Abstract: A polyethylene pipe heat fusion apparatus and method wherein the temperature, time, and hydraulic pressures necessary to create an acceptable joint are controlled by a programmable computer.

Abstract: An automatic tape affixing apparatus includes a tape affixing head movable in X-axis, Y-axis, Z-axis, A-axis and C-axis directions; a tape presser roller having a plurality of roller members disposed widthwise; a roller supporting shaft for supporting the roller members in such a way that the roller members are rotatable and vertically movable independently of one another; first cylinder means including a plurality of cylinders for providing pressing force to the respective roller members through bearings so that the roller members are pressed against an adhesion form; a roller carrying member supported movably in a vertical direction by said tape affixing head for supporting the first cylinder means and said roller supporting shaft; and second cylinder means supported by the tape affixing head for providing pressing force to the roller carrying member, whereby, a tape can be affixed on a curved surface of the adhesion form by vertically moving roller members independently of one another, and also an end port

Abstract: A prepress roll assembly includes upper and lower pressing roll segments that apply pressure to the opposing major surfaces of a windshield assembly as the assembly passes between the roll segments. A drive roll arrangement is provided that moves vertically in response to the elevational of the leading edge of a windshield assembly to be prepressed while continuing to drive the windshield assembly between the prepress rolls.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for welding vinyl window and door frames. The apparatus includes a counting circuit or the like for measuring the time taken for burning off a selected length of a thermoplastic frame member. This time can be used to calculate a sufficient or optimal period for performing a heating or plastification step. Once the ends of the frame members are properly heated (plastified), they are fused by urging them towards each other. The fused members are then cooled for a period of time which also corresponds to the time required for burn-off. The apparatus further includes a heating plate which is pivotable between an operating position and a retracted position. The heating plate is also movable so that different surface portions can be used during burn-off and heating phases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hot press to manufacture a substrate in which a printed circuit is provided.The hot press comprising at least one of vertically movable heating plates, a freely elevating movable platen which elevates the heating plates to press a plate to be treated between the heating plates, and a detecting means for detecting the movement of the uppermost heating plate when said uppermost heating plate starts to be elevated, in which the elevating speed of the movable platen is changed to a lower speed by a signal generated from the detecting device.This low speed control is carried out as follows.

Abstract: The invention relates to the butt-welding of pipes of plastics materials. Equipment is alreaady known where pipe ends are first urged against a trimmer plate, and then urged against a heater plate to create beads of a required size at the ends of the pipes, following which the pipe ends are urged into abutting relationship for welding to occur. Particularly with automatic machines employing hydraulic power, the force applied between the pipe ends and the heater plate and subsequently between the pipe ends needs to include an allowance for the drag factor inherent in the pipeline and compensate for any frictional effect in the mechanical and hydraulic moving components, and which is a difficult calculation.

Abstract: Apparatus operable in accordance with the method of the present invention is provided for automatically controlling the operation of a de-air/tacker machine used in the manufacture of safety glass laminates to remove air from and promote bonding within the laminates. The machine comprises pinch rolls mounted to a carriage which is in turn mounted for rotational movement about a generally horizontal axis relative to a support frame. The pinch rolls define a pressure nip through which the laminates pass to be processed. A motor is connected to the carriage for rotating the carriage, and hence the pinch rolls, about the generally horizontal axis and a digital encoder is provided for sensing rotational operating movement of the motor.

Abstract: In the application of dry film solder mask material to a board, a process and applicator for the implementation thereof features automatic feed of the board, initiation of leading and trailing edge tacking, by heated or unheated tacking rolls, of the film to the board by utilization of the board to apply a force tangential to the tacking rolls, and logic circuitry to regulate the leading and trailing edge tacking by closing the tacking rolls to apply roll pressure during each of the leading and trailing edge tacks, and after tacking of the film to the leading edge of the board, opening of the rolls to allow the film to be applied without pressure, with the rolls being closed again to tack the film to the trailing edge of the board.

