Abstract: An apparatus for transversely sealing layers of thermoplastic material wherein platen-equipped upper and lower cross bar conveyors are provided for the sealing, there is provided means for jogging the thermoplastic web material incident to heat-up of the platens to prevent scorching of the web and means for stretching the layered web during sealing to overcome the tendency for differential longitudinal shrinkage.

Abstract: This invention is an improved heatseal die that forms superior airtight seals. The die has opposed die faces, with one die face having longitudinal lands and the other die face having grooves for receiving the lands. The lands are truncated and the depth of the grooves is greater than the height of the lands. As a result, the force applied by the lands and grooves is applied entirely as a shearing force, which forms the superior heatseals.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing pocketed coil springs is provided. The apparatus includes a pair of weld heads and an adjustment assembly for moving the heads longitudinally or transversely from each other. The relative position of the weld lines in a fabric passing beneath the heads can accordingly be set with precision. This is accomplished by rotating one of the heads about two axes, one extending through the head and a second axis extending parallel to the first at a selected distance therefrom.

Abstract: For producing transverse seams on tube bag machines, two conjointly, oppositely moving sealing tool jaws (15, 16) are provided, which are movable on a carriage (6) during the sealing process.For driving the sealing tool and selecting an appropriate stroke length, the frame (5) on which the carriage (6) rests is movable up and down by a pair of coupled cam-actuated levers (19). The axes of rotation (34) of two levers (19), and thus the distances travelled by their uncoupled, flapping ends, are adjustable along the lengths of the levers. This is accomplished by turning a spindle (3) bearing oppositely wound screw threads, which sets adjustment bodies (30) with sliding blocks (4) for the two-armed levers (19).Thus, packages of varying heights can be efficiently sealed, since the sealing mechanism always seals in the middle of the package height, regardless of stroke length selected.

Abstract: The present invention comprises method and apparatus for substantially uniformly distributing a layer of discrete particles along a predetermined portion of the uppermost surface of a moving porous web so that the particles occupy less than 100% of the predetermined portion of the uppermost surface of said moving web.

Abstract: A device for concurrently forming a plurality of generally longitudinally extending grooves in a filter rod includes at least one pair of groove forming rollers located in a common plane, with their axes of rotation generally parallel and with their peripheries spaced apart. A plurality of elongated, generally arcuately shaped groove forming projections are spaced apart from each other around the circumference of each of the rollers. Each groove forming projections of one roller is in opposed facing, coextensive, aligned relationship with a different one of the groove forming projections of the other roller across the space separating the peripheries of the rollers. As a filter rod to be grooved passes through the space between the peripheries of the rollers, the rollers are rotated and the groove forming projections embed into the peripheral surface of the filter rod thusly forming grooves into the peripheral filter rod surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for bonding together a plurality of juxtaposed webs which are subject to being ultrasonically bonded together to form a laminate as the webs are being driven forward at a relatively high velocity. The regions of the webs to be bonded are subjected to progressively increasing compressive forces while simultaneously being subjected to ultrasonic energy as they traverse an elongate portion of a predetermined path at a predetermined velocity. After the regions are ultrasonically bonded they may be subjected to another compression prior to the bonds becoming fully set upon cooling. The method may be practiced in an apparatus which includes an ultrasonic horn and an anvil which are configured and disposed to define a bonding passageway having an elongate convergent portion; and the apparatus may include a pressure roll biased towards the anvil adjacent the downstream end of the passageway.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming grooves in the peripheral surface of a filter rod includes two endless conveyor devices located such that one conveyor flight of a first one of the endless conveyor devices is generally parallel to and spaced from one conveyor flight of the second one of the endless conveyor devices. The first and second conveyor devices each have a plurality of filter rod receiving pockets at spaced apart intervals along their lengths. The pockets in the first and second conveyor devices cooperate across the space between their facing flights to hold cigarette filters to be grooved at predetermined spaced apart intervals as the endless conveyor devices move the filter rods through the apparatus. A grooving roller is located between the ends of each of first and second endless conveyor devices.

