Abstract: A system for producing three dimensional components by bonding together successive layers of a porous material with droplets of a binder material. A binder printhead has an array of nozzles which controllably supply jets of binder material droplets to the layers of porous material. The printhead is scanned in a raster scan fashion over each layer of porous material along a first scan axis in one direction to provide first fast scanning paths of droplets. The printhead is then moved laterally of such one direction and is then moved along the fast-scan axis in the opposite direction to provide second fast scanning paths of droplets which are interlaced with the first scanning paths. The supply of the droplets to the porous material can be controlled so as to control the overlapping thereof to produce various desired surface and interior characteristics of the components.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying adhesive and a protective release paper to successive elongate wooden flooring strips having a top decorative side, and a bottom adhesive side for being adhered to a supporting subfloor. The apparatus includes an infeed conveyor for receiving successive wooden flooring strips top side-up from an upstream processing station in parallel lengthwise alignment to each other and moving the flooring strips in a direction of movement perpendicular to the length of the flooring strips. An accumulator equally spaces the flooring strips apart on the infeed conveyor. An inverter receives successive flooring strips from the infeed conveyor and inverts the flooring strips from top decorative side-up to bottom adhesive side-up. An applicator conveyor receives the inverted flooring strips from the inverter and moves the flooring strips end-to-end in a direction of movement parallel to the length of the flooring strips.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a loading section for guiding wiring boards into the apparatus, a printing section equipped with a mask for printing a conductive material onto each of the wiring boards, a position detecting device for detecting a position of the wiring board held by the holding device, an alignment section for positionally correcting the mask or wiring board held by the holding device on the basis of an output signal from the position detecting device, and a transfer device having holding device for holding the wiring boards and turning to transfer the holding device and stop the holding device at the loading, printing, and alignment sections at the same time so that loading, printing, and alignment operations are simultaneously performed.

Abstract: A continuous web of a preprinted heat shrinkable film with a heat sensitive adhesive on one surface thereof is wound around an outer periphery of a core member in such a manner as to overlap opposite longitudinal edges of the film to one another and form a continuous tubular label with the heat sensitive adhesive applied surface inwardly facing. A predetermined length of the continuous tubular label is cut into individual tubular labels, as the continuous tubular label is drawn downstream. The individual tubular label is applied over a container having a portion of a gradually decreasing cross section, from a portion of a smaller cross section of the container. The individual tubular label applied over the container is heated. Thereby, the individual tublar label is shrinked into intimate contact with the container with its portion of a larger cross section being bonded to the individual tubular label via the heat sensitive adhesive applied to the inwardly facing surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling innerspring constructions from rows or strings of pocketed coil springs comprises a generally planar support surface with a pressure plate mounted parallel to and above the support surface. The apparatus includes a bonding material applicator for applying bonding material to a first row of pocketed coil springs retained by the pressure plate. A pusher bar assembly is provided for pushing a second row of coil springs into intimate contact with the first row whereupon the two rows become bonded. The pusher bar assembly includes a pusher fixture having two opposed sides, each with differently spaced dividers for receiving rows of springs having differing diameters. The pusher fixture is manually rotatable to employ a desired set of dividers depending on the size of the coils being assembled.

Abstract: A pumping apparatus is provided for dispensing fluid material which comprises a fluid material supply container and a pump for conducting the fluid material from the container to a dispensing head. A controller receives data from a sensor in the container which identifies fluid material type. A pressure sensor in the dispensing head is used by the controller to continuously monitor fluid pressure and to control the flow rate by adjusting the application of current to electromagnetic coils which rotate an impeller in the pump. A timing device is used by the controller to measure the fluid flow rate. The controller adjusts the flow rate to a preprogrammed rate corresponding to the fluid material type by changing the position of pressure plates with respect to the impeller. A dispensing head is provided for applying joint compound to a wallboard joint.

Abstract: A coating apparatus for coating liquid-form material to be solidified as an elastomer on a coated member in order to form a seal member for preventing toner leakage, includes an injection member for injecting the liquid-form material on the coated member, a holder for holding the coated member, a driver for causing relative movement between the injection member and the holder, and a controller for controlling the driver to change the relative movement between the injection member and the holder.

