Abstract: An example disclosed sheet includes a first layer; a second layer; a first die cut in the second layer defining a first wristband section and a second wristband section separated by a fold line; a second die cut in the first layer defining an imaging area; and a third die cut in the second layer defining an aperture in the second wristband section; wherein the aperture is surrounded by an adhesive and the aperture has an aperture dimension, the aperture dimension is greater than an inner dimension of the communication device, and the aperture dimension is less than an outer dimension of the communication device.

Abstract: A detection system and method uses an implantable magnetic marker comprising at least one piece of a large Barkhausen jump material (LBJ). The marker is deployed to mark a tissue site in the body for subsequent surgery, and the magnetic detection system includes a handheld probe to excite the marker below the switching field for bistable switching of the marker causing a harmonic response to be generated in a sub-bistable mode that allows the marker to be detected and localised. The marker implanted may also be shorter than the critical length required to initiate bistable switching of the LBJ material.

Abstract: [Problems] To easily and efficiently manufacture a catalyst layer having high catalytic activity and to easily manufacture a fuel cell having high power generation efficiency. [Solution] An apparatus for forming a catalyst layer 3 for a fuel cell on an electrolyte film (application object) 2, the apparatus including: a holding portion 6 that holds a sheet-shaped electrolyte film 2, an application portion 7 that applies a catalyst ink 5 for forming the catalyst layer 3 on at least one side of the electrolyte film 2 held by the holding portion 6, a chamber portion 8 that is capable of forming a space 55 including the holding portion 6, and a suction portion 9 that depressurizes the inside of the space 55 formed by the chamber portion 8 so as to dry the catalyst ink 5.

Abstract: A component carrier includes a stack with at least one electrically insulating layer structure and/or at least one electrically conductive layer structure, and a component having one or more pads and at least one dielectric layer on at least one main surface of the component. The at least one dielectric layer does not extend beyond the main surface in a lateral direction. The dielectric layer at least partially covers one or more pads of the component. In addition, at least one electrically conductive contact extends through at least one opening in the dielectric layer up to at least one of the pads.

Abstract: A transferrable thin-film optical device and a head-mounted display are provided. A transferrable thin-film optical device comprises a thin-film layer providing at least one predetermined optical function. The thin-film layer is configured to be removably attached to a substrate, such that a molecular pattern for the at least one predetermined optical function of the thin-film layer is preserved post removal.

Abstract: A method of metallizing a surface of a structure, and in some embodiments a mirror produced by such method, by the steps of providing a composite support structure; providing a release liner including a metallic layer having a thickness between 1 and 5 microns on a surface thereof; situating the release liner against the surface of the composite support structure so that the metallic layer of the release liner is placed in direct, physical contact with the surface of the support structure; and removing the release liner so that the metallic layer remains attached to the surface of the support structure.

Abstract: A hand-held handle dispenser comprising: a main frame having a handle, an adhesive tape roll provided at a rear side of the main frame for delivering an adhesive tape, an application element provided at the front side of the main frame for applying the adhesive tape on a parcel and a cutting blade for cutting the adhesive tape, a cartridge for storing an insert strip roll and transport and affixing elements for conveying the insert strip from the cartridge to the application element and affixing it against the adhesive tape to form a handle.

Abstract: A method and associated system are provided for cutting and placing individual nose wires in a facemask production line. A continuous wire is supplied from a supply source to a cutting station in the facemask production line where the continuous wire is cut into individual nose wires having a defined length. A first web is conveyed to a vacuum conveyor, and the individual nose wires are deposited from the cutting station onto the vacuum conveyor such that the nose wires are drawn by vacuum against the first web at a defined spacing and orientation. With the vacuum conveyor, the first web and attached nose wires are conveyed to a folding station wherein the first web and nose wires are combined with a second web such that the nose wires are encapsulated between the first and second webs.

