Abstract: Disclosed is a label printing-and-applying device including a label feeding mechanism and an impression unit so operatively connected that a roll of blank label bearing tape is unrolled intermittently every time the opposite grips of the device are squeezed to allow the impression unit to print a desired letter or pattern on blank labels one after another subsequent to peeling-off of such blank labels from the tape, and that the so printed labels are applied to objects. It further includes a printing pressure controlling mechanism for controlling the impression pressure in printing a selected letter or pattern on blank labels.

Abstract: While a transfer sheet 3 including a water-soluble base sheet on which a print layer is provided is floated on water, an adhesion is applied after the base sheet is dissolved, thereby to form a semi-fluidal print layer. An object is pressed against the print layer to achieve printing. In this technique, the present printing method and apparatus shorten the warm-up time required for dissolving the base sheet of the transfer sheet 3 to improve the working efficiency, and the transfer sheet 3 is previously cut at a predetermined length and is then floated on the water surface 5, so that wasteful consumption of the transfer sheet is reduced. The bottom of a water tank 11 is formed to be shallow in the left side than in the right side, so that the amount of water contained in the water tank 11 is reduced to shorten the warm-up time.

Abstract: Profiled sections 1, in particular extruded seals made of elastic material, are designed and produced economically such that they have absolute storage stability and low coefficients of friction and are suitable for a wide variety of uses. The profiled sections 1 are made of a non-lacquer-repelling material. After leaving the extruder 12 and before entering the fused salt bath 16 the profiled sections are coated with a lubricating lacquer 7 applied to the uncured surface 5. The lubricating lacquer 7 is then cured in the fused salt bath 16 without there being a need for a separate curing section or similar. This method not only evenly coats the profiled sections with lubricating lacquer 7 but also prevents the formation of air bubbles or the like, thereby yielding a consistently even coating 6.

Abstract: A heat activation method for activating a thermosensitive adhesive label having a support and a thermosensitive adhesive layer which is formed on the support and is not adhesive at room temperature, so as to make the thermosensitive adhesive layer adhesive with the application of heat thereto, includes the step of bringing the thermosensitive adhesive layer into contact with a surface portion of a heating medium, at least the surface portion of the heating medium being made of a silicone resin and having a peel strength of 2 g/mm or less with respect to the thermosensitive adhesive layer. There is also disclosed a heat-activating apparatus for heat-activating the above-mentioned thermosensitive adhesive label.

Abstract: A laminator/printer for laminating, cleaning, imprinting and trimming print media, capable of printing on the print media and the laminate with a single print head.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to printing bar codes and other indicia on articles, and relates specifically to printing postage on mail pieces by means of ink-jet printing on the adhesive side of transparent adhesive tape.

Abstract: A protecting sheet applied to a wafer is removed by using an adhesive tape with a prescribed length, by bonding the adhesive tape to an edge portion of the protecting sheet and then pulling the adhesive tape. During pulling, a guide roller is held in contact with the protecting sheet and, while the guide roller is held in a fixed position, a peeling head portion and a table are moved in the opposite direction with each other to thereby remove the protecting sheet.

Abstract: A combination folder and sealer machine is much more compact than prior separate and individual folder and sealer machines. The combination folder and sealer machine comprises a folder station that grips a folded sheet simultaneously with a sealer station downstream of the folder station. The sheet is thus under complete control as it is propelled from the folder station to the sealer station, thereby eliminating any skewing that might occur between the two stations. Folding rollers at the folder station are biased toward each other, but the sealing rollers at the sealing station are biased away from each other. A single motor drives the folder and sealer stations as well as a feeder station. Drive trains for the sealer and folder stations are on opposite sides of the machine. A bearing mechanism enables any folding roller to be removed from the machine without removing any other roller and without affecting the machine side walls.

Abstract: An identification card laminator for laminating a protective layer to an identification card substrate, includes a substrate positioner configured to secure the substrate during lamination, a protective layer positioner configured to position the protective layer on the substrate during lamination and a heat source proximate the film positioner configured to heat the protective layer in response to a control signal. A temperature sensor proximate the protective layer positioner is configured to provide a temperature output related to a temperature of the film and the heat source. A controller coupled to the heat source is configured to provide the control signal to the heat source as a function of the temperature signal, the control signal having at least two values.