Abstract: There is provided a process which comprises the step of subjecting a just produced spunbond web to a high flow rate, heated stream of air across substantially the width of the web to very lightly bond the fibers of the web together. Such bonding should be the minimum necessary in order to satisfy the needs of further processing yet not detrimentally affect the web. The fibers of the web may be monocomponent or biconstituent and the web should be substantially free of adhesives and not subjected to compaction rolls.

Abstract: A device for controlling the production quality of a press, which manufactures package blanks from a sheet of material by transferring the sheet of materials, such as paperboard or corrugated board, chronologically through an infeed station, a die-cutting station, a waste-stripping station and a delivery station, has an arrangement for controlling the printing and blanking quality which includes a camera scanning the color register marks and a register mark for the positioning of the blanking of the sheet. The camera is located at the outlet of the die-cutting station so that it can scan the marks applied on the lower side of the sheet. The device includes a marking device, which is driven by the arrangement for controlling the printing and blanking quality, to mark a defective sheet and is positioned in the delivery station of the press.

Abstract: A method of forming a continuous structure includes the steps of flowing a first liquid reactive resin forming material over a base surface, forming a first thin substantially uniform layer thereof and gelling the first layer. A second liquid resin forming material is flowed through an orifice under pressure forming a liquid stream thereof. The liquid stream is gelled to form a continuous filament with structural integrity as it advances toward the first gelled layer. The filament is contacted with the first layer and distributed thereover in a preselected pattern forming a porous non-woven filament blanket. A particulate solid material is distributed substantially uniformly over the filament blanket. A third liquid resin forming material is flowed over the blanket forming a second thin substantially uniform layer of the third liquid resin forming material and the layer is gelled.

Abstract: The disclosed apparatus implements a method of joining two sheets of heat transfer paper into a single sheet almost twice as wide for use in heat transfer printing of extra wide cloth. The paper is withdrawn from source rolls and passed along first and second respective web paths with a very slight overlap between the papers. A glue station applies a speed controlled amount of glue to the overlap region of one paper and the edges of the paper are brought together in the desired overlapping relationship. The thus joined paper is passed through compression rollers and wound onto a resilient rewind roll. Edge sensors in each of the web paths maintain the overlap alignment of the paper paths and tension sensors in each of the paths maintain a desired level of tension. A video camera imaging system provides the operator with periodic video images of a magnified region of the overlap so that proper registration between the patterns on the respective papers can be maintained.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying polymer to metal pipe during the pipe forming process has a pump for pumping the polymer, a first extruder die receiving polymer from the pump and configured to apply polymer to metal pipe as the metal pipe is being formed from metal stock, and a second extruder die for forming pipe couplers. A valve effects diversion of the polymer from the first extruder die to the second extruder die when a stoppage of the pipe forming process occurs.

Abstract: A system for detecting the presence of an object, it shape, length, size, etc., and if a heating material such as a hot melt adhesive applied to the object is applied to given places, or in the proper amount is accomplished by an infrared detection system which is not influenced by external disturbances. A radiant energy detection sensor is placed opposite a radiant energy source, and an object is moved between the radiant energy source and radiant energy detection sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided according to the present invention for applying a glue bead to a round and non-round container to seal a fitment therein. The container includes a side wall formed about a longitudinal axis and having a closed end and an open end. The apparatus includes a base for holding the container in a fitment applying position and a hot melt glue gun for applying a layer of glue about an interior perimeter of the container to form an adhesion region. The adhesion region extends about the interior of the side walls immediately adjacent the open end thereof. The glue gun is suspended from a rotary bearing assembly which drives the gun about a longitudinal axis of the container as glue is sprayed thereon. A drive pulley, connected to the gun, is remotely driven via a belt and shaft arrangement by an electric motor.

