Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a polymer dispersion liquid crystal layer comprises a hollow spherical light reflection member, LC cell supports provided in the reflection member, and a light source for radiating light in the reflection member. The inner surface of the reflection member constitutes a spherical reflection surface. The reflection member is provided with a light source. An LC cell filled with a mixture solution of LC and polymer material is supported on the supports. Then, the light source is turned on. Light emitted from the light source is reflected in various directions by the spherical reflection surface and is made incident uniformly on the LC cell in all directions with a substantially constant intensity. Accordingly, the light of a substantially equal intensity is radiated on all portions of the mixture solution in the LC cell, and the rate of progress of light polymerization is constant.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a corrugated tube contains a roller assembly composed of plural rollers having plural convexed rings, respective convexed rings forming a helix as a whole so as to substantially form a single rotating shaft body, and a synthetic resin supplier for supplying a strip of synthetic resin onto the roller assembly. The pitches between the convexed rings, and the diameters and the widths of the convexed rings are so constructed as to be gradually decreased in accordance with the contraction percentage of the synthetic resin. The apparatus is provided with a follower ring on a roller valley portion between the convexed rings, the follower ring being rotatable in response to circumferential speed of the apex of the convexed ring.

Abstract: A heated shoe and cooled pressure roller assembly for composite prepreg application is provided. The shoe assembly includes a heated forward contact surface having a curved pressure surface. The following cooled roller provides a continuous pressure to the thermoplastic while reducing the temperature to approximately 5.degree. C. below glass transition temperature. Electric heating coils inside the forward portion of the shoe heat a thermoplastic workpiece to approximately 100.degree. C. above the glass transition. Immediately following the heated contact surface, a cooled roller cools the work. The end sharpened shape of the heated shoe trailing edge tends to prevent slag buildup and maintain a uniform, relaxed stress fabrication.

Abstract: An apparatus for heat-sealing thermoplastic materials includes a sealing jaw with a groove in which a thermal strip is mechanically anchored. The flange portions of the jaw projecting on either side of the groove are compressed towards one another and toward the thermal strip to thereby anchor the thermal strip within the groove. The sealing jaw is manufactured from aluminum which has been surface anodized to create an electrically insulating layer between the body of the jaw and the thermal strip.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a honeycomb structure in which a plurality of thermoplastic layers are fused together at selected locations. The thermoplastic layers at each of the selected locations are melted together to form a welded portion which includes first and second exterior surfaces. The welding of the thermoplastic layers is controlled so that no more than one of the exterior surfaces is melted. This partial melting of one layer prevents undesirable welding to adjacent layers. An apparatus for carrying out the method for welding thermoplastic honeycomb structures is also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved laminating machine having a supply of laminating material guided into the machine so a pair of webs respectively are fed through heating stations and then extend parallel to one another along a workpiece path in a direction towards a drive station. A supply of sheet material is delivered between the webs of laminating material. A pair of pressing rolls supported for rotation engage and bond together opposite sides of the heated laminating material and the sheet material to form a composite workpiece. Each heating station directs laminating material to the pressing rolls. Each heating station is formed in an arcuate configuration and includes a plurality of rollers and a plurality of heaters. Each heater is operatively connected with a respective roller. A pair of rotatable cooling rollers are supported along the path between the pressing rolls and the drive station. Each cooling roller has at least one coolant passage extending longitudinally therethrough.

