Abstract: An insulated packaging material includes a thermal insulating layer, which may a fiberfill batt. The batt is laminated to at least one facing layer of film, paper or fabric. The packaging material can be used as a container, such as a pouch. A food-contacting polymer material is applied to the facing layer to form the inner surface of the pouch. The packaging material may be coated on the outer facing layer with a coating material so that it is printable, thus imparting both insulating properties and print capability to the pouch.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a process for hot embossing a base sheet and/or to a process for perforating and bonding multiple plies of a paper product together. The process can be used in order to apply a decorative pattern to a paper product and/or to bond multiple ply products together. In one embodiment, the process of the present invention includes feeding a previously formed single ply or multi-ply base sheet through a heated embossing nip. As the base sheet passes through the heated embossing nip, sufficient heat and pressure is imparted to cause the fibers within the sheet to begin to melt or glassinate. Upon cooling, inter-fiber bonding occurs resulting in a well-defined embossment as well as bonding between plies of a multi-ply product.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for heat sealing bags having a mandrel with protruding needles for holding the bag material when the material is wrapped around the mandrel. The mandrel has a ridge for allowing easy penetration of an upwardly angled hot blade between the two overlapping ends of the bag. An apparatus composed of three hot blades of which the two outside blades enter the bottom of the bag and expand outward contacting an inner perimeter of the bag when the middle blade moves forward. The blades then retract and the bag is then fused together by pressure bars and cut by heat trimmers.

Abstract: A biosensor according to the present invention includes a reagent immobilization part (5) where an antibody for a measurement target in an inspection target solution is immobilized, and a marked reagent holding part (4) where an antibody which is marked at a part of a development layer in a dry state to be eluted by development of the inspection target solution is held, at parts of the development layer for developing the inspection target solution, and measures a bonding amount of the marked reagent bonded in the reagent immobilization part (5), thereby qualitatively and quantitatively measuring a measurement component in the inspection target solution. In such bionsensor, side faces of the development layer which are parallel to the direction of the inspection target solution permeating are partially or entirely melted and cured to be sealed.

Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus for attaching a cutting strip to a carton blank. The apparatus includes a first member for conveying carton blanks past a second member, and the second member is arranged to cut a cuffing strip from a supply of cuffing strip material and deposit the cutting strip upon a carton blank. The first member may be a conveyor belt fitted with a suction member, and the second member may be upper and lower dies that are movable relative to one another and a member that can feed a supply of cutting strip material between the dies. Initial downward movement of the upper die cuts a cutting strip from the supply of cutting strip material and the cutting strip is retained on the upper die. Further downward movement of the upper die brings the cutting strip into contact with a carton blank. The apparatus may also include an alignment member to ensure that the carton blanks are properly positioned relative to the second member when the cutting strips are attached.

Abstract: A rotatable cutting wheel is used to heat a polymer substrate as it is being cut. The cutting wheel has a heater and a thermocouple associated therewith, which are used to heat and control the temperature of the cutting wheel. The heat softens the substrate, making it easier to cut and reducing distortion caused by cutting. A cleaner cut also makes it more likely that polymer will be retained on reinforcement when the substrate is a reinforced polymer. A method of the invention comprises the steps of heating the cutting wheel and traversing the substrate with the heated cutting wheel.

Abstract: The present invention is direct to angular border on three dimensional sheet material and method of producing. This invention is producing an attractive and finely finished article.

Abstract: A web including a fibrous material and superabsorbent material is fed to a station. The web has a first surface, a second surface, a first side edge and a second side edge. At the station, the operation of applying a superabsorbent material movement obstruction agent and cutting the web into individual absorbent members having a pair of opposing cut ends are carried out simultaneously.

Abstract: A method of forming a plurality of floral sleeves having a uniform design or pattern and printed circumferentially about a lower end thereof without requiring the waste of significant portions of sheet material is provided. The method includes the step of sealing and severing a pair of web portions along lines defined by coextensive first side edges and coextensive second side edges of printed portions. In another aspect, the method includes the step of sealing and severing a pair of overlapping web portions provided with a plurality of printed portions along a plurality of lines which traverse the printed portions and each of the corresponding unprinted portions to form a plurality of sleeves wherein each sleeve has an upper portion and a lower portion with the lower portion having a printed portion extending continuously about the exterior circumference of the lower portion of the sleeve while the upper portion is free of any printing contained in the lower portion of an adjacently formed sleeve.

