Abstract: A label applicator of the type for separating labels from a continuous carrier strip and applying the labels to an object positioned at the applicator, which applicator includes a supply roll and a rewind roll configured to move the strip through the applicator, a tamp pad for applying the labels to the object, and an unwind sensor. The unwind sensor includes a supply disk positioned coaxially on the supply roll. The supply disk has a plurality of equally spaced openings therein. A sensor is configured for sensing the passing of the supply disk openings. A counter counts the openings passing the sensor. The applicator includes means for determining a level of labels remaining on the supply roll.

Abstract: A label applicator is of the type for separating labels from a continuous carrier strip and applying the labels to an object positioned at the applicator. The applicator includes a frame, a supply roll operably mounted to the frame for supplying the carrier strip having the labels thereon and a separator for removing the labels from the carrier strip. The applicator includes a rewind roll operably mounted to the frame for rewinding the carrier strip after the labels have been removed therefrom. The supply and rewind rolls are configured to move the carrier strip through the applicator. A rewind assembly has a motor, a pivoting arm and a sensing assembly cooperating with the pivoting arm. The sensing assembly is adapted to sense the presence or absence of a sensed element mounted on the pivoting arm as the arm moves from a first home position to a position other than the home position.

Abstract: An article laminating apparatus is provided for use with a cartridge having a detectable element indicative of a characteristic of laminating materials. The apparatus includes a frame enabling the cartridge to be removably mounted thereto and an article processing assembly carried on the frame. A control system controls the article processing assembly to perform an article processing operation. The apparatus also includes a detector operable to detect the detectable element on the cartridge. The detector is operable to transmit a signal to the control system based on the detectable element on the cartridge. The control system is operable to adjust at least one parameter of the operation based on the signal.

Abstract: A feeder for the surface mounting device is disclosed. The feeder includes a feeding unit being installed at one side of a main frame, having a plurality of armature coils and a circular permanent magnetic unit facing the plurality of armature coils to generate a rotation/reverse rotation force and carry a tape at a pitch interval and having a position sensing unit and a position detecting disk capable of sensing the position of the circular permanent magnetic unit, a vinyl separation unit carrying the vinyl removed from the tape by the rotation force or re-carrying the vinyl by the reverse rotation force, and a vinyl recovery unit recovering the vinyl by winding the same by the rotation force or discharging the vinyl by the reverse rotation force.

Abstract: An automatic splicing apparatus for use in combination with a selected automatic labeling apparatus which uses a sensor and a splicing station through which a first web of stick-on labels passes; a second web of material from a standby roll is held in a ready position for splicing end-to-end with the first web. The first web is stopped and severed at an approximate reference line location, the second web is joined using a splice piece; wherein web feeder continues continuously with uninterrupted operation due to a loose loop located downstream of the splicer permitting splicing the first web to said second web, “on the fly”, that is without reducing the speed of the automatic labeling process during splicing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for sealing packaging material using ultrasonic technology. The method includes the steps of supplying the packaging material to a sealing station that includes an anvil and horn, and sealing the packaging material. The apparatus is a cam-shaped, rotatable anvil where the rate of rotation of the anvil can be changed based upon the speed of an AC Servo driving the anvil and the desired spacing between the seals.

Abstract: A system and method for winding fibers onto an article is disclosed. The system includes a winding station having a controllable speed of rotation. The winding station has at least one fiber bobbin mounted on it. A rotation sensor is rotationally coupled to the winding station. The system includes a conveyor having a controllable speed and which is adapted to move the article axially through the winding station. A speed sensor, adapted to measure an axial speed of motion of the article through the winding station is positioned near the winding station. The system includes a controller adapted to operate the winding station at a rotational speed corresponding to the axial speed of motion, so as to apply the fibers to the article in a predetermined helical pattern. In one example, the helical pattern is held to a lay angle having a tolerance within one-half degree.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for producing zippered bags at faster speeds. This is accomplished by speeding up the ultrasonic welding operation. More specifically, ultrasonic welding is performed continuously while the web of bag making film and the zipper tape are moving, instead of being performed while the film and zipper tape are stopped. To facilitate this improvement, the ultrasonic welding station is moved from the bag machine, where the bag making film and zipper tape move intermittently, to the sealer frame, where the film and zipper tape move continuously. The ultrasonic welding apparatus comprises a pair of rotary elements, one of which is acoustically coupled to an ultrasonic transducer. One of the rotary elements is provided with a protuberance on its periphery that acoustically couples the zipper tape to the energized rotary element.