Abstract: An improved heat press for joining the spliced ends of a conveyor belt. The press includes an upper platen containing a flexible, inflatable bladder that is positioned to engage the upper surface of the spliced area of the belt. A lower platen supports the belt and includes an electric heating element that is supported on an aluminum block having a plurality of parallel internal flow channels. A layer of solid insulating material is disposed beneath the lower surface of the block, and along the side edges of the block. The upper platen is clamped to the lower platen and a compressed gas, such as air, is supplied to the bladder to inflate the bladder and urge the belt against the lower platen. Operation of the heating element serves to fuse the spliced ends of the belt. After heating, air is supplied to the channels in the block to cool the press and a venturi mechanism is associated with the air supply, so that a portion of the air being supplied to the press is drawn from the atmosphere.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding/heat sealing cartons along the feed path of a cartoning line is provided. A conveyor moves the cartons past the heat sealing station where an elongated nozzle assembly forms a heated air stream directed against the carton flap and the side of the carton to activate the coating to form an adhesive. A bypass valve and duct is provided to interrupt the flow of heated air in the event that the carton does not clear the activation zone in a predetermined time. Strategically placed heat shields and coolant passages are provided to further isolate the conveyor from the heat. The nozzle includes a slotted outlet with an elongated bar closely spaced above to deflect the heated air stream when a carton is present for adhesive activation; said bar having a tapered fin to form a modified air foil along the trailing edge to divide, recombine and compact the stream when a carton is not present. The upper feed belts of the conveyor are adjustable to adapt to cartons of various heights.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for bonding a fiber reinforced plastic automotive body member to a reinforcement member. An adhesive is located between mating surfaces of the body member and the reinforcement member. Pressurized heated and cool air is used to heat and facilitate the cooling of the adhesive. The apparatus includes a switchable heating and cooling system that first provides pressurized heated air about outer surfaces of the body member and the reinforcement member, and thereafter, the system provides pressurized cool air about the same outer surfaces.

Abstract: This invention refers to a continuous or intermittent air injection system for enveloping machines consisting in an air tubing comprising suitable air expulsion means, controlled by an electrovalve and equipped with at least two impulsion positions when are the positions confronting the sealed area of the envelope that allows the cooling of the welding, and the upper position which is the corresponding to the stoppage of the machine with the cooling of the thermowelding rollers that permits their temperature regulation and control.

Abstract: An apparatus for the production of tubular bodies, in particular for packaging tubes, from a foil strip (48) which comprises weldable plastic material and the longitudinal edges of which are thermally joined together has a shaping belt (46) which co-operates with shaping rollers (59, 60) and which shapes the foil strip (48) around a mandrel (45) to provide a tubular body, a lower driven transportation belt (20) which runs in the mandrel (45) and an upper driven transportation belt (33), the longitudinal edges of the foil strip (48) being accommodated in mutually overlapping relationship between the transportation belts. The upper transportation belt (20) is in the form of an endless belt which passes beneath a heating means, a pressing means and a cooling means and the heating means is in the form of an inductively operative high frequency heating means.

Abstract: A device and process useful for producing a plurality of individual film composites is disclosed. A temperature-controllable roll serves as a sealing tool, on the circumferential surface of which a number of plastic film webs are sealed together under the application of pressure and heat. The plastic film webs come into contact with the circumferential surface of the roll at equal or varying distances from each other and are guided over pressure rolls. These pressure rolls contact the circumferential surface of the temperature controllable roll under pressure. The plastic film webs pass through the contact areas between the pressure rolls and the temperature controllable roll. The plastic film webs are provided on one or both sides with sealing layers, which are fused by the action of heat, so that sealing of the superposed laminated plastic film webs on the circumferential surface of the temperature controllable roll occurs.

Abstract: Vertical sealer apparatus in a pouch form, fill and seal machine capable of reducing undesirable vertical seal growth along a web of heat-sealable material. The apparatus includes a drum cast of aluminum and having a plurality of elongated slots directed along either side of a plurality of radially extending heated land areas which contact the web to form transverse seals. The apparatus further includes a fan to blow air through the elongated slots in the drum and along either side of the land areas to cool the web during intermittent operation of the vertical sealer apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pre-proof temperature controlling assembly associated with an off-press apparatus for laminating an image sheet to an image receiving substrate and, more particularly, for laminating a plurality of image sheets to the receiving substrate and then laminating a portion of the receiving substrate to a display sheet.

