Abstract: Apparatus is provided for automatically opening and removing a web from a clamshell film cassette. During opening of the cassette a first actuatable means releases a cassette latch. A second means is provided to open one clamshell half upon release of the latch, and a third means is provided to open the other clamshell half. The second and third means each include a pivotal arm having a plurality of suction cups for gripping a wall of a clamshell half. The pivotal arms are positioned by automatic actuaters. Vacuum means are provided for picking up the leading end of a web roll within the cassette and transporting it to a web path.

Abstract: A rack for supporting and accurately positioning rolls of web material (16-24) comprises a base member (10) having an upper surface (12) on which a plurality of support members (14, 26-32) are mounted by a plurality of individually removable brackets (34-40), the support members engaging axially extending ends (24) of the cores (18) of the rolls. A fixture (48-72, 88, 90) and method for assembling such a rack are described.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for handling rolls (12) of web material, the rolls being of the type having a hollow core (60) on which a length of the web is wound, the core having opposite ends (68) extending axially beyond the material. The rolls are supported on a rack (10) with their axes of rotation essentially horizontal. Devices such as a general purpose programmable robot (22) having a special tool (26, 32-114) are provided for removing rolls from the rack and placing them on a transfer stand (28, 116-174) adjacent a processing apparatus (30). The transfer stand extends toward the processing apparatus and pushes a fresh roll from its chuck (174) onto the chuck (186) of the processing apparatus.

Abstract: A flexible apparatus and process are disclosed for loading objects into pouches and then sealing the pouches, in which a pouch (10) having side walls (12,14) and an open mouth (18) is moved from a source (34) to a pouch opening apparatus (72) where the mouth is opened to pass an object such as a stack (20) of slippery sheets which is pushed through the mouth into the pouch while the object is resiliently engaged through the walls of the pouch by a mechanism (70, 82-110) to prevent the object from shifting during movement into or with the pouch, after which the pouch and object are moved, while still resiliently engaged, to a station (74) at which the pouch is evacuated and sealed. Changes are readily accomodated in object size, pouch size or format, or all of these.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for carrying out an operation, according to a given pitch, on a uniformeously and continuously moving web.The device comprises a first block provided with a tool, which describes in a reciprocating motion a small arc of circle around a stationary horizontal axis parallel to the axis of the movement of the web, to make periodically cooperate said tool with a member complementary to said tool, provided on a second block, said first block being connected to said second block at the level of said stationary axis, both blocks such connected and hung to a stationary frame, being driven parallel to the movement axis of said web in a reciprocating motion, the period of which is identical to the period of the motion around said stationary axis.Application to the perforation, the cutting, the embossing, the notching, the stitching of webs.

Abstract: Apparatus for winding web material (14) comprises a reciprocating carriage assembly (22) which delivers the leading end of the web to a winding spindle (30) and then moves away from the spindle as winding proceeds. A builder roll (138) mounted on the carriage assembly applies pressure during winding. A tape tab (178) is automatically applied to the trailing end of the web and pressed onto the completed roll (140) by the builder roll, while a stepping motor (176) for the builder roll resists the winding motor to maintain tension in the final convolution of the web. A corresponding method is taught.

Abstract: The critical dimensions of product samples made during a standard certification procedure for an injection molding process are measured and a loss factor value is computed for each such dimension. Using statistical techniques, the largest loss factor value is partitioned into percentages of loss contributed by a predetermined set of loss elements. The loss element contributing the largest percentage is corrected so as to improve the quality of the process and the product. The method provides a way of determining what kinds of process corrections will most effectively improve product and process quality.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a plastic lens element having a gradient index of refraction is disclosed in which first and second monomer-containing compositions, each having a different index of refraction, are injected into a centrifugal mold. Precise control of the gradient index is achieved by varying the ratio of the two monomers over a predetermined number of steps during the filling process.

Abstract: An injection molding machine control device where mold element separation distance is measured and integrated as a function of time while moldable material is being introduced in the mold cavity between the mold elements. When the integral value reaches a preselected value, the mold injection pressure is changed and the moldable material is allowed to cure within the cavity.

Abstract: Dies are disclosed for forming sheet-like extrudate of fluent material, such as a film of thermoplastic or solvent-plasticized material, or a liquid coating, e.g. a photographic coating, on a continuous support web. The dies include inner and outer cavities with the fluent material being supplied to the center or an end of the inner cavity. Between the inner and outer cavities there is an inner slot and between the outer cavity and the exterior of the die there is an outer slot. The inner cavity is open at one end, if end fed, or at both ends, if center fed. The open end, or each open end, is closed by closing means which are detachable for allowing access to the inner cavity for cleaning and inspection. A member is located in the cavity extending from the open end or each open end. The member serves to reduce the effective flow path for fluent material in the inner cavity.

Abstract: A duplicating, printing or recording surface is produced by attaching a strip (10) of magnetic or other web material to a support such as a drum (20) or flat support element provided with a layer (22) of low durometer elastomer, the strip of material and the elastomeric material being mutually adherent. With the strip of material wrapped circumferentially around the drum, a sharp knife is used to cut the magnetic material and form a precise butt joint (35,36), diagonal or straight, with a minimal gap. The strip of material forms a secure bond with the low durometer elastomeric layer because of the inherent mutual adherence between the two materials, without the need for an intervening adhesive material. A compliant magnetic drum of this type has a low radial stiffness and a high circumferential stiffness which are well suited for a master recording drum in an anhysteretic duplicating apparatus.

