Abstract: A placer mechanism for a web of linerless labels for placing individual labels on a product includes a separator that separates the individual labels from the web, a buffer disposed downstream of the separator that receives the individual labels, and a buffer suspension assembly movably supporting the buffer such that the buffer is positionable to deliver the individual labels to the product. The buffer is preferably a rotatable vacuum drum that is capable of accommodating labels of various lengths and widths. In addition, the buffer suspension assembly preferably enables the rotatable vacuum drum to be displaced to meet the product to which the label is to be affixed. A method of placing individual labels is also provided.

Abstract: A placer mechanism for a web of linerless labels for placing individual labels on a product includes a separator that separates the individual labels from the web, a buffer disposed downstream of the separator that receives the individual labels, and a buffer suspension assembly movably supporting the buffer such that the buffer is positionable to deliver the individual labels to the product. The buffer is preferably a rotatable vacuum drum that is capable of accommodating labels of various lengths and widths. In addition, the buffer suspension assembly preferably enables the rotatable vacuum drum to be displaced to meet the product to which the label is to be affixed. A method of placing individual labels is also provided.

Abstract: An integrated system is provided for folding, inserting, pressure sealing, delivering, and optionally separating into different jobs, mailer type business forms. A common housing mounted by wheels supports in, or on, it: a folder for folding paper sheets with pressure activated adhesive to form to form pre-mailers; an inserter for receipt of pre-mailers from the folder and for placing insert sheets into the pre-mailers; a conventional pressure sealer module for pressure sealing pre-mailers to form mailer type business forms; and a delivery device for delivering stacked forms horizontally out of a bottom portion of the housing. A separator modification of the delivery device may be provided for receipt of sealed mailers to separate the mailers into different stacked groups. Typically the forms move generally downwardly during processing. The inserter includes a pair of reversible vacuum drums which grasp a folded paper sheet and move it apart to receive a substantially linearly driven insert.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for activating longitudinal and transverse pressure sensitive adhesive strips in marginal edge portions of paper business forms are disclosed in the form of one or more roll sets which are formed to activate both the longitudinal and transverse strips while the form travels in a single orientation in a single direction that is parallel to the grain direction of the paper.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for activating longitudinal and transverse pressure sensitive adhesive strips in marginal edge portions of paper business forms are disclosed in the form of one or more roll sets which are formed to activate both the longitudinal and transverse strips while the form travels in a single orientation in a single direction that is parallel to the grain direction of the paper.

Abstract: Linerless labels are cut or burst from a web by passing the web through infeed and outfeed pairs of rolls with a separator device located therebetween. Each roll pair includes a friction surface for engaging the slick smooth surface of the web and another roll with a silicone elastomeric or plasma-coated surface for engaging substantially without gripping the exposed adhesive side of the linerless label web. In the cutting mode, a rotary blade severs the web against a fixed blade to form the label. The infeed rolls are backed up after each cut to break the adhesive bond between the web and the fixed blade and then reverse to advance the web through the cutting position and into the outfeed rolls for a subsequent cutting operation. The outfeed rolls continue to advance the cut linerless label to a receiving station. In a bursting mode, the web is perforated and a roller breaker bar is disposed between the infeed and outfeed rolls to break the web along the perforations to form the linerless label.

Abstract: Business forms are sealed by pressure with reduced tenting and pillowing. Each form has a strip of pressure sensitive adhesive of a predetermined width. In an automatic continuous, sequential manner, upper and lower rollers operatively biased together by spring pressure activate the pressure sensitive adhesive to affix one part of the form to another. The force applied by the rollers is applied only to the approximate area of the predetermined width of the adhesive, not over the whole form. Conveyor tapes are associated with the rollers to facilitate conveyance of the forms, and a pressure of about 120 lbs. per lineal inch is applied to the pressure sensitive adhesive. A buckle or insert folder can be used to fold the forms, and they are then fed to a first pressure sealing module. A 90.degree. transfer conveyor conveys the forms from the first pressure sealing module to a second module, and from the second module they are removed by a discharge conveyor.

