Abstract: A device and method for producing a tapered scarf joint between two composites includes a cutting guide for cutting plies to incrementally variable lengths. The joint is produced on a filament winding machine having a mandrel and a winding eye for delivering tacky prepreg filament bands. A first helical ply is wound around the mandrel. Next, a cutting guide edge is positioned over the first ply an incremental distance inward from the ply end. As the next helical ply is wound, the filaments are cut at the cutting guide edge. The cut filament ends are pressed against the first ply. The process is repeated N times. The cutting guide is then removed from the mandrel, and a final ply is wound over the entire length of the composite. Similarly, the same cutting guide is then used to produce an outwardly tapered composite end. Only this time the cutting guide edge is positioned incrementally outward along a tapered wedge attached to one end of the mandrel.

Abstract: A cutting/connection device of a tape splicer includes a fixed base member and a vertically displaceable member. The end portions of tapes to be spliced are overlaid one on top of the other on the device. A cutter severes the tapes so that the movable member can be vertically displaced in a manner which brings the free ends of the two tapes to the same level. Under these conditions a strip of adhesive tape is applied to splice the tapes together.

Abstract: A cassette tape loading device comprised of a cassette holding means for holding a cassette case, a tape supplying means for supplying a magnetic tape, a first splicing block means for releasably holding a leading end of the magnetic tape, a leader tape drawing means for drawing out leader tape from the cassette case, a second splicing block means for releaseably holding the leader tape, a third splicing block means for releaseably holding a cut end of said leader tape or a cut end of said magnetic tape, a first cutting means for cutting the leader tape held by the second and third splicing block means between the second and third splicing block means when the third splicing block means combines with the second splicing block means, a second cutting means for cutting a magnetic tape held by the first and third splicing block means between the first and third splicing block means when the third splicing block means combines with the first splicing block means, splice means for splicing both the cut end of said

Abstract: Plastic tubes are welded by placing a pair of tubes in a pair of aligned holders with each tube folded toward itself. A wafer is movably mounted in the gap between the tubes and is heated to cause the ends of the tubes to melt without actually cutting through the tubes. The melted ends of opposed tubes can be pressed into contact with each other to form a welded connection. In a variation a pair of cutting blades cut the folded ends of the tubes and the cut ends are then melted by a wafer and subsequently pressed into contact with each other.

Abstract: Plastic tubes are welded together by placing each tube in a nest which includes a pair of grooves and an anvil centrally located between the grooves. Each tube is positioned in the grooves around the anvil for being juxtaposed the other tube. A wafer of movably mounted to move to the gap between the anvils so as to heat the ends of the tubes and melt the tubes without actually cutting through the tubes. The melted ends are then joined together so that the two tubes are thereby connected with one section of each tube being in flow communication with a corresponding section of the other tube.

Abstract: A length of tape is drawn off a reel, passed over the cutting/connecting section of a splicer, passed through a temporary storage vessel and looped back so as to pass over the cutting/connecting section again. The free end is connected to a take up reel. Tape clamps bring the overlapping layers of tape down onto the cutting/connecting section and are then cut. One of the tape clamps is withdrawn while an applicator applies a piece of adheseive tape in a manner which splices a continuous loop of tape.

Abstract: A method for producing a biased belt sheet includes the steps of cutting a longitudinally extending rubbered strip, having a number of cords embedded therein extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of the strip, at a desired angle with respect to the longitudinal direction into unit sheets of a desired length, each being in the form of a parallelogram, on a cutting conveyor by cutting means, transferring in turn each unit sheet from the cutting conveyor to a sheet joining conveyor by holding means and transfer means, positioning the unit sheet so that the cut edges of the unit sheet become parallel to the moving direction of the sheet joining conveyor, and adhering the forward end of the unit sheet to the rearward end of the preceding unit sheet to form a continuous belt sheet of biased cord material.

