Abstract: Containers for rod-like articles are provided with a device, e.g. a transponder, capable of carrying variable coded information. Read and write devices are provided at appropriate positions, e.g. tray fillers and unloaders, to ensure that only containers of the correct type and contents are passed for further processing. The coded information may also relate to time of manufacture or loading, particularly where the articles are filter rods, to ensure unloading of only those containers in which the rods have received adequate curing time. A buffer reservoir system having a tray filler, tray unloader, and a tray handling system includes a transfer member capable of transferring trays between different positions of the tray handling system and a static trolly. The transfer member may comprise a robotic or other programmable member.

Abstract: A bobbin holder (1), particularly for a cigarette making machine, is provided with a device for rewinding the expiring end of a reel (2) back on to the reel core (6) following a splice. This provides a convenient way of removing the expired end (with the core) and avoids possible entanglement of a loose expired end in parts of the machine. The device may comprise a pin (22) carried by a rotatable support (12) for the reel (2) and axially slidable by engagement with a cam (24) into a position to intercept the expiring end following a splice, so that continued rotation of the support causes the end to be wrapped around the reel core.

Abstract: Containers for rod-like articles are provided with a device, e.g. a transponder, capable of carrying variable coded information. Read and write devices are provided at appropriate positions, e.g. tray fillers and unloaders, to ensure that only containers of the correct type and contents are passed for further processing. The coded information may also relate to time of manufacture or loading, particularly where the articles are filter rods, to ensure unloading of only those containers in which the rods have received adequate curing time. A buffer reservoir system having a tray filler, tray unloader, and a tray handling system includes a transfer member capable of transferring trays between different positions of the tray handling system and a static trolley. The transfer member may comprise a robotic or other programmable member.

Abstract: The web director is adapted to convey a web of paperboard from a first elevation to a second elevation. A web support is provided having a discrete convex surface and a discrete concave surface arranged so that the web may transfer from one surface to the other. The surfaces have a radius of curvature which facilitates passage of the web of paperboard without breaking.

Abstract: At a location between a single facer machine and a glue machine, a web of corrugated paperboard has the flutes crushed in a narrow zone longitudinally of the web. A bonding agent is applied only to the uncrushed flutes. Preprinted liners are applied to the bonding agent on the uncrushed flutes with the liners being spaced from one another by said narrow zone.

Abstract: A filter feed onto a fluted drum has conveyors which convey a stack-like stream of filters into a small reservoir adjacent to the drum. As they enter the reservoir, the filters are deflected upwards by a deflector plate so that the thrust by the conveyors does not produce a direct pressure of filters onto the drum. Instead, the filters are fed onto the drum by gravity after passing over the plate. A pivoted sensor plate over the reservoir controls the speed of the conveyors.

Abstract: Proximity type sensors detect the passage of the flutes of a single face web at the inlet and outlet of a bridge. Separate counts are maintained of the number of flutes detected at the bridge inlet and outlet based on the outputs of the sensors. Data representative of the number of flutes per unit length of one or more single face webs is stored in memory. The appropriate data is selectively retrieved from memory and multiplied by the difference between the flute counts at the bridge inlet and outlet to obtain a signal representative of actual length of web on the bridge.

Abstract: A dual cutoff machine system is provided for cutting two continuously moving rigid webs into sheets by way of first and second cutting devices at different elevations. The cutting devices are along first and second web paths which diverge in a downstream direction.

Abstract: At a location between a single facer machine and a glue machine, a web of corrugated paperboard has the flutes crushed in a narrow zone longitudinally of the web. A bonding agent is applied only to the uncrushed flutes. Preprinted liners are applied to the bonding agent on the uncrushed flutes with the liners being spaced from one another by said narrow zone.

Abstract: A printing press has an ink circulation and wash up system wherein excess ink is received in a receptacle associated with fountain rollers. Ink and/or wash up liquid flows by gravity from the receptacle to a valve below the elevation of the receptacle. From the valve, the liquid may return to a source of ink or to a drain.

