Abstract: An apparatus for fusing a plastic fitting on to a plastic pipe has first and second spaced parallel vertical support shafts each having a lower end removably attachable to the plastic pipe. A horizontal transverse housing is secured to an upper end of the support shafts and has a central opening therethrough that slidably receives a vertical main shaft. A brake supported by the transverse housing controls the vertical position of the main shaft. A transverse load cell has spaced apart openings slidably receiving the support shafts is affixed to a lower end of the main shaft. A hydraulically displaceable force shaft is telescopically received in an opening in the load cell and has a fitting holder at a lower end thereof. A hydraulic force generator in the load cell operated by a hand wheel displaces the force shaft to force a fitting held by the fitting holder against the plastic pipe.

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: The machine comprises a forming station 18 for receiving a piece of fabric 28 which is shaped at the forming station by a cutter 26. A plurality of lay up stations 40, 42 is provided and a roller 48 is used to carry the shaped fabric 28a from the forming station 18 to one or other of the lay-up stations 40,42. The roller 48 lays the shaped fabric in position at the lay-up station to form part of a laminate at that station. The process is repeated to produce a laminate at the remaining lay-up station. A pick-up device 34 is provided for picking up scrap material left as a peripheral band 36 around the shaped fabric 28a.

Abstract: A simplified pressure sealing apparatus for acting on business forms having pressure activated cohesive to seal the cohesive has only two or three pressure-seal rollers for effecting proper sealing. The pressure seal rollers may receive a folded business form substantially immediately from the output of a folder, or one of the pressure-seal rollers may function to both assist in folding the form, and then pressure sealing it. The form may be held in a flip plate above the nip between first and second pressure-seal rollers, or a separate set of idler nip wheels may hold the form in position once it has passed completely through the sealing nip. In either case the form may pass completely through the sealing nip yet be moved through the sealing nip in the opposite direction, and then diverted to a stack.

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

Abstract: A mounting head apparatus for adsorbing and moving a sheet member to a position above an object on which the sheet member is to be mounted and mounting the adsorbed sheet member on the object includes an adsorbing portion having a plurality of adsorbing openings formed at the leading end thereof; a connection chamber to which the adsorbing portion is joined and which is formed into a space for connecting the base portions of the plural adsorbing openings to one another; a dividing unit disposed in the connection chamber and arranged to divide the internal space of the connection chamber into a plurality of sections; and a pressure reducing unit connected to the connection chamber and arranged to reduce the pressure in the connection chamber, wherein adsorbing force is generated from a portion of the plural adsorbing openings in a predetermined region when the dividing unit divides the inside portion of the connection chamber at a predetermined position and the pressure in at least one of the divided connectio

Abstract: The invention is a method, and its accompanying apparatus, for charging and discharging short-cycle and/or coating presses with layered pressing material. In order to reduce the charging and discharging times, the method entails inserting a first transport device, or charging device, having a plurality of clamping devices into a charging region and inserting a second transport device having a plurality of suction devices into a pressing chamber, wherein the first and second transport devices are inserted transverse to a longitudinal central axis from a pair of supply axes to a pair of charging and discharging axes. The pressing material is clamped in the charging region and a plate is accepted in the pressing chamber; the first transport device is then moved into the pressing chamber and the second transport devices into a discharging region.

Abstract: A simplified pressure sealing apparatus for acting on business forms having pressure activated cohesive to seal the cohesive has only two or three pressure-seal rollers for effecting proper sealing. The pressure seal rollers may receive a folded business form substantially immediately from the output of a folder, or one of the pressure-seal rollers may function to both assist in folding the form, and then pressure sealing it. The form may be held in a flip plate above the nip between first and second pressure-seal rollers, or a separate set of idler nip wheels may hold the form in position once it has passed completely through the sealing nip. In either case the form may pass completely through the sealing nip yet be moved through the sealing nip in the opposite direction, and then diverted to a stack.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to seal a spacer between a pair of substrates within an IG assembly having a pair of spaced apart substrates and a bondable spacer therebetween, having support means for supporting an IG assembly to be treated and zonal energy applying means to locally apply energy to selected zones of the IG assembly where said spacer is located without providing direct energy to the balance of the IG assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling a hub to an optical disk with an adhesive. The optical disk includes opposing first and second major surfaces and a central opening. The adhesive is predisposed onto the second major surface. The method includes supporting the first major surface of the disk at a defined three-dimensional position and orientation. The hub is aligned above the central opening of the disk such that the hub is movable to a plurality of three-dimensional positions and orientations with a hub placement assembly supporting an inner portion of the hub. The defined three-dimensional position and orientation of the first major surface is transferred to the hub placement assembly. The hub is maneuvered into contact with the adhesive by the hub placement assembly.

