Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for splicing a web of paper, which is being paid out from a one web roll and fed into a printing press, to another web roll being rotated in a splicing position in which this new web roll of any diameter is spaced a prescribed unvarying distance from the old web traveling along a predefined path into the press. Since the peripheral speed of the new web roll must be equal to the running speed of the old web before splicing, a sensor positioning mechanism is provided for adjustably moving a photoelectric web roll speed sensor along two orthogonal axes to an optimum sensing position with respect to the new web roll, no matter how large it may be in diameter.

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: It is an exemplified object of the present invention to provide a manufacturing device and method that can manufacture a high-performance exposure device in a short time. To achieve this object, the manufacturing method of the exposure device is configured to have its part detachable from its main body. This may allow, for instance, a holding member that holds the exposure device after a bonding step of the exposure device is finished while an adhesive is being cured, to be detached from the manufacturing device and to attach another holding member to the manufacturing device to continue the manufacturing process up to a bonding step, thereby reducing or eliminating a downtime of the device.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying an adhesive spacer material to a substrate such as a glass lite for the manufacture of insulated windows includes an infeed and an outfeed conveyor for advancing a glass lite, and a transverse beam on which is mounted a first travelling applicator head and a second stationary applicator head. A first and second feed reel are provided to supply spacer material to their respective applicator heads. The stationary applicator head is adapted to apply a length of spacer material in a straight pattern simultaneously with the travelling head as the substrate is advanced by the conveyor. The travelling applicator head applies spacer material to three sides of the substrate cutting notches or slits and rotating 90° at the corners. The stationary applicator head applies spacer to the fourth side. Cooperating pairs of grippers form accurate folds in the spacer.

Abstract: A method of producing a succession of self-adhesive labels (6) carried on a backing of release material (8), the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a first web of release material carrying a succession of folded leaflets (30); (b) conveying the first web along A pathway by a web conveyor, (c) printing a second web (36) with a succession of images along its length by at least one print station (44, 46, 48, 50), the or each print station being driven independently of the web conveyor and being directly or indirectly registered with reference to the first web or the folded leaflets; (d) laminating the printed second web over the succession of folded leaflets; and (e) die-cutting (54, 56) through at least the second web as far as the release material to form a succession of self-adhesive labels.

Abstract: A laminator for applying pre-printed labels to a single face corrugated web to form double face corrugated sheets utilizes a control system including accurate leading and trailing edge detection of the labels to custom cut the corrugated web to match the label length in a manner which assures complete and uniform coverage of the glued flute tips of the corrugated web by the labels. The labels are fed non-stop as a series of spaced sheets into a laminating nip to join the leading edge of the traveling single face corrugated web. A positioning nip upstream of the laminating nip varies the speed of the incoming sheets to accurately match sheet leading edge to web leading edge. Detection of the sheet trailing edge triggers operation of the web cut-off knife to accurately match the corresponding cut trailing edge.

Abstract: The system (14, 18) for evaluating the geometry of articles transported by a conveyor (12) includes a frame (20) adapted to be mounted facing the conveyor (12), feelers (22) carried by the frame and moved relative to the frame (20) by articles transported by the conveyor (12), each feeler (22) having an end (28) for tracking the exposed surface of an article, which tracking end (28) is adapted to rest on the article and to move the feeler (22) by an amount representative of the position of the point on the article to which the tracking end (28) of the feeler (22) is applied, means (32) for measuring the position of each feeler (22) relative to the frame (20), and means (18) for calculating the geometry of the articles according to the measured position of each feeler (22).

Abstract: The method and the device of the present invention are capable of uniformly using whole surface of a carrying plate, improving the polishing accuracy of wafers and extending span of life of the carrying plate. The method of adhering a plurality of wafers onto a surface of a carrying plate with predetermined spaces is characterized by regularly shifting wafer adhering positions, at which the wafers are respectively adhered, with respect to a standard position of the carrying plate, in the surface of the carrying plate. The wafer adhering position is regularly shifted when the carrying plate is exchanged or predetermined time elapses.