Abstract: A double-layer medical catheter with an integral soft tip is made by the coextrusion of a relatively rigid inner layer and a relatively soft outer layer, where the extrusion equipment is configured and so controlled to interrupt the supply of the material for the inner layer to form a periodic void in the inner wall. The act of interrupting the supply causes a ramp down in the inner wall thickness at the leading edge of each void and the ramp up of the thickness at the trailing edge. The void is cut to produce two ideal integral soft-tipped catheters.

Abstract: An improved splicer for editing a recording tape having a pair of rows of equally spaced apart sprocket holes along both sides thereof is disclosed which includes a base having a groove adapted to receive the recording tape, a plurality of pins planted on the groove and engageable with the sprocket holes to position the recording tape in the groove in a predetermined location relative to the sprocket holes, a cutter secured to the base for cutting the recording tape placed in the groove, and a splicing member for joining two abutting tapes placed in the groove. The improved cutter which includes a stationary blade fixedly secured to the base; an inner, movable blade pivotally supported by the stationary blade and cooperable therewith to cut the recording tape placed in the groove; and an outer, movable blade pivotally connected to the inner blade and cooperable therewith to cut the recording tape placed in the groove.

Abstract: A seamed wet press felt installed in a press position in a papermaking machine has a base fabric with end loops intermeshed and joined in the seam and a layer of batt material needled to the base fabric and which was cut adjacent the seam area prior to installation on the machine and then refelted after installation so as to eradicate the cut and to provide a batt layer having a continuous, homogeneous paper supporting surface throughout its length.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for splicing webs (14,18) such as photographic film in which the lead end of a new web and the tail end of an old web are trimmed at the parallel edges (82,84) of their input platens (36,38) and then shifted into abutment for application of a strip of tape. An automatic tape dispenser (128) cuts tape into predetermined lengths, transfers the lengths to a vacuum applicator wheel (130) and then rolls the lengths across the abutted lead and tail ends.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tape transport apparatus and a tape introduction method for forming a magnetic tape into an endless loop by splicing a leader tape to the magnetic tape and running such endless-loop magnetic tape therein. When an endless loop is shaped by splicing the magnetic tape and the leader tape to each other, the starting (front) end of the magnetic tape is drawn out to a splicing position while the front (fore) end of the leader tape is also brought thereto and, after the respective ends are spliced together, the endless loop is moved until the spliced portion between the magnetic tape and the leader tape is shifted to the splicing position for the leader tape. The starting front end of the magnetic tape led by such leader tape is then spliced to the terminal rear end of the magnetic tape, so that an endless loop is formed automatically without the necessity of the performance of operation by hand upon the magnetic tape.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for splicing webs (14,18) such as photographic film in which the lead end of a new web and the tail end of an old web are trimmed at the parallel edges (82,84) of their input platens (36,38) and then shifted into abutment for application of a strip of tape. An automatic tape dispenser (128) cuts tape into predetermined lengths, transfers the lengths to a vacuum applicator wheel (130) and then rolls the lengths across the abutted lead and tail ends.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for effecting a splice between a pair of feed rolls for successively supplying film material to a film utilization device, such as a labeling machine. Downstream from the rolls, a splicing station includes a pair of parallel, spaced film paths, carrying film from a respective roll. Movable film pads within the splicing station displace film within a selected path past a film cutter to manufacture a trailing end. Continued displacement of the trailing end brings it into adhesive engagement with the leading end of the other film, disposed within the other film path. A braking station downstream from the splicing station holds fast the film extending from the selected path during the splicing operation. Means to effect in registration splicing of film from the two rolls, while allowing continuous operation of the associated film utilization device, is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for splicing webs (14,18) such as photographic film in which the lead end of a new web and the tail end of an old web are trimmed at the parallel edges (82,84) of their input platens (36,38) and then shifted into abutment for application of a strip of tape. An automatic tape dispenser (128) cuts tape into predetermined lengths, transfers the lengths to a vacuum applicator wheel (130) and then rolls the lengths across the abutted lead and tail ends.

