Abstract: A method of simulating variable rate printing in an ink jet printing system employing a fixed frequency vibrating reed. By varying several printing parameters, a range of quantized values is derived for character size and the rate of character generation.

Abstract: Method for stretching of fastener stock. The stock is of stretchable material and is engaged by members which are spaced apart at an angle and rotate at substantially the same peripheral speed in different planes to stretch the portion of the stock that extends between the members.

Abstract: Electrostatic transfer printing in which a latent electrostatic image is formed on a cylindrical dielectrical member by means of a remote glow discharge ion source. The image is then toned and pressure-transferred to a receptor, such as a sheet of paper, which is passed between the cylindrical dielectric member and a transfer roller. Scraper blades may be included to remove residual toner from the cylindrical dielectric member and the transfer roller. Means may also be included to erase any latent residual electrostatic image on the cylindrical dielectric member.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the decoration of bottles and the like at high speeds. Bottles are delivered by an input conveyor to a star wheel, which deposits them sequentially into a continuously rotating turret. The turret carries the bottles past a labelling site, where a label carrier strip is pressed into contact with a bottle surface and a label thereby transferred. The shape of the bottle is maintained during labelling by means of inflation of the bottles through an inserted nozzle. The raising and lowering of the inflating nozzle and the flow of inflating air is controlled by special valving apparatus. The motion of the label carrier strip past the labelling site is regulated by the use of rolls on a shuttle slide, which in turn is reciprocated by a second slide driven by a conjugate cam. This results in an increase of the local velocity of the carrier strip during most of the cycle, and a slowing of the strip during the balance.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for expanding point matrix characters. For each member of a character set there is stored a basic character matrix defining the character in its lowest magnification. A shape code is assigned to each point of the basic character matrix based upon the configuration of blacks and whites in a neighborhood centering on the point. Quantized versions of the shape codes are used as templates for assigning expanded point arrays to each point in the basic matrix. The method is advantageously implemented by logic circuitry for a matrix printer or the like. The user may vary the aspect ratio of the expanded characters, and may design the shape codes to produce a pleasing character appearance.

Abstract: Ink jet printing method and apparatus in which an ink stream is projected from an oscillating structure to a record member which moves relative to the oscillating structure, creating a trace on the record member. The ink jet printer includes a reed head assembly, which comprises a capillary tube, a metal reed attached thereto, and means for inducing macroscopic oscillations of the metal reed and attached capillary tube at a resonance frequency of the metal reed, in a direction transverse to the axis of the capillary tube. An alternative reed head assembly includes a capillary tube carrying a metal sleeve, with the capillary tube as the primary oscillating member. The reed head assembly may include an ultrasonic transducer for inducing microscopic longitudinal vibrations in the metal reed and capillary tube, thereby regulating the parameters of breakup of the ink stream emitted from the capillary tube.

Abstract: A pressure sensitive adhesive rendered electrically conductive without adversely affecting pressure sensitive adhesiveness by adding thereto electrically conductive material.Where a conductive pressure sensitive adhesive layer is used in the form of a coating on a backing sheet, the protective release sheet or liner for the pressure sensitive adhesive coating may also be rendered conductive by the inclusion of electrically conductive material therein so that the thickness of the laminate is conductive.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for handling bottles and the like in heat transfer labelling and similar applications with increased processing rates. Bottles are delivered on a single lane conveyor, through a preheating station, and then routed through various bottle handling stations which separate the bottles into two groups to be handled by separate labelling modules. The two groups of bottles are then recombined in a single lane for further processing. The bottle handling apparatus consists of a dividing station, a crossover station, and a combining station. A bottle loading gate may be included to control the rate of feed of bottles into the single lane input conveyor. The handling stations include gates, for controlling the spacing of bottles, and diverters, for guiding bottles into selected lanes. The user may activate the bottle handling stations to double the labelling rate, or deactivate the stations to label each bottle twice.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for random segment imprinting of alphanumerical designations and other symbols on cartons, cases, and the like. The imprinter includes a control logic module, a rotating print cylinder, and an ink cartridge. It permits rapid automatic substitution of designations without interrupting the printing process.