Abstract: In order to improve a screen element for motor vehicles, in particular, wind blocker or sun protection, comprising a frame and a piece of flat material held by the frame and extending over an area enclosed by the frame, in such a manner that this is simple to produce and has as permanent a connection as possible between the piece of flat material and the frame it is suggested that the piece of flat material be fixed permanently on the frame in that at least one frame part element consisting of plastic material is connected to an additional part by way of a connecting area of the plastic material heated up by means of a sonotrode, softened and hardened.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ultrasonic welding apparatus (100) for welding together at least two superposed sheets (1, 2) made of plastics material and traveling continuously along a predetermined path (F), the apparatus (100) being of the type comprising a sonotrode (101) and an anvil (102) disposed facing each other so that their facing surfaces (101′, 102′) define a through gap (102) through which two superposed sheets (1, 2) to be welded together pass, the gap having an inlet section (104) and an outlet section (105), the sonotrode (101) vibrating at high frequencies to emit ultrasound waves. According to the invention, the anvil is fixed and said facing surfaces of the sonotrode and of the anvil are generally plane and converge towards each other such that the section of said through gap decreases continuously between its inlet section and its outlet section.

Abstract: An individually wrapped absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin which is simple, compact, sanitary, and easy to unwrap for use and to dispose of after use. The absorbent article avoids the need for a separate peel strip and pouch because it is provided with a wrapper that can be folded into a pouch. Substantially the entire backsheet of the absorbent article directly faces the wrapper and is secured to it to form an assembly. In the case of a winged or tabbed type absorbent article, this configuration obviates the need for a separate peel strip to cover the garment adhesive located on the wings or tabs. The assembly is wrapped by folding the lateral flaps thereof longitudinally over one another to enclose the article to prevent the garment adhesive from becoming contaminated. The package is then tri-folded laterally to form an e-shaped pouch. Wrapping and folding can be performed by an in-line process that uses simple equipment and that does not require reversal in the direction of article conveyance.

Abstract: A method for forming an apertured web which may be used as a topsheet on a disposable absorbent article, such as a diaper. The web (240) is fed in as machine direction through a first nip (250) formed by a pair of rollers one of the rollers having a smooth outer surface and the other roller having an outer surface with a plurality of projections extending from it's outer surface. At least one of the rollers of the first nip (250) is heated. The first nip (250) apertures the web with a plurality of apertures each having a fused perimeter. The web (240) is then cooled to solidify the fused perimeter of the apertures. The web (240) is then fed through a second nip (280) formed by a pair of rollers to break the solidified fused perimeter of the apertures. One of the rollers of the second nip (280) has an outer surface with a plurality of grooves.

Abstract: Pieces are cut out from a sheet material by means of an installation comprising a cutting-out table (12) receiving the sheet material (30) from a loading station (12), and an unloading station (16) for unloading cut-out pieces. A flexible sealing film (32) is brought onto the sheet material upstream from the cutting-out table, and it is applied by establishing suction at the surface of the cutting-out table. After cutting-out, at least the skeleton (32′) of the sealing film is separated at the downstream end of the cutting-out table in order to be recovered. The recovery is preformed by automatic winding-up outside the unloading station, it being possible to deposit fastenings on the sealing film so that they straddle the cutting-out lines, or else said recovery is performed by sucking up the fragments of sealing film by means of a rotary member bearing against the sheet material.

Abstract: A method of forming a plurality of floral sleeves having a uniform design or pattern and printed circumferentially about a lower end thereof without requiring the waste of significant portions of sheet material is provided. The method includes the step of sealing and severing a pair of web portions along lines defined by coextensive first side edges and coextensive second side edges of printed portions. In another aspect, the method includes the step of sealing and severing a pair of overlapping web portions provided with a plurality of printed portions along a plurality of lines which traverse the printed portions and each of the corresponding unprinted portions to form a plurality of sleeves wherein each sleeve has an upper portion and a lower portion with the lower portion having a printed portion extending continuously about the exterior circumference of the lower portion of the sleeve while the upper portion is free of any printing contained in the lower portion of an adjacently formed sleeve.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying strip fastener elements or zippers to web material includes an unwind stand holding a roll of film material, an infeed dancer arrangement of rollers, a zipper apparatus which conditions zipper material, cuts zippers and delivers zippers to a zipper feed apparatus. The zipper feed apparatus loads zippers into a sealing platen of a rotating turret. The rotating turret carries the zippers successively to a position adjacent a surface of the film and a seal bar presses the film to successive zippers to seal the zippers thereto while a new zipper is being received in a sealing platen of the turret at a loading station at a rotational position at a distance from the sealing station. The film with zippers attached is drawn downstream of the turret to a rewind dancer roll assembly and thereafter to a rewind stand for winding into a roll of zippered film.

