Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for lifting and moving large rolls of material, such as sheet material, which define a central core. The apparatus includes a wheeled frame, and a pair of guide ways that extend parallel to one another and across the frame. A lifting arm defines a lifting flange at one end, is rotatable about an axis oriented generally parallel to the guide ways, and is coupled at an end opposite of the lifting flange to one of the guide ways. An actuator couples the lifting arm to the other guide way, and rotates the lifting arm about the axis oriented generally parallel to the guide ways in order to move the lifting arm between raised and lowered positions. The lifting arm is slidable along the guide ways to permit the lifting flange to be positioned in a hollow core of a roll. Sliding movement of the lifting arm along the guide ways is selectively permitted by a brake mechanism including a brake pad in selective engagement with a guide way.

Abstract: An identification card intermediate is made using a press in a single pass on the press. A paper stock web (typically non-coated and non-calendered) passes through the press in a first direction, the web having a face and a back and an imaginary line extending substantially along the first direction dividing the web into first and second sides. Imaged indicia is applied to at least one of the face and back of the web on the first side, a barrier coat is applied to the second side face, and a silicone varnish (e.g. UV curable) is applied over the barrier coat and cured. A transparent plastic laminate with adhesive is applied over both the first and second sides of the web face with the adhesive engaging the face and varnish and the web is slit from the back without slitting the transparent sheet, and coincident with or after rolling, sheeting, or fan folding the web, it is removed from the press.

Abstract: An electronic requisitioning system for channeling customer requisition orders to internal suppliers and outside vendors, and processing invoices using a centralized computer system. A customer accesses an electronic item catalog and requisition form to place an order transmitted to the central computer system. Requisitions are segregated by supplier and sent as purchase orders to appropriate internal suppliers and outside vendors that ship the items directly to the customer. Invoices are centrally processed and the customer receives a combined invoice for all items requisitions and may transmit payment back through to the central computer system.

Abstract: A piggyback label construction includes a first label having a stock ply with a bottom face having pressure sensitive adhesive, and an imagable top face. A second label comprises a stock ply having a bottom face with pressure sensitive adhesive, a top face with a continuous image-producing coating, and a continuous adhesive release coating over the image-producing coating. The image-producing coating preferably is a thermosensitive coating having a first heat activation temperature of about 140.degree.-250.degree. F. (preferably about 145.degree.-155.degree. F). The first label stock ply has a weight of about 30 lbs. per 1000 sheet 11".times.17" ream, or less (preferably about 18-30 lbs.). The first label stock imagable top face preferably is a second thermosensitive coating having a higher heat activation temperature than the first heat activation temperature. The image-producing coating may comprise a self-contained coating.

Abstract: Linerless label stock is produced from a single substrate utilizing a coating machine by moving the substrate through the coating machine and applying a tie coating to the substrate first face, a release coating to the substrate second face, and a pressure sensitive adhesive to the tie coating. The release coating comprises a mixture of (a) about 55 to about 95 parts by weight of a first acrylated polysiloxane having the formula I: ##STR1## wherein R is a C.sub.4 -C.sub.2 alkyl group, m is about 40 and n ranges from about 8 to about 12;b) about 5 to about 45 parts by weight of a second acrylated polysiloxane having the formula II: ##STR2## wherein R is a C.sub.4 -C.sub.12 alkyl group, m is about 180 and n ranges from about 8 to about 12; andc) about 2 to about 6 parts by weight of a photoinitiator.

Abstract: Linerless labels are produced by feeding a tape having a release coated face and an adhesive face to a hardened anvil vacuum cylinder, utilizing a non-stick circumferential surface feed roll. A knife blade on a cutting cylinder is rotated into contact with the tape at the anvil cylinder to cut the tape into linerless labels, and release liquid is applied to the blade after each cut. From the anvil cylinder the labels are deposited on a plurality of spaced conveyor tapes of circular cross section with the adhesive faces contacting the conveyor tapes. A vacuum chamber assists in holding the labels on the conveyor tapes. The release coat faces of the labels conveyed by the conveyor tapes may be heated and then printed with hot melt ink from an ink jet printer.

Abstract: A multi-part carbonless business form includes a first upper CB sheet having a first heat and/or pressure sensitive adhesive strip or a lower surface thereof and extending along and adjacent one marginal edge thereof; a second lower CE sheet having a second heat and/or pressure sensitive adhesive strip of substantially identical adhesive composition as the first strip, on an upper surface thereof and extending along and adjacent a corresponding marginal edge in substantial vertical alignment with the first adhesive strip; and at least one intermediate CFB sheet located between the first upper sheet and the second lower sheet and having a first plurality of apertures vertically aligned with the first and second adhesive strips to thereby allow heat and/or pressure sealing engagement between the upper CB sheet and the lower CF sheet through the first plurality of apertures in the intermediate CFB sheet.

