Abstract: A production line for manufacturing wooden I-beams wherein a pair of grooved flanges are conveyed along opposite sides of a train of web members and converged so that the web longitudinal edges are inserted into the chord grooves is disclosed. The flanges are each sequentially fed into left and right hand sides of the assembly line through a cam type flange feeder and a resiliently mounted hold-down member automatically orienting the flanges with the flange grooves facing inwardly. A lugged web feeder engages a longitudinal edge of each web to laterally convey same, or random web lengths, into the upstream end of the assembly machine. A web bottom drive engages the web undersides to convey same into contact with the flanges while eliminating overhead clutter to enable easy access to the web and flange members for manual intervention.

Abstract: An outer lead bonding apparatus which includes a device supply section on which devices are arranged at predetermined positions, a transfer head assembly for picking up the devices from the device supply section, means for driving the transfer head assembly in a predetermined direction, a first monitoring camera for checking the devices picked up by the transfer head assembly for its positional exactness, a substrate driving means for moving the substrate in a predetermined direction, and a second monitoring camera for checking the electrodes of the substrate for their positional exactness.

Abstract: Apparatus incorporating a movable dispensing head provided with a supply of material which solidifies at a predetermined temperature, and a base member, which are moved relative to each other along multiple axes in a predetermined pattern to create three-dimensional objects by building up material discharged from the dispensing head onto the base member at a controlled rate. The apparatus is preferably computer driven in a process utilizing computer aided design (CAD) and computer-aided (CAM) software to generate drive signals for controlled movement of the dispensing head and base member as material is being dispensed.Three-dimensional objects may be produced by depositing repeated layers of solidifying material until the shape is formed. Any material, such as self-hardening waxes, thermoplastic resins, molten metals, two-part epoxies, foaming plastics, and glass, which adheres to the previous layer with an adequate bond upon solidification, may be utilized.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a process for a half-cell structure to make a hexagonal-cell honeycomb core. The structure has a plurality of peaks and valleys and a diagonal surface between each consecutive peak and valley. The apparatus comprises a stack holder for stacking the structure so that as one sheet is placed on top of a stack comprising at least one sheet, the peaks of one sheet contact the peaks of an adjacent sheet. The apparatus also comprises an air blower disposed beneath the top of the stack for reducing the air pressure surrounding the stack to a pressure below the air pressure on the top of the stack, thereby pressing the layers together to form the core.

Abstract: A tape head apparatus for applying sealing tape to cartons moving thereunder on a conveyor has rollers as part of roller assemblies for rolling the tape under pressure onto the leading face, top surface, and trailing face of the carton. The rollers, assemblies, which are carried on a support frame, and are biased toward their extended position, with the biasing force creating the pressure of the rollers on the tape and the carton. The biasing force is augmented by a pressure enhancer which is actuated while the rollers are applying the tape to the top surface, and the augmented force remains until the tape has been applied to the trailing face of the carton. A cutter cuts the tape prior to its application to the trailing face, leaving a length of unapplied tape sufficient to apply to the trailing face.

Abstract: A modular assembly of components is provided for various aspects of high volume mailing. The modular system of components includes a postage meter, having a base with a driving motor and a head driven by the driving motor and operative to apply selected postage to a piece of mail. The postage meter head can be selectively removed from the postage meter base. The modular systems of components further includes at least one accessory selectively mountable to the postage meter base and capable of being driven thereby. The accessory may include an applicator for applying a closure tab, a label or a stamp to an envelope or sheet of material being driven by the postage meter base.

Abstract: An air gun apparatus which permits stable, fine spinning and is capable of discharging fine filaments at a certain degree of dispersion and affording a non-woven fabric of uniform shape is provided. The air gun includes an air nozzle and an accelerator tube. The air nozzle has a filament inlet and outlet. The filaments are discharged from the filament outlet while being pulled by compressed air. The accelerator tube is formed at a specific diameter to length ratio and is connected to the air nozzle in the filament discharging direction. The non-woven fabric producing apparatus is provided with a guide tube and a separator nozzle, with an air flow rate regulator being disposed between the guide tube and the separator nozzle. The air flow rate regulator has an exhaust port for exhausting to the exterior a portion of the compressed air which is used for carrying the filaments.