Abstract: A method of joining tubes (A and B) having a corrugated wall (10) of fusible plastic material and terminating at a cut through a corrugation rib, comprises the following steps. An annular body (14) expanding when energy is supplied to it, is positioned in an annular space (13) formed by the corrugation ribs at the end of one tube (A) and an inner boundary which can be formed by an inner wall (11) of fusible plastic material, integral with the corrugated wall of said one tube, or by a sleeve inserted into the adjacent ends of the tubes, also of fusible material. The tube ends are put together to close said space by the end of the other tube (13), and a radial and axial support (19) for the corrugation ribs is arranged on the outside of the tubes. Then, the annular body is expanded by heating to fuse said body to the walls of the tubes and the sleeve, respectively.

Abstract: A method for continuously feeding tire constituent materials in a tire fabricating machine includes the steps of positioning a second material truck holding a new roll of material at a standby location at the rear or to the side of a material feeder as aligned therewith, holding a trailing end portion of old rolled material being used for the tire production on a first material truck disposed in the material feeder before the material being used is consumed, delivering the first material truck when empty to the front, the side or the rear of the material feeder, transferring the second material truck holding the new roll of material into the material feeder from the rear or the side of the material feeder, delivering a leading end portion of the new rolled material on the second material truck once disposed in the material feeder up to a preselected position, splicing the trailing end portion of the old material being held to the leading end portion of the new material along a location where the respective en

Abstract: A package of food containing a substantial amount of water and solidified grease that can be cooked within the package in a microwave oven. A pad adjacent the food comprises microwave radiation transparent generally hydrophobic liquid grease absorbing materials that are capable of holding the amount of grease in the food when it is melted; and a vapor tight microwave radiation transparent enclosure surrounding the pad and food includes means for venting steam from the enclosure as the food is cooked. Preferably, the pad is produced from microfibers constructed of a composition comprising a blend containing substantially equal parts by weight of propylene and poly 4-methylpentene-1.

Abstract: An apparatus for connecting strips, in which a rear end portion of a preceding strip and a front end portion of a succeeding strip are cut and brought into contact to each other so that a butt welding of the contacted portions may be carried out to connect both the strips. A carriage is provided for carrying a cutting device for cutting the end portions of both the strips. A finish-machining device is provided for finish-machining the cut end faces of both the strips and a welding device for butt welding both the strips along a contacting line of both the strips is installed so as to be movable in a line substantially parallel with the contacting line of both the strips. Die wears and burrs incidental to cut faces can be prevented from forming and the highly accurate contacted state of strips can be achieved, thereby improving the quality of the welded portion.

Abstract: The trailing end (5) of a strip of paper (8) which was wound on a first reel (3) is immobilized by means of suction devices (16, 17, 18) relative to a counterplate (19). The trailing end is severed by means of a cutter (29), the rear portion being discarded by blowing. The leading end of the new strip of paper (11) is then positioned between a punch (20) and the counterplate, immobilized by means of a suction device (18), and joined to the trailing end by interpenetration, brought about by the punch, of the material of two superposed joining areas.

Abstract: A continuous web splicing machine has supports for rotatably mounting two rolls of sheet material in tandem, guides for guiding the sheets along upper and lower paths to a splicing station, and an output loopholder for holding a loop length so that the web is supplied continuously even during the spicing operation. The splicing station has upper and lower upstream holders, upper and lower downstream holders, and upper and lower cutters at the splicing station. The cutters and holders are selectively operable in automatic sequences so that fresh sheets can be spliced to the spent sheets alternatingly from the two roll supports. The cutter is formed with knife parts having serrated edges with hooked teeth for improved cutting action. The holder assemblies may be oriented vertically or in other suitable orientations.

Abstract: A papermaking machine and a seamed wet press felt. The wet press felt has a base fabric with end loops which are intermeshed and joined in the seam and a layer of batt material which was needled to the base fabric and cut adjacent the seam area prior to installation on the machine and then refelted after installation so as to eradicate the cut and provide a batt layer having a continuous, homogeneous paper supporting surface throughout its length.

