Abstract: A line of tool heads are individually positioned along a track and locked in operative position from a transport position along the track in which each of the tool heads is releasably connected to the next adjacent tool head in the line and the tool head at one end of the line is similarly releasably connected to a drive engine. The engine moves the train of coupled tool heads to an initial position where the first tool head at the end of the train is locked in its operative position and then uncoupled from the train. The remaining tool heads are sequentially positioned, locked and released from the train. The next to last of the tool heads being locked in place and then uncoupled from the engine which runs on the same track, carries the last tool head and is also locked in its final operative position.

Abstract: A single facer for corrugated paperboard of the type using a very large diameter fluted bonding roll and a much smaller diameter fluted corrugating roll which engages the bonding roll to provide a corrugating nip. The small diameter corrugating roll is made to be resilient by utilizing a thin walled roll shell so that it is capable of inward deflection in the corrugating nip in order to cushion impact and absorb the deflection as the rolls interengage along the nip. This cushioning deflection absorbs vibrational movement due to chordal action of the interengaging flutes, and thereby reduces noise level and roll wear and improves the quality and consistency of corrugation. A modified flute profile, compensating for flute pitch variations between the large diameter bonding roll and small diameter corrugating roll, assures uniform flute-to-flute engagement in the corrugating nip.

Abstract: A corrugator single facer of the type utilizing a large diameter bonding and corrugating roll and a small diameter corrugating roll is driven without direct drive applied to either corrugating roll. Instead, the pressure belt arrangement which supports the lower corrugating roll to provide the nipping force includes a series of driven supporting pressure belts that are loaded against the lower corrugating roll and which transmit rotational movement thereto and through the nip to the large diameter bonding roll.

Abstract: A corrugator single facer of the type utilizing a large diameter bonding roll and a small diameter corrugating roll provides quick roll change capability by mounting three large diameter bonding rolls on a rotatable turret and carrying corresponding small diameter corrugating rolls in a magazine positioned laterally offset from the machine. By driving the corrugating rolls indirectly through the pressure belt arrangement which supports the lower corrugating roll, roll change is significantly simplified.

Abstract: A corrugator single facer of the type utilizing a large diameter bonding and corrugating roll and a small diameter corrugating roll is driven without direct drive applied to either corrugating roll. Instead, the pressure belt arrangement which supports the lower corrugating roll to provide the nipping force includes a series of driven supporting pressure belts that are loaded against the lower corrugating roll and which transmit rotational movement thereto and through the nip to the large diameter bonding roll.

Abstract: A single facer for corrugated paperboard of the type using a very large diameter fluted bonding roll and a much smaller diameter fluted corrugating roll which engages the bonding roll to provide a corrugating nip. The small diameter corrugating roll is made to be resilient by utilizing a thin walled roll shell so that it is capable of inward deflection in the corrugating nip in order to cushion impact and absorb the deflection as the rolls interengage along the nip. This cushioning deflection absorbs vibrational movement due to chordal action of the interengaging flutes, and thereby reduces noise level and roll wear and improves the quality and consistency of corrugation. A modified flute profile, compensating for flute pitch variations between the large diameter bonding roll and small diameter corrugating roll, assures uniform flute-to-flute engagement in the corrugating nip.

Abstract: A single facer utilizes a pair of corrugating rolls, one of which is of a substantially smaller diameter. The small diameter corrugating roll is captured by a series of backing roll arrangements spaced along the axis of the smaller corrugating roll, each of which backing roll arrangements is independently supported to apply an independently variable backing load to the corrugating roll.

Abstract: A single facer for corrugated paperboard of the type using a very large diameter fluted bonding roll and a much smaller diameter fluted corrugating roll which engages the bonding roll to provide a corrugating nip. The small diameter corrugating roll is made to be resilient so that it is capable of inward deflection in the vicinity of the corrugating nip in order to cushion impact as the rolls interengage along the corrugating nip. This cushioning deflection absorbs vibrational movement due to chordal action of the interengaging flutes, and thereby reduces noise levels, roll wear and improves the quality and consistency of corrugation.

Abstract: A single facer for corrugated paperboard of the type using a very large diameter fluted bonding roll and a much smaller diameter fluted corrugating roll which engages the bonding roll to provide a corrugating nip. The small diameter corrugating roll is made to be resilient so that it is capable of inward deflection in the vicinity of the corrugating nip in order to cushion impact as the rolls interengage along the corrugating nip. This cushioning deflection absorbs vibrational movement due to chordal action of the interengaging flutes, and thereby reduces noise levels, roll wear and improves the quality and consistency of corrugation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a single face corrugated web in which a steam cloud is injected between the corrugated medium web and the liner web directly at the line along which the webs converge. This type of steam injection allows faster corrugator speeds without sacrificing bonding quality. An adhesive slurry of water and starch granules is applied to the flute tips to form glue lines on the corrugated web prior to the convergence of the webs. The injected steam cloud directed at the web convergence line adds heat without promoting premature dehydration to facilitate proper conditions for effective cooking of the adhesive slurry to thoroughly gelatinize the adhesive. In some applications, dry steam is preferred because dry steam does not significantly interfere with subsequent dehydration of the adhesive gel during the formation of the initial green bond.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a single face corrugated web from an adhesively bonded liner and medium web without the use of a pressure roll nip where the liner web is joined to the medium web. A heated bonding roll with a fluted outer surface carries the single face web around a circumferential portion sufficient to create a green bond in the glue lines before the web is removed from the roll. The bonding roll may be internally heated or a steam chamber may be positioned around a portion of a lower bonding roll, such that the steam chamber introduces a supply of steam into contact with the single face web while the single face web is in contact with the outer circumference of the bonding roll. An adjustable wrap arm places the freshly glued single face web in contact with the bonding roll and tension in the liner web is controlled to adjust the radial force applied to the glue lines.