Abstract: A device for welding plastic foil strips together with a heating device and a pair of pressure rolls between which the strips are fed, includes a pressure device supported by a spring mechanism for one of two pressure rolls. The pressure device includes a first regulating mechanism for the setting of the width of the gap between the two pressure rolls and a second regulating mechanism for the setting of the welding pressure which is arranged on the first regulating mechanism and which can be moved by it. The regulating units of the two regulating mechanisms are two interacting eccentric elements. This leads to a compact design and only little force is necessary for the setting of the welding pressure.

Abstract: A die bonding apparatus including a vertically moving block, a collet holder provided on the vertically moving block such that the collet holder itself freely moves up and down, a collet which holds a die to be bonded to a substrate and is installed in the collet holder, a first contact provided on the vertically moving block, and a second contact provided on the collet holder so that the second contact is pressed by a spring to make contact with the upper surface of the first contact. The position where rapid downward movement of the collet is stopped and the bonding load applied to the substrate are decided based upon a signal which is generated upon separation of the two contacts.

Abstract: An apparatus for wrapping articles of the type wherein articles are advanced along an article path into a curtain of heat sealable wrapping material, and upper and lower jaw assemblies are sequentially moved laterally of the article path into positions at the trail side of the article and then forwardly along the article path in a sealing run. The lower jaw assemblies each include a pair of spaced clamping jaw members having a jaw opening therebetween and a rotary heat sealing and cutting member is mounted for movement into and out of the jaw opening as the lower jaw assemblies move past a zone intermediate the ends of the sealing run. The upper jaw assemblies include upper jaw carriers that are guided for movement in a fixed path along the sealing run and upper jaw members that are shiftable relative to the upper jaw carriers.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method is disclosed for providing a controlled separation of a structure that has been screened from the screening mask. A dampener pad floats with the mask as the screened structure is being separated from the mask. The mask is held in place by the dampener pad while the structure completely separates from the mask. The dampener pad assembly, then, in a controlled manner, brings the mask back to the original position, and the mask is then ready for the next screening operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for fixing a protective molding to a vehicle body comprises a pressure device for pressing the protective molding attached temporarily to a side portion of the vehicle body against the vehicle body, a backward driving device for causing the pressure device to make a backward movement in relation to the vehicle body, a forward driving means for causing the pressure device to contact and press the protective molding, a body detecting device for coming into contact with the vehicle body before the pressure device contacts the vehicle body, and a control device for actuating the backward driving device to move the pressure device backward when the body detecting device contacts the vehicle device and then actuating the forward driving device to cause the pressure device which has been moved backward to contact the vehicle body and press the protective molding against the vehicle body.

Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of bonding low density or thin gauge polyurethane foams to polypropylene substrates, said apparatus including, a revolvable turntable for indexing the workpieces to various work stations, a conductive heating station to heat-liquify designated areas of the polypropylene substrate, and a compression station having compression platens to emboss the polyurethane foam onto the polypropylene substrate effectively fusing the polyurethane foam with the heat-liquified areas of polypropylene.

Abstract: A machine is provided for applying vertical tape courses to the ends of cartons. Cartridges carrying taping members are stroked downwardly to tape the cartons. Return or upwardly directed travel of the cartridges is either delayed while a taped carton is off-feeding from the machine or the taping arms and cutter in the cartridge are retracted to allow the cartridge to be immediately returned upwardly following taping. This precludes cartridge travel interfering with carton off-feed or carton entry to the taping station.

Abstract: An automatic binding apparatus produces a loop of tape and tightens the tape around an object that is inserted through the loop of tape. The apparatus has a bed-plate and a guide member which is swivelable into position on and off the bed-plate. Initially, the tape is guided through the guide member to form a small loop of tape. Thereafter the guide member is retracted and the loop of tape is enlarged by feeding more tape to the loop to accommodate large objects. Insertion of the object through the loop actuates a work detection switch and detection of the object produces an output signal which triggers a process whereby the tape is tightly bound around the object, is cut from the tape supply, and the ends of the tape are overlapped and pressure welded to one another. Removal of the bound object changes the state of the work detection switch and results in the repositioning of the guide member over the bed-plate and in the formation of a fresh loop of tape for a next object to be bound.

