Abstract: Apparatus for continuously manufacturing surgical sponges from a web of gauze is disclosed. The apparatus cuts the web into discrete pieces, and thereafter folds, irons, stacks and counts the pads as an integrated and automated operation at a high rate of speed.

Abstract: A sealing wheel has a pneumatic tire with means whereby the flexure of the tire may be altered to compensate for dimensional differences in associated parts so that a required sealing pressure may be maintained. In one embodiment, a plurality of sealing wheels are mounted on a common shaft, the tire of each wheel being coupled with a source of compressed air, the air line for each tire having a pressure regulator so that the several tires may be regulated independently of each other, or coupled with a common source so that all tires may be regulated together. In one embodiment of the invention there may be a partial filling of the tire with liquid of a type which will bring about a more even distribution of heat where there is heat sealing.