Abstract: A cured rubber tire has adhered thereto a layer of heated and mixed, productive urethane composition fluid sidewall material which has been flowed from a nozzle into a groove in the sidewall of a shaped tire. The tire is rotated under the nozzle a distance equal to the circumferential length of the groove so that the ends of the layer may be joined after which the flow of productive urethane composition sidewall material is terminated.

Abstract: In the production of cigarette packs, glue assemblies (14) having glue nozzles (15) are increasingly used in order to provide with glue pack folding tabs to be adhesively bonded to one another. The glue assemblies (14) or glue nozzles (15) require careful maintenance. For this purpose, the packaging machine is equipped with a maintenance station (16) which allows the necessary manipulations on the glue assemblies (14) in a position convenient for tending purposes. The maintenance station (16) or a holding device (17) is designed in such a way that glue assemblies (14) can be positioned alternatively in a testing position and in a cleaning position.

Abstract: A book binding process and apparatus are shown wherein polyurethane adhesive (PUR) attaches a crepe portion of a book binding to a book block and hot glue attaches the crepe portion to the book cover. The PUR delivery system includes an inclined trough positioned adjacent a polyurethane adhesive delivery roll. A polyurethane adhesive source delivers polyurethane adhesive upon the inclined surface of the trough and the polyurethane adhesive is metered onto the roller as a function of the separation of the leading edge of the trough and the roller.

Abstract: A device to limit the glue width on a glue applying roll of a gluing station for applying glue on a sheet of material characterized by the glue applying roll dipping into a container of glue, a doctor blade engaging a surface of the glue applying roll to remove glue, said doctor blade being mounted by an arrangement which moves the blade laterally along the axis of the roll in response to the detected position of the web so that as the web shifts laterally, the edges of the glue film are simultaneously shifted. Preferably, the apparatus includes a second blade which is larger than each doctor blade which has an edge positioned spaced from the surface of the glue applying roll to reduce the size of the film in the area of the doctor blade.

Abstract: A self-mailer machine for producing self-adhered mailers from single sheets has improved vacuum feed for high operating speed and larger batch loading than has been previously available. The machine also has an improved glue reservoir system wherein glue is provided in sealed containers to be punctured at the time of loading the glue to the reservoir. Optional features are a forms compactor to keep glued forms together until glue sets, and a rotator/perforator for rotating forms at high speed to perforate lines at a right angle to previously perforated lines.

Abstract: The process relates to the production of a product consisting of a substrate to which an adhesive with long-term effect and a protective band are attached to permit use of the adhesive to be deferred. The process is characterized by the use of a substrate whose surface to which the adhesive is attached may present irregularities. The adhesive is heated to a temperature at which is becomes paste-like and almost liquid, and is brought to an opening situated above a plane surface on which the substrate has been placed. The adhesive is then caused to flow simultaneously with a relative movement between the substrate and the opening. This results in the adhesive being deposited on the substrate as a strand that is preferably continuous. The temperature of the adhesive is then lowered in order to increase its viscosity until it becomes paste-like to the point of turning solid.

Abstract: An apparatus for drawing a pattern of a photoresist on a substrate has a nozzle for discharging the paste and a substrate-supporting table movable along the X and Y-axes relative to the paste drawing opening of the nozzle. The nozzle is fixed to a Z-axis table which carries an optical displacement meter which measures the clearance between the substrate and the paste discharging opening. According to the results of the measurements, the Z-axis table is moved toward and away from the substrate so that the clearance is maintained at a desired distance. The optical displacement meter has a measuring point on the substrate. The measuring point is positioned so as not to interfere with the paste line which is drawn on the substrate with paste discharged from the nozzle.

Abstract: A system for installing an elongated hollow handgrip over an elongated end portion of a golf club shaft is operable to apply a liquid adhesive to an interior surface portion of the hollow handgrip so as to produce a coating of adhesive thereon and then to apply the hollow handgrip with the adhesive coating applied on the interior surface portion thereof over the end portion of the golf club shaft. The liquid adhesive is applied by use of a probe capable of receiving the hollow handgrip over the probe. The probe has an elongated central passageway with an inlet for receiving a flow of liquid adhesive and an outlet for dispensing the liquid adhesive from the probe. Also, the probe has an annular groove in an exterior surface portion communicating with the passageway outlet for receiving liquid adhesive from the outlet and wiping the liquid adhesive onto the interior surface portion of the handgrip as it is being moved past the annular groove to removed from the handgrip from the probe.

