Abstract: An assembly and method for placing a desired length of tape material, fed as a moving continuous strip of tape material, onto a moving continuous web of material, wherein the orientation of the placed tape material is substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the moving continuous web of material.

Abstract: A method for sorting and/or orienting caps using an automated capping line can comprise providing a single cap to a cap-receiving cavity defined in a body of a puck. In various embodiments, the body can be vibrated to settle and/or orient the cap to a properly oriented position within the cap-receiving cavity. In at least one embodiment, the vibrating can include applying horizontal vibration and/or vertical vibration to the body. As a result, the properly oriented caps can be conveyed to a capping machine configured to apply each cap to a cap-receiving portion of a container.

Abstract: A method for sorting and/or orienting caps using an automated capping line can comprise providing a single cap to a cap-receiving cavity defined in a body of a puck. In various embodiments, the body can be vibrated to settle and/or orient the cap to a properly oriented position within the cap-receiving cavity. In at least one embodiment, the vibrating can include applying horizontal vibration and/or vertical vibration to the body. As a result, the properly oriented caps can be conveyed to a capping machine configured to apply each cap to a cap-receiving portion of a container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying indicia to a curved surface, including a compound curved surface having multiple axes of curvature. The curved surface is deformed to eliminate one axis of curvature. The invention is usable with hourglass or barrel shaped surfaces, as occur with containers, and to apply labels and other indicia to these surfaces.

Abstract: An assembly and method for placing a desired length of tape material, fed as a moving continuous strip of tape material, onto a moving continuous web of material, wherein the orientation of the placed tape material is substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the moving continuous web of material.

Abstract: A method for sorting and/or orienting caps using an automated capping line can comprise providing a single cap to a cap-receiving cavity defined in a body of a puck. In various embodiments, the body can be vibrated to settle and/or orient the cap to a properly oriented position within the cap-receiving cavity. In at least one embodiment, the vibrating can include applying horizontal vibration and/or vertical vibration to the body. As a result, the properly oriented caps can be conveyed to a capping machine configured to apply each cap to a cap-receiving portion of a container.

Abstract: An article packaging device for packaging articles within a tubular sheet. The article to be packaged is inserted into and enclosed within a length of tubular sheet, and separated from the remaining length of tubular sheet and the device to form the closed individually packaged article. The packaging device is designed to be portable, convenient, lightweight and easily maintained. A thermoplastic, vapor-impermeable tubular sheet having adhesive on one surface can provide an airtight seal that is especially effective when the device is used to package waste-containing disposable adsorbent articles, such as soiled diapers, for disposal. An apparatus for forming the tubular sheet into a layered pack of pleats having an adhesive material positioned on at least one surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying indicia to a curved surface, including a compound curved surface having multiple axes of curvature. The curved surface is deformed to eliminate one axis of curvature. The invention is usable with hourglass or barrel shaped surfaces, as occur with containers, and to apply labels and other indicia to these surfaces.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for attaching a cord to a piece of material. The material has a first side and a second side. The apparatus has a frame, a punch pin, a spear, and a comber. The comber is movably mounted to the frame. The comber is adapted to create slack in the cord. The punch pin is movably mounted to the frame. The punch pin is adapted to receive the cord and penetrate the material. The punch pin pulls the cord from the first side of the material through to the second side of the material. The punch pin is adapted to form an open loop on the second side of the material and the spear draws the cord through the open loop.

Abstract: A tampon pledget having a top end, a bottom end, a first side end, a second side end, and a central portion between the first side end and the second side end. A first cord and a second cord are attached to the central portion. The first cord and the second cord lie in parallel planes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for attaching a cord to a piece of material. The material has a first side and a second side. The apparatus has a frame, a punch pin, a spear, and a comber. The comber is movably mounted to the frame. The comber is adapted to create slack in the cord. The punch pin is movably mounted to the frame. The punch pin is adapted to receive the cord and penetrate the material. The punch pin pulls the cord from the first side of the material through to the second side of the material. The punch pin is adapted to form an open loop on the second side of the material and the spear draws the cord through the open loop.

