Abstract: A machine and process for the production of rolls or logs of web material wherein web material is fed through a nip (5) formed between two winding rollers (1, 3) and wound around a core to form a roll or log (R) within a winding space defined by said two winding rollers and by a third roller. At the end of the winding of a log, the third roller (7) is temporarily accelerated to locally increase the speed of the web and to put the web material in tension between the third roller and one of said winding rollers. The tearing of the web material takes place because at that moment the incoming web is pinched between a new core and the one winding roller on which the material is driven. Transverse perforations can be made in the web by a perforating group. The third roller speed change is controlled by an epicyclic gear train and a controlling motor. The cyclical speed change of the third roller is done in synchronism with the perforating group.

Abstract: The pressure-retaining device or clamp acts on the roll or log adjacently to the cutting plane and may be adapted to various diameters of the material being processed; for each path of advance of the rolls or logs (B) and on each side of the cutting plane, it comprises: a pair of symmetrically curved flexible strips (12, 14) projecting from enclosing supports (9A, 10; 7A, 10) and having end portions able to move according to the variation in the diameter of the roll, and a strap (22) fixed to elastic return holders (24A) and adjusting holders, said strap surrounding the pair of strips (12, 14) so as to vary their geometry in relation to the variation in the diameter of the material being processed.

Abstract: The apparatus for transferring individual articles (M) in sheet form and placing them in stacks (P1, P2) of pre-determined numbers includes a conveyor (17, 23) which picks up the articles from a delivery system (11) by gripping them along their edges. Along said conveyor at least two reciprocating expellers (27, 29) disposed in series remove said articles from the conveyor and lay them down onto a stacker device (31, 35; 33, 37). Each expeller (27, 29) operates with continuous, reciprocating motion at all times. The expeller (27) which is closest to the delivery system (11) may selectively be moved, in the direction of its reciprocating motion, so as to take a position (27X, 27Y) in the trajectory of the manufactured articles fed by said conveyor means, and, alternately, a position (27X', 27Y'), in which it is not in the article-feeding trajectory.

Abstract: In the process of the present invention, a plurality of synthetic or natural fibers are arranged by type and color and then lightly needle-punched to form a felted section. One or more of these sections can be cut to appropriate shapes and sizes and then lightly tacked to the base carrier. Thereafter the sections are needle-punched with said base to interlock the fibers, base and carrier.

Abstract: A unitary sanitary disposable absorbent incontinence pad has an elongated absorbent member between a pervious cover topsheet and an impervious backsheet. The absorbent member includes an absorbent batt which contains a combination of cellulose fibers and thermally-bondable fibers. A melt-blown web is superimposed on the batt. A portion of each lateral side of the batt is slit and turned inwardly toward the center of the batt to form a pair of fluid-barriers or dams, creating a fluid channel therebetween. The melt-blown web lies between the dams on top of the batt. Preferably the melt-blown web includes inturned side edges which may create a second channel therebetween. The assembly of batt and web are particularly effective for moving fluid longitudinally in said pad and preventing leakage along the sides of the pad.

Abstract: The machine cuts a roll or log (L) of web material into a plurality of small rolls (R). It includes a unit (17) rotating about an axis (A--A) parallel to the axis of the log (L) to be cut. The unit carries a cutting blade (19) rotating about an axis (B--B) parallel to the axis (A--A) of the unit (17). A driving device (61, 63) moves the cutting tool (19) into a reciprocating forward and backward motion parallel to the axis of the log (L) to be cut. At least at the time when the blade cuts the log, the blade moves parallel to the moving log at a translation speed substantially equal to the feeding speed of the log (L), so as to allow the cutting of small rolls (R) without stopping the log (L).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying thin coatings of fluid droplets to an adjacent surface includes a pickup roll rotating in a supply of fluid and a rapidly rotating brush roll having a surface formed by bristles thereon. The two rolls rotate with an interference between them whereupon the bristles are bent as the tips thereof pick up a droplet of fluid. After passing out of inteference, the bristles snap forwardly and project the droplets in a mist form against the adjacent surface. The spray pattern is maintained with uniformity in both a cross-machine direction and a machine- direction by a windage control device which may incorporate, selectively, a spray-doctor, a knife doctor blade, windage control mechanism including end-cavity windage dams, spacers, brush windage knife, mist eliminator, brush end rings, seals and spacers.