Abstract: This machine comprises a sonotrode (1), a matrix (4) of tubes (5) bringing threads (10) onto a support sheet (7) for the purpose of welding rows of loops to the surface of this sheet. The matrix (4) is guided between slides (6) which are parallel to the longitudinal axes of the tubes (5) and perpendicularly to the surface of application of the sonotrode (1) vibrations. A driving mechanism (13, 14, 15) periodically brings the extremities of the tubes (5) from which the threads leave against the sonotrode (1) by pressing the base of a row of loops and the support sheet (7) against the sonotrode in order to cause them to be welded together.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for attaching heavy weight plastic zippers to light weight plastic bag material. The method includes the steps of aligning the zippers with the bag material and holding the zippers and bag material between a pair of belts. The motion of the bag material drives the pair of belts at the same speed. Heated rails are pressed lightly against one of the belts so that heat passes through the belt and heats the bag material and zipper material only enough to seal the back of the bag material to the back zipper piece. The bag material is then held over a roll, and heated air is directed along a line to heat only the front piece of the bag material and the front zipper piece enough to seal. The bag material is then slit in the middle, and side sealed and cut by conventional means.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for manufacturing solar heating devices of a type having bonded together sheets of thermoplastic material forming a flexible wall container for fluid to be heated. The methods and apparatus involve advancing first and second elongate indeterminate lengths of sheet material longitudinally along respective paths while heating, bonding and sealing the sheets. Specific arrangements and steps for heating, bonding, and sealing are described.

Abstract: A composite material consisting of at least three layers joined by welds, wherein, in order to prevent the intrusion of cold, as well as to improve the hand, the points of fusion do not join all layers, but in each case only a part thereof. It is especially suitable for the manufacture of clothing and bedding. A new process and apparatus for its manufacture is also disclosed.

Abstract: A patterned marrying roll especially adapted to combined multiple plies of a tissue sheet at a nip between the marrying roll and an embossing roll. The marrying roll is provided with a pattern of raised laminating elements covering a predetermined percentage of the marrying roll surface which are caused to bear against the raised embossing elements of an embossing roll with the plies of a pillowed tissue sheet therebetween. The pattern of raised elements on the marrying roll surface may be in the form of dots, a recticular grid pattern, or any other pattern of choice. The pattern is preferably aligned at an angle to the machine direction to eliminate bunching or puckering of the tissue sheet between pattern elements. The pattern on the marrying roll may comprise from approximately 10% to approximately 40% of the marrying roll surface.

