Abstract: A method and apparatus of manufacturing a composite material which is light weight and highly damped against vibration. The composite material comprises fibers embedded in a resin matrix wherein the fibers are oriented in a waveform that is substantially continuously variable as to period, amplitude and/or shape. A viscoelastic material is combined with the resin matrix to provide vibration dampening characteristics. The variation in the period/amplitude takes place in a region of the composite structure which is selected to provide optimum strength and dampening characteristics as desired for the particular application. Even without the viscoelastic material, the light weight structure is useful as a pre-preg material from which other composite structures may be formed. Methods of manufacturing the composite material include using multiple, identical cells in which each cell is used to fabricate a fiber, resin matrix and viscoelastic adhesive composite.

Abstract: Disclosed is a registration system and a method useful for controlling and correcting the phase and position of simultaneously advancing webs having pre-printed objects spaced at a pitch length characterized by small but significant pitch variation to a target web. Also disclosed are consumer products, such as disposable absorbent articles including the preprinted objects which were previously included in the webs phased before combining with a target web by utilizing the instant registration system. The pre-printed objects may include pre-printed, pre-bonded, pre-applied, pre-cut, or pre-glued objects or elements of disposable absorbent articles or registration marks produced on a separate independent process not control-linked to the instant registration method. The registration marks may be visible or normally invisible to the human eye.

Abstract: The invention is a laminator and a method of lamination of a plastic card (14).

Abstract: Methods of changing from manufacture of pant-type refastenable personal care articles of a first size to manufacture of such pant-type refastenable personal care articles of a second different size. A method of the invention comprises defining in the workpiece, at at least one side edge of the respective workpiece, a length of material defined in the machine direction, wherein activity, or inactivity, of such length of material, in combination with other elements of the workpiece, determines the size of the pant-type refastenable personal care article being so produced, whereby the length of material so defined can be activated and thereby incorporated into the personal care article to correspondingly produce a relatively larger size such personal care article, or inactivated and thereby excluded from the personal care article to correspondingly produce a relatively smaller size personal care article.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for the manufacturing of wavy pre-preg material that moves a first group of rollers in a transverse and a longitudinal direction with respect to a second group of rollers, to place a sinuous waveform in a fiber reinforced matrix for the manufacture of a wavy pre-preg material. The fabrication of wavy fiber pre-preg (fibers pre-impregnated with epoxy resin as an example) can be accomplished with an automated control system that permits the creation of non-periodic or mixed waveforms. The improved apparatus for this process allows for a more accurate placement of fibers, production of a wider variety of usable waveforms, and increased quality of pre-preg produced.

Abstract: Disclosed is a registration system and a method useful for controlling and correcting the phase and position of simultaneously advancing webs having pre-printed objects spaced at a pitch length characterized by small but significant pitch variation to a target web. Also disclosed are consumer products, such as disposable absorbent articles including the preprinted objects which were previously included in the webs phased before combining with a target web by utilizing the instant registration system. The pre-printed objects may include pre-printed, pre-bonded, pre-applied, pre-cut, or pre-glued objects or elements of disposable absorbent articles or registration marks produced on a separate independent process not control-linked to the instant registration method. The registration marks may be visible or normally invisible to the human eye.

Abstract: A label applicator for dispensing and applying labels to articles includes a label leading edge indicating sensor and an adjustable peel bar held at a pickup position. A label support may be used with larger labels that have been partially peeled from a backing strip and remain at the pickup position. Printed labels to be applied to an article have a portion of the surface area of an adhesive side removed from the backing strip before the label is taken by a label pick-up-and1 applicating device. A print head may be included in the label applicator between the indicating sensor and the adjustable peel bar. A number of labels may be picked-up simultaneously from the backing strip by a number of pick-up heads to be applied to a number of separate articles.

Abstract: A labeling machine includes a label applying unit disposed adjacent to a conveying unit, and a controller coupled electrically to a bar code sensor, a label sensor and a container sensor. The controller compares bar code data of a label from the bar sensor with predetermined bar code data, and generates an inhibit signal when a mismatch occurs. The controller determines length of the label in accordance with first and second signals from the label sensor and distance information from an encoder unit, compares the determined length with predetermined label length data, and generates the inhibit signal when a mismatch occurs. The controller determines container dimension of a container being conveyed by the conveying unit in accordance with container feature information from the container sensor and distance information from another encoder unit, compares the determined container dimension with predetermined container dimension, and generates the inhibit signal when a mismatch occurs.

