Means Simultaneously Conveying Plural Articles From A Single Source And Serially Presenting Them To An Assembly Station Patents (Class 156/566)
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Publication number: 20030041973Abstract: Apparatus for applying labels to surfaces of packages, cartons, or boxes comprises a single rotary arm which is capable of being operated in accordance with two different operational modes so as to apply two separate labels to two different mutually perpendicular surfaces of the package, carton, or box in accordance with a first one of the two different operational modes, and to apply a single label to the two different mutually perpendicular surfaces of the package, carton, or box as a result of being wrapped around a corner region of the package, carton, or box in accordance with a second one of the two different operational modes.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2001Publication date: March 6, 2003Inventors: Wilfredo Soto, David DeLuca, Adam Schaller
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Patent number: 6527888Abstract: A surveillance tag applicator for applying tags to articles such as box blanks, blister cards, or containers at very high rates of speed up to and greater than 1000 tags per minute. The applicator comprises a plurality of tags attached to a web fed to a rotating drum having a plurality of slots, a compression roller for pressing each of the tags into one of the plurality of slots, an ejector arm for ejecting each tag from the slots onto a selected location of an article passing by the drum, a stripper to remove the web from the tags, and a winder assembly for rewinding the web devoid of tags. A first servo motor drives the rotating drum and a second servo motor drives the ejector arm. A controller provides the timing and control for the servo motors and operation of the tag applicator.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2001Date of Patent: March 4, 2003Assignee: Shrink Packaging Systems CorporationInventors: Edward F. Williams, Frank A. James, Jeffrey C. Lindberg
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Patent number: 6527029Abstract: The invention relates to a labelling station for articles, more particularly bottles, having removal elements (2) which are rotatably mounted on a rotating support (1) and are moved past fixed stations (15, 16, 19) disposed at the periphery of the support with each rotation thereof and which roll with their receiving surface (5) with synchronisation at the stations and are glued, a label being delivered to a label-transferring station. The drive used for the removal elements (2) is a cam drive with two sets of engagement members (24, 25; 29, 30) which engage with a double cam (20a, 20b). The drive is so designed that, apart from short transitional zones, of the engagement members only two engagement members engage, one engagement member having a longer operative lever arm than all the remaining engagement members, and said engagement member 25 being also in torque-operative driving engagement with the double cam 20a, 20b in the initial phase of the rolling movement of the receiving surface at the stations.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2000Date of Patent: March 4, 2003Assignee: Fribosa AG Werkzeug-und MaschinenbauInventor: Urs Ryser
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Publication number: 20030037872Abstract: The device (1) comprises individual stations, which are passed through in succession, and consisting of: a removal station (4) for labels (2), whereby one label (2) at a time is removed from a label stack (7); an application station (5), in which at least one securing element (3 is applied to the label (2), and of; a storage station (6) for the labels (2) provided with the securing elements (3), whereby said labels (2) provided with the securing elements (3) are placed in a label stack (9).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2002Publication date: February 27, 2003Applicant: Checkpoint Systems International GmbHInventor: Detlef Duschek
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Publication number: 20030024650Abstract: A device for centering a container provided with a reference on a pan in a labeling machine, comprising elements adapted to determine, by making contact with the reference provided on the container, the locking of the container in the direction of rotation of the resetting motion, leaving the container free to rotate together with the pan when the pan rotates in the direction of the motion that occurs during labeling.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2002Publication date: February 6, 2003Applicant: P.E. S.R.L.Inventor: Mario Ballarotti
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Patent number: 6491080Abstract: A label printer/applicator with improved label cutting, control and application has a control valve for alternately fluidly interconnecting an applicator head with a supply of pressurized air, a suction source and a neutral position. An atomizer nozzle is positioned beneath an applicator head for activating moisture-activated adhesives often provided on labels. An air jet nozzle beneath the applicator head prevents cantilever bending of a label exiting a printer and travelling toward the applicator head.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2001Date of Patent: December 10, 2002Assignee: Grand Rapids Label CompanyInventor: Gerald Wayne Tasma
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Patent number: 6471802Abstract: Labeling apparatus and method cuts labels from a web of label material after adhesive is applied to the web of material. Under one embodiment heated knives are carried on a vacuum drum which cooperates with a roller functioning as an anvil to cut the web into labels of the appropriate length. A sensor reads a mark of the indicia side of the web and controls movement of the web to assure proper registration. Under a second embodiment, a rotatable drum having a plurality of vacuum plates cooperates with a die cutting roller to cut labels of the desired shape. The cut labels are retained on the vacuum applicator plates which then are extended radially as they rotate to a position to apply the label to a container.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 1999Date of Patent: October 29, 2002Assignee: Gerro Plast GmbHInventor: Jimmy D. Williamson