Abstract: An improved material for finishing athletic court, commercial, and residential floor surfaces of wood, linoleum, terrazzo, concrete, or other smooth surface includes at least one elongated sheet having a layer of a uniform flexible film of clear plastic material of between about 1 mil and 25 mils thickness and a continuous layer of adhesive material releasably adhering the flexible film onto the floor surface. The elongated sheet is provided in a self-adhesive roll and is applied to the floor surface by unrolling the sheet from the roll, with the adhesive side down, aligning an end portion on a predetermined corresponding portion on the floor, and pressing the total length of the sheet against the floor to adhere the sheet to the floor surface. Additional sheets may be unrolled successively, with a slight overlap to assure an sealed joint.

Abstract: Two thermoplastic tubes are welded together by pre-cutting the tubes to create two ends which are axially aligned when placed in a holding device. A wafer is inserted in the space between the cut ends and the wafer is heated to melt the cut ends while the cut ends are in a non-flattened condition. After the wafer is removed the melted cut ends are pressed against each other to weld the cut ends together.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for forming a zero-speed, butt splice to join together a web from a new roll of material to a web which is from an expiring roll of material and which should be run, at a relatively high speed, through a web processing operation, such as a disposable diaper manufacturing line, under relatively constant, relatively low tension along a predetermined path of travel that includes a running web festoon means having floating dancer rollers and the running web processing operation. To form the butt splice, the leading end of the new web is trimmed by moving one knife wheel assembly along the cutting edge of an anvil. A piece of tape is applied to the leading end so that a portion of the tape projects downstream from that end. The expiring web is held against the anvil and trimmed along the same cutting edge of the anvil. The trailing end of the expiring roll is also simultaneously adhered to the downstream portion of the tape.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of joining two bevelled rod ends composed of plastics material reinforced with long fibres, using a shrinkable tube.

Abstract: Apparatus for loading use tape (e.g. magnetic tape for video recording and playback) into leadered (e.g. V-zero) cassettes comprises a stationary splicing head 3 having an undersurface provided with a tape-receiving groove 4. A pair of vacuum shoes 5 and 6 serve to retain tape releasably in the groove and are connected to a vacuum source within the casing of the apparatus. A slitting head 7 operates from an internal pneumatic power source on shaft 9, the blade 8 of the head 7 running in a slot traversing the groove 4. In use, leader tape 20 is extracted from the cassette by leader extraction arm 18 and lift arm 19 and disposed in the groove 4. Slitting head 7 then operates to slit the tape into two lengths retained in groove 4. Use tape 26 previously placed in groove 4 and cut so that end 27 thereof is adjacent the groove for the blade 8 is sandwiched against the head 3 by the leader tape. Lift arm 19 and extract arm 18 then lower, the right hand end of the leader tape exposing the use tape in the groove.

Abstract: A fiber optic switch has a fixed member and a movable member mounted for cantilevered movement with respect thereto. Both of the members are fabricated from borosilicate glass.

Abstract: A splicing device for packaging webs comprises a dual magazine shiftable between an on-line position and a stand-by position. Both magazines can hold a web. When the web held in the on-line position is exhausted, the magazine is shifted and the web from the stand-by position can be used while the exhausted web is replaced. A joining unit is provided for each magazine to connect the end of an exhausted web with the end of a new web. A cutting unit is positioned at the on-line position for cutting a web in use whereby a new web may be joined thereto in an aligned manner. A feeding unit is provided upstream of the cutting unit and includes a crease wheel for feeding and folding the web. Another cutting unit is provided upstream of the feeding unit for severing the web in desired package lengths. The splicing device enables rapid joining of webs with a minimum of labor.

Abstract: A method for splicing beveled edges of a relatively thick tire tread strip free of internal reinforcing cords by ultrasonic energy. A contact face of a sonic welding tool or horn is pressed against the mating overlapping edges of the strip at a cylinder pressure within a range of 20 psi to 80 psi. Ultrasonic energy is applied to the strip while the pressure is applied thereto for a period of between 2 seconds and 12 seconds to heat and soften the rubber compound of the strip without vulcanizing the rubber compound. Pressure is maintained by the tool against the strip after application of the ultrasonic energy for a period of generally between 0.5 to 2.0 seconds to permit the softened compound to cool, set and bond together to form a strong bond between the overlapped edges. The contact face of the horn generally matches the contour of the contacted surface of the strip.