Abstract: A test tube orienting system consisting of a test tube hopper, and a test tube transport system for directing test tubes out of the test tube hopper with a consistent orientation. The test tube hopper has an open mouth, an internal cavity communicating with the mouth, and a side wall enclosing the cavity. The side wall has a downwardly inwards sloping channel extending along the side wall from the mouth. The transport system directs the test tubes axially upwards along the channel, and includes an endless chain and a series of pins affixed to the endless chain, extending through the channel into the internal cavity. The endless chain is coupled to a motor for moving the pins upwards along the channel, and is inclined at an acute angle to the channel for progressively retracting the tube supports from the internal cavity as the pins move upwards along the channel.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying labels on optical discs having a base capable of supporting a label. A plunger element capable of supporting and positioning an optical disc with respect to the label and movably coupled with the base so to be capable of affixing labels on the optical disc concentrically with the rotational axis of the optical disc. A biasing element in cooperative arrangement with the base and the plunger element so as to bias the plunger element toward a position above the base. A locking mechanism that locks the plunger element into a fixed position relative to the base. A foam element positioned on the base and adapted to keeping the label horizontally oriented. A nonskid surface positioned on the bottom of the base for limiting undesired movement of the base. A positioning element coupled with the plunger element and/or the bottom of the base for positioning the biasing element within the base.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing layers from a circuit side of a semiconductor die includes the use of a holder, for example a semiconductor wafer having an opening therein for receiving the semiconductor die. Additionally the holder can include one or more layers thereover which are removed at a similar rate as those layers which comprise the semiconductor die. A die is placed into the opening and a circuit side of the die is aligned with a front side of the holder, for example using a generally planar surface, and is secured to the holder with an adhesive material. Using a holder reduces uneven layer removal which is known to occur in conventional processing, for example excessive removal at the edges of the die. A potting jig which aids in aligning and securing the die to the holder is also described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the manufacture of laminated compact disc. When forming an adhesive layer between a first substrate and a second substrate, and laminating the first substrate and second substrate to produce a disc, temperature and other conditions are adjusted based on the adhesive layer thickness of the manufactured optical disc, thus the viscosity of adhesive is changed to match each process. Accordingly, high quality discs can be consistently manufactured, and the operating efficiency of the manufacturing apparatus can be improved. Moreover, an optical disc free of bubbles mixed in the adhesive layer of a laminated optical disc can be stably manufactured.

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: An applicator 16 is used to apply a label 10 to a shaped CD ROM (not shown). The applicator 16 comprises a central projection 18 and peripheral locator pins 20a and 20b, as well as a well 22 in which to receive a shaped CD ROM. A label is secured to a CD ROM held in the well 22 by placing locator tabs of the label over the locator pins 20a and 20b to ensure correct relative location of the CD ROM and the label.

Abstract: A collating machine for printed sheets having a row of feeding stations with magazines for accommodating stacks of printed sheets and at least one magazine for accommodating cards, stickers, product samples or similar advertising means to be affixed onto printed sheets, having devices for individually separating the printed sheets and advertising means from the magazines, having a device for applying an adhesive prior to the joining of the advertising means to the printed sheet, having a collecting conveyor which comprises a collecting channel and a continuous conveyor chain with drivers, which from behind push the printed sheets along the collecting channel, and having an intermediate conveyor, which is disposed above the collecting conveyor and on which a printed sheet and an advertising means are joined together by adhesion and conveyed further in a clocked manner for deposit onto a printed sheet and/or printed sheet stack fed by the drivers of the conveyor chain of the collecting conveyor in the collectin

Abstract: A production line for manufacturing absorbent disposable articles includes a conveyor path (3, 14, 15) which moves a web of material through the production line, and a row of devices (1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13) which are arranged sequentially in the movement direction of the conveyor path and which perform different operations in the manufacture of the absorbent article. The devices are carried by rectangular carrier plates (29, 34, 35, 39, 47) which are attached to vertical posts (17) which, in a framework (16), are placed on the same side of the conveyor path and sequentially in a direction parallel with the movement direction of the conveyor path. The framework includes a plurality of connectors (27, 28) which connect to flowing media delivery lines, such as electric current and compressed air.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing prestressed piezoelectric actuators which maximizes output, and increases the precision and efficiency with which the multi-layer actuators are made. Individual layers of the piezoelectric actuators are automatically stacked and registered with respect to each other within press members prior to bonding the layers to each other with a thermoplastic adhesive. Compressive force is applied while heat is conductively transferred from a heating element to the actuator in order to raise the temperature of each of the layers above the melting point of the thermoplastic. The temperature of the heating element is then decreased until the temperature of the actuator layers drops to below the melting point of the thermoplastic adhesive, thereby bonding the layers. Compressive force is then released, and the actuators are removed, further cooled and polarized.

