Abstract: A machine and process for making container lid assemblies with a flexible membrane with a pull tab adhesively secured to a rigid ring so that when desired the membrane can be peeled off and removed from the ring to provide access to the container. Individual membranes are cut and separated from a web by rotating dies and individually transferred, accelerated and applied by a rotating anvil cylinder and transfer roller to individual rings which have been preheated sufficiently to activate an adhesive to adhere the membrane about its periphery to the ring. The rings are heated by an induction coil and a downstacker deposits heated rings on a moving conveyor belt which conveys them under the transfer roller where they are urged into firm engagement with a membrane by a resilient applicator pad on the transfer roller and an underlying support roller.

Abstract: Coacting die cylinders with one cylinder having a cutting blade and the other cylinder an anvil surface which when rotating cooperate to cut a blank from a web of low density material. The blade and the anvil surface are tapered in opposite axial directions so that the clearance between them can be readily varied and adjusted by moving the cylinders axially relative to each other. Preferably, the cylinders each have a pair of cylindrical bearers which are in contact and rolling engagement with each other when the cylinders are operating to cut a web of material. The die cylinders are journaled in bearing assemblies carried by the cylinders and removably received in the stand to facilitate easy removal and installation of the die cylinders when desired.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for piling a plurality of cut blanks of a flexible material in overlapped and shingled or stacked relationship. After being cut each blank is accelerated to increase its lineal speed to thereby produce a gap between the blank and an immediately succeeding blank. After acceleration, each blank is deflected, preferably by a plate, away from and out of its accelerated path of travel toward an underlying receiving surface such as a conveyor or platform. After being deflected, the trailing portion of each blank is displaced preferably by rotating cams so that when rapidly decelerated, an immediately succeeding blank passes into and is deposited in overlapping relationship with such blank. To deposit the blanks is stacked relationship with their leading edges substantially aligned, they are decelerated from their forward travel to a complete stop preferably by striking a positive stop.

Abstract: A pair of rotary dies with lands having coacting cutting edges which cut blanks of material from a web passing between the rotating dies. To provide a clean cut and improved squareness of the cut ends, a side face of the land adjacent the cutting edge has a positive rake. To insure that the cutting edges can be brought into coacting relationship to produce a clean cut, they are located and arranged on the dies so that they can be varied and adjusted axially and in rotary phase relationship to each other. A die stand for positioning, adjusting and driving the rotary dies, and a method for making negative electrode cylinders for producing the rotary dies by hardening, grinding and electric discharge machining blank cylinders of tool steel, are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention addresses problems with liquid absorbent pads having at least about 50% of their absorption capacity represented by water absorbent (including water-swellable) material capable of absorbing at least about 5 times its own dry weight of aqueous liquid. By openings of specified area, present in undulating layer(s) of such absorbent material in specified numbers and total area per unit area of said layer(s), and/or through forming such openings as hinges and displaced flap members for locking the layers of a moving composite together for bending into said undulating configuration, and/or through use of sheath members of material which substantially retain their structural integrity in contact with aqueous liquids, and have open or openable portion(s), pads are formed with both high absorption rate and capacity and/or ready disposability and/or rapid production characteristics, ideally suited for urinary incontinence care and other uses.