Abstract: A book clamp for a book binding machine has a first clamp member and a second clamp member. The second clamp member is adapted to the first clamp member and the second clamp member comprises a flexible spring plate which is coupled to the second clamp member.

Abstract: A tampon pledget having a top end, a bottom end, a first side end, a second side end, and a central portion between the first side end and the second side end. A first cord and a second cord are attached to the central portion. The first cord and the second cord lie in parallel planes.

Abstract: A device for trimming multiple streams of printed products including a first trimming unit for trimming at least one side of a first stream of printed products, and a second trimming unit for trimming at least one side of a second stream of printed products, the first stream and the second stream having a similar direction. Also disclosed is a method for trimming multiple streams of printed products comprising moving a first stream of printed products in a first direction, trimming at least one side of the first stream, moving a second stream of printed products separate from the first stream in a direction similar to the first direction, and trimming at least one side of the second stream.

Abstract: A method for splitting a product stream comprising the steps of delivering a plurality of products to an circular path, transferring a first product of the plurality of products inwardly from the circular path to a first substream, and transferring a second product of the plurality of products inwardly from the circular path to a second substream. Further provided is a device for splitting a product stream comprising a support rotatable about a central axis, the support having an outer circumference and an inner circumference; and at least one transfer device attached to the support for receiving products of the product stream, the transfer device having a first position for receiving a first product of the products at the outer circumference and a second position for delivering the first product to a substream at the inner circumference.

Abstract: An article packaging device for packaging articles within a tubular sheet. The article to be packaged is inserted into and enclosed within a length of tubular sheet, and separated from the remaining length of tubular sheet and the device to form the closed individually packaged article. The packaging device is designed to be portable, convenient, lightweight and easily maintained. A thermoplastic, vapor-impermeable tubular sheet having adhesive on one surface can provide an airtight seal that is especially effective when the device is used to package waste-containing disposable adsorbent articles, such as soiled diapers, for disposal. An apparatus for forming the tubular sheet into a layered pack of pleats having an adhesive material positioned on at least one surface.

Abstract: A device for transporting printed products including a plurality of individual pocket grippers, each pocket gripper having a first connector on one side and a second connector on a second side, and having gripping elements for gripping a printed product. A plurality of transport units is also provided, with each transport unit being movable along a track and being releasably attached to the first connector of a respective one of the plurality of pocket grippers. Also disclosed is a method for transporting printed products including the steps of gripping a printed product in a gripper pocket, moving the gripper pocket along a track, and releasing the gripper pocket while the printed product remains gripped.

Abstract: A portable packaging device for manually forming individually packaging articles within a closed tubular sheet, preferably a tubular film. The article to be packaged is inserted into and enclosed within the length of tubular sheet, and separated from the remaining length of tubular sheet to form the closed individually packaged article. The portable packaging device is convenient, portable, lightweight and easily maintained. A thermoplastic, vapor-impermeable tubular film having adhesive on one surface can provide an airtight seal that is especially effective when the device is used to package waste-containing disposable adsorbent articles, such as soiled diapers, for disposal.

Abstract: A device for trimming multiple streams of printed products including a first trimming unit for trimming at least one side of a first stream of printed products, and a second trimming unit for trimming at least one side of a second stream of printed products, the first stream and the second stream having a similar direction. Also disclosed is a method for trimming multiple streams of printed products comprising moving a first stream of printed products in a first direction, trimming at least one side of the first stream, moving a second stream of printed products separate from the first stream in a direction similar to the first direction, and trimming at least one side of the second stream.

Abstract: A movable gripper unit including a housing and a first gripper arm and a second gripper arm for gripping a printed product. The first and second gripper arms are slidingly supported with respect to the housing. The housing is movable along a track. Also disclosed is a method of gripping a printed product including gripping a printed product in a gripper unit and moving the printed product with respect to the gripper unit while the printed product remains gripped.