Abstract: A method for cutting a moving source material including: rotating a cutting cylinder including a blade; positioning a structural member in spaced relation from the cutting cylinder, wherein the space between the cutting cylinder and the structural member receives the source material; and positioning an anvil in the space. The anvil engages the source material when it is displaced between the cutting cylinder and the structural member. The method also includes: directing the blade into contact with the source material, whereupon the source material is pressed against the anvil and is severed by the blade, and the anvil is displaced by the cutting blade from a first retracted position to a second activated position; and applying an increasing biasing force to the moving anvil as it is displaced toward the second activated position so as to direct the anvil back to its first retracted position.

Abstract: Apparatus for splicing expiring and replenishing webs of a web material includes first and second spaced platens having respective facing inner surfaces defining a passageway for transit of the expiring web, where the platens are adapted for displacement toward and away from one another in a reciprocating manner. The first platen is adapted to engage an end of the replenishing web, while the second platen is adapted to engage and position the moving expiring web. Moving the platens together with their respective inner surfaces in close proximity to one another causes a cutting die on the first platen to sever the expiring web forming outfeeding and infeeding ends of the expiring web, and to attach the expiring web's outfeeding end to the replenishing web. Attached to the second platen in facing relation to the first platen and engaging the expiring web is an ironing pad to ensure firm contact and adhesion of expiring web to the replenishing web.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for properly orienting and aligning flat sheets or strip material, such as in the form of folding carton blanks, on a conveying system such as used in carton folders/gluers is disclosed. A moving sheet is engaged on at least one surface by plural non-driven movable casters oriented at an angle relative to the sheet's intended direction of travel, or target direction. The casters apply a lateral force to the sheet so that a linear lateral edge of the sheet is brought into contact with an adjacent guide member aligned with the target direction, with the sheet assuming a predetermined orientation relative to the target direction. Each caster is resiliently biased such as by a spring at a predetermined angle relative to the target direction. With the sheet's lateral edge in intimate contact with the guide member, the moving sheet is in the aforementioned predetermined orientation relative to, and is displaced in, the target direction.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for properly orienting and aligning flat sheets or strip material, such as in the form of folding carton blanks, on a conveying system such as used in carton folders/gluers is disclosed. A moving sheet is engaged on at least one surface by plural non-driven movable casters oriented at an angle relative to the sheet's intended direction of travel, or target direction. The casters apply a lateral force to the sheet so that a linear lateral edge of the sheet is brought into contact with an adjacent guide member aligned with the target direction, with the sheet assuming a predetermined orientation relative to the target direction. Each caster is resiliently biased such as by a spring at a predetermined angle relative to the target direction. With the sheet's lateral edge in intimate contact with the guide member, the moving sheet is in the aforementioned predetermined orientation relative to, and is displaced in, the target direction.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method aligns and orients a moving article, such as a sheet or a carton blank during processing of the sheet/carton blank, relative to its intended path of travel through a conveyor-type assembly machine. In one embodiment, a pair of sensors detect passage of respective laterally spaced leading edge portions of the moving sheet and provide inputs to a controller which, in turn, provides an appropriate signal to one of a pair of spaced sheet-gripping rollers in contact with the respective laterally spaced portions of the sheet for aligning, or squaring, the sheet's leading edge relative to its intended path through the assembly machine. In another embodiment, a single sensor detects a linear lateral edge of the sheet and a single drive element orients and aligns the sheet's edge so that it is coincident with and parallel to a linear target line defining the intended path of travel.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for affixing rigid transparent windows to folding cartons draws rigid window web material from a roll and scores and notches the window material in a continuous manner. Notch waste is removed and collected for disposal by the combination of vacuum and an air jet applied at the point of severance. The transparent window material is then provided to an accumulator and then to a stop-and-go adhesive application and material cutting stage, where adhesive is applied to the material which is cut into individual rigid window patches, with the accumulator serving as a buffer between the high speed continuous scoring and notching stage and the stop-and-go adhesive application and cutting stage. Adhesive-bearing individual window patches are applied to moving folding cartons with registration between the notches and cut lines as well as between the cut window blanks and carton blanks provided by a control system.

Abstract: A continuous splicer includes first and second closely spaced rotating cylinders each having a respective cutting element and tape retaining arrangement disposed on its outer periphery. With a depleting web fed by the first cylinder and a replenishing web fed by the second cylinder, an end of the replenishing web is adhesively joined to the depleting web while in motion and the depleting web is severed by the first cylinder's cutting element in forming a splice of the two webs. As the replenishing web depletes, a third web may be inserted on the first cylinder and automatically or manually spliced to the original replenishing web without stopping or re-configuring the splicer. The splicer is capable of delivering the webs at a constant rate or a rapidly changing and/or dynamic cycling rate, and applies relatively low web tension for operation with delicate, narrow and extensible webs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making an RFID article such as a label, tag, ticket, envelope, carton, inlay, etc., including a microchip connected to a first antenna which is, in turn, electro-magnetically and coupled to a second antenna.