Abstract: A device for making tobacco pouches from a film includes a first folding station for receiving the film and providing a bottom fold in the film; a buffer station for buffering a length of film having the bottom fold; a second folding station for receiving the film having the bottom fold from the buffer station and providing a first fold; a second fold and a third fold in the film for defining the block-bottom, the first fold and third fold having a same fold direction and the second fold being located between the first and third fold and having a counter fold direction, where the first folding station is provided upstream of the buffer station and the second folding station is provided downstream from the buffer station.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a pants-type diaper comprises: a step (A) of conveying a first continuous sheet; a step (B) of laminating a plurality of continuous elastic bodies on an inner side of the first continuous sheet, laminating a second continuous sheet, and bonding at least a part of the continuous elastic bodies and the second continuous sheet; a step (C) of cutting a part of continuous elastic bodies from an outer side of the second continuous sheet or an outer side of the first continuous sheet; and a step (D) of disposing the absorbent body so as to arrange the absorber in a predetermined region. In the step (C), a part of the continuous elastic bodies that is not bonded to the first continuous sheet is cut in a region for forming the pants-type diaper, the region other than a predetermined region for arranging the absorber.

Abstract: A corrugated paperboard sheet manufacturing apparatus (1) comprises a single facer (8) for preparing a single-faced corrugated paperboard sheet (6), a double facer (12) for preparing a double-faced corrugated paperboard sheet (12), a slitter-scorer (17) for performing a scoring and a slitting of the double-faced corrugated paperboard sheet (10), a cutter (20) for cutting the double-faced corrugated paperboard sheet (10) after the scoring and slitting, and a printer (18) for printing individual identification information on the double-faced corrugated paperboard sheet, in a non-contact state. The printer (18) is disposed on a conveyance line of the corrugated paperboard sheet manufacturing apparatus (1) at a position on a downstream side of the double facer (12).

Abstract: A wiring harness includes an electric wire having a conductor part and an insulator, the insulator covering an outer periphery of the conductor part and containing a plasticizer, and a coaxial wire having an internal conductor, an internal insulator, an external conductor, and a sheath, the internal insulator provided on an outer periphery of the internal conductor, the external conductor provided on an outer periphery of the internal insulator, and the sheath covering an outer periphery of the external conductor. The coaxial wire is arranged adjacent to the electric wire. The coaxial wire comprises a film layer which is provided between the internal insulator and the external conductor and which prevents transfer of the plasticizer. A contact force between the internal insulator and the film layer is 1N or more.

Abstract: A touch panel is provided. The touch panel includes a substrate, a jumper metal, a first insulation layer, first and second conductive patterns, first and second metal electrodes, and a second insulation layer. The jumper metal is formed on the substrate. The first insulation layer includes an opening and is formed on the jumper metal. The first and second conductive patterns are formed on the first insulation layer. The first and second metal electrodes are respectively connected to end portions of the first and second conductive patterns. The second insulation layer is formed on the first and second conductive patterns and the first and second metal electrodes. One of the first and second conductive patterns is connected by the jumper metal exposed through the opening of the first insulation layer.

Abstract: The formation of metal traces in the border areas of a touch sensor panel to provide improved reliability, better noise rejection, and lower manufacturing costs is disclosed. The metal traces can be coupled to rows on the touch sensor panel in an interleaved manner, so that any two successive rows can be coupled to metal traces in border areas on opposite sides of the touch sensor panel. In addition, by utilizing the full width available in the border areas in some embodiments, the metal traces can be formed from higher resistivity metal, which can reduce manufacturing costs and improve trace reliability. The wider traces can also provide better noise immunity from noise sources such as an LCD by providing a larger fixed-potential surface area and by more effectively coupling the drive lines to the fixed potential.

Abstract: A touch panel is provided. The touch panel includes a first conductive pattern, a first insulation layer, a second conductive pattern, a first metal electrode, a second metal electrode, and a second insulation layer. The first conductive pattern is formed on a transparent substrate. The first insulation layer is formed on the first conductive pattern. The second conductive pattern is formed on the first insulation layer. The first metal electrode is connected to one end of the first conductive pattern. The second metal electrode is connected to one end of the second conductive pattern. The second insulation layer is formed on the second conductive pattern, the first metal electrode or the second metal electrode.

Abstract: The invention provides masking machines for applying masking to glazing panels. Also provided are methods of applying masking to glazing panels.

