Abstract: The present invention provides a label applicator for removing pressure-sensitive, very thin, sub-surface printed labels from a web and applying the labels to PCMCIA memory cards carried on a shuttle such that the labels are more reliably and exactly placed than conventional labelers. The label applicator includes a peel plate for removing the adhesive-backed labels from a web and a vacuum applicator drum for transferring the labels from the peel plate to an unlabeled article carried on the shuttle. The shuttle is provided with micrometers to separately adjust the position of the memory cards about three independent axes to allow greater precision in label placement. Placement of labels on the memory cards is also enhanced through the use of a number of sensors which determine relative positions of the labels on the transfer drum and the linearly moving shuttle so that rotation of the drum can be synchronized to match movement of the shuttle.

Abstract: A sign is made by a pultrusion process by printing separate sign panels and attaching them to a fibrous component of the sign to make a longitudinally continuous sign panel subassembly which is beneath the surface of the sign. The sign panels are spaced apart in the subassembly by about the length of the sign and are fixed to the fibrous component prior to being pulled through a forming die. In the forming die, the subassembly is formed together with rovings, scrim resin and any other components of the sign into the cross-section of the sign. The sign panel subassembly saturates with the resin so that it blends in with the rest of the sign except for identification matter printed on it and is permeable to allow gases to escape as the resin cures in the die. The sign takes on its desired cross-sectional shape in the die and is cut off at its desired length after it exits the die. The sign panel may be on either side of the subassembly, and the subassembly may be beneath a surface layer.

Abstract: A sign is made by a pultrusion process by printing separate sign panels and attaching them to a fibrous component of the sign to make a longitudinally continuous sign panel subassembly which is beneath the surface of the sign. The sign panels are spaced apart in the subassembly by about the length of the sign and are fixed to the fibrous component prior to being pulled through a forming die. In the forming die, the subassembly is formed together with rovings, scrim resin and any other components of the sign into the cross-section of the sign. The sign panel subassembly saturates with the resin so that it blends in with the rest of the sign except for identification matter printed on it and is permeable to allow gases to escape as the resin cures in the die. The sign takes on its desired cross-sectional shape in the die and is cut off at its desired length after it exits the die. The sign panel may be on either side of the subassembly, and the subassembly may be beneath a surface layer.

Abstract: Pultruded marking devices (29,42,45,48,50,55,57,58) made of fiber reinforcement materials (10,14,16,17) embedded in a cured polyester resin matrix that contains about 2% to 25% by weight of cellulose solid particulates. Unidirectional reinforcement materials (10) are the major portion of the reinforcement materials and form about 30% to 60% by weight of the total weight of the marking devices.