Abstract: Opposed ones of optical fibers respectively secured in a plurality of guide grooves formed in first and second blocks, are jointed to each other through an optical film formed on at least one of their opposed inclined end faces in such a way that their optical axes are aligned with each other. Further, each of optical fibers similarly disposed on a third block is formed at its one end face with a total reflection film and is arranged in parallel to the optical fibers of the first and second blocks in such a way that an optical signal incident to the respective fibers of the first block is propagated through the splitting films and total reflection films along optical axes of the associated optical fibers of the third block.

Abstract: A web butt splicing device for splicing two successive webs by butting the following end of a first roll of web and the leading end of a second roll of web against each other. In the web splicing device, the following end of the first roll of web is cut and is then drawn to and held on the hold surface of a butt splicing table. The leading end of the second web roll is cut on a provisionally positioning table to the shape of the following end of the first web roll, is then carried to the butt splicing table by a carrying device and is butt spliced to the following end of the first web roll. Therefore, according to the web splicing device, the webs can be butt spliced together without recourse to a manual operation.

Abstract: Automatic splicing apparatus includes a first supply containing a first web and a second supply containing a second web. An operable puller is engaged with the first web for withdrawing the same from the first supply and moving the first web along a predetermined path. Cutters are provided for establishing a trailing end on the first web and a leading end on the second web. The presence of the trailing end in the predetermined path is detected and a splicing station is positioned in the path for butt-splicing the leading edge of the second web to the trailing end of the first web in response to detecting the presence of the trailing edge, all without interrupting operation of the puller.

Abstract: The invention consists of a method which provides a business form with removable labels. The method produces a business form which maintains its integrity and does not jam or damage production or processing equipment. It includes providing a first web comprising a bottom release ply, a top label stock ply, and adhesive disposed between these two piles for releasably joining the two together. It also provides a second web and places it in side-by-side laterally spaced relation with the first web. The method further includes the step of adhering a splicing strip to the first and second webs to join them together.

Abstract: In a magnetic tape winding system, an end portion of a magnetic tape, which is cut after the magnetic tape is wound by a predetermined length from a magnetic tape feed roll to a first small wind-up frame, is joined with one end portion of a leader tape having the other end portion engaged with a second small wind-up frame by use of a joining tape. Immediately after the joining, the magnetic tape and the leader tape joined by the joining tape is rewound by a predetermined length around the second small wind-up frame, whereby slack of the tape between the first small wind-up frame and the second small wind-up frame is eliminated without causing the joining section of the magnetic tape with the leader tape to contact the magnetic tape surface at the outermost circumference of the magnetic tape roll wound around the first small wind-up frame.

Abstract: A web of sheet material (10) from a first storage roll (16) is fed by feed rolls (12, 14) to a utilization station (18). A splicing machine (22, 22') is positioned between the storage roll (16) and the feed rolls (12, 14). A new roll (20) of sheet material (34) is positioned above storage roll (16). Shortly before the first storage roll (16) becomes empty, the leading end portion of the second web (34) is fed into the splicing machine (22, 22'), above a portion of the first web (10). Then, a loop forming roll (30) is moved downwardly, from an inactive upper position above the feed path of the web (10) to a lower position, to form a loop (L) in the web (10). Then, the web (10) is stopped rearwardly of the loop (L) and the splicing machine (22, 22') is operated to connect the new web (34) to the old web (10 ), while the feed rolls (12, 14) continue to operate to feed web (10) out from the loop (L).