Abstract: Provided is an adhesive fabric paper that is used in color printers for personal computers, printing machines for indoor and outdoor advertisement, wide format printers, plotters, and so on to print colored images. In the invention, the rear side of the fabric is not subjected to gray coating and white coating, and the front side of the fabric is coated with a coating solution containing at least one fixation-strengthening agent selected from among titanium dioxide, silicon oil, silicon dioxide, polyoxyethylene sorbitan trioleate, and polyvinyl alcohol. The adhesive fabric paper shows the same functions as those of the rear side coating layer and can be manufactured by a simpler process at reduced costs.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a liner/composite web for use in an absorbent article includes joining a leg elastic member to a web moving in a machine direction and joining a flap elastic member to the web. The flap elastic member is spaced from the leg elastic member. The web is folded to form a leg and flap elastics composite including an outer side edge. The web is joined to a substrate to form the liner/composite web. The liner/composite web is joined to a web of material such that the outer side edge of the leg and flap elastics composite is coterminous with one of a pair of laterally opposing side edges of the web of material.

Abstract: A process is provided for making stiff, lightweight laminate materials. At least one sheet of textured lamina having raised pointed structures is forced against a softer plain lamina so as to embed the structures therein. The pointed structures raised from grooves carved into the surface of the sheet material by means of a set of teeth carried on a knife element. The pointed structures may pierce through the softer lamina such that the protruding tips may be bent over or clinched to prevent their easy withdrawal. Two such texturized lamina may be used to sandwich and pierce through the softer lamina and are co-clinched by the other. In this way a light and stiff laminate is created.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an instructional booklet that folds away from a substrate. A multi-up book is provide having two or more booklets and a waste zone that share a common spine. The waste zone is adhered to a substrate that is larger than the booklets. An overlaminate is applied to secure the multi-up book to the substrate. The area between the booklets and the substrate is devoid of adhesive. Subsequently, the waste zone is die cut and removed along with the overlaminate and substrate leaving completed labels with booklets. The substrate can be adhered to a container without interference from the booklet. The booklet is held closed against the label by the overlaminate which extends beyond the substrate and booklet to adhere directly to the container.

Abstract: Labels having identification tags and tamper evident pattern release layers and methods of producing such labels are disclosed. An example method includes moving a first substrate in a direction. The first substrate has a first side opposite a second side. The first side has a first adhesive and a pattern release layer. The method also includes coupling a third side of a tag to the first side of the first substrate. The tag includes the third side and a fourth side opposite the third side. The method also includes mating transfer tape of a second substrate over the first side and the fourth side. The second substrate includes a liner layer and the transfer tape. The transfer tape is to be positioned immediately adjacent the tag.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a leg and flap elastics composite for use in an absorbent article includes joining a leg elastic member to a web moving in a machine direction. A flap elastic member is joined to the web and spaced from the leg elastic member. The web is fed to a chopper assembly wherein portions of the leg and flap elastic members are rendered less elastic at spaced-apart intervals to define deadened portions of the leg and flap elastic members.

Abstract: In the tape attaching method of cutting a tape member into conductive tape pieces and attaching the conductive tape pieces onto a plurality of attachment regions which are formed at a side edge part of a board, an attaching step in which the conductive tape pieces is attached onto the attachment region of a first press position, and a moving step, in which by driving a tape sending mechanism to perform the operation of sending the tape member while a press bonding head and a peeling unit are integrally moved relative to the board, the press bonding head is aligned with the attachment region of a second press position, and a separator is peeled from the tape member attached onto the first press position by the peeling unit during the relative movement, are repeated.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for manufacturing absorbent articles, and in particular, methods for making pre-fastened refastenable pant diapers. Aspects of the methods according to the present disclosure relate to the fabrication of refastenable pant diapers wherein discrete chassis are advanced in a machine direction such that the lateral axis is parallel with the machine direction. First side panels are then refastenably connected with the first waist region, and second side panels are permanently connected the second waist regions of the discrete chassis. The chassis are connected with discrete lengths of side panel material and/or connection zone material. The chassis are then folded, and the first and second side panels are subsequently bonded together. The article is then subjected to knife cut at or adjacent the bonded regions to create discrete, pre-fastened refastenable pant diapers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to films with reinforced borders and edges which have a lower risk of the edges tearing during processing, to a method for producing such films, to a device for producing such films and to the use of such films.

Abstract: The system and method for manufacturing the composite candle wick includes a mechanism for feeding the cotton wick and wood wick at substantially the same speeds. The wood wick is heated in order to cause a melting of a wax coating around the cotton wick and pressure is applied to the wick materials through a compression wheel and drive belt which carries the wick materials. Once the pressure is applied to form the composite wick the wicks are then sent through a cutting tube where a cutting blade will cut the wick to its desired length.