Abstract: There is disclosed a lightweight portable printer having a frame or housing with a print head and a cooperable platen roll mounted in the housing. The housing pivotally mounts a subassembly. The subassembly mounts an electric motor and gearing driven by the motor for driving the platen roll. The subassembly is resiliently urged to press the print head against the platen roll. The printer has a front door which provides access to the inside of the housing. The front door mounts the platen roll, a label delaminator, a pressure roll, a holder for mounting a supply roll of labels or tags, and a latch for latching the door to the housing and for camming the pressure roll into and out of cooperation with the platen roll.

Abstract: A composite thermoplastic continuous laminate for cladding flat or shaped panels of wooden material, said laminate having a through-colored lower layer, an intermediate layer of transparent material, and a through-colored upper layer of different color from that of said lower layer.

Abstract: A high speed labeling machine is provided which includes a constant tensioning device for maintaining tension downstream of the metering roll at a substantially constant predetermined level thereby improving both metering and dispensing of labels. The constant tensioning device may also function as a driver for pulling the continuous web of material through the labeling machine thereby reducing the driving load on the metering roll, thus both providing more effective and accurate metering at a given web speed while also allowing higher web speeds to be achieved.

Abstract: A device and method that employs prints produced by video color system thermal printers as transfers for creating personalized ceramic mugs, tiles or the like articles. The method comprises creating a mirror image print by means of a color video system with printer, applying that print to the surface of the mug or the like which has been treated with a sublimable dye absorbing compound, and applying heat (200 to 400° F.) and pressure exerted by a force of 200 to 400 pounds for period of time of about three to six minutes, to sublimate the limited dye in the print whereby it is absorbed by the coated surface of the mug or the like. The device for applying the heat and pressure is a heated press that has removable heated slidable platens which conform to the shape of the article to which the print is being transferred.

Abstract: A transport apparatus and method for transporting labels along a printing path of a printing device is disclosed. The transport apparatus includes a label transfer station including a first peeling device for deflecting the web supplied by the payoff roller to a take-up roller, the deflection of the web being at such an angle that a label mounted on the web is peeled from the web as the web passes over the first peeling device, a discrete carrier for receiving the peeled label from the web and transporting the label along the printing path and through the printing assembly and a second peeling device for deflecting the discrete carrier, the deflection of the discrete carrier being at such an angle that the label mounted on the discrete carrier is peeled from the discrete carrier as it passes over the second peeling device.

Abstract: There is disclosed a hand-held labeler for printing and applying labels releasably adhered to a carrier web. The labeler has a handle with an outer elastomeric member provided by a layer of an elastomeric material. The elastomeric member serves as a cushion and also provides a certain amount of friction when the handle is held in the user's hand.

Abstract: A chip supplying apparatus for picking chips from a wafer positioned on an elastic film is disclosed. The chip supplying apparatus includes a shifting device, a clutch device, a film-expanding device, and a chip-picking device. In the present chip supplying apparatus, the input torque provided by the clutching device for driving the film-expanding device to perform a film-expanding operation is orthogonal to the resulting rotation torque of the film-expanding device. Therefore, when the film-expanding operation is performed, the film-expanding device will not shake. In other words, the present chip supplying apparatus can perform stable film-expanding operation.

Abstract: A continuous process for producing printed patterns on retroreflective material is disclosed, wherein a partially cured pattern is printed on a roll of film and partially cured cube-corner prisms are bonded to the film over the printed matter thereby encapsulating the printed matter to protect the printed matter from the environment.

Abstract: A continuous process for producing printed patterns on retroreflective material is disclosed, wherein a partially cured pattern is printed on a roll of film and partially cured cube-corner prisms are bonded to the film over the printed matter thereby encapsulating the printed matter to protect the printed matter from the environment.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for labelling digital discs. In the method, a disc is provided that has an alignment mark. An image is printed onto the disc in registration with the alignment mark.