Abstract: For the manufacture of high pressure laminates, the pressed laminate (4) consisting of a stack of artificial resin impregnated paper sheets is fed into a single daylight hot press. The pressed laminate is held and guided along both longitudinal edges (6) by transfer clamps (7), which are connected to an endless rotating chain (8) and are conveyed on guide tracks (15). The transfer clamps (7) remain closed during the transfer into the single daylight hot press, during the pressing process and during a following cooling process in a cold press.

Abstract: A device for electronically seam fusing similar or dissimilar multiple polymeric materials by placing the materials between two opposing plates, wherein the plates have cooling tubes disposed within the plates and have the required combination of heating elements, non-stick heat barriers, and configuration enhancers disposed thereon. The opposing plates are then closed by a force which is regulated by a control feature which also governs the timing, length and temperature that is utilized by the heat elements and cooling tubes of the invention. Upon completion of the electronic seam fuse cycle, the multiple layers of polymeric materials will be fused together, and separated if desired, thus creating a seam that will be as strong or stronger than the individual material.

Abstract: A simple combination of conventional operations uses a twin press configuration of tandem stationary, vertically acting heating and cooling platen presses in separate frames which share a fixed, hybrid bottom platen in a laminating machine. The machine therefore has aligned daylight openings ("daylights"). A set of sheets to be laminated is sandwiched between cover plates of a book which is loaded by rollingly transferring it with an edge-conveyor means, into the heating press. The path in which the book is processed ("process-path") starts at an entrance station and progresses linearly through the daylights. The system operates with a minimum cycle time based on the physical properties of the sheets to be laminated. Successive books may be loaded, in a machine using only two single daylight openings; or, in ganged single daylights; depending upon the capacity per unit time sought. A novel quick-locking carrier is provided in which a sandwich to be laminated is held.

Abstract: A simple combination of conventional operations uses a twin press configuration of tandem stationary, vertically acting heating and cooling platen presses in separate frames of a laminating machine which is loaded by rollingly transferring a book into the heating press in either of two loading-paths. One is at right angles to the path in which the book is to be processed ("process-path") so as to avoid using an entrance station. The other uses an entrance station which provides a loading-path parallel to the processing path through daylight openings ("daylights") in the presses, so as to support each book on the edge-conveyor means while it is stationary and coplanar with the loading-path. The system operates with a minimum cycle time based on the physical properties of the sheets to be laminated.

Abstract: A braided fiber reinforced thermoplastic member is formed by a device, which comprises a braiding device for weaving thermoplastic coated fibers with second fibers onto a weaving mandrel for form a braided preform, and a heating die for melting the thermoplastic of the coated fibers of the braided preform to form a continuous matrix of thermoplastic between the coated fibers and the second fibers. A method for forming a fiber reinforced thermoplastic member comprises coating carbon fibers with a thermoplastic melt, cooling the thermoplastic coated carbon fibers, braiding the coated carbon fibers onto a weaving mandrel with Kevlar.RTM. bias fibers to form a braided preform, and drawing the braided preform through a heating die.

Abstract: A bonding method of for external leads which includes the steps of registering the external leads of an IC component with electrodes of a circuit substrate, setting an external lead retaining surface of a bonding tool on a flat outer tab obtained by coating plural outer end parts of the external leads of the registered IC component with resin, and bringing the external leads in touch with the corresponding electrodes. A laster beam irradiates one of the external leads registered on one of the electrodes to thereby bond them, and cooling gas is jetted on a bonding part of the external lead to cool a bonding part of the external lead and the electrode. During the irradiating step, the one of the external leads registered on one of the corresponding electrodes can be pressed against the electrode to bond the bonding part of the electrode and the external lead.

Abstract: The process relates to the production of a product consisting of a substrate to which an adhesive with long-term effect and a protective band are attached to permit use of the adhesive to be deferred. The process is characterized by the use of a substrate whose surface to which the adhesive is attached may present irregularities. The adhesive is heated to a temperature at which is becomes paste-like and almost liquid, and is brought to an opening situated above a plane surface on which the substrate has been placed. The adhesive is then caused to flow simultaneously with a relative movement between the substrate and the opening. This results in the adhesive being deposited on the substrate as a strand that is preferably continuous. The temperature of the adhesive is then lowered in order to increase its viscosity until it becomes paste-like to the point of turning solid.

