Abstract: Micro- and nanofilters with precision pore sizes and pore layout have applications in many fields including capturing circulating tumor cells and fetal cells in blood, water treatment, pathogen detection in water, etc. Methods to fabricate micro- and nanofilters not using track etching or reactive ion etching are provided, allowing easy fabrication of single layer or stack of films simultaneously, and/or stack of films on rolls. Microfilter can be made using one or more layers of material. Invention enables mass production of microfilters with lithographic quality at low cost. Isolation, enumeration and characterization of circulating tumor cells using microfilters provides (i) guides to cancer treatment selection and personalize dosage, (ii) low cost monitoring for treatment response, disease progression and recurrence, (iii) assessment of pharmacodynamic effects, (iv) information on mechanisms of resistance to therapy, and (v) cancer staging.

Abstract: In order to seal the corner joint of an elastoplastic tape placed as a spacer on a glass pane, a film strip is pressed with a first portion of its length against the first leg section of the spacer and the protruding portion of the film strip is wrapped around the corner and pressed against the second leg section. For the purpose of automating this process, the film strip is severed mechanically from an automatically supplied film tape and held via a transfer apparatus which thereafter presses the film strip with the first portion of its length against the first leg section. The portion of the film strip protruding freely over the corner is wrapped around the corner via a pressure carriage and pressed by tautening against the second leg section of the spacer.

Abstract: A film dispenser for applying an adhesive film to an elongated structure has a mounting frame, guide members on the bottom portions of the mounting frame sides to engage the shoulder portions of the elongated structure to allow movement of the apparatus in relation to the elongated structure while the guide members remains engaged with the shoulder portions, and roll mounting assembly for securely receiving a film roll near the top leading end of the apparatus. When the guide members are engaged to the shoulder portions of the elongated structure, an end of the adhesive film is applied onto the surface of the elongated structure, the apparatus is then slid to dispatch more adhesive film with controlled and consistent lateral positioning in relation to the surface of the elongated structure.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dispensing labels onto cylindrical items includes an apparatus for applying a label onto a cylindrical object including a feed mechanism for feeding a label strip. A plate having a sharply angled separator edge is positioned to receive the label strip and peel a label from the label strip. A guide member has a pair of opposed rollers. The guide member and opposed rollers are positioned to receive the label. The opposed rollers are adapted to allow the cylindrical object to contact the label and affix the label to the cylindrical object as the cylindrical object is passed between the opposed rollers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved taping apparatus which comprises a cam mechanism and a belt member disposed around the circumferential surface of the cam mechanism, whereby the belt member rotating along the periphery of the cam mechanism can continuously apply a tape around a peripheral surface of the object, in particular in the shape of a closed-loop, while the object is disposed within the central space of the cam mechanism, so that the tape can be automatically applied around the object and the productivity can be improved.

Abstract: In a device for applying labels to a flat mail item that is conveyed standing on one edge, having a conveyor for conveying the individual items along a predetermined conveying path; a label conveyor for conveying the individual labels, the device being controlled by a sensor device for determining the position of the front edge of the item; a pressing device for pressing the labels onto the item surface; a label holder, which is disposed in a region in front of the pressing device, with respect to the conveying direction of the item, and into which the labels are conveyed by the label conveyor, the label holder is embodied such that the labels can be positioned perpendicularly to the conveying direction and oriented with their adhesive side counter to the conveying direction in the conveying path of the items; as soon as the front edge of an item falls short of a predetermined distance from the label holder, the sensor device controls the conveyor device such that it conveys a label to the label holder, so th

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 automated placement of flat valves on a balloon strip. Included is a vacuum platen which receives the free end of a row of valve films. A cutting blade severs a single valve from the film, which is held in place by the vacuum platen. The vacuum platen is then moved through a series of motions for positioning above a heating element which is raised to bond the valve to the balloon strip.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved taping apparatus which comprises a cam mechanism and a belt member disposed around the circumferential surface of the cam mechanism, whereby the belt member rotating along the periphery of the cam mechanism can continuously apply a tape around a peripheral surface of the object, in particular in the shape of a closed-loop, while the object is disposed within the central space of the cam mechanism, so that the tape can be automatically applied around the object and the productivity can be improved.

