Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing a plurality of strips starting from a single sheet (1) of elastic film, wherein said single sheet (1) is fed in a longitudinal forward direction (X) up to a severing zone (b), in which the sheet is severed longitudinally into a plurality of strips (2-6), said plurality of strips then being fed further in the forward direction, while simultaneously being stretched in said longitudinal direction to thereby reduce their width (e) and thickness. The invention also relates to an absorbent product which makes use of a plurality of strips which are flat, thin and rectangular in one or more elasticated areas of said product to provide good and uniform breathing ability along said elasticated area(s).

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 prefabricated multi-layered flexible product which can be used as a liner for an outer shell or as a stand-alone product. A substrate fabric material is placed in parallel with a synthetic film membrane to form a two ply laminate, and with outer substrate fabric material(s) to form multi-ply laminates. A thermoplastic film is strategically placed in between the layers to enhance bonding. The laminate(s) and/or separate sheets of above materials are assembled by using a radio frequency welding process and then out into two or three dimensional forms, which in their bonded state form either a prefabricated component liner or a prefabricated stand-alone product. The form may be a glove, sock, shirt, boot/shoe, hat, jacket, pant, etc.

Abstract: A process for continuously producing a multi-layer feminine hygienic pad comprising a plurality of long sheets of a thermoplastic resin as a backing sheet, a plurality of long sheets of a porous film of a thermoplastic resin, and a plurality of sheets of a fluid-absorbing macromolecular compound.

Abstract: A fibrous work piece, e.g. a glass fiber mat or blanket, is simultaneously cut, sealed and encapsulated using a focused, high energy liquid jet containing a sealant. The sealant in the focused, high energy liquid jet is deposited on and seals the edges of the kerf formed by the cutting operation to encapsulate dust and short length fibers formed by the cutting of the fibrous work piece. The focused, high energy liquid jet is emitted from a nozzle and the sealant is introduced into and mixed with the liquid before the liquid exits the nozzle. Portions of the fibrous work piece can be compressed by hold down shoes or by one or more high pressure air streams directed onto the work piece adjacent where the work piece is being cut to facilitate the formation of a cleaner edge on the kerf being cut in the fibrous work piece.

Abstract: A method for slitting and sealing a lamination having a polyethylene layer and a coextruded film having a nylon.TM. layer. The improvement comprises slitting and sealing the two films with a laser generated light beam. The films are co-wound such that the coextruded film is closest to the laser. The laser slits the coextruded film first and thereafter the lamination. The polyethylene side of the lamination is positioned closest to the laser and is slit prior to other layers of the lamination. The method allows the polyethylene more time to absorb the energy from the laser and takes advantage of the efficient energy absorbing characteristics of the nylon.TM. in the coextruded film, resulting in improved slitting and sealing rates.

Abstract: A transverse sealing device in a tubular bag forming machine that has two sealing jaws with flat sealing faces disposed in an interstice between two pairs of clamping jaws, and also has a severing knife for longitudinally dividing the crosswise seam made by the sealing jaws. In order to remove the severing knife from the thermal influence of the sealing jaws, the severing knife is disposed and is movable separately from the sealing jaws and in a position of repose is located outside the range of motion of the sealing jaws. To that end, an aperture is provided in one of the clamping jaws for receiving the severing knife in the position of repose, and an arm supports the severing knife and also protrudes through the aperture.

Abstract: A method of making a sheet-shaped oxygen absorber includes preparing an oxygen-absorbing resin sheet having opposed first and second surfaces and including an oxygen-absorbing composition in a thermoplastic resin; applying first and second covering members to and in contact with the first and second surfaces, respectively, of the oxygen-absorbing resin sheet to form a laminated structure, at least one of the covering members being air-permeable; and ultrasonically heat sealing the first covering member to the second covering member along the periphery of a closed planar geometric figure, encapsulating at least a part of the oxygen-absorbing resin sheet and cutting the first and second covering members where the first and second covering members are sealed to each other, along the periphery of the closed planar geometric figure, to produce the sheet-shaped oxygen absorber.