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Patent number: 6453965Abstract: An applicator for applying a closure sticker to the free end of each of a plurality of rolls (18) mounted side by side, comprises a dispenser (1) for dispensing closure stickers one after the other to a single pick up point (10) and a mount (12) carrying a plurality of closure sticker applicator heads (4-7). The heads (4-7) are spaced along the mount (12) by the pitch of the rolls (18) to which the closure stickers are to be applied and an indexing mechanism (17) moves the mount (12) past the pick up point (10) such that each applicator head (4-7) in turn can pick up a closure sticker. Finally, means (13,14,15,16) for moving the mount (12) ensures that the applicator heads (4-7) are brought into engagement with the said rolls, simultaneously and each with a respective one.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2000Date of Patent: September 24, 2002Assignee: Holmdale Precision LimitedInventor: Nigel White
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Patent number: 6451151Abstract: A placer mechanism for a web of linerless labels for placing individual labels on a product includes a separator that separates the individual labels from the web, a buffer disposed downstream of the separator that receives the individual labels, and a buffer suspension assembly movably supporting the buffer such that the buffer is positionable to deliver the individual labels to the product. The buffer is preferably a rotatable vacuum drum that is capable of accommodating labels of various lengths and widths. In addition, the buffer suspension assembly preferably enables the rotatable vacuum drum to be displaced to meet the product to which the label is to be affixed. A method of placing individual labels is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 1996Date of Patent: September 17, 2002Assignee: Moore Business Forms, Inc.Inventor: John E. Traise
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Patent number: 6450230Abstract: A labeling apparatus and method utilize a fluid dispenser in connection with an adhesive applicator to improve the reliability of label feed by a label transport mechanism during the application of adhesive to a label. The fluid dispenser is configured to direct a flow of fluid toward a nip formed between an adhesive roller on the applicator and the label transport mechanism, and from a position upstream from the nip. A labeling apparatus and method also utilize a starwheel including a rotatable hub and an engagement surface defining a pocket configured to engage an article. The engagement surface is resiliently coupled to the rotatable hub to move between first and second positions to vary a rotational position of the pocket relative to the hub. A labeling apparatus and method further utilize a discharge starwheel to transfer articles from the discharge end of an arcuate guide that opposes a label transfer drum.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 1999Date of Patent: September 17, 2002Assignee: S-Con, Inc.Inventor: Svatoboj Otruba
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Patent number: 6451149Abstract: A label applicator for dispensing and applying labels to articles includes a label leading edge indicating sensor and an adjustable peel bar held at a pickup position. A label support may be used with larger labels that have been partially peeled from a backing strip and remain at the pickup position. Printed labels to be applied to an article have a portion of the surface area of an adhesive side removed from the backing strip before the label is taken by a label pick-up-and-applicating device. A print head may be included in the label applicator between the indicating sensor and the adjustable peel bar. A number of labels may be picked-up simultaneously from the backing strip by a number of pick-up heads to be applied to a number of separate articles.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2001Date of Patent: September 17, 2002Assignee: Nortek Automation, Inc.Inventors: Jeff McKenney, Steve Ogren, Sebastian Gex-Collet
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Patent number: 6436330Abstract: A process and an apparatus for the production of labeled plastic bottles, to produce labeled bottles at a high output rate and with a reliable label hold wherein the bottles are labeled in a continuous flow directly after leaving the blowing machine. The bottles are still clean and dry, and allow for a reliable attachment of the labels at a high rate.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 1999Date of Patent: August 20, 2002Assignee: Krones AGInventor: Horst Winter
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Publication number: 20020096261Abstract: A labeling machine includes a label applying unit disposed adjacent to a conveying unit, and a controller coupled electrically to a bar code sensor, a label sensor and a container sensor. The controller compares bar code data of a label from the bar sensor with predetermined bar code data, and generates an inhibit signal when a mismatch occurs. The controller determines length of the label in accordance with first and second signals from the label sensor and distance information from an encoder unit, compares the determined length with predetermined label length data, and generates the inhibit signal when a mismatch occurs. The controller determines container dimension of a container being conveyed by the conveying unit in accordance with container feature information from the container sensor and distance information from another encoder unit, compares the determined container dimension with predetermined container dimension, and generates the inhibit signal when a mismatch occurs.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2001Publication date: July 25, 2002Inventor: Sheng-Hui Yang
