With Cutting Of Joining Ends Patents (Class 156/159)
  • Patent number: 6627024
    Abstract: A method for splicing fibrous mats including separating an edge of one fibrous mat into two sections, inserting an adhesive-containing edge of another fibrous mat between the two sections and applying heat to the adhesive-containing edge. Upon cooling, both of the mats are bonded together, forming a seam, completing the splice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Owens Corning Fiberglas Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Adrian C. Lane
  • Publication number: 20030127177
    Abstract: A method for splicing fibrous mats including separating an edge of one fibrous mat into two sections, inserting an adhesive-containing edge of another fibrous mat between the two sections and applying heat to the adhesive-containing edge. Upon cooling, both of the mats are bonded together, forming a seam, completing the splice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventor: Adrian C. Lane
  • Patent number: 6582547
    Abstract: Method of preparing for a splice, characterized in that a reel (1) is rotatably mounted in a reel holder (2) and a pressure roll (3) is pressed against the reel (1), underneath or at the side of the reel holder (2) and parallel to the axis (4) of the reel (1), by means of a pressure system (5), and separates the upper layers of the reel (1) with a transverse cut (A), whereupon the cut ends (6-10) of the web slip off the circumference of the reel (1) to the left and right as a result of gravity or as a result of slight assistance, so that they now hang down to the right and left of the pressure roll (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: tesa AG
    Inventors: Bernhard Gebekken, Thomas Gassner, Günter Aster
  • Publication number: 20030089446
    Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus wherein each pair of jaws (42) is mounted on a carriage (29, 31) freely mobile on longitudinal slide rails and subjected to the action of springs (28, 32) pushing them towards a retractable stop borne by the frame of the other carriage, while the frame (1) of one of the carriages (29) is itself mounted sliding on transverse slide rails (8) and is coupled to drive means (10) capable of moving it on said rails (8) between an initial position, wherein the pairs of jaws (42, 43) are aligned, and a connecting position, wherein the pairs of jaws are offset and the retractable stops retracted, and the hot blade is borne by a carriage vertically mobile, in both directions, on vertical slide rails (20), said carriage (27) having the shape of a wedge whereof the two lateral sides are profiled and co-operate each, after the retractable stops are retracted and while the blade (27) is being raised, with a roller having a horizontal axis projecting rearward of the corresponding frame or
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventors: Jean-Francois Baradon, Pierre Francois Leon Mellinger, Michel Thoinet
  • Patent number: 6521072
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming a substantially flush joint or coupling between two profile wall thermoplastic pipes. The method comprises removing substantially all of the helical rib and inner wall of a first pipe for a distance from an end of the first pipe and removing a portion of the helical rib for a distance from an end of a second pipe. By so doing, the outer wall of the second pipe can be deflected radially inward and the end of the second pipe can thereby be coupled with the first pipe by overlapping the outer walls adjacent the ends of the first and second pipes, with the outer wall of the first pipe being on the exterior. When overlapped, the second walls of both the pipes can then be fused together. Alternatively, the outer wall of the first pipe can be removed rather than the inner wall, and the inner wall of the second pipe deflected radially outward such that the inner wall of the second pipe can be positioned around the inner wall of the first pipe and fused thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: C&S Intellectual Properties, LLC
    Inventor: Steve Campbell
  • Publication number: 20030000620
    Abstract: Disposable garments of the training pants variety include a cuff which is rolled inwardly from the plane of each leg opening. The rolled cuff feature is obtained during production by stretching a unitary elastic sheet across the machine web in a direction lateral to the direction of manufacture, and then cutting leg openings through the elastic sheet and an adjacent outer web. The machinery for manufacturing the garments includes various features which facilitate the manufacture of this garment, including a reciprocating cutting knife and an associated accumulating conveyor for providing a reciprocal motion into the reciprocal knife. The manufacturing apparatus also includes features for maintaining core pads in the desired alignment, and various other features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Robert M. Herrin, John M. Tharpe
  • Patent number: 6500288
    Abstract: A roll film connecting device comprises means for transporting a preceding film and a film following the film via a connecting station, a pair of connecting members arranged at the connecting station and movable toward or away from each other with a film transport path positioned therebetween, each of the connecting members having a face opposed to the other and serving as a suction face, a pair of cutters so arranged as to be movable out of or into the respective suction faces of the connecting members, and a cutter receiver so disposed as to be movable into or out of a space between the connecting members as moved away from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Shikoku Kakoki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Hara, Mitsuhiko Tomita, Seiji Hashimoto, Michio Ueda
  • Patent number: 6488799
    Abstract: Core-type structures are formed by extruding elongated tubular members or sheets of a thermoplastic material that are subsequently cut into segments or plates having a defined length and then assembled into a bundle. The bundle is then simultaneously cut at a number of spaced-apart locations along the length of the bundled segments, or plates, whereby a plurality of separate core structures are simultaneously formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Newcourt, Inc.