Abstract: A mounting method of a semiconductor element capable of joining an electrode of a semiconductor element and a circuit board at high reliability. The method includes a step of forming an external electrode terminal by filling a hole formed in circuit board with a conductive paste, a step of positioning the external electrode terminal and a protruding bump formed on an electrode of a semiconductor, and a step of pressing the semiconductor element to contact between the conductive paste in the hole and the protruding bump thereby electrically connecting the electrode of the semiconductor element and the external electrode terminal of the circuit board. An adhesive sheet of a thermosetting resin, a thermoplastic resin, or a mixed thermosetting and thermoplastic resin may be disposed on the circuit board where the bump breaks through the sheet to contact the paste.

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 prefabricated multi-layered flexible product which can be used as a liner for an outer shell or as a stand-alone product. A substrate fabric material is placed in parallel with a synthetic film membrane to form a two ply laminate with excess membrane at an edge thereof. A pair of the laminates are overlaid with the substrate fabrics opposing each other with the fabric edges aligned, and a thermoplastic film is strategically placed in between the layers to enhance bonding between the fabric layers and the excess membranes. The laminate(s) and/or separate sheets of above materials are assembled by using a radio frequency welding process and then out into two or three dimensional forms, which in their bonded state form either a prefabricated component liner or a prefabricated stand-alone product. The form may be a glove, sock, shirt, boot/shoe, hat, jacket, pant, etc.

Abstract: An infinite heat sealing assembly preferably for heat sealing a thermoplastic heat-shrinkable plastic film, has a heat sealing assembly for cutting and sealing a seam in a film or layers of film without regard to the length of the seam. The heat sealing assembly includes a heated blade and a plurality of belt conveyors for conveying the film with a desired tracking through the assembly. An adjustable angle blade and slotted film support ramp result in improved sealing of heavier gauge films by increasing the dwell time of the film on the heated blade.

Abstract: A cut and seal unit for sheet material, wherein an actuating unit has a single powered input, and two identical output transmissions linked to each other and to the input; the two output transmissions are connected to respective cut and seal tools, which are moved by the actuating unit along respective substantially ellipsoidal trajectories on either side of a path of the sheet material extending through the two trajectories, and cooperate cyclically with each other at a cut and seal station along the path to transversely cut and seal the sheet material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of welding or cutting material ultrasonically while avoiding hammering motion between ultrasonic anvil and ultrasonic horn, so-called cobblestoning. The material web is welded or cut generally transversely to its direction of movement, wherein at least one elongated ultrasonic horn is positioned obliquely to the direction of web movement, and at least on anvil corresponding to the ultrasonic horn is arranged on a rotatable cylinder whose rotational axis is essentially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the ultrasonic horn.

Abstract: An ultrasonic apparatus and method for cutting a non-planar workpiece. The apparatus includes an anvil having a non-planar surface for closely engaging an underside of the workpiece. An ultrasonic horn has a non-planar cutting surface closely receiving a topside of the workpiece, wherein the cutting surface and the support surface have complementary non-planar shapes. The ultrasonic horn resonates at a predetermined frequency effect cutting of the workpiece. If the workpiece has a heat fusible component, the workpiece can also be seamed.

Abstract: A process for preparing two connected powder transfer conduits for cleaning without releasing powder from the conduits. The conduits are connected to each other by flexible tube of a water-dissolvable material to enable powder communication between the two conduits. A sealing operation is performed to form a seal in the tube sufficient to prevent the powder communication from one side of the seal to the other. The seal is then severed to produce two tube sections where each tube section is sealed at the point of severance. A cleaning conduit is then place over at least one of the two tube sections and connected to the respective conduit. The cleaning conduit is connected to a liquid cleaning source which is adapted to deliver a cleaning liquid capable of dissolving the tube section thereunder upon contact therewith.

Abstract: Fusion cutting of thermoplastic sheets and textile webs involving bonding of the cut edges is achieved with excellent quality without the accumulation of dirt particles, if the material to be cut is subjected, in the area of the intended cut, to pre-stamping and cutting in immediate succession, under heat and with precise guidance of the separator device in relation to the pre-stamping device, said pre-stamping and cutting being effected in such a way that the plane of symmetry through the pre-stamping device, which plane of symmetry extends perpendicularly to and in the same direction as the material web, is identical to the plane of symmetry extending through the separator device.

Abstract: A circular knitting machine for producing a tubular knitted article having a closed end. The apparatus includes a circular knitting element for forming the tubular knitted article and a closure assembly located downstream of the circular knitting element for forming the closed end. An accumulator assembly is located between the circular knitting element and the closure assembly to provide tension to the tubular knitted article when the closure assembly is closed, thereby permitting the circular knitting element to continuously form the tubular knitted article during the operation of the closure assembly. Also, in the preferred embodiment, a cutting assembly is located between the accumulator assembly and the closure assembly, the cutting assembly being selectively operable to cut the tubular knitted article during the operation of the closure assembly.

