A method of applying a linerless label to an article wherein a web of joined labels is die cut from a web of label material in which the adhesive is protected by a water-soluble coating which provides a cushion between an anvil and die cutting means. The water-soluble coating is at least partially removed by exposure to water in a press following die-cutting, in a label applicator, or in an off-line unit. The web of joined labels may be wound and unwound between each of the above options. The web of joined labels may be separated in a label applicator by breaking a weakened boundary between adjoining labels or by cutting at a boundary between the label and the adjoining label. The linerless label may contain anti-counterfeit means that may be subsequently identified overtly and/or covertly.

An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming section configured to form a toner image on a sheet having a paste component; and an end pressing section provided on an upstream side of the image forming section in a sheet conveyance direction, and configured to exert a pressure on an end portion of the sheet while moving from a center toward an end of the sheet in a sheet width direction orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction.

A transporting belt constituting a transport device transports a medium supported by a front surface in a transport direction. A removal unit includes a blade that comes into contact with the front surface to remove an adhering substance. A plurality of detectors detect a force received by the blade from the transporting belt or a change in the force. A display unit displays information. An adjustment unit is configured to adjust a position of the blade relative to the transporting belt. Each of the detectors are provided corresponding to a respective one of a plurality of regions into which the transporting belt is divided in the width direction intersecting the transport direction. When the control unit determines that there is an abnormal region among the regions based on detection results of the detectors, the control unit causes the display unit to display information indicating the abnormal region.

A method of removing backing film from a sheet element is provided. The sheet element has a preimpregnated layer, and sheets of backing film are adhered to the top and bottom of the preimpregnated layer. The backing film has a different coefficient of thermal expansion than the preimpregnated layer, and a plane of the sheet element is defined by the peripheral edge. A shear strain is created between the backing films and the preimpregnated layer by cooling the sheet element. A fluid stream is directed at a portion of the peripheral edge, the fluid stream being directed in the plane of the sheet element. The fluid stream causes the backing films to separate from the top and bottom of the preimpregnated layer. A differential pressure is simultaneously applied to the backing films relative to the fluid stream to cause the backing films to be removed from the preimpregnated layer.

A system for suctioning dust and fibrils from a moving web comprising: a suction system; a suction manifold being connected to the suction system; the manifold comprising at least one suction nozzle; the manifold being arranged crossways to the moving web; characterized by the fact that the manifold includes a device for adjusting the distance between the at least one suction nozzle and the web; a roller opposed to the at least one suction nozzle on which the web is made to run.

A method of applying a linerless label to an article wherein a web of joined labels is die cut from a web of label material in which the adhesive is protected by a water-soluble coating which provides a cushion between an anvil and die cutting means. The water-soluble coating is at least partially removed by exposure to water in a press following die-cutting, in a label applicator, or in an off-line unit. The web of joined labels may be wound and unwound between each of the above options. The web of joined labels may be separated in a label applicator by breaking a weakened boundary between adjoining labels or by cutting at a boundary between the label and the adjoining label. The linerless label may contain anti-counterfeit means that may be subsequently identified overtly and/or covertly.

A method of removing backing film from a sheet element is provided. The sheet element has a preimpregnated layer, and sheets of backing film are adhered to the top and bottom of the preimpregnated layer. The backing film has a different coefficient of thermal expansion than the preimpregnated layer, and a plane of the sheet element is defined by the peripheral edge. A shear strain is created between the backing films and the preimpregnated layer by cooling the sheet element. A fluid stream is directed at a portion of the peripheral edge, the fluid stream being directed in the plane of the sheet element. The fluid stream causes the backing films to separate from the top and bottom of the preimpregnated layer. A differential pressure is simultaneously applied to the backing films relative to the fluid stream to cause the backing films to be removed from the preimpregnated layer.

A conveyor includes a first conveyor deck having a first plurality of contact elements, each having a contact surface movable around a closed path from a contact region to a non-contact region, the first contact regions lying in a plane or being bounded by the plane and a second conveyor deck having a second plurality of contact elements, each having a contact surface movable around a closed path from a contact region to a non-contact region, these contact regions lying in a second plane or being bounded by the second plane. The transport path of the conveyor is defined by the contact surfaces of the first and second contact elements in the contact regions, and the first plurality of contact elements are belts and the second plurality of contact elements are wheels.

A conveying apparatus includes an upper conveyor and a lower conveyor, the top of the lower conveyor facing the bottom of the upper conveyor and defining with the bottom of the upper conveyor a sheet transport path. An air duct having an opening facing the top of the upper conveyor is mounted over the upper conveyor, and a fan is provided that is in fluid communication with the air duct. The fan draws air through the opening, into the air duct and out an exhaust vent. A housing substantially encloses the upper conveyor and the lower conveyor and is connected to the air duct, and the housing has a bottom opening located below the sheet transport path such that a majority of the air drawn through the opening by the fan passes through the upper conveyor.

A conveyor includes a first conveyor deck having a first plurality of contact elements, each having a contact surface movable around a closed path from a contact region to a non-contact region, the first contact regions lying in a plane or being bounded by the plane and a second conveyor deck having a second plurality of contact elements, each having a contact surface movable around a closed path from a contact region to a non-contact region, these contact regions lying in a second plane or being bounded by the second plane. The transport path of the conveyor is defined by the contact surfaces of the first and second contact elements in the contact regions, and the first plurality of contact elements are belts and the second plurality of contact elements are wheels.