Systems and methods for forming and applying decorations onto substrates are disclosed. According to some aspects, a decoration may be formed on a carrier web at a decoration forming station positioned along a web path. The decorations may be transported along the web path to an application station at which the decorations are applied to substrates from the carrier web.

The disclosure features a method of creating a communications network. In this method, a first tape node includes a first type of wireless communication interface and a second type of wireless communication interface having a longer range than the first type of wireless communication interface. A second tape node includes the first type of wireless communication interface that is operable to communicate with the first tape node over a wireless communication connection established between the first type of wireless communication interfaces of the first and second tape nodes. Over a wireless communication connection, the first tape node sends programmatic code executable by the first tape node to function as a master tape node with respect to the second tape node.

Provided is a medicine dispensing device having a container stocking portion) for stocking a plurality of medicine containers, a medicine supplying part for supplying solid medicines, container taking means for taking the container from the container stocking portion, a medicine filling part for filling the medicine container with the solid medicines supplied from the medicine supplying part and container checking means. The medicine checking means has posture keeping means for keeping a constant posture of the medicine container and a measuring member which can approach to and move away from the medicine container. The container checking means can check a type of the medicine container by holding the medicine container with keeping the constant posture by using the posture keeping means and allowing the measuring member to approach to the medicine container from a remote position and make contact with the medicine container.

A production system includes: a production unit that produces prints with which products are to be tagged; an information acquisition unit that acquires defect information that is information on defect of tagged products that are products tagged with prints; and a changing unit that changes conditions of production of prints in the production unit based on the defect information acquired by the information acquisition unit.

In a label affixing device, a printing unit prints on a portion of a tape. The tape includes a label and a release material affixed to an adhesive surface of the label. A peeling part is disposed downstream relative to the printing unit in a conveying direction of the tape, and peels the label off the release material. A support part supports the label entirely peeled off the release material. An affixing part is disposed downstream relative to the peeling part in a conveying direction of the label, and affixes the label supported by the support part to an adherend. A housing has a prescribed installation surface via which the housing is placed. The support part is configured to support an opposite surface of the label from a side on which the installation surface is disposed. The opposite surface is a surface of the label opposite the adhesive surface.

An applicator for die-cut parts, having a die-cut part strip with die-cut parts applied along a retaining belt, said parts having a carrier layer and an adhesive layer, the carrier layer being disposed between the retaining belt and the adhesive layer, and a punch head over which the die-cut part strip runs, where the die-cut parts running over the punch head face away from the punch head by their adhesive layer, and the die-cut parts can be pressed by means of the punch onto a surface.

A labelling machine comprises a supply spool support for supporting a spool of label carrying web, a labelling station arranged to remove labels from a label carrying web supported by the supply spool, a take up spool support for supporting web from which labels have been removed, and a first motive apparatus for transporting web from the supply spool support to the take up spool support via the labelling station. The supply spool support, the labelling station and the take up spool support are mounted to a base plate. The base plate includes a first portion which supports the labelling station via a base of the labelling station such that the labelling station extends from the base plate in a first direction, and a second portion. The maximum distance to which the second portion and any component supported by the second portion extend from the base of the labelling station in a second direction is greater than the maximum distance to which the first portion and any component supported by the first portion extend from the base of the labelling station in the second direction, the first and second directions being generally opposite.

The disclosure features a method of creating a communications network. In this method, a first tape node includes a first type of wireless communication interface and a second type of wireless communication interface having a longer range than the first type of wireless communication interface. A second tape node includes the first type of wireless communication interface that is operable to communicate with the first tape node over a wireless communication connection established between the first type of wireless communication interfaces of the first and second tape nodes. Over a wireless communication connection, the first tape node sends programmatic code executable by the first tape node to function as a master tape node with respect to the second tape node.

The disclosure features a method of creating a communications network. In this method, a first tape node includes a first type of wireless communication interface and a second type of wireless communication interface having a longer range than the first type of wireless communication interface. A second tape node includes the first type of wireless communication interface that is operable to communicate with the first tape node over a wireless communication connection established between the first type of wireless communication interfaces of the first and second tape nodes. Over a wireless communication connection, the first tape node sends programmatic code executable by the first tape node to function as a master tape node with respect to the second tape node.

An in-line label applicator includes a label printer to print variable data on each label and a label application station that moves the printed labels into a container conveyance path for application to containers moving along the path. One scanner scans the label code of each printed label before the label reaches the conveyance path, and another scanner scans the helper code of each container as the label is being applied during movement of the container along the conveyance path.