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Publication number: 20020096260Abstract: A labeling machine includes a label applying unit operable so as to attach a label to a first one of a plurality of containers being conveyed by a conveying unit when the first one of the containers is aligned with a label applicator plate. A container spacer device includes a spacer wheel driven rotatably by a spacer motor and adapted to contact one of the containers that is behind the label applicator plate in an advancing direction of the conveying unit such that rotation of the spacer wheel can result in retarding or advancing of the contacted one of the containers on the conveying unit, thereby resulting in a spacing between adjacent ones of the containers.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2001Publication date: July 25, 2002Inventor: Sheng-Hui Yang
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Patent number: 6422283Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a cutter includes a cutter cylinder that has a cutter blade on a peripheral surface thereof. The cutter blade extends in a longitudinal direction. A rotary die cutter has a receiving cylinder on a peripheral surface thereof to receive the cutter blade. A sheet conveying device is provided for feeding a nonmetallic sheet between the cutter cylinder and the receiving cylinder of the rotary die cutter at a speed synchronous with that of the cutter blade. An inverting device is also provided for pulling back the sheet after the tip portion thereof is severed by action of the cutter cylinder and the rotary die cutter.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 1999Date of Patent: July 23, 2002Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masataka Okushita, Hiroshi Miyama
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Publication number: 20020092622Abstract: A die bonder, to which semiconductor pellets 4 are supplied in an arranged state, comprises a substrate feeding mechanism for feeding a substrate 1 including a plurality of pellet islands to successively set the pellet island at a bonding position BP, a defective substrate detecting means 3 for detecting defective pellet island, and a pellet transfer mechanism. The pellet transfer mechanism successively picks up and carries a defective pellet to the bonding position BP for mounting when a pellet island of the substrate set at the bonding position is non-defective, and mounts a defective pellet 4a when a pellet island is defective. In this arrangement, when the defective substrate detecting means determines that a pellet island is defective, a defective pellet is mounted.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 1999Publication date: July 18, 2002Inventor: TORU AOKI
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Publication number: 20020088553Abstract: A label applying apparatus is formed by a wand assembly including a first portion having a vacuum opening for connection to a vacuum source, and a second portion movable relative to the first portion along an axis of the wand assembly to define at least a non-extended position and an extended position. A biasing member may be provided for urging the wand assembly into the non-extended position, the second portion including a label pick-up opening at an end thereof. Application of a vacuum to the vacuum opening of the first portion causes the wand assembly to be placed in the extended position and termination of the vacuum causes the wand assembly to return to the non-extended position.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2001Publication date: July 11, 2002Inventor: Michael A. Whitby
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Patent number: 6405778Abstract: A pre-loaded, disposable merchandiser, a machine for producing the merchandiser and methods for producing the merchandiser and for packaging items to be sold for display. The merchandiser comprises a strip, a hanger at one end of the strip for suspending the strip, and a plurality of items to be offered for sale, adhesively connected to the strip in staggered locations on the strip. Apparatus for producing the merchandiser comprises a strip material feeder operable to deliver or feed strip material to a station, a tape arm operable to advance tape, a tape cutter operable to cut off a piece of the tape, and an install pad operable to apply the piece of tape to a portion of the strip and to a portion of an item to be sold or to packaging for the item.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2000Date of Patent: June 18, 2002Assignee: Rudolph Foods Company, Inc.Inventor: James G. Belt
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Patent number: 6378587Abstract: A cylindrical container labeler includes a horizontal conveyor, a pair of separately controllable vertical coveyors at the front end of the conveyor to rotate the container into the correct oreintation, bail lifter following the vertical conveyors for moving the bail to the rearward side of the pail as it travels along the horizontal conveyor, a label magazine adjacent to the conveyor, a label transfer mechanism to move a label from the magazine into position at the conveyor, apply a thin coating a adhesive to the label and adhere it the side of the container. The container is oriented by operating the two vertical conveyors at different speeds.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1999Date of Patent: April 30, 2002Inventor: Daniel J Frist
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Patent number: 6355124Abstract: A method and apparatus for the lamination of two lens blanks to form an ophthalmic lens comprise: a) providing a first ophthalmic lens blanks having two major surfaces thereon; b) applying a hardenable liquid adhesive to less than an entire one of said at least two major surfaces of said first ophthalmic lens blank; c) placing a second ophthalmic lens blank into contact with the hardenable liquid adhesive, forming an association of two lens blanks with the hardenable liquid adhesive between the two lens blanks; d) rotating said association of two lens blanks to assist in spreading the hardenable liquid adhesive; and e) after at least some of said hardenable liquid adhesive has spread, hardening said hardenable liquid adhesive to laminate the two lens blanks into a laminated ophthalmic lens. This method provides a relatively automated process and apparatus for performing that automated process for the lamination of ophthalmic lenses.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 1999Date of Patent: March 12, 2002Assignee: BMC Vision-Ease Lens, Inc.Inventors: Chris Blomberg, Gert Levin, Sujal Bhalakia
