Abstract: Sealing leaks in pressurized membranes, such as waterbeds without depressurizing. Such a membrane is gripped manually at the leak locus and vicinity, thereby folding and compressing the membrane to segregate and to seal the leak locus temporarily--and also enabling it to be dried. Next a patch is adhered over the leak locus, after which the membrane is released to return to its original shape. Apparatus for performing the steps subsequent to such manual gripping of the membrane include a base member and a first clamp member, pivoted together, between which the folded membrane is compressed; also a second clamp member, which--with the base member--compresses a patch onto the membrane, sealing off the leak locus permanently. The respective pivoted members are disengageably engageable, configured so as to maintain each such compression until completion of the desired steps, whereupon manual flexing disengages them from one another.

Abstract: For connecting two band portions (11a, 11b) by friction welding, one band portion (11a) is pressed against an abutment (20) by a clamping jaw (24), and the other band portion (11b) is pressed against the abutment (20) by another clamping jaw (25). An oscillating jaw (26) is arranged between the clamping jaws for performing reciprocating movements transversely to the band (11) and thus welding the overlapping band portions (11a, 11b) to each other by friction welding. For preventing shear stresses between the oscillating jaw (26) and that clamping jaw (25) which holds the band portion (11b) entrained by the oscillating jaw, this clamping jaw (25) is driven in synchronism with the oscillating jaw (26) and with the same amplitude as the oscillating jaw (26). Facing the clamping jaw (25), there is arranged a smooth support face (23) for allowing sliding movement of the band (11) thereon.

Abstract: A sealing tool for heat-sealing a pull-off lid (1) with a tearing-open tab (13) onto a container (4) comprises an upper sealing jaw (5) and a lower sealing jaw (6). The upper sealing jaw (5) is equipped, in the region of the tearing-open tab (13), with recesses (11) which start from the edge (10) of the pressure surface (9) making the sealing seam and which extend over the smaller part of the width of the pressure surface (9).

Abstract: Coverings are applied to a surface by means of a member capable of temporarily holding the covering and urging it against the surface with adhesive interposed between the covering and the surface. The covering may be held by the member by means of suction and be urged against the surface by air pressure. The member may be mounted on a first articulated arm whose movement can be controlled by an operator who may be situated on a working platform mounted on a second articulated arm. The covering may be an acoustic tile for application to the surface of a submarine hull.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removably mounting heat sinks on a chip carrying substrate by simultaneously applying pressure to both the heat sinks and the substrate. Also disclosed is a three dimensional heat sink having a plurality of spatially interconnected holes formed therein. The holes act as extended boiling surfaces which also promote agitation induced by bubble motion.

Abstract: A relieved plastic floor tile rolling press having an automatic alignment device comprising a surface roller from which a surface substratum with plane patterns printed thereon is unwound, a pressing roller on which recessed carves shaped the same as the plane patterns are formed to form relieved patterns on the plastic tile, and a sensing device to detect the lateral deviation and also detect the longitudinal location of the surface substratum. The sensing device also comprises a sensor to detect the rotational location of the pressing roller. The information detected by the sensing device is then sent to microprocessors to adjust the lateral location of the surface substratum and eliminate the difference between the longitudinal location of the surface substratum and the rotational location of the pressing roller.

Abstract: The device serves for mechanically applying to the surface of a work piece a flexible multi-layer body member which is adherent on it one side and is composed of a supporting layer, an adhesive layer and a draw-off protection foil covering said adhesive layer.Said device comprises the following partial devices:(a) a supporting table for supporting said multi-layer body member;(b) separating device for separating said protection foil from said multi-layer body member in a marginal zone;(c) a draw-off device for drawing off said protection foil from said multi-layer body member; and(d) a transporter provided with a vacuum gripper for lifting said multi-layer body member off from said supporting table, for moving it past said draw-off device, and for deposing it--if necessary after heating it by means of a heating device--onto the surface of said work piece.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing trim panels which are made of several trim components or trim materials, such as door trim panels of automobiles, the trim panel is essentially finished in a single work operation in one work station. A vinyl cover film (12) is formed, trim inserts (10, 11) are laminated into the cover film with the aid of a nesting die (8a, 8b), soft-touch inserts (26) are laminated underneath the cover film and the so produced laminate is further laminated onto a rigid substrate (2 or 2'). The substrate may be a prefabricated substrate (2), or may be a rigid foam substrate (2') back-foamed onto the formed vinyl film (12). An apparatus for carrying out the method is essentially a forming station with an upper form or mold (1) and a lower form or mold (15). The lower mold (15) includes nest dies (8a, 8b) for securely holding and then pressure laminating the trim inserts (10, 11), whereby a high placement precision of the inserts (10, 11) is achieved.