Abstract: A packing unit with two protective gloves arranged on a carrier sheet, particularly AIDS protective gloves characterized in that both protective gloves are attached to one side of carrier sheet and/or to an opposite side of the carrier sheet such that the contour outlines of the two protective gloves overlap at least partially.

Abstract: An ultrasonic apparatus and method for charging a coil with a refrigerant gas is described wherein a tube used to convey the gas into the cooling coil is welded shut on both sides of a cutting line so that gas in the tube cannot escape after the charging step has been completed. Die elements to enable such severing of the tube are described with each having corresponding spaced apart welding surfaces and with one of the elements having a cutting edge between its welding surfaces to cut the tube as its internal wall is sealed with an ultrasonic welder.

Abstract: A method for forming a plurality of holes, creating profiles, in a plurality of vinyl layers using a hollow portion of an RF sealing die and for removing the profiles from the die using a base plate punch and a removal means.

Abstract: In a process for the production of a transdermal therapeutic system for the administration of active substances to the skin in the form of a plane multichamber or multichamber-channel system an active substance-containing layer is introduced between top layer and bottom layer; subsequently top and bottom layer are squeezed at individual and/or coherent sites under displacement of the intermediary sites of the active substance-containing layer and formation of active substance-containing chambers or channels, and at the same time or after that top layer and bottom layer are bonded permanently at the squeezed places.

Abstract: A method for making a core plate (42) having multiple friction material segments (54) on the surface where the method includes the use of a die (24). Friction material (34) is first trimmed to conform to die (24) and is then fed into die (24). Die (24) then cuts friction material (34) to form a leading edge (57) where fibers in friction material (34) at leading edge (57) are positioned in a direction toward core plate (42). Friction material (34) is then fed through die (24) which cuts a trailing edge (55) in friction material (34) where fibers in friction material (34) at trailing edge (55) are positioned in a direction toward core plate (42). Cutting of trailing edge (55) is a common cut along trailing edge (55) of a leading segment (54) and leading edge (57) of an immediately following segment (54) such that formation of segments (54) is substantially scrapless with respect to friction material (34).

Abstract: The invention provides apparatus for producing preselected lengths of rope from a supply of thermoplastic rope, and includes a rope feed system for advancing rope longitudinally along a rope path and a guillotine assembly coupled to the feed system. The guillotine assembly has a thermally conductive blade support mounted for reciprocal movement orthogonally with respect to the rope path, and a thermally conductive blade removably attached to the blade support. The blade is in good thermal contact with the blade support and movable with the blade support between a first position clear of the rope path and a second position in which the blade crosses the rope path. An electrical heating element is attached to the blade support to heat the support and thereby heat the blade to a temperature sufficient to fuse the rope locally.

Abstract: A door panel includes a support having a formed area with opposing spaced apart structures and an elongated reinforcement spanning between the opposing spaced apart structures and spaced from the formed area. A flexible cover is positioned on the support including a main panel section covering the support and covering the formed area, and a second panel section wrapped around the reinforcement for covering the reinforcement to form a handle on the door panel. As molded, the flexible cover includes inner, middle, and outer panel sections that are spaced apart to facilitate molding. The outer panel section is convexly shaped and can be inverted so that it abuts the middle panel section. The door panel is constructed by positioning the flexible cover on the support, and flexing the outer panel section inwardly so that a handle-covering portion of the flexible cover completely surrounds the reinforcement.

Abstract: In a lead frame taping apparatus and a method thereof, a plurality of punching portions are provided and each punching portion concurrently attaches a tape to at least two lead frames. Also, the tape can be continuously attached to the different kinds of a lead frame without the exchange of molds by differing the operation time of each punching portion. Further, a taping detecting sensor is provided to detect the attachment of the tape at the lead frame. Therefore, productivity is increased while saving labor and inferior products can be accurately detected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of embossing a pattern into absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, and adult incontinence pads which simultaneously forms a perimeter seal on the absorbent article is disclosed. The method and apparatus utilize a heated sealing member and an anvil surface. The heated sealing member has a recessed region with a lower temperature and lower pressure embossing member therein.