Abstract: A method of joining two sheets of a non-magnetic material e.g. a plastics material, together along a join line comprises the steps of locating the sheets in a zone between a magnet and a body which is attracted by the magnet to bring the sheets together, causing the sheets to be moved through the zone either by moving the sheets or by moving the magnet and body, and joining the sheets together e.g. by heat or ultrasonic welding, in the zone or immediately after the sheets have passed through the zone. Apparatus for use in this method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Dot Hot Stapling is provided wherein articles such as bags can be made of interwoven or knitted plastic material and wherein the interfitting or interwoven strips are adapted to be sealed together so as to prevent unraveling and to provide an economical method of making such articles. With the present invention, crossing points of tape type fabrics are attached together with dot sealing or dot hole edge sealing by any means that will accomplish this function. The dot heat sealing may be accomplished in any of plurality of ways such as by using heated needles, co-acting rollers with heated prongs, pulsed laser, interrupted heated air jets, a pulsed spark arrangement, intermittent ultrasound, ultrasonics, or the like.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for producing packages and particularly substantially wrinkle-free packages from strips of cohesive-coated media. A first strip having a coating of cohesive material facing upwardly is advanced along a supporting surface. After an object to be packaged is deposited thereon, a second strip having a coating of cohesive material facing downwardly is moved over the first strip and the object. The strips are then sealed along an elongate, transverse area in front of the newly-deposited object and behind a previously-deposited one. Subsequently, longitudinal edge portions of both strips are sealed along both sides of the object. As the strip is further advanced, the transverse area is severed along an intermediate line to separate a leading package containing the previously-deposited object from a leading portion of the strips containing the newly-deposited object.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming transverse seam welds or separated seam welds in plastic film webs, preferably for making bags, with a transverse welding device having jaws cyclically opened and closed and between which the film web is intermittently advanced when the jaws are open and is held in position during the welding times, and a rocker lever, which by a cam slot and a slide block imparts to the transverse welding device or to the film web a movement in the same or opposite direction to each other, which movement is derived from a rotating eccentric cam wheel.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for manufacturing of articles from continuous film webs (2, 3, 5, 6) by means of welding the film during transportation of the film webs through treatment stations (24, 25, 26). The film webs are during their transport supported by a movable conveyor belt (40) and welded against the conveyor belt so that the film webs (2, 3, 5, 6) adhere to and are connected to the belt and conveyed via formed connections (45) and are released from the conveyor belt after accomplished transportation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for making a series of coil springs pocketed within individual pockets in an elongate fabric strip comprised of two overlying plies capable of being thermally welded together. The fabric strip is fed along a guide path during which compressed coil springs are inserted between the piles with the axes of the springs substantially normal to the planes of the plies, whereafter the fabric plies are thermally welded together longitudinally and transversly to form a series of connected pocketed springs. After thermal welding, the pocketed springs are passed through a turner assembly during which the coil springs are reoriented within the fabric pockets to positions wherein the axes of the springs are transverse to the fabric strip.

Abstract: Two face-to-face and continuously moving strips of heat-sealable material are guided around a drum adapted to rotate continuously about an upright axis and carrying a heated sealing ring on its lower end. The sealing ring is smaller in diameter than the drum and is offset radially inwardly from the drum in order to seal the bottom margins of the strips together without forming wrinkles in the seal.

Abstract: An improved ultrasonic bonding apparatus for pattern bonding juxtaposed laminae with a pattern of discrete bonds defined by a multiplicity of discrete pattern protuberances disposed on an anvil as the laminae are forwarded in the machine direction while fixedly associated with the discrete pattern protuberances. In such apparatus having the tip of an ultrasonic transducer biased towards its anvil surface, the discrete pattern protuberances are so configured and disposed on the anvil in its machine direction to obviate cobblestoning of the transducer with respect to the anvil as a patterned portion thereof is moved past the transducer tip; and/or the discrete pattern protuberances are so configured and disposed transverse the apparatus to precipitate wear--preferably even wear--of the tip of the ultrasonic transducer of the apparatus along the entirety of a line-of-contact portion thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the production of air cell cushioning material, for protective cushioning purposes in packaging or other purposes, with the air cell product being formed from flexible, single stratum sheet of low density, low melting point thermoplastic, such as low density polyethylene film. The method and apparatus include an arrangement for cooling an embossed film on a rotatable forming drum to a predetermined temperature range prior to applying a sealing laminating film to the cooled embossed film, and are such that the apparatus can be halted in its operation without injurious effects to any substantial amount of the air cell product being produced, and can be restarted to again commence production of the air cell product. The apparatus and method utilize clear thermoplastic single stratum film, and result in an effective air cell cushioning product which possesses extremely good clarity even after the heating and pressure steps utilized in the production of the product.

Abstract: Profiled heat seals in plastic film are provided by opposed profiled heat sealing platens supported on endless chains. The platens are heated by contact with associated heating drums.

Abstract: The ultrasonically bonded point bonds of non-woven fabric are dyed by applying liquid dye to the contacting crossing points of the fibers before or at the same time that they are bonded by the application of ultrasonic energy, such energy being used not only to effect the point bonds but also to drive and fix the dye in such point bonds.