Abstract: A seal for a pouch packaging machine as, for instance, a form, fill and seal packaging machine, includes first and second seal bars each having a sealing surface thereon. The seal bars are located on the machine in positions locating the sealing surfaces on the respective seal bars opposed to one another. In cross section the respective sealing surfaces on the seal bars each include a plurality of concave and convex surface features. The convex surface features have a radius of curvature that is less than the radius of curvature of the concave surface features thus rendering the sealing surfaces asymmetrical.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making continuous lengths of thermoplastics material fibers reinforced laminates by arranging layers of fibers reinforcement impregnated with a thermoplastics material in alignment with and between outer sheets of another material to form a stack and passing the stack through a tool having two opposing platens, one of which is movable relative to the other, and operating the tool so as to compress the stack and form a laminate. The stack is passed from entry to exit of the tool in steps, the extent of each of which is substantially less than the length of the tool such that each area of the stack is subjected to repeated compressions by the tool is passing therethrough. A recess is formed in one platen, which is adapted to receive a land formed on the other platen.

Abstract: A thermal reaction apparatus for sealing liquid within cavities includes a tray having cavities for storing therein liquid. The cavities have openings arranged at varying levels in thickness direction of the tray. A planar sealing member is disposed on the tray to cover the openings and is comprised of a pair of flexible sheets and viscous fluid filled between the flexible sheets. A pressure plate is disposed on the planar sealing member for applying thereto pressure effective to locally flow the viscous fluid to enable the sealing member to seal the varying levels of the cavity openings to thereby prevent evaporation of the liquid stored in the cavities.

Abstract: A brake bonding apparatus in which brake linings are positioned between a loop-like pressure-imposing band and a pair of brake shoes, which are disposed at opposite locations on the inner side of the band, and pressure-bonded to the brake shoes by expanding in opposite direction an expanding member which is urged by springs. The pressure-imposing band is provided with rigid strips at two circumferential locations for positioning itself in a predetermined position and is formed in substantially eliptic shape. The expanding member is arranged not to hold the rib in sandwich relation, but merely to abut the end portions thereof.

Abstract: Die plates for forming moisture seals about the junctions of wire harnesses afford improved wire separation and contact between the sealant material in a sealant pad and the wires if the opposed die plates have an elastomeric surface, and the opposed surface of at least one plate is radiused causing the sealant material to separate the wires and flow between and around each wire.

Abstract: A press for applying an overlay to a substrate which includes multiple, individually reciprocal and selectively controlled depressers actuatable to force the overlay in a progressively expanding area against the surface of the overlay.

Abstract: Machine and method for applying plastic labels and the like to containers, e.g. metal coffee cans, which have chimes or reinforcement grooves, in which the containers, after application of a plastic label, is caused to pass between a roll down pad and a belt, the roll down pad having a rib for each chime and or groove. The ribs are heated to improve the effectiveness of labeling.

Abstract: A mechanism and method for seaming and joining overlaid sheets such as to form seams on adjacent bags by applying heated pressure sealing jaws to opposite sides of the overlaid sheets with the pressure being applied decreasingly inwardly away from the edges of the seam and cutting the seaming areas between them to separate the seamed portions so as to form edges of adjacent bags with the bags preferably having rib and groove upper fasteners extending outwardly to the edge of the seam.

Abstract: Thermoplastic film bag making material is processed between a hotseal jaw and cutoff knife assembly. The apparatus has complementary first and second jaws between which the material is received for sealing bag side edge areas of the bag making material. The first jaw has a groove and the second jaw has a cutoff knife for extension into the groove for separating the material into individual bags. A rubber anvil block is in a groove underlying a zipper of the bag material and the knife thrusts into the block and attains substantially straight edges in the bag cutoff. Improved end sealing of the zipper also results.

