Abstract: A self-adjusting wire feeder mounting assembly includes a mount fixedly connectable to a multi-axis robotic arm, and a slidable, floating adapter plate for mounting of a wire feeder thereon. The adapter plate is coupled with and slidable about the mount, and the adapter plate is moveable relative to the mount when a force is applied to the wire feeder.

Abstract: A system and method for performing a splicing operation where the splicing apparatus is configured to orient the web to ensure the two sealing sides are presented to each other and the splice is always made on one side of the web.

Abstract: A wiring clip is provided for securing one or more conductors to a stud. The wiring clip can include a support portion configured to engage the one or more wires and an attachment portion that at least partly defines an inner recess that can be configured to receive the stud. The attachment portion can be configured to secure the wiring clip to the stud without the use of separate fasteners, including through selectively engagement of hooks of the attachment portion with open or closed sides of the stud.

Abstract: A flavouring component (43) for a smoking article (50) comprising a rod (33) of flavouring material (17). The flavouring material (17) comprises a carrier material (15) and flavouring particles (14) adhered to the carrier material (15) by means of a binder (13). The flavouring material (17) is formed by passing the carrier material (15) through a mixture (12) comprising the binder (13) and the flavouring particles (14). Also disclosed is a smoking article (50) including such a flavouring component (43), and an apparatus (10) and method for manufacturing such a flavouring component (43).

Abstract: A roller assembly for transporting a substrate includes a step roller, a first transport roller, and a second transport roller. The step roller includes a main roller, an air cylinder, and a pair of edge rollers. The air cylinder is sleeved on the main roller, and includes a plurality of air jetting holes and a plurality of air suction holes. The edge rollers are disposed on the main roller and are located on opposite ends of the air cylinder. The first transport roller and the second transport roller are disposed on opposite sides of the step roller, wherein the substrate is transported from the first transport roller to the second transport roller through the step roller. A method using the same is also provided.

Abstract: A debris sweep and dry assist device is for use with a strapping machine. The debris sweep and dry assist device is positioned between the strapping machine and an associated strap supply. The device includes a body having a strap inlet and a strap outlet and defining a strap path therethrough. The body has a first wall at about the strap inlet and a second wall at about the strap outlet. The body has a first manifold and a plurality of first branches extending between the first manifold and the first wall to provide a plurality of flow paths from the first manifold to the environs through the first branches. A compressed is gas directed into the first manifold and flows out of the first branches, and is directed onto strap material at a location at about the strap inlet.

Abstract: A continuous multi-layer film includes a support layer having a first film surface, and a hard coat layer, formed on the support layer, having a second film surface, and having a curling tendency in an inward direction. In the decurling method, the multi-layer film is transported. A first transition of the support layer in the multi-layer film being transported into a rubber phase is induced by supplying fluid vapor on the support layer. After supplying the fluid vapor, a second transition of the support layer from the rubber phase into a glass phase is induced. The multi-layer film is transported while a portion of the support layer in the rubber phase is prevented from contacting a solid object. The hard coat layer is formed from a polymer produced from an ultraviolet curable compound, and the support layer is formed from cellulose acylate.

Abstract: A continuous multi-layer film includes a support layer having a first film surface, and a hard coat layer, formed on the support layer, having a second film surface, and having a curling tendency in an inward direction. In the decurling method, the multi-layer film is transported. A first transition of the support layer in the multi-layer film being transported into a rubber phase is induced by supplying fluid vapor on the support layer. After supplying the fluid vapor, a second transition of the support layer from the rubber phase into a glass phase is induced. The multi-layer film is transported while a portion of the support layer in the rubber phase is prevented from contacting a solid object. The hard coat layer is formed from a polymer produced from an ultraviolet curable compound, and the support layer is formed from cellulose acylate.