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Publication number: 20020026987Abstract: A labeler includes at least one bellows movable between extended and retracted positions. The bellows includes a cap defining a distal end for carrying the label and having at least one cap opening therein, and a pleated sidewall connected to the cap. The labeler includes a flexible coil tube positioned within the bellows and having a distal end connected in fluid communication with the cap openings and a proximal end for being connected to negative and positive fluid pressure, respectively. A positioner advances the bellows along a path of travel between a label pick-up position and a label application position. A pressure controller selectively connects the bellows and the proximal end of the flexible coil tube to negative and positive fluid pressures as the bellows is advanced along the path of travel.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 1998Publication date: March 7, 2002Inventors: DAVID N. ANDERSON, WAYNE C. SHERMAN
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Publication number: 20020011311Abstract: There is provided an in-line egg labelling system for applying a label on eggs travelling into grippers of a conveyer, such as a chain conveyer, said system comprising at least one labelling device mounted beneath said conveyor and provided with a label applying arm for applying a label on an exposed area of an egg surface, preferably on a generally downwardly facing area thereof. The conveyer is preferably part of an egg packing system comprising a packing controller. The labelling system further comprises a computerised labelling control system and a user interface for the automatic individual selection of the eggs to be labelled on the basis of at least one user set parameter and one input parameter communicated by the packing controller to indicate the destination of each egg.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2001Publication date: January 31, 2002Inventors: Steve Carignan, Luc Trottier
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Patent number: 6328832Abstract: An apparatus and method utilize a rotatable drum implementing both an attraction mechanism and a cutter mechanism to controllably sever segments of material from a web. The drum is rotated at a rate greater than the rate at which the web of material is advanced so that the attraction mechanism supplies the sole source of tension in the web. Moreover, the cutter mechanism severs segments of material while at least a portion of the web of material engages the outer surface of the drum. In addition, an apparatus and method dynamically control the relative rates of advancement of a web of material and an outer surface of a drum such that a predetermined length of material is advanced forward of a predetermined rotational position of the drum so that the predetermined length of material is severed from the web of material while at least a portion of the web of material engages the outer surface of the drum.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 1998Date of Patent: December 11, 2001Assignee: S-CON, Inc.Inventors: Svatoboj Otruba, Ranbir Singh Claire
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Patent number: 6325128Abstract: An apparatus for attaching a serrated cutting strip to a carton blank which includes a first member for conveying carton blanks past a cutting and applicator mechanism, the cutting and applicator mechanism being arranged to cut a cutting strip from a supply of cutting strip material and deposit said cutting strip upon a carton blank. The first member includes a conveyor belt preferably fitted with suction means, and the cutting and applicator mechanism includes upper and lower dies movable relative to one another and a mechanism to feed a supply of cutting strip material, said cutting strip being retained upon the upper die by suction. Further downward movement of the upper die brings the cutting strip into contact with a carton blank. The apparatus includes an alignment member to ensure the carton blanks are correctly positioned relative to the cutting and applicator mechanism when the cutting strips are attached.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 1999Date of Patent: December 4, 2001Assignee: Carton Edge Systems LimitedInventors: Edwin Wyn Owen, Ian Jamie
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Patent number: 6321812Abstract: An applicator to apply a label (11) to an object such as a container (12). Each label (11) is applied by a label applicator (68). More particularly, the apparatus (10) is adapted to apply labels (11) irrespective of whether the container (12) is of circular or non-circular configuration. The container (12) is mounted on a holding plate (23) which is caused to rotate so that the peripheral speed of the container (12) is substantially constant.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 1999Date of Patent: November 27, 2001Inventor: Joseph Michael Kral
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Patent number: 6280564Abstract: A method of mounting a core slider onto a suspension and a robot mounter for mounting a core slider onto a suspension are disclosed. A work having at least one or more location onto which the core slider is to be bonded is affixed on a jig board. Adhesive is applied by a dispenser at predetermined location of the suspension to be bonded. A selected core slider is picked up from a supply of core sliders by a transfer assembly, and the selected core slider is transferred with the transfer assembly to a position adjusting unit, and the position of the core slider is adjusted with the position adjusting unit. The core slider is transferred with the transfer assembly from the position adjusting unit to the predetermined location of the suspension which has adhesive thereon. The core slider retained by the transfer assembly is contacted with the adhesive disposed on the suspension. The adhesive is hardened by exposing the adhesive to UV-radiation.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 1999Date of Patent: August 28, 2001Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.Inventors: Yoshibumi Asano, Takayuki Onuma, Tetsuo Itakura, Tomoharu Sakuma