    Inventors: Calvin L. Court, Tawne L. Castorina, Calvin L. Court, Melvin T. Court
  • Patent number: 6488800
    Abstract: In a lamination process, a method for changing the withdrawal of a top layer to be applied to a base material at a belt type press by feeding of the forward end of the top layer from a second roller to the rearward end of the top layer from a first roller. The top layer from the first roller is then cut off in coordination with the arrival of the forward end of the top layer arriving from the second roller, so that the ends of both top layers are positioned on the base material flush with one another with a slight separating line or in an overlapping manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Firma Theodor Hynmen
    Inventor: Werner Pankoke
  • Publication number: 20020174931
    Abstract: A method of producing refastenable side seams in an absorbent garment results in an absorbent garment that is adapted to easy application and removal. The refastenable side seams can be produced in either a cross direction, wherein the width of the product is the machine direction, or a machine direction wherein the length of the product is the machine direction. Each of the refastenable side seams includes a lap side seam, which puts the seams under shear strain, as opposed to peel forces. The resulting garment can be opened and closed on either a left side or a right side of the garment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2002
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Inventors: Jack L. Couillard, Christopher Peter Olson, Joseph D. Coenen, Robert Lee Popp, Shawn A. Quereshi, David Arthur Kuen
  • Patent number: 6485593
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for sterilely coupling two bodies of fluids in fluid communication utilizes a clamp transportable into a sterile enclosure. A pair of tubing segments, each communicating with one of the fluid bodies, is preferably retained in the clamp and transported into the sterile enclosure. The clamp maintains the shape of the tubing segments during the process. Portions of the tubing segments are severed within the enclosure and the remaining ends are heated. The heat may be provided with a hollow disk into which is blown heated air. The ends of the tubing segments are transported out of the enclosure and bonded together while held within the clamps. The clamps prevent deformation of the tubing segments during the process. The process may be partially or fully automated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Inventor: Kurt J. Christoffersen
  • Patent number: 6478914
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for thermally attaching web-based polishing pads in a chemical-mechanical planarization (CMP) system. Specifically, one end of a first web-based polishing pad and an end of a second web-based polishing pad are inserted in a thermal sealing unit. The ends of the polishing pads are brought into contact with each other and secured in place within the thermal sealing unit. A heating element within thermal sealing unit is activated, thereby fusing the polishing pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron T. Bartlett, Gary O. Henderson
  • Patent number: 6463979
    Abstract: A buckle pivotally arranged in a movable clamp 12 of a first tube holder 1 is attached with play to a buckle 120 pivotally arranged in a movable clamp 82 of a second tube holder 2. When tubes are held in the first and second tube holders 1 and 2, release of the tubes from the holders 1 and 2 is prevented by a movement of a plunger 203 in correspondence of excitation and demagnetization of a solenoid 202 for a predetermined period of operation of the apparatus after holding the tubes (i.e., for a period required from the locking of the buckle 120 until the completion of moving-down of a wafer holder).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Terumo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroaki Sano, Narukuni Nakada, Akihiko Iguchi, Yoshiyuki Yamada, Masashi Yanagawa, Takeshi Minatani
  • Patent number: 6460592
    Abstract: A tube connecting apparatus is arranged to hold tubes in a first tube holder and a second tube holder, to rotate a pair of rotatable clamping members which include separable pieces disposed in rotational symmetry for holding the tubes in either or both of the first tube holder and the second tube holder, to heat and melt the tubes by a heated cutting plate moving therebetween to cut the tubes, and to weld cut end faces of the different tubes. When the pair of clamping members are in a state of not holding the tubes rotation preventing members fixedly lock the clamping members in a predetermined position, preventing the clamping member from being rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Tervino Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroaki Sano, Narukuni Nakada, Akihiko Iguchi, Yoshiyuki Yamada, Masashi Yanagawa, Takeshi Minatani
  • Patent number: 6451145
