Abstract: In a production line for manufacturing wooden I-beams in a chords and webs assembly machine, a vacuum belt conveyor system is provided to sequentially feed bottom web members from beneath a web stack into a web run-up and drive system associated with the machine. The vacuum belt conveyor system features a vacuum supply box mounted between the web support rails through a series of vertical screw adjustment assemblies permitting adjustment of the inclination of the conveyor belt relative to the head drive pulley. A system of vacuum supply holes in the top plate of the vacuum box is utilized to apply a greater amount of vacuum to the leading end of the webs than the trailing end to minimize belt wear.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for detecting flaws on a composite surface laid-up by a fiber placement machine. The invention includes a vision imaging system (78) mounted on the machine so that it has a field of view of the composite tows after they have been compacted by a compaction roller (74). In one embodiment, the visual imaging system (78) includes a laser analog displacement sensor. The imaging system provides a computer analysis system (84) with data regarding the location of the edges of the individual composite tows. The computer imaging system (84) uses the tow edge location data to compute the location and size of gaps or overlaps between the tows or the presence of foreign material. This information is useful in quality control models to evaluate the manufacturing process or final part quality.

Abstract: To form a seam of attractive appearance, a heated platen having a shaped lip acts to engage and press the central surface of an adhesively-backed sheet of a polymeric fabric against the top appearance surface of a panel and the peripheral edge of the sheet into a groove formed in the surface, the platen activating the adhesive and the lip forcing a potion of the adhesive inwardly adjacent to the sheet edge against one wall of the groove. An insertion blade presses a portion of the sheet edge towards the bottom of the groove, the blade acting as a heat shield to space and protect the other wall of the groove from the heated platen.

Abstract: In the production of cigarette packs, glue assemblies (14) having glue nozzles (15) are increasingly used in order to provide with glue pack folding tabs to be adhesively bonded to one another. The glue assemblies (14) or glue nozzles (15) require careful maintenance. For this purpose, the packaging machine is equipped with a maintenance station (16) which allows the necessary manipulations on the glue assemblies (14) in a position convenient for tending purposes. The maintenance station (16) or a holding device (17) is designed in such a way that glue assemblies (14) can be positioned alternatively in a testing position and in a cleaning position.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for indicating suitable binding times for a file or files placed in a file binding apparatus. The suitable binding time is comprised of the time (t.sub.0 -t.sub.2 ; t.sub.3 -t.sub.5 ; t.sub.6 -t.sub.8) required to heat the heating plate of the binding apparatus to a predetermined maximum temperature governed by the switch-off temperature (T2) of a thermostat, and the time taken for the heating plate to cool to a similarly predetermined switch-on temperature (T1) of the thermostat, determined by a lower temperature. The suitable binding time is determined by utilizing the switch-off and switch-on temperatures of the thermostat, wherein the thermostat output signal controls an indicating device which indicates the aforesaid suitable binding time.

Abstract: The labeling machine for dispensing labels from a continuous web of material to a plurality of articles is provided which includes a supply roll of labels, a dispenser for removing the labels from the continuous web, a drive drum for imparting a linear velocity to the web so as to move the web through the labeling machine while accumulating the web into a waste roll, and a driving control system, including a label position sensor, for alternately actuating and deactuating the driving device to move and terminate movement of the web, respectively, through the labeling machine. A web velocity compensator device is provided to compensate for variations in the linear velocity caused by, for example, the increase in the diameter of the waste roll on the drive drum so as to insure proper positioning of each of the labels to be dispensed relative to the dispenser upon deactuation of the driving device.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a livestock feeder for retaining hay so that livestock can consume the hay without trampling thereon is disclosed which includes forming a plurality of leg members and a plurality of retainer members connectable to the leg members. The retainer members are fabricated of a polymeric material having angular deflection characteristics and memory so that the retainer members can be angularly deflected by pressures exerted thereon and restored to a substantially non-deflected position when such pressures are removed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process using an electric field for contacting a substantially neutrally charged material, that is responsive to an electric field, with a substrate. Also disclosed is a disposable absorbent product, including the electrically responsive material, that is intended for the absorption of body fluids, prepared by the process.

Abstract: Four non-magnetic substrate members are coupled in parallel with each other by a pair of guide plates, and a plurality of receiving grooves, which can slidably receive strip portions of lead frames, are formed in the upper surface of each substrate member in parallel with each other. Permanent magnets for attracting the lead frames are fixed in proximity to bottoms of the receiving grooves. Lead frames, to which electronic component elements are mounted, can be easily inserted into and taken out from the receiving grooves by simply sidewardly slid into and from the receiving grooves, and the lead frames inserted in the receiving grooves are stably held by the permanent magnets due to magnetic force.

Abstract: The disclosure describes an apparatus and method for applying strips of tensioned elastic material transversely to a moving sheet or web of material, such as a component of a disposal diaper. The heart of the invention is a pair of inclinded, spaced apart transfer wheels located in mirror image relationship across the moving web. The transfer wheels are inclined relative to each other so that the distance between them is greatest at a point on their circumference that lies adjacent the web and least where a point on their circumference is at the greatest distance from the web. A supply drum provides an untensioned elastic strip to the transfer wheels at the point of least distance between them. As the transfer wheels move through 180.degree. of rotation, the elastic is stretched and then released at the plane of the web where it is adhesively bonded to the web. A drive system for the transfer wheels rotates them at a circumferential speed essentially equal to the linear speed of the moving web.