Abstract: Apparatus for spin-welding comprises a spin welding machine having a spin welding head, a ram assembly, and a feed mechanism; the ram assembly is driven from a shaft and the feed mechanism comprises a rotating turret mounted on a shaft which is driven from the shaft via a Geneva mechanism. The spin welding head is driven by a low inertia DC servo motor operated by a programmable logic controller and timed from a switch unit driven off the shaft.

Abstract: During spin-welding of an end ring to a container body, the weld area is subjected to a radial pressure by means of a wire cable tourniquet under the action of a pneumatic cylinder. The interference fit between the ring and body is measured by reference to the torque required for their slow speed relative rotation or to the axial force required for their assembly and, according to the measured interference fit, the radial pressure applied by the tourniquet during welding is controlled.

Abstract: A device for applying adhesive material to card blanks in a packeting machine, comprising a gumming roller and a pressing roller which are substantially mutually tangential and between which the blanks are led in succession to receive traces of adhesive material in predetermined zones. Should the packeting machine halt for a time exceeding a predetermined time limit, detachment means withdraw from the gumming roller that blank disposed between the two rollers in order to prevent it becoming stuck to the gumming roller.

Abstract: Sealing device suitable for sealing bagging material containing, for example, produce, such as meat or poultry, to form a produce-containing bag having a seal at one or both ends, and being particularly adapted for cooking or defrosting the produce in a microwave oven. The device includes an ultrasonic sealing horn having a sealing surface, and a guide associated with the sealing horn for guiding material to be sealed into contact with the sealing horn. An anvil is provided for clamping the material against the sealing horn to facilitate the formation of a seal nugget upon actuation of the sealing horn. A bag clamp is pivotably mounted to the guide, and includes first and second spaced-apart arms.

Abstract: Upper and lower rollers have grooves for a bead ring having a clamp area portion produced by a bead winding machine. The bead ring is placed in the groove of the lower roller with the beginning of the clamp area portion in position for pressing by lowering of the upper roller so that the bead ring is engaged by the groove in the upper roller. The rollers are oscillated between the pressing position at the beginning of the clamp area and the end of the clamp area to roll the top, bottom and sides of the clamp area portion during the movement of the bead ring. The pressure on the bead ring is released by raising the upper roller at the initial pressing position at the beginning of the clamp area so that the bead ring may be removed with the same orientation it had when it was placed in the groove.

Abstract: A process for laminating discrete sections of a supported photosensitive layer onto a continuing series of sheet substrates. Each substrate is advanced to and through the nip of heated application rolls, and a continuous length of the supported photosensitive layer is also supplied to the nip. When the substrate reaches a first location positioned between the application rolls, all movement ceases except that the rolls move from an inactive disengaged position toward the substrate to an active position to cause pressure contact between the photosensitive layer and the substrate to thereby laminate the photosensitive layer to the substrate. There is a pause for a predetermined period of time with the rolls in the active positions before the substrate is again advanced with the rolls still in the active positions and the photosensitive layer again supplied to the nip.