Abstract: A countertop finishing apparatus includes a base for supporting the countertop. A press is arranged to press an end piece against an end of the countertop. A trimming head is provided with an automatic positioner for automatically moving the trimming head relative to the base to cut the end piece of the countertop to a desired size.

Abstract: A hot melt adhesive polymer is applied to a diaper backsheet by an aligned series of meltblowing units which are selectively operable to apply the coating in the desired geometry on the diaper backsheet.

Abstract: A slot die for producing a fibrous web of adhesive material includes a segmented shim having a plurality of fingers in said slat dividing adhesive material into a plurality of adhesive streams. The fingers have tapered ends which are flush with or extend slightly beyond the slot nozzle outlet. Separate material streams emanate from the slot nozzle outlet where they merge and are engaged by air flow producing a fibrous web of adhesive material. The adhesive and air flow are started and stopped at intervals to produce discrete fibrous webs having square, sharp leading and trailing edges.

Abstract: In-line application of liquid adhesive to an optical fiber (10) while it is being wound onto a drum (14) is accomplished by a tube (58) interconnected with a pressurized adhesive source of supply (70). An end (60) of the tube provides adhesive in a beadlike strip which wets the drum or underlying winding layer just under the fiber lower surface before it is laid down onto the drum.

Abstract: A dispenser unit is provided on one side of a conveying rail and a wafer is provided on the other side of the conveying rail. A tube is attached at one end to the dispensing unit and at the other end to a syringe. First and second shafts are attached at their base ends to the dispensing unit. A satellite roller and movable roller are mounted on the forward ends of the first and second shafts. The satellite roller and movable roller are mounted such that they are rotatable. A movable mechanism is mounted on the dispensing unit to move a semiconductor element from a wafer onto a lead frame. The movable roller is moved to coat a bonding agent on a rear surface of the semiconductor element.

Abstract: A light weight extruder (20) is suitable for high production, in-line extrusion of flowable materials with high precision in the placement and control of the extruded material. The extruder uses a high torque hydraulic motor (72) to drive a feed screw (88) in dispensing highly viscous but flowable material through an extrusion die (126) of preselected configuration. A plurality of heating bands (114-118) surrounding the barrel (86) of the extruder provide precise control over the material temperature at the point of extrusion. In an alternate embodiment, an injection nozzle (120a) is provided with a plurality of independently controllable extrusion dies (128, 130, 132). The extruder is sufficiently light and manipulable such that it can be mounted on the end of the arm of a robot (122).

Abstract: Photopolymer platemaking apparatus comprises a tilting bucket assembly comprising a tilting bucket having a lip, a substantially vertical wall associated with the tilting bucket, and positioning means for maintaining the lip in contact with a substantially vertical wall during tilting of the tilting bucket from an upright position to a pre-pouring position, and for separating the lip from the substantially vertical wall as the tilting bucket tilts from the pre-pouring position to a pouring position. Preferably, the positioning means additionally moves the tilting bucket from the pouring position to the post-pouring position, and from the post-pouring position to the upright position, and maintains the lip in contact with the substantially vertical wall during movement of the tilting bucket from the post-pouring position to the upright position.

Abstract: A die paste transfer system wherein a first layer of bonding paste is transfer to a surface of the die as the die moves through the paste station in a controlled manner. The control for the transport controls orientation which the die passes through the paste station and the orientation of the die at the bonding site. The height of the die is varied as it passes through a second layer of paste. The speed at which the die and the second layer of bonding paste move well to each other is also adjusted to produce the desired thickness of the first layer on the die. Shear is produced in the second layer to affect transfer of the bonding paste from the reservoir to the die. For larger dies, the die may enter and leave the paste more than once to produce individual plateaus spaced from the edge of the die.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling a fiberglass reinforced grating from preformed bearing bars and cross bars includes an elongated open frame table having a plurality of rollers in side-by-side fashion with their axes transverse to the longitudinal axis of the table and supporting a set of upwardly upright transversely spaced bearing bars on the peripheries of the rollers. A loading rack formed of vertically upright transversely spaced spacing and alignment pins controls the lateral spacing of the bearing bars. A raisable stop upstream of a grooving station aligns the ends of the bearing bars. A vertically shiftable hold press hold down bar operates alternately with a vertically shiftable car press hold down bar and the car press is incremented which frictionally presses the bearing bars against the tabletop rollers to increment the set of bearing bars upon release of the hold press hold down bar.