Abstract: The apparatus, which serves to join flat supplementary products provided with an adhesive to printed products, has n holding elements which are driven on a circulating path about a first axis, by means of which supplementary products are gripped individually at at least one pick-up point and, after an appropriate rotation about the first axis, can be joined to a printed product at a discharge point.

Abstract: Compact disk labeling systems for use in applying an adhesive label to a CD card compact disk. The system includes a base with a generally flat upper surface and a compact disk hub that protrudes above the upper surface of the base for holding the CD card compact disk by means of its central hole. A rotatable lid is attached to the base and has a generally flat surface with an tab section and a flexible section that is flexible relative to the tab section. A compact disk label hub protrudes from the tab section that is used to hold the adhesive label. A compact disk registering member is provided on the base that is used to register and align the CD card compact disk. A compact disk label registering member may be provided on the lid that may be used to register labels having different widths. Removal of the compact disk registering member permits labeling of mini round compact disks.

Abstract: This invention is to prevent a substrate from dropping when it is transferred/received to/from a separating apparatus. The support surfaces of substrate holding portions (22, 23) are made horizontal, and a substrate (21) to be separated is mounted on one substrate holding portion (22) in a horizontal state (2A). The substrate holding portions (22, 23) are pivoted about rotary shafts (26, 27), respectively, to make the support surfaces of the substrate holding portions (22, 23) vertical so that the substrate (21) is sandwiched by the substrate holding portions (22, 23) (2B) The substrate holding portions (22, 23) are rotated about rotary shafts (24, 25), respectively, and simultaneously, high-pressure, high-speed water is ejected from an ejection nozzle (28) to separate the substrate (21) into two substrates (21a, 21c).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a labeling apparatus for paying out and applying self-adhesive labels, which with each operating cycle moves one self-adhesive label into a dispensing position underneath an applicator roll having a sleeve with a cylindrical jacket, via which sleeve the applicator roll is rotatably mounted on a hub. It is proposed to equip the sleeve with at least one profiled ring projecting radially outwardly beyond the cylindrical jacket. Because the profiled ring and the sleeve are made preferably of a material that is harder than the cylindrical jacket and hence ink-repellent, the printed data on the label are not smeared, in spite of the low outlay involved in the manufacture of the applicator roll.

Abstract: A device for automatically placing fastening bolts on support surfaces. The fastening bolts (1) have a disc plate (5) covered on their bottom side with a dry, hot-melt-type adhesive (6) receivable by heat application. The device consists of an elongated housing (3) having a bolt-catching device and a bolt feeding channel (37), which is connected to a flexible feeding tube (4) on an end projecting out of the housing. The adhesive bolts (1) with disc plate (5) are fed by air pressure into the housing (3) and through the bolt feeding channel (37) to the catching device (56, 57). There is a cylinder (11) with an induction coil (27) at the end of the bolt feeding channel (37). Upwardly from the inductor are means to press the adhesive bolts (1), which are inside the inductor (11), in the assembly position (29) on the supporting surfaces (2).

Abstract: A method for attaching an adhesive tape includes the steps of, disposing the adhesive tape having an adhesive surface on a support body with the adhesive surface down, rolling an attaching roller having adhesive strength on the other not-adhesive surface of the adhesive tape so that the adhesive tape is transferred onto the attaching roller and is come into tight contact therewith, and rolling the attaching roller on a surface of a member to be attached which is located in a predetermined position so that the adhesive tape adhered to the attaching roller is attached onto the surface of the member. Respective adhesive strengths A, B and C are set to have a relation of A<B<C, where A designates adhesive strength between the adhesive surface of the adhesive tape and the support body, B designates adhesive strength between the not-adhesive surface of the adhesive tape and the attaching roller, and C designates adhesive strength between the adhesive surface of the adhesive tape and the member to be attached.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for mounting an electronic component at a specified position of an object. The method includes applying a sealant in a first application process. The sealant is quickly, sufficiently and forcibly applied in the first application process simply by avoiding electrodes at the arrangement position, and tightly contacting the arranged electronic component and the object. Then the bonding of the electrodes is performed in the usual manner. A second application process is carried out by applying a sealant to the periphery of the electronic component in the same manner as in the convention method, which is sufficient to cause the sealant to flow to the sealant previously applied under the electronic component. The second application process can be accordingly conducted speedily and sufficiently. Air bubbles will not be trapped between the electronic component and the object, with the result that mounting failures due to breakage or corrosion of the electronic component can be reduced.

