Abstract: A thick-film switch element includes a high-temperature glass frit fused to a ceramic substrate. A cermet layer having a low-temperature glass matrix is fired in a conventional furnace to sink into the glass frit layer such that the resulting thickness of the switch element layer is approximately equal to the original thickness of the glass frit layer. The exposed surface of the resulting thick-film switch element product is substantially smooth and the joint between the low-temperature cermet layer and the high-temperature glass frit layer is substantially uniform.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for attaching decorative articles to a fabric material having a face and a back surface comprising the steps of contacting a fixture having a pattern of bevelled depressions in a flat surface thereof with a plurality of decorative articles having heat sensitive adhesive backing on a substantially flat surface thereof.

Abstract: A device for applying tape from a supply roller with an internal central hollow space upon a surface comprises a handle for carrying thereof, an arrangement for holding the supply roller rotatable, a roller being rotatably arranged for applying the tape upon the surface by rolling it on the surface by means of the handle with the tape from the tape supply roller therebetween while generating a force pulling the tape off the roller, and means for generating a rolling friction of the tape supply roller for preventing it from rotating except when a traction is applied on the tape portion leaving the roller. The device further comprises an assembly arranged to form the holding arrangement as well as the rolling friction means by having at least a spring means arranged to cause friction generating biasing of envelope surface portions of the tape supply roller against portions of a frame of the device or members connected thereto.

Abstract: An improved label applicator system as provided for reducing the time required to convert from one label type to another. The device comprises one or more cassette assemblies each having a supply spool, a rewind spool, routing rollers and a peeler arm. Such cassettes are removably attachable to an applicator head assembly which comprises a drive means and a control means. This invention enables the operator to pre-thread a cassette prior to attachment to the applicator head assembly. The changeover from one label type to another can now be accomplished by removing one cassette assembly from the applicator machine and replacing it with a pre-threaded cassette assembly containing an alternative label type.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of non-destructive quality control testing of seams in roof membranes. The test comprises the use of a double seam concept which forms a pressurizable void, which indicates the degree and extent of bonding of the seams. The test is corralatable to T-pull testing normally used in the laboratory for such testing but has the advantage of being capable of being used on the construction site.

Abstract: A system automatically weeds around graphics cut into a sheet of sign material having a backing and utilizes a tool moved relative to the sign material sheet along a path offset from the lines of cut defining the graphic in response to commands issued by a controller to selectively bond an overlay sheet to the weed portions of the sign material sheet. The overlay sheet is placed over the sign material sheet and is selectively bonded with portions of the cut sign material sheet for subsequent separation of the nongraphic or weed material from the cut graphic when the overlay sheet is pulled away from the backing.

Abstract: In affixing a tape to an adhesion form by pressing the tape thereagainst with a press roller at the forward end of a tape supply head rotatable about a C axis while feeding the tape to the press roller, a method comprising detecting the positions of opposite side edges of the tape during the tape affixing operation with sensors on at least one of the front and rear sides of the press roller, calculating the amount of sidewise deviation of the tape from the resulting detection signals, calculating the required angle of rotation of the press roller about the C axis based on the calculated value, and rotating the press roller about the C axis by an amount corresponding to the amount of sidewise deviation of the tape in a direction opposite to the direction of sidewise deviation of the tape to thereby current the deviation and maintain the amount of sidewise deviation within a very small range. An apparatus for practicing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for coating a web which has a first surface having been coated and a second surface opposite to the first surface. A support roll has a supporting surface around which the web is adapted to be conveyed and an air-jetting device for jetting air through the supporting surface onto the first surface of the web so that the web is supported by air without coming into contact with the supporting surface. A coater is disposed to face the supporting surface so as to coat the second surface of the web. The apparatus is provided with a heater for heating air to be jetted by the air-jetting device so that the temperature of the air becomes higher than that of the first surface of the web.

Abstract: A label-attaching machine for attaching labels carried on a partially transparent dispensing web for attachment to serially presented envelopes has a two-beam optical sensing unit to govern the synchronization of label feeding by determining the location of the leading edge of the next label to be dispensed. One beam senses the optical transmission of label-bearing regions of the web, and the other beam reads the optical transmission of label-free used web. A comparator circuit balances the signal strengths of the two beams to provide a signal condition indicative of label edge passage. A zip code sort is provided for use in conjunction with the same optical sensor. Labels of a common zip code are serially affixed to the web, and the arrival of a new zip code is flagged by an oversize gap between the last label bearing one zip code and the next label bearing the first of the new zip codes.

Abstract: A variable size rotary impact cylinder couple comprises a lower or anvil cylinder (which may be 22 inches in circumference) driven by a swing gear and a top impact cylinder driven by a servo motor which is adjustable in a vertical direction. The cylinder couple provides impacting in the manner of ironing or squeezing cross-web glue lines between adjacent paper parts. The cylinder couple provides for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8-around impacting positions for cylinder circumference of 17, 19, 21, 22, 24, 251/2 and 28 inches. The self contained cylinder couple is used with a rotary collator to produce various sizes of cross-web glued forms. The combination drive system provides a single cylinder couple that emulates various printing cylinder sizes.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for providing labelling of small items through the use of microlabels having colored bar codes with the microlabel being on the order of 1 mm.times.1 mm in overall size. In one embodiment, the label consists of a number of colored lines or bars similar to a black/white bar code, with each bar having a distinct color or hue, the width of the bars being in the 5-120 micron range in terms of width, the bars being either contiguous or separated by a thin bar of distinct color. One method of making ultra thin labels includes cutting or skiving an edge of a layered sheet, with different layers carrying different colors, and with the cut layers having a thickness on the order of 0.1 mm.