Abstract: A label application system that automates a label application process to automatically feed, peel and apply labels to a number of different styles of articles. The label stock is advanced to an application position where the leading edge is deflected over edge guide to peel an individual label approximately half way off of the backing sheet. The article is inserted into the article receiving slot until the lead edge of the article engages a switch and initiates the application of the individual label. An application bar rotates about a horizontal axis swiping the peeled half of the label onto the inserted portion of the article. Substantially, simultaneously the feed operation is initiated to advance the label backing, moving the next sequential label into the application position. The article is then removed from the slot and inserted into a tabbing assembly.

Abstract: A label applying unit for a labeling machine includes a motor-driven guide roller unit which is operable so as to feed one end of a label reel to a label applicator plate. A label sensor is disposed between the label reel and the label applicator plate, and generates first and second signals respectively upon detection of leading and trailing edges of one of the labels of the label reel. An encoder unit is associated with the guide roller unit and is operable so as to generate distance information to indicate distance advanced by the detected label. A controller is coupled electrically to the guide roller unit, the label sensor and the encoder unit, activates the encoder unit upon receipt of the first signal, and obtains length information of the detected label from the encoder unit upon receipt of the second signal.

Abstract: An automatic embossing device for plastic floor tile comprises a main frame, a pressing wheel module, a tape supply control wheel module, a position mark sensing module, a tape tension-balancing module, and a tape supply module. When the pressing process for plastic floor tile is performed, the rotation speed of the pressing wheel is first set. The rotation speed of the tape supply control wheel is then set. A zero-point position of rotation angle on the pressing wheel is randomly set. A computer is used to partition and determine a plurality of angle positions; The computer is used to compare the signal of the angle position to that of the position mark on the printed tape to obtain a time difference when the pressing process starts. A distance difference is obtained from the time difference. The computer is used to calculate out the speed compensation according to the rotation speed of the tape supply, control wheel and to adjust immediately the rotation speed of the tape supply control wheel.

Abstract: A tape handling system including a tape mount roller, a first accumulator movable between first and second positions, a printer for printing on tape, and a second accumulator movable between first and second positions. Movement of the second accumulator from the first position to the second position causes the printer to begin printing. An apparatus including the tape handling system and a tape applicator.

Abstract: An improved labeler includes a label base and a label cassette with the footprints of the labeler base housing and the label cassette frame being substantially the same size. An electronically-controlled drive mechanism is contained within the labeler base housing and is operated intermittently to synchronously drive a mechanism for feeding labels to be picked up by a bellows wheel, and the bellows wheel.

Abstract: Linerless label stock 102 is fed to a printer that prints on the front face 104 of the label stock 102 and then to a media cutter 224. The cutter 224 cuts the strip into discrete labels, which are fed to a tag application station 226. A strip of electronic tags is fed through an encoder that detects defective tags and then to a tag cutter 246 that cuts the strip into discrete tags. Defective tags exiting the cutter 246 are diverted away from the tag application station. Non-defective tags are conveyed to the tag application station 226 where they are secured to the back face of labels.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and a process for producing laminated materials. The process comprises the steps of: (a) supplying material from a first supply roller; (b) supplying materials from a system comprising a plurality of further supply rollers; (c) tracking lateral movement of the material leaving said first supply roller; and (d) adjusting the lateral position of said system in response to said lateral movement, such that the lateral alignment of the plurality of further supply rollers remains constant with respect to the material leaving the first supply roller. The adjustment step (d) may be manual, or it may be automatic e.g. in response to tracking in step (c) by means of an electronic sensor which tracks a control line on the material leaving the first supply roller. By maintaining constant lateral alignment, it is possible to manufacture laminated materials comprising a layer made from strips of material which abut but which do not overlap.

