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Apparatus for labeling objects including fruits supplied to a labeling station by an endless conveyor. Labels on a carrier tape are moved from a supply reel by a knurled roller which impresses a surface weakening pattern on each label so it will readily conform to a non-planar surface of the object. The tape is formed into a feed storage loop by an oscillatable tension regulating arm which controls actuation and deactuation of the knurled roller. An indexing tape segment passes through an indexing block in a transfer station, where each entering label is sensed by a detector. Indexing movement of the tape is initiated by an object detector on the conveyor. Indexing moves the tape around a sharp bend to strip the detected label from the tape and position it in a label holding frame. A label transfer wheel with peripheral suction cups is operated in timed relation to the detection of an object on the conveyor, to move a suction cup under the label in the holding frame, whereupon a vacuum is applied to grip the label and carry it to a position where it is pressed against a surface of the detected object, at which time the vacuum is released. A thin lip of the suction cup is deformed by the pressing action to vent the cup interior to atmosphere. A take-up storage loop is formed by a second oscillatable tension regulating arm which controls the intermittent actuation of a motor driven tape take-up reel.
1. Apparatus for successively applying labels respectively to a plurality of objects, comprising:
(a) a mechanism including a label carrier tape for successively delivering a plurality of detached labels at spaced intervals to a labeling station, each of said labels having an adherent surface and a non-adherent surface;
(b) conveyor means for successively moving a plurality of objects at spaced intervals to said labeling station in synchronism with the delivery of said labels; and
(c) label transfer means at said labeling station for successively transferring the delivered detached labels and applying them to the objects as they are successively moved to the labeling station, said transfer means comprising a rotatable wheel peripherally mounting a plurality of circumferentially spaced suction cups each having a relatively thin peripheral lip, for synchronously releasably gripping the non-adherent surfaces of the delivered labels and applying them with their adherent surfaces engaged with the objects, whereby during application of a label to an object, deformation of the lip will relieve any suction forces remaining within the suction lip.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, which includes means for weakening the non-adherent surface of each label in a crisscross pattern to enable the label to conform to a non-planar surface of the object.
3. Apparatus according to claim 1, which includes means for connecting each of said suction cups with a vacuum source as the cup approaches a label gripping position, and disconnecting the cup from said vacuum source when the label is applied to the object.
4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said vacuum source connecting means includes valve means for gradually reducing the vacuum applied to the suction cup as the cup is moved between the connecting and disconnecting positions of said vacuum source.
5. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which said wheel comprises a plurality of segmental sections respectively having pressure pad means positioned at the wheel periphery, and in which a suction cup is positioned within each of said pad means and conformed to extend radially outwardly beyond the adjacent pad surface.
6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein each of said sections and the pressure pad means are pliable so as to conform to a contacted surface of the object during application of the label thereon.
7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said suction cup is formed with a peripheral lip, and each of said pressure pad means further includes a recess surrounding the periphery of said suction cup such that the lip of said suction cup may be deformed thereinto upon contact of said pressure pad means with the object.
8. Apparatus according to claim 6, in which the detached labels are successively delivered to a label holding frame fixedly mounted closely adjacent the periphery of said wheel and normally extending below a tangent to said wheel and into the path of travel of said pressure pad means, and upon engagement by said pressure pad means, being deflectable to a substantially tangent position with respect to said wheel.
9. Apparatus according to claim 8, including adjustable supporting means for said label holding frame and being operable to vary the spacing and alignment of the frame with respect to the periphery of said wheel.
10. Apparatus according to claim 8, in which said label holding frame has a pair of spaced apart arm extensions formed with confronting channels for guidingly receiving the opposite edge margins of the label for longitudinal sliding movement, and for exposing the non-adherent surface of the label between the arms for engagement by a suction cup as said wheel is rotated.
11. Apparatus according to claim 8, which includes means for stabilizing the peripheral portions of each of said sections adjacent the pressure pad means thereon during its movement past said label holding frame.
12. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which said wheel is carried by a rotatable structure including a shaft having a plurality of longitudinal bores respectively in communication at one end with circumferentially spaced openings in an end face of said shaft, the other ends of said bores being respectively connected with said suction cups; a fixed valving orifice successively connected and disconnected with respect to said openings during the wheel and shaft rotation; and means continuously connecting said valving orifice with a vacuum source, whereby each suction cup will be connected to the vaccum source as it approaches a label gripping position, and disconnected from the vacuum source when the label is applied to the object.
13. Apparatus according to claim 1,
in which the labels are releasably adhered at spaced intervals to said tape;
in which the label delivery mechanism comprises:
means for moving said tape in indexing steps along an indexing path;
means in said indexing path for successively stripping the labels from said tape; and
means for receiving and holding the stripped labels for successive pick-up by said suction cups.
14. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said stripping means includes means for guiding the tape in the indexing path around a sharp bend, whereby the label tends to maintain its integrity and will be stripped from the tape and delivered to said receiving and holding means.
15. Apparatus according to claim 13, which includes label detecting means for detecting the passage of each label on the tape in the indexing path; and means for stopping movement of the tape in the indexing path at a pre-set time following the detection of a label by said detecting means.
16. Apparatus according to claim 13, which includes:
label detecting means for detecting the approaching movement of each label in the indexing path to said stripping means;
object detecting means associated with the conveyor for detecting the approach of each object to the labeling station which is to receive its correspondingly detected label in the indexing path; and
control means activated by the object detecting means for initiating indexing movements of said tape to move the detected label for a predetermined period of time, after the label has passed the label detecting means, whereby movement of the stripped label into the label receiving and holding means may be precisely controlled irrespective of irregularities such as a missing label, and variations in label spacings on the tape.
17. Apparatus according to claim 13, including means for delivering said tape from a tape supply source to said indexing path at a substantially constant, low tension and low inertia to allow rapid acceleration and stopping movements of said tape in indexing steps.
18. Apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the tape delivering means comprises means for storing tape in a feed loop of varying size and under constant tension.
19. Apparatus according to claim 17,
in which said tape delivering means comprises:
a first, fixed roller,
a second, fixed roller, and
a third roller located between said first and second rollers in the path of movement of the tape, said third roller being carried by a swingably mounted arm and being operable to maintain a tape feed constant tension storage loop between the first and second rollers; and
means, actuated by the movement of said third roller in response to a predetermined decrease in the size of the loop, for delivering tape from said tape supply source to said loop.
20. Apparatus according to claim 19, in which a constant tension spring means biases said arm in a direction to increase the size of said loop; and
means actuated by the movement of said third roller in response to a predetermined increase in size of the loop, for stopping the delivery of tape from said tape supply source to said loop.
21. Apparatus according to claim 17, in which the means for delivering said tape from a tape supply source includes means for impressing a surface pattern on the non-adherent side of each label to enable it to more easily adhere to a curved surface.
22. Apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said pattern impressing means comprises a knurling roller.
23. Apparatus according to claim 13, which includes means for collecting tape from the indexing path from which the labels have been stripped, and storing the same on a take-up reel, said collecting means comprising means for storing the collected tape in a take-up loop of varying size and under constant tension.
24. Apparatus according to claim 23,
in which said tape collecting means comprises:
a first, fixed roller,
a second, fixed roller, and
a third roller located between said first and second rollers in the path of movement of the tape, said third roller being carried by a swingably mounted arm and being operable to maintain the take-up loop between the first and second rollers; and
means, actuated by the movement of said third roller in response to a predetermined decrease in the size of the loop, for stopping delivery of the tape from the loop to the take-up reel.
25. Apparatus according to claim 24, in which constant tension spring means biases said arm in a direction to increase the size of said loop; and
means, actuated by the movement of said third roller in response to a predetermined increase in the size of the loop, for delivering tape from the loop to the take-up reel.
26. Apparatus according to claim 1,
in which the labels are releasably adhered at spaced intervals to said tape leading from a supply reel, through a label removing indexing path, and thence to a bare tape take-up reel;
in which means for controlling the tension and inertia of the tape between said reels, comprises:
a regulating tape feed storage loop forming means in the tape path between the supply reel and the indexing path; and
a regulating tape take-up storage loop forming means in the tape path between the indexing path and the take-up reel; and
in which tape driving means are operable in response to demand signals to intermittently move the tape from said feed storage loop means, through said indexing path and thence to said take-up storage loop means.
27. Apparatus according to claim 26, wherein said feed storage loop forming means and said take-up storage loop forming means respectively include means for holding the tape therein under a constant, low tension such that the tape may be moved from said feed storage loop forming means to said take-up storage loop means under low inertia, high acceleration conditions.
28. Apparatus according to claim 26, which includes means for controlling the operating time of movement of the tape following each demand signal.
The present invention relates generally to the field of applying labels to fruits, vegetables, and other objects of varying size.
There has been a growing need in the packaging industry for machines which could successfully apply sophisticated and complex markings to fruit and other objects at relatively high operating speeds, and particularly indicia which might include a multiplicity of colors as well as printing and other markings of complex configuration.
Heretofore, quite a number of machines have been developed and are commercially available for successively printing trademark names, insignia, and other data on fruit, objects, flat containers, and the like, in a continuous operation. Such machines are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,971,459; 3,244,276; and 3,277,815. However, while the machines as disclosed in these patents operate satisfactorily for applying simple indicia, it is readily apparent that machines which utilize printing processes are not capable of applying the more sophisticated and complex markings.