Abstract: A method for making a laminate adapted for decorating a substrate including providing (1) a sheet of pre-mask material including a cover layer and a layer of removable adhesive on one surface of the cover layer having an exposed surface defining a first major surface for the sheet of pre-mask material; (2) a supply length of decorative film tape comprising a length of decorative film having opposite first and second major surfaces, and a layer of adhesive along its second major surface; (3) a sheet of release liner having a first major surface adapted to be releasably adhered to by the removable adhesive on the cover layer and by the adhesive on the decorative film; and (4) a tape applicator.

Abstract: A laminating apparatus for laminating a film on a record medium includes a fixing unit for fixing a film onto a front side of a record medium, a feed unit for feeding the record medium to the fixing unit, a film introducing unit for directing the film to the fixing unit, and a conveying unit for conveying toward a discharge port the record medium and the film which are fixed together by the fixing unit. A cutter is disposed between the conveying unit and the discharge port and adapted to cut the film, and a control unit having a repeat mode is provided in which the conveying unit is stopped in a condition that a preceding record medium leaves the fixing unit and the feed unit is driven to feed a succeeding record medium toward the fixing unit.

Abstract: A method of forming a continuous composite structure includes the steps of predetermining relative proportions of a liquid resin forming material, a catalyst, and a inhibitor from respective reservoir (32, 33, 34) based on the ambient temperature and a porous blanket. The predetermined proportions are recirculated independently substantially continuously and coordinated at preselected rates. The predetermined proportions are simultaneously withdrawn and continuously mixed in a chamber (39) having a dispensing outlet (40). A pool (46) of the mixture is formed on the blanket (44) and a leading edge (68) is advanced substantially immediately into permanent contact with a preselected final surface and adhered thereto. Part of the catalyzed and inhibited resin forming material migrates through the blanket to form a continuous resin matrix therein.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing adhesive backed components from a carrier tape and applying them onto a substrate which utilizes a retracting blade having a top surface for positioning the adhesive backed components. Extension of the retracting blade and advancement of the carrier occur simultaneously and independently from one another thereby enabling a significant reduction in cycle times.

Abstract: A labeling system employs a multi-processing computer control system for a servo motor which drives a label-carrying web. The system is responsive to the physical position of the labels and the physical position of containers or similar objects to which the labels are applied. The label application motion controller identifies the machine position and performs the mathematical calculations needed to create a piecewise continuous function motion profile required to achieve label contact at a predefined contact point on the surface of each container. Multiple functions may be used to construct a motion profile which smoothly accelerates the label at a calculated acceleration needed to cause a label to arrive at the defined contact position on a container and to decelerates the carrier web after application. Correction for measured label registration error is provided for.

Abstract: A feeder for the surface mounting device is disclosed. The feeder includes a feeding unit being installed at one side of a main frame, having a plurality of armature coils and a circular permanent magnetic unit facing the plurality of armature coils to generate a rotation/reverse rotation force and carry a tape at a pitch interval and having a position sensing unit and a position detecting disk capable of sensing the position of the circular permanent magnetic unit, a vinyl separation unit carrying the vinyl removed from the tape by the rotation force or re-carrying the vinyl by the reverse rotation force, and a vinyl recovery unit recovering the vinyl by winding the same by the rotation force or discharging the vinyl by the reverse rotation force.

