Abstract: A sleeve applicator machine is used to remove and open a sleeve from a carrier for application of the sleeve around an elongated object such as a wire. A mandrel is inserted into an opening of an unopened sleeve while the sleeve is still supported by the carrier. Once the mandrel is inserted into the sleeve, the mandrel is lifted to separate the unopened sleeve from the carrier. While still on the mandrel, the sleeve (which is now in a semi-opened state) is positioned between a separable pair of sleeve-opening dies in which the dies are in an opened position. The dies are closed or brought together around the sleeve and mandrel to compress the sleeve to a fully open state. At this point and with the dies holding the sleeve open, the mandrel may be withdrawn from the sleeve and a wire or other elongated object inserted into the opening of the sleeve.

Abstract: A sleeve applicator machine is used to remove and open a sleeve from a carrier for application of the sleeve around an elongated object such as a wire. A mandrel is inserted into an opening of an unopened sleeve while the sleeve is still supported by the carrier. Once the mandrel is inserted into the sleeve, the mandrel is lifted to separate the unopened sleeve from the carrier. While still on the mandrel, the sleeve (which is now in a semi-opened state) is positioned between a separable pair of sleeve-opening dies in which the dies are in an opened position. The dies are closed or brought together around the sleeve and mandrel to compress the sleeve to a fully open state. At this point and with the dies holding the sleeve open, the mandrel may be withdrawn from the sleeve and a wire or other elongated object inserted into the opening of the sleeve.

Abstract: A removable spindle for use in a thermal transfer printer houses dual RFID reader antennas that are used to read an RFID tag attached to the core of the print media. The information provided by the RFID tag enables the printer to self-calibrate based on the type of media loaded. The antenna design eliminates “null” areas at which the tag cannot be read, and enables the tag to be read around and across the entire length of the printer spindle. The design also allows the media holder to be easily removed from the printer.

Abstract: A removable spindle for use in a thermal transfer printer houses dual RFID reader antennas that are used to read an RFID tag attached to the core of the print media. The information provided by the RFID tag enables the printer to self-calibrate based on the type of media loaded. The antenna design eliminates “null” areas at which the tag cannot be read, and enables the tag to be read around and across the entire length of the printer spindle. The design also allows the media holder to be easily removed from the printer.

Abstract: A removable spindle for use in a thermal transfer printer houses dual RFID reader antennas that are used to read an RFID tag attached to the core of the print media. The information provided by the RFID tag enables the printer to self-calibrate based on the type of media loaded. The antenna design eliminates “null” areas at which the tag cannot be read, and enables the tag to be read around and across the entire length of the printer spindle. The design also allows the media holder to be easily removed from the printer.

Abstract: A removable spindle for use in a thermal transfer printer houses dual RFID reader antennas that are used to read an RFID tag attached to the core of the print media. The information provided by the RFID tag enables the printer to self-calibrate based on the type of media loaded. The antenna design eliminates “null” areas at which the tag cannot be read, and enables the tag to be read around and across the entire length of the printer spindle. The design also allows the media holder to be easily removed from the printer.

Abstract: A spool suitable for winding material thereon includes an axially extending body having a proximal end and a distal end joined by an outer surface. An extractor bar is mounted for slidable movement relative to the body for urging material wound onto the body toward the body distal end.

Abstract: An unwind spool assembly for dispensing material wound into a roll includes a rotatable shaft and a mounting block rotatably mounted on the shaft for rotation about the shaft in a wind direction and an unwind direction, wherein in the unwind direction the material unwinds from the roll, and in the wind direction the material winds onto the roll. A biasing member interposed between the shaft and the mounting block rotatably biases the mounting block toward the wind direction. In another embodiment, a slip clutch is fixed to the shaft for maintaining a drag on the shaft as the shaft rotates in the unwind direction to maintain tension in the material unwinding from the roll. In yet another embodiment, the unwind spool assembly includes a spool core for holding the roll of material. The spool core is rotatable about an axis, and at least one flange extending radially from the core is rotatable about the axis independently of the core.

Abstract: An unwind spool assembly for dispensing material wound into a roll includes a rotatable shaft and a mounting block rotatably mounted on the shaft for rotation about the shaft in a wind direction and an unwind direction, wherein in the unwind direction the material unwinds from the roll, and in the wind direction the material winds onto the roll. A biasing member interposed between the shaft and the mounting block rotatably biases the mounting block toward the wind direction. In another embodiment, a slip clutch is fixed to the shaft for maintaining a drag on the shaft as the shaft rotates in the unwind direction to maintain tension in the material unwinding from the roll. In yet another embodiment, the unwind spool assembly includes a spool core for holding the roll of material. The spool core is rotatable about an axis, and at least one flange extending radially from the core is rotatable about the axis independently of the core.

Abstract: A hand held label printer receives spools containing print media of different sizes and types. Each spool contains a memory chip which stores information about its print media, and this information is conveyed to the printer through concentric electrical contacts on the end of the spool. The concentric electrical contacts engage stationary contacts on the printer, and this electrical connection is insensitive to incidental rotation of the spool when it is inserted into the printer and used.

Abstract: A removal and applicator hand tool for adhesive labels having a movable label retainer-wiper plate affixed between spaced lower and upper elements of a foot member in which the plate moves between a first position to grip a label between it and the lower element for retaining a label removed from an assembly with the tool and transporting it to an object and a second position separated from the lower element for removal of a label from an assembly and for release of the label upon application to the object.

Abstract: A marker sleeve processig machine (20) for printing a legend (5) on individual marker sleeves (6) from a series (1) of marker sleeves fed through the machine (20). Various functions of the machine (20), such as transport of the web (1), printing of a sleeve (6) and removal of a printed sleeve (6) from the web (1), are correlated and controlled by programmed circuits (201,203). Data to be printed on the marker sleeves (6) can be input digitally, such as with a communication terminal (208) which may be a personal computer. The machine (20) provides a fully integrated apparatus permitting facile processing of a series (1) of blank marker sleeves to printed marker sleeves (6) bearing a legend (5) appropriate for use as identification devices and a convenient interface is provided for the user to enter the legends (5) to be printed on the marker sleeves (6).

Abstract: A machine (1) for the application of marker sleeves (17) from a web (10) in which strips (A-D) of the marker sleeves are fed to an indexing head (62) and then to an application station (90) at which an endmost sleeve is removed from a strip and opened to enable an operator to insert a wire (6) through an opened sleeve.