Abstract: A corrugator double backer includes a web holddown apparatus that provides both heat and a holddown force to the upper surface of the paperboard web to maintain the web in intimate drying contact with the lower heating units without the use of a conventional driven holddown belt. A heated holddown mat which is longitudinally and laterally flexible is provided by a series of generally parallel, somewhat flexible, closely spaced heating tubes which are suspended above the web in the heating section in catenary fashion in the direction of web travel. Lift devices on one or both ends of the mat of tubes can vary the amount of mat contact with the web and, therefore, the heat and load imposed on the web. The tubes are steam heated and have flat low friction, high wear resistant lower surfaces which lie directly atop the corrugated paperboard web running thereunder.

Abstract: A synchronized flute double wall corrugated paperboard web is produced in a corrugating apparatus utilizing cooperatively operated single facers to provide an intermediate single face web with corrugated media on both faces, and then combining outer liners to both corrugated media immediately prior to on entry into the double backer utilizing a glue applicator that precludes glue line disturbance. The system may also be operated to produce conventional double wall board or single wall board utilizing either of the single facers. A synchronized flute double wall board provides enhanced strength and may be run on this corrugator at the same speed as single wall board.

Abstract: A rotary steam heated roll of the type having a series of circumferentially spaced, generally parallel and axially extending condensate channels or open-ended steam tubes in the cylindrical outer wall, includes at least one condensate removal pump associated with a channel or steam tube to positively pump condensate which rims at high speed radially inward to the center of the roll for discharge. A preferred embodiment includes a plurality of small piston pumps driven in response to roll rotation and timed to provide sequential circumferential operation.

Abstract: A large diameter and axially long cylindrical roll is fabricated from axially short cylindrical roll sections to provide a roll with circumferentially spaced, parallel and axially extending steam passages through the outer cylindrical wall of the roll. Through bore portions, which are gun drilled in the short roll sections, are aligned with cylindrical pins that also provide backing material for the annular welds used to join the roll sections. By utilizing pins of weld backing material in the bore portions, the bores may be formed very close to the outer cylindrical surface of the roll, thereby enhancing heat transfer in the completed roll.

Abstract: The labyrinth path in the corrugating nip of a single facer is substantially reduced by utilizing a small diameter corrugating roll captured between a larger diameter conventional corrugating roll and a backing roll arrangement. The smaller diameter corrugating roll is captured to prevent bending thereof under corrugating loads. The corrugator may be operated at high speeds without the adverse increase in labyrinth path and web tension characteristic of a pair of large diameter corrugating rolls.

Abstract: A heated cylindrical roll for handling and treating a running web of material has a laminated construction in which a series of thin circular rings, each in turn formed from a plurality of flat ring segments, are joined face-to-face to form a hollow cylindrical roll. The segments from which the circular rings are formed may comprise identical stampings and may be machined or otherwise formed prior to assembly to include an outer tooth pattern to provide a fluted roll surface for corrugating, apertures extending between the faces of the segments to define axial fluid supply passages in the assembled roll, radial slots to define vacuum passages in the assembled roll, and/or outer peripheral slots to define vacuum distribution slots in the surface of the assembled roll. The laminated roll is particularly adapted to utilize a novel steam supply and condensate return system.

Abstract: Flexible edge sealing membranes cooperate with the heating surface of a vacuum preheater and a web moving over the surface (1) to minimize air loss in the portions of the heating surface not covered by the web, (2) to prevent differential heating of the edges of the web induced by unrestricted air flow, and (3) to provide reduced friction contact with the edge portions of the web.

Abstract: An on demand ink mixing system for a flexographic or similar printer utilizes a chambered doctor blade with a chamber divided by a flexible bladder to form ink chamber and a pressure chamber. Ink use is coordinated with print run length, and ink mixing and the collapse of the ink chamber to essentially zero volume are coordinated to coincide with the end of the run. The flexible bladder is also utilized in the operation of the ink cleaning system to move cleaning solution through all portions of the supply system and printer contaminated by ink mixed for the run.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing recyclable paper pallets utilizes spool-shaped laminated supports which are wound on a spool-shaped mandrel utilizing adhesive coated paper strips. In one aspect of the invention, the spool-shaped laminated supports can be glued to conventional upper and lower pallet skin sheets also made of paper material, such as corrugated paperboard. In another aspect of the invention, the spool-shaped pallet supports are utilized in a system in which the pallet is integrated directly into a pre-strapped load. In this system, a slip sheet is strapped directly to the bottom of a load and the slip sheet is glued directly to the upper faces of an array of pallet supports, sufficient to support the load and to provide the spacers or standoffs for subsequent insertion of lifting equipment, such as a lifting fork, beneath the load. The inherent rigidity of the strapped load may be sufficient to compensate for the lack of rigidity of the thin paper slip sheet.