Abstract: To prepare an initial portion (41) on a replacement roll (4) of a substrate web, for example a printing paper web, for flying pasting, the new roll (4) is rotatably supported in apredetermined position. An adhesive application and cutter structure (5) is then placed in operative association with the roll. An initial portion (41) of the web is rolled off from the new roll, positioned on the support plate, and, in one operating step, an end, which may be jagged, is cut off and, inwardly of the cut edge (42), a perforating or tear-off line (43) is formed, to leave, between the cut edge and the tear-off line, a tear-off section (44). The web can then be repositioned on the plate (6) and a connecting adhesive (19) is applied to the upper side of the web, for subsequent flying pasting against a moving expiring web, for example, as well as a holding adhesive, applied in the inside of the tear-off section (44), so that the end portion (41) is securely attached to the roll.

Abstract: An apparatus applies glue to closure stamps for insertion onto packages, such as cigarette packs. A pair of rotatable glue-applying wheels receive glue from a glue pot and transfer the glue onto the backs of the closure stamps as the closure stamps are fed therepast. A portion of the peripheral edge of each glue-applying wheel is recessed radially inwardly, to define an interruption in an outer diameter of the peripheral edge, so that only a non-recessed portion of the outer edge transfers glue to the closure stamps. In this way, opposite ends of the glue lines are spaced from leading and trailing edges of the closure stamp. A synchronizing mechanism is provided to achieve a proper synchronization between the stamp-feeding mechanism and the glue-applying wheels to ensure that the glue lines are kept spaced from the leading and trailing ends of the closure stamp.

Abstract: An apparatus for taping joints between pieces of wallboard comprises a taping head, slidingly contactable with a wall, for substantially simultaneously applying a first layer of a joint compound to a joint between pieces of wallboard, embedding a wallboard tape in the first layer of the joint compound, and overcoating the embedded wallboard tape with at least one additional layer of the joint compound; a handle, connected to the taping head, for supporting the taping head, the handle being manually graspable by an operator, the handle having a fluid conduit formed therein for passing joint compound to the taping head; a tape supply mounted on the handle for supplying wallboard tape to the taping head; a backpack, wearable by the operator, for supporting a supply of the joint compound and for producing a pressurized stream of the joint compound; and a flexible connecting means for fluidically interconnecting the backpack and the fluid conduit to pass the pressurized stream of the joint compound from the backpa

Abstract: A system for use on an automated assembly line having an adhesive applicator disposed to deposit adhesive on cartons progressing along the assembly line. A flap closing device which is utilized only during scheduled or unscheduled cycle stops of the assembly line is operatively associated with a pair of applicator heads. During normal, continuous operation of the assembly line, the flaps of a carton are sealed downstream of the application of adhesive. Effective sealing of all cartons upon a cycle stop is provided by including the second flap closing device at the applicator heads. The applicator heads are within the arc of movement of a carton flap closed by the second flap closing device, but operatively associating the applicator heads with the flap closing device displaces the heads from the path of the flap. Movement of the heads can be a rotational or linear motion.

Abstract: A quantitative fluid discharge device includes an arrangement for pressurizing fluid within a container and discharging the fluid from the container at a predetermined rate. A dispense control apparatus is provided for controlling the rate of fluid discharge from the container. The dispense control apparatus includes a keyboard from which signals for effecting initialization and discharge may be input, and a microcomputer for receiving those signals from the keyboard. An interface receives a digital pressure command signal from the microcomputer, and an electropneumatic regulator receives an analog pressure command signal from this interface. The electropneumatic regulator includes an air channel, and a solenoid valve is disposed in a middle part of this air channel. A pressure sensor for detecting the discharge air pressure acting on the fluid is disposed at a location which permits detection of the discharge air pressure while the fluid is being discharged from the container.