Abstract: To provide for uniform pressure, under predetermined conditions, of application of closure sealing jaws for a bag making machine, to close thermoplastic tubular foils, a hydraulic pressure element (7;26,28) applies the pressure of a pressure jaw (1) against another (2), with the foil interposed; the hydraulic pressure is sensed by a transducer (11), converted into an electrical signal and compared with a command set signal (22), any error or deviation being fed back in a closed loop to a servo positioning valve (13,15) to thereby set the hydraulic pressure with which the movable jaw (1) is applied against a fixed jaw (2) in accordance with commanded value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for pressing curved laminated glass having an adhesion interlayer between curved sheets of plate glass by passing the curved laminated glass through a pair of press rolls. A level of a contact position between said pair of press rolls and an inclination angle of a line connecting axes of said pair of press rolls with respect to a curved surface of the laminated glass are controlled to control a posture of said pair of press rolls upon movement of the laminated glass so as to correspond to controlled rotation of said pair of press rolls. A line of action of a press pressure is directed along a direction substantially normal to the curved surface of the laminated glass, and the location of application of the press pressure is level-shifted along the curved surface of the laminated glass. The posture of the press rolls is controlled in accordance with prestored data sampled along the curved surface of the laminated glass.

Abstract: An improved L-sealing apparatus providing an L-shaped sealing bed assembly mounted at its ends and corner on three piston-and-cylinder assemblies operable upon closing of the sealing arm into adjacency with the sealing bed assembly to translatorily move the sealing bed assembly into uniform and continuous surface contact and pressure with the heating wire arrangement of the sealing arm. In another embodiment, the sealing bed assembly is fixed to the machine frame and a pair of pneumatic-electromagnetic latching assemblies are provided to magnetically engage the sealing arm at its opposite ends in its sealing disposition adjacent the sealing bed assembly to torsionally distort the sealing arm if and as necessary to bring its wire heating assemblies into parallel continuous and uniform surface contact and pressure with the sealing bed assembly.

Abstract: The apparatus increases the hydraulic pressure in rams 16 until one pipe moves towards a heater plate 14. The movement is detected by a limit switch 26 and a microprocessor-based control system 28 adds a pre-programmed value of pressure to that pressure which caused the movement (drag pressure). The total pressure is applied to force the pipe ends against a heater plate 14 to form end beads (bead-up). After heating for a pre-programmed period the control system automatically initiates plate retraction and forces the pipe ends together (fusion) for another programmed period. The applied pressure is the sum of the recorded drag pressure and a pre-programmed added pressure. Operator judgement of bead size, pressures and time periods is eliminated. Pressurised fluid is supplied to the rams 16 from a pump and accumulator combination. The sense of ram motion is determined by changeover valves controlled by the control system 28.

Abstract: A portable hot-press for thermowelding marked and/or printed foils of thermoplastic synthetic material, particularly PVC, to produce single-sheet identification cards. There are provided a press drive, two heating plates, one fixed and one sliding cross bar on the press and a fan for cooling the heating plates and thermowelded foils. Two screw elevating gears, driven by a gearmotor are provided to guide and move the cross bar of the press. The gearmotor may have a retaining brake.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for heat sealing thermoplastics strap material comprising a portable tool adapted to receive two sections of strap material which are to be welded together and having a heating element, means for moving the heating element between the straps and a battery source for supplying heating current to the heating element. A control circuit detects the battery voltage on load, and a drive circuit controls the movement of the heating element between the straps, to control the speed of the heating element in dependence on the detected voltage level, to compensate for decreasing battery voltage. The battery source is mounted in or on the tool housing for portability.The heating element is mounted on a carriage assembly mounted for reciprocal motion between the two straps and driven by an electric motor.

Abstract: Improved laying of high strength composite tape is achieved by stretching a strip of tape entirely across the area on which the tape is to be laid before pressing any part of the tape against the work surface, and then pressing the tape against the surface while the tape is stretched across and adjacent the work surface. The tape is held and stretched across the work surface on supply and takeup reels on opposite sides of the work surface, so that the reels need not move along the tape with the moving pressure foot. The pressure foot and both reels are mounted for independent motion completely around the work surface to enable tape strips to be laid in all directions across the work surface without rotating the work surface.

Abstract: A simple proofing apparatus which provides a proof by preparing a synthetic image from proofreading films of each color which are colored with cyan, yellow, magenta, black etc., corresponding to original plates for each color separation films, comprising a table for mounting a ground paper or a proofreading film thereon, a positioning pin adapted to engage with a punch hole formed through said proofreading film for positioning said ground paper or said proofreading film on said table, an absorbing groove provided on an upper surface of said table for fixedly adsorbing said ground paper or said proofreading film on said table, and a heating means adapted to heat said proofreading film mounted on said table and move on said table.

