Abstract: An assembly for forming or embossing a decorative pattern on at least one exposed surface of an elongated slat particularly of the type used in a vertical blind assembly. A pair of driven rollers are designed, disposed, dimensioned and configured to engage opposite sides of a slat immediately subsequent to its formation by a plastic extruder. The exterior surface of one of the rollers has the decorative patterns formed thereon and when forced into confronting engagement with an exposed surface of the slat, the decorative pattern is transferred by an embossing technique. The temperature of the rollers are regulated to facilitate transfer of the decorative pattern, continuous movement of the slat through the rollers and formation of the transverse or cross-sectional configuration of the slat concurrently to placing the decorative pattern thereon.

Abstract: An indent printer having a marking wheel with a plurality of printing heads operatively connected to the periphery thereof, at least one of the printing heads being adjustable to change printing type indicia and at least one support roller being spaced from the marking wheel, the circumference of the support roller being positioned relative to the marking wheel to support therebetween a moving substrate to be marked, and a method of adjustably marking are disclosed.

Abstract: A rolled paper embossing dispenser in which the paper is embossed and from which the paper is simultaneously dispensed. The dispenser includes a nip formed by a first embossing roll and a second embossing roll, both rotatably mounted within a cabinet. The first embossing roll has a plurality of spaced-apart annular bands with each annular band including discrete, spaced-apart knuckle projections extending radially from the roll. The second embossing roll includes annular slots and annular extensions arranged in alternating relationship with each annular slot having sufficient width to receive the knuckle projections without contacting any portion thereof as paper is fed through the nip and embossed. A lever or crank is provided for a user to rotationally drive one of the embossing rolls, the other embossing roll rotating only in response to the paper being drawn through the nip such that rotational slippage of one roll with respect to the other will not result in breaking or tearing the web.

Abstract: A method for creating a registered embossed pattern on a metal coil includes providing a pattern applicator roll and a drive motor for rotating the roll, moving the coil sequentially into contact with the applicator roll means and permit it to create a pattern on the moving strip. Measuring the pattern length and comparing the same with the desired pattern length. Adjusting the speed of rotation of the pattern applicator roll if the measured pattern length departs from the desired pattern length by a predetermined amount preferably coil line speed is also monitored. A microprocessor may be used to effect the comparison between the desired pattern length and the actual pattern length. Apparatus for creating a registered embossed pattern on a metal coil includes a pattern applicator roll which has the strip from the coil moved into contacting relationship therewith, an appropriate drive motor to drive the roll, and apparatus for monitoring coil line speed, pattern length and motor speed.

Abstract: A code wheel for imprinting legends on packages traveling along a conveyor line has a U-shaped slot therein through which the code wheel is coaxially positioned on a drive sleeve rotatable with the line and drive pins engage the sleeve to index the code wheel thereon as resiliently held thereagainst by a releasable collar. Print type carried on the outer surface of the code wheel are independently secured by individual spring detents. A roller having an outer resilient cover is pivotally supported on the conveyor line and spring biased toward the code wheel for establishing the printing pressure on the packages.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for embossing foil to produce warp-free, textured packaging sheet. The method comprises the forming of bosses in the foil while firmly supporting the foil clamped on rigid lands at the perimeter of the boss to be formed. Drawing the foil between rigid male and female walls of a forming cavity while so held, and interposing a sheet of yieldable material between the surface of the female portion of the cavity and the sheet of foil to produce a yieldable matrix against which the foil comes to rest.

Abstract: Embossing apparatus employing a grooved, finned, deformable outer element for defining a nip with an embossing roll, the deformable outer element having a durometer in the range of about 40 to about 80 shore "A".

Abstract: Apparatus for bending valve stems of inner tubes used primarily in truck tires which facilitates locating the area of bending contemporeous with readily controlling the bend angle of the stems. An apertured clevis is pivotally mounted on a housing that is grooved to receive a valve stem, with a cylinder and piston connected to the clevis for actuating same with respect to the housing to effect a bending of the valve stem. The housing contains a cylinder and piston for actuating rack and pinion members with suitable indicia provided on the pinion for imprinting upon the valve stem. The cylinder and piston members for the bender and the marker are controlled by an air lock safety system.

Abstract: A rotary marking tool in which a marking wheel having raised characters for marking a workpiece is rotatably connected to one face of a block, is disclosed. Cooperating with the marking wheel is a pawl pivotally connected likewise to the block adjacent to the marking wheel. A tension spring is anchored at its opposite ends to a portion of the pawl and to a stop-pin affixed to the marking wheel, the spring acting to urge a beak of the pawl against the periphery of the marking wheel, whereby the stop-pin on the marking wheel is urged into contact with an abutment on the block to, thereby, define an at-rest position of the marking wheel. Upon rotation of the marking wheel in a direction away from its at-rest position, the beak of the pawl is adapted to penetrate a notch formed in the periphery of the marking wheel remote from the stop-pin. Once the beak penetrates the notch, the wheel is prevented from continuing its rotation away from its at-rest position.