the first and second servo motors to coordinate the motion of the first and second seal plates to perform a seal operation on a web while traveling with the web.

Abstract: A placement apparatus comprising an anvil roller, a die roller communicatively associated with the anvil roller, and a bump transfer roller communicatively associated with the vacuum roll. The invention also provides a process for placing articles on a web, comprising the steps of providing a stream of articles, placing the articles on the anvil roller, moving the anvil roller, moving an output web, and periodically bringing the output web into communicative association with the anvil roller whereby the articles are transferred to the output web at a predetermined distance from each other.

Abstract: Various device embodiments include first and second plate assemblies. Each plate assembly includes a base, a seal plate, one or more air bladders and a servo motor to provide a linear motion of the seal plate with respect to the base. The device further includes at least one plate assembly motor operably linked to the bases of the plate assemblies to provide a linear motion of the first and second plate assemblies toward each other to perform a sealing operation and away from each other. The device further includes a controller connected to the at least one plate assembly motor and to the first and second servo motors to coordinate the motion of the first and second seal plates to perform a seal operation on a web while traveling with the web.

Abstract: Various device embodiments include first and second plate assemblies. Each plate assembly includes a base, a seal plate, one or more air bladders and a servo motor to provide a linear motion of the seal plate with respect to the base. The device further includes at least one plate assembly motor operably linked to the bases of the plate assemblies to provide a linear motion of the first and second plate assemblies toward each other to perform a sealing operation and away from each other. The device further includes a controller connected to the at least one plate assembly motor and to the first and second servo motors to coordinate the motion of the first and second seal plates to perform a seal operation on a web while traveling with the web.

Abstract: Various method embodiments move web equipment from a first web processing station to a second web processing station. According to a method embodiment, the web equipment is raised away from the first web processing station, where raising includes rotating the web equipment about a rotary axis. The rotary axis is linearly moved along a linear axis. The web equipment is lowered toward the second web processing station, wherein lowering includes rotating the web equipment about the rotary axis. Various embodiments move a laser head from one web processing station into operational position at another web processing station.

Abstract: Various method embodiments comprise testing a plurality of RFID tags forming at least a portion of a first web to identify defective RFID tags and verified RFID tags, cutting the first web between a rotary die and an anvil to remove at least the verified RFID tags from the first web, rotating the anvil to transfer the verified RFID tags cut from the first web away from the first web, placing the verified RFID tags from the anvil onto a second web to form a third web having a first major surface, preventing the defective RFID tags from being placed from the anvil on the second web, and re-testing the RFID tags forming at least a portion of the third web. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.

Abstract: Various device embodiments include first and second plate assemblies. Each plate assembly includes a base, a seal plate and a servo motor to provide a linear motion of the seal plate with respect to the base. The device farther includes at least one plate assembly motor operably linked to the bases of the plate assemblies to provide a linear motion of the first and second plate assemblies toward each other to perform a sealing operation and away from each other. The device further includes a controller connected to the at least one plate assembly motor and to the first and second servo motors to coordinate the motion of the first and second seal plates to perform a seal operation on a web while traveling with the web.

Abstract: A rotary die cutter, comprising a frame, an anvil roll revolvably attached to the frame, a die roll revolvably attached to the frame and positioned in operable contact with the anvil roll, and a drive mechanism for revolving the anvil roll and the die roll. The apparatus further includes an engagement mechanism for selectively engaging and disengaging the drive mechanism from driving the anvil roll and the die roll. The engagement mechanism preferably includes a single revolution clutch that is released by energizing a solenoid. The invention further includes a method of die cutting product comprising the steps of turning a motor, feeding the product sheet between an anvil roll and a die roll and unlatching a clutch to engage the motor with the anvil roll and die roll.