Abstract: A secure disposal system for articles having a movable enclosure that is fully enclosed except for an opening to receive articles. The movable enclosure has a releasable lock for automatically locking a cover in a closed position on the movable enclosure. A transfer device automatically unlocks the cover of the movable enclosure in response to the transfer device mechanically engaging the movable enclosure. The transfer device transfers the enclosure to a position and orientation permitting the cover of the enclosure to fall open and the articles to drop from the enclosure. An article destroyer is located adjacent the transfer device, receives the articles dropping from the movable enclosure and destroys their functionality.

Abstract: An apparatus for destroying articles that has a cutter rotatably mounted adjacent a feed opening of a chamber containing articles to be destroyed. A ram is mounted in the chamber and is movable in a first direction toward the cutter. A plate forms the bottom surface of the chamber, and the plate has a plurality of grooves extending in the first direction. A wiper is mounted on the front of the ram, and the wiper has a plurality of teeth located in respective grooves in the plate. Thus, the plurality of teeth in the grooves prevent articles from sliding beneath the ram as it pushes articles into the cutter. In another embodiment, a segmented wiper is mounted on a first side wall, the segmented wiper has a length extending across an irregular upper surface of the ram, the segmented wiper further has a plurality of independently movable wiper teeth that are in substantially continuous contact with the irregular upper surface of the ram.

Abstract: A multidirectional conveyor section for moving an article in two different directions. The conveyor section has a first roller conveyor mounted on a frame with at least two rollers adapted to move the article in a first direction. A first belt conveyor is mounted between the two rollers of the first roller conveyor and is capable of moving the article in a second direction different from the first direction. A first cylinder is connected to the frame and has a first cylinder rod connected to the first belt conveyor. The first cylinder moves the first belt conveyor vertically between a first position above the first roller conveyor and a second position below the first roller conveyor to facilitate an exchange of the article between the first roller conveyor and the first belt conveyor.

Abstract: An improved optical disc for use in the manufacture of a multilayer optical disc. The improved optical disc has a first side with a data layer and at least one projection extending outward from the first side. The projection separates the first side of the improved optical disc from another optical disc used in the manufacture of the multilayer optical disc, thereby providing a uniform adhesive layer between the discs. A mutilayer optical disc and a method of making a multilayer optical disc utilizing the improved optical disc is also described.

Abstract: An improved optical disc for use in the manufacture of a multilayer optical disc. The improved optical disc has a first side with a data layer and at least one projection extending outward from the first side. The projection separates the first side of the improved optical disc from another optical disc used in the manufacture of the multilayer optical disc, thereby providing a uniform adhesive layer between the discs. A mutilayer optical disc and a method of making a multilayer optical disc utilizing the improved optical disc is also described.

Abstract: An elevatable conveyor for moving articles between different material handling equipment comprises a frame and a carriage mounted on the frame to move in a substantially vertical direction with respect to the frame. The carriage carries first and second conveyors capable of moving the material thereon and having different vertical elevations on the carriage. A cylinder is connected to the frame, and the cylinder has a cylinder rod connected to the carriage. The cylinder is operable to move the carriage and the first and second conveyors in a substantially vertical direction between first and second vertical positions.

Abstract: A scraping machine for scraping glue off of a screen printing frame that includes a base adapted to support a screen printing frame. A first actuator is mounted on the base and has a carriage movable by the first actuator. A scraper vibrator is pivotally mounted to the carriage and imparts a vibration to the scraper blade. A second actuator is used to pivot the scraping blade into and out of contact with a surface of the screen printing frame to be scraped. When the scraping blade is in contact with the screen printing frame, the first actuator is used to move the scraping blade across a surface of the screen printing frame.

Abstract: A sorting apparatus for sorting and receiving optical discs as a function of different quality control codes associated with respective optical discs including a base and a motor mounted to the base and having an output shaft. A turntable has a plurality of vertically oriented fixed spindles attached thereto, and the turntable is connected to, and rotates with, the output shaft of the motor. Each of the spindles has a diameter less than a diameter of a centerhole in the optical discs. A control is responsive to the quality control codes and operates the motor to rotate the turntable and move a spindle to a loading position for receiving an optical disc. The control selects the spindle to receive the optical disc so that only discs having a common quality control code are received by the spindle.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a first component having a first electrical connecting element. A second component of the electrical connector has a second electrical connecting element connectable to the first electrical connecting element in an electrically conductive relationship and a third electrical connecting element. The electrical connector has a third component with a fourth electrical connecting element connectable to the third electrical connecting element in an electrically conductive relationship. However, the fourth electrical connecting element is not connectable to the first electrical connecting element in an electrically conductive relationship. Thus, as long as the second component is carried with a person, an electrically conductive relationship cannot be established through the electrical connector.

Abstract: An apparatus for joining two optical discs into a disc assembly having multiple layers of data has a disc processing chamber for supporting the first and second discs, wherein each of the discs has a layer of data on a first side thereof. The processing chamber is fluidly connected to a tank containing a bonding fluid. A vacuum pump is selectively connectable to the processing chamber and the tank for selectively evacuating air out of each. An actuator is operatively mounted within the processing chamber and supports the first disc. The actuator moves the first side of the first disc into contact with the first side of second disc after the processing chamber has been evacuated and a bonding fluid is placed on one of the first and second discs, thereby forming a disc assembly having multiple layers of data.

