Abstract: Apparatus and method for stacking product such as flexible paper towels including a slotted wheel in combination with at least two endless chain conveyors equipped with finger assemblies which are orbitally offset so that while one finger assembly of one chain conveyor is accumulating a plurality of substacks, a first finger assembly of the other chain conveyor is being readied to take over the development of a successive stack, and programmable servo motor associated with the chain conveyors for varying the finger assembly advance during different portions of the orbital movement of the finger assemblies.

Abstract: A sealing assembly for a liquid fountain such as is employed in flexographic printing and which is especially adapted for the split color printing wherein a foam layer separates the various ink compartments and is equipped with a liquid flow slot in the portion facing the liquid metering roll so as to provide limited axial flow of a slot liquid which is compatible with the ink in the various compartments.

Abstract: A rotary stacker and method wherein a stream of web units such as napkins is advanced along a longitudinally extending path in longitudinally spaced relation toward and over a magazine, each napkin being pressed into the magazine by cams applying pressure at a plurality of longitudinally spaced areas over the magazine and orienting the cams so as to remove the pressure on the upstream cam just prior to the entry of the leading edge of a unit subsequent to the one being pressed and while maintaining the pressure on the previously pressed unit by the downstream cams.

Abstract: The invention includes a method and apparatus for applying an elastic strand to disposable diapers. It uses canted, spindle-equipped wheels for engaging an elastic strand, moving the elastic strand into a sinuous configuration and stretching the strand. Stripping belts apply the strand to a diaper component.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for facilitating product changeover in the manufacture of fluff pads for disposable diapers which employs a side shifting drum equipped with removable pad forms.

Abstract: A saw mechanism for logs convolutely wound on cores and method wherein the upstream end of the log has its core supported on a support member attached to a log-advancing pusher, the chain carrying the pushers being equipped with stripper plates immediately downstream of the pushers to strip trim annuli from the pusher support members incident to arcuate movement of the stripper plate around the chain tail sprocket.

Abstract: A surface winder is provided for developing rolls of web material wound on a core including a magazine for dispensing cores sequentially and a nip for receiving cores sequentially, the core transport means between said source and nip arranged to follow a generally hypocycloidal path to provide cusps for adhesive application to the core and for introducing cores into the nip, a surface winder including a pair of winding belts traveling at different speeds and in different directions, and web severence means including a pair of web pinching points one of which is on the moving web and the other on a stationary part of the web.

Abstract: A surface winder and method in which a stationary upper winding roll, a lower movable winding roll and a rider roll form a three roll cradle, the lower winding roll being reciprocated to control the position of a partially wound core until the rider roll returns to cradle position after permitting passage of a previously wound log.

Abstract: A surface winder is provided for developing rolls of web material wound on a core including a magazine for dispensing cores sequentially and a nip for receiving cores sequentially, the core transport means between said source and nip arranged to follow a generally hypocycloidal path to provide cusps for adhesive application to the core and for introducing cores into the nip, a surface winder including a pair of winding belts traveling at different speeds and in different directions, and web severance means including a pair of web pinching points one of which is on the moving web and the other on a stationary part of the web.

Abstract: A surface winder and method in which a stationary upper winding roll, a lower movable winding roll and a rider roll form a three roll cradle, the lower winding roll being reciprocated to control the position of a partially wound core until the rider roll returns to cradle position after permitting passage of a previously wound log and in which a compensator roll is provided to control web slack after cutoff and transfer.

Abstract: A method of zig-zag folding a pair of continuous webs or web segments (sheets) to provide stacks each having a specified number of segments wherein the segments are offset one-half segment length in one web from the other, the invention including reversely folding the leading edge portion of each web to provide a spacing for the insertion of stack separator means.

Abstract: A modified grinding process for smooth circular saw blades whereby the blade rate of rotation is constantly varied to avoid the system natural frequencies and improve the resulting saw surface edge.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for folding webs which includes a pair of rolls each having tuckers and grippers arranged for tucker-gripper coaction and wherein the tucker is free floating within its mounting advantageously of the order of 1/16" movement in a circumferential direction.

Abstract: In a bag making machine utilizing clamp bar assemblies in combination with a sealing drum, the improved clamp bar assembly wherein the clamp bar is related to the conventional pivot shaft by means of a pivot pin floating in a slightly oversized hole.

Abstract: A hanky delivery system including a folding mechanism slotted star wheel and collector/divider of the movable type wherein the collector divider is a chain loop having an upper turning radius positioned within the periphery of the slotted wheel and sized smaller than the bottom turning radius for the chain loop.

Abstract: A device for zig-zag folding a series of web segments connected at transverse lines of perforation and for separating a pre-determined series of the web segments into stacks having co-acting folding rolls adapted to deliver a zig-zag folded web, a pair of opposed cantilevered plates movably mounted adjacent the folding rolls to provide alternative support for a developing stack and to prevent concavity, and means for moving the plates.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for applying leg elastic to an elongated moving web adapted to provide a sequence of diapers wherein adhesive is continuously applied by a first air nozzle and shifted intermittently by means of a second air nozzle angularly related to the first air nozzle.

Abstract: A tape applying apparatus to advance, cutoff, and transport two or more adhesive covered tape strips and apply same to a continuously moving series of connected diapers before the diapers are cut into discreet products; the apparatus being arranged so that the distance between two consecutive tapes is different from the distance between two other tapes, and all tapes so applied will be cut at equal lengths; and since different spacing requires different tape feed speeds, the invention includes two tension isolating and feed roll pairs arranged to allow an excess of tape to be looped therebetween, including loop detection devices which rotate the first and second tension isolating roll pairs at different speeds to maintain said loop of excess material within predetermined minimum and maximum limits.

Abstract: Apparatus for interfolding webs, including two clusters of vacuum rolls, each in a generally hexagonal arrangement, each cluster having spaced apart web cutoff means and interfolding means, the vacuum rolls being arranged to develop four equal length paths between the cutoff means and the interfolding means, the apparatus being equipped with vacuum switching means to sequentially change paths of travel of the webs.

Abstract: Apparatus for folding spaced segments of web material such as diapers having intermediate side flaps overfolded in the crotch portion making use of a vacuumized continuously moving belt system for gripping one surface of a planar web except for the flap portions and a frictionalized belt system aligned with the vacuumized belt system for engaging the other surface of the web to progressively fold the flap portions.