Abstract: A labeling method and apparatus for putting a label onto a periphery of a photo film cassette, while conveying the photo film cassette from a label applying position to a label securing position while supporting the photo film cassette in a posture. In a label applying unit, a label is partly peeled from a label tape by turning the label tape around a separator member. While the peeled end portion of the label is hanging down from the separator member, the photo film cassette is moved toward the end portion of the label to stick the end portion to a forward portion of the periphery of the photo film cassette. As the photo film cassette is moved further toward a label securing unit, the label is completely peeled off. The label securing unit presses and rolls a pressing roller on the label along the periphery of the cassette to securely stick the label to the periphery.

Abstract: A system for applying labels to objects includes an object supply for supplying objects substantially equally spaced and aligned in single file for labeling. The system also includes a label applicator for applying a label to an object from the object supply and a label supply for supplying the labels to the label applicator. Each of the labels are joined at an end to at least one other of the labels. The system also includes a labeling finisher to detach the end of each label from the at least one other label and to smooth the end of each label onto their respective object.

Abstract: An upholstering apparatus is provided including a frame, a work-supporting plate operably mounted on the frame including a nest configured to support a sheet of upholstery material, especially fabric, and a substrate. A clamp on the frame is configured to rubbingly press the substrate against the upholstering material. In a first embodiment, a plurality of edge fold assemblies are located around the nest, each including a first subassembly having an edge fold blade operably attached to the work-supporting plate, and a second subassembly operably attached to the clamp for engaging the edge fold blade.

Abstract: A device for applying sealing labels to containers defined partially by two parallel faces and by a further face connecting the two parallel faces; the device including a conveying device for feeding containers to a labeling station, and a supply device for supplying labels and presenting at least one retaining device for retaining two opposite end portions of the label; the conveying device consisting of a conveyor for successively conveying the containers with the further face downstream in relation to the traveling direction of the conveyor; and an actuating device being provided for moving the retaining device between a position, assumed at least at the labeling station, of interference with the path of each container on the conveyor, and a position of noninterference with the aforementioned path.

Abstract: A modular assembly of components is provided for various aspects of high volume mailing. The modular system of components includes a postage meter, having a base with a driving motor and a head driven by the driving motor and operative to apply selected postage to a piece of mail. The postage meter head can be selectively removed from the postage meter base. The modular systems of components further includes at least one accessory selectively mountable to the postage meter base and capable of being driven thereby. The accessory may include an applicator for applying a closure tab or label to an envelope or sheet of material being driven by the postage meter base. A closure tab applicator may be operative to move a closure tab into a position to be contacted by a sheet of material, such that momentum of the sheet of material causes the closure tab to wrap around and close the folded sheet.

Abstract: Apparatus for laminating a film onto a carrier. A carrier, such as, for example, a printed circuit board, a multi-layer lamination, a metal plate or a carrier layer with metal layers coated on both sides, is heated in a horizontal position on both sides over its entire surface in a heating station and is guided up to a photoresist film which is fixed vertically on suction plates of vacuum tables and which also spans a laminating station located between the vacuum tables. The photoresist film is drawn off from a single supply roll by means of a gripper bar and is guided over the vacuum tables and the laminating station. A cutting device cuts through the photoresist film transversely to its longitudinal direction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for wrapping a bundle of spliced wires to create a waterproof insulating cover for the splice, in which a segment of autogenous tape is fed over a cradle fixture prior to positioning the wire bundle thereover. Oppositely positioned hinged portions of wrapping members are each sequentially advanced to successively engage and fold each end of the tape segment over the wire bundle, each member cammed as it is advanced plunging down to press the tape end over the wire bundle. A pressure platen is advanced down onto the wrapped bundle to band the lapped tape portions together, with a relief cavity preventing undue thinning of the tape in the region of the uninsulated wire splice.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for manufacturing a seat such as an automotive seat in which the seat is assembled by bonding a top cover member to the surfaces of a cushion member. In such apparatus, provided are stretching means for stretching the top cover member, the stretching means being disposed on a lower die in such a manner as to surround the hollow portion of the lower die, the hollow portion being adapted for accommodating the cushion member. By virtue of the stretching means, the top cover member is bonded to the cushion member with no wrinkle and no slack portion being formed in the top cover member.

Abstract: The present disclosure is related to an automatic device for applying tapes along the edges of a carton for sealing purpose in general, and more particularly to an automatic tape-applying device which can effect the operation of adhering a partially placed tapes, along the edges of a carton, smoothly to the surface thereof, the carton having been transmitted by conveyor belts via a tape-applying means. The final adherence of the tape to the surface of a carton to be sealed is carried out by two brush members, one short and one elongate; the short brush is actuated to repeatedly move horizontally in a pre-set distance by an air-actuated cylinder so to adhere the tape placed at the corners of the carton to the surface thereof, and the elongated brush is actuated to repeatedly move up and down so to complete the process of the final adherance of the tape fully to the surface thereof automatically.