Abstract: Packages (10) are assembled with sleeve type boxes having a receptacle portion (14) and a closure portion (24) in a process and apparatus which guide the packages between a fixed guide (52) and a movable guide (50) into a receptacle portion held in the jaws of a grasping device (66), after which the partially completed product is moved along a path (62) into engagement with a closure portion held at an angle to the path by a grasping and holding device (64) which rotates the closure portion into telescopic engagement with the receptacle portion as the two portions move along the path (62). A programmable robot (56) is used to pick up matched pairs of closure and receptacle portions, engage the closure portions with grasping and holding device (64) and engage the receptacle portions with grasping device (66); and, after insertion of a package, the matched pairs are reassembled.

Abstract: Apparatus and method in which a beam of radiant energy (16) is passed into a medium at a wavelength selected to cause a response of an analyte in the medium or of a sensor (10,14) exposed to the medium, the sensor comprising a reagent whose optical properties change in response to the presence of the analyte in the medium. A perturbing pulse of energy (22) is passed into the medium to alter the response of the analyte or reagent to the beam of radiation; and the time rates of change in the intensity of the transmitted radiant energy are measured (18,24,26,28) while the intensity is changing due to the perturbing pulse, after each such perturbing pulse starts or ends or both, such rates of change being proportional to the concentration of the analyte in the medium. Both the beam of radiant energy and the perturbing pulse may be passed through optic fibers into the medium or sensor.

Abstract: Non-contact air film conveyors are suited for conveying elongated strips (46) of web material such as photographic film and include a track plate (12) having gas flow apertures (20,24; 72,74) extending through its thickness at angles to the surface of the track plate (.alpha.,.alpha.') and to the direction of movement of the strips (.beta.,.beta.', .gamma.). By directing air flow through some apertures (72,74) counter to the direction of movement, speed and acceleration control is achieved independent of the support given to the strips by air flow through other apertures (20,24). Baffles (28-36) and curved side walls (70,96) direct air back onto the film to flatten it during movement.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method are disclosed for winding and wrapping rolls of web material or other objects, in which the roll (10) is wrapped prior to removal from the turret winding machine (96). A roll (16) of stretch wrap material is traversed, swiveled and tilted beside the rotating roll (10) or other object to be wrapped under the control of a traverse motor (144), swivel motor (178) and tilt motor (192) which are actuated in proportion to the speed of rotation of roll (10). For improved accuracy of wrapping, roll (16) of wrap material preferably is located along the swivel axis of the apparatus.

Abstract: A two part clamshell web cassette is provided with a central recess for receiving a web roll core. The core and cassette half shells have mating surfaces which form a labyrinth light seal when the cassette is closed and which prevent rotation of the core during handling of the cassette to provide a core brake. Surfaces on the cassette parts clamp the web tail of a partially dispensed web roll when the cassette is closed. The core brake and web clamping surfaces facilitate transport of the cassette without loss of intra-roll web tension. The cassette is provided with a latch for retaining the cassette half shells in a closed light sealed condition. A frangible covering over a latch release means indicates when broken that the cassette may have been opened prematurely. The cassette further includes a web end retaining means which retains the web end portion to the underlying convolution.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting and feeding strips of web material includes a source (36) of an indeterminate length of web material; means (40-48) for withdrawing a predetermined portion (10) of web material from the source; a guide track (56,98-104) for receiving the lead end of the portion and guiding its edges along a curved path; a rotatable vacuum drum (60) positioned intermediate the ends of the curved path for gripping the portion; a cutter (50) for cutting the web to define a strip; and a motor drive arrangement (62,64,66) for rotating the vacuum drum to feed the strip along the curved path.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for plastically deforming and closing an very open, non-cylindrical shell (28) having axially extending lips (20c, 20t) spaced sufficiently far apart to permit a wound spool of strip material to pass laterally between such lips, the apparatus including a pair of closure jaws (670,676) having concave cylindrical surfaces for contacting the exterior surface of such a shell between such lips, the concave surfaces having a curvature corresponding to the desired final cylindrical shape for such a shell; a pivotable arm (608-612) for placing the closure jaws in an open configuration about such a shell and a linkage (614-674) operatively connected to the pivotable arm for closing the closure jaws about such a shell to move such lips into close proximity and form such shell into a cylindrical shape between such lips and thereafter for opening the jaws without contacting the closed shell as the jaws open.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for delivering a flow of clean air to an enclosure (14) in which a web (12) is to be dried, including a fan (18) for generating a flow of contaminated air, a duct (20) for directing the flow of contaminated air into a distribution plenum (22), flow turning vanes (24) and a baffle plate (32) within the plenum for distributing the flow of contaminated air and at least one high-efficiency particulate filter (26) for filtering the contaminated air to produce a flow of clean air which is passed into the enclosure.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector or coupler (24-54) is provided which partially reflects light travelling in one direction (56) but preferably transmits light without reflection in the opposite direction (58). When such connectors (C.sub.o to C.sub.n) are alternated with ambient environment sensors (S.sub.l to S.sub.n) in an optical fiber transmission path, light pulses launched in the one direction from a source (60) produce reflected light at a detector (62) which reflected light can be correlated to a preselected characteristic of the environment at each sensor. A series of such connectors can be used without sensors to provide reference signals from points along an optical fiber transmission path. A single fiber path can be used, without the need for a separate fiber for feedback.