Abstract: A pneumatic conveying system for conveying hydrated lime is provided with ambient air for the pneumatic conveying system from a scrubber that removes carbon dioxide from the ambient air used in the conveying system. The scrubber includes a bed of hydrated lime through which ambient air is passed, to react carbon dioxide in the air with the hydrated lime in a reaction that forms limestone and water. The air that has passed through the fluidized bed, which is essentially carbon dioxide free, is also passed through a filter to remove particles suspended in the carbon dioxide free air. The carbon dioxide free air from the filter is provided to the pneumatic conveying system. The use of carbon dioxide free air ensures that the hydrated lime being transported in the conveying system will not react in the various conduits and ducts of the pneumatic conveying system to cause problems.

Abstract: An air conveyor is positioned on a tabbing machine and includes a housing having an air chamber and a web entry and web exit and air port communicating with the air chamber. An air nozzle assembly is positioned within the air chamber and includes upper and lower nozzle plates that extend across the air chamber and spaced from each other to form a web delivery channel that is aligned with the web entry and web exit. Each of the nozzle plates includes a plurality of air nozzles extending through the nozzle plate and configured to pass pressurized air from the air chamber into the web delivery channel such that a web of material entering the web entry is drawn, for example, by venturi pressure, from the web entry through the web delivery channel and out the web exit.

Abstract: A non-contact dancer mechanism for conveying a web of brittle material includes a guide rail and a variable position web support plenum adjustably positioned on the guide rail. The variable position web support plenum may include an arcuate outer surface with a plurality of fluid vents for emitting a fluid to support the web of brittle material over and spaced apart from the arcuate outer surface thereby preventing mechanical contact and damage to the web of brittle material. A support plenum counterbalance may be mechanically coupled to the variable position web support plenum, wherein the support plenum counterbalance supports at least a portion of the weight of the variable position web support plenum on the guide rail. Apparatuses incorporating the non-contact dancer mechanism and methods for using the non-contact dancer mechanism for handling continuous webs of brittle material are also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for compensating for the variation in width of a flexible print support (1) progressing through a multicolor printing machine, between successive rotary printing assemblies, by a stream of air directed towards the print support in order to alter its flatness, includes at least one pair of deflectors (2) positioned symmetrically one on each side of the line of travel of the print support, each deflector (2) including an air blowing chamber (6) opening onto the surface (11) of the deflector that faces towards the print support and being directed towards the rear of the deflector in the direction of travel of the support, so as to produce an air stream in the form of a flat sheet of air capable, at the same time, of making it easier to keep the support away from the surface of the deflector and to continue forced travel of the print support.

Abstract: A web stabilizer adapted to stabilize a web moving across a span between two components of a web machine or machines, the stabilizer including: a surface facing and adjacent the moving web, and at least one transition in the surface of the stabilizer, wherein the transition is a protrusion or recess in the surface between a leading edge of the stabilizer facing a direction of web travel and a trailing edge of the stabilizer.

Abstract: A conveyance system comprises a production machine for manufacturing a web of packaging cushions, a duct downstream from the production machine, a blower to provide an air flow through the duct to apply a conveyance force for conveying the web of packaging cushions, and a friction contact area downstream from the production machine and upstream from the duct entrance. The web of packaging cushions passes beneath and contacts the friction contact area to create a friction force opposing the conveyance force so that the conveyance force is not transmitted along the web of packaging cushions to the production machine.

Abstract: Devices and methods related to a web stabilizer for stabilizing a moving web with a surface adjacent the moving web and with a supply of moving fluid in a direction parallel to the moving web and a supply of moving fluid in a direction perpendicular to the moving web.

Abstract: There is disclosed a conveyer and a conveying method that enable conveying a lengthy honeycomb formed article extruded at a high speed with a simple apparatus without causing cracks and deformation. The conveyer of a honeycomb formed article includes a plurality of lengthy cradles 3a that are sequentially supplied and then sequentially support and convey the honeycomb formed article 5, and a fixed support that is fixed so as to extend from the extruder 2 to a supply position of the lengthy cradles 3a, supports the honeycomb formed article 5 just after being extruded, and conveys it to one of the lengthy cradles 3a, and the fixed support is an air float 4 having a supporting face 14 and a plurality of air ejection pores 24 formed on the supporting face that conveys the honeycomb formed article 5 by feeding air from the air ejection pores 24.