It thus became apparent that the inherent disadvantages of the printing type machine might be solved by utilizing pre-printed labels having a pressure adhesive surface, and an examination of the prior art indicated that automatic labeling machines were already known and available for applying labels to fruits, vegetables and other objects, as exemplified by the machines disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,065,957; 2,621,434; 3,405,021; 3,729,362; and 3,769,139. However, the known labeling machines, as disclosed in these patents, were found to embody mechanical structures which for one reason or another could not be depended upon to accurately apply the labels in a manner to be commercially feasible to high volume operations.
In addition to the apparatus disclosed and known from the above mentioned patents, other apparatus is generally known from a pamphlet (1 sheet) published by the Industrial Tape Division of the 3M Company, entitled "Scotch Vacuum Wheel Applicator", and identified at the bottom of the back page by number P-1VWPSR(97.2)R2. This pamphlet illustrates and describes an automatic taping head designed for the application of predetermined lengths of pressure-sensitive tapes at high rates of speed to a wide variety of products. The apparatus of the present invention differs from the apparatus disclosed in this pamphlet in that separate labels are adhesively mounted on a carrier tape from which they are successively stripped or detached and then individually carried by vacuum cups on a transfer wheel, and applied to the objects.
The present invention relates more specifically to a method and apparatus for applying adhesively pressure bonded labels in a continuous operation to fruits and other objects, and particularly to spheroidal surface areas, as well as other non-planar surfaces, at high operating speeds.
It is one object of the herein described invention to provide an improved apparatus for the automatic application of adhesively bonded labels to objects generally, and to fruits and the like in particular, which have a more or less rounded surface contour.
A further object resides in the provision of apparatus according to the foregoing object, which will accommodate objects of varying sizes at relatively high operating speeds, and which will operate in a consistent and dependable manner.
A further object is to provide in label applying apparatus, a unique mechanism for feeding a label carrying tape, in which a constant tension storage feed loop coacts with a constant tension take-up loop to create a central indexing loop having a low constant tension and substantially inertia free dynamic behavior which permits rapid and high speed acceleration during indexing operations of the tape.
A still further object is to provide in such apparatus, a unique transfer wheel with suction cups successively operable to grippingly engage labels as they are detached from the carrier tape, and transport and apply them to the surface of the objects or fruits as such objects or fruits are successively moved to a labeling station, and wherein the transfer wheel further embodies associated valving means for controlling the connection of a vacuum to each suction cup as it picks up the label, and thereafter decrease and discontinue the vacuum action as the label is applied to the object or fruit.
Another object is to provide an improved labeling apparatus of the type utilizing a label carrier tape, which includes means for impressing a pattern on the outer surface of the labels carried by the tape so as to weaken the label surface and permit it to readily conform to non-planar surface portions of an object or fruit during the application of the label thereto.
It is also an object to provide labeling apparatus which includes unique sensing and control means for coordinating the delivery and application of labels in such a manner that the labels will be transferred to the object or fruit only when an object or fruit is delivered at the labeling station.
These and other objects and features are accomplished by the apparatus and method of the present invention, wherein it will be seen that separate interconnected mechanisms are utilized respectively for supplying the labels and for supplying fruit or other objects to a labeling station where the labels are to be applied.
The mechanism for supplying the fruits or objects comprises a conveyor such as, for example, a conveyor of a type illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 3,277,815 which operates to pre-orient the fruit as it approaches the labeling station.
The tape feeding mechanism is arranged to feed the label carrying tape into a constant tension storage feed loop which coacts with a constant tension take-up loop to create a central indexing loop having a low constant tension and substantially inertia free dynamic portion which may be rapidly accelerated at high speed during indexing operations of the tape, during which the tape is moved forwardly around a sharp bend to effect removal of a label and its deposit into a holding frame.
As the tape is fed into the feed storage loop, it passes over a knurled roller which impresses a pattern on the outer surface of each label that allows the label to more readily conform to curved surface portions of the fruit or object during its application thereto.
Indexing movements of the tape are controlled by detecting means which senses the arrival of objects on the conveyor at a predetermined position, and in order that appropriate labels will be moved into the holder only when there will be a sensed object arriving in the labeling section to receive the label.
A transfer wheel carries a plurality of suction cups which are supported on flexible sequential sections of the wheel and arranged to successively grippingly pick up the labels from the holder frame and transport them to and apply them to the fruit or objects as they arrive at the labeling station. The transfer wheel assembly embodies a valving mechanism which is arranged to connect a vacuum source with each suction cup as it picks up a label, and thereafter disconnect the vacuum as the label is being applied to the object or fruit.
Further objects and advantages of the invention will be brought out in the following part of the specification, wherein detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing the invention without placing limitations thereon.
In the drawings, which are to be regarded as merely illustrative:
FIG. 1 is an elevational view of apparatus according to the present invention, as seen from an end thereof adjacent the labeling station;
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view, partly in section, as seen along the line 2--2 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view, taken substantially on the line 3--3 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken substantially on line 4--4 of FIG. 3, and showing details of the vacuum control valve means;
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing the tape system and control means therefor as employed with the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 6--6 of FIG. 5, and showing details of the tape pinch roll drive and label knurling means;
FIG. 7 is a transverse sectional view through the drive and knurling means, taken substantially on line 7--7 of FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view diagrammatically illustrating the cooperative operation of the driving and knurling rollers for impressing the knurling pattern on a label carried by the tape;
FIG. 9 is a fragmentary plan view of an exemplary label, mounted on a carrying tape and knurled in such a manner that the printed surface of the tape is weakened but not torn;
FIG. 10 is an enlarged side, sectional view taken through the indexing block and showing the path of travel of the label-carrying tape therethrough;
FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 11--11 of FIG. 10, and showing the relationship of the indexing block and label transferring wheel;
FIG. 11a is an enlargement of the sectional portion of the label holding frame, as indicated at 11a in FIG. 11;
FIG. 12 is a fragmentary plan view illustrating the details of the mounting of the label holding frame on the indexing means, as seen along a line 12--12 of FIG. 10;
FIG. 13 is a fragmentary plan view of a suction cup and its surrounding surface at the periphery of the transfer wheel;
FIG. 14 is a transverse sectional view of the indexing block, taken substantially on line 14--14 of FIG. 10;
FIG. 15 is a greatly enlarged view, partly in section, and illustrating the operative relationship of the transfer wheel and the conveyor at the time a label is being applied to an object;
FIG. 16 is a view similar to that of FIG. 13, and illustrating the deformation of the transfer wheel and suction cup during the time the label is being applied to the object; and
FIG. 17 is a schematic illustration of the operative components of the apparatus of the present invention and the means for controlling their operation.
Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, and more particularly to FIGS. 1, 2, and 15, there is shown a conveyor generally illustrated at 21 comprising a plurality of rollers 23 which are mounted to extend between a pair of spaced apart parallel chains 25 for translational movement. Although not illustrated in the drawings, the ends of the rollers are arranged to contact fixed support means so that, as the chains 25 move the rollers in translation, they are rotated by frictional contact with the fixed support.
As is particularly well illustrated in FIG. 1, the rollers are provided with sleeves or otherwise suitably shaped so as to form pockets 27 therebetween. An object 31, such as the illustrated orange to be labeled, is carried in the pocket formed by adjacent rollers. Thus, as has been shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,971,459, the oranges will be rotated to correspondingly orient their longer axes due to the sinusoidal geometry of the pockets. As will be realized, the rotation of the oranges aids in the proper seating of a label thereon.
Of course, those skilled in the art will realize that, while the conveyor 21 illustrated in these drawings is the presently preferred structure, any suitable conveyor may be utilized and its choice may depend as much upon the type of object to be labeled, as any other factor.
A suitable fruit detector 33, as shown in FIG. 2, is mounted adjacent the conveyor so as to sense the presence of an orange or object in any particular pocket. At the present time, it is envisioned that the fruit detector may comprise an operatively associated suitable light emitter means and photo-electric detection means to sense the passage of an object either by causing the object to intercept a light beam between the emitter and the detection means, or to cause the object to reflect the light beam from the emitter toward the detection means. Regardless of the type of detection unit employed, those skilled in the art will realize that the objective here is merely the detection of the arrival of the object at a predetermined location in relation to a labeling station as generally indicated at 37.
When the labeled objects have passed the labeling station 37, the labeled objects may be discharged from the conveyor into a trough 39 or other desired handling device.
In the illustrated embodiment, the conveyor is arranged to be driven by a motor 41 (FIG. 1) acting through a chain or belt drive 43 to rotate a conveyor shaft 45 which carries a pair of chain driving sprockets 47 (FIG. 2) respectively engaged with the conveyor chains 25 to drive the conveyor in the direction indicated by the arrow 49 in FIG. 2. Also, securely mounted on the conveyor drive shaft 45 is a rotary platen 46 having spokes 48 which extend between adjacent rollers and assist in supporting the object during the application of the label. If desired, the end of each spoke may be provided with a tip 48a of suitable resilient material to prevent injury to the object, when such object is a fruit such as an orange.
As shown in FIG. 1, there may also be fixedly mounted on the shaft 45 a gear 51 which is located in driving relationship with a gear 53 fixedly mounted on a shaft 55 in order that these shafts may be rotated in synchronism. Both shafts 45 and 55 are mounted for rotation in appropriate bearings mounted on frame members 57.
As best shown in FIGS. 2, 10, and 15, a label transfer wheel 61 is mounted on the shaft 55 for rotation therewith, and comprises a plurality of segmental sections 63 which are constructed of a relatively flexible or pliable material.