Abstract: A facility for the production of curved or arcuate insulating glass panes for vehicle windows comprises a station for the application of a spacer and a station for the application of a rope of sealing compound onto a glass pane. Furthermore, stations are provided for the assembly of the insulating glass pane and for pressing the insulating glass pane. The glass panes (3) are transported on supports (5) in exact alignment to the individual stations and are retained in the stations by the supports (5) by virtue of a vacuum. For this purpose, the supports (5) are equipped with a vacuum storage (75) connected via conduits (7) to bores (6) in the supports (5).

Abstract: The apparatus joins two glass panels (4, 5) by injecting a strand of an initially pasty and subsequently solidifying compound along the edge of the pane into the intermediate space between the two initially unjoined glass panels. It has a horizontal conveyor, which has supporting or holding elements (6), which hold the glass panels (4, 5) parallel to each other and spaced apart, it being possible for the supporting or holding elements (6) acting on one of the glass panels (5) to be removed individually in sequence or in groups from said glass panel by an actuating device (7), thereby allowing a nozzle to be moved uninterruptedly between the two glass panels (4, 5) around the edge of the panel by an automatically operating handling apparatus (30), and wherein the nozzle can be swiveled about an axis running at a right angle to said panels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a three-dimensional object including a large number of layers bonded together each having the contour of a thin slice of the object, are characterized in that each layer of the object is formed over its preceding layer by: applying a layer of a supporting material to the preceding layer; sculpture machining the supporting material layer according to the negative underface contour of the respective layer of the object to be formed; applying a layer of the object material in flowable form over the supporting material layer such that the underface of the object material layer takes the shape of the positive contour of the respective layer of the object to be formed; hardening the object material layer; and sculpture machining the upper face of the object material layer according to the positive upperface contour of the respective layer of the object to be formed.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for forming a three-dimensional article with two-part curable material on the basis of a three-dimensional information on the article by means of an ink jet method. The material is jetted from at least one ink jet to a stage and laminated thereon. In two-part curable material, microcapsules which encapsulate setting material of the two-part curable material are scattered. These microcapsules are ruptured by radiation of light and so on. The laminated two-part material is supplied with radiation of light from a light source so that it is cured. In this process, a jetting direction of the material from the ink jet head to the stage and/or a jetting amount of the material jetted from the ink jet head is changed in accordance with the information by a control unit, thereby forming a solid article having a desired three-dimensional shape.

Abstract: For filling the edge groove (26) of an insulating glass pane (1) of an arbitrarily designed outer contour with sealing compound, stored geometrical data of the outer contour of the insulating glass pane (1) are utilized for controlling the relative motion between the insulating glass pane (1) and the filling nozzle (4). The relative velocity of the relative motion between the insulating glass pane (1) and the filling nozzle (4) is varied in such a way that the desired extent of filling of the edge groove (26) remains constant even in case of a change in the depth of the edge groove and/or in case of fluctuating feeding rate of a sealing compound. Furthermore, the relative speed between the filling nozzle (4) and the insulating glass pane (1) is selected to be higher in the zone of linear or less strongly curved sections (6) of the edge groove (26) than in the zone of more strongly curved sections (5).

Abstract: A method is provided for dispensing viscous materials which first requires the step of providing a dispensing device for holding a quantity of a viscous material to be dispensed through a tip thereof. Next, the dispensing device is coupled to a dispensing control so that a metered amount of viscous material will be dispensed in response to a dispensing control signal. Next, the dispensing device is moved along an axis to selectively position the tip a predetermined distance away from the surface of a workpiece positioned adjacent thereto in response to an applied height control signal. The height control signal is generated by processing output signals from a camera which is moved along the axis with the dispensing device to determine when an image of the workpiece surface is maximally in focus.