Abstract: A sheet roll producing apparatus for producing sheet rolls by winding a heat transfer recording sheet around the outer peripheries of a plurality of cores. A supplying apparatus supplies the sheet; a waste sheet part forming apparatus cuts the sheet between corresponding rolls to form cut ends and interposes between the ends a non-adhesive waste sheet and a pair of adhesive tapes attached to both ends of waste sheet where each tape has an adhesive portion facing the waste sheet, a portion exposed to the outside, and a portion attached to the corresponding cut end; and a winding apparatus winds the cores to form the rolls, cuts the waste sheet, and holds the formed rolls before discharge the formed rolls.

Abstract: A method of packaging an article comprises wrapping the article in a plastic film; and heat sealing the film using a sealing apparatus comprising a main sealing element, and a second sealing element attached at an angle to the main sealing element, and shorter than the main sealing element, such that when the film is sealed, a sealed notch that can be used to initiate opening of the package is made. A package comprises an article wrapped in a plastic film, the film being heat sealed to form a seal, the seal comprising a main seal, and a second seal attached at an angle to the main seal, and shorter than the main seal, and defining a sealed notch that can be used to initiate opening of the package. A sealing apparatus for making an easily opened package comprises a main sealing element, and a second sealing element attached at an angle to the main sealing element, and shorter than the main sealing element, and capable of creating a sealed notch that can be used to initiate opening of the package.

Abstract: Laminated films laminated by blocking characterized in the cut end is joined by heat fusion, that the inner layer contains a thermoplastic resin having a Shore hardness lower than the resin of the outer layer, the inner layer comprises an acid-modified polyolefin resin, the joined portion by blocking comprises strongly joined portions and weakly joined portions, the end portions are joined more strongly than the central portion, and a process for producing the same. The laminated films are stably laminated by blocking and does not separate through the laminating process and the bag-making process.

Abstract: A pad including thermal insulation and heat sink areas. The pad includes a plurality of layers of metal foil forming a stack with the layers arranged one above the other, the stack including at least one heat sink area and at least one insulating area adjacent to the heat sink area, the layers providing better heat conduction in the vertical direction at the heat sink area than at the insulating area. At least one of the layers includes a plurality of embossments therein separating the one layer from an adjacent one of the layers in the insulating area. The pad can include a single insulating area surrounded by a heat sink area and a black coating can be provided on selected portions of the layers to improve heat radiating characteristics of the pad. For instance, the heat sink area can be coated with the black coating to radiate heat away from the pad at a desired location.

Abstract: A prefabricated multi-layered flexible product which can be used as a liner for an outer shell or as a stand-alone product. A substrate fabric material is placed in parallel with a synthetic film membrane to form a two ply laminate, and with outer substrate fabric material(s) to form multi- ply laminates. A thermoplastic film is strategically placed in between the layers to enhance bonding. The laminate(s) and/or separate sheets of above materials are assembled by using a radio frequency welding process and then cut into two or three dimensional forms, which in their bonded state form either a prefabricated component liner or a prefabricated stand alone product. The form may be a glove, sock, shirt, boot/shoe, hat, jacket, pant, etc.

Abstract: A tube-forming machine and process has a supply for delivering an elongate, folded, plastic web along a path of travel. The web may be clear polyethylene folded treated surface to treated surface. A cutting mechanism is positioned along the path including a hard cylindrical roll and a cutter having a cutting head and means to bias the head toward the roll. A rotatable sealing drum has a cylindrical web engaging surface delineating a further portion of the path. A set of circumferentially spaced flame-emitting nozzles are positioned adjacent the drum surface section. Each of the nozzles includes a tip disposed within the cylinder delineated by said drum surface and has an axis disposed in an imaginary radial plane. Each tip is directed radially upwardly to impinge its flame against portions of a web being fed along the path when such portions project from said drum surface. Each tip axis is at an angle from 90.degree. to 60.degree.

Abstract: A fastening component for use with molded articles has a base with fastening elements upstanding therefrom and a relatively thin, protective cover attached thereto. The cover is attached to the base by thermal processes. For instance, the cover and the base can be cut into a shape by a die that substantially simultaneously cuts the shape from a larger web of both and joins the two pieces together by heat induced processes, such as welding. The shaped piece may be rectilinear or curved or any complex shape. The cover may include a pull tab at one or both ends. The pull tab is formed from the cover material itself, a piece of which is folded over on itself and cut and sealed to adjacent layers at the same time that the main shape is being cut and sealed. For some embodiments of the pull-tab, rather than heat sealing the protective cover to the base, an adhesive can be used.