Abstract: A mechanized lay up assembly line for composite structures has a tool delivery station having a plurality of rollers on its surface for moving tools across the surface. Adjacent to the tool delivery station is a work station. The work station includes a work surface. The work surface has a plurality of rollers that move from a position wherein the rollers extend above the work surface to support a tool above the work surface to a retracted position where the rollers descend below the work surface such that the tool is supported on the work surface. The mechanized lay up assembly line further includes a debulking diaphragm that moves toward and away from the work surface and a vacuum system for evacuating the space between the diaphragm and the work surface. Tools are moved from the delivery station to the work station with the work station rollers extended. When a tool is positioned on the work station its rollers are retracted to position the tool firmly on the working surface.

Abstract: Intended typically for slender tear strips, the automatic splicer comprises at least two supply reels wound with respective strips, the one in use and the other a replacement, set in rotation singly or together by a common drive, and feed wheels with peripheral grooves positioned with axes normal to the axes of the reels, by which the two strips are directed into a splicing station where the trailing end of the strip uncoiling from the reel in use is joined to the leading end of the strip uncoiled from the replacement reel; the splice is effected by means of a positioning and restraining component and a reference and reaction component stationed on either side of the strip in use, which can be drawn together until the ends of the strips are fully in contact, with the leading end of the replacement strip positioned and restrained in a longitudinal groove afforded by the relative component. The ends of the strips are trimmed automatically by separate cutters.

Abstract: A machine for bending reinforced thermoplastic workpieces includes a machine frame. First and second spaced rest plates are mounted to the frame, with the plates having a first planer orientation, which define a rest plane, for supporting a workpiece and a second angularly disposed orientation for bending the workpiece. A compression rest is disposed between the plates. A heated bending beam is in alignment with and spaced from the compression rest. A drive system is operably associated with the frame for causing relative movement between the beam and the plates and the rest, so that a workpiece supported by the plates and the rest in the first orientation may engage the beam. The plates are operably interconnected for therefore defining a common pivot axis. A system is provided for causing at least one of the plates to be pivoted about the pivot axis.

Abstract: A process and an installation for producing a drip irrigation conduit having discrete internally located emitter units bonded at axially spaced apart locations of an internal surface thereof, wherein the irrigation conduit is continuously extruded from an extrusion cross head at a first outer diameter and a first linear velocity and is drawn off through a calibrator unit to a second and lesser outer diameter at a second and greater linear velocity greater than the first linear velocity, the emitter units being continuously supplied on a carrier member which extends from within the extruder cross-head to the region of an inlet of the calibrator unit.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for manufacturing a protective skin for resurfacing reusable beverage containers. First, the peripheral surface of a cylindrical beverage container is measured and recorded, the measurements being used as a template for forming the skin from the substrate. Second, a suitable thermoplastic substrate is chosen such as scratch resistant vinyl or LEXAN.RTM.. Third, a graphic image or product name can be back printed on the substrate. Fourth, an adhesive backing is applied to the printed side of the substrate. And fifth, the substrate is formed into the desired shape by an apparatus using the recorded measurements of the beverage container. The resulting chemical and abrasion resistant protective skin may then easily be applied by any consumer wishing to cover the peripheral surface of a reusable beverage container that may have become damaged through use or misuse or to apply custom graphics and/or a logo thereto.

Abstract: A calender for producing packing sheets, in particular packing sheets reinforced with synthetic fiber, has a large diameter heated cylinder, on which a packing sheet is formed and vulcanized, rotatably supported by spaced calender stands and driven by a direct current motor. An unheated cylinder of smaller diameter also driven by a direct current motor, is supported by the calender stands for rotation and for movement toward and away from the heated cylinder and is hydraulically pressed toward the heated cylinder as a pressure roller. The circumferential speed of each of the cylinders is sensed by a pick-up activated by uniformly spaced marks on the circumference of the cylinder and the thickness of the packing sheet on the heated cylinder is sensed by sensing the position of the shaft of the pressure roller.