Abstract: A method (100) of constructing a flexible object (20) formed of a plurality of mutually conjoined layers (22) is disclosed. A first outer layer (28), four intermediate layers (36), and a second outer layer (38) of substantially a fusible polyester sheet material woven of microfibers are obtained (110,124,130). The first outer layer (28) is positioned (144) over a work surface (24), the four intermediate layers (36) are positioned (148) over the first outer layer (28), and the second outer layer (38) is positioned (150) over the first outer layer (28) and intermediate layers (36). A laser cutting head (26) is configured (158) to be fusional for all of layers (28,36,38). A periphery (50) of the object (20) is then cut (164) through each of the layers (22) by substantially simultaneously moving the laser cutting head (26) relative to the layers (22), and coincidentally fusing (166) the peripheries (50) to form the object (20).

Abstract: The present invention provides a shrink-wrapped package comprising at least one article shrink-wrapped with a polyester film containing an ethylene terephthalate unit, the shrink-wrapped package having a portion of sealing and cutting whose starting point has a movement distance of 10 &mgr;m or less.

Abstract: A system and method for cutting and heat sealing polypropylene film and/or other separator material around individually shaped cathode, anode or other active components, for use in a battery or capacitor and/or other implantable medical device.

Abstract: A plurality of thermoplastic tubular segments having substantially equal lengths are arranged in horizontal side-by-side relationship with the respective ends of the tubular segments aligned in a generally common plane. Small portions of the respective ends of the tubes are cut by a thermal cutting device which simultaneously fuses the ends of the tubes to produce a consolidated unitary structure having a thickness defined by the distance between the fused ends of the tubular segments. The consolidated unitary structure is then rotated to a horizontal position, with the tubular segments vertically oriented, and cut along at least one horizontal plane to produce fused cores having a thickness defined by the vertical position of a horizontally disposed thermal cutting device.

Abstract: A rotary mechanism for cutting and/or sealing a web has a pair of counter-rotating rotors mounted on parallel axes and having radially projecting arms between which the web is momentarily gripped for cutting and/or sealing. Sealing is performed by heated pressure outer faces on the rotor arms. Cutting is performed by cutter and anvil bars on the opposed arms engaging the web. Bearer faces on the arms beyond the pressure faces set a gap between the pressure faces and a rectangular-section tongue and groove in mating contact faces one side of the pressure faces locate the pressure faces laterally. The cutting means are adjusted by a wedge bar bearing on the inner face of the cutter bar or anvil. The wedge bar is movable in the direction of rotation and has an outer face inclined in the same direction. Means accessible from the leading and/or trailing faces of the rotor arms are provided for adjusting the wedge bar and clamping the cutter and anvil bars.

Abstract: An insulating label stock includes a thermal insulating layer, which may a fiberfill batt. The batt is laminated to at least one layer of film, paper or fabric. The label stock can be wrapped around a container, such as a can, bottle or pouch. The label stock may be coated with a coating material so that it is printable, thus imparting both insulating properties and print capability to a container.

Abstract: A non-woven fiber pad having a convoluted surface formed by cutting a non-woven fiber batt having a plurality of low melt synthetic fibers. The non-woven batt is compressed generally toward a cutting device by a pair of counter-rotating drums having convoluted surfaces.

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.

Abstract: There is disclosed a car body having a shell body, having a pattern excellent in beautification at the outer surface portion, made by forming a shell body by cutting, shaping and combining a metal plate, covered with patterned plastic film, which is used at the main outer surface of the car body, or by forming a shell body by fitting up the car parts, made by cutting, shaping and combining a metal plate, covered with patterned plastic film, to a previously assembled main body.

Abstract: A sheet-like separator is so arranged as to cover both surfaces of an electrode plate, and a heating plate is applied along a to-be-bonded edge of the separator, thereby achieving bonding by thermal welding. The heating plate has a width corresponding to a width of a bonded portion of the separator. Then, by pressing a protrusion of the heating plate or a heating plate for cutting against substantially the central part of the bonded portion, local heat transfer takes place to sublime a resin component, whereby the separator is cut off. Thereupon, the pouch-shaped separator is attached to the electrode plate.