Abstract: An improved process is provided for making tufted carpets having bonded nonwoven fabric secondary backings. After the secondary backing has been laminated to a back-sized and tufted primary backing to form a carpet composite, the composite is passed through a nip to emboss the secondary backing and provide a less stiff, easier to install carpet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the production of thermoplastic film air cell cushioning product. The method and apparatus utilize as stock material flexible thermoplastic film formed of a composite of a stratum of relatively high density, high melting point thermoplastic and another stratum of relatively low density, low melting point thermoplastic bonded to the first mentioned stratum.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for continuously attaching an elastic member to discrete portions of a moving web to impart an elasticized character to predetermined portions of the web while preserving the inelastic character of the other portions of the web.

Abstract: An ultrasonically bonded non-woven web is produced having no unacceptable fuzziness. An ultrasonic horn and an anvil roller are mounted for cooperation with each other to effect ultrasonic welding of a single batt of random, loose ultrasonically fusible fibers passed between them in a dry condition. The anvil roller comprises metal projections disposed in a pattern defining the roller circumferential surface, and ultrasonically insulating material--such as rubber--fills the volume between the metal projections.

Abstract: Reinforced plastic (FRP) panels of substantial width are manufactured continuously in a machine utilizing two stainless steel belts, with an inner belt trained about a driven rotating heating drum and an idler sheave. An outer belt is trained about the inner belt as it passes around the drum and also about three idler sheaves, two being employed to direct the outer belt about the inner belt and the third being employed for tensioning and tracking purposes. An additional idler roll is employed as a nip roll where the two belts join substantially tangent to the heating drum. Both belts may have substantially horizontally flights for application of heat curable resin. A fiberglass or other reinforcement mat is fed into the nip. The resin such as unsaturated polyester may be fed in controlled doctored amounts of liquid form to provide a bead or puddle at the nip into and through which the mat is drawn. The heat of the drum initiates the cure to form a wide controlled thickness reinforced sheet.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for bonding together juxtaposed webs which are subject to being ultrasonically bonded together such as, for example, thermoplastic films or non-woven thermoplastic webs or elastomeric films to form a laminate as the webs are being driven forward at a relatively high velocity. The apparatus includes an ultrasonic horn and a power-rotated anvil cylinder which define a bonding passageway therebetween, and a rotatable pressure roll which is biased towards the anvil adjacent the downstream end of the bonding passageway to apply a predetermined level of compressive force to the bonded regions of the laminate issuing from the passageway before the bonds in the bonded regions become fully set upon cooling.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for producing a non-woven fabric ultrasonically without unacceptable streaking. A fibrous batt is continuously fed in a first direction toward and past a plurality of vibration sources and anvil. Energy is supplied to the vibration sources so that bonding of the fibrous batt in a non-woven fabric takes place at the vibration sources and anvil. Significant migration of fibers of the batt is positively prevented just prior to passage of the batt into contact with the vibration sources so that a streakless bonded non-woven fabric is produced. Migration may be positively prevented by disposing a heated roller of hard material just upstream of the vibration sources, and providing a second compression roller upstream of the heated roller.

Abstract: In the manufacture of a multi-ply fibrous web structure, each of a pair of plies of fibrous web material is provided with a pattern of relatively deep, primary, spot embossments each adherent to the opposite ply and surrounded by a pattern of relatively shallow, secondary, non-adherent spot embossments.

Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating a quadrupole shadow mask includes a reel for storing a web of insulating material having a conductive layer on one side thereof, a reel for storing a long metal strip having a plurality of spaced apertures arranged in parallel rows, means for cutting the web into strips and a roller having circumferential grooves for positioning and then pressing the insulating strips onto the surface of the metal strip between the rows. The resulting strip is guided through a heating device and then is cut into sheets of predetermined length.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for the automatic laminating of copper coated insulating plates for the preparation of electric circuit boards with centrally arranged and motor driven laminating rolls.

Abstract: A coating method in which a coating film is transferred from a film carrying roll leaf, onto the surface of a product. A positioning platform, together with a pressure member which acts against the platform, define a transfer station at which the roll leaf and product are concurrently aligned. A continuously moving and guided thermal belt preheats the foil sufficiently to effect separation of the roll leaf decorative layer from the carrier, and assure its transfer to the product surface.