Abstract: A torch is mounted on the central portion of a frame having a near end portion and a far end portion. The torch directs heat toward the far end portion of the frame, adjacent to a rotatable embedment roller. A handle is formed on the near end portion of the frame. The torch melts the granules of torch-on roofing, and the embedment roller follows behind to smoothen the surface of the roofing in the area of a lap joint.

Abstract: The label applicator for applying a label to an article. The label includes a first side having printed matter visible thereon and including a second side having a pressure sensitive adhesive thereon. The label applicator includes plasma coated tray the defines a label support structure for supporting the label with the second side of the label resting on the label support structure. A label transfer pad structure is provided with an array of openings thereon that have a vacuum source communicating therewith for gripping the first side of the label, picking up the label from the plasma coated tray, and for pressing the label onto the article. The plasma coated tray gives a non stick surface that will not readily retain the adhesive side of the label. The label transfer pad has a suction cup portion for insuring complete separation of the label and any release liner.

Abstract: An apparatus (12) for use in forming core layers for plywood from a plurality of veneer sections includes a manifold (48) which extends transversely to a work flow path and across which the veneer sections are sequentially moved. An adhesive passage (46) in the manifold (48) is connected in fluid communication with a plurality of modular dispenser guns (44). Each of the modular dispenser guns (44) is connected in fluid communication with either an adhesive dispenser head or a string dispenser head (34). At the adhesive dispenser heads (32), adhesive is engaged by the leading end portion of a veneer section and pressed against the trailing end portion of a next preceding veneer section. At the string dispenser heads (34), string (42) coated with adhesive is applied to downwardly facing major side surfaces of the veneer sections.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and hardware for bonding together nds of a sealing strip. The method of the present invention comprises the steps of cutting a slot in both a first end and a second end of a sealing strip, inserting an attachment strip having a plurality of engaging members into the slot cut into the first end, applying adhesive to the second end of the sealing strip, and placing the two ends of the sealing strip into an abutting relationship by inserting the attachment strip into the slot in the second end and sliding the ends together. The hardware used to effect the method includes an alignment guide having a substantially C-shaped channel for receiving the ends of the sealing strip to be joined together. The alignment guide has an end cap associated therewith having one or more slots for receiving a cutting tool for cutting slots in the ends of the sealing strip. The hardware further includes an attachment strip which is used to join the ends of the sealing strip together.

Abstract: A device for connecting a trailing end of a previously drawn-out web from a first web roll to a leading end portion of a newly drawn-out web from a second web roll has a vertical guide unit, a drawing-out unit, a feeding unit, an adhesive tape supplying unit and cutting members. The previously drawn-out web which is running vertically downward is guided by the vertical guide unit. The leading end portion of a web is drawn out from a new web roll by the drawing-out unit and moved vertically downward by the feeding unit in the vicinity of and along the previously drawn-out web. An adhesive tape is attached to the leading end portion of the newly drawn-out web by the adhesive tape supplying unit. The leading end of the newly drawn-out web is connected to the trailing end of the previously drawn-out web by the adhesive tape. After the previously and newly drawn-out webs have been connected together, the excess portions of both webs are removed by the cutting members.

Abstract: A book binding process and apparatus are shown wherein polyurethane adhesive (PUR) attaches a crepe portion of a book binding to a book block and hot glue attaches the crepe portion to the book cover. The PUR delivery system includes an inclined trough positioned adjacent a polyurethane adhesive delivery roll. A polyurethane adhesive source delivers polyurethane adhesive upon the inclined surface of the trough and the polyurethane adhesive is metered onto the roller as a function of the separation of the leading edge of the trough and the roller.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a gasket strip to a substrate. An application head guided by a controlled robot applies the gasket strip to the substrate and cuts the strips to the desired length as they are applied. The application head applies as many strips in as many positions as necessary to form the desired gasket pattern.

Abstract: A component supply method includes the steps of sticking an adhesive sheet, which is provided on its upper surface with a first foam releasable adhesive layer whose adhesion, can be reduced by heating, onto an upper surface of a pallet having a side surface serving as a reference portion, sticking a wafer onto the upper surface of the adhesive sheet, cutting the wafer for obtaining a number of components, reducing the adhesion of the first adhesive layer by heating, and taking out the individual components, obtained by cutting the wafer, from the pallet. In the steps of sticking the adhesive sheet, sticking the wafer and taking out the components, the elements are located on the basis of the side surface of the pallet serving as a reference portion.

Abstract: Resealing apparatus for closing the toner-dispensing slot of a toner cartridge, preparatory to refilling that cartridge with toner. The apparatus includes a pair of work stations, each including a fixture for receiving an empty toner cartridge and a guide for supporting a seal insertion tool into predetermined juxtaposition with that cartridge. A motorized actuator extends each seal insertion tool into juxtaposition with the toner cartridge, and retracts that tool from the cartridge after sealing is completed. Powered clamps engage the toner cartridge to assure positive contact between the cartridge and the seal. A single heater power supply is selectively connected to the seal insertion tools of each work station. A programmed logic controller performs the sequence of resealing operations for each work station, once initiated by an operator, so that the operator may then prepare the other work station for a resealing operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically controlling the moisture content of corrugated board manufactured along a corrugated board production line. Moisture control apparatus (5) has a top liner board moisture sensor (45) and a bottom liner board moisture sensor (46) stationed along the corrugated board production line (7) which read the moisture content percentage of the top liner board (12) and bottom liner board (23) of a combined corrugated board (38). The moisture control apparatus also includes a line speed sensor (47) which measures the line speed of the corrugated board production line. The moisture control sensors (45, 46) signal a central processing unit (50) with a signal proportional to the measured moisture content percentage of the top liner board and bottom liner board, respectively.