Abstract: A mailer intermediate, and a combination postcard and negotiable instrument mailer, are provided which has the benefit of postcard postal rates, yet provides the confidentiality of a mailer. The intermediate is formed by a quadrate sheet of cellulose based stock with first and second parallel lines of weakness (e.g., perforations) extending substantially transverse to the side edges of the sheet and dividing the sheet into an outgoing address portion, a negotiable instrument portion, and a combination security and reply portion. When the sheet is folded about the first line of weakness to form a mailer, the mailer has postcard-sized dimensions (e.g., about 4.25".times.6") with the outgoing addressee indicia image on the outside face of the address portion and negotiable instrument indicia (including payee and MICR indicia) on the inside of the mailer, negotiable instrument portion. The outgoing address portion has a width of about 1.2-1.

Abstract: A pressure sealer for sealing pressure sensitive adhesive strips on business forms or the like is simple and straight forward, for use primarily in manual operations. First and second driven rollers convey business forms during sealing, and are driven by a single motor driven gear meshing with Delrin gears integral with the rollers. Pressure applying rollers are mounted above and in alignment with first and second rollers, and are biased by an adjustable spring mechanism to provide the necessary pressure to effect sealing. The spring force applying mechanism can also be disabled so that no force is applied to allow ready inspection and/or replacement of the components, by utilizing a particular procedure including replacing one bolt with a longer thinner bolt. Pinching of the operator's fingers is prevented by a flap disposed in association with a lead-in platform for the forms, just prior to the rollers.

Abstract: Business forms having labels integral with the sheets thereof (rather than riding piggyback thereon) are produced by applying a strip of transfer tape to only a portion of the second face of a sheet, with the adhesive of the transfer tape contacting the sheet, so that sheet material surrounds the transfer tape strip completely. Then a label is die cut from the first face of the sheet, preferably after the transfer tape is applied, within the area of the sheet overlying the transfer tape strip, without cutting the transfer tape backing. A coating of less than 2.0 g/m.sup.2 is applied to a portion of the first face of the sheet in an area including the label. The coating is a composition including from about 50 to about 90 parts of a particulate silica and about 10 to about 50 parts of a polyvinyl alcohol, by dry weight. Indicia is at some point printed or bar coded on the first face of the sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus and method provide for the alternate manufacture of permanent adhesive or repositional linerless labels utilizing the same equipment. Indicia is applied such as by using a flexographic unit in which the print cylinders are immediately thrown-off the web when the unit is turned off. Coating stations apply a repositional adhesive and release coat in the construction of repositional adhesive labels, for example, using a flexo unit in which the print cylinder stays in contact with the web after the unit is turned off to wipe excess adhesive from the print cylinder. In the construction of permanent adhesive labels a coating station for applying a release coat and a release coat curing station, as well as a hot melt permanent adhesive application station, are also provided. The permanent adhesive is applied with a slotted die head having a heat uniformity of .+-. five degrees F across its length, and applies an even adhesive coat thickness of about 0.0005-0.001 inches to .+-. about 0.0001 inches.

Abstract: Non-magnetic and non-conductive powdered toner is applied to a rotating image cylinder having an electrostatic pattern. A container having a closed bottom and sides and open top contains the powdered toner. The powder is fluidized by introducing air through a pervious closed bottom of the container, and by vibrating the container. The toner is simultaneously stirred and electrically charged to a potential of greater than about 7 kv (plus or minus polarity) by rotating elements with radial pointed appendages in the container. Toner is transferred from the container to an image cylinder at an exposed nine o'clock position of the image cylinder by a plurality of transfer cylinders. A first transfer cylinder is mounted so that its periphery is just above the open top of the container and an applicator cylinder has its axis below the axis of the first cylinder, and its periphery adjacent both the first cylinder and the image cylinder.

Abstract: Linerless label stock is produced from a single substrate utilizing a coating machine by moving the substrate through the coating machine and applying a tie coating to the substrate first face, a release coating to the substrate second face, and a pressure sensitive adhesive to the tie coating. The tie coating comprises a dispersion of a pigment, such as silica, with a binder, such as polyvinyl alcohol. The substrate is cut to form individual labels, and is rolled up into a roll with the release coated second face on the outside of the roll. Printing may be applied to the substrate prior to coating, or to the release coating.

