A generally continuous string of container carriers are positioned on a base (35) wherein container carriers are housed on multiple reels (40) and are spliced together between adjacent reels to form the generally continuous string and the multiple reels are arranged on at least one axle (55) for dispensing.

A printing system for printing on sheets of media having a non-uniform thickness profile. A user interface is controlled to instruct the operator to load a media tray with a stack of media having a specified pattern of media orientations. A media transport system picks sequential sheets of media from the media tray. A front end supplies sequential image data having orientations in accordance with the specified pattern of media orientations. A printing module sequentially prints the supplied image data on the sheets of media in accordance with the specified pattern of media orientations.

A system and method for obscuring road signs by applying an opaque adhesive-backed film to the signs from a roll containing the film. The film and adhesive may be able to conceal sign details sufficiently with only one or two layers of film. The film may be pressure-applied with an adhesive selected so as to adhere sufficiently to the signs or to other layers of film without leaving adhesive or other residue on the signs once removed. The film may be perforated at predetermined intervals to facilitate separation, and the system additionally or alternatively may include a cutter to permit the user to separate the film wherever desired. Various polymers may be used for the film, including polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), polypropylene, low density polyethylene (LDPE), polyester, polyolefin, or other coextruded (CoEX) polymer films. Similarly, various adhesives, including latex-, acrylic-, rubber-, or silicone-based adhesives may be used.

A printing system for printing on sheets of media having a non-uniform thickness profile. A user interface is controlled to instruct the operator to load a media tray with a stack of media having a specified pattern of media orientations. A media transport system picks sequential sheets of media from the media tray. A front end supplies sequential image data having orientations in accordance with the specified pattern of media orientations. A printing module sequentially prints the supplied image data on the sheets of media in accordance with the specified pattern of media orientations.

A machine for extending a mesh over a laminar material, including a motorless reel holder shaft with an overrun brake, three clamps through which the mesh runs disposed perpendicularly to the movement of the components to be covered, one of these with a disc cutter. The unrolling of the reel is caused by the advance of at least one of the clamps when closed. It features a control unit, a component detection barrier, and elements for the mesh retained to flex prior to being released upon the component, by moving both clamps together. A method for extending a mesh over a laminar material using the aforementioned machine is also provided.

A dispenser (101) for use in applying a protective barrier layer to a surface or structure using single-handed application. The dispenser (101) comprises a spindle portion (103) and a roller mount element (107), each supported by an end cap (102) and having a free end (105, 109). An application surface (111) of a roller (108) rotatable around the roller mount element (107) is resiliently deformable or deflectable for enabling a user to urgingly apply a load to dispensed material as it is being applied to the surface or structure. Dispensing apparatus (1001) comprises the dispenser (101) and protective barrier layer unit (301) comprising a roll of a layer of material (303) for dispensing by the dispenser (101).

A medium cutting device includes first and second conveying sections and a cutting section. The first conveying section conveys a continuous medium having a perforation that extends in a first direction. The first conveying section conveys the continuous medium in a second direction intersecting the first direction. The second conveying section is spaced from the first conveying section in the second direction, and conveys the continuous medium in the second direction. The cutting section includes a pressing member and a supporting member. The pressing member is movable in the first direction in a gap between the first and second conveying sections. The supporting member movably supports the pressing member in the second direction. The cutting section causes the pressing member to press the continuous medium while causing the pressing member to move in the first direction, thereby cutting the continuous medium at the perforation.

According to some illustrative embodiments, an assembly for selective formation of a plurality of packing station systems is provided that includes: a) a plurality of slit-sheet void-fill dispensers; b) a plurality of slit-sheet wrap expanders; and c) a plurality of support structures, said support structures being configured to selectively support at least one of said plurality of slit-sheet void-fill dispensers and at least one of said plurality of slit-sheet wrap expanders.

A rolled material dispenser; including a roll supporting structure that supports a plurality of rolls of material, each roll of material having a width and a long axis, the roll supporting structure supporting the rolls of material with the long axes parallel and with a free end of the rolled material extending downwardly from each of the of rolls. The dispenser includes a pinch roller assembly located beneath the roll supporting structure. The pinch roller assembly is movable in a direction perpendicular to the long axes of the rolls of material and the pinch rollers have a second long axis oriented parallel to the first long axis. A conveyor is positioned below the pinch roller assembly and a material cutter assembly facilitates cutting the rolled material.

A roll of absorbent socks is provided with a liquid permeable sleeve that houses an absorbent layer with a superabsorbent polymer. Perforated regions are provided spaced apart along the length of the sleeve with a plurality of perforations through the sleeve and the absorbent layer. The perforations define the end of a first sock and the adjacent end of a second sock. Mechanical closure members are provided on opposed sides of and adjacent to each perforated region. When a sock is separated from the role, it has first and second longitudinally spaced apart ends that are closed by the mechanical closure members to prevent superabsorbent polymer from flowing out the ends of the sock.