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Patent number: 6279636Abstract: A method and system for automatically merging and attaching documents, such as photocopies of remittance checks or the like, to envelopes from which the documents originated is disclosed. The system uses a series of bins and conveyors to automatically retrieve, synchronize, merge and reassociate each document to its respective envelope.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 1999Date of Patent: August 28, 2001Inventor: Daniel E. Miller
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Patent number: 6280560Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a plant for assembling, gluing and pressing veneer panels to be connected in a plurality of layers one above the other and one behind the other to form an endless strand of laminated veneer boards forming a continuous veneer-panel strand. The plant has a glue application machine, rolling belts, a laying device and a continuously operating press. A veneer-panel laying and interlinking device has a buffer acceleration belt with a combined reversing action. The laying device has a veneer-assembly laying belt and is embodied as a recirculating chain device with a recirculating supporting surface to form a fall-through gap, which can be moved forward and backward and raised and lowered for the front or rear veneer-panel edge and can be adjusted to the respective deposition and interleaving position on the veneer-assembly laying belt.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 1999Date of Patent: August 28, 2001Assignee: Maschinenfabrik J. Dieffenbacher GmbH & Co.Inventor: Matthias Graf
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Patent number: 6276421Abstract: An apparatus for applying sheets to substrates including a rotating blade roller with a blade on its surface; a vacuum roller rotating with the blade roller, oriented parallel to the blade roller, and with a surface adjacent to the blade roller surface; at least one slot in the vacuum roller surface into which the blade is inserted as the rollers rotate; and a feeder for feeding a continuous sheet between the rollers so that the sheet is cut into segments. The vacuum roller surface includes surface holes connected to a vacuum source during cutting and disconnected after cutting and manifold holes parallel to the roller axis and located in a circle below the surface. The manifold holes have open ends located at one end of the vacuum roller and are connected to the surface holes. There is at least one plate adjacent the end of the vacuum roller with the open ends. The plate includes at least two curved grooves on the surface matching the shape of the path traveled by the open ends.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 1998Date of Patent: August 21, 2001Assignee: Armstrong World Industries, Inc.Inventors: James P. Valenti, Thomas C. Bair
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Patent number: 6263940Abstract: An in-line continuous feed sleeve labeling machine labels containers, such as beverage containers, in an in-line fashion maintaining the elevation of the containers during their linear transport. The in-line continuous feed sleeve labeling machine of the present invention receives bottles in flood feeder or linear fashion. A timing screw or the like properly separates, and both spatially and temporally disposes, the containers for sleeving. The timing screw propels the containers onto a pedestal system. The pedestals of the pedestal system maintain their horizontal nature due to offset pivotable attachments to the track system upon which they travel. In coordinated fashion with the travel of the pedestal system, iris carriers carrying sleeves upon articulating radial arms descend upon the bottles. Once the label sleeve has reached the appropriate point (generally adjacent to the central portion of the bottle), the iris carrier allows the label sleeve to engage the central portion of the bottle.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 1999Date of Patent: July 24, 2001Assignee: Axon CorporationInventor: Victor V. Menayan
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Patent number: 6257294Abstract: A labeler for objects, such as fruit or vegetables, has a pickup head that includes a firing piston, and a larger piston that is coupled to the firing piston. The pickup head, along with other pickup heads, are provided on an assembly that rotates the heads in a circular manner. When each pickup head is at the 6 o'clock position, a burst of air pressure is provided to the firing piston, thereby causing it to fire and to cause the larger piston to move in an outward direction. This causes the pickup head to extend fully, to thereby cause a label positioned on an applicator at a distal end of the pickup head to contact an object and thereby apply the label to the object. At other positions besides the 6 o'clock position, a vacuum source provides a vacuum to the pickup heads, thereby maintaining the pickup heads in a fully retracted position, as well as providing a way for keeping the label on the applicator of the pickup head while the pickup head is rotating.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 1999Date of Patent: July 10, 2001Assignee: Agri-tech, Ltd.Inventor: Richard Wayne Joseph Weisbeck
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Patent number: 6254678Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying pressure sensitive adhesive to a substrate, in which the adhesive is deposited on a transfer surface, such as a circulating transfer belt, dried, and subsequently transferred to a plurality of overlapping sheets. The sheets are preferably coated with a primer or a low adhesion backsize, or both, prior to application of the adhesive.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: July 3, 2001Assignee: Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing CompanyInventor: Johannes A. Ritter