Abstract: A heat sealing jaw assembly for effecting a heat seal of at least two juxtaposed heat sealable sheet materials is described. Preferably, but not exclusively, the heat sealing jaw assembly is adapted for use in a form, fill and seal machine forming thermoplastic bags. The heat sealing jaw assembly comprises a first and a second metal jaw member, each having a heating element for heating the jaw members. Each of the jaw members has an end face disposed in facial alignment with one another. A ribbon member is secured to each of the end faces and disposed in planar alignment with one another. The ribbon member is made of soft material having rubber-like properties and capable of conducting heat from the sealing jaw to a fusing temperature to melt the heat sealable sheet materials.

Abstract: To provide a heat-sealing apparatus capable of achieving an excellent heat-sealing even when heat-sealing under severe conditions with a fluid, such as when filling/packing a vegetable juice abundant in water-insoluble vegetable fiber. The high-frequency heat-sealing apparatus is comprised of an openable-and-closable sealing jaw 23 and opposing jaw 25 which transversely heat-seals a tubular packing material with a fluid, wherein a ridge 31 shaped to contain a partial curve is so formed on the action face of a high-frequency coil 22 flush with the action face of the sealing jaw that it can press the central portion of a sealed zone having two rounded and narrowed right and left sides, a groove 34 which forms a molten thermoplastic resin puddle is formed on the action face adjacent to the outer side on the container's interior side of a sealed zone, and in addition, a flash portion 33 for a molten resin is formed adjacent to the outer side on the cutting side of a high-frequency coil.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for producing individual folded labels from a ribbon of labels designed to satisfy the aforementioned needs. The label is formed by first providing a ribbon of labels with at least one folded over portion and then subjecting the folded ribbon to heat and pressure to set the fold. The folded pressed ribbon is then subdividing into individual labels. In an alternative embodiment, the folded and pressed ribbon can be rerolled and shipped to an end user for use in an auto-sewing device. The present invention further includes an apparatus for carrying out this method and a finished label.

Abstract: A filter cartridge made of an accordion fold pack folded in a zigzag-shaped manner and made of a thermoplastically moldable and heat-sealable material, whose folds are held at an adjusted, defined distance relative to each other, in particular made of a nonwoven fabric. The longitudinal direction of the accordion fold pack, transversely to the folds, the individual fold peaks are folded over in the same direction in at least one strip on one or both sides of the accordion fold pack and in each case fixedly joined to the next following, likewise turned-down fold at least in the overlapping region, by heat-sealing.

Abstract: An article of clothing has a trim of thermoplastic material, which encapsulates a peripheral region of a fabric layer and is provided with a multiplayer structure preferably including at least one retroreflective layer. The article of clothing is manufactured in accordance with a sealing method utilizing RF, sonic sealing, heat sealing, and vibration sealing performed simultaneously with cutting excess of the thermoplastic material.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of making a component consisting of a substantially cylindrical support through which there is a substantially coaxial orifice and a membrane welded to one end of the cylinder substantially perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the support. A substantially plane membrane is welded to one end of a support substantially perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the support and, after cooling, the support is torn off the membrane in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the membrane so that a portion of the membrane substantially corresponding to the end of the cylinder remains welded to the support. The method can be applied to making two-part stoppers for straws, in which case the membrane is microporous, hydrophobic, impervious to liquids and permeable to gases and the support is an insert made from a material chosen from an elastomer material, a thermoplastics material and a thermoplastics elastomer material.

Abstract: A laminated stretch cushion strap assembly having a stretchable cover, a stretchable cushion filler and a stretchable bottom or bottom fabric. The cover includes a stretchable top fabric, a first adhesive web layer positioned on one side of the top fabric and a stretchable base layer positioned on the first adhesive layer on a side opposite that of the top fabric. The stretchable bottom fabric forms with the cover an enclosure. The stretchable cushion filler is adapted to be completely enclosed within the enclosure. The stretchable cushion filler has a first cushion layer, and adhesive for securing during lamination the cover to the stretchable cushion filler, and the cushion filler to the stretchable bottom fabric. The adhesive is a second adhesive web layer positioned between the stretchable base layer and the first cushion layer to secure the cushion filler to the cover, and a third adhesive web layer positioned on the first cushion layer to secure the bottom fabric to the cushion filler.

Abstract: The invention solves in a new manner the known problems of making packages in the form of a continuous tube completely and reliably tight though a method, which is mainly distinguish by the tube being pressed together at the constricting positions into a string and that the string along plural lines are subjected to high and preferably pulsating pressure of such a magnitude that the material becomes adhering. The lines may be traversal with respect to the tube ot crossing each other so as to form a checked pattern. The pulsation in pressure is suitably obtained through ultrasound. The invention concerns a device as well as a sealing method.