Abstract: A hot air cold form pin welding device for use in assembly of work pieces using thermoformable and pressure deformable synthetic resin studs. A hot air heater is positioned in a support structure that isolates heat transfer along with multiple power and air cycling to reduce heat build-up. The cold forming pin assembly with internal heat dissipation and airflow structure forms and presses a replasticized pin significantly reducing the cold pin press cycle time.

Abstract: The invention relates to an air-exhausting and pre-pressing apparatus for laminated glass sheets. In the manufacture of laminated windscreens, the glass sheets are carried on a conveyor in a substantially upright position through a heating tunnel. The suction tubes included in a suction track adjacent to the conveyor are coupled with suction rings surrounding the edges of the laminated glass sheets. A preheating station, a heating station, and a recooling station are set successively to define together a heating tunnel, the conveyor extending through the heating tunnel. The preheating station and the recooling station are linked with each other by at least two air circulation ducts for circulating air from the recooling station to the preheating station and from the preheating station back to the recooling station. The arrangement saves heating energy and achieves a uniform heating and cooling of glass sheets.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the continuous manufacture of printed, laminated stock is provided. The apparatus is designed to use plain, uncoated webs and at separate stations along a continuous path apply a release coating, apply an adhesive, join the webs together and imprint the combined webs to yield a final, laminated and imprinted stock. By die cutting and stripping the stock at further stations, discrete elements such as labels may be produced and carried by one of the webs. The apparatus preferably includes stations for curing and remoisturizing the release coated web, whereby a known moisture content is provided for the release coating prior to the application of adhesive and joining the webs into laminated stock. The process includes providing respective webs, applying a release coating to one web, joining the two webs together, imprinting at least one of the webs and routing the combined webs to a delivery station whereby the entire process is continuous and uninterrupted.

Abstract: For laminating layers consisting at least in part of thermoplastic films, in particular for producing identification cards, or the like, carrying information and/or data, a method is proposed where the blank, after having been introduced between pressing dies, is initially subjected to the pressure and heat required for complete lamination of the blank. Heat dissipation is prevented during heating by the fact that cooling components are kept at a predetermined distance from the heating surfaces. During a subsequent transition from heating to cooling, the heating effect is terminated and cooling bodies are brought into contact with the pressing and heating components, for reducing the temperature of the completely laminated product.

Abstract: A conventional ultrasonic tube sealing device is modified for dissipating undesirable heat energy by locating in close proximity to a horn a heat sink block, causing via pneumatic means the heat exchange block to make contact with the horn only when the horn is in an open retracted position with respect to an anvil, and causing the heat exchange block to separate from the horn when the horn is in a closed sealing position with respect to the anvil. The heat exchange block cools the heat exchange block by drawing off undesirable heat energy, yet, by separating during the sealing mode, allows the horn to function properly and does not adversely affect its ultrasonic properties. The heat exchange block may be cooled by transporting through strategically located passageways an externally cooled fluid.

Abstract: The process for the production of a thermoelectrically weldable zone in thermoplastic materials is significantly improved by the true-to-size, air-free embedding of the heating conductor at a clearly defined depth below the joining surface. For this purpose in a first process step a sublevel wire bed bottom is cut in the material, in which is cut a substantially inverted T-shaped incision, running in two planes and at the desired depth, measured from the material surface and, following the surface profile, the cut is passed along the heating conductor insertion line. Using the same tool the cover strips formed are raised and stretched along the path of cut, so that an open channel is formed with the sublevel wire bed bottom. Preferably in the same operation the wire bed is also cut true-to-size with a cutting tool and corresponding to the heating conductor. In a later process step the heating conductor is placed through the still open channel, the cover strips are pressed and then melted.

