Abstract: A method of applying and securing mirror mounts to the inboard surfaces of windshields. The method includes using means for optically scanning the surface of the windshield and detecting the presence of antenna wires or other markings therein to be used as reference points for the placement of a mirror mount on the windshield. The method also includes using means responsive to such detecting means for placing and affixing a mirror mount on the windshield in a desired region thereon.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for lining container closures with seals, and for testing the closures. The apparatus includes means for forming an infeed stream of closures and means interacting with the stream for forming closure groups. Conveyor means accept the groups and convey same to the various stations. At an initial station the shell integrity of the closures is tested; and closures are rejected at a following station if found to be the product of short molding shots or so forth. Thereafter, an adhesive is dispensed to the closure interior, and at a successive station seals are punched from a web and emplaced in the closure. A loose liner detector and removal station detects and removes loose liners from the closures. The sealing characteristics of the closures are then tested at a further station, and closures found to be imperfect are rejected; after which the closures which successfully pass through the several stations are discharged from the apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of splicing a train for veneer sheets being fed in a horizontal direction on infeed and outfeed conveyors operated by electric sensors that signal the conveyors to start or to stop at predetermined appropriate times when the preceding and succeeding veneer sheets pass certain predetermined positions, coordinated with application of a strand and beads of a thermoplastic adhesive onto said train of the veneer sheets on conveyors by a cold press. According to this method and apparatus, the splicing of veneer sheets may be achieved with an increased speed and strength of splicing in the transverse direction, in comparison with conventional method and apparatus.

Abstract: Labels are supplied in groups to a labelling station with the labels of each group being arranged in a row. The labels are releasably retained at the labelling station. The articles to be labelled are moved through the labelling station with the row of labels at the labelling station extending in the same direction as the direction of article movement. Each of the labels is transferred to an associated article as the articles are moved through the labelling station. The labels are sequentially transferred with the most downstream label always being the next label to be transferred.

Abstract: A labelling machine, employing strip which bears pressure-sensitive adhesive labels, is operated by articles conveyed in succession past the machine. Each article moves an arm, thereby advancing the strip by an amount less than the pitch length of the labels to present a partially detached label at applicator rollers, where it adheres to and is detached by the passing article. In this way labelling can be effected at higher rates than previously. In detaching the label, the article also pulls the strip into position for when the next article moves the arm. Guides, relatively movable in one sense by the arm, or by another arm moved by the article, and in the opposite sense by gravity, and consisting of three rollers, or of a rotary cam and a roller, vary the path length of the strip cyclically in the machine by the above amount, thereby advancing the strip and presenting the partially detached label at the applicator.

Abstract: A package labeling and inspecting apparatus is disclosed which includes a first conveyor table having an apparatus mounted adjacent to the conveyor for applying labels to wrapped packages as they move along the first conveyor table. Provision is made for generating a control signal when a label fails to be applied to a package or is improperly applied. In response to the control signal, a reject conveyor is actuated to remove the defectively labeled package from the conveyor apparatus. Apparatus is also provided for inspecting the condition of the wrapping on the package to determine whether the package has been properly wrapped and, if necessary, to reject any defective packages from the conveying apparatus. The device according to the invention operates automatically to convey, label, inspect and assort wrapped packages.

Abstract: Automatic label applying apparatus comprises a conveyor for moving packages to a weigh scale and from thence to a label application station where a reciprocably movable vacuum type heated label applicator receives an appropriately printed label from a label issuing means and applies it to the appropriate package. A vacuum system connected to the label applicator holds the label thereon and also operates a pneumatic cylinder for a lock-out arm to prevent the heated label applicator from making contact with and burning a package when the vacuum system senses that no label is present. An electronic control system, including a photocell for sensing if a package is at the station and also including a limit switch actuated by the lock-out arm (and therefore indicative of the presence or absence of a label), operates to stop the conveyor after a predetermined interval of time in the event that a package is present at the station but no label is available to the label applicator.

Abstract: A digitizing system for programmably digitizing a control apparatus which provides control information to a machine having a work member movable through a plurality of axes with respect to a work surface. Thus, the control apparatus may adopt the form of a numeric control apparatus which operates a tape placement machine having a shiftable gantry or carriage and which, in turn, carries a tape placement head. This tape placement head would move with respect to a receiving surface such as a mandrel in a plurality of axes in order to deposit a composite tape on the work receiving surface. A digitizing head is replaceable for a tape placement roller on the tape placement head. A tracing member is disposed on the work surface and the digitizing head contains several sensing members, such as photoelectric sensing members, to follow the tracing member. Control signals are then generated to the control apparatus informing the control apparatus of the positional movements of the digitizing head.

Abstract: A plastics introducing unit for a closure lining machine in which pellets are severed from a continuous rod and carried along part of a closed path to a transfer station where the pellets are deposited accurately centrally of the closures to be subsequently moulded into liners for the closures.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a label to the bottom of a product, the label having a universal product code thereon. The apparatus includes a first labeling assembly, a first scanning assembly, a second labeling assembly, a second scanning assembly and means for feeding a product past these assemblies along a feeding path. The first scanning assembly detects whether or not the first labeling assembly has applied a label to the bottom of the product and if none was applied then activates the second labeling assembly to apply a label and if the second scanning assembly determines that no label has yet been applied to the product, that product is diverted from the feeding path. Additionally, a character recognition assembly is provided to determine if the correct label has been applied to the product and to divert a mislabeled product from the feeding path.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying labels bearing a pressure-sensitive adhesive to articles wherein each article is moved by a first pair of conveyor belts into engagement with a second pair of conveyor belts. The first and second pair of conveyor belts hold and move the articles. As the articles are moved, each article passes a sensor, such as an electric eye, which actuates label feeding means, thereby causing a label to be moved into the path of travel of the article. The leading edge of the moving article engages the label between the label ends and moves the label against a pair of spaced rollers. As the article is moved through the space between the rollers, the rollers press the leading end of the label and the center of the label against the bottom and top surface of the article, respectively.

Abstract: A labeling machine, system, and method capable of accommodating offset printed label tapes or other label tapes having discontinuities between the individual labels of a repeat print pattern, with feeding and severing such in controlled fashion utilizing a printed indicia code and a two stage feeding and cutting cycle, while uniquely securing and advancing articles or containers to be labeled with novel equipment, both in a manner to allow extremely accurate and dependable label application and subsequent label verification on the article as well as label position checking, and with discharge means positively governing discharge of the labeled articles according to acceptability or non-acceptability.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for feeding packages, dispensing strips, inserting nozzles in the strips, and securing the strips and nozzles on the packages, the nozzles providing for controlled dispensing of the contents of the package upon a squeezing of the package. Before the strips and nozzles are applied to the packages, a relationship is established between the strips and the packages so as to insure that the location of each nozzle is on a seam-free portion of each package wall.