Abstract: A label continuum (R) in which a number of printed labels (L) are temporarily stacked on a mounting sheet (S) is made to travel from a label holder (31), and the mounting sheet (S), after being turned by a turn pin (32), is wound while pulled by a motor (21). In keeping with this, each of the labels (L) is peeled off and its non-adhesive face is brought to the sticking section of a rotator. By a mounting sheet slack detecting circuit (50), the motor (21) is driven when the mounting sheet is slack, while by a label detecting circuit (60), the motor (21) is driven until a label is completely stuck and a next label is peeled off and is brought to the sticking section.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching a serrated cutting strip to a carton blank which includes a first member for conveying carton blanks past a cutting and applicator mechanism, the cutting and applicator mechanism being arranged to cut a cutting strip from a supply of cutting strip material and deposit said cutting strip upon a carton blank. The first member includes a conveyor belt preferably fitted with suction means, and the cutting and applicator mechanism includes upper and lower dies movable relative to one another and a mechanism to feed a supply of cutting strip material, said cutting strip being retained upon the upper die by suction. Further downward movement of the upper die brings the cutting strip into contact with a carton blank. The apparatus includes an alignment member to ensure the carton blanks are correctly positioned relative to the cutting and applicator mechanism when the cutting strips are attached.

Abstract: A substrate on which a plurality of thin films having a plurality of cross-sections corresponding to the cross-section of a micro-structure are formed is placed on a substrate holder. The substrate holder is elevated to bond a thin film formed on the substrate to the surface of a stage, and by lowering the substrate holder, the thin film is separated from the substrate and transferred to the stage side. The transfer process is repeated to laminate a plurality of thin films on the stage and to form the micro-structure. Accordingly, there are provided a micro-structure having high dimensional precision, especially high resolution in the lamination direction, which can be manufactured from a metal or an insulator such as ceramics and can be manufactured in the combined form of structural elements together, and a manufacturing method and an apparatus thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing composite products. Thereby a number of elements to be assembled is provided and glue is applied to at least one surface of each element. The elements are assembled, and the assembled elements are subjected to pressure in a press. The invention is characterized in that amount of at least one component of the glue, applied at a specific point of glue application on an element, is controlled to be a function of the waiting time it takes before the point of glue application is subjected to the pressure in the press. It also relates to an apparatus for carrying out the method which is caracterized by a control unit (15) which is programmable to run a control sequence for the glue applicator (10) and/or the element feeder (6; 16) to provide an optimal applied glue amount.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically merging and attaching documents, such as photocopies of remittance checks or the like, to envelopes from which the documents originated is disclosed. The system uses a series of bins and conveyors to automatically retrieve, synchronize, merge and reassociate each document to its respective envelope.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying sheets to substrates including a rotating blade roller with a blade on its surface; a vacuum roller rotating with the blade roller, oriented parallel to the blade roller, and with a surface adjacent to the blade roller surface; at least one slot in the vacuum roller surface into which the blade is inserted as the rollers rotate; and a feeder for feeding a continuous sheet between the rollers so that the sheet is cut into segments. The vacuum roller surface includes surface holes connected to a vacuum source during cutting and disconnected after cutting and manifold holes parallel to the roller axis and located in a circle below the surface. The manifold holes have open ends located at one end of the vacuum roller and are connected to the surface holes. There is at least one plate adjacent the end of the vacuum roller with the open ends. The plate includes at least two curved grooves on the surface matching the shape of the path traveled by the open ends.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for evenly applying an atomized adhesive for bonding a die to a leadframe is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a hood in communication with an air supply and a vacuum plenum. The hood and vacuum plenum encompass a semiconductor device component located in a target area during adhesive application so that the adhesive is selectively applied to specific portions of the leadframe or other semiconductor device component and adhesive is not allowed outside the system. A mask or stencil may be employed to further prevent the application of adhesive to undesired areas. An air purge may be employed to direct the adhesive mist toward the component to be coated. In another embodiment, a fine adhesive spray is directed against the surface of the workpiece to be coated, selected areas being masked to prevent coating. Wafers may be coated as well as leadframes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for evenly applying an atomized adhesive for bonding a die to a leadframe is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a hood in communication with an air supply and a vacuum plenum. The hood and vacuum plenum encompass a semiconductor device component located in a target area during adhesive application so that the adhesive is selectively applied to specific portions of the leadframe or other semiconductor device component and adhesive is not allowed outside the system. A mask or stencil may be employed to further prevent the application of adhesive to undesired areas. An air purge may be employed to direct the adhesive mist toward the component to be coated. In another embodiment, a fine adhesive spray is directed against the surface of the workpiece to be coated, selected areas being masked to prevent coating. Wafers may be coated as well as leadframes.