Abstract: A printing system having a registration system for use with a variety of different types of media. The printing system is suitable for use with labels (with gaps or I-marks), continuous plastic (with I-marks), and bags (with perforations). The printing system includes a system for registering perforations (30) including a vacuum probe (34), vacuum sensor (36) and detection circuitry (38) to detect perforations. The printing system also includes a system for registering contrasting I-marks (10) appearing on a transparent media.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for banding a wrapped silverware arrangement with a two-sided segment of banding material bearing a treatable adhesive on one side thereof utilizes a pair of jaw members which are movable between open and closed conditions for capturing a wrapped silverware arrangement and a clamp assembly for releasably holding an end of a banding material segment. With an end of the banding material segment held by the clamp assembly and the jaw members being disposed in an open condition, the jaw members are lowered onto a wrapped silverware arrangement so that the banding material segment is draped across the wrapped silverware arrangement and so that subsequent movement of the jaw members to the closed condition captures the silverware arrangement between the jaw members and positions the banding material segment in an inverted U-shaped orientation about the wrapped silverware arrangement.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing lead-on-chip (LOC) semiconductor packages includes steps of preparing a lead frame having inner leads and outer leads, and applying a liquid adhesive having a certain viscosity to the bottom surfaces of the inner leads. The method also includes positioning a semiconductor chip under the lead frame, to expose electrode pads through the space defined between opposing rows of inner leads. The inner leads are then attached to the active surface of the semiconductor chip by means of the liquid adhesive. The adhesive applying step may be carried out using a tool having discharge projections through which liquid adhesive is discharged from a reservoir. The liquid adhesive under the lead frame may be cured and then turned into a solid adhesive layer by thermocompression. The liquid adhesive is a thermosetting resin or a thermoplastic resin.

Abstract: Apparatus for the gluing of two substrates in six processing steps for fabrication of a digital video disc including a motor-driven plate (2) for holding the first substrate (5), a glue dispenser disposed above the plate (2), grasping and holding device for providing vertical movement of the second substrate (7). The side of the plate turned toward the first substrate (5) has a radially outer plane portion (10) in the form of a disk concentric to its axis of rotation (R) and a radially inner portion (11) adjacent to this where the face (F) of this inner portion (11) turned toward the substrate (5) is formed by the outer face of a flat, straight frustum of a cone whose peak (S) strikes the axis of rotation (R) below the plane of application (E) of the substrate (5). In the transitional area from the annular portion (10) to the conical portion (11) an annular groove (12) running coaxially to the axis of rotation is cut into the plate (2) which is connected to a pressure source via channels (13, 13′, . . .

Abstract: A method and system for manufacturing a spring core by adhesively bonding strings of pocketed coil springs together utilizes a moving adhesive applicator for depositing adhesive onto a moving string of pocketed coil springs. Subsequently, individual strings are adhesively bonded to similar strings to form the spring core of pocketed coil springs. The moving applicator may take one of any number of various embodiments which include reciprocating movement, rotational movement, pivotal movement and/or linear translational movement for spraying a pattern of adhesive onto the moving string of pocketed coil springs.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying adhesive spacer to a glass pane to produce an insulated glass window including a first applicator head for applying the spacer; a supporter for supporting the head a distance from the pane, an advancer for advancing the pane relative to the head; a feeder for feeding the spacer at a controllable speed to the head; and an applicator channel for guiding and positioning the spacer on the pane. The channel includes a cooperative pair of driven belts for positioning the spacer at a rate corresponding to the controllable speed where the belts are arranged in upstanding relation to the pane for compressing the spacer therebetween to from an application channel to position the spacer on the pane while the spacer is between the belts. The is also provided a driver for driving the belts and a pressure belt for pressing on the spacer to provide sealing contact between the spacer and the pane.