Abstract: Linerless labels are cut or burst from a web by passing the web through infeed and outfeed pairs of rolls with a separator device located therebetween. Each roll pair includes a friction surface for engaging the slick smooth surface of the web and another roll with a silicone elastomeric or plasma-coated surface for engaging substantially without gripping the exposed adhesive side of the linerless label web. In the cutting mode, a rotary blade severs the web against a fixed blade to form the label. The infeed rolls are backed up after each cut to break the adhesive bond between the web and the fixed blade and then reverse to advance the web through the cutting position and into the outfeed rolls for a subsequent cutting operation. The outfeed rolls continue to advance the cut linerless label to a receiving station. In a bursting mode, the web is perforated and a roller breaker bar is disposed between the infeed and outfeed rolls to break the web along the perforations to form the linerless label.

Abstract: A pressure sealer for sealing pressure sensitive adhesive strips on business forms or the like is simple and straight forward, for use primarily in manual operations. First and second driven rollers convey business forms during sealing, and are driven by a single motor driven gear meshing with Delrin gears integral with the rollers. Pressure applying rollers are mounted above and in alignment with first and second rollers, and are biased by an adjustable spring mechanism to provide the necessary pressure to effect sealing. The spring force applying mechanism can also be disabled so that no force is applied to allow ready inspection and/or replacement of the components, by utilizing a particular procedure including replacing one bolt with a longer thinner bolt. Pinching of the operator's fingers is prevented by a flap disposed in association with a lead-in platform for the forms, just prior to the rollers.

Abstract: A pressure sealer for sealing pressure sensitive adhesive strips on business forms or the like is simple and straight forward, for use primarily in manual operations. First and second driven rollers convey business forms during sealing, and are driven by a single motor driven gear meshing with Delrin gears integral with the rollers. Pressure applying rollers are mounted above and in alignment with first and second rollers, and are biased by an adjustable spring mechanism to provide the necessary pressure to effect sealing. The spring force applying mechanism can also be disabled so that no force is applied to allow ready inspection and/or replacement of the components, by utilizing a particular procedure including replacing one bolt with a longer thinner bolt. Pinching of the operator's fingers is prevented by a flap disposed in association with a lead-in platform for the forms, just prior to the rollers.

Abstract: Apparatus and related method for activating pressure sensitive adhesive on predetermined portions of a first sheet in order to fasten the first sheet to a second sheet are provided which include at least one sealer wheel formed with an interrupted surface pattern for applying pressure along the adhesive to effect a rhythmically interrupted sequence of sealed spots between the first and second sheets.

Abstract: Business forms are sealed by pressure with reduced tenting and pillowing. Each form has a strip of pressure sensitive adhesive of a predetermined width. In an automatic continuous, sequential manner, upper and lower rollers operatively biased together by spring pressure activate the pressure sensitive adhesive to affix one part of the form to another. The force applied by the rollers is applied only to the approximate area of the predetermined width of the adhesive, not over the whole form. Conveyor tapes are associated with the rollers to facilitate conveyance of the forms, and a pressure of about 120 lbs. per lineal inch is applied to the pressure sensitive adhesive. A buckle or insert folder can be used to fold the forms, and they are then fed to a first pressure sealing module. A 90.degree. transfer conveyor conveys the forms from the first pressure sealing module to a second module, and from the second module they are removed by a discharge conveyor.

Abstract: A machine allows the production of pressure sealed business forms either by a "steam roller" effect for two ply forms, or by using a number of dual roller cassettes spaced from each other along axis of rotation when forms with inserts are handled. The first roller in each cassette, after sealing a portion of the leading edge of the form that it engages, will rock out of the way when engaged by the form at the insert, and then will drop back down and seal the trailing edge. The narrow width rollers of end cassettes will seal the longitudinal edges of the form. The stationary axis rollers that are common to both the "steam roller" and cassette embodiments have a dead-shaft construction, and are driven by a motor. Side frame plates mount all of the components, except the motor, within a housing, on rails, so that they can be easily moved out of the housing for changeover from one roller system to the other.

