Abstract: A flexible switch with a flexible lead-carrying tail bent downward from above lower layers of the switch and through slots in the lower layers inside the edge of the switch.

Abstract: Laminate layers, such as a label and its liner, are separated by directing both layers at an end of the laminate around a sharp bend to cause shearing and lengthwise offset between the layers, and then releasing the end, the overall orientation being such that, upon release of the end, a differential in the forces that tend to straighten the layers drives apart the shear-weakened adhesive bond. The bending is carried out by sliding the end around a sharply curved surface.

Abstract: A flexible touch switch in which indicia and conductive contact portions are both formed on the undersurface of a flexible overlay that is transparent with respect to the indicia.

Abstract: Laminate layers, such as a label and its liner, are separated by bending lengthwise-adjacent portions of the laminate end in opposite directions to cause shearing and lengthwise offset between the layers, and then releasing the end, the overall orientation being such that, upon release of the end, a differential in the forces that tend to straighten the layers drives apart the shear-weakened adhesive bond.

Abstract: Laminate layers, such as a label and its liner, are separated by bending lengthwise-adjacent portions of the laminate end in opposite directions to cause shearing and lengthwise offset between the layers, and then releasing the end, the overall orientation being such that, upon release of the end, a differential in the forces that tend to straighten the layers drives apart the shear-weakened adhesive bond. The bending is carried out by forcing the laminate end into a narrow cavity with a finger-like member and using the combination of a compressible member and a support to frictionally restrain the laminate longitudinally. In preferred embodiments layer separation means are combined with cutting members for severing a length of laminate from a larger piece thereof.

Abstract: Laminate layers, such as a label and its liner, are separated by directing both layers at an end of the laminate around a sharp bend to cause shearing and lengthwise offset between the layers, and then releasing the end, the overall orientation being such that, upon release of the end, a differential in the forces that tend to straighten the layers drives apart the shear-weakened adhesive bond.

Abstract: A flexible touch switch with normally-conductive material inserted in apertures in a spacer layer, for making electrical contact between electrical pathways carried by contact-carrying layers.

Abstract: AC powered flash tube control circuitry includes an energy storage circuit and a firing circuit. The storage and firing circuits are triggered in each flash cycle in separate coordinated sequence in time synchronism with the frequency of the AC source to store energy in a first portion of each flash cycle and to trigger the tube into conduction in a second portion of the flash cycle during which energy from the storage circuit is discharged from the flash tube to produce an output flash of radiation.

Abstract: A machine for applying marker labels carried on a liner web onto a floor surface in order to mark aisles or other boundaries on the floor, in which the liner web is driven intermittently so that markers closely spaced thereon are applied to the floor at a greater spacing, which machine incorporates a simplified driving mechanism based around a pivotal foot lever which is conveniently actuated for engagement and disengagement of the drive means which transports the liner through the machine and which also optionally may include a stripper member having a curved edge about which the liner travels for improved dispensing of the labels from the liner.

Abstract: Electrical circuitry for delivering to a flashtube a series of flash-producing electrical pulses, the circuitry comprising energy circuitry means for repeatedly storing electrical energy and discharging the energy in the form of such pulses through the flashtube, each pulse producing a flash, each flash being grouped in a flash cycle synchronized with a cycle of an AC voltage source, the energy circuitry means comprising first and second capacitors connected by a switching element responsive to the difference between a first voltage at the junction between the first capacitor and the switching element and a second voltage on the second capacitor, the energy circuitry means stepping up the voltage discharged across the flashtube by the second capacitor, and firing circuitry means for receiving during each flash cycle a portion of the energy discharged by the energy circuitry means, to initiate each flash, the firing circuitry means being timed to initiate the flash, thereby reducing the second voltage upon dis

Abstract: A wire marker comprising an assembly of (1) an adhesive element for carrying identification information that has pressure sensitive adhesive on one of its surfaces and (2) a backing covering the adhesive on the adhesive member, wherein the assembly has a pair of spaced apertures through which a wire to be marked is inserted, after which the backing can be removed from the adhesive element and the adhesive element folded over to form an identification flag on the wire.

Abstract: An adhesive label having a sandwich construction utilizing a light reflective outer layer, an inner supporting layer, and an adhesive layer as an opposite outer layer which is used to affix the label to an object.