Abstract: This invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing an accurate moistening system which provides for less fluid waste and better wetting. This in turn causes better sealing of the envelope flap. The present invention is directed to, in a general aspect, a non-contact envelope flap moistening system which can be installed in a mailing machine apparatus. The flap moistening system comprises an array of inkjet print heads and a document scanner for sensing the envelope flap. Envelope flaps can be moistened by the flap moistening system by performing a method comprising the following steps: sensing the envelope flap; profile and/or the glue area of an envelope flap; building a firing sequence for the print head nozzles; and actuating the nozzles to precisely fire discreet fluid droplets onto the glue area of the envelope flap. The system provides precise fluid amounts for envelope sealing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing multiple die cut business forms is disclosed. One embodiment of a printing press according to the present invention includes a number of different stations that are connected together by a continuous web. Multiple die cut business forms are produced by a continuous process from stock paper to an output configuration such as continuous roll, fan fold, or cut sheet. One aspect of the present invention is that a silicone treated glassine stock paper substrate can be utilized to allow business forms to be produced with minimized curling.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a plurality of wafers by slicing a cylindrical ingot with a wire saw. The apparatus includes a measuring device for measuring the crystal orientation of the ingot; an adhering device for adhering a support to the surface of the ingot based on the orientation where the support includes an intermediate plate and a support plate, where the support plate is adapted to fit the wire saw, and where the adhering device includes an auxiliary adhering element for adhering the intermediate plate to the surface of the ingot and an adhering element for adhering the support plate to the intermediate plate; a dryer for drying and solidifying an adhesive applied between the ingot and the intermediate plate and an adhesive applied between the intermediate plate and the support plate; and the wire saw for slicing the ingot into the plurality of wafers while the ingot is supported on the support.

Abstract: A labelling machine is operable for applying carrier-supported labels for delivery to produce articles arranged in rows in a tray. The labelling machine includes at least one label transfer mechanism operative to apply labels from a carrier onto produce articles. The labelling machine also includes memory operative to store print information. A printer of the labelling machine is positioned upstream of the label transfer mechanism and is operative to print user-configurable print information. Control circuitry of the labelling machine is electrically coupled to the printer and the memory, and is operative to configure the printer to print user-configurable print information. A user interface of the labelling machine is signal-coupled to the control circuitry and memory, and is operable by a user to select the user-configurable print information to be printed by the printer. A method is also provided.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are proposed in order to bond multilayered substrate packages over a large surface at uniform heating in the course of one single work step, wherein the structured substrates are to begin with aligned to one another with high precision to correspond to the structuring in a working area separate from the heating apparatus.

Abstract: A book marker insertion apparatus includes a cartridge assembly, a separator assembly, a gripper assembly, an elevator assembly and a page spreader assembly. The cartridge assembly holds a roll of marker material including a plurality of markers on a backing sheet and advances the material to the separator assembly. The separator assembly includes jaws and a peel bar for removing the endmost marker from the backing sheet. The gripper assembly includes rotatable arms which grip the separated end marker and position the separated end marker for insertion into the book. The elevator raises and lowers the gripper assembly from the position for gripping the separated end marker to the position for inserting into the book. The page spreader assembly includes a V-arm with a slot formed therein-for receiving the gripper arms and the separated end marker.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a multi-component workpiece including cutting a first web of material moving at a first speed into first components, cutting a second web of material moving at a second speed into second components, transferring one of the first components onto a first surface moving at the first speed, transferring one of the second components onto a second surface moving at the second speed, adjusting the speed of the second surface to match the speed of the first surface, transferring the second component onto the first component, adjusting the speed of the first surface to match that of a third moving web, transferring the mated first and second components into the third moving web, readjusting the speed of the first surface to the first speed, and readjusting the speed of the second surface to the second speed. In a particular embodiment, the process manufactures a multi-component absorbent personal hygiene articles.