Abstract: A method of producing a succession of self-adhesive labels (6) carried on a backing of release material (8), the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a first web of release material carrying a succession of folded leaflets (30); (b) conveying the first web along A pathway by a web conveyor, (c) printing a second web (36) with a succession of images along its length by at least one print station (44, 46, 48, 50), the or each print station being driven independently of the web conveyor and being directly or indirectly registered with reference to the first web or the folded leaflets; (d) laminating the printed second web over the succession of folded leaflets; and (e) die-cutting (54, 56) through at least the second web as far as the release material to form a succession of self-adhesive labels.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for producing a strip with self-adhesive labels (12) or other materials with parts (22) placed underneath. According to the invention, the labels are detached from a first carrier strip (11) at a first removal station (13) and placed onto a second carrier strip (14). The other parts (22) are delivered intermittently on a third carrier strip (21). A second removal station (23) detaches said other parts and placed them on a fourth carrier strip (24) in the desired position. Said fourth carrier strip may act as the second carrier strip (14). The original carrier strip (11) may also act as the second or fourth carrier strip. The other parts (22) can be placed in any position under the labels (12) using an appropriate control system.

Abstract: A label dispensing apparatus is provided for applying labels to advancing articles. The label dispensing apparatus features a modular design that couples different types of label dispensing modules to one of several label applicators through a standard chassis.

Abstract: Methods, an apparatus and a system in which reclosable bags and components thereof are formed are disclosed. The reclosable bags are made from base web material that has transversely applied fastener tape segments thereon. The web material is used in a vertical form, fill and seal bag forming method. The method includes the steps of supplying across the web a continuous strip of tape, having male and female fastener profiles thereon, for sealing thereto. In one embodiment a continuous strip of barrier material, and a continuous strip of fastener having first and second interlocked fastener profile strips are positioned on the continuous strip of tape; and secured thereon, the barrier tape is folded to obtain a fold and two opposing barrier tape fastener strip connecting portions; and, the fold is slit to form two separate continuous strips of barrier material strips and two continuous strips of tape.

Abstract: An elongate light-shield film is withdrawn for a length corresponding to the width of a photosensitive film by a light-shield film supply mechanism, cut off into a light-shield film by a first cutting mechanism, and fed to an overlapping position by a feeding and positioning mechanism. In the overlapping position, a transverse end of the light-shield film is caused to overlap a longitudinal end of the photosensitive film, and the overlapping ends are cut off by a second cutting mechanism. Abutting ends of the light-shield film and the photosensitive film are then joined to each other by a tape, and the light-shield film and the photosensitive film which are thus joined are around on a spool. Debris produced when the overlapping ends are cut off is automatically discharged.

Abstract: A surveillance tag applicator for applying tags to articles such as box blanks, blister cards, or containers at very high rates of speed up to and greater than 1000 tags per minute. The applicator comprises a plurality of tags attached to a web fed to a rotating drum having a plurality of slots, a compression roller for pressing each of the tags into one of the plurality of slots, an ejector arm for ejecting each tag from the slots onto a selected location of an article passing by the drum, a stripper to remove the web from the tags, and a winder assembly for rewinding the web devoid of tags. A first servo motor drives the rotating drum and a second servo motor drives the ejector arm. A controller provides the timing and control for the servo motors and operation of the tag applicator.

Abstract: A technique and machine for transferring discrete areas of material, such as hot stamping foil, from a carrier onto positions spaced apart along a substrate, such as paper. The carrier is dispensed at a rate that is much less than the speed of movement of the substrate. During transfer, a segment of the carrier is moved at the same speed as the substrate while, in between such material transfers, the speed of the carrier is sharply reduced and even reversed in direction in order to maintain the average speed of this carrier segment equal to the reduced speed at which the carrier is being dispensed. This is accomplished by a shuttle mechanism that is moved by its own motor, under control of a microprocessor-based motor control system, in synchronism with the speed of the substrate and transfer operations. This significantly improves the utilization of the material on the carrier, with an improved flexibility to adapt to various substrate speeds and ease of implementation in machinery.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method capable of certainly correcting a phase shift between a plurality of core paper layers. In the method according to this invention, the next phase shift quantity &dgr;′3 is estimated on the basis of a previous measured phase shift value &dgr;1 and the present measured phase shift value &dgr;2 and a single-faced corrugated fiberboard sheet tension changing quantity &Dgr;T1 for correction of the next phase shift quantity &dgr;′3 estimated is calculated to adjust the tension to the single-faced corrugated fiberboard sheet on the basis of the calculated tension changing quantity &Dgr;T1. This invention is effectively applicable when, for example, manufacturing a two-layer core single-faced corrugated fiberboard sheet or the like.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a laminate particularly adapted for bedding, padding upholstering and like applications by feeding an indeterminate length of a first material along a predetermined first path of travel from a source of the first material to a downstream assembly area. Feeding an indeterminate length of second material along a predetermined second path of travel from a source of the second material to the downstream assembly area. Depositing a multiplicity of substantially yieldable cushioning materials upon an upper surface of one of the first and second indeterminate lengths of material during the feeding thereof between the respective sources and the assembly area. Thereafter, sandwiching the cushioning materials between the indeterminate lengths of first and second materials to form a laminate therefrom, and rolling the laminate into a roll. The cushioning materials are foam latex and/or down and the first and second lengths of material are polyester fiber material and/or convoluted foam.