Abstract: A bonded sheet material manufacturing system capable of setting a moisture content of various types of sheet members to be bonded to each other to an optimum value for stably producing a bonded sheet material with less bonding failure and less warp at all times, where the sheet members are heated by individual sheet member heating means and then bonded to each other to produce the bonded sheet material. The system comprises a moisture content detecting means provided for at least one of the sheet members for detecting a moisture content of the sheet member or a parameter correlating with the moisture content and a control unit for controlling the sheet member heating means on the basis of detection information from the moisture content detecting means so that the moisture content approaches a predetermined optimum moisture content.

Abstract: A lamination system comprises a first transfer means, a cutting means provided at the downstream of the first transfer means for cutting a laminate film, a second transfer means for transferring the cut laminate film, a card transfer means for transferring a card along a card transfer path that converges with the film transfer path at a point of convergence, and a thermocompression bonding means for laminating the cut laminate film with the card at the downstream of the point of convergence, in which a means for detecting a failure in cutting the laminate film is provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods of dispensing adhesive in a bookbinding system are described. Sheets may be bound into bound text bodies having respective spines exposed for adhesive application and characterized by multiple length dimensions and multiple thickness dimensions. In one aspect, a sheet binding system comprises an adhesive dispenser that is configured to dispense across the thickness dimension of a text body spine solid sheet adhesive having one of multiple effective widths that is sized to correspond substantially to the length dimension of the text body spine. In accordance with this approach, books of different lengths (or heights) may be readily bound with solid sheet adhesive that may be contained within a single, replaceable cartridge housing.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an absorbent article comprising the steps of continuously feeding out a long, extensible, continuous member (5) from a predetermined position, cutting the continuous member (5) into lengths (P1) each equivalent to a length of one sheet of the absorbent article at a predetermined position, and fixedly arranging the cut continuous member at a predetermined position of the absorbent article, wherein a predetermined pattern is preliminarily printed on the continuous member (5) at a printing pitch shorter than the cutting length (P1) of the continuous member, and the speed for feeding out is controlled such that the predetermined pattern is located at a predetermined part of the cut continuous member, thereby obtaining the absorbent article in which the predetermined pattern is arranged at a predetermined position.

Abstract: To label products on a conveyor, a target area for a given product conveyed on the conveyor is determined relative to a frame of reference. One of a plurality of labellers fixed at different transverse positions over the conveyor, which one labeller is at a transverse position which is within the transverse extent of the target area is then activated in order to label the product. Each labeller may have a turret with a number of flexible bellows with an interior air diffuser. The air diffuser has a central opening facing the tamping end of the bellows and at least one side opening. This arrangement can enhance the responsiveness of the bellows. Each labeller may also have a de-mountable label cassette with a drive pinion which meshes with a two-sided timing belt. The two-sided timing belt is driven by a stepper motor in synchronism with the turret. The label cassette may have a driven pin wheel for moving the pin holed release tape of a label web.

Abstract: An improved labeler includes a label base and a label cassette with the footprints of the labeler base housing and the label cassette frame being substantially the same size. An electronically-controlled drive mechanism is contained drive mechanism is contained within the labeler base housing and is operated intermittently to synchronously drive a mechanism for feeding labels to be picked up by a bellows wheel, and the bellows wheel.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for laying a strip for the manufacture of a tire by extruding uncured rubber through a die to form a rubber tube on a rotary support and flattening the tubular form to form a band which is adhered to a receiving surface on the rotary support.

Abstract: An apparatus splices a web of paper being paid out from a one web roll and fed into a printing press to another web roll being rotated in a splicing position. The new web roll of any diameter is spaced a prescribed distance from the old web traveling along a predefined path into the press. A sensor positioning mechanism adjustably moves a photoelectric web roll speed sensor along two orthogonal axes to an optimum sensing position with respect to the new web roll regardless of its diameter. An electronic control circuit has an input connected to a speed sensor for the old web traveling along the predefined path, and another to the photoelectric speed sensor for the new web roll, for energizing a new web roll drive motor according to a departure of the peripheral speed of the new web roll from the running speed of the old web.