Abstract: A hard laminate sheet with flexible hinge for binding into a security document is provided. Hard synthetic material layers are overlaid, sandwiching a flexible material layer having a hinge portion configured for separation from the hard synthetic material layers, and an affixing portion configured to become affixed to the hard synthetic material layers, upon lamination of the overlaid layers. The overlaid layers are laminated to form a laminate sheet having an embedded hinge affixed to the hard synthetic material layers. Score cuttings are made along a score line coinciding with an inner hinge edge on a hinge side which is then flexed until the hard synthetic material layers break along the inner hinge edge. Residual laminate layers are separated from the hinge side to expose the hinge portion of the flexible material.

Abstract: A seal formed of laminated films adhered to a peel strip. The seal includes a target area free of adhesive, and adhesive surrounding the target area. The seal is formed so that the target area is visually distinguished from the surrounding adhesive to facilitate placement of the seal on a medical container by a user. The use of a colored adhesive, reflectivity of the adhesive, a colored laminate, or a colored target background can be utilized to make the target area visually different from the surrounding adhesive.

Abstract: A pledget for a tampon having improved leakage prevention of bodily fluid after the tampon is inserted in the vagina. A method of manufacturing the pledget can include a step of bringing a contact member into communication with a fibrous material. The method can include a step of compressing the fibrous material into a pledget for a tampon.

Abstract: An automated manufacturing method of balloons and sheet based articles includes layering a second sheet over a first sheet, the layered first and second sheets form a first layer section. The first layer section is moved relative to a cutting and joining assembly. The first layer section is cut and joined into article sections with the cutting and joining assembly. Cutting and joining includes scribing the cutting and joining assembly along a scribing line across the moving first layer section, and joining the first article portions of the first and second sheets along the scribing line with the cutting and joining assembly to form a first plurality of article sections. Cutting and joining further includes cutting the first layer section according to scribing and moving along the scribing line, each of the first and second sheets cut into the first article portions facing each other.

Abstract: A pant-type absorbent article including a first body panel having a body facing side and a garment facing side and a second body panel having a body facing side and a garment facing side, the body facing sides of first and second body panels are held together in a face-to-face relationship along lateral edges to form side connections. The article further including a first fastening member hingedly attached to or near a lateral edge of the body facing side of the first body panel and having a portion which is unattached to said first body panel, said portion is refastenably attached to a complementary second fastening member provided on the body facing side of the second body panel. A recess forming a finger grip may be provided in the lateral edge of the first body panel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a label for marking items comprising a carrier material with a top side and a bottom side. The carrier material is printable at least on the top side. Adhesive layers are provided on the bottom side and the top side, wherein at least the adhesive layer provided on the top side can be activated for example by heat.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of manufacturing a body adhering absorbent article oriented in the machine direction wherein the body adhering absorbent articles have reduced or eliminated curl. The articles are manufactured with reduced curl by selectively reducing or eliminating the shell elastic tension in regions where components of the body adhering absorbent article are to be attached to form the composite absorbent article web. In certain aspects the body adhering absorbent articles are manufactured by supplying an elastic web of shell material having a longitudinal and transverse direction, stretching the web of shell material in the longitudinal direction, deadening at least one region of the stretched web of shell material, attaching at least one absorbent article component to at least a portion of the longitudinal deadened zone to form a composite web material, and cutting the composite web material to form a body adhering absorbent article.

Abstract: An adhesive is independently ejected from a plurality of ejecting sections to an outer layer nonwoven fabric continuum conveyed in a conveyance direction. At this time, the adhesive is ejected to three partial regions, of an opening portion formation region in which an opening portion is formed, which are divided by two straight lines passing an inside of the opening portion formation region from the ejecting sections corresponding to the partial regions. Further, when ejection of the adhesive from the ejecting section is stopped, an adhesive non-application region is formed in the inner partial region held between the outermost two partial regions of the three partial regions.