    Abstract: A web threading and splicing system that provides easy access to the threading rolls by an operator. The new web supply roll for replacement of the expired web can be threaded at a standstill position adjacent the operator. This affords ease of access, which furnishes a great ergonomic and safety advantage, wherein the operator does not have to reach into moving web components in order to accomplish the splice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Frontier Industrial Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Forbes
  • Patent number: 6433779
    Abstract: An additive device which improves the function of a computer mouse. More specifically one that appends to the form of a round, or otherwise characteristically non-axial computer mouse, such that the user is afforded the axial tactile registration (between hand, mouse, and by extension, on-screen cursor) associated with the more commonly produced elongated-type mouse. A thin shell, flexible plastic (or other) material is cast into a generally elongated form, and is at least partially hollow on the underside so as to clip snugly over and onto the body of the circular mouse. The shell is held in place by friction and/or by the use of tapes, either adhesive or hook & eye type. The button(s) of the host circular mouse remain accessible to the hand of the user, either directly or through the provision of extensions built into the additive shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Inventor: Andrew Payne Woolman
  • Publication number: 20020074078
    Abstract: Method and device for connecting the end of a flattened tube of plastic foil to the beginning of a subsequent tube, said tubes being used in particular for applying sleeves onto bottles or like objects. The leading end of the beginning of a flattened tube is provided with an obliquely cut away corner at both longitudinal edges. The thus established two loose lips are separated from each other and the end of the spent tube is slid between the lips and fixed in relation to said lips. The materials of said tubes are melted together by a short-time, pressurized supply of heat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Applicant: FUJI SEAL EUROPE B.V.
    Inventor: Marinus Antonius Leonarda Van Heck
  • Patent number: 6355128
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device for making a splice into a paper web, which device (10) has been fitted to be used as an auxiliary device in making a cross-direction splice between two ends of a web in a winder. The device (10) comprises a suction zone (11) for immobilizing the web and means (15) for keeping the device (10) in the desired location. The device has been attached to the frame constructions of the winder by means of relief devices. The invention also concerns a method for making a splice into a paper web, in which method a cross-direction splice is prepared between two ends of a web in a winder by means of a device (10) operating as an auxiliary device. In the method, the web is immobilized in a suction zone (11) of the device (10). In the method the device (10) is kept in its place by means of devices (15), and the device (10) is operated as relieved by means of relief devices as attached to the frame constructions of the winder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Valmet Corporation
    Inventor: Pekka Eronen
  • Patent number: 6352093
    Abstract: A tire (10) having a continuous folded belt construction (24) is shown to be more durable than conventional tire made using conventional steel reinforced cut belts. The folded belt construction of the invention is made by folding a reinforced (22) strip upon itself, wherein the folding is always in the same direction. The continuous folded belt construction may include an elastomeric core (23) that provides adhesion between the folded layers, and reduces kinking at the folded edges. Also, a splice (28) is used wherein substantial overlap is provided between two ends of the folded belt construction, and is made by cutting a first end (32) of the belt construction to accommodate a second end 44 of the belt construction (24) without modifying the second end 44 of the belt construction, thereby using a minimum amount of labor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventor: Robert Allen Losey
  • Patent number: 6342118
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for heat-seal splicing a trailing end of a first plastic web and a leading end of a second web. The apparatus includes a traverse cylinder actuated pulley system that is disposed transverse to the longitudinal axes of the web ends. The pulley system moves a shuttle that is attached to and that carries a spring biased wheel. In operation, the wheel is moved in either direction across the web ends and between the two ramps. The wheel is spring biased into contact with a heated sealing wire that, in turn, is brought into web sealing contact with sequential portions of web ends as the wheel is moved transversely across the web ends from one webs' side edges to the other webs' side edges and along the sealing wire so as to heat-seal splice the web ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: Martin Automatic Inc.