Abstract: A system includes a method and apparatus for printing labels and applying electronic tags, e.g. RF tags, to the labels, and also includes the resulting labels. The apparatus comprises a label media supply station that receives a strip of label media. The back face of the media may have adhesive thereon, which may be protected by a liner. The media is conveyed to a print station for printing on the front face of the media. A strip of RF tags is conveyed from a tag supply station to a tag application station downstream of the print station. At the tag application station, an electronic tag is applied to the back face of a label that has been printed at the print station. Preferably, a tag strip bar defines the location at which a tag is brought into contact with the back face. The bar is configured to provide a sharp turn in a pathway for a liner portion of the strip of tags. This separates the liner from the tag as the tag is applied to the label.

Abstract: The inventive label sensing device includes a label detector within a housing. The label detector includes a bearing assembly serving as a piston, the bearing assembly having a roller bearing for riding over label material. The roller bearing moves the bearing assembly vertically as the roller bearing rides over the label material based on the height differential of the label and the label substrate. The bearing assembly is in contact with the first end of a lever arm at a pivot point located on the bearing assembly. As the bearing assembly moves up and down, the first end of the lever arm moves responsive to movement of the pivot, generating an amplified signal in the second end of the lever arm, proportional to movement of the roller bearing. Provided at a location adjacent to the second end of the lever arm is a proximity sensor for detecting the movement of the second end of the lever arm within a soft switching region.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying sheets to substrates including a rotating blade roller with a blade on its surface; a vacuum roller rotating with the blade roller, oriented parallel to the blade roller, and with a surface adjacent to the blade roller surface; at least one slot in the vacuum roller surface into which the blade is inserted as the rollers rotate; and a feeder for feeding a continuous sheet between the rollers so that the sheet is cut into segments. The vacuum roller surface includes surface holes connected to a vacuum source during cutting and disconnected after cutting and manifold holes parallel to the roller axis and located in a circle below the surface. The manifold holes have open ends located at one end of the vacuum roller and are connected to the surface holes. There is at least one plate adjacent the end of the vacuum roller with the open ends. The plate includes at least two curved grooves on the surface matching the shape of the path traveled by the open ends.

Abstract: A method and a system for efficiently using media stamped on a substrate include a feedroller, a shuttle, a cylinder and a control arrangement. The media has at least one registration mark. The feedroller is coupled to the media and provides the media with a first velocity component. A shuttle is coupled to the feedroller via the media and moves linearly with a variable periodic velocity. The shuttle provides the media with a second velocity component, the second velocity component being a function of the velocity of the shuttle. A cylinder has at least one die and a stamping area in which one of the at least one die urges the media against a substrate. The media and the substrate have same velocity in the stamping area during the urging, but the substrate has a greater average velocity than an average velocity of the media. A control arrangement is coupled to the feedroller, the shuttle and the cylinder. The control arrangement maintains a registration between the media and substrate.

Abstract: An edge banding device for panels includes an edge band applicator. The edge band applicator includes a motor-driven shaft that defines a vertical main axis and that mounts and drives a roller that contacts the edge of the panel. The contact roller turns freely about the vertical main axis. On opposite sides of the contact roller are located a glue feeder and at least one main pressure roller of the edge band. The glue feeder and pressure roller are adapted for oscillating about the shaft in accordance with the profile of the panel.