Abstract: An elastic band activation apparatus for activating a heat-sensitive thermal film attached to an edge of a body of an article to form an elastic band along the edge of the article. The apparatus has at least one chamber with a heating zone having a shrinkage atmosphere at a first temperature sufficiently elevated to activate the heat-sensitive thermal film to shrink the film to form the elastic band. The chamber may also have a cooling zone with a quench atmosphere at a second temperature which is less than the first temperature to arrest the shrinkage of the heat-sensitive thermal film. An article transporter transports the article through the heating zone and then through the cooling zone. The apparatus may also include two lateral compression bars for spreading apart first and second adjacent edges of an article when transported through the chamber to expose the article interior region to activate first and second heat-sensitive thermal films, thereby forming first and second elastic bands.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a continuously operating double band press for fabrication of laminates, chip,- or fiberboard, plywood or the like. The double band press comprises an upper and a lower endless press band conducted over respectively two reversing drums rotatably supported in a rigid press stand. Pressure chambers are arranged on the inner sides of the press bands, which are bounded in a vertical direction by a pressure plate fastened in the press stand and the press band and in a horizontal direction by floating seals. A pressure generated by fluid agents acts in the pressure chambers upon the press bands. Heat-conducting elements are arranged in the pressure chamber for heating or cooling the press bands. These heat-conducting elements comprise a body in which means for heating or cooling the heat-conducting elements are provided.

Abstract: An elastic band activation apparatus for activating a heat-sensitive thermal film attached to an edge of a body of an article to form an elastic band along the edge of the article. The apparatus has at least one chamber with a heating zone having a shrinkage atmosphere at a first temperature sufficiently elevated to activate the heat-sensitive thermal film to shrink the film to form the elastic band. The chamber may also have a cooling zone with a quench atmosphere at a second temperature which is less than the first temperature to arrest the shrinkage of the heat-sensitive thermal film. An article transporter transports the article through the heating zone and then through the cooling zone. The apparatus may also include two lateral compression bars for spreading apart first and second adjacent edges of an article when transported through the chamber to expose the article interior region to activate first and second heat-sensitive thermal films, thereby forming first and second elastic bands.

Abstract: In an apparatus for the production of tubular bodies such as tubes from a foil strip including a weldable plastic material, the longitudinal edges of which are welded together between two endless belts under the effect of heat and pressure with subsequent cooling, part of a belt runs against a mandrel in which individual portions thereof can be set to different temperatures to provide for selective control of the belt in order to increase the rate of production.

Abstract: An automatic heat transfer press for imprinting sublimation transfers onto mugs and the like by utilizing heat and contact pressure. The press has three vertically stacked, general sections: a heating chamber, a base, and a cooling chamber interconnecting the heater chamber and base. The heating and cooling chambers are enclosed by a casing. The heating chamber contains the press's two heating units, one for heating the external surface of the mug and the other for heating the interior the mug. The press utilizes a stainless steel sheathed, mineral insulated band heater with a multizone, uniplanar heater element.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing a continuous bicomponent lamina having thermoplastic on one side and fabric on the other side by pressing fabric into extruded thermoplastic with sufficient force to embed the fabric in the extruded thermoplastic to form the continuous bicomponent lamina.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing a laminate of metal and a polymeric film such as polypropylene bonded to a metal substrate such as steel or aluminum strip, preferably electrolytically chromium coated steel for making can ends, comprises laminating a polypropylene film to the metal and subjecting the film to a temperature above its melting point, and then uniformly and rapidly cooling the laminate to a temperature substantially below the melting point of the polypropylene by flooding the polypropylene coated surface of the laminate with cold liquid, e.g., water at room temperature.

