Abstract: An apparatus and method for successively forming disposable diapers wherein the diaper includes a fluidpermeable top cover layer, a moisture-absorbent core under the top cover layer and including a pad of fibrous material and sheets of cellulosic material on each side of the pad, and a fluid-impervious bottom cover layer under the interior core and secured to the top cover layer along longitudinal and transverse edges thereon. The apparatus and method include mechanisms for and steps of, as follows. Supplying and positioning an elongate moisture-absorbent core including a pad of fibrous material of less width than the width of the core and sheets of cellulosic material on each side of the pad. Embossing and securing the sheets of cellulosic material together along longitudinally-extending areas on each side of the pad for forming an envelope of the sheets of cellulosic sheets around the pad.

Abstract: A hot-melt carpet seaming tape having means for cooperating with a specially designed electric iron to maintain registery of the tape and iron while the heated iron is moved along and over the tape beneath the abutting edges of carpet segments to adhere the segments to the tape and together in a novel process for accomplishing the same.

Abstract: Tandem operations for manufacturing coaxial cable units include new and unobvious methods and apparatus for laminating an outer conductor, for drawing an inner conductor, for applying plastic discs to the inner conductor and for corrugating the outer conductor. Laminating the outer conductor is accomplished by passing a copper, copolymer adhesive, steel sandwich through three pairs of heated rolls. The heated laminate is passed over a roller designed to impart a three-dimensional curvature to the laminate. Then, the laminate is advanced in the manufacturing atmosphere and over another roller to remove the three dimensional curvature while the heat is removed. This produces a laminate which is essentially stress-free although composed of dissimilar materials. The inner conductor is drawn to a final diameter by an ultrasonically vibrating drawing die within a liquid medium which acts as a lubricant and as a cleaner to form a clean, smooth inner conductor.

Abstract: An absorbent article comprising an absorbent pad having a front surface, and sheet means, including a film of thermoplastic material, covering at least a portion of the front surface of the pad. A pattern is fused into the film to define a discontinuous front surface of the article.

Abstract: An inexpensive, lightweight reflective panel for solar-thermal collector modules of the type including a parabolic reflector for reflecting incident solar radiation onto a fluid carrying conduit positioned along the focal axis of the reflector. A rigid, waterproof, honeycomb panel formed from paper and having a uniform thickness of parabolic shape supports a reflective material. Glass fiber cloth adhered to the outer panel surfaces adds to the panel's strength and rigidity. An adjustable support system suspends the reflective panel from the fluid carrying conduit and provides a means of adjusting panel curvature to precisely obtain the required parabolic shape.Methods of forming the panels are described which permit the panels to be formed at or near the site of their installation to obviate shipping problems and expense.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for insulating a plurality of electrically conductive elements and to produce electrical cable where the method includes heating the unformed insulative material and conductive elements, applying pressure and simultaneously removing heat with a pair of rollers at a relatively low temperature and applying pressure and heat to preselected regions only of the insulative material. The method and apparatus further allow preselected portions of the cable to be unbonded so as to facilitate access to the conductive elements by simply interrupting the application of pressure to the preselected portions. The heat, press and cool and press and bond method may also be accomplished in a step and repeat process using presses to insulative flexible circuits. The above method and apparatus provide more reliable bonding at an accelerated rate of production.

Abstract: An endless multi-layer composite is provided for subsequent processing into articles on a mass production, continuous basis.