Abstract: A hand-held device for applying a film to a substrate, especially a cover film to a paper substrate, by pressing a carrier foil provided with the film against the substrate with an applicator foot, provides that individual segments of the pressing edge of this foot can be individually deflected resiliently to allow the foil and the film to be accommodated to irregularities of the substrate and differences in the yieldability thereof.

Abstract: A heat seal carrier assembly is provided for mating a covering material with a deformable sealing portion of a product-filled container to seal the container. The carrier assembly has an upstanding wall including a top surface having a raised ridge thereon. The container is situated on the carrier assembly to properly align the container sealing portion with the top surface of the upstanding wall of the carrier assembly. A heat seal head moves downwardly to press the covering material and the sealing portion of the container against the raised ridge and the top surface of the upstanding wall of the carrier assembly to seal the covering material and the sealing portion of the container together.

Abstract: In the manufacture of a padded element, such as a seat cushion for motor vehicles, the cushion cover of cloth, leather, synthetic material or the like is applied to the padding usually of expanded plastics material after having been formed to the shape of the surface of the padding by means of pressing in the metal die and the simultaneous application of steam. The flow of steam reaches the cover by passing through the lower part of the die and emerging from passages provided in the wall which is in contact with the material. The steam used during the operation of pressing of the material is drawn from a reservoir of pressurised steam, whose chamber is not in direct communication with the passages and whose body is of metal and is in a thermally conducting relationship with the wall of the die.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium disk with substantially improved tolerances comprising:a hub including a center portion and recessed flange portion, the center portion having a planar drive surface; a magnetic medium, including a side zero and a side one; and an adhesive bonding the side one of the medium to the flange of the hub, wherein the side zero of the medium is fixed a precise, desired distance .alpha. from the plane of the drive surface and the total indicated runout of the hub used divided by the total indicated runout of the distance .alpha. is greater than one. A method and apparatus for manufacturing a magnetic recording medium disk with substantially improved tolerances by applying ultrasonic vibrations to the medium and a hot melt adhesive until the precise desired distance .alpha. is achieved.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed and method for using same wherein a life vest is formed by a single heat sealing operation which effectively forms a front and rear sealed chamber for flotation and effectively interconnects a neck member therebetween for providing a neck gusset also heat sealed in place simultaneously therewith. The apparatus includes a heat sealing body jig for simultaneously sealing of four layers of pneumatically impervious material with respect to one another to form two flotation chambers. Also a neck sealing jig is included as a two member configuration pivotally secured with respect to one another to allow a neck member to be stretched thereover to facilitate attachment thereof by sealing with respect to both flotation chambers. The neck jig includes attachment means for quickly securing the neck material in place.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for creating an improved configuration of overlapping lengths of flexible thermoplastic strap to accommodate the formation of an improved joint between the strap portions. The apparatus includes first and second strap engaging members respectively defining first and second contoured surfaces for engaging respectively first and second strap lengths to position the joint portions between the strap engaging members in an overlapping relationship along an interface region and to position the trailing portion of each strap length to extend in a plane generally parallel to a reference plane with at least a part of the length of the interface region being non-parallel to the reference plane. In the preferred embodiment, the strap engaging members are each provided with a convex surface and a concave surface and are disposed to align the concave surface of one member generally in registry with the convex surface of the other member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for the fabrication of an openable container lid wherein a failure zone opening is defined about the desired location of a future opening in the lid, and simultaneously with this operation the lid is joined to the flange of the container. The combination of both of these steps at a single work station minimizes the equipment necessary to attach a lid to a container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming corrugated plywood composites is disclosed. The apparatus includes a fixed mold component having a corrugated surface and a series of movable mold components having complemental corrugated surfaces movable toward and away from the fixed surface. Movable mold components are hingedly connected and each such component is associated with a linear motor. By sequentially activating the linear motors each movable mold section is pivotally advanced in a first direction toward the fixed mold component the opposite side of the movable mold component being pivoted toward the fixed mold component when the next adjacent section is advanced into clamping position. High tensile strength low coefficient of friction fabric webs are interposed between the surfaces of the mold and the composite material to be corrugated.