    Inventor: James K. Ward
  • Publication number: 20020007896
    Abstract: A method is provided for joining two pieces of elastomeric fabric together without the need for sewing or stitching the seam. This is accomplished by cutting a first piece of elastomeric fabric to form a first edge having a predetermined first geometric pattern. Similarly, a second piece of elastomeric fabric is cut to form a second edge having a predetermined second geometric pattern which corresponds with the first geometric pattern. The lateral surfaces of the geometrically patterned first and second edges then have a bonding agent applied prior to mating the patterned edges to one another to create an intersecting seam between the first and second pieces of the elastomeric fabric. The intersecting seam is immobilized to allow the bonding agent to set. Tape may be placed on one or both sides of the seam for additional strengthening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 1998
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Inventor: RICHARD HUBER
  • Patent number: 6328088
    Abstract: A device for splicing strips of thermoplastic material to splice a first strip extending along a first path and a second strip extending along a second path; the device having first guides for guiding the first strip, and second guides for guiding the second strip, the first and second guides being movable with respect to each other to bring together a portion of the first strip and a portion of the second strip; a heat-seal block movable between a rest position and a work position to grip and heat seal the portions of the first and second strips between the heat-seal block and the second guides; and a heatable element which is movable to intercept a portion of at least one of the first and second strips and cut the strip by melting the portion of the strip contacting the element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: G. D Societa per Azioni
    Inventor: Fiorenzo Draghetti
  • Publication number: 20010045258
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of reworking a transition of a decorative and protective strip of plastic material to an adjoining planar element, preferably the board of a piece of furniture. Such an improved method is intended to be executable also by machine in a continuous operation. For this purpose, most of the excess length of the decorative and protective strip of plastic material with respect to an adjoining portion of the planar element is removed by a machining operation. Subsequently, at least the machined area of the decorative and protective strip of plastic material, which includes white fracture areas, is wetted with a multi-component lubricating oil with good creeping properties, and the residual excess length is then removed by brush rolls and a smooth transition from the planar element to the decorative and protective strip of plastic material is produced by brushing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Publication date: November 29, 2001
    Inventor: Patrick Ott
  • Publication number: 20010045256
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for making expandable honeycomb structures suitable for use as window coverings. In one embodiment, folded tubular strips with adhesive lines are fed continuously through a cutter which cuts them into predetermined lengths. The cut strips are then accelerated to a stacker for further processing before the next cut strip arrives. In another embodiment, webs of material are fed continuously in a downstream direction, adhesive lines are applied, a middle web is slitted into strips, and the strips bonded along opposite edges to the outer webs. By choosing for the outer webs transparent or porous material, and for the middle web opaque material, a light or air controlling honeycomb structure results.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Publication date: November 29, 2001
    Applicant: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventor: William Velte Goodhue
  • Publication number: 20010039995
    Abstract: To prevent formation of a welding bead in the area of the weld on at least one wall when hollow section strips (1) are being joined by butt welding, on at least one wall of the ends of the hollow section strips (1) to be joined to one another by welding, edges (7) are produced which are set back relative to the end faces (5) of the hollow section strips (1) and the ends of the hollow section strips (1) are moved so close to one another in the execution of the welding process that the edges (7) touch and the welding process ends as soon as the edges (7) touch one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventor: Peter Lisec
  • Patent number: 6312778