Abstract: A method of detecting breakage or breakage of a continuous bead of fluid material, for example, a coating material, during the discharge thereof from an applicator nozzle, which comprises the steps of providing the applicator nozzle with a vibration sensor operable to detect vibrations occuring in the applicator nozzle and to generate a vibration signal, indicative of the detected vibration. The vibration signal undergoes a change in level when the vibrations are actually detected by the vibration sensor and the change in level of the vibration signal is compared with a reference amplitude level. Only when the amplitude level of the vibration signal exceeds the reference amplitude level, the change in amplitude level of the vibration signal provides an indication of the actual occurrence of the vibrations in the applicator nozzle.

Abstract: A method for filling insulated glazing units is disclosed. The method utilizes a vacuum chamber in which the insulated glazing units are placed. The insulated glazing units and vacuum chamber are evacuated simultaneously. The units are then refilled with a low conductance gas such as Krypton while the chamber is simultaneously refilled with air.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for joining at least two webs or running lengths of material together by means of at least one strip of adhesive applied to at least one of the webs in such a manner that the consumption of adhesive is reduced and greater reliability is achieved. This is made possible by using an adhesive having a viscosity which is close to the viscosity of water and causing the adhesive to be acted upon by a low pressure and to be filtered prior to application to the associated web.

Abstract: A syringe or other suitable dispensing device is coupled to conventional controls for dispensing viscous material such as adhesives or solder paste through a tip thereof. The syringe is supported on a motor driven carriage for movement along a Z axis in response to height control signals. A camera also mounted on the carriage generates output signals representative of an image of the surface of a workpiece such as a PC board. Circuity processes the output signals from the camera to determine when the image is maximally in focus and generates the height control signals necessary to maintain the tip of the syringe a predetermined constant height above the surface of PC board. This ensures the dispensing of uniform balls of solder paste or adhesive at various locations on the PC board despite warpage in the board.

Abstract: The apparatus and method of the present invention provide means by which non-warped corrugated paperboard sheet may easily and consistently be produced. The cross-directional moisture content profiles of the top and bottom liners of the corrugated sheet are automatically monitored, and controlled with independently operable water jets such that the liners have approximately equal machine and cross-direction moisture content profiles. The moisture content profiles of the liners are controlled to equalize the machine direction and cross-directional stresses created within the liners as they dry out, thereby producing non-warped corrugated paperboard sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing atherectomy torque tubes includes a mechanism for rotating a tube liner about its longitudinal axis at a rotational velocity. A carriage is translatably positioned along the longitudinal axis. A mechanism for winding a wire about the tube liner is mounted on the carriage. A mechanism for coating the tube liner with an epoxy material is also mounted on the carriage. In a preferred embodiment, wire is wound onto the tube liner inside a reservoir of urethane epoxy bath which is moved along the tube liner. A laser sensor measures the coated tube to provide a signal representative of the final outside diameter of the tube and a computer uses this signal to control the angular velocity of the rotating tube liner and the linear velocity of the carriage which moves the wire winding and coating mechanism along the tube.

Abstract: A novel method is provided for reticulating adhesive-backed, perforated substrates. The method entails tacking a continuous sheet of viscous reticulating adhesive to one side of the substrate and then contacting the other side with heated air. The temperature of the air is regulated such that the adhesive softens and bubbles over the perforations but final cure is not initiated. The air is directed at a velocity such that the bubbles burst and the adhesive is redeposited onto the adhesive-side of the substrate.

Abstract: Apparatus for folding and sealing sheets comprises means for feeding a sheet, means for bulging a portion of the sheet, means for folding the bulged portion, and means for adhering a sheet portion face to face to a portion thereof trailing the fold. Apparatus for enhancing the security of information on a front side of a sheet comprises said apparatus for folding and sealing sheets, where a plurality of folds are provided and the front side of said sheet is concealed from view inside said folds, said folds being sealed along the lateral side edge portions thereof. Address information may be applied adjacent the trailing edge of said sheet, and the trailing edge portion is folded to expose the address information to view.