Abstract: A clamping device for bonding lens wafers, the device having a resilient stamp and an oppositely-disposed resilient mold. The stamp surface is slightly more curved than the concave surface of the top wafer and the mold surface is slightly more planar than the convex surface of the bottom wafer. As the wafers are squeezed between the stamp and mold, the stamp and mold deform and bonding material is squeezed evenly outwardly between the wafers.

Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of bonding low density or thin gauge polyurethane foams to polypropylene substrates, said apparatus including, a revolvable turntable for indexing the workpieces to various work stations, a conductive heating station to heat-liquify designated areas of the polypropylene substrate, and a compression station having compression platens to emboss the polyurethane foam onto the polypropylene substrate effectively fusing the fibers of the polyurethane foam with the heat-liquified areas of polypropylene.

Abstract: An automatic splicing device (7) for splicing the opposed transverse edges (4, 5) of strip elements (2, 3) of uncured elastomeric sheet material, particularly used in the assembly of pneumatic tires, the splicing device (7) including a roller (51) designed to move, via an actuating device, along the splice (6) being formed, and in contact with the rear edges of a number of blades (62) grouped together into a pack (61) but axially displaceable in relation to one another; the blades (62) being arranged perpendicular to, and equally-spaced along, the splice (6), with their respective front edges (67) contacting the elastomeric sheet material for splicing, and being thrust successively thereagainst by the moveable roller (51).

Abstract: A seal bar including a clamped seal element for rotary side seal machines and, more particularly, to a thin ribbon-like seal element constituted of a metallic high-temperature resistant material for the concurrent heat sealing and cutting through of superimposed layers of a thermoplastic film material.

Abstract: A pouch and a method and apparatus for forming an easy open pouch in a vertical form-fill-seal process wherein a pouch is formed from a sheet of thermoplastic film and a heat seal between pouches as they are filled serves as the top closure for the lower pouch and a bottom closure for the upper pouch, the easy open feature being provided by a U-shaped portion having a plurality of seal ribs, and a tear initiation notch.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying a base, having feed rollers and presser rollers, is disclosed which comprises a sheet press-clamping mechanism for clamping a sheet to be arranged on the base; and a base holding member for temporarily holding the base in position when the base has been fed to a predetermined position of the sheet press-clamping mechanism. The base holding member is projected to press the base when the base has been fed to the sheet press-clamping mechanism. The base holding member is retracted when the base is set at the sheet press-clamping mechanism.

Abstract: A process and apparatus is provided for cutting multiple plies of thermoplastic material having thickened sections, such as defined by cross-sections of matable parts of a zipper closure formed in the material, and for concurrently sealing the severed margins of the material which includes sealing the severed zipper closure portions thereof. The process and apparatus perform the operative steps of: first, preblocking the thickened material adjacent to the zipper closure portions of the material in areas thereof to be severed and sealed; then, applying heat and pressure to the thickened material and remaining sections of the material in those areas to render the material tacky and temporarily stick the multiple plies together in those areas; and, thereafter, contacting those areas of the material with a heated cutting and sealing element in order to sever all of the multiple plies and seal the severed margins thereof.

Abstract: A pouch and a method and apparatus for forming an easy open pouch in a vertical form-fill-seal process wherein a pouch is formed from a sheet of thermoplastic film and a heat seal between pouches as they are filled serves as the top closure for the lower pouch and a bottom closure for the upper pouch, the easy open feature being provided by a U-shaped portion having a plurality of seal ribs, and a tear initiation notch.

Abstract: In continuous packaging of comestibles in individual packages of thermo plastic sheet material, elongate, reciprocating crimper bars or dies simultaneously sever the packages and inpart end crimp seals to the packages but unfortunately featuring a high rate of rejects overcome by a special contour in the surface of one of the said crimper dies, according to present discovery.

Abstract: A glass laminated structure includes a core of curable flowable material sandwiched between first and second glass panels. A pair of frame members sealed to the panels with an ultraviolet curing adhesive overlap marginal portions of the panels so that an overlapping portion of the core abuts the peripheral edges of the panels to absorb stress and inhibit delamination. The laminating apparatus includes platens with vacuum ports for securing the panels to the platens without excessive panel deformation, recessed portions for proper frame member alignment, and elastomeric seals supplanting the usual vacuum grease. The methodology proceeds by retaining the glass panels and frame members in position using the platens, and sealing the frame members to the panels. Then, the curable flowable material is introduced so that it flows between the frame members to abut the peripheral edges of the glass panels.