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a laminated, web-shaped packaging material intended for packaging containers in which the longitudinal joint has improved gas-and liquid-tightness properties and is substantially planar. The laminated, web-shaped packaging material includes a core layer and a layer of metal or metal oxide applied on one side of the core layer, and is processed along the longitudinal edges of the web in such a manner that the metal layer is exposed from the core layer along one of the edges and the edges are then covered with outer layers of plastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventor: Karl-Håkan Sandell
  • Patent number: 6244321
    Abstract: An automatic paper web connecting apparatus includes a pair of blocks arranged so as to be able to move relatively and be pressed against each other in the direction to cross a feed path for one paper web and a feed path for the other paper web, retaining mechanism for retaining the two paper webs on the respective opposite faces of their corresponding blocks by suction, a cutting mechanism for cutting a desired one of the paper webs, and a drive mechanism for relatively moving the blocks. The cutting mechanism includes a rotating body rockable between the two paper web feed paths on the upper-course side of the blocks, first and second knives fixed individually to the blocks, and a third knife fixed to the rotating body. The rotating body is rotated between a first rotational position in which the third knife faces the first knife and a second rotational position in which the third knife faces the second knife.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Japan Tobacco, Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 6237217
    Abstract: For removing defective transponder units or electronic transponder equipment a web (6)is parted in a station (23) firstly in front and then at the rear of the individual unit. Thereafter the picked out unit is conveyed off transverse to a working plane (3)and the two resulting web ends are transferred into a directly juxtaposed station (24). There the web ends are fixedly interconnected by welding, glueing or the like. Therefrom a use web arises, which includes only non-defective units since the defective units were previously detected by a sensor (32)and then severed out as described with the aid of a control device (50). This fully automatically working apparatus (1)coils the processed use tape in a store (26)into a roll (40)which is suitable for further processing in a machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: bielomatik Leuze GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Martin Bohn, Wolfgang Scheller
  • Patent number: 6171424
    Abstract: In a method of making rolls or strips of material having no flaws except joints a supply of material, such as a roll of fabric is inspected for flaws. If any flaws are discovered portions of the material containing the flaws are cut away. The material is attached together after each portion is removed to create a joint for each reattachment. The portions that are cut away are sized so that the joints will be separated by a multiple of a selected distance from one another. The resulting material can then be fabricated into a panel of window covering material in which all the joints are co-linear along a perpendicular to the surface of the material. The joints are positioned so that they will be on a cut line for subsequent processing. In one embodiment the material is wound into a tubular structure that is cut along the joints to form a panel of window covering material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Comfortex Window Fashions
    Inventor: James Barss
  • Patent number: 6154316
    Abstract: A polarizer labelling tape comprises a series of releasable strips which are connected end-to-end to each other by adhesive strips arranged at respective connections between the releasable strips, and a plurality of polarizer elements releasably attached to and along the series of releasable strips, each of the polarizer elements being covered by a protective layer. The releasable strips of the tape may be constituted by a releasable layer originally present in a master polarizer plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Fukui, Kenji Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6142408
    Abstract: Process and apparatus for connecting material webs, namely one end of a new web (34) to one end of a runoff web (58).The new web (34), on the one hand, and run-off web (29), on the other hand, are each gripped individually, and stopped, by clamping parts (49, 50; 51, 52). The run-off web (29) and new web (34) are then severed. The fixed web ends--run-off end (58) and new, initial portion (59)--are positioned in a common plane by the clamping parts (49, 50; 51, 52) and connected to one another by a tape (60).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Focke & Co.