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Patent number: 6253820Abstract: By providing a system for controllably applying and wrapping a label into direct, secure, affixed adhesive engagement with the flange or lip of a container, a dependable, effective, and reliable label applying apparatus and label application method is realized which securely affixes a tamper evident label in its entirety to a product container on a continuous production basis, totally eliminating unwanted tenting of labels. By employing the present invention, a product holding container, having a forwardly protruding lip or flange, is advanced towards a label dispensing zone with the label positioned for contacting the top surface of the forwardly protruding flange. Once the label is attached thereto, the label bearing flange/lip is advanced into contact with the label wrapping cam means for placing the label in the desired position.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 1999Date of Patent: July 3, 2001Assignee: Inline Plastics CorporationInventors: Daniel A. Landan, Joseph Dyke
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Patent number: 6241846Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a device having a first elastomeric portion and a second elastomeric portion, the second elastomeric portion being formed into a non-planar shape, i.e., a vaginal discharge collection device that is formed of an elastomeric rim and a flexible film reservoir. The apparatus includes a loading station for loading a rim into a carrier plate, a heat seal station for laying and forming a film over the rim, a preheating station for preheating the rim and film, a forming station for drawing the film into a chamber by creating a vacuum to form the collector, and an unloading station for removing the collector from the carrier plate.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 1997Date of Patent: June 5, 2001Assignee: Ultrafem, Inc.Inventors: Audrey Contente, Wendell W. Guthrie, Randy S. Wills
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Patent number: 6231706Abstract: Substrates to be paired are alternately aligned. One substrate of a pair of substrates adjacent to each other is turned over thereby to face the other substrate, and the substrates held in a state facing each other are sent to a bonding position. An adhesive is supplied annularly into an interval of the substrates, and the substrates are rotated in a planar direction to thereby narrow the interval and eventually spread the adhesive in a radial direction to form an adhesive layer. The lower substrate is supported from below and carried from the bonding position to a setting position, and the adhesive layer is set, whereby an optical disk is obtained. The optical disk is taken out from the setting position.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 1999Date of Patent: May 15, 2001Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Norihide Higaki, Keinosuke Kanashima, Katsuhiro Kida, Hideki Tsutsumi
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Patent number: 6230779Abstract: A labeler includes at least one bellows movable between extended and retracted positions. The bellows preferably includes a venturi member for applying or maintaining a vacuum to hold the label as the bellows is extended outwardly by positive pressure coupled to the bellows. The labeler preferably includes a positioner for advancing each bellows along a path of travel between a label pick-up position and a label application position, and a controller for controlling fluid flow to retract and extend the bellows as same is advanced along the path of travel. The bellows, in turn, preferably comprises a cap defining a distal end of the bellows for carrying the label and having at least one cap opening therein, a pleated sidewall connected to the cap and having at least one sidewall opening therein, and the venturi member.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 1998Date of Patent: May 15, 2001Assignee: FMC CorporationInventors: David N. Anderson, Wayne C. Sherman
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Patent number: 6223800Abstract: A die bonding apparatus includes: a lead frame supply station for accommodating a plurality of lead frames; a frame transferring device for picking up the lead frame and transferring it to an Ag epoxy application table or to a traveling rail; a frame fixing station for fixing the lead frame to the Ag epoxy application table by suction power of a vacuum pump or moving it back and forth through actuation of a motor; an Ag epoxy supply station for ejecting a predetermined amount of Ag epoxy through a nozzle to the top surface of the lead frame; a moving device for moving the lead frame forward on the traveling rail; a preheating station for receiving the lead frame into a magazine and preheating it; a wafer placement station for transferring wafers sequentially supplied from a wafer supply station to a predetermined location through rotation; a die transferring device for picking up a die and transferring it to a work site for die bonding; a die bonding station for precisely bonding the die to a site where a tapType: GrantFiled: September 10, 1998Date of Patent: May 1, 2001Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Seong-bong Kim, Myeong-Kyu Yeom
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Patent number: 6220331Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 1999Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Assignee: Central Glass Co., Ltd.Inventors: Naohiko Matsuda, Takanori Toyoda, Nagahisa Kameda
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Patent number: 6220330Abstract: An apparatus for applying labels to articles being moved in a single-file along a conveyor assembly by a primary conveyor belt. Articles such as video cassette containers or CD containers are conveyed in an upright singulated fashion along a conveyor assembly. Each individual article enters a labeling station where the article contacts a biasing assembly that includes a biasing belt. The biasing belt exerts a lateral force on the article to press the article into contact with a stationary guide assembly. The biasing belt is operated at substantially the same speed as the primary conveyor belt such that the article is held in contact with the stationary guide assembly as the article moves along the labeling station. A labeling unit applies a label to the article as the article is held in contact with the stationary guide assembly by the biasing belt.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 1998Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Assignee: Dorner Mfg. Corp.Inventor: Terrence E. O'Brien, Jr.