Referring now particularly to FIGS. 2 and 3, a sleeve 65 is shown as being fixed to the shaft 55 for rotation therewith, and also being coupled to an axially aligned manifold shaft 67 for unitary rotation therewith. The sleeve 65 has a substantially square opening therethrough and the shafts 55 and 67 are also of square form for so much thereof as is within the sleeve 65. Although any suitable shaft and sleeve shape may be employed, it will be appreciated that the square or rectangular configurations will facilitate the installation of the segmental sections 63 to the sleeve and improve the drivability, without slip. Thus, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, each section 63 is fastened to the sleeve 65 by means of a plate or bar 69 and suitable retaining bolts 71. This arrangement not only simplifies mounting of the sections of the wheel, but also improves the ability of each section to flex relative to the sleeve and to each other.
As seen at the right hand portion of FIG. 3, the shaft 67 is rotatably supported by a suitable bearing 75 and terminates at its outer end in a portion of reduced diameter 77 which is rotatably seated within an end socket 79 of a stationary valving member 81. The other end of the valving member is also formed with an end socket 83 which is separated from the end socket 79 by a partition wall 85 containing a valving orifice 87. The end socket 83 at its outer end is connected with an end of a pipe 89 by a connection plug 91 of plastic or other suitable material, this plug being secured as by retaining screws 93. The inner end of the plug 91 is spaced from the bottom of the socket 83 and cooperates therewith to form a chamber 95 having communication with the valving orifice 87 and the pipe 89. A U-shaped strap 91 has its leg portions secured to the frame 57, as illustrated in FIG. 1, and at its bridging portion is provided with clamping means 93 which may be actuated in a well known manner as by a clamping bolt 95 to grip and hold the pipe 89 in fixed position.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the pipe 89 is arranged for connection with a vacuum system so as to continuously maintain a fluid suction in the chamber 95 in communication with the valving orifice 87. As shown in FIG. 4, the valving orifice 87 is shaped to provide a flow channel having a transverse configuration similar to a "comma" and progressively decreases from a large flow area at one end to a minimum flow area at the other end. On the other side of the partition wall 85, the manifold shaft 67 is formed to provide a plurality of circumferentially spaced bores 113 which successively communicate with the orifice 87 as the shaft 67 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrows in FIG. 4. As can be seen, the flow through each bore 113 will vary from a maximum, when in registration with the large end of the orifice 87, and decrease gradually to a minimum as it moves to the small end, and is finally cut off by movement out of registration.
As best shown in FIGS. 3, 10 and 15, each bore 113 connects with a radially oriented flexible conduit 121 that leads to a suction cup 127 mounted in the central area of an upraised pressure pad or protuberance 125 at the periphery of each segmental section 63. The suction cup 127 is formed with a very thin, pliable lip 128. For a purpose to be explained later, a groove or recess 129 is formed to extend about the suction cup lip.
From a consideration of FIGS. 2-4 and 15, it will be realized that as the label transfer wheel rotates, the sections 63 will be carried successively through a point vertically positioned above the axis of rotation of the manifold shaft 67, and that at this point the suction cups 127 of each section will be placed initially in communication with the vacuum source via the radial conduit 121, the associated axial bore 113, the valving orifice 87, and the pipe 89. As the transfer wheel 61 continues its rotation in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 2, suction will continue to be applied to the suction cup in a gradually decreasing amount, as determined by the narrowing of the width of the orifice 87, until the suction cup reaches a point vertically positioned directly below the axis of rotation of the manifold shaft 67. As the wheel rotation carries the suction cup through this lower point the suction will be cut off entirely and remain cut off until the suction cup again reaches the upper point.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the apparatus further includes a mechanism for successively supplying the required labels from a suitable label source in a manner which will permit their being successively picked up by the suction cups 127 on the label transfer wheel 61 at the previously mentioned upper point and carried to the lower point, where they are successively applied to the objects as they arrive on the conveyor.
The mechanism for supplying the labels is contained within a suitable housing 151 which is positioned in a location generally above that of the associated transfer wheel 61 and the conveyor 21. Preferably, the housing 151 is supported so that its operating position with respect to the transfer wheel 61 can be variably adjusted as to alignment and spacing. For such purpose, as shown in FIG. 1, the housing 151 is supported at one end of a horizontally extending arm 150 by suitable conventional vertically movable means 152 which can be adjusted by an operating crank 154. The arm 150 is suitably supported for axial adjustment at the upper end of a rotatably mounted post support 156 which can be releasably held in an adjusted position by a suitable clamp 158.
More specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the housing 151 mounts a tape supply reel 153 for a label carrying web or tape 155. Preferably, the tape is pre-treated to releasably affix a plurality of labels 170 thereto, each of said labels having a printed surface on the side thereof away from the tape and an adhesive bonding surface on the side thereof in engagement with the tape. The affixed labels will adhere to the tape until they are peeled off, but the adherence will be relatively light so that peeling can be easily accomplished.
As shown, the tape is moved past a suitable microswitch 157 which may be utilized for stopping the apparatus by providing a stop signal when the end of the tape is withdrawn from the reel 153. Also, as illustrated, suitable locating and/or tensioning rollers 159 are operatively associated with the tape 155.
The tape is withdrawn from the supply reel 153 by a pair of pinch rollers 161 and 163 rotatably mounted within a subhousing 165. As shown in FIG. 6, the roller 161 is formed with a knurled surface, while the roller 163 has a relatively smooth surface. Within the housing 165, the roller 163 is mounted within a carrier 173 which is supported for guided movement towards the roller 161 in opposition to a biasing force produced by a plurality of compression springs 175. The springs 175 may be positioned at various locations (such as the four illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7) between the carrier 173 and portions of the housing 165 in which the roller 161 is rotatably mounted. The carrier 173 is arranged to be actuated toward the roller 161 by means of a manually operable cam lever 179. Thus, when it is desired to thread the tape 155 between the rollers, the cam lever 179 may be rotated in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 7, allowing the rollers to be separated slightly by the action of the springs 175 so that the tape can be easily threaded between them. Then, the cam lever 179 may be rotated back to the position illustrated so as to bias the rollers toward one another. As seen in FIG. 6, the cam lever 179 may be biased toward a predetermined position relative to the carrier 173 by means of a spring 181 which may be coaxially located on the shaft upon which the cam lever 179 is rotatably mounted.
The roller 161 may be mounted for rotation with or relative to a shaft 183 within the housing 165. The roller may be fixed to a drive sprocket 185 for rotation by means of a toothed drive belt 189, as illustrated in FIG. 5, driven by a suitable driving motor 191. Thus, when the motor 191 is energized, the rollers 161 and 163 will draw the tape 155 from the reel 153, and as the tape passes between the rollers, the knurled surface of the roller 161 will impress a crisscross pattern on the printed surface or face of each label 170, as illustrated in FIG. 9, which will enable the label to more easily adhere to an uneven or curved surface. Upon leaving the pinch rollers 161 and 163, the tape is carried through an adjustable feed storage loop 155a extending between the roller 161 and a fixed roller 201. The size of the loop may be varied by means of a roller 203 rotatably mounted at the outer end of a tape tension regulating arm 205 which is arranged to swing between predetermined angular locations about an axle 207. The arm 205 is fixed to a disc 209 upon which a pair of magnets 211 and 213 are mounted.
The arm 205 is biased for movement in a counterclockwise direction about axle 207, as seen in FIG. 5, by means of a conventional constant tension spring 215. A sensing device 217 is operably associated with the disc 209 for selective actuation by the magnets 211 and 213 to generate start and stop signals, respectively, for the control of the motor 191. As thus arranged, when sufficient tape is drawn from the feed storage loop 155a to swing the roller 203 to the position as shown in phantom lines at 203a, the magnet 111 will activate the sensing device 217 to start the motor 191 so as to drive the pinch rollers 161 and 163 and feed additional tape into the storage loop until the roller 203 moves to the phantom line position 203b, under the force of the constant tension spring 215, whereupon the magnet 213 will activate the sensing device 217 to stop the motor 191 and discontinue the further feeding of tape to the storage loop until the stored supply is again depleted.
A safety feature is provided to stop the operation of the apparatus in the event the tape should break, and for this purpose a detector 219 in the form of a microswitch, as shown in FIG. 5 is positioned in the path of movement of the arm 205 where it will be operated thereby if the arm is permitted to swing beyond the roller position 203b.
As the tape passes the idler roller 201, it enters the central indexing loop 155b, during which time it is carried through an indexing or transfer head 225, wherein the labels are stripped from the tape and transferred to the label transfer wheel 61 in a manner which will be described presently.
The indexing loop 155b of the tape travel path is the central dynamic portion of the tape system, and it is in this part of the tape system that it is extremely important to maintain as low a tension on the tape as possible, to maintain the tension at a constant value, and to present the tape to the label transfer station under a practically inertia-free condition so that it can be accelerated very rapidly. In this manner, the tape can be stepped or indexed to provide the necessary start-and-stop operations in the tape movement to properly transfer the labels at the proper moment. This indexing movement of the tape is accomplished by means of a driving stepper motor 227 which is connected by a toothed belt 229 to drivingly rotate a pair of pinch rollers 231 and 233 between which the tape passes. These rollers may be provided with cam means similar to that illustrated in FIG. 7 for the release of the rollers 161 and 163 to facilitate threading the tape therebetween.
As the tape leaves the central indexing loop it is carried over an idler roller 237, and then enters a take-up storage loop 155c formed between the roller 237 and an idler roller 201a. The loop size is controlled by a roller 203c mounted at the outer end of a tape tension regulating arm 205a, which may be biased for swinging movement in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 5, about an axle 207a by means of a conventional constant tension spring 215a. Magnets 211a and 213a in this case selectively control a sensing device 217a in a manner such that, when the roller reaches the position 203d, the magnet 211a activates the sensor so as to energize a drive motor 241. This motor is drivingly connected by a toothed belt 243 with a take-up spool of reel 245 for drawing tape from the loop 155c. Similarly, when the roller reaches the position 203e, the magnet 213a will activate the sensing device 217a to stop the drive motor 241, thereby terminating the rotation of the take-up reel 245. The indexing motor 227 continues to pull the tape from the central indexing loop 155b into the take-up loop 155c, and as a consequence arm 205a will again move until the roller reaches the position 203d, whereupon the take-up operation will begin again. As in the case of the feed storage loop 155a, a detector 219a is provided to stop the operation of the apparatus in the event of tape breakage in the loop 155c.
Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the tape is moved through the central dynamic loop 155b with a constant low tension and minimum inertia. As the tape is used in the central indexing loop 155b, the size of the feed storage loop 155a decreases and the size of the take-up storage loop 155c increases. The sensors associated with each of these loops maintain their respective drive units in the off positions until the arms 205 and 205a reach the position in which the sensors 217 and 217a are actuated by their respective magnets. At that point, the drive motors 191 and 241 are controlled to increase the size of the feed storage loop 155a and decrease the size of the take-up storage loop 155c in the manner described previously. When these loops are at their maximum and minimum values, respectively, the magnets cooperate with the sensors to shut off the drive motors. Of course, it will be appreciated that these operations with respect to the two tension regulating arms need not always occur simultaneously and there is no necessity that such simultaneous operation be accomplished.
Although not specifically shown, it is preferable that each of the drive motors 191 and 241 includes an associated brake of either electrical or mechanical type so that starting and stopping of the movements of the arms 205 and 205a will be substantially instantaneous with the actuation of their respective sensors.
Referring more particularly to FIGS. 10-14, the mechanism for transferring a label from the tape 155 will now be described. As discussed previously, an indexing or transfer head 225 is located within the central indexing loop 155b of the tape in such a manner that the tape passes therethrough at a location closely adjacent the periphery of the label transfer wheel 61.
More specifically, the indexing head 225 comprises a housing 301 through which the tape of the loop 155b passes along a predetermined guide path as shown in FIGS. 10 and 14. The tape is moved past a suitable label detector which will sense the presence of the label. For example, the tape may be passed between a light beam emitter 303 and a photocell 305, as illustrated. The label detector may also be of the retroreflective type in which the light beam emitter and the photocell would be positioned on the same side of the tape. It will be appreciated, of course, that if the label detector employs the broken light beam principle the tape should be translucent. On the other hand, if the reflective principle is utilized, it is imperative that the tape be non-reflective.
After passing the label detector, the tape is moved forwardly around a sharp bend 309. As the tape traverses the bend, each label will attempt to maintain its integrity and will be peeled from the tape at its leading edge and continues on into a label holding frame 311 mounted within a surface 313.
The purpose of the previously mentioned fruit detector 33 and the label detectors 303, 305 with their associated control is to assure that for each detected fruit a label will be indexed into the holding frame 311 so as to be picked up by the transfer wheel 61 and applied to the detected fruit upon arrival at the labeling station.
The indexing operation is initiated by the fruit detector 33, which is activated by the detected fruit to produce an "on" signal to cause the motor 227 to drive the rollers 231 and 233 to advance the tape and move the detected label. By suitable control which permits the motor 227 to run for a preprogrammed length of time after the detected label has passed by the label detector, the amount of detached portion of the label to be placed in the holding frame 311 can be precisely determined and controlled irrespective of a missing label, irregularities in the label spacings, etc.
In the event a label is missing, or a label has not been detected, the indexing operation will continue until a label is delivered to the holding frame 311 for the particular detected fruit. Also, in the event that a fruit is missing on the conveyor, the fruit detector will not be activated and, as a consequence, no label will in this case be delivered to the holding frame 311.
As shown in FIG. 11, the surface 313 is formed on the undersides of a pair of supports 315 and 317 which are separated by a channel 319 in which the frame 311 is located. Moreover, the surface 313 is longitudinally of radial concave form about the axis of the vacuum transfer wheel 61. A plurality of axially spaced parallel rollers 321 are mounted in the support 315 and a like plurality of rollers 323 are mounted in the support 317, with portions of their outer surfaces projecting outwardly beyond the surface 313. Preferably, the rollers on one side of the channel 319 are respectively coaxially aligned with the rollers on the opposite side of the channel.
As part of the indexing block, these rollers serve to form dynamic stabilizing means for the vacuum transfer wheel 61 which may rotate and accelerate at high velocities. The rollers, which may be of Teflon or other similar material, allow smooth travel of the lateral peripheral surfaces of the segmental sections 63 as they pass through the transfer station formed by the indexing block 225. Since the sections 63 are preferably relatively flexible, so that they may be employed to firmly apply the labels to objects of varied sizes, and since the wheel will rotate at relatively high speed during operation, it becomes necessary to provide structure means which will stabilize the dynamic behavior of the wheel sections, particularly during the transfer of the label from the frame 311 to the transfer wheel 61. For this purpose, the rollers 321 and 323 are located to cooperate with the peripheral lateral surfaces of the segmental sections 63, as shown in FIG. 11. Thus, the protuberance 125 of each section 63, which carries the suction cup 127, will be permitted to pass through the channel 319 in the indexing head in a stabilized fashion.
As the label 170 is stripped from the tape segment 155b, it will enter the label holding frame 311 in the manner shown in FIGS. 10-12. More specifically, the frame 311 is shown as comprising a base portion 331 which may be adjustably fastened at one end within the channel 319 as by means of the end slots 330 and screws 332. At the other end, a pair of frame arms 333 are formed to include laterally spaced extensions 331a of the base portion 331 in such a manner that the arms are flexibly mounted on the indexing head. As shown in FIG. 11a, each extension 331a may be provided with an overlying section 341 which cooperates therewith to form a guide channel 342 with an inner side opening 343 for the reception of an edge margin of a label received in the frame holder. Preferably, the overlying section 341 is of Teflon or other suitable material which will not adhere to the adhesive on the labels. When a label is deposited in the holding frame 333, its trailing end preferably remains loosely attached to the tape segment 155b when tape movement is stopped, while the side edges of the printed surface of the label will be in contact with the arm extensions 331a. Thus, as viewed in FIGS. 10 and 11, the adhesive surface of the label faces away from the transfer wheel 61 and the printed surface is located close to the wheel periphery.
In the preferred embodiment, the natural angle of inclination of the arm extensions 331a relative to the portion of the base 331 fixed to the indexing block, is approximately 15° downwardly as shown at 331a in FIG. 10. In other words, considering a line tangent to the periphery of the vacuum transfer wheel 61, the arms 333 extend approximately 15° below the tangent or closer to the axis of the wheel. As the wheel rotates, the protuberances push against the arms, lifting them until they are in a plane substantially tangent to the periphery of the protuberance as shown in FIG. 10.
As the rubber section 63 passes under the label holding frame 311, the elastic characteristics of the steel allow the arms 333 and the label being held therein to be deflected from the position 311a to the position 311. Once the suction cup 127 of the protuberance or pressure pad 125 reaches a position under the label in the holding frame, the valving orifice 87 operates to connect the suction cup with the vacuum source, whereupon the vacuum cup grips the label and withdraws it from the holding frame as the transfer wheel continues to rotate. Continued rotation of the transfer wheel 61 will carry the pressure pad 125 into a position of contact with the previously detected object or fruit on the conveyor. As the synchronized contact movement of the pad and fruit continues, the pad 125 will be deformed with the label around the fruit, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, exerting a normalizing pressure on the surface of the fruit and causing the label to adhere to the fruit surface through the adhesion of the pressure sensitive adhesive thereon. The orifice valve 87 now functions to gradually reduce and cut off the vacuum applied to the suction cup as the fruit and pressure pad 125 begin to move apart. During application of the label, the lip 128 of the suction cup will be deformed into the groove 129 surrounding it, as illustrated particularly in FIG. 16, causing the lip to separate from the label and relieve any vacuum which might be remaining in the suction cup. In this manner, the label is uniformly bonded to the fruit surface with little or no wrinkling. It will be apparent also, that the deformation of the pressure pad 125 will cause the label 170 to be pressed against the fruit substantially throughout its entire surface so as to provide total adhesion of the label to the fruit.
The operation will now be described with particular reference to FIG. 17. Prior to the starting of a production run, the apparatus will be provided with a supply of label bearing tape 155 which is properly threaded from the supply reel 153 through the storage loop, the indexing head, and the take-up loop back to the take-up reel 245, as shown in FIG. 5.
With the apparatus turned on, the conveyor 21 will now operate to successively advance the objects or fruit to the labeling station 37, and as each fruit approaches the labeling station, the fruit detector 33 will produce an "on" control signal which will be operative through a master relay 401 to energize the stepping motor 227 which will then drive the pinch rollers 231 and 233 to draw the tape through the indexing head 225. A label 170 is delivered into the holding frame 311 for subsequent application to the particular detected fruit.
As the conveyor continues to carry the detected fruit towards the labeling station 37, the snychronized rotation of the vacuum transfer wheel 61 will carry the pressure pad 125 into a position in which the suction cup 127 will engage the exposed printed side of the label. At this point, a vacuum source is connected with the suction cup which then firmly grips and holds the label so that upon continued rotation of the transfer wheel, the label will be withdrawn from the holding frame as it is carried to the labeling station for application to the surface of the detected fruit.
In the labeling station, the pressure pad will engage the outer surface of the fruit, and as the pad and fruit are synchronously moved, the pressure pad 125 will be deformed so as to firmly press the adherent side of the label against the fruit. At this point of rotation of the transfer wheel, the vacuum control will disconnect the suction cup. Simultaneously, the deformation of the pressure pad acts to deform the lip of the suction cup in such a manner that any vacuum remaining in the suction cup will be relieved with respect to the associated label. The labeled fruit is then discharged from the conveyor into the receiving trough 39. As the apparatus continues to operate, labels will be applied in a similar manner to each detected fruit.
Various modifications may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention described herein, and hence, there is no wish to be restricted to the specific form shown or uses mentioned, except to the extent indicated in the appended claims.
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Special Edition
In order to support the implementation of the institution's new Performance and Development Review scheme, faculty-based training is being run on the following four dates:
These sessions are a compressed version of the training that is being delivered centrally during the spring/summer term and are designed to update staff with previous experience of conducting appraisals/performance reviews. Those staff who are new to conducting reviews should attend the central training programme.
Experienced reviewers only need to attend one of the above (i.e. same content will be delivered at each session). Availability is limited and places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Please ask staff in your department to contact Jane Quinn to reserve your place.
National Instruments will offer introductory training in LabVIEW at the University of Lancaster on Thursday 26 March. This free event, hosted by National Instruments, will feature technical sessions and product demonstrations based on National Instruments LabVIEW. For further details, go to www.lancs.ac.uk/depts/physics/wotsnew/LabVIEW/Labview.html.
The Postgraduate Statistics Centre is offering funding for up to five mini-projects to commence in May 2009. Up to Ł5,000 is available for each. For further details and information about applying, go to www.maths.lancs.ac.uk/department/postgraduate/miniproject.

