An automated labeling method and apparatus includes a label web-severing mechanism and a label-applying assembly, the web-severing mechanism configured to synchronously sever a plurality of labels from a self-wound label web, and the label-applying assembly configured to synchronously apply the plurality of severed labels to a corresponding plurality of articles to be labeled.

Apparatus and method for applying discrete components of a first substrate to a second substrate includes a programmable servo motor having a shaft. The servo motor is programmed to rotate the shaft in a first phase and a second phase at a variable angular velocity in a single direction. The apparatus also includes a crank member connected with the shaft, a connector link connected with the crank member, and a tamper member connected with the connector link. When the shaft rotates in the first phase, the tamper member travels from a first position to a second position to displace a selected portion of the second substrate into contact with the discrete component.

A label fitting device cylindrically opens and feeds downward an individual label, and thereby fits the individual film body around a fitting target carried to a fitting position. The label fitting device includes a feed unit which feeds downward the label base material while changing the carrying direction thereof, and a label fitting unit which carries downward the label and fits the label to the container. The label is formed by cutting the label base material fed by the feed unit. The label fitting unit is provided so as to be turnable relative to the container to thereby enable adjustment of the fitting angular position of the cylindrical label relative to the circumferential direction of the container.

A dual roll fabric welding or seaming machine is configured to seam pieces of sheet material to one another as the pieces move downstream. The machine includes modular gantries and various actor devices which may be readily mounted on any of the gantries to interact with the moving sheet material to achieve various functions, such as seaming pieces of sheet material together, forming hems, applying grommets to the sheet material, printing on the sheet material, connecting reinforcement strips or ropes to the sheet material and cutting the sheet material.

An exemplary package-sealing method and system involves sealing a package with adhesive tape such that a pull cord is sandwiched between the tape and the package. A tape head includes a roll of tape and a pull cord spool, and a collar guide that helps position the pull cord between the tape's sides. Forward and rear applying rollers press leading and trailing edges of the tape, respectively, against the package being sealed. A tape blade and a pull cord blade secured to a cutting arm sever the pull cord before severing the tape, leaving a pull tab that extends out from beneath the tape when the package is sealed. The pull tab allows a user to conveniently unseal the package by grasping the pull cord and pulling thereon to separate the tape from the package without using sharp objects, enhancing user safety and reducing accidental damage to packages.

The subject invention includes methods and apparatus for joining treads. Such methods include the step of providing a first tread portion and a second tread portion for forming a joined tread, each tread portion comprising a section of tire tread extending lengthwise from a terminal end. Additional steps include providing a first fixture configured to retain the first tread portion and a second fixture configured to retain the second tread portion and securing the first tread portion into the first fixture and securing the second tread portion into the second fixture, each of the first and second fixtures being arranged within the first and second fixtures such that the terminal end of each tread portion is in communication with a joining side of each fixture. The methods further include directing the terminal ends towards each other and into forceful engagement with an elastomeric joining material arranged between the terminal ends.