Abstract: A method of making shingles includes coating a shingle mat with roofing asphalt to make an asphalt-coated sheet, and covering the asphalt-coated sheet with granules to form a granule-covered sheet along a longitudinal axis, the granule-covered sheet having a shadow patch thereon, the shadow patch having a first width along the longitudinal axis. The granule-covered sheet is divided into an overlay sheet and an underlay sheet, the shadow patch being on the underlay sheet. A pattern of tabs and cutouts is cut in the overlay sheet, one of the tabs of the pattern being a select tab having a second width along the longitudinal axis, the second width of the select tab being less than the first width of the shadow patches. The relative longitudinal positions of the shadow patch and the select tab are synchronized.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing a coated wire or other elongated article including a means to extrude a polymer in tubular form around the wire or article and a means to increase the temperature of the wire or article before extrusion of the polymer thereon. The extruded polymer is elongated from the extrusion opening to the elongated article, forming a melt cone, were the relative feeding speed of the heated elongated article and the extrusion rate of the polymer are controlled and with the aid of at least a partial vacuum that is achieved in the extrusion tooling and inside the melt cone the extruded polymer tightly encases the wire achieving a thin polymer coating.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a labelling apparatus (1) for applying a label (2) to an object (3), including a sensing apparatus capable of identifying the position of an object relative to the labelling apparatus, and an applicator (19) to facilitate the application of the label onto an object at the preferred time, and a means (18) for advancing at least one label strip to which at least one label is removably adhered, and a detaching station (13) which is capable of partially detaching the adhesive label from the backing tape of the label strip, and the labeling apparatus characterised in that it includes a first pressurised air flow (18) capable of blowing air at the label to prevent the label from reattaching itself to the backing tape of the label strip, and a second sensing apparatus, capable of detecting the end of the label, and trigger means to activate a secondary air flow (19) for a time period to enable an blown from the secondary air flow to direct the label onto the object.

Abstract: An improved method of and apparatus that is continuously automatically operative in an in-line system is described for applying under heat, vacuum and mechanical pressure a dry film photoresist-forming layer to printed circuit boards (136) that already have been prelaminated by the loose application thereto of the dry film resist as discrete cut sheets within the confines of the surface of the boards whereby a laminate without entrapped air bubbles and closely conforming to the raised circuit traces and irregular surface contours of the printed circuit board is obtained.

Abstract: An apparatus for printing variable information on a tape to form a tape segment, applying the tape segment onto an object, and cutting the tape segment includes a printer for printing information onto the tape segment. A controller controls the printer in response to input to vary the information printed onto the tape. The printed tape segment is transported to a location for application onto the object and is cut. The unwind tension of the tape as the tape is removed from the tape roll is controlled to present the tape to the printer at a substantially uniform speed and to reduce jerkiness of the tape. The information is registered such that it is placed at a predetermined location on different tape segments.

Abstract: A label applicator of the type for separating labels from a continuous carrier strip and applying the labels to an object positioned at the applicator, which applicator includes a supply roll and a rewind roll configured to move the strip through the applicator, a tamp pad for applying the labels to the object, and an unwind sensor. The unwind sensor includes a supply disk positioned coaxially on the supply roll. The supply disk has a plurality of equally spaced openings therein. A sensor is configured for sensing the passing of the supply disk openings. A counter counts the openings passing the sensor. The applicator includes means for determining a level of labels remaining on the supply roll.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention provides an apparatus for producing a preform. The apparatus includes a lay-up device and a distribution head coupled to the lay-up device. The lay-up device receives tow. The lay-up device has a plurality of sockets. The sockets removably and replaceably engage pins along a perimeter of a desired preform shape. The distribution head distributes tow. The distribution head loops tow around the pins to form the preform.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to place a series of timing marks on a granule covered roofing sheet. A rotary pattern cutter cuts a pattern of tabs and cutouts in the continuous granule covered sheet. The rotary position of the pattern cutter and the position of the timing marks are sensed, and the position of the continuous granule covered sheet with respect to the rotary position of the pattern cutter is synchronized in response to the sensed position of the timing marks and the sensed rotary position of the pattern cutter.