subset: commoncrawl


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Comment 06 Mar 2014
This should say "meanwhile in Louisville".
Member since 09 June 2013 | Blog
Helmet Stickers: 116 | Leaderboard
Voting Record: 23 / 3
Rock Hill is a beautiful place. I always stop there to gas up and grab a bite to eat while making the trip from Savannah, GA to Columbus, OH to see my parents.


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Hemenway Associates, Inc.
5310 South 139th Plaza, Suite 301
Phone: (402) 339‐4040 Fax: (402) 339‐9733
Toll Free: 1-888-516-7942
5310 South 139th Plaza, Suite 301
Phone: (402) 339‐4040 Fax: (402) 339‐9733
Toll Free: 1-888-516-7942
HD Vest Market Updates:
Other Published Articles:
Whether you are an employer or self-employed, you are responsible for paying federal, state and local taxes. As an employer with employees, you must withhold certain taxes from your employees' paychecks. The full article can be found here from the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Tax Publications:
If you want to stay current on all the tax news and publications, please click here to read the publications from the IRS.
Tax Tips:
A listing of Tax Tips for 2014 for individuals and companies from the IRS.
It's tax season, and wonder how much your items are worth for donations? Click here to get a listing of what your items are worth according to Salvation Army.
Are you are small business owner? Looking to set up a small business? Here is a great article that talks about small business expenses and to the two tax deductions. To read more of the this article by U.S. Small Business Administration click here.
Here is a helpful Fact Sheet: Tax Breaks for Small businesses from U.S. Small Business Administration.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are not a resident of the states noted below, all investment-related information on this site is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation or offer to sell securities over the internet.
Joseph J Hemenway is a registered representative registered to transact business with clients in: AK, AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IA, IL, MN, MO, ND, NE, NY, OH, SD, TN, TX, VA, and WA. Joseph is also an insurance agent licensed in NE, and TX. Joseph is advisory licensed in the following states: AZ, CA, DE, GA, IA, KS, NE, TN, VA, and WA. Kathryn McDonnell, Joan Hemenway, Crystal Keller and Geoffrey Hemenway are registered representatives registered to transact business with clients in NE. Craig Kiernan is a registered representative registered to transact business with clients in NE. Craig Kiernan is also an insurance agent licensed in NE and is advisory licensed in NE.
*Securities offered through H.D. Vest Investment ServicesSM, Member: SIPC, Advisory Services offered through H.D. Vest Advisory ServicesSM, 6333 North State Highway 161, Fourth Floor, Irving, TX 75038, 972-870-6000.
Hemenway Associates, Inc. is not a registered broker/dealer or independent investment advisory firm.
Investments & Insurance Products: · Are not insured by the FDIC or any federal government agency · Are not deposits of or guaranteed by the bank or any bank affiliate · May lose Value.


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It's astounding, the many ways we have of expressing ourselves and the sense of empowerment this bestows. We can make it known we're for or against an unprecedented number of issues, and all before our first cup of coffee. It complicates matters, though, that there are so many things to be against, no one person can oppose them all. These days, especially, it's important to carefully pick and choose our issues or risk diluting our rancor to the point of futility. How many things can one person reasonably oppose before this happens? I find I can be against only three or four issues at a time before I exhaust myself, so I try to exert some restraint.
Don't forget that you have to be either for or against things. Nuance and ambivalence is so 1970s.
Recently I entered into a debate on Facebook about parents who refuse to vaccinate their children. The "anti-vaxxers," as I've seen many call themselves, are obviously against something, but they're also against anyone who is against their being against it. This must be utterly draining. As someone who is opposed to their anti-vaccination stance, I try not to get too emotionally involved, so when I do comment, I'm inclined to be snide about the lack of comprehension of basic science, or to point out the logical inconsistency of their arguments. I've noticed that many of the "sources" they cite are personal blogs or obscure health sites, while organizations like the Centers for Disease Control or the World Health Organization are shunned as mainstream or governmental. This enables them to make statements that in any other context would be blatantly false.
It's amazing how that works. On the internet, you can make any claim at all, and this allows people who want to believe your claim to 1) believe it, and 2) use your site as a reference to prove it. So I can write that the world's scientific community has overwhelmingly embraced the theory that Earth will be sucked into a black hole by the year 2025 and, even though it's a lie, you can cite this blog as proof. After all, once a claim is out there, it's out there—it can never wholly be taken back, no matter how many experts refute it. (Take, for instance, the ongoing nonsense about President Obama being Muslim or having been born in Kenya. Neither will ever go away.) So although The Lancet retracted in 2010 the scientific paper by Andrew Wakefield that linked MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccinations to autism, and although Britain revoked Wakefield's license to practice medicine, the idea persists that the two are causally linked. And this has led to a decrease in the number of parents getting their kids vaccinated.
Despite my inclination toward sarcasm, real consequences result from willful ignorance and the biggest losers are always, always children. If anti-vaxxers' decisions only affected their own kids, that would be sad in itself, but there might be valid arguments for allowing them to fuck up their own progeny. Alas, that's not the way vaccines work; if you don't understand this, take a quick look at this explanation of community immunity by the NIH, so simple and clear I'm quite sure a seven-year-old would understand it. This CDC page addressing misconceptions about vaccines is also helpful—unless, that is, you've contracted the very contagious habit of automatically discounting any information coming from a government agency.
I'm not a scientist; I'm just married to one. I am very much aware of my own ignorance, which is why I tend to consult people who have studied and worked hard in a field, as well as to trust the consensus of scientists, because there's a system of checks and balances in place. The progress of civilization, after all, depends on the advancement of knowledge. It seems to me that those of us who aren't in the business of advancing knowledge would do well to have a bit more trust in those who are.
Photo: Top: Stop sign with bullet holes © Dlrz4114; Bottom: vials and syringe © Maksym Yemelyanov; Both via Dreamstime.com
* Thanks, Groucho!


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A multiple device experience
We all consume and access information via a diverse set of digital channels & devices and job seeking is no different. From our most recent research we know that jobseekers use a number of different channels and devices to find their next role. Madgex supports all our channels under a single service level agreement ensuring consistent service levels for our clients and their jobseekers and recruiters.
Our job board software includes individually designed fully hosted jobseeker and recruiter websites. Each site is highly configurable with options for customised designs aligned to your brand. We manage the entire design and build process from initial consultancy through to launch. As part of our innovation led approach, we provide an ongoing stream of new features and functionality to help you remain at the forefront of digital recruitment technology.
Email marketing
Push notification services are the most effective method to drive high quality jobseeker traffic and applications. Our job board software is rich in functionality with total administrative control allowing campaigns to be seamlessly executed and managed. Our clients drive significant revenues and profit by leveraging standard push notification abilities through our software.
Mobile penetration has increased dramatically due to the rapid adoption of smartphone and tablet devices. This fundamental shift of how and where we consume the web presents a huge opportunity to engage with a growing mobile jobseeker audience.
With more than three years experience providing mobile technologies to jobseekers and job board operators we have good understanding of both the technology and behaviour in the mobile space. Madgex uses a range of mobile technologies to ensure that you provide a high quality application experience irrespective of device. This includes mobile web apps which are standard channels within our job board software and if required additional iPhone and Android apps.
Social media
Our clients social media and recruitment activities are symbiotic. Social media is another channel which has become essential to engage and monetise jobseekers. Out of the box our standard software integrates with all the major social media platforms. This continues to be an area of constant innovation and addition for us to ensure our clients are always enabled to compete effectively for jobseekers and revenue. Whether your jobseekers wish to share a job with their social connections or you wish to distribute your job content into social networks Madgex has the capability to deliver this and more importantly monetise.
Search Engine Optimisation
Our ongoing research indicates that a third of job board traffic comes in from search, making the SEO of your job board a critical success factor. Madgex has an extensive range of case studies that show detailed evidence of increases in traffic, registered jobseekers, applications, revenues and profit delivered when clients migrate onto our platform due to the design advantages and flexibility around optimisation.
SEO industry experts will independently verify that the Madgex platform is the most well designed online recruitment technology in the market place in terms of SEO. Intelligent and subtle design concepts have consistently delivered business performance improvements to our clients.
Web widgets & APIs
As standard we provide tools to help import and export your job data to various applications and web sites. Web widgets are simple and effective tool to display your jobs on other web sites to drive targeted jobseeker traffic. The widget builder tool can be customised based on a range of criteria to create a fully branded widget.
Our APIs have been developed to enable third party job posting services, such as Broadbean, to import job content seamlessly to your job board. Similarly you can use XML feeds to search and retrieve data from within the job board so that it can be used by third party websites.
More about our services
Revenue generation
Our job board software includes a wide selection of options to maximize your job board revenues
Ongoing innovation
We are constantly adding new and innovative features to help our clients remain at the cutting edge of job board technology
International services
For job board owners we provide our software in ten languages supporting our growing global client base


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Daybreak Montreal | Mar 19, 2013 | 9:28
Family lodges complaint after baby was taken at birth
Isabel Villeneuve and Danny Tabo-oy had their newborn daughter taken away just hours after she was born. Child welfare services placed the baby in foster care because of a false-positive drug test. The family was in the Daybreak studio.