Abstract: An interior trim component 1 for a motor vehicle comprises a base 2 of a fibrous base material of approximately 80% wood fibers and approximately 20% synthetic resin fibers, which is compressed and consolidated by the action of pressure and heat into the desired shape. Padding and/or a fabric insert 5 may be placed over selected areas of the surface of the base 2 and a sheet 7 of plastic material is bonded over the whole of the visible side of the base 2, the parts of the plastic sheet 7 overlying the insert 5 having a continuous impressed separation so that they may be removed. The fibrous base material which is in the form of fibrous fleece mats of approximately 20 to 30 mm thickness is consolidatd in a hot-pressing shaping tool at 4000 N/M.sup.2 and approximately 200.degree. C.

Abstract: In a method of laminating three or more thermoplastic resin sheets successively by sonic bonding, the pressure face of ultrasonic horn is provided with projections, and thereby the pressed surface of the thermoplastic resin sheet is provided with recesses and projections to the extent suitable for later sonic bonding. Accordingly, only one thermoplastic resin sheet having an embossed surface is needed, and both surfaces of the remaining thermoplastic resin sheets may be all flat. That is, when n sheets of thermoplastic resin sheet are laminated, heretofore, n-1 sheets of thermoplastic resin sheet need to have an embossed surface. Whereas, in the method of the invention, only one embossed thermoplastic resin sheet is sufficient so that the cost for embossing is much lowered, and thus the cost of manufacturing a laminate of thermoplastic resin sheets can be saved.

Abstract: The purpose of the process and the apparatus of the invention is to face weld extruded thermoplastic moldings the end faces of which lie in a plane and the end face edges of which are juxtaposed in a coplanar fashion. The end faces are pressed against a heatable and coolable plate in which grooves are formed corresponding to the cross-section of the end face. The floor of the grooves is heated up to or above the melting temperature of the plastic. The entry of the grooves is thermally insulated from the floor region and, if necessary, can be cooled. When the end faces are sunk into the grooves, the plastic is melted. The plastic melt, rising in the groove, is cooled until solid in the thermally insulated entry region. Following the welding in the floor region, the floor region is cooled below the melting temperature, and the welded bundle is separated from the plate.

Abstract: A bending device for curving sheet-like members, comprising a row of double roller clamp means, each having a pair of parallel rollers adapted to receive and clamp the sheet-like member therebetween. Hinge means are located between each adjacent pair of clamp means for hingeably coupling each clamp means to an adjacent clamp means. Actuating means are provided, connected between each adjacent pair of clamp means, which are operable to cause pivoting of the double roller clamp means about the hinge means, thereby curving the row of clamp means, and accordingly the sheet-like member clampingly held by each of the clamp means. In a preferred embodiment, the clamp means are laterally displaceable along the hinge means relative to an adjacent clamp means, to allow alignment of the clamp means along a diagonal.

Abstract: A system for heat sealing in conjunction a pair of plastic strips each of having a series of regularly spaced transverse pockets so that the pockets together form chambers separated by webs. The two pocketed strips to be joined are brought together and the strips heat sealed around the pockets to seal the chambers from one another while passing cooling fluid over the pockets so as to avoid distortion or collapse of the pockets.

Abstract: There is disclosed a carpet seam finishing tool for smoothing and shaping the carpet at a seam joined with conventional hot glue carpet seaming tape comprising a pair of similar generally rectangular bodies hinged back-to-back having a width of at least about six inches and substantially greater than (four-inch wide) carpet seaming tape, the bottom smooth surface of each said body having longitudinal ridges on each lateral edge forming runners to guide the body along a carpet seam. The bottom surface of the body is preferably slightly convex across its width with air vent holes located to receive hot vapors or moisture from the hot carpet seam which is passes over. Each bottom surface further preferably includes an indentation on the end to allow the body to accommodate greater carpet height over tack strips near a wall.