Abstract: A hand-held manually operated labeling apparatus with a housing containing a support for a roll of labels, an interchangeable printing mechanism of either the band-type or slug-type, a label advancing mechanism and a label dispensing mechanism. The two types of printing mechanisms are constructed and arranged so that the print indicia of either mechanism to print a label will be disposed in the same position when they impact a label to be printed as the apparatus is manually actuated. A single housing for the two printing mechanisms supports the various parts for either printing mechanism type. A pivotable front plate in the labeling apparatus housing permits access to slug plates on the slug-type printing mechanism for changing them while that mechanism is mounted in the labeling apparatus.

Abstract: A folder sealer apparatus for creating individual mailers from sheets exiting printers, such as personal laser printers. The apparatus is adapted to sit above a printer of the type which delivers printed sheets to a tray on the top side of the printer. The folder sealer has a guide which when extended directs printed sheets to the folder and sealer mechanism but when retracted allows the printed sheets to advance into the printer tray without being folded and sealed.

Abstract: A method of applying a pattern of stop-off material to a sheet is described, the pattern being stored in a computer memory; the method comprises:(a) placing the sheet (22) on a table (12) that is traversable by a printing head (14) capable of applying jets of fluid from a reservoir onto the underlying sheet,(b) supplying a suspension of stop-off material to the fluid jet reservoir and(c) traversing the printer head (14) with respect to the sheet and(d) so controlling the head that it applies jets of stop-off material to the sheet to form a pattern of stop-off material in accordance with the pattern stored in the said memory.The method finds particular use in applying stop-off material in combined diffusion bonding/superplastic forming fabrication techniques.

Abstract: A folder-sealer apparatus for folding and sealing a number of mailer forms includes a housing. The apparatus also includes a roller assembly for folding and sealing the number of mailer forms, the roller assembly being secured within the housing. The apparatus further includes an input guide for guiding the number of mailer forms into the housing and into a nip of the roller assembly. The input guide is configured to receive a first mailer form of the number of mailer forms from an output mechanism of a printing device during a first period of time. The apparatus also includes a manual feed tray which is securable to the housing. The input guide is further configured to receive a second mailer form of the number of mailer forms from the manual feed tray when the manual feed tray is secured to the housing during a second period of time. A method of folding and sealing a number of mailer forms is also disclosed.

Abstract: A folder-sealer apparatus for folding and sealing a mailer form includes a housing. The apparatus also includes a roller assembly for folding and sealing the mailer form, the roller assembly being positioned within the housing. The apparatus also includes a postage device for securing postage indicia on the mailer form, the postage device being secured within the housing. A method of operating a folder-sealer apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for printing variable identifying information on the tape is disclosed. In a particular application, the apparatus replaces a labeling station and is combined with a case sealing station to seal cases with adhesive sealing tape on a conventional production line. The apparatus includes a variable image printer, and preferably a thermal printer. The thermal printer preferably includes a thermal transfer print head and a thermal transfer ribbon specially engineered to print through the release agent on the face of the tape. The tape is dispensed from a tape unwind spool and is routed past the print head with the thermal transfer ribbon positioned between the print head and the face of the tape, and the face of the tape opposite the print head. The thermal transfer ribbon is co-engineered with the tape to be compatible with the physical characteristics and chemical composition of the tape.

Abstract: While a transfer sheet 3 including a water-soluble base sheet on which a print layer is provided is floated on water, an adhesion is applied after the base sheet is dissolved, thereby to form a semi-fluidal print layer. An object is pressed against the print layer to achieve printing. In this technique, the present printing method and apparatus shorten the warm-up time required for dissolving the base sheet of the transfer sheet 3 to improve the working efficiency, and the transfer sheet 3 is previously cut at a predetermined length and is then floated on the water surface 5, so that wasteful consumption of the transfer sheet is reduced. The bottom of a water tank 11 is formed to be shallow in the left side than in the right side, so that the amount of water contained in the water tank 11 is reduced to shorten the warm-up time.