Abstract: A card package assembly and method of manufacture thereof allow simple and inexpensive production of desirable products, particularly useful for telephone debit cards. A web of card stock is imaged on both first and second faces with indicia (preferably variable and non-variable), and the faces are spot coated with plastic at spaced locations equal to the length of card package ultimately separated from the web. A card is formed from or out of each of the spot coated plastic locations, by die cutting, or with lines of weakness such as perforations. The form is narrower at the card, and adhesive patterns outside the card portions hold other panels of the package together once folded over to sandwich the card between other panels. The cards may be produced from a web one package wide, or from a web two or even more packages wide. A bang tail is preferably provided connected to the card, and of the same width, with a perforation separating the bang tail from the card and coupon indicia imaged on the bang tail.

Abstract: A label assembly is provided allowing the aesthetic packaging of vegetables, other food items, or other products, for point of purchase display in a simple, versatile and effective manner. First and second flexible strips of material (e.g. paper or plastic) have a header formed at one end and are overlapped at the other end to be held together by adhesive. An adhesive pattern of discrete spaced adhesive elements is provided on the inner face of at least one of the strips and engages the container or covering of a product being packaged so that the label assembly does not inadvertently detach from the package. The label assembly is particularly suited for use with a microwavable tray having an open top covered by plastic shrink wrap and containing vegetables (there being no adhesive where the label covers the open top), or for encircling a number of low density polypropylene bags (e.g. containing vegetables) which are held together by the label assembly.

Abstract: A system and method for pressure sealing business forms provide for maximum utilization of floor space and ease of control by an operator. First and second pressure sealing devices, each having upper and lower sets of rollers forming nips for sealing business forms only along strips of pressure sensitive adhesive, are mounted one above the other. A common drive is provided for the drive rollers of each set, for each sealing device. Tape conveyors assist in conveying the forms through the first sealer, around a horizontal axis large diameter drum, and from the large diameter drum through a second sealer, the forms moving in the opposite direction to the one they moved in through the first sealer when going through the second sealer. A rotator is provided between the drum and the second sealer for changing the orientation of the forms about 90.degree.. The forms are fed to the first sealer by an infeed conveyor/deshingler, and are removed from the second sealer by an outfeed conveyor/stacker.

Abstract: A plurality of interconnected envelope blanks are formed from an envelope web of paper. Die cut windows are also formed in each envelope blank of the interconnected web and transparent window patches are adhesively secured over the die cut window. A plurality of inserts from insert webs of paper are formed and may be variably imaged. The inserts are collected and disposed on the interconnected envelope blanks with address information registering through the window. The interconnected blanks and web form with inserts applied are severed to form discrete envelope blanks and later folded and glued to form complete mailers.

Abstract: Business forms, particularly financial instruments such as checks, money orders, bank drafts, etc., are constructed with CF and CB, or self-imaging, sheets. MICR characters may be printed on the sheets without subsequent smearing by applying a UV curable ink to a CF or self-imaging sheet so as to block the CF or self-imaging material at the selected portion to which the ink is applied, thereby rendering it incapable of functioning as a CF or self-imaging element. The ink is applied to a moving web in a continuous manner prior to printing to form a continuous strip of ink, which moves past a UV radiation source so that it is quickly cured and does not adversely affect high speed production. The ink may also be applied to a CB, CF, or self-imaging sheet as a security feature, selectively blocking the transmission of confidential indicia at the selected portion of the sheet with which it is associated.

Abstract: An easily removable label for use in connection with a container to be recycled (e.g. bottle or can). The label has first and second faces. Indicia is provided on the first face and a coating of repositionable adhesive is applied to the second face. The label is also provided with leading and trailing edges which cooperate to form an overlapping area with permanent adhesive which secures one face of the label to the other while at the same time precluding contact of the permanent adhesive with the container. The label may be provided with a perforation line adjacent the overlapping area so that the label may be conveniently separated from the container. The face of the label may be coated with permanent pressure sensitive adhesive release material, and a number of labels provided in a pad. The label provides a lasting adhesion between the container and the label but yet will not leave any significant residue of permanent adhesive once the label is removed.

Abstract: An inexpensive material dispenser for a roll or rolls of linerless labels may be in tube form, or constructed from a folded sheet blank. The tube may be removably closed at one or both ends and have an exterior peripheral surface with at least a portion of adhesive release material. A roll of linerless labels is loose in the tube interior and dispensed through an opening in the peripheral surface. A cardboard or paperboard blank may be folded so that end tabs are received within (having an interference fit with) a roll core, or a core for a plurality of label rolls. The labels of the plurality of rolls are prevented from touching each other.