Abstract: A slitter scorer having upper and lower web paths is provided with suction trim means along opposite edges of a web to be processed. Adjacent each suction trim means, and associated with each of said paths, there is provided a web deflecting means for flattening a web.

Abstract: Web slitting apparatus is provided with a web guide below the web path. The web guide is moveable between operative and inoperative positions. In the inoperative position, the web guide has a portion for supporting a central portion of the web when it is desired to process a web as mill run board.

Abstract: At a transition between first and second sets of index marks on a web, a target is applied adjacent the initial mark of the second set. The target is sensed and as a result the web is severed transversely at the transition between the sets of marks. A gap is formed in the web. A microcomputer synchronizes a cut-off machine with the second set of marks while the cut-off machine is in the gap whereby operator intervention is eliminated and scrap minimized.

Abstract: A single facer machine for making a corrugated web is provided with a vacuum means for retaining a corrugated medium on one of the corrugating rolls. Said one corrugating roll has a core through which a heated fluid may flow. The core is surrounded by a sleeve which contains peripheral longitudinally extending flutes and valleys meshed with corresponding flutes and valleys on the other corrugating roll. A suction housing is juxtaposed to the outer periphery of said sleeve.

Abstract: At a transition between first and second sets of registration marks on a web, a target is applied adjacent the initial mark of the second set. The target is sensed and tracked electronically to a shear station. During an order change or a roll-to-roll change within an order, the web is automatically severed transversely by the shear at the transition between the sets of marks, and the target is tracked to a station intermediate the shear and the cut-off machine. The cut-off machine knives "crop" cut the web at the target and thereafter cut the web automatically in synchronization with the second set of marks. Operation of the cut-off machine knives in the cut-to-mark mode is maintained without loss of synchronization across the transition in the web. Operator intervention is eliminated, and scrap is minimized.

Abstract: The caliper of single face corrugated paperboard is measured and a caliper signal is generated. A gap signal is generated to represent the gap between a rider roll and an applicator roll. A value is subtracted from the caliper signal or a value is added to the gap signal to represent the desired compression of the paperboard as it passes between the rider roll and the applicator roll. A comparator compares the signals after one of the signals has been modified and generates a difference signal. A motor responsive to the difference signal is provided for adjusting the rider roll so as to maintain the gap at a preselected value with respect to the caliper of the board prior to its compression.

Abstract: The applicator roll of a single facer or a double facer glue machine has successive patterns with each pattern having different size cells from which a bonding agent may be transferred to the crests of corrugated paper. The applicator roll can be independently adjusted to change the phase of the cells relative to the crests of the corrugated paper to vary the amount of bonding agent transferred to the crests.

Abstract: The apparatus lifts a stack of sheets, turns the stack, and then places the side edges of the sheets on a conveyor. The lifting device is generally Z-shaped and is supported for unidirectional rotation about a horizontal axis adjacent one end of the conveyor. Two stacks of sheets are delivered to the conveyor per revolution of said device. The sheets are fed from said conveyor to a shingling conveyor which delivers a uniform shingle to a converting machine. The shingle density is controlled by a metering gate.

Abstract: The thickness of a single faced corrugated web is sensed by a flexible resilient member in contact with the corrugated side of the web while the smooth side of the web is in contact with a preheat drum. A frame is supported for movement toward and away from the drum and has said resilient member mounted thereon for contacting a plurality of adjacent corrugations and a sensing member which is movable in response to the contact member. A sensor cooperates with the sensing member to generate a signal.

Abstract: The size of the gap between the leading and trailing portions of a severed web is monitored with respect to an upper limit. The severed web is cut into box blanks which are transported on a stacker conveyor in shingled relation. The speed of the severed web through the corrugator is continuously controlled to prevent the gap from exceeding the limit when the gap reaches the stacker conveyor. Alternatively, the stacker conveyor is temporarily stopped until the size of the gap falls below the limit, and the stacker conveyor is re-started before the gap can close. In either case, the gap control prevents bumping of consecutive box blanks on the stacker conveyor following a change-over of production runs while insuring that the first blank of the new production run shingles on the last blank of the old production run with sufficient tail to insure retention of the first blank by stacker conveyor suction cups or tail grabbers.