Abstract: Adhesive applicator in which an adhesive-coated tape is moved from one capstan to another, and a mandrel supporting a tubular core is advanced toward and away from the tape to apply adhesive to the outer surface of the core.

Abstract: A method for constructing a cooled optic wherein one or more cavities are milled, drilled or formed using casting or ultrasound laser machining techniques in a single crystal base and filled with porous material having high thermal conductivity at cryogenic temperatures. A non-machined strain-free single crystal can be bonded to the base to produce superior optics. During operation of the cooled optic, N.sub.2 is pumped through the porous material at a sub-cooled cryogenic inlet temperature and with sufficient system pressure to prevent the fluid bulk temperature from reaching saturation.

Abstract: A conductive connecting method for electrically connecting first and second electronic parts each having a plurality of connecting terminals arranged at a small pitch is disclosed. A conductive bonding agent is interposed between the plurality of connecting terminals of the first and second electronic parts. The conductive bonding agent is prepared by mixing a plurality of fine connecting particles in an insulating adhesive. Each fine connecting particle is designed such that a fine conductive particle or a fine insulating particle with a plating layer formed on its surface is covered with an insulating layer consisting of a material which is broken upon thermocompression bonding. When the conductive bonding agent is subjected to thermocompression bonding between the connecting terminals of the first and second electronic parts, portions of the fine connecting particles which are urged by the respective fine connecting terminals are broken.

Abstract: This invention is directed to apparatus, and to the method for crimping and sealing the end of a thin walled, inflexible plastic tubing member, such as made from vinyl, PVC and the like, where such end preferably exhibits a uniquely configured end design in the shape of an arrowhead. The apparatus includes a frame having mounted thereon a carousel for operating in an intermittent, rotational mode among plural operating stations arranged in a circular sequence. The stations are arranged sequentially to receive the tubular plastic member, heat one end thereof to a preferred temperature between about 200.degree. to 212.degree. F. for a period of about 5 to 15 secounds, apply a plastic compatible adhesive to the inner wall of the heated one end, and crimp and seal said one end by applying a compressive force to the one end to bring opposing walls thereof into sealing engagement, while maintaining such compressive force for a sufficient time to effect the sealing of the one end.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for both making microlabels and for using these labels to provide a unique system for identifying an integrated circuit (IC) die on a wafer, in one embodiment, by applying a color bar encoded microlabel, small enough to be placed on the surface of the die, with the microlabel being on the order of 2 mm.times.2 mm in overall size. In one embodiment, the label consists of a number of colored lines or bars similar to a black/white bar code, with each bar having a distinct color or hue, the width of the bars being in the 5-120 micron range in terms of width, the bars being either contiguous or separated by a thin bar of distinct color. The microlabels, whether color bar or black/white coded, are applied preferably at the wafer probing stage of manufacture, wherein each die is labelled with the bar code best expressing the parameters the manufacturer is desirous of using for further processing and/or ultimate sales and/or use.

Abstract: A film bonding apparatus in which a film cut to a length corresponding to that of a base plate is bonded to the surface of the plate by the application of heat and pressure with a bonding roller. The film is provided from a continuous roll and is cut to appropriate size, the trailing edge of the film being held tightly to avoid film wrinkling or air bubbles by the suction action of an edge holding member whose effective length is not less than the maximum width of the films to be bonded by the apparatus. The holding member is moveable, at a speed equal to or slightly less than the rotative circumferential velocity of the pressure roller, the speed being automatically adjusted to maintain appropriate tension on the film. Coordinated movement between the film holding member and the pressure roller is provided by a gear mechanism.

Abstract: A labeling apparatus is presented. The apparatus has a pair of stationary rollers. There is a gap between the rollers. An idler wheel is positioned opposite the stationary rollers to engage the object and hold it against the rollers. A floating pin is positioned between the rollers and the object. The pin diameter is larger than the roller gap. A continuous web of labels is threaded through the gap and around the pin. When the web is advanced, the tension forces the web and pin against the rollers causing the rollers to rotate in the opposite direction, thus driving the engaged object forward. As the web advances, the label does not follow the diameter of the pin and is separated from the web and applied to the object. An object supply hopper has separating means for providing individual objects to the rollers. The entire apparatus is angled relative to the horizontal plane. The hopper is oblique to the plane of the object.

Abstract: A device for welding roof membranes which includes a heat welding means capable of applying a heat weld to overlapping roof membranes, and a fluid application means capable of applying a solvent or primer between overlapping roof membranes in order to form a solvent weld to the roof membranes or to aid in preparing the membranes for application of a heat weld to the membranes. The device may be employed to apply, for example, a heat weld to overlapping roof membranes on one side of a fastening means, and a solvent weld to the overlapping roof membranes on the opposite side of the fastening means. Such a device enables one to apply solvent or primer safely while providing the ability to apply, if desired, a heat weld in addition to the application solvent or primer.

Abstract: A label printing system prints information on a series of labels carried on a web of release liner. The system includes a data processor and a printer. The printer includes a print head, a mechanism for advancing the web, a mechanism for reversing the web, and a mechanism for separating the labels from the release liner as the web advances. The data processor controls the printer to reverse the web until one of the labels is aligned with the print head, print information on the label, and then advance the web for separation of the printed label from the release liner.