Abstract: The heat-sealing tool for closing the thermoplastic transparent outer wrappers of cigarette packs in a cigarette packing machine is pivoted intermittently into engagement with the wrappers of successive packs while the indexible turret which transports the packs is idle. The tool is held in engagement with each of a series of wrappers for the same interval of time irrespective of the speed of the prime mover which drives the turret. To this end, the tool is pivotable by a rotary disc-shaped cam which is driven by a variable-speed motor whose operation is regulated by a control circuit including a function generator. Alternatively, the tool is actuated by a transmission which receives motion from the prime mover and is adjusted when the speed of the prime mover changes.

Abstract: A device for attaching articles (11) to packages (12) which are passed to the applicator device (10) at irregular intervals. When this is done the articles (for example, drinking straws (11)), are thrust against the package (12) by means of rotatable applicator arms (41). The applicator arm (41) is tilted against the action of a pull-off spring (51) by a burst of compressed air that acts on the arm (41) for a brief period so that it moves back into its initial position immediately after pressing against the package (12).The applicator device (10) can be tilted about two perpendicular directions and can be secured in order that the drinking straws (11) can be secured in different directions and on variously inclined surfaces of the package (12).

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for forming concave tape wrapped composite structures. The apparatus utilizes a mold having a cylindrical concave surface with a mounting plate mounted for rotation at each end thereof about a point on a longitudinal axis of the concave surface. A longitudinal shaft is mounted to each mounting plate a selected distance from the longitudinal axis and extends parallel thereto. A tape dispenser carriage is mounted to the longitudinal shaft and is movable along the length thereof. A radial shaft is mounted through the tape dispenser carriage such that the longitudinal axis of the radial shaft passes through the longitudinal axis of the concave surface and along a radius of the concave surface.

Abstract: Friction welding apparatus for joining a rotatable element to a fixed element by means of a continuous drive system including apparatus for precisely orienting the rotational position of the rotatable element relative to the fixed element. Control apparatus is provided terminating the applied rotational force after a predetermined number of rotations and allowing the rotatable element to enter a coast down welding stage for a predetermined period of time, after which time the coast down rotation is stopped and a final forge pressure is applied whereby the rotational position of the rotatable element is precisely located relative to the fixed element when weldment is complete.

Abstract: A device for splicing light waveguides, such as optical fibers, having an internal sheath and an outer sheath, characterized by an arrangement for clamping each of the waveguides by engaging their sheaths and lowering the unsheathed end portion into a centering groove where the ends are heated and fused together by an alternating current discharge path. The required convergence and alignment of the light waveguide ends during the welding step are automatically controlled by an advanced arrangement which is sequentially controlled with the welding step. Subsequent to the gearing of the ends, the clamping element releases the waveguides adjacent to the fused joint and are moved by a restoring arrangement to stretch the joint into a straight line position.

Abstract: Method of and apparatus for controlling a bag forming, filling and sealing machine by monitoring the machine cycle and controlling the jaw closure mechanism based on a previously determined jaw closed point. If the jaw closed indication is received prior to the previous value plus offset, the sealing cycle continues normally and all functions interlocked to jaw closed position such as knife, impulse, etc. are allowed to function normally. If the jaw closed signal is not received prior to the previous value plus offset the jaw close function is inhibited signifying a jam condition and the interlocked functions such as knife, impulse, etc. are inhibited. This function is independent of any external adjustment and serves as a safety device in all modes.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for forming a series of plastic laminate samples one-by-one in a semi-continuous manner. Samples pass continuously one after the other through a series of heating, compressing, and cooling steps. Each sample is heated and pressed for a predetermined interval in a first compression press, then passed through a series of levels in a stack in a stacking press. The sample is passed from the last level of the stacking press to a cooling press, where it is cooled for the same predetermined interval of time. Thus samples are stepped one after another through the apparatus, with samples at each step moving simultaneously to the next successive step at predetermined intervals.