Abstract: A method comprising the steps of: carrying a continuous sheet W1 which is an external sheet 3 being continuous in the longitudinal direction X perpendicular to the girth direction Y; carrying a continuous laminate W2 which is an absorbent body 2 being continuous in the longitudinal direction X perpendicular to the girth direction Y; cutting off a tip portion of the continuous laminate W2 in the carrying direction X1 to obtain absorbent bodies 2 one after another; separating the cut-off absorbent bodies 2 from each other in the longitudinal direction X of the absorbent bodies; placing the absorbent bodies 2 in a detatchable manner and intermittently on the continuous sheet W1; and severing the continuous sheet W1 between the absorbent bodies 2, thereby obtaining individual worn articles 1 each having the absorbent body 2 placed on the external sheet 3.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a tampon includes transporting a web of material in a machine direction. The web of material has a base web and an absorbent web. The absorbent web has a free end and a bonded end wherein the bonded end is bonded to the base web. At least the free end of the absorbent web of the web to is controlled to inhibit movement of the absorbent web relative to the base web. The web of material is cut into discrete web segments while controlling at least the free end of the absorbent web. The discrete web segments is bonded to a substrate.

Abstract: A process of manufacturing a cardboard building construction material, said cardboard building construction material comprising a plurality of glued cardboard plies, wherein the cardboard plies are rolled on a drum (122) into a roll (114) and wherein glue (134) is circumferentially applied in spaced apart strips (238) thereby defining a non-glued region between the strips, in which region a cutter (246) cuts the cardboard plies from an outer diameter toward an inner diameter of the roll (114).

Abstract: Pultrusion methods and apparatus for manufacturing a profiled preform or FRP-component with cross-sectional segments that extend angularly to one another from a plurality of semifinished products in a quasi-continuous process, where: at least one multilayer semifinished product arrangement [of a multilayer semifinished product arrangement] is dispensed from a dispenser unit in order to manufacture the preform, with the multilayer semifinished product arrangement dispensed from the dispenser unit being fed to the forming device and including a combination of several webs of semifinished reinforcement fiber layers and at least one resin film; the semifinished product arrangement is guided through a forming device and at least one cross-sectional segment of the semifinished product arrangement is angled in order to form an angle profile, with the semifinished product arrangement being compressed in a pressing device, optionally after a hardening process, and with a longitudinal section of the preform or the comp

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a flexible, impact-resistant material (1) comprises the steps of providing a sheet of a closed-cell foam material (20) and cutting the sheet (20) into a plurality of spaced elements (2). These elements (2) are substantially separated except for connecting portions (7) that connect the elements to neighboring elements such that the elements (2) are joined to define a lattice (6). A first flexible substrate (3; 25) is bonded to one face of the lattice. The connecting portions (7) that connect the elements (2) to neighboring elements are then removed, either with or without removing those portions of the substrate (3) bonded to the connecting portions (7), for example by punching, cutting or laser ablation. A second flexible substrate (27) may be bonded to the opposite face of the lattice either before or after removal of the connecting portions.

Abstract: The invention entails the method and process to manufacture air spacers in a radiant reflective insulating, air and moisture vapor venting assembly. An adhesive mixture usually made up of ground wood, various types of binder resins such as formaldehyde based resins, and possibly other materials. The adhesive mixture is applied on various protective layers such as panels, which might be oriented strand board (OSB), plywood or even metal panels, or may be applied to more flexible protective layers such as synthetic style underlayment rolled material. The adhesive mixture is applied on the protective layer as parallel spaced lines approximately 1¼ to 1?th inches apart, about ? to 1 inch high and 1/16 to ?th inch wide. Forming guides may be used to help form the adhesive mixture air spacer lines. Radiant reflective material is then adhered to the top edges of the mixture lines.

Abstract: A process for production of a multilayer film that comprises a step in which an adhesive layer formed on a temporary base is situated along the lengthwise direction of the temporary base at a prescribed spacing and cut in such a manner that the plurality of sections which are to serve as adhesive films are partitioned from the other sections, and a step in which the adhesive films on the temporary base are moved onto a support film at a prescribed spacing along the lengthwise direction of the support film. The spacing between the adjacent adhesive films on the temporary base is different from the spacing between the adjacent adhesive films on the support film.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an absorbent article includes joining, one longitudinal end portion of a main absorbent body base material to a back-side band base material and another longitudinal end portion of the absorbent body base material to the abdominal-side band base material, folding the main absorbent body base material and overlapping the back-side band base material with the abdominal-side band base material, temporarily joining the overlapped back-side band base material and abdominal-side band base material cutting the temporarily joined back-side band base material and abdominal-side band base material and forming a back-side band base material piece and an abdominal-side band base material piece, and transporting the back-side band base material piece, the abdominal-side band base material piece and the main absorbent body base material in a transport direction with the back-side band base material piece and the abdominal-side band base material piece in a temporarily joined state.