Abstract: A test apparatus and method utilize a proximity sensor to detect the deflection of an optical disc spindle as the spindle is supported on a rotatable spindle support. The proximity sensor is disposed at a fixed location relative to the rotational axis of the rotatable spindle support, and is configured to output a variable proximity signal associated with the distance between the proximity sensor and the optical disc spindle. The output of the proximity sensor is fed to an electrical circuit to determine whether the deflection is outside of an acceptable range during rotation of the rotatable spindle support. If so, an indication is provided to an operator to permit the operator to repair or discard the spindle, as appropriate. In addition, a length detector is used to provide an indication of the length of the optical disc spindle so that the electrical circuit can adjust the acceptable deflection range for different lengths of optical disc spindles.

Abstract: A multidirectional belt-type conveyor includes a base supporting a motor-driven conveyor belt formed in a continuous closed loop and supporting articles to be conveyed. The conveyor belt is mounted on the base such that the closed loop forms the multidirectional path in a generally horizontal direction, thereby permitting the conveyor belt to convey the articles along the multidirectional path.

Abstract: An elevatable conveyor section having a base, a conveying element for supporting articles to be conveyed and scissors-linkage. The scissors-linkage has first ends connected with respect to first ends of the base and conveying element and second ends connected with respect to second ends of the base and conveying element. A lift has a linearly moving component connected to a perimeter of the conveying element. The lift is operated to selectively move the moving component and the attached conveying element up and down.

Abstract: A part transfer apparatus having a first element with a longitudinal slot extending along one side and a second element having a similar longitudinal slot. The slots are disposed adjacent to each other. An actuator is connected to the first element and has a movable rod connected to the second element. A first guide block is mounted to one end of the second element and has a key disposed within the slot of the first element. A second guide block is mounted to an end of the first element and has a key disposed in the slot of the second element. The keys and slots function to guide the second element with respect to the first element. A part support is mounted on the second element for receiving a part.

Abstract: A machine-readable serial number is formed on a CD-ROM by using a laser to selectively remove a reflective layer from the CD-ROM. Removal of the reflective layer creates defects in addressable information storage locations on the CD-ROM. The serial number is read by detecting the defects. The serial number is used in a software distribution system in which many different software programs are distributed on a single CD-ROM and an access code based on the desired software program and the serial number of a particular CD-ROM is used to "unlock" the desired program on the particular CD-ROM.

Abstract: A label assembly for a package sleeve accommodating a storage media disc in a sleeve cavity thereof. The label assembly includes a removable tear strip assembly having a pair of removable tear strips with one of the tear strips covering the sleeve cavity such that when the tear strips are detached along perforation lines, the disc can be removed from the sleeve cavity. The tear strips also have a deadened adhesive backing so that no adhesive can contact the disc. In this label assembly, a first information section and a second information section are positioned on opposite sides of the tear strip assembly. The first information section includes mailing identification information for identifying mailing information regarding the package sleeve and the second information section includes disc identification information providing product identification information regarding the storage media disc accommodated within the package sleeve. This label assembly also providing for evidence of tampering.

Abstract: A mass-manufactured disc containing audio and non-audio data, the audio portion of which can be satisfactorily played by an audio-only player without playing the non-audio portion. The disc is mass-manufactured from a patterned glassmaster by either (1) generating suitable multisession-formatted data and subcode information and writing this data onto the glassmaster, or (2) reading data stored on a write-once multisession disc and writing this data directly onto the glassmaster.

Abstract: A molding apparatus for molding an optical component comprises first and second mold sections (20-26, 34) forming opposite sides of a mold cavity (40). The mold cavity has a peripheral edge (43) contacting the optical component during the molding process which is made to reduce the transfer of heat through the peripheral edge (43). In one embodiment of the invention, the peripheral edge is made from a titanium alloy (56) having thermal conductivity approximately 50% of a thermal conductivity of stainless steel. In another embodiment of the invention, the peripheral edge of the mold is made from a porous titanium material (56a) having a density substantially less than the solid titanium alloy. In a further embodiment of the invention, the peripheral edge of the mold is made from a polyimide (70) having oxygen atoms implanted in its surface.

Abstract: A label handling apparatus (40) connected to an air source (90) selectively providing both a positive air pressure and an air suction has a plate (70, 100) which receives a label (26) from a peeler (34) across a lower surface (46) of the plate (100). The plate (100) includes a plurality of holes (102)having upper ends in fluid communication with the air source (90) and lower ends intersecting the lower surface (46) of the plate (|00). Pins (60) are disposed for sliding motion within the plate (70, 100) to selectively block and unblock the fluid communication between selected ones of the holes (102) and the air source (26). By simply moving the pins (60) to cover or uncover selected holes (102), the apparatus can be quickly adjusted to accommodate any size label.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for serializing compact discs on which is optically readable digital information for corresponding serializing disc sleeves, and for inserting each of the serialized discs into correspondingly serialized sleeves. A laser printing device marks with a unique serial marking, each of the compact discs and a sleeve labeling device marks each of the sleeves with one of the unique serial markings. A sleeve conveyor formed of a pair of opposed endless belts of generally fixed lengths maintained under tension and in proximity to each other holds sleeves in place as the belts move along a path extending through the sleeve labeling device and a loading station.