Abstract: Chemically-resistant adhesives formed using non-hydrolyzable hard and soft resins. Chemically-resistant labels are provided by using the adhesive to adhere an image-bearing film of polyvinyl chloride to a protective film, and to a carrier. The labels are particularly resistant to acids and have a reduced tendency to shrink or distort when affixed to battery surfaces at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: An assembly for inserting attachment members through thick, bulky goods, the attachments being of the type including two end pieces connected by a thin, flexible filament. The assembly includes a fluid powered fastener inserting device, a receiver cylinder, an air cylinder, and mounting structure. A fastener dispensing needle held in a projectible member is lowered from the fastener inserting device while the receiver cylinder is raised by the air cylinder, compressing the workpiece therebetween. One end of an attachment member is inserted by the needle through the workpiece, and emerges in a cavity of the receiver cylinder, the cavity being configured to minimize stress on the attachment member during this process.

Abstract: A compact and inexpensive decorator for transferring labels by heat and pressure from a carrier strip to articles such as bottles. The decorator is designed as a unit, including infeed and outfeed conveyors, a turret for holding articles during labelling and maintaining their shape by inflation, a deck bearing a transport for the carrier web and a device for impressing labels from the strip onto the articles, and a control module. For round articles the turret includes interchangeable Index and Decorator cups, while for oval articles an easily removed turret base with article cutouts is used. The deck may be adjusted in its height and angular orientation with respect to the turret to permit decoration of a wide variety of article faces. The carrier web transport includes a capstan web drive for pulling the web, a double gate, and a dancer roll, which provide label-by-label advance of the web controlled by signals from a photoelectric web monitor and a container detector.

Abstract: An electrophotographic system employing double image transfer. A photoconductive member is charged and exposed to form a latent electrostatic image, which is then transferred to a drum with a durable dielectric coating. The latent electrostatic image is subsequently toned and transferred by pressure to a recording medium, with or without simultaneous pressure fixing.

Abstract: A process for producing cellulosic products which are particularly suitable for use as electrical insulators. The product is produced by creping base paper or stock and thereafter calendering the paper so that its final density is equal or greater than its starting density. The resulting creped product desirably has a density in the range from 0.8 to 1.2 grams per cubic centimeter, an increased Gurley densometer reading and has such mechanical and electrical properties as flexibility, extensibility and insulative effect.

Abstract: A fastener to permit the capture and release by a selected medium of the wire binder on notebooks, tablets, or the like. The fastener includes a series of tabs which are profiled so that the captured medium resists removal due to ordinary stresses, but may be inserted and removed by means of an easily applied transverse force.

Abstract: An improved tool for the installation of objects such as cable tie fasteners, including a device for penumatically powering the tool's operation. An air cylinder appended to the tool contains a piston and rod assembly which is coupled to machinery within the tool for tensioning and severing the object to be installed. The piston and rod assembly is actuated by the movement of a valve within the cylinder, which valve is in turn linked to the tool's trigger. Piston and valve springs restore the piston and rod assembly and the valve to their original positions upon release of the trigger.

Abstract: A filter bag for dry copiers, i.e. copiers which employ particulate toner material. The bag comprises a filter element and a protective cover of porous non-woven material which imparts negligible resistance to air flow.

Abstract: A system for ink jet printing to collect ink unused during the printing process, and recycle the ink solvent to be reintroduced in the system. The ink stream, after breakup into individual droplets, is selectively charged in a charging tunnel and then passes between a deflection electrode and a collection electrode. The charged droplets are electrostatically deflected to the porous wall of the collection electrode, where they are absorbed. A vacuum pump draws the absorbed droplets into a collection container, which vaporizes the ink solvent and mixes it with air. The solvent-laden air passes through a filter, and is forced through the wall of the deflection electrode in order to control the drying of stray ink drops between the two electrodes.

Abstract: A device for attaching or affixing one article to another, or for bundling and holding articles together. The device is formed by a filamentary member having a shielded pronged socket at one end and a head at the other end. The head is insertable into the socket and is proportioned to forestall accidental or deliberate distortion of the socket, and consequent release of the head, after it has been locked in position by the prongs of the socket. The prongs desirably include appendages to enhance the locking effect.

Abstract: A harnessing device formed by a locking head and an attached serrated strap with gripper rails. The head contains a guide channel for receiving the strap after encirclement of the items to be harnessed, and an internal locking tang. The serrated strap has side rails which are proportioned to grip the encircled items. The desired gripping action is facilitated by the inclusion of serrations on the rails.