Abstract: A laminating machine for paper protection, particularly a laminating machine with a motor and a transmission device located within a casing composed of an upper casing member and a lower casing member, a pair of rollers rotating in opposite direction; having a heating element, a thermal sensor, a heat distribution plate and a heater base to melt plastic film and adhere it to paper or card; and incorporated with a pair of back to back cooling plates to cool down the laminated paper or card.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automated resistance welding of materials is provided. The material may be thermoplastic material. The material has a layer of a second material adjacent thereto. The second material is a dissimilar material which may be applied as a film or a coating on the first material, or the second material may be a separate layer placed adjacent the first material. A heating element is placed in the interface between overlapping portions of the two pieces of material to be welded together. The layers are directly adjacent to the heating element. The layers can be consolidated onto the heating element if desired. The heating element can be composed of carbon fibers in a polymer matrix. The heating element is supplied with current to generate resistive heating. The heating causes melting of the layers adjacent to and contacting the material. Pressure is applied to the area being welded to fuse the materials together.

Abstract: A process for the production of tighthead drums having dimensional stability of the injection molded lids and blow molded drum bodies, comprises blow molding double drum bodies from plastic and centrally separating them into two drum bodies. Tighthead lids are produced by injection molding from plastic. The tighthead lids are then welded to the drum bodies. Widemouth drums are also produced by blow molding double drum bodies from plastic and centrally separating them into two drum bodies, but with a molded-on edge at a distance under the drum opening. Drum lids are injected molded from plastic with an outside flange molded-on the lower lid edge. A sealant of plastic is injected into the lids and the lids are positioned on the drum bodies sealed with a clamping ring.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for producing fully air-cushioning dunnage from two sources of flexible thermoplastic film. This improved apparatus and method provides a fully air-filled dunnage by maintaining a forming roller (16) at a cold temperature. The outer surface (33) has a thermo-resistive layer (32) completely convering its periphery absent a plurality of cavities (30) formed therein. A first film (12) is heated then thermoformed into said cavities (30). The thermoformed portions of the film contact the cold cavities in the forming roller to cool both the film and the air in the cavities to a cold temperature. The heat welding surface of first film (12) is kept at an elevated temperature by the thermo-resisitive layer. A second film (20) is heated and welded to said first film by and with an adjustable heated pressure roller (24). The heat traveling through the second film and the first film is delayed for a predetermined amount of time by the thermo-resistive layer.

Abstract: A sheet binder includes a frame having first and second spaced parallel support walls for receiving therebetween a plurality of sheet to be bound. The walls each have a first end for defining therebetween an opening into which the sheets are inserted, and a second end defining therebetween a binding zone. A heating plate and deposition base are operably associated with the second ends for applying an adhesive strip to associated edges of the sheets for binding the sheets together. The plate and base are displaceably supported within the frame for being linearly and alternatingly moved into and out of the binding zone.

Abstract: The present invention provides heater equipment for heating to high temperature and intended to be mounted on a rigid mechanical support (66) in particular the table of a press for manufacturing products made of plastic material or of composite materials. The equipment comprises a heat distribution plate (60) which is heated in multiple zones by a heater submodule (61) comprising a plurality of one piece flat metal-clad heater elements (62) which are spaced apart by spacer blocks (63) and which are distributed over at least three different zones. Each heater element (62) includes at least three resistances (X1, X2, X3). The heater zones are fed with electric power independently from one another by electronic power feed means for each zone, with the power being fed as a function of predetermined references for each zone in co-operation with temperature sensors.

Abstract: A device for forming a resin impregnated unidirectional fiber reinforced prepreg where the resin impregnated fiber web is supported by a single endless conveyor belt. The device includes a pair of pull rolls which exert force directly and longitudinally onto the conveyor belt and the web.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a method of continuously forming a layered composite material into a rigid structure as the material is moved from an upstream location to a downstream location. The uncured layered composite material is pulled from a supply at the upstream location through a forming die to form the material into a structural member having a desired shape. The member is moved downstream into a heating die where it is at least partially cured. After it leaves the heating die it is cooled and continues to move downstream where it is cut into suitable lengths. The cooling can be accomplished by a cooling die located downstream from the heating die. A liner is provided within the dies having the same shape as the structural member through which the structural member slides as it moves in the downstream location.