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Clippard JPC Pilot-Operated Check Valves
10/30/2012 - 10:11am
Clippard's JPC series valves work as standard check valves, but can be operated with an air pilot signal providing for "free flow" in the normally checked position. These new valves provide the user with a reliable method to check flow in one direction, with the ability to remotely signal a free flow through the valve. With high flow, low pressure and ease of connection, the JPC Series is an ideal check valve for many applications. Request a complete catalog today!


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District 12-2A II
Rogers and Franklin, Lexington's opponents, won their first round games, leaving all three teams still in the post season tourney in the second round. What follows is a wrap up of the two games by Philip Kalmbach.
Rogers Eagles 28 Leon-Jewitt Cougars 27
In the other playoff game featuring a District 12-2AII team, the Rogers Eagles found themselves in an unexpected tight contest against the Leon-Jewitt Cougars. Rogers, coming off of last week's loss to the Lexington Eagles, was without their starting quarterback who was injured late in the game against Lexington and Rogers started in a bit of a funk. The Cougars jumped out to an early lead and led at half-time 21- 14.
The second half saw Rogers get its mojo back and come back to limit the Cougars to one touchdown while scoring two of their own. A missed extra-point try cost the Cougars the opportunity to tie the game.
Rogers moves on to face the very tough New London-West Rusk Raiders with the time and site to be determined.
Axtell Longhorns 12 Franklin Lions 42
In a match-up between the District 12-2AII Franklin Lions and the District 11-2AII Axtell Longhorns, the Franklins Lions pounced early and often in winning their Bi-District playoff game.
After trading punts in the first quarter, Franklin went on an impressive and time consuming drive that resulted in a three yard touchdown for Dimitri Witherspoon. Following another Longhorn punt, Franklin scored on a 72 yard touchdown play with Luke Lowry running for 12 yards, fumbling, and Dimitri Witherspoon scooping up the ball and taking it in for another touchdown. Later in the second quarter, it was Witherspoon again scoring on a 54 yard touchdown run. The final scoring of the first half came from the Longhorns passing game with Justin Stranacher passing to Josh Reynolds for a 55 yard touchdown.
The second half started poorly for the Longhorns as Stranacher was pressured and fumbled with the Franklin defense stepping up returning the loose ball for a touchdown. With the game in hand, Franklin scored twice more with Witherspoon picking up another short touchdown run and Darius Floyd scoring on a 46 yard touchdown jaunt after Floyd had intercepted a Stanacher pass. The Longhorns were able to score once more, this time on a 30 yard Stanacher pass to Jacob Kubitza
Franklin now moves on to face the Corrigan-Camden Bulldogs Thursday night at Crockett.


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2014 Mercedes-Benz Citan revealed
Mercedes-benz has revealed the all-new Citan commercial panel van.
Essentially a rebadged Renault Kangoo, thanks to the car alliance between Daimler and Renault Nissan, the Citan reveals for the first time the new Mercedes-Benz van family appearance. Prominently displayed is the big chrome Mercedes emblem on a new grille with three perforated louvres for an almost sporty look. There's also an all-new headlamp design accented by the V-shape hood and the front bumper incorporates the trapezoidal air intake shape already seen
in the latest compact Mercedes-Benz cars through to the new Actros.
The Citan will be available in three lengths: compact, long and extra-long. Three model variants as a panel van, a crewbus, and a mixed-use vehicle will also be available.
Safety was a top priortiy for this commercial vehicle and includes as standard Adaptive Electronic Stability Program which simultaneously incorporates ABS (anti-locking braking system), VDC (Vehicle Dynamic Control) which counters over- and understeer, TCS (Traction Control System) and ASR (Acceleration Skid Control) for drive and braking torque control.
Reducing fuel consumption, a BlueEFFICIENCY package is available for the petrol engine as standard and includes ECO start/stop function, battery and generator management and low rolling resistance tires.
The new Citan urban vehicle will make its public debut at the IAA Commercial Vehicle Show in Hanover this September.
- Robust and reliable: the Citan completes the Mercedes-Benz family of vans
- Versatile choice of three lengths and three model variants
- Comprehensive safety equipment
- Characteristic Mercedes-Benz appearance
- Equipped to a high standard for ergonomics and comfort
- Safe, smooth handling as expected of the brand
- A range of economical BlueEFFICIENCY engines: with low fuel consumption
Powerful yet with compact dimensions making it especially suitable for city use - for the first time, the Mercedes-Benz portfolio of vans features a vehicle specifically for the urban environment. With its impressive quality and driving dynamics, exemplary safety and economy and a high level of versatility and robustness, the new Mercedes-Benz Citan is a truly professional urban van.
The Mercedes-Benz Citan will be unveiled to the public for the first time at the IAA Commercial Vehicle Show in Hanover in September 2012.
Choice of three lengths and three model variants
Due to its versatility and adaptability, the new Mercedes-Benz Citan fulfils a broad range of commercial applications. Based on a panel van, this urban van is available in three different lengths: Compact, Long, Extra-long.
Comprehensive safety equipment
As is the case with every Mercedes-Benz vehicle, safety plays a big role in the new Citan. The urban van comes with the Electronic Stability Program ADAPTIVE ESP® as standard, which takes the vehicle load into consideration. This innovative dynamic handling control system in the new Citan combines the functions of the anti-locking braking system ABS®, VDC® (Vehicle Dynamic Control) which counters over- and understeer, and TCS® (Traction Control System). It also includes ASR® (Acceleration Skid Control) and drive and braking torque control.
Characteristic Mercedes-Benz Appearance
The Mercedes-Benz Citan is instantly recognisable as a Mercedes-Benz thanks to the vehicle's characteristic brand look. The Citan is the first model in the Mercedes-Benz van range to feature our new family appearance. Providing the brand signature, the chromed star is self-assuredly set against the prominent, robust radiator grille with three sporty perforated louvres. The Mercedes-Benz Citan's bold headlamps and the pronounced V-shape to the bonnet with its clearly defined edges are equally striking.
The trapezoidal shape of the air intake in the bumper emphasises width and the powerful impression made by the Citan. Again, this feature is one of the brand's typical style elements at the present time, from the latest Mercedes-Benz cars in the compact class through to the new Actros.
Equipped to a high standard for ergonomics and comfort
Just as distinctive, the interior of the new Mercedes-Benz Citan is equipped to a high standard. Both the driver and front passenger benefit from equally firm, comfortably padded seats. The form-fitting shape of the backrests in particular provides lateral support, thereby ensuring comfort and safety. Drawing on the brand's typical design, the fabric cover is breathable, durable and easy to care for.
As powerful and striking as the exterior of the new Citan, the instrument panel is designed around the driver. The surface has a leather-like grain for an attractive look and feel.
Drivers of any other Mercedes-Benz will immediately feel at home in the cockpit of the new Citan and not just due to the familiar star on the steering wheel: the combination switches, gearknob, and switches on the instrument panel all meet Mercedes-Benz's usual standards for the driver's area in terms of layout, look and function. Trim over the glove compartment enhances the interior further.
Engines covering all requirements
The choice of engines is broad. Three high-torque, turbodiesel direct-injection engines with outputs from 75hp (55kW) to 110hp (81kW) and a nippy, supercharged petrol engine generating 115 hp (84kW) cover all standard requirements. All the diesel engines have a particulate filter as standard. Five and six-speed transmissions with a joystick gearshift positioned within easy reach on the centre console transmit power to the front wheels.
Handling as expected of the brand: safe and smooth
The developers of the Mercedes-Benz Citan have paid particular attention to ensuring that the handling is as expected of the brand, delivering a combination of driving dynamics, agility and ride comfort. The Direct-Steer system is accurate and sensitive, while the suspension, damping and stabiliser bars have been carefully attuned to each other.
Whether empty or loaded, the new Citan is a true Mercedes-Benz, offering precision, driving safety and the smooth handling that drivers are accustomed to from the Vito and Sprinter.
BlueEFFICIENCY package reduces consumption further
The petrol-engined Citan comes with a BlueEFFICIENCY package as standard, which is optional for the diesel versions. Amongst other features this includes the ECO start/stop function, battery and generator management, plus optimised low rolling resistance tyres depending on the variant which again reduce fuel consumption.


