Abstract: Methods and apparatus are for decorating bowling balls. A spherical bowling ball inner core has opposing first and second hemispheres. Pressure is applied to adhere a first portion of a conformable decorative first film of material onto the first hemisphere. A combination of pressure and vacuum is applied to adhere a second portion of the first film of material onto the first hemisphere. Pressure is applied to adhere a first portion of a conformable decorative second film of material onto the second hemisphere. A combination of pressure and vacuum is applied to adhere a second portion of the second film of material onto the second hemisphere. Thereafter the bowling ball inner core is covered with a transparent outer cover.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for conforming a label to the contour of a container. The apparatus includes a conveyor configured to move the container along a travel path, a heat source positioned along the conveyor and configured to heat at least a portion of the label to a sufficient temperature to achieve a sufficient degree of plasticity as the container moves along the travel path, and a mechanical pressure applicator positioned along the conveyor downstream from the heat source. The mechanical pressure applicator is configured to apply pressure to at least a portion of the heated label to conform it to the contour of the container as the container moves along the travel path. The method includes heating at least a portion of the label to a sufficient temperature to achieve a sufficient degree of plasticity, and applying mechanical pressure to at least a portion of the heated label to conform it to the contour of the container.

Abstract: Composite sections for aircraft fuselages and other structures, and methods and systems for manufacturing such sections, are disclosed herein. A method for manufacturing a shell structure in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes applying composite material to an interior mold surface of a tool to form a skin extending 360 degrees around an axis. The method can further include positioning a plurality of stiffeners on an inner surface of the skin. After the stiffeners have been positioned, a vacuum bag can be installed over the stiffeners and evacuated to press the stiffeners and the skin outwardly against the interior mold surface of the tool. Next, the skin/stiffener combination can be cocured to bond the stiffeners to the skin and harden the shell structure.

Abstract: A label wrapper block assembly for mounting in a rotatably mounted wrapper frame in a label wrapper assembly includes a base having opposing ends joined by a top surface and a bottom surface. A channel extends between the ends in the top surface for receiving an object being wrapped by the label wrapper assembly. At least one biasing member is extendible into the channel for urging the label against the object received in the channel. In one embodiment, the at least one biasing member is a flexible material stretched across the base top surface.

Abstract: Dust plugs provide seals for openings in door frames and window frames to seal against air or water infiltration. The dust plugs are made continuously and automatically by feeding several weatherstrips having piles extending from rigid backing through a tool having side by side slots there through which extend from an anvil surface thereof. The backing strips rest on the surface in edge-to-edge relationship. An adhesive tape having a contact adhesive on one side thereof is fed synchronously with the pile weatherstripping in juxtaposition with the weatherstrips and in contact with the exposed sides of the backing strips. The dust plug material consists of the tape in contact with the weatherstrips and provides an assembly of the weatherstrips and the tape. Counter rotating puller belts engage dust plug material which may then be wound on a reel. For installation of the dust plug, the dust plug material is unwound from the reel and cut into dust plugs of desired length.

Abstract: New processes and apparatus for forming lap seams and making prefastened disposable absorbent articles are disclosed. The apparatus can include an interior folding mechanism adapted to position a first panel in an interior position and an exterior folding mechanism adapted to position a second panel in an exterior position relative to the interior position. The interior folding mechanism can include a mandrel defining a curved peripheral surface and an interior forming shoulder in proximity to the mandrel. A fluid pressure device can establish an air flow between the mandrel and the interior forming shoulder. The forming shoulder can modify the direction of the air flow as the first panel travels in a machine direction to increasingly fold the panel over the curved peripheral surface.

Abstract: A pair of rollers (2), constituting the seat and the traction means for the formwork (3) to be reinforced, are established on a bench (1). A pair of upper pressure rollers (12) act, at the same time, on the formwork. On the same bench (1) there are also placed, laterally with respect to the formwork (3), a pair of longitudinal guides (15) for the movement, in parallel to the formwork (3) of a carriage (14) wearing the fiberglass mesh delivering reel (13), said reel (13) being furthermore mounted on the carriage (14) with the possibility to rotate around the vertical axis, in order to vary the orientation of the fiberglass mesh with respect to the formwork (3).

Abstract: In a device for applying labels to a flat mail item that is conveyed standing on one edge, having a conveyor for conveying the individual items along a predetermined conveying path; a label conveyor for conveying the individual labels, the device being controlled by a sensor device for determining the position of the front edge of the item; a pressing device for pressing the labels onto the item surface; a label holder, which is disposed in a region in front of the pressing device, with respect to the conveying direction of the item, and into which the labels are conveyed by the label conveyor, the label holder is embodied such that the labels can be positioned perpendicularly to the conveying direction and oriented with their adhesive side counter to the conveying direction in the conveying path of the items; as soon as the front edge of an item falls short of a predetermined distance from the label holder, the sensor device controls the conveyor device such that it conveys a label to the label holder, so th

Abstract: The preparation of a wound golf ball core is accomplished with an automatic machine. The machine has a plurality of winding stations serviced by one mechanical arm. The winding station has a cooling tower for holding frozen centers, a winding machine and tension device for performing the actual winding operation and an exit chute for wound cores. The specific steps for preparing the core are further disclosed.

Abstract: A ball winding apparatus is described for winding string on a core to form the inner baseball including a ball spinning mechanism against which the core is held by a free spinning holding device where the spinning device imparts a wobble pushing the ball from side to side which is augmented by or opposed by transverse air pressure cylinders moving the holder first to one side and then to the other where the forces are balanced such that the ball holder oscillates in position to produce a random wind and a string conveyance system including hollow tubes transporting the string from the coil supply to a tension producing device feeding string to the winding ball.

Abstract: In a machine for covering a toroidal body with layers of elastomeric material wherein a cutting and stitching apparatus is provided for severing a scrap portion of a sheet of material (32) from a portion of the sheet that has been applied to a toroidal core (30) and stitching the applied portion to the core (30). The apparatus (16,18,20,22) includes actuators (45,54) for positioning the cutters (104) and the stitchers (105) in operative position on the outside periphery and the inside periphery of the core (30) with the rotatable cutters (104) in proper position for effecting a cut through the material without scoring the core (30) or other underlying material. The cutting and stitching apparatus (16,18,20,22) is rotated about the core (30) as the rotating cutter (104) severs the material. The cutter (104) is programmed to retract as the stitchers (105) continue to stitch the edge of the applied material to the core (30).

Abstract: Improved welds for thermoplastic foam insulation spirally deposited about a structure are obtained employing a thin, resistance heated welding blade which beneficially is positioned by means of a four-bar linkage connecting the blade to the blade support.

Abstract: An apparatus is described which is particularly suitable for applying insulation in the form of plastic foam or the like to a surface of a container to be insulated. The apparatus deposits a strip of foam in a generally helical manner while following the contour of the container or structure.