Abstract: Method of and apparatus for applying withdrawal strings to tampon pledgets wherein string is pneumatically looped around a pledget, the ends of the loop are knotted, and the knotted loop is driven through a hole in the pledget.

Abstract: Method of and apparatus for applying withdrawal strings to tampon pledgets wherein string is pneumatically looped around a pledget, the ends of the loop are knotted, and the knotted loop is driven through a hole in the pledget.

Abstract: Method of and apparatus for applying withdrawal strings to tampon pledgets wherein string is pneumatically looped around a pledget, the ends of the loop are knotted, and the knotted loop is driven through a hole in the pledget.

Abstract: Method of and apparatus for applying withdrawal strings to tampon pledgets wherein string is pneumatically looped around a pledget, the ends of the loop are knotted, and the knotted loop is driven through a hole in the pledget.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of manufacturing a web which is striped with add-on material, comprising: a first arrangement which establishes a sheet of base web from a first slurry and moves the established sheet along a first path; a second arrangement for preparing a second slurry; a moving orifice applicator operative so as to repetitively discharge the second slurry upon the moving sheet of base web, the moving orifice applicator comprising: a chamber box arranged to establish a reservoir of the second slurry across the first path; an endless belt having an orifice, the endless belt received through the chamber box; a drive arrangement operative upon the endless belt to continuously move the orifice along an endless path and repetitively through the chamber box, the orifice when communicated with the reservoir being operative to discharge the second slurry from the reservoir through the orifice; a flow distribution system for introducing the second slurry into the chamber box at spaced-apart feed locations alon

Abstract: A process for transforming the round shafts of nails into a multi-vaned profile involves supplying an oriented sequence of abuting identical nails to an indexing operation where the nails are separated and uniformly oriented, then feeding the nails head first downwardly into the nip of rolls which secure each nail by its head and form the round shaft of each secured nail into a multi-vaned profile. Apparatus for performing the nail transforming process includes an indexing mechanism, a downward feeding mechanism, and a set of forming rolls positioned to rotate in vertical planes.

Abstract: This invention relates to the treatment of paper with material in repetitive patterns. The treatment patterns made with this invention can be altered by changing apparatus operating parameters.

Abstract: This invention relates to the treatment of substrates with fluidized material in repetitive patterns during application cycles. The treatment patterns made with this invention can be altered by changing machine operating parameters. The patterns of fluidized material are applied to substrates using intermittent charges of compressed air. The intermittent charges of compressed air pass through a venturi slot which creates a region of low pressure in the charges adjacent to a region where the fluidized material accumulates between application cycles. This region of low pressure helps to entrain the fluidized material in the charge of compressed air. After the fluidized material is entrained in the charge of compressed air, the charge deposits the fluidized material on the substrate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making banded smoking article wrappers is provided. The apparatus includes a cylindrical rotating applicator that has alternating regions of mesh material and regions of solid material on its outside surface. The applicator allows repetitive patterns of additional slurry to be applied to a continuous web of paper so that the basis weight of the paper is repetitively increased. Such paper, when incorporated into a smoking article, modifies the burn rate characteristics of the article.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for transferring a metered charge of granular material from a bulk source to an individual receptacle at high speed. The apparatus comprises a nozzle having suction and positive ports, a screen disposed within the nozzle, and suction and positive pressure sources that selectively communicate with the suction and pressure ports to sequentially engage a charge of granular material from a bulk source and then expel the charge of granular material into a receptacle. The apparatus includes a controller for selectively actuating valves connecting the suction and positive pressure ports to the suction and positive pressure sources. Methods of transferring a discrete charge of the granular material from a bulk reservoir to an individual receptacle are also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to the treatment of substrates with fluidized material in repetitive patterns during application cycles. The treatment patterns made with this invention can be altered by changing machine operating parameters. The patterns of fluidized material are applied to substrates using an applicator drum. Machined in the outer surface of the applicator drum are a plurality of slots filled with deformable material. The deformable material extends to a position in each slot just short of the outside diameter of the applicator drum, leaving a cavity in each slot. These cavities are filled with slurry in a slurry applicator unit. A compression drum mounted within the hollow interior of the applicator drum uses compression tips to displace the deformable material in each slot in succession beyond the periphery of applicator drum at a position adjacent to the substrate, causing the slurry in the cavity to be applied to the substrate.

Abstract: One or more tapes being pulled toward the mandrel of a tube winding machine are tensioned by passing them over vacuum chambers. Glue is applied to one or more tapes adjacent the vacuum chambers. If the tube winding machine stops for any reason, the vacuum chambers keep the tapes to which glue is applied taut, and those tapes are moved out of contact with the glue applying member. The length of each tape which is in contact with the glue applying member can be adjusted to adjust the amount of glue applied to the tape. Heat can be applied to each tape after glue has been applied in order to promote curing of the glue.

Abstract: A tube is held or guided parallel to its length by providing a channel-like structure aligned with the tube and having sides which are spaced apart by a distance less than the diameter of the tube. Circumferentially spaced longitudinal portions of the outer surface of the tube bear respectively on the two sides of the channel. The channel is open to the outer surface of the tube between those longitudinal portions, and the bottom of the tube is spaced from the outer surface of the tube between those longitudinal portions. The tube is held against the channel-like structure by directing a stream of gas (e.g., air) along the channel.