Abstract: A complex object, such as a spar for a tilt-rotor aircraft rotor blade, is manufactured from fiber composite materials. Unbroken fiber strips are laid along the length of the spar to maximize the number of full length fibers used in the spar. Cross-sectional areas along the length of the spar can change in both shape and area. The fibers are laid to accommodate and form these variable shapes. The locations for the fibers are determined by defining locations for the strips for each cross-section, then connecting corresponding points together to specify where the strips are to be laid down.

Abstract: A labeler for objects, such as fruit or vegetables, has a pickup head that includes a firing piston, and a larger piston that is coupled to the firing piston. The pickup head, along with other pickup heads, are provided on an assembly that rotates the heads in a circular manner. When each pickup head is at the 6 o'clock position, a burst of air pressure is provided to the firing piston, thereby causing it to fire and to cause the larger piston to move in an outward direction. This causes the pickup head to extend fully, to thereby cause a label positioned on an applicator at a distal end of the pickup head to contact an object and thereby apply the label to the object. At other positions besides the 6 o'clock position, a vacuum source provides a vacuum to the pickup heads, thereby maintaining the pickup heads in a fully retracted position, as well as providing a way for keeping the label on the applicator of the pickup head while the pickup head is rotating.

Abstract: A two-sided card laminating apparatus simultaneously applies and bonds laminate sheets to opposing faces of a two-sided card substrate. The apparatus includes two opposing laminating assemblies symmetrically mounted in mirror image relation on opposing sides of a substrate supply path. Individual sheets of laminate are cut from webs of lamina and transferred onto the card substrate at a convergence zone disposed on the substrate supply path. Each of the laminating assemblies includes a web of lamina, a cutter, and nip rollers disposed between the web and the cutter. The nip rollers advance the web in an upstream direction through the cutter into engagement with a transfer roller. As the laminate exits the cutter, the leading edge is captured between the outer surface of the transfer roller and a laminate guide where it is grabbed by the outer surface of the transfer roller.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for controllably registering two continuously moving layers of material is provided. One of the layers is elasticized and has a plurality of reference marks representing a plurality of separate and distinct components, and the other of the continuously moving layers has a respective plurality of components thereon. The process and apparatus controls the distance between reference marks to a selected distance, and controllably registers each reference mark to a respective component of the continuously moving second layer.

Abstract: Colored or metallic foil is applied to toner printed onto a substrate, such as paper, in a high speed, versatile manner, using a rotating impression cylinder, and a rotating transfer cylinder having circumferentially spaced heated raised portions. The toner, which preferably includes a thermoplastic component, is applied to the paper with any suitable printer, such as a computer controlled MIDAX (ion deposition) print engine. The toner may be heated by an infra red heater just before the paper is fed to the nip between the impression and transfer cylinders. A foil strip having an adhesive layer facing outwardly, a foil layer, and a release coating on a backing, is also fed to the nip, and the backing taken up downstream of the nip. Heat and pressure applied at the nip transfer the adhesive and foil from the foil strip to the tacky toner, producing the desired foil printed paper, which then may be further processed.

Abstract: A teartape for packaging materials, and particularly such materials based on polyolefin films, includes a base film coated with a pressure sensitive adhesive composition. The teartape is affixed to the packaging material by the adhesive composition. This avoids the problem of distortion which can occur when affixing conventional teartapes to such packaging materials by means of hot melt wax compositions. The teartape is applied to moving packaging material by controlling the speed of the teartape in accordance with the speed of the packaging material so as to reduce tension imbalance. The speed of the teartape may be controlled in dependence upon the tension in the teartape. This can be achieved by supplying the teartape from a dispenser having a brake means (4,5) and a drive means (10,11,12) for regulating the speed oft he teartape in dependence on the tension in the teartape.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for aligning webs, such as photographic film or paper, where the trailing edge of an expiring web is spliced to the lead edge of a fresh web. A supporting means having the fresh web thereon in a fixed position is caused to move by sensor means transmitting a signal corresponding to precise positioning of the expiring relative to the fixed position of the fresh web. According to the invention, a programmable controller is used to analyze the signals received from the sensors and directs the movements of the supporting means where the webs are ultimately moved into abutting or overlapping contact and then spliced.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for producing gypsum board having at least one facing sheet, a core of cementitious material such as low density gypsum, and an intermediate layer of bond promoting material, such as higher density gypsum located therebetween. The apparatus includes a forming table having a transverse gap. The facing sheet travels along the forming table over the gap. A spreader roller has an outer surface extending partially into the gap to depress the facing sheet. The bond promoting material is deposited on the facing sheet upstream of the spreader roller and the spreader roller outer surface rotates in the same direction as the facing sheet to coat the facing sheet with the bond promoting material. The core layer material is deposited on the facing sheet downstream of the spreader roller on top of the bond promoting coating.