Abstract: An automatic bundle-tying tool has a compact housing with a pair of curved pincer-shaped jaws, one of which pivots outward to accommodate a bundle of wires or similar elongated objects, and then pivots inward to abut the other, fixed jaw. Plastic tying tape drawn from a storage spool is fed around the tape guide groove formed on the internal surface of each of the mating jaws, encircling the bundle. A pair of thin tapered anvils clamp the overlapped tape against the tip of an ultrasonic welding transducer, and a reverse feed mechanism draws the tape tight around the bundle while slack tape is re-wound on the storage spool by a resilient spring biased spool hub. After ultrasonic welding, automatic spring-driven linkages unclamp and withdraw the anvils, sever the tied bundle from the tape supply and open the movable jaw to release the tied bundle. A preferred embodiment is lightweight, portable and easy to operate.

Abstract: A solenoid operated moveable jaw cooperates with a fixed jaw protruding from a blood tubing sealing unit and formed as part of a relatively massive heat sink to effect seals on liquid filled plastic tubing upon transmission of RF energy timed to coincide with a degree of initial mechanical compression of the tubing by the jaws after the movement of the moveable jaw has been triggered by the tubing intercepting and reflecting a beam of light. Dissipation of heat from the exposed part of the fixed jaw is by convection. Dissipation of heat from the enclosed part of the fixed and moveable jaws and that produced by the circuitry generating the RF energy internal to the sealer unit is effected by channeling the heat by conduction from all internal heat sources to the bottom and rear plates of the unit and dissipating the heat from the bottom and rear plates to the atmosphere by convection.

Abstract: A system for securing the thrust platen of a plywood press against movement during a panel pressing cycle to avert over compression of the panels being cured. An initial fluid circuit pressurizes the press cylinder. A timer terminates the first fluid circuit and establishes a fluid locking circuit which includes a valve assembly which may be coupled to a platen appendage so as to sense platen movement. Pressurized fluid is regulated to and from the press cylinder by the valve assembly to maintain desired platen position.

Abstract: High strength composite tape is prepared for laying in side-by-side strips upon a work surface by precutting the strips to a predetermined length and mounting the strips upon a carrier belt in longitudinally spaced relation to one another, so that the pressure foot of the machine applying the tape to a work surface may press to the end of one tape strip without pressing the end of the following tape strip. Improved laying of the tape is achieved by stretching a strip of tape entirely across the area on which the tape is to be laid before pressing any part of the tape against the work surface, and then pressing the tape against the surface while the tape is stretched across and adjacent the work surface. The tape is held and stretched across the work surface on supply and take up reels on opposite sides of the work surface, so that the reels need not move along the tape with the moving pressure foot.

Abstract: A solenoid operated moveable jaw cooperates with a fixed jaw protruding from a blood tubing sealing unit and formed as part of a relatively massive heat sink to effect seals on liquid filled plastic tubing upon transmission of RF energy timed to coincide with a degree of initial mechanical compression of the tubing by the jaws after the movement of the moveable jaw has been triggered by the tubing intercepting and reflecting a beam of light. Dissipation of heat from the exposed part of the fixed jaw is by convection. Dissipation of heat from the enclosed part of the fixed and moveable jaws and that produced by the circuitry generating the RF energy internal to the sealer unit is effected by channeling the heat by conduction from all internal heat sources to the bottom and rear plates of the unit and dissipating the heat from the bottom and rear plates to the atmosphere by convection.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of splicing polymeric webs using an ultrasonic welder and a web support means. There is a means to secure the trailing end of at least one first web and the leading end of at least one second web between the ultrasonic welder and the web support means. The trailing end of the first web and the leading end of the second web overlap between the ultrasonic welder and the web support means and are welded together.