Abstract: In a method of making packaging, especially for steam-sterilizable medical or pharmaceutical products, a tinted plastics sheet is formed as a laminate (34) comprising two substantially transparent sheets (10, 30) bonded together by a tinted adhesive (15). The sheet is then heat-sealed in selected areas (50, 52, 54) to a second sheet (40) to form a pouch (56) or tube to receive the product.The arrangement ensures that one of the films will be between the adhesive and the product so that colorant cannot migrate and contaminate the product when subjected to high temperatures and vacuum during steam-sterilization.The outer film may be polyester, the inner film a heat-sealable material such as cast polypropylene, and the second sheet may be paper.

Abstract: An apparatus for welding a web of material which is being moved in its longitudinal direction is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a movable welding tool which welds along a line of contact against the periphery of a rotatable counter-roller, and a drive means which imparts rotary movement to the counter-roller and moves the welding tool periodically into its welding position. The apparatus further comprises a means for superimposing on the counter-roller rotation an additional rotation such that the point of weld contact on the counter-roller is distributed equally around the periphery of said roller.

Abstract: Radio frequency heat sealing method and apparatus for simultaneously fabricating a plurality of separate items from separate sets of continuous plastic strips or sheets as these sets are indexed in unison past a heat sealing station. The technique utilizes a platen equipped with heat fusing and tear sealing dies on its opposite faces and which platen is located between separate sets of plastic strips and a pair of cooperating platens. The die equipped intermediate platen is preferably cooled to permit rapid cycling and indexing of the sets of stripping therepast.

Abstract: A composite tape made of highly different components is laminated in a process that maintains registry between the components. Strips of metal and insulating material are aligned in registry and first tack bonded at intervals. Then the strips are area bonded to create the composite.

Abstract: A tube of thermoplastic netting is drawn through a work station in a radially collapsed, condensed condition. At the work station, the netting is angularly twisted to rope-like form, to increase its bulk density and, in such condition, is drawn between the die and platen of an ultrasonic welding horn. Periodically, the die and platen momentarily bear against a succeeding short length of the twisted, condensed rope-like form making a fused seal nugget integrating all strands of the netting at that site. The resulting product may be a long length of such tubing, having such a seal every so often, or a plurality of bags formed from the intermediate product by making one transverse cut through the netting tube beside each seal nugget.

Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating absorbent, puffy sheet structure comprising a pair of plies of web material adhered in continuous linear regions interspersed with pocket portions. Portions of the plies forming the pocket portions include inwardly presented perforate bosses that enhance softness and water absorbency. The apparatus comprises a pair of matched-pattern, synchronously rotatable steel rolls each provided with small, sharp, ply-perforating members in the recesses between land areas, in combination with synchronous rotatable rubber embossing rolls urged against the rotatable steel rolls and intervening plies to form the perforate bosses.

Abstract: A short dwell indexing drive system for intermittently moving a web of thermosealing material through a bag machine includes a conjugate cam defined by a pair of disc cams on a continuously driven input or cam shaft which engage cooperating groups of cam followers on an intermittently driven output shaft that yields one web draw/dwell cycle for each revolution of the cam shaft. In the preferred embodiment the contour of the cams smoothly index the web by first accelerating the output shaft from zero velocity through a relatively low peak velocity and thereafter decelerating the web to zero velocity at a point in the cycle in excess of 180.degree. before the output shaft is held stationary to the end of the cycle during a dwell period. Belt drives and an adjustable jackshaft which allows the use of different pulley ratios are connected between the output shaft and a web engaging draw roll for amplifying or reducing motion of the output shaft and for providing articles such as bags of different sizes.

Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing pharmaceutical single-dose containers with opening threads, including a thread introduction device in conjunction with a presealing station, where the thread introduction device is mounted so as to be movable in the direction of the presealing station and comprises thread transporting means, thread cutting means and time synchronization control means for the individual devices in such a way that first the foil strip is advanced by a particular unit, then the thread introduction device is moved in the direction of the presealing station and the threads are introduced into a number of single dose containers, followed by the sealing of the halves of the single-dose containers in adjacent areas with simultaneous sealing of part of the threads, and finally the threads are cut from the thread strand or the pre-cut threads are taken from the guide channel, whereupon the thread introduction device is moved out again and the foil strip is transported further.

Abstract: A method and a machine for manufacturing multi-tube filters. The filter is manufactured from a continuous material web which is folded in zigzag, one layer upon the other, the length of the respective layer corresponding to the desired length of the filter tubes. During the folding of each layer, said layer is joined to the layer below by parallel, lengthwise seams, whereby rows of contiguous filter tubes are formed and neighboring rows of filter tubes are joined together. The seams that delimit the respective tubes in a row of filter tubes are positioned in alignment with the corresponding seams in all the other rows of filter tubes and the seams that join together neighboring rows are positioned right between said tube-forming seams. The interconnected layers form, when the filter unit is extended in a direction at right angles to the layers, a filter unit comprising a plurality of tubes that are essentially square in cross-section.

Abstract: A series of labels remain supported on a liner after a matrix of waste label material has been stripped from the liner. The adhesion of the matrix to the liner is weakened prior to stripping of the matrix by mechanically disturbing without severing, as by embossing, areas of the construction where the matrix overlies the liner. Areas where the leading ends of labels overlie the liner may also be similarly disturbed to make eventual peeling of the liner from the labels easier. In another aspect, the construction may be precrushed with a blunt die prior to die-cutting of the labels to eliminate "halo" effect upon stripping of the matrix.

Abstract: A sonic or ultrasonic apparatus for exposing sheet material having a heat fusible component disposed therein to high frequency vibrational or mechanical energy to perform an operation thereon. The apparatus includes a plurality of electro-acoustical converter units, each of which is energized by high frequency electrical energy that is converted into high frequency vibrational energy. The units are horizontally spaced in juxtaposition to each other in line transversely above the sheet material, and each electro-acoustical converter unit has a horn resonant at the high frequency vibrational energy which opposes stationary anvil means positioned beneath the sheet material.

Abstract: Lamination of plastic film and shaped metal substrates is carried out by a pair of rolls which comprises one heat-resistant roll having a hollow for receiving at least a forward edge of the shaped metal substrate, on at least one of the surfaces of the roll. A laminated product having no defect or crease of the plastic film can be obtained.

Abstract: Apparatus for the manufacture of bags from a web of plastic material while applying the principle of loop formation, comprising a plurality of supports, traveling in a first endless path said supports carrying and holding the web by means of suction, further comprising heatsealing members moving in a second endless path, a part of which coincides with a portion of said first endless path for severing and heatsealing the web at spaced intervals so as to form bags, said supports with the bags passing through a cooling zone downstream of said common portion of both paths, said apparatus comprising means for taking the bags off from the supports.

Abstract: A short dwell indexing drive system for intermittently moving a web of thermosealing material through a bag machine includes a conjugate cam defined by a pair of disc cams on a continuously driven input or cam shaft which engage cooperating groups of cam followers on an intermittently driven output shaft that yields one web draw/dwell cycle for each revolution of the cam shaft. In the preferred embodiment the contour of the cams smoothly index the web by first accelerating the output shaft from zero velocity through a relatively low peak velocity and thereafter decelerating the web to zero velocity at a point in the cycle in excess of 180.degree. before the output shaft is held stationary to the end of the cycle during a dwell period. Belt drives and an adjustable jackshaft which allows the use of different pulley ratios are connected between the output shaft and a web engaging draw roll for amplifying or reducing motion of the output shaft and for providing articles such as bags of different sizes.

Abstract: Method and machine for fabricating plasticboard wherein areas of bonding are created with localized heating and pressure.