Abstract: Thermoplastic tubes are welded together in a dry condition with the tubes being open and maintained in their undistorted condition during the welding step. In an alternative technique a branch tube is welded to a main tube by placing the tubes in a non-parallel orientation in a holding device. A wafer cuts completely through one tube to form two tube sections. The wafer also cuts a notch from the other tube. One of the tube sections is shifted to become aligned with the notched other tube and welded thereto. A further technique includes placing at least one tube in a holding device which has a false floor for pressing against an area of the tube while the tube is being flattened at two spaced locations on opposite sides of the area. When the false floor is moved away from the tube a partial vacuum results. An air pocket is formed when the tube is severed by a wafer by air flowing into the cut tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for winding magnetic tape into a cassette positions and holds a cassette case, extracts and retains leader tape, cuts and splices leader tape to magnetic tape, and winds magnetic tape onto a hub inside the cassette case. After a predetermined amount of magnetic tape has been wound on the hub, the magnetic tape is retained, cut, spliced to leader tape, and the extracted slack tape is wound into the cassette case. The tape retaining mechanism has a first and second tape retainer which separately hold the cut ends of leader tape, and a third tape retainer which holds the cut end of magnetic tape. The first and second tape retainers attach to the extracted leader tape, and are positioned with their attachment surfaces adjacent to a front cavity of the cassette case. Once the leader tape has been cut, one of the first and second tape retainers is swung away from the cavity to separate the cut tape ends.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for forming a butt splice to join together a web from a new roll of material to a web which is from an expiring roll of material and which is being run, downstream from the expiring roll, under tension along a predetermined path of travel that includes a running web storage means and a press or other web handling means. To form the butt splice, the leading end of the new web is trimmed along the cutting edge of an anvil. The trimmed leading end is held against the anvil, and a piece of tape is applied to the leading end so that a portion of the tape projects downstream from that end. The portion of the expiring web, adjacent to the anvil, is then momentarily stopped, held against the anvil, and trimmed along the same cutting edge of the anvil. As the trailing end of the expiring roll is trimmed, it is simultaneously adhered to the downstream portion of the tape. This serves to join this trailing end of the expiring roll and the leading end of the new roll together.

Abstract: A linear welding process and apparatus connects fluid-filled tubes in a sterile manner. The linear welder includes a base on which a carriage is slidably mounted. A pair of side by side arms are secured to the carriage as are a pair of tube holders. A pair of clamping jaws are mounted on the arms to clamp a pair of tubes in the holders. The arms are movable for passing the clamped tubes into contact with a heated wafer which cuts the tubes into tube sections. The tube sections are realigned and a pair of sections are butt welded together.

Abstract: The web splicing apparatus for connecting a running web extending and traveling between a supply of web material and a web using machine to the end portion of a new supply of web material comprises a frame to which is secured and supported a splicing device. The splicing device has web clamps and cutting members and functions to connect the severed end portion of a running web to the end portion of a new web. Two sets of slide shoes are secured to the frame to engage a pair of rails so that the frame is reciprocatively supported for movement in the direction of travel of a running web, when the splicing device is operative to effect a splice, to thereby supply web to the web using machine and moves in a direction counter to the direction of travel of the running web after the splicing is completed.

Abstract: The device disclosed serves to splice the trailing end of packaging strip wound off a used-up roll to the leading end of a new roll, and comprises heated pressure rollers that bond the two ends of the strips, plates that guide the leading end of the new strip about to be bonded, and a sensing wheel that detects proximity of the leading edge of a new strip when fed into the guide plates. The trailing end of the used-up strip is cut by a blade located upstream of the guide plates, and a timer is used to set the operating time lapse of the pressure rollers according to the length of the splice as established by the stroke of the blade.

Abstract: The disclosed butt splicing apparatus and method is adapted to be used with rolls of material supported on turret-type roll unwind stands. A splicer embodying the invention includes a nip assembly, a new web preparation assembly, a new web and tape holding assembly, and a web cutting and adhering assembly. The nip assembly serves to clamp the expiring web during a splicing operation. The new web preparation assembly serves to prepare the leading end of the new web for the splicing operation. The new web and tape holding assembly serves to hold a portion of the new web, immediately upstream of its leading end, and to hold a strip of adhesive tape in preparation for the splicing operation and during the splicing operation itself. The web cutting and adhering assembly serves to cut the expiring web during the splicing operation and to cause the cut part of the trailing end of the web and the leading end of the web to adhere to the adhesive tape simultaneously as the cutting of the expiring web occurs.