Abstract: Sheets, such as business forms, are turned so that their orientation is changed from landscape to portrait mode, or vice versa. Simple apparatus effects sheet rotation, and includes a conveyance surface on which a sheet travels in a first direction, first and second rollers for engaging the sheet traveling on the conveyance surface, and first and second drives (e.g., D.C. stepper motors) for driving the first and second rollers independently of each other. A sensor senses the position of the sheet just downstream of the rollers, and a controller (computer)--in response to the sensor--controls the speed and direction of rotation of the motors so that one roller rotates with a given tangential speed in a first direction of rotation, while the other roller rotates at that same speed in an opposite direction of rotation.

Abstract: A distinct conveyor assembly allows a business form sealer--such as a pressure sealer--to operate with forms that have been detached from a continuous supply. Individual forms are detached from the continuous supply while being conveyed in a first direction, to form shingled forms having irregularly positioned side edges. The forms are deshingled by conveying them from the detacher at high speed (e.g. an increase in speed of about ten times or more), and they are registered while being conveyed in the first direction at high speed. Registration may take place by moving the forms against one side edge, or moving them between funnelled side edges to ultimately engage straight guides on both side edges. After registration, the forms may be fed directly to the sealer, or into the top of a hopper, and then withdrawn from the bottom of the hopper and passed through a folder before being fed to the sealer.

Abstract: A distinct conveyor assembly allows a business form sealer--such as a pressure sealer--to operate with forms that have been detached from a continuous supply. Individual forms are detached from the continuous supply while being conveyed in a first direction, to form shingled forms having irregularly positioned side edges. The forms are deshingled by conveying them from the detacher at high speed (e.g. an increase in speed of about ten times or more), and they are registered while being conveyed in the first direction at high speed. Registration may take place by moving the forms against one side edge, or moving them between funnelled side edges to ultimately engage straight guides on both side edges. After registration, the forms may be fed directly to the sealer, or into the top of a hopper, and then withdrawn from the bottom of the hopper and passed through a folder before being fed to the sealer.

Abstract: A simple label-type business form is provided that allows a record sheet to be produced at the same time that indicia is applied to the label. The business form includes a label construction having a top face on which indicia is readily applied and a bottom face containing pressure sensitive adhesive; a release sheet having at least one opening; and a self-imaging sheet held in contact with a release sheet on the opposite side of the release sheet from the label construction by the label construction pressure sensitive adhesive. The release sheet preferably has rows and columns of openings, at least three openings in each row and column, and the label construction is a sheet having a number of labels interconnected together, at least one release sheet opening being associated with each of the labels. The self-imaging sheet may have adhesive applied to its bottom face, and a release liner covering that adhesive so that the self-imaging sheet also is a label.

Abstract: A tri-level output sensor senses faulty window construction in a web of continuous business forms of stationery, for controlling visual and audible indicators, including a display of the relative position of the faulty sensed window construction, within a continually fanfolding end stack. Pulsing circuitry drives tri-level-to-digital processing circuitry, conjointly providing referencing information to process the sensor output and timing information to sample the processing circuitry, and drives a pair of counters for fanfold position indication and consecutive-fault-occurrence determination, dependent on the processing output.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for the application of patches or other sheets of material to a moving continuous web after adhesive is applied to selected portions thereof. The patches are burst from a web of patch material along spaced cross lines of perforations, and are transferred on to the moving web so as to overlie the adhesive thereon. Two pair of spaced rolls rotatable at relatively different speeds effect bursting, with one of such pair of rolls functioning to both meter the web of patch material and to apply the cross lines of perforations. One of the other pair of rolls serves to transfer the patches on to the moving web by means of air chambers first subjected to vacuum pressure for retaining the patches on to the circumferential surface of such roll, and thereafter subjected to positive air pressure for depositing the patches in place on the moving web.

Abstract: A single web is folded twice upon itself to provide an outgoing mailer. The first fold is secured in place to define a return envelope having an envelope pocket and a sealable flap. The second fold is removably secured over the first fold and may be separable into two parts, one of which being a receipt stub. Also, a removable return stub is formed adjacent the return envelope.