Abstract: A continuous web of material having holes and lines of perforations therein is unwound from a roll and fed onto a staging roller. From there it is pushed onto a carrier belt having pins thereon. The pins match with the holes in the web material, and the web is drawn past a fracturing station which separates sections of the web into sheets along the lines of perforations. The individual sheets then are carried by the belt around an accelerator roll which speeds up the sheets to match the speed of receiving objects with which the individual sheets are to be combined. A second staging roller is installed at the in-feed end of the apparatus and coordinated with the first staging roller, so as to provide continuous and uninterrupted feeding of the web and hence individual sheets to the receiving objects.

Abstract: A cutter for tear-severing a web (N) driven around a rotating roller (10) wherein recesses (25) carried by the roller (10) cooperate cyclically with projections (23) external to the roller (10). The web material (N) is stretched beyond its breaking point between the recesses and projections (25, 23) when the projections (23) penetrate the recesses (25) without mutual contact. The tension in the web material (N) is caused by friction between the web material and the rotating roller (10).

Abstract: A perforating apparatus is disclosed for rewinding machines and the like which includes a rotating roller (5), on which cutting blades (31) are disposed. A shaft (3) carries a perforating counter-blade (33) provided with indentations. An oscillating drive (57, 59, 61, 63, 65) is combined with the shaft (3) which causes the counter-blade 33 to move with reciprocating translation motion in a direction parallel to the axis of the rotating roller (5), so as to avoid a concentration of wear in the cutting blades (31).

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring stacks of folded articles such as serviettes or the like, from a pile to a conveyor (3) includes retaining teeth (77) which retain the first article of a stack (P) and which are moved by the advancement of the articles. A separator (47,51) to separate the first stack (P1) of articles from subsequent stacks (P2) and a discharger (83) to discharge each single stack onto the conveyor (3). The separator includes a first separating member (51) arranged to move between two adjacent stacks (P1, P2) of articles, and a second separating member (47), operating in conjunction with the first separating member (51), which also moves between the same two adjacent stacks of articles. The second separating member is provided with a further motion to move the first stack (P) away from the subsequent one (P2) and hold it prior to the discharge thereof onto the conveyor (3).

Abstract: An insect-proof and tamper-evident cover is disclosed for a disposable, metal, one-time use beverage container. A lid, nonrotatably secured to the upper end of the beverage container, includes an opening with bars formed there-across, and with a plurality of cover-supporting bumps and a position-controlling groove. A rotatable cover is secured to said lid in a fluid-tight arrangement. The cover includes an opening with bars there-across, at least one finger-engaging member, a tamper-evident indicator, and a projection arranged to travel in the position-controlling groove of the lid.

Abstract: A user-activated vacuum-assisted condom applicator is shown which enables the user to apply a standard pre-rolled condom. A tubular receptacle and an egg-shaped applicator are arranged to interact with each other. The applicator is hollow and has a small hole at each end and a groove around the external surface of the fat, central portion. The tubular receptacle has a flared opening at one end and a generally closed other end with a small hole centrally disposed therein, and has an internal diameter larger than an erect penis. The egg-shaped applicator is of a size whereby the external central portion with a groove can rest upon the flared open end of the tubular receptacle without entering the tubular receptacle. In use, a rolled condom, as customarily supplied by the manufacturer, is partially unrolled and placed over one end of the egg-shaped applicator until the enlarged, rubberized ring at the open end of the condom fits into the groove in the central portion of the applicator.

Abstract: An apparatus for winding small rolls of paper from large rolls includes a counter to measure the length of the web being wound, a presser to sense and control the outer diameter of the small rolls, an encoder to detect and control the diameter of the small roll as it approaches the pre-determined desired diameter thereof, and an electronic logic control connected to the counter, the presser and the encoder whereby to ensure that the weight of paper and the outer diameter of the small rolls will always be within the predetermined limits. The apparatus may also include a device to record the weight of the small roll and sensors to automatically adjust the length of the web and also the roll diameter as the small roll is being formed. The sensors may also include fine and coarse tuners to adjust more precisely the movement of the web onto the small roll within relatively narrow tolerances.