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7437 Race Road, Hanover, MD 21076
It would be difficult to overstate how important the IT department is for most organizations. Without an IT department, many operations would simply cease to function, while others would lose a great deal of their effectiveness and efficiency.
However, while the general importance of IT services is fairly well established, many have a mistaken view of the role of IT departments. It is critical for organizations and individuals to realize, as Gartner recently pointed out, that IT departments are evolving to play an increasing role within various businesses, which will likely lead to new IT services, as well as the potential for IT careers.
New functions abound
Gartner analysts outlined the future of IT at the recent Gartner Symposium/ITxpo 2012 in Barcelona. These analysts identified several ways that IT can be leveraged in the future.
For example, the firm noted that one possibility is "IT as the engine room." In this arrangement, the IT department will provide services that are delivered quickly and at market-competitive rates.
"The IT organization succeeds by monitoring technology and market developments, and building expertise in IT asset optimization, sourcing and vendor management, and IT financial management. It delivers ongoing cost improvements, looks for new ways to deliver the same IT capabilities for less, and is highly responsive to changing business needs," Gartner explained.
Another possibility identified by the research firm is that organizations begin to utilize IT as the basic business. In this scenario, the organization will be structured entirely around the flow of information, with IT services taking on a central role in regard to innovating within the value chain. This would mark a striking contrast to the more traditional role of IT, in which the department primarily exists to enable the rest of the business's processes.
New approach, new people
Discussing the panel, Fierce Enterprise Communications contributor Fred Donovan noted that expectations are rapidly growing for CIOs. In addition to ensuring that conventional IT infrastructures remain productive, CIOs are increasingly becoming responsible for encouraging innovation within organizations. Assuming Gartner's predictions come to pass, CIOs will need to work with other leaders within a business to determine not just what roles the IT department will fulfill, but also the best ways of achieving these goals.
One consequence of the increasing role of IT departments within businesses of all types will be a growing career opportunities in IT. Enterprises will likely need more IT workers, as well as IT workers with more varied backgrounds than in years past.
According to a separate Gartner report, this demand will also lead to increased spending on IT in the near future. The research firm found that IT spending will likely reach $1.1 trillion in 2013 among firms in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. This represents 1.4 percent growth from 2012's figures. By 2016, IT spending in these regions is expected to reach $1.2 trillion.
The report noted that while IT spending growth is being driven by a number of trends, one of the most notable is the rise of mobile solutions. As smartphones, tablets and other devices become more popular and capable of a greater variety of functions, firms will be eager to take advantage of this technology. And as this trend expands, businesses will need to develop mobile device management (MDM) initiatives to ensure use of mobile technology does not lead to security vulnerabilities.
According to Gartner, two-thirds of workers will have a smartphone or tablet device by 2016.
Copyright © 2015 TEKsystems Inc., All Rights Reserved.
From FORTUNE Magazine, March 15, 2015 © 2015 Time Inc. Used under license. FORTUNE and FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work For is a registered trademark of Time Inc. FORTUNE and Time Inc. are not affiliated with, and do not endorse products or services of, Licensee.


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The NBA set the time and TV for Game 4 of the Rockets-Thunder series, today.
It will tip at 8:30 p.m. on Monday (April 29) and be aired on TNT.
The start times and TV for the rest of the series is still to be determined.
By being televised on TNT, that means all of Houston with access to satellite or cable can watch the game. It will also be aired on the Rockets local broadcast partner, CSN Houston, which is available to 40 percent of the Houston area.
The Rockets trail the series, 1-0, and will play Game 2 at Oklahoma City on Wednesday at 6 p.m., also aired nationally on TNT.
Game 3 in Houston is at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday and aired nationally on ESPN.


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Warped Tour Moving....Again
Warped Tour should be at The Gorge but due to scheduling conflicts they moved it to Marymoor Park in Redmond. Now according the the latest tweet from Kevin Lyman, head promoter of Warped Tour, it has moved once again to The White River Amphitheater in Auburn.
Here's the Tweet dated July 26 at 7:54 PM
KevinLyman @KevinLyman
@VansWarpedTour seattle we are moving venues to white river amp.. tried hard to bring it to the city, but officials have made it impossible,
If you were planning on attending, I'd suggest watching the Warped Tour site for definite details as to where it is to be held. If I find out more info, I'll pass it along.
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Associate, Department of Biochemistry
Structural determination of protein complex by NMR, molecular biology, cloning, protein expression and purification.
Material in this section is provided by individual faculty members who are solely responsible for its accuracy and content.
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Michael F. Price Center
1301 Morris Park Avenue , Room 313
Bronx, NY 10461
Tel: 718.678.1082
Fax: 718.430.8565


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Hooni Kim's Guide to Korean Food and Ingredients in NYC and New Jersey
@HungryDan and @sparemethecensor: thanks for your kind words, and for catching those errors! Now fixed.
Writer, editor, amateur chef, proficient eater. In my spare time, I enjoy wandering the aisles of Asian grocery stores and tweeting @allgoodnews.
Although chef Michael Mina has restaurants all over the country, he's chosen the Bay Area as a home base to grow his website Cook Taste Eat and to keep close to some of the burgers he loves best. Here are five of his favorite burgers in San Francisco. More
The Do or Dine chef and new Food Network star took us on a tour of his neighborhood to show off the spots that do Bed-Stuy proud. More
You could call Michael Psilakis one of New York's ambassadors of Greek cuisine. As the son of a first generation traditional Greek family on Long Island, Psilakis learned to roast whole lambs on a spit at a young age, and these days is busy maintaining his restaurants in the city and surrounding area. After the jump: his guide to the best Greek shopping and eating in the city. More
Top Chef alum Manuel Trevino is busy with his new gig at Marble Lane, but come late night, he's free to explore his Upper East Side neighborhood. More
Manhattan can call Larry Reutens one of Singapore's culinary ambassadors to the city. Masak is one of very restaurants in New York that serves Reutens' native food, but it's not Singaporean the way his grandmother made it. "When I cook, I try to marry those traditional flavors with what I can find here at the farmers market or whatever is in season, rather than trying to replicate them entirely." Reutens shared his favorite shopping spots with us, along with some restaurants that offer a taste of home. More
The Executive chef of DBGB dishes on where to eat between Park Slope and the Greenwood cemetery. More
Yesterday Gabe Thompson spilled about his development as a chef; today he's back to share his favorite neighborhood bites in Chelsea. More
Where the restaurateur behind Rosemary's and Bobo goes for breakfast, a divey drink, delivery noodles, and more. More
Macaron-makers Simon Tung and Christina Ha spend their days at the new East Village location of Macaron Parlour, but their off time is all Chinatown. Take a look at Simon's picks for noodles, dumplings, roast pork, rice crepes, and more. More
Pitmaster Matt Fisher, half of the team behind Fletcher's Barbecue, lives in a neighborhood that respects tradition as much as the 'cue he practices. Click through to see what he eats at his home base in Ridgewood, Queens. More
Hooni Kim, the Seoul-born chef of Danji and the newly opened Hanjan, tells us where he gets his kimchi, soy sauce, tofu, and more, along with recommendations for a particularly awesome bibimbap. More
We talked to 20 New York City chefs to get the scoop on their favorite burgers in the city. Click through the slideshow to see them all, or check out the full list here. More
The Red Cat's chef and restaurateur gives equal billing to Chelsea's empanada nomads and temples to Italian fine dining. More
Bill Telepan's lived on the Upper West Side for 21 years. Here are his picks for the Chinese takeout that's never let him down and a go-to taco truck for your carnitas cravings. More
We've been chatting with chefs and food writers for a full year to get the scoop on their favorite neighborhood eats. Here are some of our favorite guides. More
Laurent Tourondel may a French chef, but he has some American tastes, including a strong Shack Shack craving and a healthy respect for New York Italian food. Check out his Harlem favorites! More
The master sommelier and owner of Corkbuzz tells us where she goes in the neighborhood for wine, cocktails, late night cheese plates, and more. More
Born and raised in Ottawa, Canada, Hugh Acheson has made a name for himself as a true American chef. He went straight for the heart—and gullet—of our country's food scene: the South. The Top Chef judge has won two James Beard awards, one for his cookbook A New Turn in the South, and one for Best Chef Southeast, and he is the chef/partner of the Athens, Georgia, restaurants Five and Ten and The National, as well as the Atlanta restaurant Empire State South. Here are four of his favorite burgers in his hometown of Athens. More
Whether Basque chef Luis Bollo is searching for fresh fish to dry and salt himself, or wants to sit down to tortilla espanola the way his grandmother used to make it, here are the places he goes for a taste of home. More
The chief food critic for the Village Voice shares his neighborhood favorites with us. More
Recette's pastry chef lives in the neighborhood where she grew up and her parents still call home. But Whitestone isn't just diners and Italian joints anymore, says Christina; as the demographic changes, the food scene has begun to grown and expand. More
A Voce chef Missy Robbins tells us her favorite places to go for pizza, General Tso's, and some awesome waffle fries. More
Chris Bradley, the executive chef of Danny Meyer's latest restaurant inside the Whitney Museum of Art Untitled, is something of a pioneer: he's lived in Gowanus, the neighborhood bordering Park Slope and Caroll Gardens, for the past four years. His commute to work isn't speedy, but it's worth it to live in a place that he thinks is going to make it big in the next year. "It's one of those frontier lands where rent is still cheap," he says. "The young and the hungry will come." More
AHT pal and burger expert George Motz, the creator of the documentary film Hamburger America as well as a book of the same name, has earned his stripes. In his own words, here are George's current top five favorite burgers in Brooklyn, in no specific order. More
Einat Admony makes the city's best falafel at Taim and some of its best Israeli food at Balaboosta. So where does she go to buy ingredients like hummus, eat out with her kosher parents, and take care of that knafeh craving? Take a look to find out. More
@HungryDan and @sparemethecensor: thanks for your kind words, and for catching those errors! Now fixed.
Don't forget Glass Shop!
@Kenji - could you use an 8-in cake pan?
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text:
30-day limited warranty
Average Customer Review4.5 (12 reviews)
Create an online reviewand share your thoughts with other customers
Things I liked:everything
Things I would have changed:nothing
What others should know:you can take apart the gun to clean it, and that this gun hurt like hell
Things I liked:THE VALUE OF USING THIS SPRING GUN TO "KEEP IN SHAPE", I HAVE THREE REAL PISTOLS BUT CANNOT ALWAYS FIND THE TIME TO GET TO THE RANGE AND ALSO IT IS SOMEWHAT COST PROHIBITIVE ( WHEN THERE ). IT TRULY COSTS 30-4O CENTS PER SHOT TO FIRE "REAL". THIS AIRSOFT KEEPS ME IN TUNE , SAVES TIME AND MONEY WHILE I SHOOT AT MY CHAMPION TARGET IN THE GARAGE.
Things I would have changed:TRULY, NOT TOO MUCH !!! PERHAPS A "PACKAGE" INVOLVING EXTRA MAGS.
What others should know:HAVE BOTH THIS AS WELL AS THE "FULL" VERSION..SOMEHOW, THIS IS MORE ACCURATE..BOTH WERE PURCHASED FROM PYRAMYD..BOTH FROM THE SAME MANUFACTURER...SHOOTING THE SAME "LEAD",,BOTH USED WITH THE SAME HANDS !!! GO FIGURE...PERHAPS THE SMALLER VERSION, REVIEWED HERE, FITS MY MEDIUM HANDS A TAD BETTER !!
Things I liked:The gun worked great for the first hour
Things I would have changed:The fact that when i tried to shoot is after having it for an hour and a half then the gun just exploded when i tried to shoot it what should i do?
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little beautiful girl blowing soap bubbles
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Man shot in groin over sunglasses dispute, Corpus Christi police say
CORPUS CHRISTI - Officers arrested a 24-year-old man they suspect may have shot another man after he thought he stole a pair of sunglasses Wednesday, police said.
Officers met with a 26-year-old man about 5:30 p.m. The man said he was approached by a Hispanic male who was about 24 years old, standing 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing 160 pounds in the area of Port Avenue and Mary Street, according to a news release. He pulled a gun and shot the man in the groin.
The wounded man said he was able to get home and call the police. Officers said the man was transported to Christus Spohn Hospital Memorial for medical treatment, according to the release.
Corpus Christi Gang Unit officers tracked down a man who fit the description of the shooter. He was arrested for suspicion of possession of a controlled substance, police said, but the man had been bailed out of Nueces County Jail by noon Thursday.
Police said the investigation is ongoing.
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The headmaster of a Catholic school in Merseyside has been found guilty of endangering his students after he led a group of "inebriated" sixth-formers onto a school roof -- which was normally "out of bounds" -- and one of them fell through a skylight.
The incident occurred during an A-level results party at Sacred Heart Catholic College in Crosby in 2008. Eighteen-year-old student Joel Murray fractured his skull, perforated an eardrum, broke his ribs, and suffered permanent damage to his eye as a result of the fall. Appearing at Liverpool Crown Court, however, headmaster John Summerfield, 65, denied breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act by failing to take reasonable care for the boy's safety.
Prosecutor Kevin Donnelly acknowledged the party was a "restrained affair" and said students drank no more than one or two bottles of beer or glasses of wine. "Nobody was drunk but it is possible they were slightly affected by drink, possibly slightly inebriated," he said.
Mr Summerfield also appears to have told the group of 10 to 12 sixth-formers to stay away from the skylight.
But Mr Donnelly said the roof was "normally out of bounds" and "the very act of taking the students to that area was a breach of [Mr Summerfield's] duty of care".
"He failed to give appropriate consideration to the risks involved," added Mr Donnelly.
- Crosby roof fall pupils 'had been drinking' (BBC News)
- Head teacher guilty over school roof skylight fall (BBC News)
- Health and safety law (Findlaw.co.uk)
- Legal news (The Solicitor)
- Legal Q&A (Community)
- Find a solicitor (Contact Law)