Abstract: A door is made from a rigid core plate, two side bars, two end bars, a pair of face panels, and a pair of cover sheets. The core plate and bars are cut to respective sizes, and then the bars are manually fitted around the core plate, are pressed against edges of the core plate to form a door core, and are secured together at corners of the core. This core is displaced on an upstream core conveyor to a core-holding station. One of the face panels is loaded manually onto a face-panel conveyor and fed thereby through a glue applicator to a face-panel holding station and one of the cover sheets is manually set in a cover-sheet holding station. The one cover sheet is picked up and laid in a stacking station, then the one face panel is picked up and set atop the one cover sheet, and then the core is picked up and set atop the face panel.

Abstract: Device to withdraw, superimpose and anchor foils for green-tape circuits, which cooperates with a plurality of containers (15) of supports (16) of single characterised green-tape foils (11), each container (15) holding green-tape foils (11) characterised in the same manner as each other, each container (15) having at least one withdrawal side that can be rendered unusable momentarily by closure means (19), the containers (15) being arranged in an organised manner at least along one side cooperating with conveyor means (27) and with movable carriage means (12) that withdraw the supports (16) in a programmed manner, the conveyor means (27) cooperating at least with means that remove the green-tape foils (11) from the supports (16) and with support discharge means (48), alignment means (39) and superimposing and anchorage means (42).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for evenly applying an atomized adhesive for bonding a die to a leadframe is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a hood in communication with an air supply and a vacuum plenum. The hood and vacuum plenum encompass a semiconductor device component located in a target area during adhesive application so that the adhesive is selectively applied to specific portions of the leadframe or other semiconductor device component and adhesive is not allowed outside the system. A mask or stencil may be employed to further prevent the application of adhesive to undesired areas. An air purge may be employed to direct the adhesive mist toward the component to be coated. In another embodiment, a fine adhesive spray is directed against the surface of the workpiece to be coated, selected areas being masked to prevent coating. Wafers may be coated as well as leadframes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for applying swatches to a continuously traveling web, which is usually preprinted, and which is severed into sheets of a predetermined repeat length. When going from one size of repeat length to another size of repeat length, swatch-applying cylinders are profiled to match the cylinder velocity to the web velocity during a swatch application over a first portion of a revolution of the swatch cylinder and then the rotational velocity is changed substantially during a sync recovery portion of the cylinder's revolution. Preferably, the adhesive, which is applied to the web to adhere the swatches, is by an adhesive cylinder which is similarly provided with a matching velocity portion of a revolution and a sync recovery portion at a different velocity. The cutting operation is preferably by a knife cylinder which is also similarly profiled.