Abstract: A method for the dimensionally accurate application of an elastoplastic spacer strip onto a glass pane intended for producing an insulating glass unit is that the spacer strip is not withdrawn from the storage drum but instead it is unwound in a manner free from any tensile stress and that the same is kept free from tensile and shearing stresses on the further route up to the pressing onto the glass pane, this being despite the fact that the application speed will inevitably fluctuate several times between zero, and a maximum value while edges of the glass pane are covered mechanically. The apparatus for performing the method therefore comprises a compensating or tailback section (3) between a first adjustably driven pair of rollers (1) and a second adjustably driven pair of rollers (9) as well as a sensor for recognizing the position of the strip in the compensating section.

Abstract: A new machine control method and system for registering pre-produced webs into a converting line producing disposable absorbent articles such as diapers, pull-ups, feminine hygiene articles or a component thereof. The pre-produced webs can include a multiplicity of pre-produced objects spaced on the web at a pitch interval in the web direction. The pre-produced web being manipulated in order for the pre-produced object of the web to be registered in relation to a target position constant. The present invention includes three embodiments, where the first embodiment is expressed as a generic claim. The first embodiment includes a closed-loop feedback registration system; the second and third embodiments, in addition, include an open-loop feedforward phasing system. In addition, the third embodiment uses a machine vision system to recognize any element of a complex pre-produced object (e.g., colorful graphics).

Abstract: A label applicating system includes a label transport wheel and an air-pressure system connected to an opening in the label transport wheel. The air-pressure system applies a positive pressure at the opening to eject a label from the wheel onto a surface of an article. One aspect includes means for applying an upward force to the bottom surface of the article approximately simultaneously with ejecting the label from the label-holding sector. One aspect provides a controller which receives a signal from a sensor indicating a location of the article and in response to the signal, sends a first signal to a motor which rotates the wheel so that the label-holding sector is facing a top surface of the article.

Abstract: In a labeling machine, a bar code sensor, a batch information sensor and a label sensor are coupled electrically to a controller, and are disposed along an advancing route of a label reel. When any of these sensors detects an error in one of the labels or the absence of a label on the reel, the controller activates a container removal unit to remove the container with the defective label or with no label at a take-out end of a container conveying unit.

Abstract: A sealing apparatus includes an adhesive tape applying mechanism disposed at least below a transport path along which a workpiece is horizontally transported. The adhesive tape applying mechanism includes an adhesive tape roll RT and an applicator unit 10. An adhesive tape drawn from the adhesive tape roll RT is guided to and wound around an applicator roller 25 of the applicator unit, to be applied continuously to surfaces of the workpiece transported along the transport path. The adhesive tape applying mechanism disposed below the transport path is supported to be vertically pivotable about a pivotal axis x between a tape applying position and an adhesive tape roll changing position exposed above the transport path.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device and a method for inserting a security and/or identification element between two layers of a marking strip for items of baggage, the two layers being an overlayer and a substrate joined together at least in sub-sections by way of an adhesive layer which adheres to the overlayer when the substrate is delaminated. The marking strips are manufactured with integrated security/identification elements at low cost. The marking strips are available in web form and are guided in a running direction past a vacuum source.

Abstract: A positionally based label application system includes a plurality of sensors which detect the pitch between the products to be labeled as well as the location of those products. A supply web bearing labels is caused to pass over a peel tip which feeds the labels into a nip point. This allows the labels to be precisely matched with products traveling at a very high rate of speed. The positional system determines a desired ratio of movement between the supply web and the product being conveyed, this ratio being based upon the detected pitch. In this manner, the supply web is allowed to move continuously, but at a slower speed than the products being conveyed, but still precisely matches labels to products.