Abstract: A thermoformable mat, e.g., a mat of resinated fiberglass, is compressed and shaped into a contoured object, e.g., a shell for an automobile headliner, by this process. The mat is compressed between two dies that have been preheated. At least one of the dies is perforated. Superheated steam (e.g., at 80 psig and 600.degree. F.) is ejected from the perforations into the mat, thereby quickly raising the mat temperature to its thermoforming point. After the mat is set into the contoured shape, the dies are reopened and the formed mat is removed. If the mat that is used contains a thermoplastic adhesive, the mat is cooled to below the adhesive's melt print before the dies are opened. This can be done by applying a vacuum to the perforated die and pulling ambient air through the mat.

Abstract: A carpet iron constructed with a weighted member having a flat bottom surface with a plurality of orifices therein, through which a cool gas is supplied, the carpet iron being used to press and cool a carpet seam that has been prepared with an underlying hot melt tape.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in extruding a plastic film with integral interlocking closure members. A flat plastic film and integral closure members are extruded through a single die opening. An air knife is used to push the extruded plastic film towards a chill roll and aids in the cooling of the film. The chill roll is rotatably driven and substantially cools the flat portion of the plastic film. Nozzles direct chilled air at the closure members. Cooling shoes are placed in close proximity to the extruded closure member and cool down and solidify the closure members. The cooling shoes are also used for shaping the closure members. The cooling shoes may be located adjacent the chill roll or adjacent a backing plate.

Abstract: A filament winding system includes a head that selects the number of tows to be within a winding band while winding and positioning the winding band directly on the mandrel according to contours of the mandrel. Half of the tows are conveyed in an upper portion of the head and the remaining half are conveyed in a lower portion of the head with both halves meeting at an applicating roller at the discharge end of the tows. The head includes cut and add assemblies wherein the individual tows are selectively cut and later can be added to the band.

Abstract: A device for stretching the width of strip material including two rotatably mounted circular pulleys having portions of their peripheries at a close spacing at a first location and portions of their peripheries at a larger spacing at a second location. Two flexible belts are mounted for movement along predetermined paths including clamping path portions with portions of the belts and pulleys in engagement from an inlet position adjacent the first location to an outlet position adjacent the second location. Edge portions of the strip material are guided between the belts and the peripheral surfaces at the inlet position and the portion of the strip material extending from the inlet position to the outlet position is clamped to the peripheral surface of the pulley by the belts and is stretched to widen its width as the pulleys rotate during movement of the strip material from the inlet position to the outlet position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for heat sealing two thermoplastic parts by clamping the parts together with a cooled clamp so that the edges of the parts are exposed and melting the edges together by contacting them with a hot seal head wherein a layer of a protective material is interposed between the hot seal head and the parts to be sealed.

Abstract: Bags having a spout opening defined by a spout edge surface affixed within the bags are sealed with a spout closure membrane first by pressing the closure membrane against the spout edge surface with a cooled plate. A heating unit which includes a heating element, which has a surface which corresponds in size and shape with the spout edge surface, then is moved adjacent the cooled plate to heat a portion of the cooled plate for sealing the closure membrane to the spout edge surface. After heating the closure membrane for sealing the spout edge surface to the closure membrane, the heating element is moved away from the plate whereby the heated portion of the plate then cools and cools the seal. After the seal is cooled, the plate then is moved away from the sealed spout and bag.

Abstract: Plastics coated metal tube produced by folding a strip of metal into a tubular form, seaming the tube and immediately extruding layers of plastics material onto the inner and outer surfaces of the metal tube, and cooling the plastics layers by passing the tube through a water bath, contains air injected under pressure to assist adhering the extruded plastics coating onto the inner surface of the metal tube and to test the integrity of the tube. The invention provides apparatus comprising jaws which clamp the tube within the water bath in order to seal the tube while the inner coating is still plastic so that when the tube is cut into lengths at the seals the internal pressure is retained until the tube is eventually used.