A processing apparatus includes a wafer cassette table, a wafer carrying-out mechanism, a wafer table, a frame housing unit, a frame carrying-out mechanism, a frame table, a tape sticking unit, a tape-attached frame conveying mechanism, a tape pressure bonding unit, a frame unit carrying-out mechanism, a reinforcing part removing unit, a ring-free unit carrying-out mechanism, and a frame cassette table. The wafer carrying-out mechanism includes a Bernoulli chuck mechanism that jets gas to the back surface of the wafer and generates a negative pressure. The gas jetted by the Bernoulli chuck mechanism is inert gas. The wafer carrying-out mechanism jets the inert gas from the Bernoulli chuck mechanism to suppress oxidation of the back surface of the wafer when the wafer is carried out.

A method for connecting the joint of two ends of at least one chassis sealing element. In order to allow a secure and quick connection of the ends and allow an additional unhindered passage of air and moisture between hollow chambers within the chassis sealing element via the joint when using a profiled hollow chamber, the ends are first arranged at a distance to each other, and a shapeless bonding agent is applied to at least one end. The bonding agent is then heated, and the ends are brought into mutual contact, whereby the ends are bonded at the joint by way of the heated bonding agent.

Apparatus and methods are described including adhering a first lens to a second lens such as to form a combined lens having a given optical design, by placing the first lens and the second lens in respective first and second pressure chambers with an adhesive layer disposed between the first lens and the second lens, bringing a convex surface of the first lens into contact with the adhesive layer, and bringing a concave surface of the second lens into contact with the adhesive layer. Other applications are also described.

A method and apparatus for preparing edges of reels of web material, where a reel is held with its axis horizontal; a manipulator applies a first adhesive element on an outer surface of the reel; a gripping member picks up the first adhesive element and forms a loop; and a cutting device transversely cuts the web material at the loop. A section of web material with a length equal to or greater than a circumference of the reel is unwound from the reel; a second adhesive element is applied on an outer surface or on an inner surface of the web material; and a scrap portion of the web material is cut and discarded by a suction device.

A machine to apply tape to a surface includes a handle for manipulation by a user connected to a wheeled applicator allowing the tape to be dispensed from the applicator and rolled onto a surface. The applicator includes two sidewalls adjustable relative to each other on guide bars to define space therebetween where rolls of tape having different widths can be accommodated. The sidewalls further include bottom portions shaped complimentarily with the wheel to define a path sized for a width of the tape around the wheel, and where the sidewalls further define a path sized for the width of the tape over at least one guide bar. The applicator also may include a clutched take-up reel operatively connected to the wheel, where rotation of the wheel causes the take-up reel to rotate and collect a liner.

An apparatus for assembling a securing tape on a trim strip to provide a trim cap structure having a base with an assembly path, a spool assembly to dispense tape from a coil, a guide assembly to guide the strip, and an applicator assembly to guide the securing tape to the portion of the trim strip on the assembly path. A method for assembling a sign component for a sign is also disclosed.

Apparatus and methods are described including an additional lens (24) made from an amorphous viscoelastic material and having an optical design. A curvature of the additional lens (24) is changed such as to conform with a curvature of abase eyeglasses lens (22), without causing a loss of the optical design of the additional lens (24), by heating the additional lens (24) to a temperature at which a Tan Delta of the amorphous viscoelastic material is between 0.2 and 0.8, and shaping the additional lens (24). Subsequently, the additional lens (24) is adhered to the base eyeglasses lens (22). The optical design of the additional lens (24) is such that, upon being adhered to the base eyeglasses lens (22), the adhered base eyeglasses lens (22) and the additional lens (24) provide a combined lens (20) having a desired optical prescription. Other applications are also described.

A tape applicator assembly for securing at least one cable within a corner defined by a first surface and a second surface that includes a body moveable along the at least one cable positioned on the first surface, a tape-receiving cavity defined in the body for receiving a tape assembly having tape, wherein the tape assembly is receivable within the tape-receiving cavity such that the tape is positioned for dispensing from the body, and a tape applying assembly defined within the body. The tape applying assembly is configured to adhere the tape to both the at least one cable and the first and second surfaces defining the corner as the body moves along the at least one cable on the first surface.

A device for providing a tubular foil comprises a frame (5) with a position for an active product holder (P4) from which the tubular foil (10) can be removed and at least one further position (P1-P5) for at least one subsequent product holder with a subsequent tubular foil (20). The device provides coupling means for attaching a leading end (25) of the subsequent tubular foil (20) to a tail end (15) of a spent tubular foil (10). The coupling means comprise a carriage (110) with a drivable applicator device (100). The applicator device comprises a set of opposite applicator members (130) with mutually facing operative surfaces (135) and can be manipulated between a spread position, wherein the operative surfaces lie removed from each other, and a clamping position wherein the operative surfaces lie clampingly on each other. The applicator device (100) further comprises supply means for providing adhesive strips (60) in the spread position, and can be controlled to bring the applicator members (130) with the adhesive strips (60) into the clamping position, with interposing of the tail end (15) of the spent tube (10) and the leading end (25) of the subsequent tube (20), in order to mutually connect the ends (15, 25), and to bring the applicator members into the spread position in order to release the ends with the adhesive strips.

A tape layup apparatus whereby the tape layup performance on a surface to be laid up can be enhanced is provided, the tape layup apparatus being an ATL apparatus 10 having an ATL head 20 for laying up with pressing a tape 1 on a laid-up surface 2a, the ATL head 20 equipped with a pressing part 30 to press the tape 1 on the laid-up surface 2a and a parallel linkage 40 to operate in a manner that allows a pressing position and/or a pressing attitude of the pressing part 30 to follow a form of the laid-up surface 2a.