Abstract: An air conveyor is positioned on a tabbing machine and includes a housing having an air chamber and a web entry and web exit and air port communicating with the air chamber. An air nozzle assembly is positioned within the air chamber and includes upper and lower nozzle plates that extend across the air chamber and spaced from each other to form a web delivery channel that is aligned with the web entry and web exit. Each of the nozzle plates includes a plurality of air nozzles extending through the nozzle plate and configured to pass pressurized air from the air chamber into the web delivery channel such that a web of material entering the web entry is drawn, for example, by venturi pressure, from the web entry through the web delivery channel and out the web exit.

Abstract: The conveying unit conveys a long sheet-like subject in its longitudinal direction. The conveying unit includes a stepped roller which has large-diameter portions spaced apart from each other in a direction perpendicular to a direction of conveyance of the sheet-like subject and having a larger diameter than a remainder of the stepped roller being a small-diameter portion of the stepped roller, the large-diameter portions supporting and conveying the sheet-like subject, a closed space forming subunit between the small-diameter portion of the stepped roller and the sheet-like subject and a gas supply subunit for supplying a gas to the closed space. The vacuum deposition device forms a film on a surface of a long substrate by vacuum deposition. The vacuum deposition device includes a vacuum chamber, a conveying device which includes the conveying unit and a film forming unit.

Abstract: A method, for use in connection with installing a cable into a conduit (4) having a first end and a second end (12), of detecting whether air is flowing from the first end to the second end, the method including the steps of:—providing a movement sensor (10) within or proximate to the conduit;—providing an air flow (14) into the conduit from the first end; and—detecting that the air is flowing to the second end when the air flow disrupt the movement sensor.

Abstract: A wire guider includes a guiding unit having an inner path extending along the running direction of the wire to guide the running of the wire and an air supply unit for supplying air into the inner path to form a spiral air flow having a current rate faster than a running rate of the wire between an outer surface of the wire and an inner surface of the inner path. Wire Vibration resulting from a thrust force of mill rolls can be damped to more stably carry out one-direction running of the wire and minimize contact between the wire and a guide path. This reduces surface defects of the wire and abrasion of the guide system and protects a sensor unit from damage.

Abstract: A guiding element for a printing unit is provided to facilitate use of the printing unit in an imprinter function. In one operating situation, a strip is printed as it passes through a printing gap of the printing unit. In another operating situation, the strip is guided through the printing gap by the guiding element in a non-contact manner. The guiding element includes, on the outer surface, a plurality of openings adapted for the discharge of a pressurized fluid. These openings are micro-openings of a diameter less than 500 ?m.

Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, transferring a web, in particular a paper web or cardboard web or an insertion tail severed from the web, from a web-discharging web-guiding surface, via a web conveying apparatus, to the next structural unit of a machine for producing and/or handling the continuous paper web or cardboard web, the insertion tail is detached from the web-guiding surface by way of at least one brief high-energy air jet. The present invention provides that in the case of a web of high grammage, immediately once the tail has been detached from the web-guiding surface, the tail, which has been severed at least on a preliminary basis, is completely severed by an additional mechanical severing arrangement and, by way of its newly formed start, gripped, and passed on, by way of the web conveying apparatus.

Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, transferring a web, in particular a paper web or cardboard web or an insertion tail severed from the web, from a web-discharging web-guiding surface, via a web conveying apparatus, to the next structural unit of a machine for producing and/or handling the continuous paper web or cardboard web, the insertion tail is detached from the web-guiding surface by way of at least one brief high-energy air jet. The present invention provides that in the case of a web of high grammage, immediately once the tail has been detached from the web-guiding surface, the tail, which has been severed at least on a preliminary basis, is completely severed by an additional mechanical severing arrangement and, by way of its newly formed start, gripped, and passed on, by way of the web conveying apparatus.