Abstract: A method for producing a steering wheel to which a liquid pressure transfer print is applied. In this method, by adjusting a transfer angle formed when the steering wheel is pressed onto a transfer film and selecting a part in a rim section at which the wheel begins to be brought into contact with the transfer film, a joint line of a transfer pattern is made invisible from the driver-side, and pattern-missing and pattern-distortion can be eliminated or decreased, resulting in a fine and precise liquid pressure transfer print being applied to the steering wheel. This method is characterized by that a front-face of the steering wheel is faced to the transfer film floated and advanced on a liquid-surface, the transfer angle is determined to be e.g., 30 to 45.degree., and first contact of the steering wheel with the transfer film occurs at a larger rim arc which is apart from portions where spokes are connected to the rim section, respectively.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for digital printing images in annular-radial coordinates onto discs having an axis of rotation, the printing to occur between an inner radius R.sub.1 of the disc and an outer radius R.sub.2 of the disk. The Apparatus includes a linear printhead array extending radially of the disc at least between inner radius R.sub.1 and outer radius R.sub.2 ; and a drive adapted to rotate the disc about the axis while the printhead is imagewise addressed to create an imaged area that is symmetric to the center of the disc. The drive is adapted to rotate the disc at an annular velocity such that the spatial resolution of the printed image along the outer edge of the image is the same as that of an original image being printed. The image area may be continuous about substantially the entire annular surface of the disc or divided into discrete sections to be printed in associated tiles located on the disc such that:(x.sub.i, y.sub.i)=>(r.sub.i, .theta..sub.i),where (x.sub.i, y.sub.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for imprinting a sublimation transfer onto a generally cup-shaped or tubular structure. The apparatus includes a support structure for holding of the structure. A blower is provided for providing a flow of heating air to the interior surface of the structure. A control device is provided for directing the flow of heating air in a uniform manner about the interior surface of the structure.

Abstract: A mail processing machine including a base, a mail item feed station and a station for storing said items after processing in the base, said base including a printhead adapted to print postage imprints on mail items from a magazine of the feed station and conveyor rollers for transporting said items along a transport path of said base to a magazine of the storage station, control means, display means and processing means being additionally provided for controlling said machine, and the transport path of the base of the machine is inclined at a particular angle to the horizontal, in the range a few degrees, preferably 10.degree., to a few tens of degrees, preferably 30.degree..

Abstract: There is disclosed a hand-held labeler which is easy to load, clean and service. The labeler has a gear driven print head wherein the print head is situated on an upper housing section and the print head is actuated from a lower housing section. The upper housing section can be moved to an open position without interfering with the maintenance of the drive connection with the print head or the advance of a label carrying web through the labeler.

Abstract: The method and apparatus of making a bonded disk according to this invention is intended to produce bonded disks in a large number at low cost, wherein a bonding strength is not reduced when the inner bonding surface is recessed for title display, it is not deformed easily when stored or left at a high temperature for a long period of time, at least one disk of the paired one-sided disks is formed with a recess for title display where is connected to the stamper clamp groove, a title consisting of desired letters and patterns is printed with an ink on the recess of the one-sided disk, the bonding surface of at least one disk of the paired one-sided disks is applied with a thermoplastic bonding agent while a liquid type reaction setting bonding agent is applied to the recess and the stamper clamp groove of the one-sided disk, and the paired one-sided disks are stacked to bring their bonding surfaces in contact with each other and press them together to form a single bonded disk.

Abstract: There is disclosed a hand-held labeler which is easy to load, clean and service. The labeler has a gear driven print head wherein the print head is situated on an upper housing section and the print head is actuated from a lower housing section. The upper housing section can be moved to an open position without interfering with the maintenance of the drive connection with the print head or the advance of a label carrying web through the labeler.

Abstract: An arm (10c) of a manual lever (10) is formed with a pushing portion (10f). A ratchet pawl (17) making reciprocal movement in synchronization with the manual lever (10) is formed with a resilient portion (17a) to be pushed by the pushing portion (10f) and a pawl portion (17b) which makes contact with a tooth of the ratchet wheel (19). A printer (P) is disposed at tip ends of the arms (10c, 10d). The ratchet wheel (19) is integral with the transfer drum (18). In the step of gripping the manual lever (10), the resilient portion (17a) is made to deform, and the pawl portion (27b) makes slide movement toward a tip end of a tooth. At the moment when the pawl portion (17b) gets over the tip end of a tooth, a resistive force against the manual lever (10) is significantly reduced, and as a result, the printer (P) makes impact contact with a label and prints marks on the label. When the label tape (12) is to set, the bottom cover (14) is made open.