Abstract: A push-up pin used for separating a semiconductor element attached by adhesive to an adhesive sheet of a semiconductor element pushing-up device in a die bonding apparatus from the adhesive sheet by pushing up the semiconductor element from the rear surface side of the adhesive sheet includes a tip end portion having a shape for applying pushing-up pressure with the thicknesses of the adhesive sheet and the adhesive kept constant when the pushing-up pressure for pushing up the semiconductor element from the rear surface side of the adhesive sheet is applied, and a base portion for supporting the tip end portion.

Abstract: A die bonder, to which semiconductor pellets 4 are supplied in an arranged state, comprises a substrate feeding mechanism for feeding a substrate 1 including a plurality of pellet islands to successively set the pellet island at a bonding position BP, a defective substrate detecting means 3 for detecting defective pellet island, and a pellet transfer mechanism. The pellet transfer mechanism successively picks up and carries a defective pellet to the bonding position BP for mounting when a pellet island of the substrate set at the bonding position is non-defective, and mounts a defective pellet 4a when a pellet island is defective. In this arrangement, when the defective substrate detecting means determines that a pellet island is defective, a defective pellet is mounted.

Abstract: A product stacking apparatus and method employs one or more stations, each including a stationary stacking platform or a conveyor upon which spaced-apart pucks are coupled for travel thereon. A product delivery apparatus drives one or more movable webs to which segmented product sheets are removably affixed. The product delivery apparatus includes one or more rotatable lamination interfaces associated with each of the stations for transferring product sheets from the webs to the pucks on a repetitive basis to produce a stack of product sheets on the respective pucks. Each of the segmented product sheets may define all or a portion of an electrochemical cell, all or a portion of a pad including layers of film or sheet material, wherein a portion of each of the layers is provided with a bonding feature, or all or a portion of a pack comprising layers of medical dressing. A puck need not be in motion during the transfer of the product sheet from the lamination roll to the puck.

Abstract: An electric strapping tools and methods therefor having an electric motor with an output shaft coupled to a feed wheel, a modulator circuit coupled to a power input of the motor for controlling strap tension. A magnet is disposed on an end of the motor armature and offset from the rotation axis thereof, and a magnetic field detector is disposed near magnet to detect rotation of the armature. The motor rotates the feed wheel and vibrates a welding jaw when the shaft rotates in the same direction, and tool parameter adjustment potentiometers are isolated from abuse by the tool user by corresponding control knobs coupled thereto.

Abstract: A surveillance tag applicator for applying tags to articles such as box blanks, blister cards, or containers at very high rates of speed up to and greater than 1000 tags per minute. The applicator comprises a plurality of tags attached to a web fed to a rotating drum having a plurality of slots, a compression roller for pressing each of the tags into one of the plurality of slots, an ejector arm for ejecting each tag from the slots onto a selected location of an article passing by the drum, a stripper to remove the web from the tags, and a winder assembly for rewinding the web devoid of tags. A first servo motor drives the rotating drum and a second servo motor drives the ejector arm. A controller provides the timing and control for the servo motors and operation of the tag applicator.

Abstract: A labeling system employs a multi-processing computer control system for a servo motor which drives a label-carrying web. The system is responsive to the physical position of the labels and the physical position of containers or similar objects to which the labels are applied. The label application motion controller identifies the machine position and performs the mathematical calculations needed to create a piecewise continuous function motion profile required to achieve label contact at a predefined contact point on the surface of each container. Multiple functions may be used to construct a motion profile. which smoothly accelerates the label at a calculated acceleration needed to cause a label to arrive at the defined contact position on a container and to decelerates the carrier web after application. Correction for measured label registration error is provided for.

Abstract: Steered vacuum-assisted laminating apparatus and methods of using the same are disclosed. The apparatus includes a vacuum-assisted laminator for applying large format films to substrates where lamination pressure is generated at least partially by a vacuum drawn in a vacuum cavity. The apparatus also includes a steering system to control the vertical position the laminator and a vehicle to move the laminator along the substrate in a desired direction.

