Shape Corporation

Engineered Automation of Maine, Inc.

Stephen G Swinburne

Anthony L Gelardi

Paul J Gelardi

Anthony Gelardi, Ii

David Philippe

Robert E MacLeod, Jr

William Stiles

Michael Janiszewski

A multiple-head labeling machine directed at minimizing downtime, both from the need to reload labels and from the occasional labeler jams, on assembly lines incorporating a labeling step. It achieves this by the use of multiple independent labeling mechanisms gang-loaded on a single apparatus, such apparatus being capable of switching back and forth between the independent labeling mechanisms. This provides for a depleted or jammed mechanism to be displaced in a matter of seconds with a fresh mechanism that is ready to continue with the labeling operation.

Multi-headed automated labeler

Apparatus for mechanically transferring an adhesive-backed labels to objects such as consumer items or packaging for consumer items. It receives labels on a lift-off backing strip, peeling the labels off one at a time from the strip by means of a peeler-bar. Using a pair of spring-loaded pawls attached to the outer edges of a label receiver, the apparatus mechanically engages each label along its outer edges as it begins to peel away from the strip. These pawls facilitate the peeling action as they direct the label into position in a label receiver. The label is then pressed directly onto the desired site, with no free-fall involved. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the spring-loaded pawls push outward disengaging the label as the label receiver contacts the surface to be labeled, thus leaving the label adhered to the desired surface. In the preferred embodiment, the action of the label receiver between its label-receiving position and its label-applying position is guided by a linear slide assembly. Movement of the linear slide assembly can be provided by a pneumatic-powered piston, or by other means. When the apparatus of the present invention is incorporated into an automatic packaging system, the application of labels is coordinated with the label feed mechanism and the packaging machine by means of logic controls. In other applications, the apparatus of the present invention serves as a stand-alone labeler.

Apparatus and method for applying labels

A molded center core for a flexible recording disc and a related method of manufacture are provided. The disc includes a recording media sandwiched between an injection molded center core having a metal insert, and an injection molded ring. The core and ring are ultrasonically welded to hold the media in place. The method includes the steps of: injection molding a separate plastic center core with a metal insert therein; injection molding a separate plastic ring; locating the center core/insert combination in the central opening of the recording media to abut a first surface of the media; locating the molded ring on the center core to abut a second, opposite surface of the media; and permanently connecting the core and ring.

Injection molded center core for a recording disc and related method of

A write/protect tab assembly including a substantially planar jacket base and a write/protect tab slidably mounted in a tab pocket formed in the jacket base, such that the tab is encaptured by the jacket base. The tab is alternatively encaptured by: a latch formed at the tab pocket for receiving the tab; shelf-like projections formed on the tab pocket for receiving corresponding elongated recesses formed on the sides of the tab; a cap attached to the tab with the tab pocket being disposed between the tab and the cap; or guides formed adjacent the tab pocket for receiving in sliding relation the sides of the tab. The present invention also includes a method of encapturing the tabs in the jacket base before the cover is positioned on the jacket base. The encapturing step alternatively includes: forming a latch at the tab pocket for receiving the tab; forming shelf-like projections on the tab pocket for receiving corresponding recesses formed in the tab; attaching a cap to the tab via snapping, press fitting, ultrasonically welding, swedging, or gluing; or forming guides on the tab pocket for receiving the sides of the tab.

Write/protect tab assembly for a floppy disc jacket and method for

A wiper spring attached to a ramp formed in a floppy disc jacket base, which biases against a fabric liner to force the fabric liner against the floppy disc. The wiper spring is preferably metal, such as phosphor bronze, berilium copper or stainless steel. The wiper spring is attached to the jacket base by two or more posts formed on the base which protrude through openings formed in the spring and which are peened to hold the spring in place.

Wiper spring assembly for the fabric liner of a floppy disc

A ribbon cartridge having a self-contained ratchet assembly and drive gear assembly. Three principal components are provided: a drive gear; a ratchet gear spool connected by a ring gear formed thereon to the drive gear; and a take-up spool having internal teeth which are rotatably mounted on a ratchet formed on the external diameter of the ratchet gear spool. The drive gear is driven by a simple printer motor at a constant speed, which, in turn, drives the ratchet gear spool at a constant speed. This action, in turn, drives the take-up spool through the flexible plastic ratchet at a speed that varies with the amount of ribbon accumulating on the take-up spool.

Ribbon cartridge with self-contained ratchet and drive gear assembly

A container for holding a cassette that includes a rectangular casing into which a cassette can be directly inserted and stored and a frame-like bottomless slide which is positioned in the casing and selectively operated for moving the cassette into and out of the casing. An hourglass-type spring is positioned between the slide and casing to urge the slide to an upwardly extended cassette-exposing position. A selectively releasable locking mechanism for retaining the slide in a cassette-storing position includes a finger pressure contact indentation formed in the front wall of the slide and double-latch locking projections formed on the front of the slide and casing at opposite sides of the finger pressure contact indentation. Hublock projections formed on the slide engage the hub-openings of a stored cassette only when the slide is in its cassette-storing position. The configuration of the slide and casing is such to provide smooth and easy operation of the container and to ensure continued satisfactory and proper operation by not being highly vulnerable to misalignment, warping and dimensional variations in the component parts. The casing and slide are formed of a single piece of moldable material with all the subcomponents (except the spring) being integrally molded as a part of the casing or slide.

Growing community of inventors

Scarborough, ME, United States of America

Stephen G Swinburne