    Inventors: Heinz Focke, Jens Renken, Harald Freudenberg
  • Patent number: 6142206
    Abstract: A lap splicing apparatus for lap splicing first and second webs together, with each of the first and second webs alternately constituting a running web and a new web to be spliced to the running web, includes a frame; a first spindle mounted at a first fixed position on the frame for holding a roll containing the first web at a first orientation; a second spindle mounted at a second fixed position on the frame for holding a roll containing the second web at the first orientation; a single lap splicing device immovably mounted at a fixed position on the frame for lap splicing the first and second webs together with the trailing tail end of the lap splice always being on the same side; a first transfer assembly of rollers for bringing the first web to the lap splicing device, and for turning the first web by at least one angle from the first orientation; and second transfer assembly of rollers for bringing the second web to the lap splicing device, and for turning the second web by at least one angle from the f
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: CTC International Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph L. Ryan
  • Patent number: 6132541
    Abstract: A band joining system including a method of preparing and making a join in a band, a tool for supporting the band when making the join and an attachment for a hot air gun to facilitate making the join. The tool has first and second arms pivotally attached to one another in a scissor type configuration and having first and second guide means associated with the arms for supporting band end regions during the formation of a join. According to the method, band ends are cut in such a fashion that they fit within guide regions of the guide means and supported in a configuration in which the hot air gun attachment may be interposed between the two band end regions supported in the tool, hot air applied to the band end regions and then compressive force used to bring the molten band end regions into contact with one another to form a welded join. The band end regions are cut such that each band end region retains elements of a central reinforcing member, those elements aiding the formation of a strong join.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Bond-A-Band Transmissions Limited
    Inventor: Jonathan Andrew Sutcliffe Heaton
  • Patent number: 6076337
    Abstract: To easily position and bond together a preceding strip-like film and a succeeding strip-like film and with improved operational performance, pairs of front and rear clamp members (27, 32, 28, 33) are arranged on a running path 10 of a strip-like film (F). A preceding film (F1) clamped by these clamp members is cut by a cutter (49). The rear clamp only is then released, and a portion of the preceding film (F1) backward from a cut position (C) is removed. A succeeding film (F2) is moved forwardly until the succeeding film (F2) comes in contact with the front clamp member (32) whereby the succeeding film (F2) can be positioned with respect to the preceding film (F1). The succeeding film (F2) is clamped again by the rear clamp, electricity is conducted to a heater (45) under this state whereby overlapped portions of the two films (F1, F2) are bonded. Thereafter the two clamps are released and the running of the bonded film is restarted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Ishida Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Adrian Meredith Sunter, Robert Bennett
  • Patent number: 6056841
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for joining two pieces of wood veneer with square cut edges by a lap joint with a pre-determined thickness not greater than the thickness of a single piece of veneer. The lap joint is formed in a press which may have heated plates for pressing the overlapping portions of the veneer pieces together. The press is provided with adjustable stops for limiting the spacing between the platens in the final pressed position to provide the lap joint with the pre-determined thickness. The lap joint is bonded by glue provided on the surface of at least one of the overlapping portions of the two veneer pieces. The lap joint is heated to an elevated temperature above the lignin softening temperature of the veneer during pressing to enable thermoplastic flow of the wood veneer which produces a lap joint of greater strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: The Coe Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Eugene R. Knokey
  • Patent number: 6033508
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a ribbon roll by joining a splice tape to a ribbon, is capable of accomplishing automatization to deal with splice tapes different in length and kind. This method comprises a ribbon supply process, an edit process for joining first and second splice tapes to the ribbon and a take-up process for rolling up the ribbon joined to the first and second splice tapes. In the edit process, the first and second splice tapes are joined by an adhesive tape sticking section and its feeding quantity is adjusted by an accumulator. On the other hand, the ribbon is drawn out by a given length from a supply unit and cut. A rotating bed 42 supporting the cut ribbon is rotated so that the end of the cut ribbon comes into an opposed relation to the end of the first or second splice tape. In this state, the ribbon and the splice tape are joined to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Sony Chemicals Corp.
    Inventors: Yoshimasa Taniguchi, Akihiro Kaneko, Tetsuji Ishikawa, Seiji Gunji
  • Patent number: 6026882