Abstract: A tape and compound dispenser for wall surfaces automatically matches the delivery of the compound to the feed of the tape. The system has a compartment or tank that contains compound. A pump supplies compound from the tank through a flexible conduit to an applicator, which dispenses tape and compound. A sensor measures the rate of speed of the tape as it is being dispensed and provides a signal to a controller. The controller will vary the flow rate by varying the speed of the motor that drives the pump. An auger is rotated within the tank for prefeeding compound to the pump as well as for mixing compound.

Abstract: An automatic label sticking device for automatically applying labels to a product such as an optical disc driver is provided. The automatic label sticking device includes a transport mechanism; a paper-peeling mechanism located above a fixed position; and, a paper-sticking mechanism spaced from a portion of the paper-peeling mechanism. The paper-peeling mechanism includes a main roller and a secondary roller disposed between paper feeding and recycling reels for guiding a label tape through a winding path. The main and secondary rollers are positioned such that they frictionally capture a portion of the label tape therebetween, to advance it along the winding path. The main roller is driven to rotate by a driving device, while the secondary roller is indirectly rotated to turn the recycling reel responsive to a driving force frictionally transmitted thereto through the captured portion of the label tape.

Abstract: An adhesive tape piece sticking device (14) for sticking a double-coated adhesive tape piece to a cigarette paper (P) has a motor (52) for rotating a reel (32) that takes up a tape band (T) delivered from a tape roll (58). A guide block (66) for projectingly guiding the tape band toward the paper (P) and a lift guide unit (68) are arranged in the middle of a take-up path for the tape band. The sticking device slides as a whole with a tape piece positioned between an edge (70) and a guide plate (74), thereby pressing the tape piece against the paper. Further, the lift guide unit is lowered to separate the mount from the tape piece that is stuck to the paper.

Abstract: A process for producing a DVD from two DVD substrates A and B, wherein the first substrate (A-disc) of the DVD is produced by a first injection unit A and the second substrate (B-disc) of the DVD is produced by a second injection unit B, wherein one or both DVD substrates are coated, in particular metallised, in a coating station, wherein one or both DVD substrates are provided with an adhesive in an adhesive application station and wherein the DVD substrates A and B are supplied to at least one joining station for the purpose of joining the A-disc and B-disc to form a DVD. The invention is characterised in that at least one walking beam (12) is provided for transporting the DVD substrates A and B through the production line, in that the A-disc and the B-disc are alternately located behind one another in a row (A-B-A-B-A-B- . . . ) on the walking beam (12), and in that the walking beam is operated in double step fashion.

Abstract: A technique for transferring discrete areas of material, such as hot stamping foil, from a carrier onto positions spaced apart along a substrate, such as paper. The carrier is dispensed at a rate that is much less than the speed of movement of the substrate. During transfer, a segment of the carrier is moved at the same speed as the substrate while, in between such material transfers, the speed of the carrier is sharply reduced and even reversed in direction in order to maintain the average speed of this carrier segment equal to the reduced speed at which the carrier is being dispensed. This is accomplished by a shuttle mechanism that is moved by its own motor, under control of a microprocessor-based motor control system, in synchronism with the speed of the substrate and transfer operations. This significantly improves the utilization of the material on the carrier, with an improved flexibility to adapt to various substrate speeds and ease of implementation in machinery.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hot air welding apparatus that provides accurate and repeatable control of the drive wheel speed. To afford very precise control of the speed and the relative rotation of the drive wheels at all times during the welding process, the present invention is provided with a computer control system and two high torque stepper motors, one for each drive wheel. The computer control system allows the speed and position of the drive wheels to be regulated with a very high accuracy. The computer control system allows the drive wheel settings to be adjusted while the seam is being welded and further includes an automatic ramp capability, a repeat mode, and a test strip mode. Further, the computer control system is capable of controlling the temperature of the air used in the welding process.