Abstract: A conveying a chain of air-filled packing pillows to a selected position includes a generally upstanding duct, a support for supporting the device on a surface, and a pump positioned adjacent to the surface for supplying air to the device. The duct has an air inlet end connected in fluid communication with the pump, an outlet end, and an entrance aperture positioned downstream from the pump and the air inlet end for receiving the chain of air-filled packing pillows. When the pump is activated and the chain of air-filled packing pillows is inserted through the entrance aperture, the chain of air-filled packing pillows is conveyed upwardly through the duct in a longitudinal direction relative to the chain, and directed to arrive at the selected position.

Abstract: Plastic moldings reinforced with long fibers are made without the risk of forming loops in a continuous thread or roving fed to a cutting unit at the end of a mold filling operation or tearing thereof during renewed start-up for the next molding filling operation, even at a relatively high take-off speed of the continuous thread. This is achieved by keeping the continuous thread permanently under tension pneumatically against the conveying direction. The device useful for carrying out this process is equipped with at least one tensioning air inlet in the guide for the continuous thread or roving.

Abstract: A guiding roller for reversing a material web comprises a lateral surface provided with holes (08) over at least a portion of the periphery thereof and comprises an inner space, which is supplied with compressed air and inside of which at least one piston (18, 19, 22, 23) for selectively occluding the holes can be axial displaced. The guiding roller additionally comprises a motor for displacing the piston and is provided with a control circuit that operates the motor whereby causing the piston to occupy a specified position that is defined by a control signal supplied to the control circuit. The guiding roller can pivot 90° on the frame about a pivotal axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the roller. A gear mechanism couples a rotational movement of the piston about the axis to the pivotal movement of the guiding roller.

Abstract: A method for filling a receiver with expanded fibers includes the steps of feeding at least one bundle of fibers from at least one roving; introducing the at least one bundle into a portable tool having a manual gripping element, a spray nozzle, an air supply device connected for supplying air to the nozzle, an extraction system configured to hold the at least one bundle and feed the at least one bundle to the nozzle, and an inlet guide positioned to guide the at least one bundle to the extraction system; and using the air supply device to expand the fibers of the at least one bundle in said spray nozzle, and spray the expanded fibers into the receiver.

Abstract: A turning bar is used to turn a web of material. The turning bar includes an outer jacket that is provided with holes on at least one section of its circumference. An inner chamber of the turning bar is provided with compressed air. A piston is arranged in the inner chamber and is movable to block selected ones of the holes. A motor is used to move the piston via a control signal provided by a control circuit. The turning bar can be pivoted by 90° on a frame around a pivot axis that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the turning bar. A transmission couples a rotational movement of the piston around the longitudinal axis to a pivoting motion of the turning bar.

Abstract: Devices and methods for threading a wire electrode in a wire erosion machine are disclosed. A feed-through channel is provided for producing a fluid jet within which the machining electrode is guided. One or more control devices are provided for varying the cross section of the feed-through channel and, thus, the cross section of the fluid jet.

Abstract: A printing web distortion device for imposing a measured amount of distortion into a moving web of substrate, such as paper, to compensate for lateral stretching of the substrate during a printing operation includes a post, which can be vertically adjusted, having a gas nozzle disposed at, or adjacent to, the tip of the post for generating a cushion of a gas. A support enclosure for the post has a source for pressurized gas. The post is able to slide longitudinally within the support enclosure, so that the tip of the post is either raised in an operating mode, so that the post imposes a stretch compensating distortion or, in an idle mode, the post is withdrawn from the substrate, so that no elevating force is provided on the substrate. In the operating mode, the stretch compensating distortion results from an elevating force provided by the post between the tip of the post and the moving substrate resulting from the cushion of gas, which is preferably a cushion of air.