Abstract: An automatic bar code label applying apparatus is characterized by comprising at least a test tube containing section (1) for containing test tubes (11) of a same type to be applied with respective bar code labels, a collection device (2) for collecting the test tubes from the test tube containing section, a transfer device (3) for transferring the collected test tubes to a bar code label applying station (41), a printing/application device for printing characters and bar codes on the labels and applying the printed labels to the respective test tubes and a delivery device for delivering the test tubes with applied bar code labels.

Abstract: There is disclosed method and apparatus which promotes effective peeling of a linerless-type label web from a roll by use of a peel roller in contact with the outer periphery of the roll. The apparatus can include a print head and a driven platen roll. The apparatus can also apply labels which are printed by the apparatus.

Abstract: A heat activation method for activating a thermosensitive adhesive label having a support and a thermosensitive adhesive layer which is formed on the support and is not adhesive at room temperature, so as to make the thermosensitive adhesive layer adhesive with the application of heat thereto, includes the step of bringing the thermosensitive adhesive layer into contact with a surface portion of a heating medium, at least the surface portion of the heating medium being made of a silicone resin and having a peel strength of 2 g/mm or less with respect to the thermosensitive adhesive layer. There is also disclosed a heat-activating apparatus for heat-activating the above-mentioned thermosensitive adhesive label.

Abstract: A label printer and applicator system which determines the height and position of moving objects on a conveyor while printing labels and positioning the labels for application on the moving objects. The printer/applicator includes a controllable label buffer, applicator actuator and label ejector to receive and apply the printed label, or eject the label when it has been determined that the application to the object cannot be made. Further embodiments include multiple applicators deployed along the conveyor to permit higher conveyor velocities and avoidance of unlabeled objects due to height/proximity relationships with adjacent packages.

Abstract: The two part cassette for a label printer consists of an adapter 1 and a reload unit 2. The adapter 1 contains a colored tape spool 16, from which the colored tape 19 is pulled off via a re-route device 13. The used tape 19 is wound up on a wind-up core 18. The reload unit 2 contains a spool 42 with a transparent tape 44, which is pulled off and passes across a print head 22 along with the colored tape 19. From another spool 43 in the reload unit 2, a dual-faced adhesive tape 45 is pulled off and adhered by a transport roller 50 onto the printed transparent tape 44. The transparent tape 44 and the adhesive tape 45 exit jointly from an exit slot 48 in the reload unit. This construction facilitates reloading of the adapter 1 with the economically manufacturable and recyclable reload units 2. This construction also affords the option of combining a selection of print colors, adhesive tape colors, and label widths.

Abstract: There is disclosed a hand-held labeler for printing and applying labels and for printing tags. The labeler has a keyboard, a display, a scanner, and a battery-containing handle. The labeler is user-friendly and compact. The labeler can be easily loaded with label and tag webs of different widths. The labeler has a discharge chute for the carrier web which can be slid to a position outside the labeler for easy cleaning.

Abstract: An applicator for applying a flexible tape to a planar sheet having a base, a table, a robotic arm and an applicator head. The applicator head is carried by the robotic arm and includes a cradle for receiving a spool of flexible tape. The robotic arm moves the applicator head through the Cartesian coordinate system relative to the table. A motor feeds flexible tape out from the spool, over a dancer arm through a plurality of rollers. A sensor associated with the dancer arm measures the pressure or position in a cylinder connected to the dancer arm and forwards a signal to the motor to increase the speed if the dancer arm pressure is high, and decrease the motor speed if dancer arm pressure is low. A plurality of optical sensors determine the layer of flexible tape currently being removed from the reel, and adjust the motor speed to adjust for the varying length of material removed per revolution as concentric layers of flexible tape are removed from the spool.

Abstract: A label applicator for applying a label to the top surface of an object moving along a path adjacent to the applicator. The applicator is comprised of a label printer mounted for vertical adjustment on support structure attached to a moveable frame. The printer has a label feed position and is adjusted vertically on the support to set the label feed position to an expected median article height. A label transport assembly, attached to the frame, receives and retains the label and then moves vertically and laterally from a home position, above the label feed position, to an article intercept position, where it applies the label to the moving article. The controller learns the home position and positions the label transport assembly at the home position to pick up labels. The label printer, the label transport assembly, and the moveable frame are located along side the object path such that when the label transport assembly is in the home position, the object path is vertically unobstructed.