Abstract: Method and device for sealing thermoplastic material. A support plate (16) supports sheets (29, 31) of the thermoplastic material, and a heat element (18) is provided adjacent thereto. A pressure plate (20) mates with the support plate and includes recess means (24) for receiving the heat element means. A confined melt zone (35) is formed between the heat element and the pressure plate (or the recess means) when they are in mating relationship. The confined melt zone serves to confine the melted thermoplastic material to form a good seal by relieving stress between the seal and the seal-material interface. The heat element and recess means are manufactured as interchangeable dies in different sizes and shapes for different materials. The heat element may be formed into different shapes, such as a glove for manufacturing gloves.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to an improved method of making a document file which has a pair of covers and a plurality of file elements laminated one upon another between the covers. The file elements are hot-sealed together and to the covers. The covers each have an auxiliary sheet hot-sealed to the cover body. The outermost file elements are hot-sealed to the auxiliary sheets of the covers. Thus, no dents or recesses are formed on the cover by hot-sealing the outermost file elements to the respective covers.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a web of film including a heater member for melting a portion of the film to create side and chevron seals. A back-up bar is located diametric the heater member. The heater member includes two elongated heater bars and two wing heater bars.

Abstract: A cap heat-sealing apparatus for containers comprises a stationary pressing member (18), and movable pressing members (19) arranged around the stationary pressing member (18) and identical in number to the number of corners of a container opening fitting portion (8) of a polygonal cap (5) formed at its periphery for heat sealing. The stationary pressing member (18) has an outer periphery shaped in conformity with the shape of the inner periphery of the fitting portion (8). Each of the movable pressing members (19) is movable toward or away from the stationary pressing member (18) in a horizontal direction through the center of the stationary pressing member (18) and the corner thereof opposed to the movable pressing member (19).

Abstract: A device for connecting two layers of heat meltable material together comprises a toothed member which can be heated and pressed against a ribbed member with the layers of material therebetween. The toothed member includes three rows of teeth with gaps between adjacent teeth. Each row is separated by a gap thickness and the teeth have preferred widths. Thicknesses and lengths. The ribbed member has a pair of ribs that defines three grooves for receiving the three rows of teeth. Clearance is provided between the teeth and ribs while the teeth are bevelled to produce perforations in the heat meltable layers while firmly sealing the layers together around a periphery of each perforation.

Abstract: A method of and device for applying foil to a container that has a closure over its upper surface, and especially to a bottle with a head that along with its cap is to be wrapped all the way around with a blank, especially of foil, by applying the blank around the head while leaving part of the blank to project beyond it, wrapping the sleeve-shaped extension to one side against the upper surface of the cap to create an outer cap cover, and pressing it down, especially with a resilient pad.

Abstract: A calendering device has a plurality of pressure rollers and an opposing plurality of counterpressure rollers, each rotatably mounted on a piston rod movable in a direction for permitting the pressure rollers and counterpressure rollers to approach one another to calender a product. The pistons of the piston rods are mounted within pneumatic casings and are moved by a diaphragm within the pneumatic casings. There is no contact between the pistons and the walls of the pneumatic casings, thereby reducing the frictional resistance to the movement of the rollers. Means are provided for equalizing the pressure applied to a roller and its corresponding counter roller. Separate pneumatic casings and diaphragms may be provided for each piston rod, or several of the pressure rollers or countepressure rollers may be moved by a single diaphragm, which can be in the form of an elongated hose.

Abstract: A foil applicator for applying decorative film from transfer foil to contoured edges, contoured serpentine edges and other edges of workpieces.The applicator includes a transport block having a face of substantially the same contour as the edge of the work piece with a heating means for the transport block, and a hammering means having a face of substantially the same contour as the edge of the work piece and being in close proximity to the transport block.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for bonding veneer sheets is disclosed. It comprises stacking up a plurality of veneer sheets with water soluble thermosetting adhesive interposed at desired locations between the veneer sheets; pressing the veneer sheets from both above and below surfaces thereof; sealing the gap defined by the two opposing plates in the vicinity of the peripheral portions of the veneer sheets in an air-tight manner; heating the bonding agent at a temperature of a boiling point or more of water in its normal state; and hardening the adhesive while preventing the same from foaming.