Abstract: A set of sheets delivered seriatim from a copier/duplicator or other source are advanced along a sheet path leading from an input station to an assembly station where a booklet is formed. As a sheet is moved along the path a line of adhesive is applied to one surface of the sheet adjacent to one side edge of the sheet. In the assembly station the sheets are jogged to align the sheets of the set and then pressure is applied to the sheets over the line of adhesive. When the entire set has been bound together into a booklet, the booklet is removed from the assembly station and delivered to an output station, such as a tote tray.

Abstract: A process and apparatus is disclosed for removing adhesive tape such as is used in masking PC boards during plating operations, the apparatus including rollers carrying an adhesive band which is brought into pressure contact with the adhesive tape. The PC board is moved past the rollers to pick up the adhesive tape and strip it by wind-up on the roller periphery. Successive windings of the exposed adhesive undersurface of the tape act to enable successive removal cycles. The leading ends of the tape are easily strippable to facilitate removal, as by the use of a release agent, or by providing a localized area at the leading end of the tape which carries a mildly adherent adhesive.

Abstract: A method of making seals in tubular web provided with side gussets, in which method, after making the seals, sensors for the inner gusset edges are withdrawn outwardly over a certain distance, the position of the sealing devices remaining unchanged, and after transport of the tubular web, the sensors are moved inwardly again and the new position of the inner gusset edges is observed, subsequently, when a difference is observed as compared with the previous time, the position of the sealing devices is brought into correspondence with this observation before making the next seal.

Abstract: In a system (300) for prefabricating strings of pocket welts on a continuous basis, the assembly proceeds along one side of a table (12). Adhesive backed fabric tape (48) from a supply reel (50 ) is indexed into a bonding station where sections of fabric (154) are positioned by photoelectric sensors (306, 308) and adhesively attached to the fabric tape. The fabric tape (48) is indexed to an adhesive application station (310) where an adhesive layer is bonded to the fabric tape and the backing layer separated at a backing separator (356). The fabric tape (48) then moves to a bonding/folding station (420) where the fabric pieces are folded and bonded to form the welts. Forward and rearward centering assemblies (424,426) employ front and rear positioning fingers (428, 430) to center the fabric tape in the folding/bonding station (420).

Abstract: An apparatus for securing a tensioned plastic band which has a rotatable tensioning wheel and a friction shoe which is located adjacent a band path for two mutually overlapping end portions of a band located around an article is disclosed. The shoe is reciprocatable transversely to the band path, and displaceable into and out of contact with the upper band end portion. A single drive means is permanently coupled to the shoe for reciprocation, and drives the tensioning wheel via a torque-sensitive coupling. In operation, the shoe is initially out of contact with the band, and the wheel is driven so as to tension the band until a predetermined tension is reached. Thereupon the coupling uncouples, and actuates means which urge the shoe against the band. This causes relative motion of the band ends, resulting in their being frictionally welded together. The uncoupling also actuates a cutting member for the band. Thus the sequence of tensioning, welding and cutting is performed automatically.

Abstract: The present invention covers the method and apparatus to retread tire casings using a precured tread system where an envelope or flexible fluid tight member is used to cover a retread tire casing assembly and then placed in an autoclave where the autoclave is pressurized and a reduced differential pressure is provided between the envelope member and the precured tread. This invention includes the automatic pressurizing of the system and the monitoring of the system during operation as a total system and/or for individual curing stations.

Abstract: A laminator for laminating and/or encapsulating a multilayer laminate assembly is disclosed. The laminator includes a processing chamber designed to receive the laminate assembly. The processing chamber is provided with independently controllable temperature, vacuum and pneumatic pressure capabilities for effecting optimum processing conditions for particular materials and configurations. The laminator features a double-vacuum system and a choice between two automatic cycles: a lamination cycle and a lamination-and-cure cycle. Preferably, the laminator is microprocessor controlled and is provided with a control panel where the processing parameters are set and monitored.