Abstract: A method of continuously producing an opened fiber bundle for a cleaning member while conveying a fiber bundle, includes the steps of applying a tensile force to the fiber bundle; relaxing the tensioned fiber bundle to open the fiber bundle; and blowing air in a direction intersecting with the machine direction of the belt-shaped fiber bundle through an air outlet of an air feeder, to further open the belt-shaped fiber bundle and widen the belt-shaped fiber bundle in the width direction. An outer portion in the width direction of the air outlet is disposed downstream in the machine direction, compared with an inner portion in the width direction of the air outlet.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of manufacturing a body adhering absorbent article oriented in the machine direction wherein the body adhering absorbent articles have reduced or eliminated curl. The articles are manufactured with reduced curl by selectively reducing or eliminating the shell elastic tension in regions where components of the body adhering absorbent article are to be attached to form the composite absorbent article web. In certain aspects the body adhering absorbent articles are manufactured by supplying an elastic web of shell material having a longitudinal and transverse direction, stretching the web of shell material in the longitudinal direction, deadening at least one region of the stretched web of shell material, attaching at least one absorbent article component to at least a portion of the longitudinal deadened zone to form a composite web material, and cutting the composite web material to form a body adhering absorbent article.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of making disposable absorbent garments includes providing an outer cover web having front and back waist edges; attaching elastomeric front and back body panel webs to the outer cover web. The front and back body panel webs comprise an elastomeric film laminate. Portions of the outer cover web are removed to define a series of spaced apart holes. The elastomeric front body panel web defines a front body panel web width that extends at least 50% of a shortest distance extending from the front waist edge to each hole, and the elastomeric back body panel web defines a back body panel width that extends at least 50% of a shortest distance extending from the back waist edge to each hole.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display element, includes: providing a long sheet material including a laminate of an optical film containing a polarizer, a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, and a carrier film temporarily bonded to the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer; cutting the long sheet material at predetermined intervals, while maintaining the continuity of the carrier film; peeling off the carrier film by a tensile force; and continuously bonding the resulting optical film pieces to liquid crystal panels, respectively, through the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer exposed by the peeling off, while feeding the resulting optical film pieces, wherein the cutting is performed to such a depth as to substantially reach the carrier film, and the carrier film is cut to a depth less than half of the thickness of the carrier film at least both end portions in the width direction of the carrier film.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for manufacturing an optical display device including an optical display unit and an optical film that includes a polarizing plate and is bonded to the optical display unit.

Abstract: A continuous process for making a multi-panel sterilization assembly, the process including the steps of: providing a moving, continuous base web; providing a plurality of subassemblies; applying the subassemblies in position on the moving, continuous base web to define repeating portions that incorporate the subassemblies and alternating portions that lack such subassemblies; providing side tabs; applying the side tabs in position on the moving, continuous base web with respect to at least one edge of the portions that incorporate the subassemblies; attaching the subassemblies and the side tabs to the moving, continuous base web to form a continuous work-piece; and separating the continuous work-piece into individual multi-panel sterilization assemblies, each multi-panel sterilization assembly comprising a barrier panel, a fold protection panel and at least one side tab.

Abstract: Absorbent sanitary articles (2), such as nappies or incontinence pads with an elongated central body (2a) and at least one pair of closure tabs (5), are manufactured on a machine (1) by which the tabs (5) are directed in pairs from a feed unit (13) onto a transport line (6) carrying the articles (2) toward a sealing station. The feed unit (13) operates by making skew cross-cuts (16) in a continuous strip (15) of material, so as to generate a succession of tab elements (5) appearing trapezoidal in outline; the tab elements (5) are then distanced one from another in alternation along a direction (D3) transverse to their feed direction (D2) through the machine, so as to obtain two single columns (23) which are taken up by a roller (27) and aligned one with another so that the single tab elements (5) are ordered into a succession of transversely aligned pairs. The alignment roller (27) rotates tangentially to the transport line (6) and is timed to place one pair of tab elements (5) on each advancing article (2).

Abstract: A flexible material includes a plurality of separate resilient elements joined to a flexible, resiliently stretchable substrate. Such a material is suitable for providing protective war for human and animal bodies. Preferably, the elements includes a foam material such as a closed cell polyethylene foam and the substrate includes a knitted fabric. In an advantageous embodiment, a second flexible substrate is bonded over the elements to sandwich them between the two layers of substrate.