Abstract: A laminated stretch cushion strap assembly having a stretchable cover, a stretchable cushion filler and a stretchable bottom or bottom fabric. The cover includes a stretchable top fabric, a first adhesive web layer positioned on one side of the top fabric and a stretchable base layer positioned on the first adhesive layer on a side opposite that of the top fabric. The stretchable bottom fabric forms with the cover an enclosure. The stretchable cushion filler is adapted to be completely enclosed within the enclosure. The stretchable cushion filler has a first cushion layer, and adhesive for securing during lamination the cover to the stretchable cushion filler, and the cushion filler to the stretchable bottom fabric. The adhesive is a second adhesive web layer positioned between the stretchable base layer and the first cushion layer to secure the cushion filler to the cover, and a third adhesive web layer positioned on the first cushion layer to secure the bottom fabric to the cushion filler.

Abstract: A protective pocket (10) is formed from a bottom sheet (11) adhesively bonded to a top sheet (12) to form a pocket therebetween. Adhesive pattern (13) is placed onto the sheets (11, 12) by otherwise conventional printing techniques.

Abstract: An ultrasonic seam welding apparatus for seam welding at least two sheetlike work pieces piled one above the other by imparting ultrasonic osculation is expressed through the ultrasonic binding and cutting quill assembly. The ultrasound seaming and cutting apparatus comprises a receptive resonant horn or wheel for receiving a rotating anvil wheel and a cutting surface thereon. An apparatus and receiving component having overlapping surfaces and welding the components together with the use of ultrasound. An ultrasound emitter and wheel receives the high frequency current and converts it into mechanical ultrasonic vibrations having the same frequency.

Abstract: An ultrasonic seam welding apparatus for seam welding at least two sheetlike work pieces piled one above the other by imparting ultrasonic osculation is expressed through the ultrasonic binding and cutting quill assembly. The ultrasound seaming and cutting apparatus comprises a receptive resonant horn or wheel for receiving a rotating anvil wheel and a cutting surface thereon. An apparatus and receiving component having overlapping surfaces and welding the components together with the use of ultrasound. An ultrasound emitter and wheel receives the high frequency current and converts it into mechanical ultrasonic vibrations having the same frequency.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making insignias with a raised design is capable of providing more aesthetic appearance to the insignias thus made. A base material consisting of a base sheet and a surface sheet overlaying the base sheet is prepared for making into an insignia. The base material is coating with a surface coating of decorative material. A bottom mold and an upper mold are used to press the base material to form raised design of patterns. The bottom and upper molds are coupled to a composite heating device including high-frequency induction and electric heating means for applying both high-frequency induction heat and electric heat to the base material while the upper molding is being pressed against the bottom mold. The upper mold is formed with a plurality of edge-defining blades for cutting an edge for the insignia, a plurality of pattern-defining blades for forming a pre-designed pattern on the insignia.

Abstract: An ultrasonic tool has an air actuated acoustic horn assembly. An electronic and pneumatic controller generates a predetermined air pressure within the tool. The horn assembly is coupled to the controller for applying a desired actuation force to a part based on the predetermined air pressure. The predetermined air pressure therefore corresponds to the desired actuation force. The horn assembly also transmits mechanical vibrations to the part at a predetermined frequency. The tool further includes an acoustic control system coupled to the horn assembly for transferring a high frequency electrical voltage to the horn assembly. Selectively applying the desired actuation force to the part based on air pressure allows a wider range of forces to be applied, and eliminates problems associated with part damage and marking.

Abstract: An adjustable brassiere metal-free back fastener is formed by molding eyelets and studs on ultrasonically or mechanically pierced fabric tapes composed of polyamide yarn which is partly enfolded in an outer tape ultrasonically welded to the inner tape. No stitching is required in the fabrication of the fastener and because the coupling members and the thermoplastic yarn can be of the same polyamide material, the product can be uniformly dyed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for heated tool welding.

Abstract: This invention relates to the method of producing a laminated vinyl thermoplastic stationery article from thermoplastic film material which simultaneously seals and tear/cuts the material leaving the article with a finished edge running parallel and adjacent to the seal applied to the margin of the article; and this invention also includes the article manufactured by the method set out.