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An exhibit by Mississippi State's artist-in-residence Kathryn Hunter will run through Nov. 1 in the Cullis Wade Depot Art Gallery.
"Kathryn Hunter: Confluence" will focus on the bond between humans and animals held in conjunction with the College of Veterinary Medicine's Human-Animal Bond symposium.
A public reception for Hunter will be held today [Sept. 26] from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the Cullis Wade Depot Art Gallery, as well as a Sept. 28 presentation at the Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee Wildlife Refuge.
Hunter is a printmaker and operator of Blackbird Letter Press in Baton Rouge, La. She grew up in Decatur, Ala., and has a bachelor of fine arts in printmaking from Montana State University and a master of fine arts in printmaking from Louisiana State University. She is currently represented by Le Mieux Galleries in New Orleans, La.
Events are co-sponsored by the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine, the Noxubee Wildlife Refuge Artist-In-Residence Partnership with MSU's art department and the Starkville Area Arts Council.
For more information, visit www.caad.msstate.edu, or contact Lori Neuenfeldt at firstname.lastname@example.com or 662-325-2970.


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Bishop Teresa Snorton,
Presiding Prelate
Miami / Tampa District – Rev. Dr. Lionel Walker, Presiding Elder
Appointments to the Churches:
Bethany – Clearwater, Florida Rev. Margaret Forte Wade
1325 Springdale Street
Clearwater, FL 33755
Bethel – Sarasota, Florida Rev. John W. Walker, Jr.
1719 22nd Street
Sarasota, FL 34234
Bryant Chapel – Tallevast, Florida Rev. Michael Hopkins
1807 Tallevast Road
Tallevast, FL 34270
Carter Temple – Bradenton, Florida Rev. Anthony R. Thomas
540 11th Avenue W
Bradenton, FL 34205
Grays Temple – West Palm Beach, Florida Rev. Nicholas T. O'Neal
523 18th Street
West Palm Beach, FL 33407
Holsey Temple – Tampa, Florida Rev. Anita Davis-Williams
3729 N. 15th Street
Tampa, FL 33610
Mount Calvary – Lake Wales, Florida Rev. Debra Thomas
400 West Washington Avenue
Lake Wales, FL 33853
Mount Olive – Hull, Florida Rev. Vernay Johnson
7653 SW Hull Road
Hull Road, FL 33821
Mount Zion – Avon Park, Florida Rev. Benita & Elliott Callahan
232 East Hal McRae Blvd Co-Pastors
Avon Park, FL 33826
New Beginning – Miami, Florida CLOSED
P. O. Box 552339
Opa Locka, FL 33055
One God – Fort Myers, Florida Rev. Ruby Jefferson
3072 Fowler Street
Ft. Myers, FL 33916
New Grace – Plant City, Florida Rev. Alton McGriff
1214 E. Laura Street
Plant City, FL 33566
Peaceful Valley – Hobe Sound, Florida Rev. James Allen
12241 Lantana Avenue
Hobe Sound, FL 33475
Saint Peters – Jensen Beach, Florida Rev. Ursula Wilson
4840 NE Savannah Road
Jensen Beach, FL 43957
Saint Phillips – Fort Myers, Florida Rev. Maurice Gilmore
Assignment Children's Ministry Debra S. Jackson
1920 Lillie Street
Ft. Myers, FL 33916
Stewart-Isom – St. Petersburg, Florida Rev. Dexter Harris
1820 Walton Street South
St. Petersburg, FL 33712
Trinity – Miami, Florida Rev. Marquise Hardrick
511 NW 4th Street
Miami, FL 33128
Trinity – Tampa, Florida Rev. Anthony O.Thomas
2401 N. Howard Avenue
Tampa, FL 33607
Williams Memorial – Ft. Lauderdale, Florida Rev. Calvin Hopkins
646 NW 13th Terrace
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33311
Rev. Geraldine McDaniel
Bethel CME
Rev. Terry Mallory
Rev. Anthony Langhorne ON LOAN to "Church of No Color"
Rev. Paul C. Jones
Treasure Cove Hospice
Rev. Marquise Hardrick
Executive Assistant to Bishop Snorton
Rev. John W. Walker, Jr
Beth Woodard, Chair
Rev. Cornelius Bryant, Sr.
Rev. Joe Johnson
Rev. Charles Mitchell
Rev. Wilford Monroe
Rev. Mary Williams Moore
Rev. Paris Moore
Rev. Charles Hill
Rev. William Kelly, Jr.
Rev. Alfred Tharpe


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Hacking benefits not the answer
Unemployment has been a long-standing issue in North Carolina and Rutherford County.
The unemployment rate in the county has fluctuated between 12 and 13 percent over the last year.
Now, the North Carolina General Assembly wants to make sweeping changes to unemployment insurance benefits that will cap the maximum amount of weekly benefits to $350. That is a drop of $185 per week. In addition, a bill that has already cleared the House will also drop the number of weeks someone can collect unemployment to 20 from 26.
The bill also includes an increase in unemployment taxes for businesses to the tune of $40 per full-time employee.
The reasoning behind the measure is to trim three years off the amount of time it will take for the state to pay back a $2.6 billion loan from the federal government to cover the unemployment insurance trust fund that was depleted in the 90s when the General Assembly decided to give money out of the fund back to businesses because unemployment was low.
The bottom line is that the state is in a pickle and those without jobs will be burdened with getting them out of the problem.
Unfair might be a drastic understatement when it comes to describing the provisions of the bill.
We understand that the debt has to be paid and we do agree that the earlier the bill is settled, the better the state will be. But, drastically cutting unemployment benefits by amount and duration is not the lone solution to the problem.
There has to be some kind of compromise. This would be an easier pill to swallow if the cut was not as deep and long-lasting.
Another provision of the bill that has us stymied is the fact that, in 2015, the tax increase on businesses will sunset, or go away, however the cuts to benefits remain in place.
That, in and of itself, is not fair to the hard-working people of North Carolina that are unemployed through no doing of their own.
If businesses are content with letting their share of the bill go away once the debt is paid then the state should be content with putting benefits back to where they were.
The solution here is simple ... if the state is going to cut benefits, do so but don't make it as drastic of a cut as what has been proposed. Businesses who received a nice windfall in the 90s should also be willing to kick in a little more. There is also no call in making North Carolina the only state where benefits are capped at a maximum of 20 weeks.
It may make it a more business-friendly climate — as proponents of the bill have argued — but it could also lead to employees choosing not to work in North Carolina because of the threat held over their head of minimal benefits if they are let go.
The bottom line is that the unemployed will hurt, local economies of places like Rutherford County will hurt and it is all because of a bill that focuses more on dollars and cents and less on the faces that are attached.
By Matthew Clark, for the Editorial Board
The Daily Courier Editorial Board consists of community members Jerry Brewer, Kyle Bingham, Tom Padgett, Dr. Shermaine Surratt and Cliff Strassenburg as well as Editor Matthew Clark.