Abstract: A method for producing a pant-style garment from a substrate having a plurality of tensioned garters. A garter is any continuous loop of elastic material or a laminate of elastic bands and one or more flexible backing sheets. In one embodiment a substrate is joined to one or more mandrels having tensioned garters fitted thereon. Substrate material is removed from within the loop of the garter, thereby forming apertures in the substrate. The substrate is folded along its longitudinal centerline such that its longitudinal edges meet. The substrate is subsequently joined along lines of joinder, and the substrate is cut into individual pant-style garments. In preferable embodiments, a process for providing elastics to the longitudinal edges of the substrate, thereby producing elasticized waistbands is included.

Abstract: A tube of polyethylene or similar polymeric material having a continuous sidewall is extruded using conventional technology. Two horizontal gussets are formed from the sidewall of the tube, one on each side. The tube is flattened into a substantially flat workpiece. The workpiece is heat sealed at locations predetermined by the configuration of the container in which it is to be inserted. Concurrently with the heat sealing pass, or shortly thereafter, cuts are made to separate manufacturing waste material from the tube. The waste material is recycled into the feedstock of the extruder. The sealed workpiece is split axially into two substantially equal portions, each containing a complete gusset, thereby forming two completed liners.Alternatively, one horizontal gusset is formed in the sidewall of the tube. As in the first embodiment, the workpiece is heat sealed at locations predetermined by the configuration of the container in which it is to be inserted.

Abstract: A heat-sealing device for liquid-filled tubes has a pair of openable pressing members 23, 24. One of the pressing members, 23, is provided in a pressing face 31 thereof with upper and lower two pressing pads 34, 35 extending in parallel to each other for pressing the tube T along and at respective opposite sides of each of the portions to be cut. The other pressing member 24 is provided in a pressing face 36 thereof with a U-shaped high-frequency coil 38 having upper and lower two straight portions 42, 43 extending in parallel to each other for heating the tube T along and at the respective sides of each portion to be cut. The pressing face 36 of the other pressing member 24 has upper and lower sealer portions 44, 45 each divided into a primary sealing portion 51, secondary sealing portion 52 and tertiary sealing portion 53.

Abstract: A method and device for continuously or discontinuously manufacturing flat sheets of multiple-layer materials, laminates, or similar articles for use in the furniture and electrical industries. In order to prevent molten resin from leaking out at the edges of layer of material while they are being bonded under heat and pressure, the free edges of the stacked layers of bonding material are welded together before the material is transformed into a composite sheet or composite web by heat and pressure.

Abstract: A method and a device for joining rubber sheets. A pressing disk having a shape that a cutting disk is cut at an edge thereof by about 0.7 mm to 1.0 mm joins with pressure edge parts of unvulcanized rubber sheets which are stackably aligned with one another and clamped. The cutting disk cuts the joined edge parts of the rubber sheets. Another pressing disk having a shape that the edge of the cutting disk is cut by about 0.7 mm to 1.0 mm is moved on the cut edge parts along the cutting line in the same manner as the cutting disk, thereby securely joining the joined parts by pressing them again.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for heat sealing polymer coated paperboard substrates using a uniform energy distributed light energy beam. Such structures of this type, generally, use lasers which allow a very accurate placement of the sealing energy and a controllable energy level.

Abstract: A sealing and severing apparatus is disclosed for sealing plastic bags formed in succession from stock plastic film material and then severing the sealed bags from one another. The bags are filled with a foamable composition while they are being formed so that when the formed and filled bags are placed in a container, the foamable composition fills the bag with foam to thereby produce a customized foam cushion for any objects in the container.

Abstract: Dies are used in forming a pack of self-opening plastic T-shirt bags for use with a bagging rack. Each plastic bag in the pack of bags has a mouth tab portion between its two upwardly extending handles, which are at the sides of the mouth of the T-shirt bags. The mouth tab portion is located on the front and rear walls in the mouth region of the plastic bags. The mouth tab portion has an aperture for receiving a retaining projection of a bagging rack. Frangible pressure bonding is formed along the perimeter of the mouth tab aperture. Flapless handle apertures are also formed in the handles, with frangible pressure bonds formed along their perimeter edges. Due to the frangible bonding formed between adjacent bags, as a frontmost bag is removed from the pack of bags on the bagging rack, the next bag in the pack of bags will automatically self-open into a open position for loading with merchandise.