Abstract: A splicing apparatus for splicing information recording tapes to each other is disclosed which comprises a stationary member having a plate into which an information recording tape guide groove is formed, a movable member movably provided to the stationary member, an information recording tape guide member for guiding the recording tapes when the information recording tapes are fed along the information recording tape guide groove; an adhesive tape cutter for cutting an adhesive tape in a predetermined length, and springs for urging the information recording tape guide member upwardly to a predetermined position. The adhesive tape cutter has a pair of spaced blades parallel to the information recording tape guide groove, and is provided on the movable member. A pair of slits into which the spaced blades of the first cutter may be inserted are formed between the information recording tape guide member and a bottom portion of the information tape guide groove.

Abstract: A graphite separator plate for an electrochemical cell stack is formed from component parts which are joined together edge to edge. The edges of the plates are scarfed to increase the bond area and a heat activated fluoropolymer adhesive is used to bond adjacent plates together. This allows production of plates with a larger surface areas thereby improving the economics of the cell stack.

Abstract: An overlapping layer (24) of a first body of deformable material is pressed by an edge (78) of each of a plurality of blade members (42) into an overlapped layer (26) of a second body of resilient material forming slots (74) in the second body with ribs (88) of the first body displaced therein. The blade members (42) are removed while the ribs (88) are retained in the slots (74) and gripped by the surrounding resilient material. The blade members (42) may be adjustably clamped in a cartridge (40) which is removable from the splicing apparatus (10) for adjustment and replacement of the blade members (42) so that they conform to the surface profile (82) and splice interface line (80) of the bodies to be spliced.

Abstract: A process and system is provided for making a connection between two fluid-filled plastic tubes that ensures total containment of potentially dangerous fluids and maintaining sterility of the connection. The tubes are folded to remove all fluid from the weld site and positioned to cause the connection to take place in this fluid free zone. Each folded section is first cauterized to create a bacteria free zone, the tubes are slit in the zone, and cauterized a second time to insure sterility and melt the tube ends. The tubes are urged together and as the thermoplastic resin cools, a totally contained, sterile weld is formed.

Abstract: An apparatus for splicing film together is provided. The apparatus includes a first jaw and a second jaw, the jaws cooperating to clamp two film ends together. A heat sealer for sealing the two film ends together is located in the first jaw. A rotatable block is located in a second jaw. The rotatable block is rotatable to a cutting position and a sealing position. In the cutting position, a side of the rotatable block having a slot faces upwardly and contacts the film. In the sealing position a side of the rotatable block having a back up member faces upwardly and contacts the film. When the film is clamped between the jaws and the rotatable block and is in the cutting position, a portion of the block, and accordingly the film, extends outwardly from a horizontal plane defined between the jaws. Therefore, after the film is cut along the slot in the block and the block is rotated to the sealing position, the severed ends of the film overlap. A method of splicing film is also provided.

Abstract: A semi-automatic operating and also adjustable device for interconnecting the opposite ends of two material bands originating from two individual webs, one web of which is nearly terminated the other being the starting one, the connection being made with an adhesive tape attached to only one and the same side of both bands, said device comprising two pinch rollers, cutting knives and idler rollers, the band material being either paper or textile, to be used for a printing operation.

Abstract: To a carrier (1, 1') there is cemented a bar of a material (3, 3'), for example glass or a ceramic material, which is subsequently divided, using cuts (7, 7') which extend transversely of its longitudinal direction, into a number of slices (9, 9') which are separately cemented to the carrier. Each slice (9, 9') is provided with a groove (13, 13') which extends parallel to the cuts (7, 7'). The grooves (13, 13') are curved and have a center of curvature which is situated at the side of the bar (3, 3') which faces the carrier (1, 1'). In the grooves (13, 13') there are secured optical fibres (19, 19') which follow the curvature of the groove, after which a side portion of the fibres which is situated furthest from the carrier (1, 1') is ground off. A flat ground face (21, 21') is thus formed one each fibre (19, 19'). Such ground fibres (19, 19') are arranged so that their ground faces contact one another in order to form directional couplers, after which the slices (9, 9') are detached from the carrier (1, 1').