Abstract: Guide tubes are arranged in a loose bundle and are fed into an existing tubular conduit or protective duct by a powered tractor and are pulled through the duct by the volumetric flow of compressed air which is introduced into the inlet end of the duct. The guide tubes are pressurized and closed at their leading end and trailing end. The existing duct is open at both ends. When the filling degree of the guide tube bundle (sum of guide tube cross-sectional areas compared to that of channelization duct) is provided in the range of from about 30% to about 60%, blowing/pushing installation of the guide tube bundle is substantially trouble free, and the bundle of guide tubes can be installed in a flexible and efficient manner over relatively greater distances.

Abstract: A web-processing apparatus comprises a dryer with air-turn apparatus for flotatingly supporting a web and, preferably, for changing a direction of web movement. The air-turn apparatus may be used in the web dryer or with other suitable web-processing equipment, particularly in applications where a coated web side faces the air-turn apparatus. Preferred forms of the air-turn apparatus comprise a body having an outer surface defining a web flotation zone facing a coated side of the web and a plurality of openings in the body positioned along the web flotation zone. An air-conducting conduit provides pressurized air to the body and body openings thereby forming an air cushion at the web flotation zone on which the coated web is flotatingly supported without contacting the body.

Abstract: A device (100) for the suspension guidance of a travelling paper or paper-like web (B) by air and which is especially useful for deflecting a damp travelling paper web. The device has a plurality of air ducts (13) extending over the width of the web and bounded by wall surfaces (14). Each air duct (13) has a nozzle arrangement (22,22′) communicating with a pressure chamber (10) to which compressed air is applied. In the air ducts (13) there are also air inlet apertures (26) which are not in fluid connection with the pressure chamber (10) but communicate through an intake duct (27) with an intake chamber (17) in which ambient pressure prevails and which has an inlet (19) for the fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus transfers a moving web of a flexible material from a web guide surface. The web guide surface outputs the moving web, and the moving web has at least one web edge. The apparatus includes at least one edge nozzle, each edge nozzle being positioned so as to be proximate one at least one web edge. Each edge nozzle is configured for separating the moving web from the web guide surface and is further configured to function as a severing device. Each edge nozzle is thereby configured for transversely severing the moving web and forming a new start portion thereof. Each edge nozzle briefly ejects therefrom a high-energy air jet, each high-energy air jet being ejected between the web guide surface and the moving web.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for coating a moving paper web, in which the web to be coated is first guided to a coating station correctly aligned and a first side of the web is coated with a coat layer. Next, the web is guided upwards from the coating station and the first coat layer is dried using non-contact dryers. From the dryers the web is guided to the next coating station correctly aligned, and the second side of the web is coated with a coat layer, the web is guided upwards from the coating station and the coat layer on the second side of the web is dried using non-contact dryers. When the web is directed from the coating station through the dryers, it is guided non-contactingly by means of air jets such that the web is first non-contactingly turned in the machine direction during drying and next, similarly during drying, towards the level of the coating stations.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing and conveying air pillows comprises an air pillow production machine which produces a continuous web of air filled pillows, ductwork extending away from the air pillow production machine and through which the web of air pillows is conveyed, and a blower which conveys the web of air pillows from the air pillow production machine and through the ductwork. The web of air pillows are conveyed into a hopper for storage. A sensor senses a condition of at least one of the air pillows in the web of air pillows being deflated or a stall condition of the web of air pillows in the event the web of air pillows stops moving through the ductwork. A controller controls the air pillow production machine in response to signals from the sensor. The sensor and controller are a whisker trigger connected to a micro switch.

Abstract: An apparatus transfers a lead strip of a paper web, in particular the beginning of a still wet lead strip or tail, from a press roll of a paper-making machine to a following section of that machine. An air jet device peels off the beginning of the tail from the press roll and transfers it across a paper roll to an infeed area of a felt which guides the web into the following section. On an infeed area of the felt, an air cushion is created by an air table having a plurality of tiny holes delivering air from a low pressure plenum to the air cushion.