Abstract: A labelling machine is operable for applying carrier-supported labels for delivery to produce articles arranged in rows in a tray. The labelling machine includes at least one label transfer mechanism operative to apply labels from a carrier onto produce articles. The labelling machine also includes memory operative to store print information. A printer of the labelling machine is positioned upstream of the label transfer mechanism and is operative to print user-configurable print information. Control circuitry of the labelling machine is electrically coupled to the printer and the memory, and is operative to configure the printer to print user-configurable print information. A user interface of the labelling machine is signal-coupled to the control circuitry and memory, and is operable by a user to select the user-configurable print information to be printed by the printer. A method is also provided.

Abstract: A heat activation method for activating a thermosensitive adhesive label having a support and a thermosensitive adhesive layer which is provided on the support and is not adhesive at room temperature, so as to make the thermosensitive adhesive layer adhesive with the application of heat thereto, includes the step of heating the thermosensitive adhesive layer so as to make the thermosensitive adhesive layer adhesive by energizing a heater which is in contact with the thermosensitive adhesive layer, the heater having a heat-application portion which is constructed in such a fashion that a resistor and a protective layer are successively overlaid on a ceramic substrate. A heat activation apparatus has the above-mentioned heater, and a label printer for the thermosensitive adhesive label has a label holder, a printing apparatus, a cutter and a heat activator.

Abstract: The method for measuring the diameter of a reel or roll of wound web material (N) involves the following steps: rotating said reel (L); detecting at least twice the moment when a given point (Lf) on the web material (N) passes a predetermined position; determining the time that elapses between said two passes or the amount of rotation (&agr;) of the supporting roller (5); and calculating the diameter (D) of the reel (L) from said time (T) and the peripheral speed (V) of the reel (L) of from said amount of rotation (&agr;) and the radius (R) of the supporting roller (5).

Abstract: Provided is a brush finishing machine including, arranged along an endless chain, finishing stations comprising at least one stamping press for marking the brush handles with decals transferred for application thereto from a foil advanced by an indexing mechanism provided upstream of the brush handles, the endless chain carrying at each chain link two brush bodies held spaced away from each other at the chain link, and the stamping press comprising two stamping dies located opposite the brush handles.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing a multi-ply corrugated paperboard (105) by repeatedly laminating multi-ply corrugated mediums (102, 103) with different pitches and widths between top and bottom liners is disclosed. This invention thins the paperboard and improves the compressive strength of the paperboard so as to substantially reduce the package volume. In the process for producing the multi-ply corrugated paperboard, a first corrugated medium (102) is continuously laminated to a liner (101), thereby forming a single-ply paperboard. The first corrugated medium (102) has predetermined flute pitch and flute peak height. Thereafter, a second corrugated medium (103) is continuously laminated to the single-ply paperboard, thereby forming the multi-ply corrugated paperboard (105) having improved shock absorptivity and compressive strength against a vertical load. The second corrugated medium has optionally selected flute pitch and flute peak height.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying adhesive spacer to a glass pane to produce an insulated glass window including a first applicator head for applying the spacer; a supporter for supporting the head a distance from the pane, an advancer for advancing the pane relative to the head; a feeder for feeding the spacer at a controllable speed to the head; and an applicator channel for guiding and positioning the spacer on the pane. The channel includes a cooperative pair of driven belts for positioning the spacer at a rate corresponding to the controllable speed where the belts are arranged in upstanding relation to the pane for compressing the spacer therebetween to from an application channel to position the spacer on the pane while the spacer is between the belts. The is also provided a driver for driving the belts and a pressure belt for pressing on the spacer to provide sealing contact between the spacer and the pane.

