Abstract: A device is shown for transferring sublimation decals to curved substrates such as the surfaces of ceramic mugs. The device employs a flexible transfer head which comprises a supported, flexible electrical heating pad which is made to envelop and press against the surface of the article onto which the decal design is to be transferred. The pad is then electrically heated, causing the sublimation dyes on the decal interposed between the pad and the surface of the article to be transferred from the backing sheet of the decal to the article's surface.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for affixing index tabs to book pages include accurately embossing indicia along a continuous first strip of plastic-coated paper, adhering cardboard reinforcing strips to the first strip and slitting and scoring the resulting assembly to provide tab strip stock. The tab strip stock is severed into successive tabs and carried by vacuum-operated clamping means to an adhesive-activating station and then a tab application station. Successive pages of a book are fed past the tab application location; those to be provided with tabs are stopped at various positions relative to the tab application locations and the clamping means folds tabs around the edges of selected pages.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to the manufacture of sponge rubber spheres, such as spheres (10) used for cleaning tubes internally, and the shapes made thereby. The sponge rubber is initially cut into cubes approximating the shape of the final product. Next the sponge rubber is frozen by means of liquid nitrogen. Then while in the frozen state it is machined to the final shape. This machining could be performed by a centerless grinding technique involving a grinding wheel (41), a regulating wheel (42), and a work rest (43). Additionally, a plurality of shapes may be formed at one time from a single block of sponge rubber (30) as shown in FIG. 2.

Abstract: A cushioning article, such as a pillow or the like, having good comfort and support qualities with reduced material waste made from open-cell polymeric foam materials. The article may be made from a single strip-like piece of such material of a step-wise decreasing width construction, by wrapping and securing the strip to provide a closed multi-layered structure, to provide a composite, unitary structure of stereo-elliptical shape. The multi-layered construction is comprised of a layered combination of conventional and high-resiliency polyurethane foam having a predetermined number of apertures in at least some of the layers.