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Patent number: 6213185Abstract: In a device for feeding articles, cylindrical feed screws having left and right hand pitched helical grooves are arranged in parallel and are driven rotationally in opposite directions such that an article deposited in the space between the roots of the grooves at one corresponding end of the grooves will be advanced axially to the opposite ends for exiting from between the feed screws.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 1998Date of Patent: April 10, 2001Assignee: Krones, Inc.Inventors: Syed Ali Asghar, Mark G. Larson, Bruce L. Heard, Clifford A. Boals
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Patent number: 6199738Abstract: A method and apparatus for moving component supplying units, each of which carries electric components, along a reference line along which respective component-supply portions of the component supplying units are arranged so as to sequentially position a respective component-supply portion at a component-supply position. The method and apparatus also causes an external drive device to operate a drive member thereof to drive a member of a feeding device of each component supplying unit to perform a component feeding action and a component feeding preparing action and thereby feed the electric components of each unit one by one to the component-supply portion of each unit. The component-feeding action causing one of the electric components of each unit to be fed to the component-supply portion of each unit with the component-feeding preparing action causing the feeding device to be prepared for the component feeding action.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 1999Date of Patent: March 13, 2001Assignee: Fuji Machine Mfg. Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoshiyuki Kondo, Toshikatsu Terashima, Mamoru Tsuda
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Patent number: 6186208Abstract: An automatic cassette wrapping machine includes three interconnected stations: a station for loading cassettes and inserting cassettes into an assembly line; a station for receiving the cassettes and engaging the cassettes with paperboard sheaths having preapplied glue; and a station for receiving the sheath encased cassettes and stacking the cassettes in shippable pluralities. The cassette assembly machine is fully automated and includes a central processing unit receiving signals from sensors positioned throughout the machine to coordinate all aspects of machine operation.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 1999Date of Patent: February 13, 2001Assignee: Intellishell, Inc.Inventor: Patrick L. McGilvery
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Patent number: 6182730Abstract: A label application apparatus comprising a main housing and a printer and an applicator mounted to the main housing for applying a label to an object. A supply reel is rotatably mounted to the main housing and has a continuous web of label material thereon. A feed mechanism is also provided for feeding the continuous web of label material from the supply reel to the printer and applicator. A cutting mechanism is associated with the applicator to cut labels from the continuous web of label material between the printer and the applicator whereby the applicator then places the severed label onto the object.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 1998Date of Patent: February 6, 2001Assignee: Grand Rapids Label CompanyInventor: David F. Muir
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Patent number: 6164359Abstract: Improvements in the object of the U.S. Pat. No. 5,294,283 for an automatic labelling machine for packers in bags of mesh or the like, which have: a second roller (101) with its counter roller (102), some independent means of activation (120), (121), and (123) of the means of cutting (16), of the cart (18), and of the finger (27) with claws (28); the printer head (10) and the counter roller (102) both being mounted on elastic laminar supports (112) and (104), with keying in their respective operating position; and mechanical linkage of turning (127) and (128) of the second roller (101) and of the roller (6).Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 1998Date of Patent: December 26, 2000Assignee: Talleres Daumar, S.A.Inventor: Agustin Dauder Guardiola
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Patent number: 6129814Abstract: Device for rotating a label fed into a labelling machine, wherein the label is fed to a support element placed on a wheel which rotates between a position where the label is picked up from a conveyor or feed belt and a position where the label is placed on a product, the support element having at least a label holding element during the rotation of the wheel in a fixed structure, wherein the label holding element is positioned on a shaft which can be rotated by means control elements driven by a cam group operationally connected to the wheel and to the fixed structure. In particular, the holding element is a suction device which allows the rotation of the label as required.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 1998Date of Patent: October 10, 2000Assignee: Sitma S.p.A.Inventors: Aris Ballestrazzi, Lamberto Tassi