    Abstract: A tube connecting apparatus for grasping and heating to melt and alternately connect the cut ends of a plurality of tubes is disclosed. A first tube holder and a second tube holder for grasping the tubes are provided with a pair of clamps having holding portions for holding a plurality of tubes; each of the pair of clamps being moved into contact with, and away from, each other. One or both of the holding portions of the first tube holder and the second tube holder are formed of semi-circular separatable members and having a symmetry of rotation in relation to the center of the rotating axis, and have a grasping means for moving into contact with, and away from, the pair of clamps and have a rotating means for rotating the semi-circular holding portions of one or both of the first tube holder and the second tube holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignees: CKD Corporation, Terumo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Yamada, Hiroaki Sano, Yoshiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6016989
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for effecting, in a preferred embodiment, a double-sided web splice for paper webs produced in the papermaking process. A trailing portion of a first paper web is held and cross-cut over a support beam which is selectively moved into, and out of, supporting position beneath. The leading portion of a second paper web is brought into position over the support beam where the second paper web is also held and cross-cut. Carriages containing first and second tape means traverse the trailing and leading edges of the webs. On one carriage is mounted a plow-like web lifting and separating apparatus for contacting the leading and trailing edges of the webs and forming a splice bed between the temporarily lifted and separated web edges. A first tape means is mounted to the carriage to extend an adhesive tape in the web bed, the tape having a non-adhesive side supported on the beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Beloit Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald Gangemi
  • Patent number: 6013148
    Abstract: The ends of material webs or tapes are joined to each other in an apparatus in which two holding and press-on heads are tiltable about fixed journal xes away from two fixed guide rollers for the webs so that a slide carriage for the heads and for the fixed guide rollers is avoided. The holding and press-on heads are mounted outside of the spacing between the guide rollers, but close to these guide rollers, but with a defined spacing from these guide rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Winkler & Duennebier Maschinenfabrik und Eisengiesserei KG
    Inventor: Martin Bluemle
  • Patent number: 5935361
    Abstract: An original roll positioning device sets a position of an end face of a new roll at a predetermined reference position. An end pull-out device sucks and pulls out the leading end of the new web from the positioned new roll at a predetermined length. A pair of roll-up chucks of an end roll-up device holds both sides of the leading end of the pulled-out web, and the roll-up chucks are rotated to roll up the leading end of the web at a predetermined length. A suction box sucks the web at a part between the roll up chucks and the roll, and then a cutter cuts the web along the width of the web to form a splicing part. The splicing part is sucked by the suction box, and the spliced part is made to wait in this state until the start of the splicing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisashi Takahashi, Mamoru Fujisawa, Yoshio Kawakami
  • Patent number: 5919335
    Abstract: A hand held tool for facing and joining the ends of opposed lengths of plastic pipe in axial alignment has a generally horizontal body and a generally vertical fixed handle extending from the body. A cylindrical shaft is supported by the body perpendicular to the fixed handle. A fixed pipe clamp is supported by the body by which a first length of plastic pipe can be removably secured. A moveable pipe clamp is slidably supported by the shaft by which a second length of plastic pipe may be secured. A moveable handle is pivotally supported to the body, the handle having a first portion in engagement with the second pipe clamp and a second portion extending in a plane of the fixed handle so that the second clamp can be manually moved towards the fixed clamp. A facer is removably positionable on the hand held tool between the fixed and moveable clamps, the facer having a cutter body having a cylindrical opening therethrough. A cutter holder is rotatably supported in the cylindrical opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: TDW Delaware, Inc.
    Inventor: Gene R. Ralls
  • Patent number: 5913991
    Abstract: A splicing method comprising the steps of: (a) holding a first tape on a first tape guiding portion and a second tape guiding portion which are positioned in alignment with each other; (b) cutting the first tape between the first tape guiding portion and the second tape guiding portion so as to allow a first end portion held on the first tape guiding portion and a second end portion held on the second tape guiding portion to be formed in the first tape; and (c) splicing one of the first end portion and the second end portion to a second tape, wherein a step (d) of detecting whether or not at least one of a portion of the first tape being held on the first tape guiding portion and a portion of the first tape being held on the second tape guiding portion is in a predetermined holding position is effected prior to step (c), and when the at least one is in the predetermined holding position, step (c) is effected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Kubota, Hirokazu Komai
  • Patent number: 5906698
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for fabricating a flexible belt comprising conveying the leading edge of a flexible web from a supply roll to a slitting station, slitting the web a predetermined distance from the leading edge to form a web segment having the leading edge at one end and a trailing edge at the opposite end, conveying the leading edge toward the trailing edge, flowing at least one stream of fluid upwardly against the web segment to form an upwardly extending bulge in the segment adjacent the leading edge, flowing at least one stream of fluid downwardly against the web segment to form the web segment into a U-shape, overlapping the leading edge and the trailing edge of the web segment to form a joint, and welding the joint to permanently join the leading edge and the trailing edge together to form a belt. Apparatus for carrying out this process is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald D. House, Lester B. Plumb, Ralph M. Palazzolo, David R. Miller, Shermaine L. King, David A. Eck