Abstract: There is described an apparatus and a method for the foil-capping of bottles with a patch of metal foil having a point and an adhesive back, comprising(a) adhering each patch to the neck of a bottle by its central area with the upper area of the foil projecting above the bottle neck,(b) applying the laterally projecting patch ends so that they overlap one another,(c) folding down the area of each patch projecting above the bottle neck to the bottle side away from the patch point, and(d) simultaneously pressing down and smoothing the folded down patch area onto the top side and all about the circumferential margin adjacent thereto.A neater tear-free arrangement of the foil about the top and sides of the neck of the bottle results.

Abstract: A pair of sheets (46 and 48) are held by vacuum on a pair of spaced drums (30 and 32). A rigid board (51) is moved between the drums (30 and 32) whereafter the drums are moved toward each other to adhesively attach leading edges of the sheets (46 and 48) to opposite sides of a leading edge (50) of the rigid board. As the board (51) is moved away from the drums (30 and 32), the drums are indexed to release successive sections of the sheets (46 and 48) which extends the sheets in a wrinkle-free condition. As the board (51) continues to be moved away from the drums (30 and 32), the successive sections of the sheets (46 and 48) are maintained spacially from the board and in the wrinkle-free condition by various facilities such as a vacuum shoe (52), a shelf (53), a vacuum tensioning tube (56) and vacuum bars (57 and 58). Eventually, the wrinkle-free successive sections of the sheets (46 and 48) are brought into engagement with the board (51) and attached thereto by laminating rollers (59 and 60).

Abstract: A label applicator for applying labels to articles which are moved along an article path comprising a conveyor having first and second conveyor sections on opposite sides of the article path and a label dispenser for dispensing labels onto the conveyor. The conveyor conveys the labels to a label retaining station at which the label spans the space between the first and second conveyor sections. An article to be labeled is moved along the article path between the first and second conveyor sections so the article contacts a central region of the label as it passes through the label retaining station. This adheres a central region of the label to the article. The end portions of the label are pressed against the article downstream of the label retaining station.

Abstract: A tapered article labelling machine and method providing the capability for automated high-speed accurate register continuous application of generally crescent shaped labels to curved and tapered articles, including auxiliary sub-assembly machine stations for accomplishing continuous tapered article infeed, adhesive application and label feed and application respectively to the sidewall surface thereof, label compression after adhesive application to accomplish label conformation to the tapered article exterior sidewall supporting surface during adhesive set, and thereafter automatic delivery of labeled articles from the machine to inspection and cartoning stations or the like.

Abstract: The invention relates to improvements in machines employed for enclosing battery plates within a pouch of sheet material. The sheet is positioned so that the center of its length is disposed between the side of a fixture adapted to receive adjacent thereto the bottom edge of a battery plate and a slot and the sheet is enfolded around the battery plate by moving the fixture plate combination horizontally into and through the slot. As the wrapped bottom edge of the plate emerges from the slot, grasping means are engaged with the wrapped end of the battery plate and hold the plastic sheet tightly so as to prevent any displacement relative to the enclosed battery plate. The fixture is then withdrawn from the enfolding sheet. The overlapping lateral edges of the sheet are then sealed and the battery plate is dropped into an inclined position on an intermittently moving horizontal conveyor to produce a horizontal stack of wrapped plates.

Abstract: There is described an apparatus and a method for the foil-capping of bottles with a patch of metal foil having a point and an adhesive back, comprising(a) adhering each patch to the neck of a bottle by its central area with the upper area of the foil projecting above the bottle neck,(b) applying the laterally projecting patch ends so that they overlap one another,(c) folding down the area of each patch projecting above the bottle neck to the bottle side away from the patch point, and(d) simultaneously pressing down and smoothing the folded down patch area onto the top side and all about the circumferential margin adjacent thereto.A neater tear-free arrangement of the foil about the top and sides of the neck of the bottle results.

Abstract: In a device for securing or sealing a twisted neck portion of a bag or sack of flexible material, a slit is provided in a housing and the latter carries a roll of adhesive tape. The twisted neck is pushed into the slit. A tape guide member, a tape cutter, an actuating arm and a spring loaded arm cooperate to effect the sealing or securing. The housing has a handle near the closed end of the slit.

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.