Abstract: In a film printing method for printing a print design on a substrate areas of a surface of a substrate to be provided with a print design is coated in a first step with an adhesive layer. The transfer film for the printing method includes a support film having a separating layer connected thereto and a transfer layer connected to the separating layer. At a first pressure the transfer film with the transfer layer facing the adhesive layer is printed onto the substrate so that the transfer layer adheres to the adhesive layer of the substrate. The support film together with the separating layer is removed from the transfer layer adhering to the substrate. In a final step, the transfer layer adhering to the adhesive layer on the substrate is subjected to a second pressure that is substantially greater than the first pressure.

Abstract: This invention relates to printers for printing on and cutting linerless, adhesive-backed, strip media. Described and claimed are methods and apparatus related to--(1) bridges for bridging a platen roller to minimize its exposed surface to the adhesive, (2) a printing station wherein the printhead moves over stationary media, (3) media having non-activated adhesive and a printer which activates the adhesive only after printing on and cutting the media, and (4) media having the adhesive in strips with non-adhesive gaps between and a cutting or tearing station for separating finished labels at the gaps.

Abstract: There is disclosed a printer and a method for printing and dispensing either liner-type or linerless-type labels. A delaminator is selectively positionable so that the carrier web of a liner-type composite label web can be drawn about the delaminator to delaminate and dispense a pressure sensitive label or so that the delaminator is out of the way to avoid problems when using the printer to print and dispense linerless-type labels. The linerless-type label web is prepared by folding an end portion upon itself to facilitate threading through a printer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for maintaining the confidentiality of information contained in a printed document is accomplished by enclosing the document in an envelope, or similar enclosure, before the document is discharged from the apparatus. The apparatus generally includes: a printer, which may be a facsimile machine, photocopier, or computer printer; a document positioner for positioning the document, so that the document may be enclosed in an envelope; and a document encloser, which encloses the document in the envelope so that the document may later be removed from the envelope for viewing only by the intended recipient. The functions and sequencing of the apparatus are controlled by a suitable control system. A label printer, for printing the name of the intended recipient on the envelope, or the other desired information, may also be included.

Abstract: There is disclosed a hand-held labeler for printing and applying labels and for printing tags. The labeler has a keyboard, a display, a scanner, and a battery-containing handle. The labeler is user-friendly and compact. The labeler can be easily loaded with label and tag webs of different widths. The labeler has a discharge chute for the carrier web which can be slid to a position outside the labeler for easy cleaning.

Abstract: Linerless labels are produced by feeding a tape having a release coated face and an adhesive face to a hardened anvil vacuum cylinder, utilizing a non-stick circumferential surface feed roll. A knife blade on a cutting cylinder is rotated into contact with the tape at the anvil cylinder to cut the tape into linerless labels, and release liquid is applied to the blade after each cut. From the anvil cylinder the labels are deposited on a plurality of spaced conveyor tapes of circular cross section with the adhesive faces contacting the conveyor tapes. A vacuum chamber assists in holding the labels on the conveyor tapes. The release coat faces of the labels conveyed by the conveyor tapes may be heated and then printed with hot melt ink from an ink jet printer.

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus for the printing and/or dispensing of labels having a transport device for a label tape which is guided from a supply roller around a deflection edge for separating the label from its carrier band to a transport wheel at which a driver, driven in a stepwise fashion by a hand lever, engages. In accordance with the invention a connecting means (29) is pivotably mounted about the axis (24) of the transport wheel (7) which exhibits, on its periphery, resilient catches (42) which, in the drive direction of the transport wheel (7), interlockingly engage in corresponding recesses (43) of the transport wheel (7) only in the rotational direction and, on the connecting means (29), at least one pin (28) projecting outwardly and parallel to the pivot axis is provided for whose radial separation from the axis (37) of the transport wheel (7) is smaller than the radius of the transport wheel (7) and which cooperates with the driver (27) driven by the hand lever (4).

Abstract: In a folding apparatus for web-fed rotary printing presses with linear folding units, transverse folding units and a cylinder part it is intended to selectively produce transversely stapled as well as transversely glued products. A receiving unit for interchangeable transverse gluing devices and continuous transverse stapling devices is disposed below the linear folding units and above the cylinder part.