A self-piercing rivet tape path can extend through a clamshell receiver assembly between the upper and lower receiver bodies and can open between the upper and lower bodies along a longitudinal length of the self-piercing rivet tape path that extends through the clamshell receiver assembly. The upper and lower bodies can separate at a lead rivet cavity and above a proximal end of a discharge cavity of the lower body. A tool-free interlock coupling can rigidly couple the upper and lower receiver bodies together in a closed position. This tool-free coupling can unlock the upper and lower receiver bodies so they are hingedly movable into the open position. The clamshell receiver assembly can be rigidly coupled to an end of a self-piercing rivet spindle to receive self-piercing rivets carried by the tape along the tape path and support a lead self-piercing rivet in alignment with a punch of the spindle.

An applying device (1) and an applying method that can speedily perform application of a film (F) on an application target surface (S) and improve a quality of a finish. The applying device (1) is provided with a film support portion (2) that supports the film (F). The film support portion (2) is provided with a first support body and a second support body lined up in a first direction (Y), a film fixing mechanism that is provided on the first support body and the second support body and fixes the film along the first direction, and a first angle changing mechanism that changes an angle around an axis line extending so as to intersect the first direction between the first support body and the second support body. The invention also concerns a film applied to an application target surface.

Self-piercing rivets deployed in an elongated tape are moved into alignment with a rivet driving spindle using a processor-controlled servomotors. The tape is conveyed between a supply reel and an exhaust reel, the supply reel having a supply motor and the exhaust reel having an exhaust motor. The tape is moved under processor control in an advancing direction until the rivet has traveled past being in alignment with the spindle, by controlling the supply and exhaust motors using a first tension regimen. Thereafter the tape is moved under processor control in a retracting direction until the rivet is in alignment with the spindle by controlling the tape supply and exhaust motors using a second tension regimen.

The automation of the assembly of a stack of substrates in the process of forming an object includes a blanking die having a push through plate to drive the blanked sheets onto a set of locating pins, thereby creating a very accurate stack. An image forming device may print and develop images onto a web that is subsequently die cut and stacked onto a curing platen. The die cutter cuts individual sheets out of the web and cuts or pre-cuts alignment holes into each sheet that would be accepted by the curing platen having locating pins corresponding to the alignment holes in the sheet. The die cutting operation includes a tamping device that would accurately transfer the sheets from the die to the curing platen. This stack may then be removed and/or processed to form a 3D object.

A device for applying segments of absorbent articles includes a cutting station for cutting a continuous web into segments and an applicator station for applying each segment on a respective absorbent article. A plurality of carrier units, each includes a pad for retaining and transferring a segment from the cutting station to the applicator station. The pad fully rotates about a main axis to transfer the segment from the cutting station to the applicator station and return to the cutting station and, from the cutting station to the applicator station, rotates at least 90 about its axis of rotation to orient the segment transverse to the feed direction of the absorbent article. A first movement member moves one or more first carrier units about the main axis and a second movement member moves one or more second carrier units separately from the first carrier units about the main axis.

A kit for dispensing disposable stethoscope covers is provided. The kit may include a cartridge and a dispenser for automatic touch-free dispensing of disposable stethoscope covers. The kit further includes a first spool having a roll of backing member with disposable stethoscope covers disposed thereon and a second spool for receiving the spent backing member after a disposable stethoscope cover has been removed, self-contained within the cartridge. The cartridge is inserted within the dispenser so that a user may insert a stethoscope head through a window of the dispenser to attach to a disposable stethoscope cover. The kit may further include a proximity sensor for detecting a user. Upon detection of the user, the first and second spools rotate to align a disposable stethoscope cover with the window of the dispenser in a ready-to dispense position.

A thermal conduction sheet holder include, in the following order, an elongated carrier film, a plurality of thermal conduction sheets, and an elongated cover film covering the plurality of thermal conduction sheets, the shortest distance between adjacent thermal conduction sheets is 2 mm or more, the plurality of thermal conduction sheets are disposed at intervals in a longitudinal direction of the carrier film and the cover film, and the plurality of thermal conduction sheets are peelable from the cover film and the carrier film.

An apparatus for coating a part that has an asymmetrical edge. The apparatus includes a film dispenser, a film retriever, a mandrel; and a part holder. Preferably one or both of the mandrel and the part holder move in an angular relationship to one another, and the film dispenser and the film retriever move co-operatively in at least two dimensions with respect to the part holder. There is further provided a film having a first edge and a second edge, and the film can be a decorative coating, a protective coating or combinations of these. The film dispenser holds the first edge of the film, the film is positioned between the mandrel and the part holder and the film retriever holds the film second edge.

An apparatus for coating a part that has an asymmetrical edge. The apparatus includes a film dispenser, a film retriever, a mandrel; and a part holder. Preferably one or both of the mandrel and the part holder move in an angular relationship to one another, and the film dispenser and the film retriever move co-operatively in at least two dimensions with respect to the part holder. There is further provided a film having a first edge and a second edge, and the film can be a decorative coating, a protective coating or combinations of these. The film dispenser holds the first edge of the film, the film is positioned between the mandrel and the part holder and the film retriever holds the film second edge.

An apparatus, kit, and method for applying a decal to a nail of a human digit are provided. A base coat of base nail polish is applied to a nail. The base coat has a tacky surface when dry. A decal application product is pressed against the tacky surface of the base coat, and includes a substrate and at least one decal adhered thereto. The at least one decal and the substrate have a first adhesion coefficient therebetween. The at least one decal and the tacky surface have a second adhesion coefficient that is greater than the first adhesion coefficient to cause a subset of the at least one decal to adhere to the base coat. A top coat of a top nail polish is applied atop of the base coat and the subset of the at least one decal to seal the subset of the at least one decal and the base coat.