Abstract: A compact disc labeling device for manual application of a label to a compact disc includes an assembly having a circumferential flange with an upper flange surface, a piston, a first rod having a diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the label's central aperture and that extends from the upper surface of the piston, and a second rod having a diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the disc's central aperture and that extends from the first rod. In use, a label is placed on the flange with the first rod projecting through its central aperture and the disc positioned on the second rod through its central aperture. When the piston is moved from an upper first position to a lower second position, the disc is applied to the label.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for forming a continuous structure includes the steps of preselecting a liquid reactive resin forming material, a particulate solid additive material and a porous blanket, mixing and encapsulating the additive particles with the liquid resin forming material while tumbling the materials along a cylindrical mixing chamber. The leading edge of the structure is grasped with a gripping device along its entire length and advanced over a horizontal supporting surface. Once a desired length has been formed a cutting device cuts the structure and the cut portion is placed into a final configuration while flexible and adhesive.

Abstract: A tape for use in estimating how many electronic parts being fed to an electronic part inserting machine remain on the tqape and a system for using the same. More particularly, a system which counts the remaining electronic parts on the end portion of the tape and sets up a most suitable time that the presently used tape should be replaced with a new one so that the system dead time which may occur during the replacement of tape rolls is remarkably reduced. This tape includes a mark formed at the beginning of an end portion of the tape where some electronic parts are left to be fed to the electronic part inserting machine, and the mark is sensed by a sensor so that the count starts when the end portion of the tape is sensed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tipper apparatus for pigmenting the embossed section (raised characters for copying) of a card used to perform transactions by a customer at financial institutions or the like. The tipper apparatus comprises a card feeder for feeding a card; a pusher for pressing a color ribbon against the embossed section of the card fed by the card feeder; a ribbon driver for advancing and winding the color ribbon; and a controller for controlling the card feeder and the ribbon driver on the basis of tipping signals received from a host apparatus, transporting the card and the effective section of the ribbon to the pusher, and actuating the pusher.

Abstract: High speed bonding of wound electric components, and particularly armatures, having coils wound from bondable wire is obtained by providing a component support table having equally-spaced component-receiving stations and repeatedly indexing the table in a predetermined direction through predetermined increments. Plural wound and unbonded electric components are loaded in plural, mutually-adjacent stations on the table. After loading a first predetermined number of wound electric components, and while continuing to index the support table, an electric current is applied to the coils thereof to cause the coils of the first set of components to be heated and bonded while a second set of components is being loaded into successive stations. The application of electric current is accomplished by the use of a bonding head plate that is movable toward and away from the support table and rotates with the support table while electric current is supplied to the coils being bonded.

Abstract: A wafer bonding device which prevents the substrate from being deformed due to the presence of any particles on the chuck surface is provided to thereby prevent a deterioration in yield in the wafer bonding process. The wafer bonding device is equipped with a substrate holding section 3 having a chuck surface 9 for holding a substrate 1, which is one of two substrates 1 and 2 to be bonded together, and the other substrate 2 is bonded to the substrate 1, which is held by the chuck surface 9, wherein a suction member 8 engaged with a support member 4, forming the substrate holding section 3, is formed of a porous material, whereby minute recesses of a predetermined size are formed in high density on the chuck surface 9 of the substrate holding section 3, and any particles are captured in these minute recesses.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding strips coated with a fusion adhesive on one of their surfaces to a sheet-stack binding apparatus, in particular, for the binding of loose sheets to form brochures or books, such apparatus enabling, in parallel with a binding operation, a strip cut to the required length to be made available for a subsequent binding operation. The apparatus (14) arranged in the strip path downstream of a cutting unit (12) includes a transport carriage (15) which is stationary with respect to the strip path (13) and movable vertically to the strip path and on which a horizontally movable element (16) as well as a plurality of stationary mechanical elements (11, 17) are arranged for holding the strip free from torsion.

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: An apparatus for the processing of folded printed sheets is provided with at least one work station located next to a conveying path, with the work station preferably being a feeder for separating and opening the printed sheets. A plurality of support means is arranged sequentially on conveying means configured as a continuous loop, with the printed sheets in the region of the fold slidingly supportable on a respective support edge of the respective support means. The support means are spaced apart and sequentially guided past the work station and are inclined with respect to the conveying direction of the conveying means at least in the region of a work station.