Abstract: The most important heat-sealing parameters must be able to be adapted to different conditions of use in a simple and accurate manner. This is accomplished by the hot air temperature, on the one hand, and the amount of hot air, the speed of rotation of the pressing rollers (8, 9) and/or the pressing pressure of the pressing rollers (8, 9), on the other hand, being able to be controlled via controllers (41, 37, 24, 29), wherein a basic setting of the set points of these controlled variables is performed as a function of material- and/or application-specific characteristics, and by the position of the hot air nozzle (16) in terms of height (H), distance (A) and/or of the oncoming flow angle (.alpha.) with respect to the roller gap being able to be set by motor operators (18, 19, 21) as a function of the intended use and/or the thickness of the workpiece.

Abstract: The present invention enables efficient taping of a short length electric wire that is taped by a taping head. Namely, an electric wire hand is provided for removing an electric wire after taping from an electric wire clamp that clamps the electric wire. The electric wire hand cuts off the end of a tape wound up around the electric wire during the course of removing the electric wire at a fixed timing by interlocking with other parts according to a control unit. Therefore, a separate process for cutting off the end of a wound up tape becomes unnecessary, thereby making it possible to continuously and rapidly remove an electric wire.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sheet tension adjusting method which allows the tension to a single-faced corrugated fiberboard sheet or a liner to be greatly adjusted with a high accuracy to be capable of the adjustment of upward or downward warps of the corrugated fiberboard sheet. In the method according to this invention, when manufacturing a single-faced corrugated fiberboard sheet S.sub.1 in a manner that a liner L.sub.1 is adhered onto a corrugated sheet C.sub.1, the single-faced corrugated fiberboard sheet S.sub.1 is wound around one or more rolls 1 to change a braking force to the roll 1, thereby adjusting the tension to the single-faced fiberboard sheet S.sub.1. Further, this invention is effectively applicable in manufacturing various kinds of corrugated fiberboard sheets.

Abstract: An ultrasonic welding/cutting machine includes an ultrasonic machining unit including a machining roller and a tool horn to which ultrasonic waves are transmitted. The ultrasonic machining unit welds or cuts a sheet material such as unwoven fabric by feeding the sheet material between the machining roller and the tool horn. The machine further includes the construction for moving the ultrasonic machining unit in a direction generally perpendicular to a direction in which the sheet material is fed, the construction for rotating the machining roller on its axis, and the construction for turning the machining roller.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hot air welding apparatus that provides accurate and repeatable control of the drive wheel speed. To afford very precise control of the speed and relative rotation of the drive wheels at all times during the welding process, the present invention is provided with a computer control system and two high torque stepper motors, one for each drive wheel. The computer control system allows the speed and position of the drive wheels to be regulated with a very high accuracy. The computer control system allows the drive wheel settings to be adjusted while the seam is being welded and further includes an automatic ramp capability, a repeat mode, and a test strip mode. Further, the computer control system is capable of controlling the temperature of the air used in the welding process.

Abstract: An improved labeler includes a housing and a bellows drive gear and cassette drive sprocket spaced apart and each rotatably supported in the housing. A stepper motor is mounted in the housing and has an output shaft. A first drive gear is affixed to the shaft and engages the bellows drive gear. A second drive gear is affixed to the shaft. A drive train is interposed between and engages the second gear and the cassette drive sprocket. The stepper motor is positioned between the bellows drive sprocket and the cassette drive sprocket whereby the footprint of the labeler is minimized. Each individual bellows has a marker. A position sensor detects each of the markers. A first sensor detects a fruit. The stepper motor is responsive to the fruit sensor to advance the bellows wheel in response to detection of a fruit.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for controllably registering two continuously moving layers of material is provided. One of the layers is elasticized and has a plurality of reference marks representing a plurality of separate and distinct components, and the other of the continuously moving layers has a respective plurality of components thereon. The process and apparatus controls the distance between reference marks to a selected distance, and controllably registers each reference mark to a respective component of the continuously moving second layer.