Abstract: The present invention provides a weatherable protective surfacing film which can be laminated to various substrates, such as vinyl outdoor fabrics, by heat and pressure without requiring adhesives. The film has a unitary structure and is comprised of an acrylic polymer/fluoropolymer composition which has a composition gradient across its thickness such that one surface of the film is fluoropolymer-rich to provide excellent weatherability, stain resistance and dirt repellant properties, while the opposite surface of the film is acrylic polymer-rich to give it self-bonding characteristics.

Abstract: A compact disc labeling system for permanently imprinting a personalized label into the inner plastic ring of a compact disc. The invention includes a base member for receiving and securing a compact disc thereto, an interchangeable impact plate with outwardly protruding characters thereon corresponding to the personalized label and a handle member for compressing the impact plate against the inner plastic ring of a compact disc which has been secured to the base member. A thermostatically controlled heating system may be utilized to heat the interchangeable impact plate, thereby facilitating the penetration of the outwardly protruding characters into the inner plastic ring of the compact disc.

Abstract: In a machine including structure for printing an indicia on a sheet at a predetermined printing speed, wherein the machine includes structure for feeding the sheet in a path of travel to the printing structure, apparatus for detecting a malfunction of the machine, the apparatus comprising, structure for controlling the machine, the controlling structure including a microprocessor, structure for sensing the sheet in the path of travel, the sensing structure including a first sensor connected to the microprocessor for providing a first sensing signal thereto in response to sensing the sheet, the sensing structure including a second sensor connected to the microprocessor for providing a second sensing signal thereto in response to sensing the sheet, and the microprocessor programmed for causing the sheet feeding structure to feed the sheet to the sensing structure at a first predetermined sheet feeding speed less than the printing speed, causing the printing structure to commence a printing cycle after a first p

Abstract: A taping machine particularly suited to the taping of an electrical cable splice includes a planar base, a traveling tape dispenser, and supports for the cable. The tape dispenser is of split construction to accommodate being assembled on site to surround the cable. During a taping operation the tape dispenser, powered by a motor, rotates around the cable. Travel along the cable is powered by a separate motor. Speeds of both motors are independently adjustable.

Abstract: A modular assembly of components is provided for various aspects of high volume mailing. The modular system of components includes a postage meter, having a base with a driving motor and a head driven by the driving motor and operative to apply selected postage to a piece of mail. The postage meter head can be selectively removed from the postage meter base. The modular systems of components further includes at least one accessory selectively mountable to the postage meter base and capable of being driven thereby. The accessory may include an applicator for applying a closure tab or label to an envelope or sheet of material being driven by the postage meter base. A closure tab applicator may be operative to move a closure tab into a position to be contacted by a sheet of material, such that momentum of the sheet of material causes the closure tab to wrap around and close the folded sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus applies glue to closure stamps for insertion onto packages, such as cigarette packs. A pair of rotatable glue-applying wheels receive glue from a glue pot and transfer the glue onto the backs of the closure stamps as the closure stamps are fed therepast. A portion of the peripheral edge of each glue-applying wheel is recessed radially inwardly, to define an interruption in an outer diameter of the peripheral edge, so that only a non-recessed portion of the outer edge transfers glue to the closure stamps. In this way, opposite ends of the glue lines are spaced from leading and trailing edges of the closure stamp. A synchronizing mechanism is provided to achieve a proper synchronization between the stamp-feeding mechanism and the glue-applying wheels to ensure that the glue lines are kept spaced from the leading and trailing ends of the closure stamp.

Abstract: A hand operated device for transferring an adhesive film from a carrier tape to a substrate is provided with a feed spool containing the carrier tape, and a take-up spool mounted in a housing. The carrier tape is fed from the feed spool to the take-up spool over an applicator bar and the take-up spool is driven by the feed spool through a clutch plate to maintain a degree of tension in the carrier tape during operation of the device.