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: An apparatus for applying labels on optical discs having a base capable of supporting a label. A plunger element capable of supporting and positioning an optical disc with respect to the label and movably coupled with the base so to be capable of affixing labels on the optical disc concentrically with the rotational axis of the optical disc. A biasing element in cooperative arrangement with the base and the plunger element so as to bias the plunger element toward a position above the base. A locking mechanism that locks the plunger element into a fixed position relative to the base. A foam element positioned on the base and adapted to keeping the label horizontally oriented. A nonskid surface positioned on the bottom of the base for limiting undesired movement of the base. A positioning element coupled with the plunger element and/or the bottom of the base for positioning the biasing element within the base.

Abstract: A thermal transfer device including a transfer roller and transporting portions that are spaced apart from and oppose each other; a heating member for heating surface of the transfer roller; a tray for placing thereon a member, being an optical recording-medium, to be subjected to transfer; and a transfer sheet with a transferring portion formed by printing, wherein the tray carrying the transfer sheet and the member to be subjected to transfer Such that the transferring portion faces the member is transported between the transfer roller and the transporting portions with the transfer sheet in contact with the transfer roller, whereby the transferring portion of the transfer sheet is thermally transferred onto the member. The thermal transfer device is capable of providing good quality printing at all times as a result of forming the transferring portion of the transfer sheet by printing, followed by thermal transfer of the transferring portion onto the member being an optical recording medium.

Abstract: A method for manufacture of a fiber reinforced composite spar for a helicopter rotor blade including upper and lower sidewall regions and forward and aft conic regions. Constant width crossplies and unidirectional plies are stacked and arranged to form crossply and unidirectional laminates. The composite spar is manufactured via a vacuum forming technique which includes forming the composite laminates directly over an inflatable mandrel assembly. Regarding the latter method, a spar forming apparatus is used to position and manipulate the mandrel assembly as composite laminates are laid. The spar forming apparatus includes first and second pedestal supports being suitably configured so as to facilitate formation of the butt joints in the conic regions of the composite spar.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for sealing a corner of a fabric article. The invention includes a conveyor for maneuvering the fabric article along a predetermined path and has an air gun positioned adjacent to the path. The air gun has maneuvering means for motion about the path. The air gun blows air onto the corner of the fabric article as the article is maneuvered along the path adjacent to the air gun.

Abstract: Thin resistance wires are deposited in curved form on a thermoplastic film for the manufacture of a car glazing which can be electrically heated. The thermoplastic film is kept by vacuum on the surface of a cylindrical drum having a perforated cylindrical wall. The drum is rotated and the wire deposited and fixed on the film with the aid of a wire deposition apparatus. The wire deposition apparatus is mounted on a carriage able to move parallel to the longitudinal axis of the drum. The carriage is driven by means of a moving screw rotated by a drive motor. The drive motor is controlled by a processor via a regulating amplifier controlled by the processor in accordance with a time-travel program established in accordance with the desired curved shape of the wires.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to manufacturing apparatus, method of manufacture, and products manufactured thereby and more particularly to an integral three-dimensional object (6, 15) formed from individually contoured laminations (4, 62) of the same or gradually varying shape, successive laminae of that object being produced out of thin sheet or powder based materials (1, 60) through the cutting, fusing or physicochemical property changing action generated by a computer directed beam (7) of concentrated energy or matter, successive substantially planar laminations (4, 62) of that object (6, 15) being automatically stacked together for step-wise laminar buildup of the desired object (6, 15).

Abstract: A computerized apparatus and method for creating and databasing vehicular window template information in memory storage with such template information being used by a window tinting system to generate window tinting film sections for use on corresponding target windows. The database would be continually increased by feeding new digitized window template images into the computer for appropriate scaling, classification, and storage. When tinting a known vehicle, the previously entered template information can be accessed and this will greatly enhance the speed and accuracy of the window tinting process.

Abstract: A production line for manufacturing absorbent disposable articles, such as diapers, sanitary napkins and incontinence guards includes a conveyor path (3, 14, 15) which functions to move a web of material through the production line, and a row of devices (1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13) which are arranged sequentially in the direction of movement of the conveyor path and which function to perform different working operations in the manufacture of the absorbent articles. The working devices are carried by rectangular carrier plates (29, 34, 35, 39) which are fastened to vertical posts (17) which, in a framework (16), are placed on the same side of the conveyor path and sequentially in a direction parallel with the direction of conveyor path movement. The production line includes carrier plates (29, 34, 35, 39) of mutually different sizes, wherein the length of each side of a carrier plate is essentially a multiple of the length of the smallest side of the smallest carrier plate (34, 35).