Abstract: A tag applicator for cylindrical objects is provided with an applicator station for receiving an adhesive surfaced label or tag over a pair of flexible wrapping fingers; a transport device engages, grips and moves an article to be tagged from a supply station through a tag applying station and then to a discharge station with the movement of the part through the tag applying station being effective in combination with the wrapping fingers to securely apply the adhesive tag to the part.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for joining two or more thin sheets of thermoplastic materials along a welded seam includes a welding assembly and a means for feeding the thermoplastic sheets to the working area of the welding assembly. The welding assembly includes a heated platen welding press coupled with a welding tool, an energy generator electrically connected to the welding tool and control means electrically connected to the welding press, the welding tool and the energy generator. The welding press includes a pair of opposed platens, means for heating each of the platens and pressing means for displacing at least one of the opposed platens in the thickness direction of the thermoplastic sheets. Pressure is applied to the thermoplastic sheets by using the pressing means to displace at least one of the heated platens in the thickness direction of the thermoplastic sheets.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for automatically affixing notes to a moving printed web which has a plurality of repeat lengths, each of the notes being automatically applied at the same relative location in each of a plurality of repeat lengths of the printed web. The apparatus includes a note feed device adapted to receive a note web consisting of a carrier web and a plurality of removable notes disposed on the carrier web. The apparatus also includes a note handler operatively coupled to separate the notes from the carrier web and cause them to be applied to the printed web and a controller adapted to control the note feed device so as to cause each of the notes to be applied to the printed web in a predetermined position in each of the repeat lengths of the printed web.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a bead-inlaid picture by inputting a desired original image as a motif for a bead-inlaid picture by an image input device, dividing the inputted original image into each of pieces in a size equal with that of a bead, comparing numerical data for the hue and the brightness obtained for each of the pieces and numerical data for the hue and the brightness predetermined for each of the beads and replacing the numerical data for each of the pieces with a color code allocated to a bead having numerical data most approximate with the obtained data and outputting signals corresponding thereto by an image processing device, feeding beads allocated with color codes while dividing them on every color codes by a feeder, arranging the thus fed beads in accordance with the arranged sequence for each of the pieces in the original image by an actuator and, fusing the arranged beads on a glass plate.

Abstract: A chip compression-bonding apparatus includes a vertically-movable block which is vertically moved by a descending device, and has a load measurement device and a load applying device mounted thereon. A compression-bonding tool for holding a chip is provided beneath the vertically-movable block. The weight of the compression-bonding tool is supported by the load measurement device, and the compression-bonding tool is pressed against the load measurement device by the load applying device. A control portion detects a compression-bonding force of the compression-bonding tool by an amount of reduction of the value of the load measured by the load measurement device, and controls the descending device in accordance with the detected compression-bonding force.

Abstract: A process and device for cutting and distributing printed large width bands and a positioning table for implementing the process.In the extension of a feed table a positioning table is provided which is itself equipped with endless belts each carrying a gripping clip for pulling an initial band from the feed table on to itself, devices for registering and positioning the band being provided at least at the inlet and at the outlet of the positioning table.The device allows the production of a continuous wide width printed band from a narrower width printed band assuring that the design and the pattern on the new wide width band are in perfect register as shown in FIG. 1. The device cuts a rectangular length of the original narrow band, the length being the width of the desired wide width band. The so cut rectangular sheets are joined by gluing them along the longer side of the rectangles.

Abstract: A label is supplied from a label supplier to a rotating suction drum. The supplied label is absorbed on the suction drum and conveyed to a label sticking station. During conveyance of the label, passage time of the label at a predetermined point is measured, and a first shifting amount of the label relative to a label conveying direction is calculated. A standby position of the work in the label conveying direction is altered based on the first shifting amount. Further, during conveyance of the label, its location relative to a perpendicular direction to the label conveying direction is detected, and a second shifting amount of the label relative to the perpendicular direction is calculated. A standby position of the work in the perpendicular direction is altered based on the second shifting amount. The position of the work is adjusted to the label so that the label is stuck on the work with great accuracy.

Abstract: A surface finishing apparatus for finishing the edge surfaces of fiberboards or like substrates. A pair of axially convergent drive wheels impart rotational and radial motion to a board and pushes the board against a foiling head or other surface finishing hardware. The foiling wheel is pushed by a pneumatic cylinder towards the board. An air clamp holds the board down against the drive wheels during operation. A speed indexer computer controls the rotation of the axially convergent drive wheels in inverse relationship to the rotational speed of the foiling head. In an alternative embodiment, a pair of angled hold-down wheels are used to hold the board against the drive wheels.