Abstract: When a tube is laid in a duct by a blowing process, the extremity of the tube first introduced in the duct is fitted with an end cap fastened in an airtight fashion on said extremity and fitted with a valve suitable to control the pressure Pint inside the tube, so that is always greater than the pressure Pext in the duct. In this matter, deformations or implosions of the tube are avoided.

Abstract: This invention relates to a conveying system (1) for rigidly interconnected parts (2), particularly on a machine tool for the further processing of semi-product parts, comprising a conveying duct (3) with at least one compressed air supply line (4a-4c) with an air flow component in the conveying direction.

Abstract: A combination flexible web roller guide assembly and an integral centrifugal pump (fan) functional device located inside the roller's outer surface where an air bearing flexible web support Hydrostatic air film is created upon the roller guide's exterior circular surface. The air bearing film is created when a web is mounted onto the roller's exterior surface with web tension applied and the roller's Outer Tube is rotated by some external means. This results in a web support device that possesses the advantages of roller guides AND air bearings, and none of their disadvantages. A highly reliable mechanical device is obtained simply by the incorporation of centrifugal fan-like vanes and an air path from the atmospheric exterior, to inside the outer tube of the roller into spaces between the vanes, and finally through multiple air ports located on the roller's outer tube surface.

Abstract: A process of transporting at least a portion of a web from a first structure to a second structure via an apparatus that includes at least two pulleys located at spaced locations from each other, an air-pervious endless belt positioned to run from the first structure to the second structure, an underpressure source arranged to produce an underpressure adjacent to the run of the endless belt, a nose shoe disposed beyond the second pulley and spaced from the second pulley, thereby defining an opening. The nose shoe has an inlet and air jet outlet positioned adjacent the second pulley. A guiding tray is arranged beyond the nose shoe having an upstream section positioned adjacent the nose shoe, and the upstream section includes an air slot, which extends cross-wise to a web travel direction.

Abstract: Web winding device for winding a material web into a winding roll. The device comprises a rotatably driven first support roller having a circumferential shell and opposed ends, the shell having an outer surface, an inner surface and further having a plurality of shell openings therethrough. A second support roller is also provided. An end face is disposed at one of the opposed ends of the first support roller and a plurality of conduits are axially disposed within the first support roller and axially extend to the end face section, at least one of the plurality of shell openings communicating with each the conduit. A winding bed area is defined by the first and the second support roller, and adapted to support the winding roll. A suction device is mounted to the end face and provides suction to a portion of the surface of the shell. The suction device is fixed relative to the rotation of said first support roller. A pressurization device may also be used to pressurize the winding bed area.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for coating a moving paper web, in which the web (2) to be coated is first guided to a coating station (7) correctly aligned and a first side of the web (2) is coated with a coat layer. Next, the web (2) is guided upwards from the coating station (7) and the first coat layer is dried using non-contact dryers (8, 9). From the dryers the web (2) is guided to the next coating station (14) correctly aligned, and the second side of the web (2) is coated with a coat layer, the web (2) is guided upwards from the coating station (14) and the coat layer on the second side of the web (2) is dried using non-contact dryers (8, 9). When the web is directed from the coating station (7) through the dryers (8, 9), it (2) is guided non-contactingly by means of air jets such that the web (2) is first non-contactingly turned in the machine direction during drying and next, similarly during drying, towards the level of the coating stations (7, 14).

Abstract: To accomplish a web transfer, which in reliability is comparable to the one obtained with a closed draw, in any operating environment, but especially where it is desirable to transfer a fast running tissue web (4) from the drying section of a tissue machine, e.g., a Yankee dryer (2), to a reel-up (3), a web support device (10) extends across the width of the web (4) and along a predetermined run of the web support device has a support surface (11) formed by a series of plate member assemblies (23) having means for creating a flow of air in the direction of the web run. Between the web (4) and the support surface (11) the flow of air forms an air layer (15) of reduced static pressure, so as to stabilize the web (4) against flutter. The predetermined run may extend through a calender (7) and past scanner equipment (8). Pneumatic tail threading capabilities may be included.