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Patent number: 6125901Abstract: A door is made from a rigid core plate, two side bars, two end bars, a pair of face panels, and a pair of cover sheets. The core plate and bars are cut to respective sizes, and then the bars are manually fitted around the core plate, are pressed against edges of the core plate to form a door core, and are secured together at corners of the core. This core is displaced on an upstream core conveyor to a core-holding station. One of the face panels is loaded manually onto a face-panel conveyor and fed thereby through a glue applicator to a face-panel holding station and one of the cover sheets is manually set in a cover-sheet holding station. The one cover sheet is picked up and laid in a stacking station, then the one face panel is picked up and set atop the one cover sheet, and then the core is picked up and set atop the face panel.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 1998Date of Patent: October 3, 2000Assignee: WM Wild Maschinen GmbHInventors: Hans-Joachim Englisch, Carsten Henkenjohann, Klaus Rudiger Lampe, Thomas Lucking, Ali Mansuroglu, Wolfgang Melies, Hubertus Ritzenhofen
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Patent number: 6119753Abstract: Apparatus for applying end papers to the front and rear sides of inner books which are continuously moving along a transport path includes end paper channels extending along the transport path and feeders for isolating individual end papers from stacks and delivering the end papers into the channels for simultaneous conveyance with the inner book. The feeders position the end papers such that they are oriented substantially parallel with the sides of the inner book while delivering the end papers into the channels in the direction of inner book movement. The moving end papers are overtaken by the mechanisms which impart movement to the books and the simultaneous moving end papers and inner books are subsequently pressed together to bond the end papers to the inner book.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 1997Date of Patent: September 19, 2000Assignee: Kolbus GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Kurt Begemann, Hans-Hermann zur Heide
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Patent number: 6116317Abstract: An apparatus and method for orienting portions of a disposable undergarment, such as a core thereof, is provided. The apparatus preferably includes a core lifting system for lifting a core of a disposable undergarment when in a first orientation position during travel along a predetermined path and a core orientor connected to the core lifting system for orienting the core in a second orientation position along the predetermined path of travel. The core orientor preferably includes at least one drive for driving the core lifting system along the predetermined path of travel and an orientation changing system associated with the at least one drive for changing the orientation of the lifted core to the second orientation position when driving at least portions of the core lifting system along the predetermined path of travel.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 1998Date of Patent: September 12, 2000Inventors: John M. Tharpe, Jr., Robert M. Herrin
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Patent number: 6083337Abstract: An assembly for use in bonding an trim cover to a foam pad along a pair of conveyor line in a process of a plurality of stations. A plurality of tool carriers are transported along each of the conveyor lines to each station. The tool carrier supports at least one mold assembly for bonding an air impervious adhesive film between the cover and the foam pad. A collar assembly pivotally supports a press platen above the mold assembly and provides pivotal movement between an open position spaced at a predetermined angle above the mold assembly and a closed position compressing the foam pad against the trim cover and mold assembly. The tool carrier includes a pair of vacuum inlet connectors for engagement by a vacuum snorkel to provide vacuum pressure to the mold assembly and travel with the tool carrier along the conveyor line between consecutive process stations.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 1998Date of Patent: July 4, 2000Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Robert Bailey, Scott Barber, John Sapielak, Ron Monk, Dennis Sosnowski, Raymond Ormachea, Brian Scholfield, Don Hamilton
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Patent number: 6080253Abstract: The present invention fulfills the above stated needs, as well as others, by providing a automated container sealing apparatus that automatically removes seals from a backing and applies the seals to the container. The seals are pre-cut and have a size corresponding to the size of the container. In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention includes an apparatus for sealing containers, the containers defined by a generally planar sealing surface and one or more receptacles, wherein each of the one or more receptacles include an opening coplanar with and defining corresponding openings in the sealing surface.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 1998Date of Patent: June 27, 2000Assignee: Beckman Coulter, Inc.Inventor: John R. Hitch