Abstract: A veneer packet assembly and delivery apparatus; and, a method of assembling a packet of veneer sheets and delivering the assembled packet for incorporation into a billet being fed into a laminated veneer lumber press. A veneer sheet is aligned atop a first series of spaced horizontal members which are then displaced downwardly by a selected thickness distance and longitudinally by a selected offset distance. Additional sheets are sequentially aligned atop the previous sheet(s) until a packet having the desired number of plys is assembled. The first members are then lowered between a second series of spaced horizontal members, to transfer the packet onto the second members. The second members and the packet are then displaced horizontally away from the first members, over the input end of the press. A third series of spaced horizontal members are then raised between the second members, to transfer the packet onto the third members. The packet is then lowered onto the input end of the press.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enveloping a series of absorbent cores with a fluid-permeable layer includes a first web supplying mechanism for providing a first layer of fluid-permeable material, and a depositing mechanism for positioning a series of absorbent cores on the first layer. Each of the absorbent cores defines a periphery thereof and includes superabsorbent material therein. A second web supplying means provides a second layer of fluid-permeable material to sandwich the absorbent cores between the first and second layers. A sealing mechanism secures the first layer to the second layer along an attachment region thereof which is located adjacent to at least a pair of side edge regions of the absorbent cores. The attachment region is constructed to substantially prevent movement of superabsorbent material from the absorbent cores through the attachment region.

Abstract: The bonding apparatus includes a belt for feeding a label continuum (10) in which labels have been continuously formed. The label continuum fed by the belt is cut to a predetermined length to obtain a label strip by a cutter. A pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is formed on a rear surface of the label strip. The label strip obtained by the cutting operation of the cutter is fed by a belt having a label-contact surface not easily bonded to the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer. The label strip is fed to a bonding position with the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer thereof lightly bonded to the label-contact surface of the belt. The label strip fed by the belt is pressed against an object by a bonding roller serving and bonded thereto.

Abstract: Directly following application of a label (3) to the adhesive coating (5) of a backing web (2) by rolling the affixation point (8) non-contact sensing by the sensor (31) of a detector device (30) establishes whether the adhesive coating (5) is not fully covered due to mutual misorientation. In the case of such a misorientation the backing web (2) including substantially all other means of a paper processing line are halted, as a result of which the exposed adhesive coating (5) is unable to soil any further parts of the machine.

Abstract: Lead frames supplied from a first supply unit are intermittently conveyed in a non-oxidizing atmosphere. An adhesive is supplied from a second supply unit onto islands of the lead frames, and also semiconductor chips are supplied from a third supply unit onto the islands. When one of different kinds of semiconductor chips supplied from the third supply unit is selected, the selected semiconductor chip is held by a holder having a configuration adapted to the selected semiconductor chip. Therefore, transfer means for semiconductor chips includes at least two kinds of holders.

Abstract: A book marker insertion apparatus includes a cartridge assembly, a separator assembly, a gripper assembly, an elevator assembly and a page spreader assembly. The cartridge assembly holds a roll of marker materials including a plurality of markers on a backing sheet and advances the material to the separator assembly. The separator assembly includes jaws and a peel bar for removing the endmost marker from the backing sheet. The gripper assembly includes rotatable arms which grip the separated end marker and position the separated end marker for insertion into the book. The elevator raises and lowers the gripper assembly from the position for gripping the separated end marker to the position for inserting into the book. The page spreader assembly includes a V-arm with a slot formed therein for receiving the gripper arms and the separated end marker.

Abstract: An automated film slide orienting and mounting system includes at least one detector for detecting the orientation of film, a knife assembly for successively cutting the film to generate film segments, a rotatable table for orienting the film segments into a proper orientation, a set of driver assemblies for progressively moving each film segment for insertion into a slide mount, and a magnetic writing device for writing the orientation of the film segment magnetically onto the slide mount in a region of magnetic material disposed upon each slide mount.

Abstract: In a lead frame taping apparatus and a method thereof, a plurality of punching portions are provided and each punching portion concurrently attaches a tape to at least two lead frames. Also, the tape can be continuously attached to the different kinds of a lead frame without the exchange of molds by differing the operation time of each punching portion. Further, a taping detecting sensor is provided to detect the attachment of the tape at the lead frame. Therefore, productivity is increased while saving labor and inferior products can be accurately detected.