Abstract: A continuous splicer includes first and second closely spaced rotating cylinders each having a respective cutting element and tape retaining arrangement disposed on its outer periphery. With a depleting web fed by the first cylinder and a replenishing web fed by the second cylinder, an end of the replenishing web is adhesively joined to the depleting web while in motion and the depleting web is severed by the first cylinder's cutting element in forming a splice of the two webs. As the replenishing web depletes, a third web may be inserted on the first cylinder and automatically or manually spliced to the original replenishing web without stopping or re-configuring the splicer. The splicer is capable of delivering the webs at a constant rate or a rapidly changing and/or dynamic cycling rate, and applies relatively low web tension for operation with delicate, narrow and extensible webs.

Abstract: Methods of cutting and applying RFID straps including microchips, by means of rotating vacuum and cutting cylinders to vary the feed rate of the strap web and/or the angular velocity of the cutting cylinder to avoid contact between the cutting blade and the superposed element on the strap web while severing the strap web at the desired cutting position. In one embodiment, the feed rate of the strap web is controlled. In a second embodiment, the strap web is fed at a substantially constant rate while the angular velocity of the cutting cylinder is controlled to avoid damage to the microchips. In a third embodiment, the feed rate of the strap web adjacent the desired cutting position is reduced and then accelerated and returned to normal by a deflecting arm.

Abstract: Methods of cutting and applying RFID straps including microchips, by means of rotating vacuum and cutting cylinders to vary the feed rate of the strap web and/or the angular velocity of the cutting cylinder to avoid contact between the cutting blade and the superposed element on the strap web while severing the strap web at the desired cutting position. In one embodiment, the feed rate of the strap web is controlled. In a second embodiment, the strap web is fed at a substantially constant rate while the angular velocity of the cutting cylinder is controlled to avoid damage to the microchips. In a third embodiment, the feed rate of the strap web adjacent the desired cutting position is reduced and then accelerated and returned to normal by a deflecting arm.

Abstract: An improved rotary pressure cutting apparatus that cuts, perforates, and scores plies of paper, window materials, label stock, and plastic laminates in conjunction with soft, discontinuous, and/or non-cylindrical anvil surfaces. A light weight, low mass anvil in the form of a metallic sheet is supported in a strike position beneath a rotating blade. The anvil is biased by springs or elastomeric members toward the strike position and moves with the material being cut and the moving cutting blade during a cut. The anvil is returned to the strike position by the biasing member upon completion of the cut.

Abstract: A business form incorporates an improved multi-layer integral card utilizing microperforations to form ties which retain the card during machine handling and printing. The method employs a flexible steel die or engraved die cylinder with microperforations. The die penetrates all layers but the bottom laminate and the microperforations form ties to secure the card until removed for use. The combination and method of forming allows convenient removal of the card by an end user with edges on the removed card being smooth to sight and touch.

Abstract: An improved rotary pressure cutting apparatus that cuts, perforates, and scores plies of paper, window materials, label stock, and plastic laminates in conjunction with soft, discontinuous, and/or non-cylindrical anvil surfaces. A light weight, low mass anvil in the form of a metallic sheet is supported in a strike position beneath a rotating blade. The anvil is biased by springs or elastomeric members toward the strike position and moves with the material being cut and the moving cutting blade during a cut. The anvil is returned to the strike position by the biasing member upon completion of the cut.

Abstract: A series of transfer patches are spaced along a carrier web at a first repeat. Each transfer patch includes at least a backer ply and a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive. The transfer patches are removed seriatim from the carrier web and transferred at a predetermined second repeat to a form web with the adhesive adhering to the reverse surface of the form web. The form web is die-cut from the face surface to form an integrated label or card product, depending on the composition of the transfer patches.

Abstract: An improved adjusting apparatus for a cutting bar received in an axial slot of a blade cylinder for cutting web material. The improvement enables an operator to adjust the tilt of the cutting bar relative to the axis of rotation of the blade cylinder to accommodate out-of-parallel conditions in the blade cylinder or mounting slot so that the cutting edge of the blade held by the cutting bar is parallel to the surface of an adjacent anvil cylinder, which supports the web being cut.

Abstract: Improved method and apparatus for cutting or severing thin webs, especially adhesive transfer tapes, and other relatively thin materials which prevents or minimizes tearing.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of applying labels which includes providing (a) an applicator cylinder and a drive for rotating the applicator cylinder and (b) a source of discrete lengths of label material, traveling the lengths with the applicator cylinder, applying an electrostatic charge to the discrete lengths, advancing a carrier for sequentially receiving the discrete lengths from the applicator cylinder at a point of application, equipping one of the carrier and discrete lengths with an adhesive having an initial tack, and controlling the attraction of the discrete lengths to the applicator cylinder adjacent the point of application.

Abstract: A label-equipped ply with readable liner and method, the ply having a label diecut therein which constitutes only a portion of the ply area, a release backer adhered to the ply back surface and which has an exposed face, the backer being adapted for carrying reverse orientation data imaging on its exposed face and composed of a material capable of being read through the backer.

Abstract: An integrated label product, method and apparatus wherein there is a first ply equipped with a die cut delineating a removable label, a backer ply having a release material on one surface and adhesive between the backer ply one surface and the label-providing ply, the adhesive being provided in primary pattern and a secondary pattern in different positions with the secondary pattern having substantially less adhesion than the primary pattern.