Abstract: A press forming die is fabricated by initially fabricating a die forming panel, by press forming, which provides a die surface for the press forming die. During fabricating the die forming panel, a shaped panel is obtained by initially press forming a first blank material with a die forming prototype and a punch forming prototype. Next, the shaped panel is mounted onto the punch forming prototype again and, thereafter, a die forming panel is obtained by press forming a second blank material. The die forming panel is then mounted on a frame body and a backup material is formed between a space between the frame body and the die forming panel, thereby fabricating the press forming die. Since the die surface of the press forming die can be shaped by press forming, the press forming die can be simply fabricated.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing individual layered structures and the structures themselves. A continuous layered structure is provided. The continuous layered structure has designated cutting regions and includes a particulate material between the layers. At least one of the layers is permeable to liquids. A thermoplastic material in liquid state is applied to the continuous layered structure over at least part of the designated cutting regions to provide the designated cutting regions with a joining means. The thermoplastic material is made of natural or synthetic polymers, or mixtures thereof. The thermoplastic material has a softening point, as measured according to the ASTM Method E 28-67, lower than 120° C.; a viscosity at 130° C. lower than 0.05 Pa.s; and a temperature range in which the viscosity changes between 0.05 Pa.s and 0.35 Pa.s which is greater than 5° C. The thermoplastic material is allowed to set.

Abstract: Two types of gloves with thermobonded seams that define fingers and a thumb portion that extends over the palm of the glove thus allowing free thumb rotation are disclosed. Devices for manufacturing the two types of gloves are disclosed. Methods from manufacturing the gloves, including two ways to manufacture the thumb portion, are disclosed. An improved die plate for thermobonding that holds a heat element in a channel using wedge shaped channel walls is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for cutting and edge sealing cells of cellular retroreflective sheeting is disclosed using a specially designed apparatus and tool. Sheeting having a thickness T is heated to a thermoforming temperature to form a heated sheeting. Pressing the unheated tool, the heated sheeting, and a substrate together results in cutting and edge sealing of the heated sheeting. The tool has a radiused ridge for cutting and edge sealing with the shape of the ridge similar to the shape desired for the edge seal. A height H of the ridge is defined relative to the thickness of the sheeting. The fraction of the ridge height to the thickness of the sheeting is less than one and more than 0.2. The tools may be mounted on a perimeter of a wheel for continuously slitting and edge sealing strips of cellular sheeting. The retroreflectivity of the sheeting is maximized by (1) minimizing the width of the sealed edges while (2) maximizing the number of closed cells along the sealed edges that can withstand a water holdout test.

Abstract: A method of forming a plurality of floral sleeves having a uniform design or pattern and printed circumferentially about a lower end thereof without requiring the waste of significant portions of sheet material is provided. The method includes the step of sealing and severing a pair of web portions along lines defined by coextensive first side edges and coextensive second side edges of printed portions. In another aspect, the method includes the step of sealing and severing a pair of overlapping web portions provided with a plurality of printed portions along a plurality of lines which traverse the printed portions and each of the corresponding unprinted portions to form a plurality of sleeves wherein each sleeve has an upper portion and a lower portion with the lower portion having a printed portion extending continuously about the exterior circumference of the lower portion of the sleeve while the upper portion is free of any printing contained in the lower portion of an adjacently formed sleeve.

Abstract: A device for separating a meltable wide strip (10) using fusion cutters (21) which cut the strips (10′) during longitudinal movement of said wide strip by melting the strip material. In order to smooth rough melted edges of strips (10′) a finishing device is used. A conveyor device is used to transport the wide strip and keeps at least the section (40) to be processed of the strip (10′) which is located in the finishing zone, under longitudinal stress. To simplify the design of the device, the finishing device is provided with deviation points (71, 70, 72) in the section (40) to be processed. The deviation points are fixed and include an open slit (25) through which the section (40) to be processed passes. The expansion of the processing section (40) is twisted by virtue of the deviating members (23, 33). The longitudinal stress is therefore exerted in such a way that the upper and lower side of the strips (10′) are automatically pressed against the deviating members (23, 33).

Abstract: A reinforcing hole punch including a reciprocating punch member supported for movement toward a base is disclosed. The reciprocating punch member is actuated to form a hole within a sheet of paper positioned on the base. The hole punch also includes a dispensing sleeve positioned about the punch member, defining a space between an inner wall of the dispensing sleeve and the punch member, in which reinforcing members are positioned for attachment to a sheet of paper when the punch member is actuated to form a hole within a sheet of paper.