  • Patent number: 5902431
    Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for forming a composite web for use in making a fuel element for smoking articles comprises a dual bobbin unwinder from which alternate glass fiber webs are unwound. A splicing apparatus is used to splice together the webs unwound from the two bobbins of the unwinder. Sensing and speed controls are provided for sensing unwinding speed and the amount of web remaining on a bobbin for controlling web accumulation prior to splicing and stopping of the web to effect a splice. Downstream of the splicing apparatus the web is fed to a composite web former where it is slit into equal halves and vertically separated. A paper web is guided between the two web halves and the webs are converged into a three layer composite web with the paper web sandwiched between the glass fiber web halves. The composite web is fed to a KDF filter maker where it is combined with a carbonaceous rod for making a fuel element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Donald Ross Wilkinson, John Larkin Nelson, Jeffrey Kane Rogers, Vernon Brent Barnes, Barry Smith Fagg
  • Patent number: 5900090
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for setting a gap between webs has a clamp assemblage which includes a pair of clamp members for securing and moving a trailing end of an expiring web into a spaced relations with the leading end of a fresh web. An actuator moves the clamp members securing the expiring web along guide rails to a predetermined position for setting the gap width between the ends of web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Inventors: Joseph Distefano, Vladimir A. Garris, deceased, Renee H. Locke, William E. Robinson
  • Patent number: 5863381
    Abstract: A film joining apparatus includes a first transport path (31) along which an old film (12) is transported and onto which a new film (15) whose leading end has been taken out is set, a second transport path (32) which is connected to the first transport path (31) and along which the old film (12) is transported, and a branch path (34) which is branched from the first transport path (31) and the second transport path (32) at a connecting section (33) therebetween. The apparatus further includes a heat fusion unit (40) disposed at the branch path (34) to join the tail end of the old film (12) and the leading end of the new film (15) by heat fusion, and a blower (39) disposed facing the connecting section (33) and adapted to jet an operating gas. The leading end of the new film (15) is introduced into the deepest portion of the branch path (34) in advance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Katsuji Magota, Katsuhiro Yamaguchi, Yousuke Kanamori, Masashi Watanabe, Yukihisa Kumeta
  • Patent number: 5840141
    Abstract: A splice having (a) a support comprising a polymeric film having a major surface; and (b) a fiber reinforcement comprising a plurality of monofilaments where the monofilaments have longitudinal axes extending in a parallel direction, one to another, across the major surface, and the monofilaments are bonded to the major surface of the support by a fiber adhesive, where the fiber adhesive is a moisture-cured polyurethane adhesive. The invention also relates to methods and products thereof for using the splice to form spliced flexible abrasive articles, including endless belt forms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Gerald E. Korbel
  • Patent number: 5830302
    Abstract: A pneumatic radial tire comprises a radial carcass ply wound around the axis of the tire over one turn so that the terminal edge of the winding of the carcass ply overlaps with the starting edge thereof to define an overlap-joint part, the overlap-joint part provided in one of the starting edge and terminal edge with at least one cut by which carcass cords existing therein are cut, and a method of making the same comprises the steps of cutting the starting edge prior to winding a carcass strip or cutting the terminal edge prior to the end of winding a carcass strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsutomu Iseki
  • Patent number: 5802689
    Abstract: A tube connecting apparatus includes first and second tube holders holding flexible tubes, a cutting blade for heating, melting and cutting the tubes held by the holders between the holders, and a holder displacing mechanism for relatively displacing the second holder to the first holder to closely contact and connect cutting ends of the tubes each other. Each of the first and second tube holders has a tube holding portion which holds the tubes in a state that the circular cylindrical surfaces of the tubes which are contacting each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Terumo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroaki Sano
  • Patent number: RE37097
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a method for splicing together a pair of drop irrigation hoses using splicing means internal to the pair of hoses. The pair of hoses are joined in axial alignment to form a junction with the splicing means interposed internal to each hose. A splicing means is bonded to an inside surface of each hose to fashion the pair of hoses and splicing means into a unitary structure using means for fixing the splicing means to another surface. A seal is formed using means for sealing circumferentially at the junction to create a water-tight seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: T-Systems, International
    Inventors: Harold Daigle, Scott Avenell