Abstract: A sealing machine and method are described as used for sealing the edges of documents so that envelopes are not needed. In known such machines, particularly when used for sealing the documents by pressure, problems arise if documents overlap either partially or fully (i.e. a double document) because the pressure rollers in the machine easily jam. The documents being sealed may be very valuable (e.g. pay slips) and any loss or damage is a serious problem. The invention therefore provides means for sensing the presence of double or overlapping documents in a feed path of the machine and means for diverting such double or overlapping documents upstream of the sealing means. Both the thickness and the length of the documents are measured and compared to preset values, such as may be stored in a microprocessor either from ideal figures or from measurements taken during a controlled start-up procedure.

Abstract: Apparatus for orienting containers which have vertical seams is disclosed. The apparatus is useful in label machines where, prior to the application of labels to the containers, the apparatus orients the containers around longitudinal axes, so that the ends of labels applied to such containers are positioned adjacent to the seams. Apparatus according to the preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a star wheel with roller bearings which permit relatively free rotation of containers positioned within the pockets of the star wheel, a container drive wheel movable between a first position where it is operable, and a second position where it is inoperable, to cause rotation of a container which is in a pocket of the star wheel and means for moving the drive wheel between the first and second positions.

Abstract: Shaping elements are arranged and fixed according to an attribute data of voxels to produce a shaped article corresponding to the attribute data. A conversion unit 52 produces a shaping element information based on the attribute data from a three-dimensional cell attribute information memorizing unit 23 and stores it in a shaping element information memorizing unit 53. A solid object generator 51 controls a stacker 56, a transportation unit 57, and a picker 58 depending on the shaping element information to align the shaping elements in a shaping area. It also controls a coating unit 59 to apply an adhesive to the shaping elements to bond them to each other.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying adhesive and a protective release paper to successive elongate wooden flooring strips having a top decorative side, and a bottom adhesive side for being adhered to a supporting subfloor. The apparatus includes an infeed conveyor for receiving successive wooden flooring strips top side-up from an upstream processing station in parallel lengthwise alignment to each other and moving the flooring strips in a direction of movement perpendicular to the length of the flooring strips. An accumulator equally spaces the flooring strips apart on the infeed conveyor. An inverter receives successive flooring strips from the infeed conveyor and inverts the flooring strips from top decorative side-up to bottom adhesive side-up. An applicator conveyor receives the inverted flooring strips from the inverter and moves the flooring strips end-to-end in a direction of movement parallel to the length of the flooring strips.

Abstract: In releasing a film from stacked films and transporting it to a predetermined position, film suction devices hold the film at two opposite peripheral portions. The suction devices are then lifted together with the film so that the lifted portions approach a center of the film. Ends of the lifted portions is grasped by finger portions while the other films are pressured by a pressing mechanism. The film is further lifted to be released from the other films. The film is then transported and accurately put on a predetermined portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a corrugated substrate comprises a first assembly for advancing liner sheets including a corrugated medium and facing sheets and a second assembly for advancing fluting sheets. Each fluting sheet has bend surfaces along its top and bottom sides. An applicator applies adhesive along at least one of the top and bottom sides of the fluting sheets. The first assembly and second assembly advance the liner sheets and fluting sheets into contact with one another along the side of the fluting sheet having the adhesive. The fluting sheets are secured to the liner sheets to form a layered article having an upper and lower surface. A means for correlating operates the first assembly, second assembly, and applicator so that in each cycle of operation the layered article adheres to at least an additional layered article in succession.

Abstract: A laminator is provided for registering and laminating one or more web or sheet laminae on a web substrate, wherein each lamina has defined, successive areas and indicia provided in predetermined positions relative to the defined areas. The laminator includes feed rollers for feeding a web substrate through the laminator along a path of travel, and an additional feed mechanism for feeding a web or sheets to a drum forming a part of the laminator. The drum is shiftable toward and away from the web substrate between an engaged position in which the drum engages the substrate, and a disengaged position in which the drum is removed from contact with the substrate. A registration system successively registers the web or each sheet on the drum with the substrate, with the defined area of the web or sheet in a desired predetermined relationship to one of the defined areas of the substrate as successive defined areas are brought into a laminating position.