Abstract: Absorbent laminates include an oriented, fluid-pervious plastic substrate bonded to a nonwoven absorbent member. The nonwoven absorbent member includes bi-component fibers having a heat-softenable outer skin, said heat-softenable outer skin being heat-softenable at a temperature lower than the melting point and shrinking point of the oriented plastic substrate to provide a binder component for the laminate. A fluid-pervious plastic substrate can be adhered to one or both surfaces of the nonwoven absorbent member through bi-component fibers of the nonwoven absorbent member. In absorbent laminates including opposed fluid-pervious outer plastic substrates marginal edges of the laminate can be compression sealed through the bi-component fibers in the intermediate nonwoven absorbent member to seal the edges against the escape of fibers from the laminate. Methods of forming absorbent laminates of this invention also form a part of the present invention.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle heat shield is formed from a laminated sheet material having a thin reflective metallic layer laminated to a structural plastic layer. Mounting brackets are riveted to the laminated sheet material to mount the heat shield between a heat sensitive vehicle component and a heat source. The reflective metallic layer is perforated forming a plurality of prongs which are embedded into the plastic layer through a compression molding process to bond the two layers together forming the laminated sheet material.

Abstract: A tape joining device has a fixed bearing member 24 and a movable pressing member 46 arranged respectively at opposite sides of the portions of two tapes T to be joined, and a heater 88 for heating the pressing member 46. The pressing member 46 is attached to a movable body 44 for pressing the pressing member 46 against the bearing member 24 with the opposed tape portions positioned therebetween. The pressing member 46 is pivotally movable relative to the movable body 44 about an axis extending in parallel to the longitudinal direction of the tapes T.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a composite pad from stock made of a relatively thin, sheet-like first layer, a relatively thin, sheet-like second layer and a relatively thick layer of an elastic, cushioning material sandwiched between the two. The outer layers are made of material, such as heat sealable material, that forms a seal under predetermined conditions. The pad is manufactured by first forming a sealed perimeter from the stock using a sealing tool and then using the same tool to separate the pad from the adjacent stock while simultaneously orienting the seal away from the side of the pad which will contact the wearer of a brace into which the pad is fitted.

Abstract: A method for producing a three dimensional laminated decal composite having a predetermined configuration with top edges being curved or arcuate. The method includes providing a decal support for supporting a decal, and securing a decal to the decal support to produce a laminated decal composite. A thermal die is produced with a die base and at least one cutting ridge secured to the die base. The cutting ridge in vertical cross-section is essentially shaped as an isosceles triangle with a preferred height of about 0.09 inches. The laminated decal composite is die-cut with the cutting ridge of the thermal die having a cutting temperature, a cutting pressure and a cutting dwell time to produce a three dimensional laminated decal composite having a predetermined configuration. A three dimensional laminated decal composite produced in accordance with the method.

Abstract: An infinite heat sealing assembly preferably for heat sealing a thermoplastic heat-shrinkable plastic film, has a heat sealing assembly for cutting and sealing a seam in a film or layers of film without regard to the length of the seam. The heat sealing assembly includes a heated blade and a plurality of belt conveyors for conveying the film with a desired tracking through the assembly. An adjustable angle blade and slotted film support ramp result in improved sealing of heavier gauge films by increasing the dwell time of the film on the heated blade.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for the manufacture of narrow fabrics include manufacturing a wide fabric run with hollow fabric areas extending along predefined cutting lines, wherein each hollow fabric area is manufactured by providing a front fabric portion and a rear fabric portion, and wherein the edges of the front and rear fabric portions are connected to each other to form a hollow space. The fabric run is cut along the cutting lines such that the front and rear fabric portions are not connected to one another.

Abstract: A method for forming an item by partially fusing selected portions of two sheets together. A non-heat-sensitive barrier sheet is inserted between two heat-sensitive sheets. The sheets are stamped with a die to fuse portions of the heat-sensitive sheets together remote from the barrier sheet. The barrier sheet and waste heat-sensitive sheet material is removed to leave the item. The method has particular application to stamping envelopes from a clear flexible vinyl material in a single continuous stamping operation.