To Configuration Of Part To Which Secured Patents (Class 156/475)
  • Patent number: 5932064
    Abstract: As tape drawer rollers are driven for intermittent rotation, a continuous tape is intermittently fed along a tape traveling path with a leading end portion of the tape inserted through a ring at a tape folding section. When the continuous tape has been fed by a predetermined length, the feeding of the tape is stopped and then the lower end portion of the tape inserted through the ring is bent about the ring by a first bending member. Then a cutting device severs a predetermined length of tape strip off the continuous tape, whereupon the an upper half of the severed tape strip is bent about the ring by a second bending member, thus providing a folded tape strip having a laminate portion. Finally the folded tape strip is discharged out of a machine after part of its laminate portion is fused by a fusing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: YKK Corporation of America
    Inventor: Kiichiro Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 5891299
    Abstract: A carton sealer using paper tapes includes a work table, an elevator, two tape machines, and a contact wheel unit. When a carton is placed and moved on the table, it touches a following wheel of an upper tape machine and is adhered with a paper tape. The carton and the following wheel continue to move forward until a micro switch separates from a projection of a turning member of the following wheel and an air cylinder. Then a spring pulls back the following wheel and a press wheel to their original position, finishing one round of tape sealing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Tien Heng Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tuan-Mei Chiu Chen
  • Patent number: 5879506
    Abstract: A label applicator for applying labels to cup-shaped packaging containers including a label storing device means in the form of label rolls, from which labels are removed with the aid of a removal device and labels are applied by a transfer device to the packaging containers. The labels are applied by a contact pressure device to the jacket faces of the packaging containers. Because the application of the labels to packaging containers takes place after the forming of the containers, the design of the label application device is simplified, and accessibility to the containers is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Robert Bosh GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Mueller
  • Patent number: 5876547
    Abstract: A mug printing clamping device (20) is shown for transferring images to curved substrates such as the surfaces of a mug (10). The device employs a flexible band (28) which forms a cylindrical cavity lined with a pad (30). A decal (14) containing the image to be transferred is inserted between the pad (30) and the mug (10) and pressure is applied to the flexible band (28) by rotating cam (38) counter clockwise, which moves slidable post (58) in the direction of adjustable post (36). A ratchet gear (40) and pawl (42) lock cam (38) into position enabling mug printing clamping device (20) to accommodate a wide variety of mug sizes. The mug (10) and decal (14) are then heated, causing the sublimation dyes on the decal (14) to transfer the image on the decal (14) to the surface of the mug (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Ronald H Kiesow, Raymond E Wess
  • Patent number: 5863377
    Abstract: Apparatus for conforming laminate to a radius edge. The apparatus includes a heat bar assembly including a heat plate extending longitudinally along the radius edge. A mechanism is attached to the assembly for applying uniform pressure to the laminate longitudinally along the radius edge for uniform heating of the laminate. The mechanism may include a plurality of selectively controllable cylinders spaced longitudinally within the heat bar assembly for pre-stressing at least a portion of the heat plate relative to the heat bar assembly. Additionally, the heat bar assembly may further include a cooling plate, where the heat bar assembly is rotatable along its longitudinal axis between a cooling and a heating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: Modular Concepts, Inc.
    Inventor: Walter Rohrbach
  • Patent number: 5830518
    Abstract: A device for tucking covering materials into a formed component comprises a support mold for the formed component which supports covering materials such as textiles, on its upper face for insertion into the formed component at a ring-formed tucking groove outward from the outer periphery of the upper face. The device has a tucking mold that is positioned at the outer periphery of the support mold for the formed component, and that has a ring-formed tucking blade which is capable of tucking an edge of the covering materials into the tucking groove of the formed component supported by the support mold for the formed component. An outer support mold for an outer periphery is positioned at the outer periphery of the ring-formed tucking mold, and supports the outer periphery of the formed component supported by the support mold for the formed component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Nissen Chemitec Corporation
    Inventor: Tadayuki Oda
  • Patent number: 5820724
    Abstract: A membrane press is provided for applying a laminating foil to a three-dimensional workpiece to be laminated. The membrane press includes a work base having a supporting surface for carrying the workpiece, and a frame located above the workpiece for holding the foil. The improvement in the membrane press includes a pedestal housing located in the work base and having a cylinder therein communicating through a pedestal opening with the supporting surface of the work base. A piston rod including a workpiece elevating and lowering pedestal is positioned in the cylinder in axial alignment therewith. The pedestal communicates with the supporting surface through the pedestal opening. Upper and lower pistons are affixed to the piston rod in fluid-pressure transmitting relation within the cylinder in axially spaced-part relation to each other. The pistons define respective upper and lower axially aligned pressure-transmitting surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Smartech L.L.C.
    Inventor: Hartmut Diekwisch
  • Patent number: 5809627
    Abstract: A brake shoe, in which a friction lining is secured to a platform of a shoe body solely by a thermosetting adhesive resin cured at elevated temperature, has a friction material including fibrous reinforcement materials and an uncured thermosetting binder, roll formed to define a green lining element which is sandwiched with the adhesive between the platform and a bearing surface that applies small constraining pressure by way of the major faces but not minor faces. The resins of the adhesive and lining element are cured together in situ on, and into intimate conformity with, the platform. The constraining pressure is preferably long enough to overcome any tendency for the curing friction material to expand in thickness or fall in density due to evolution of gases therein, by easy escape of gases from the unconstrained minor faces permitting the small constraining pressure on the major surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: G B Tools & Components Exports Limited
    Inventor: Douglas Baldwin
  • Patent number: 5759338
    Abstract: A machine comprising a supporting base for boxes to be sealed, a mechanism for moving the boxes, a head that can be displaced vertically with respect to the supporting base, and at least one unit for feeding gum-coated paper sections that is removably disposed in a seat of the vertically displaceable head. The feed unit comprises a plurality of individual units that can be taken apart separately. The feed unit includes a unit for supporting a roll of gum-coated paper, a tape control unit, a tape centering unit, a tape feed unit, a contrast unit cooperable with the tape feed unit, a tape shearing unit, a tape moistening unit, and a unit for applying the moistened tape to the box to be sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Inventor: Augusto Marchetti
  • Patent number: 5755921
    Abstract: A press for transferring images from pictures or substrates to other objects, such as mugs or other cylindrical objects. The press comprises a flexible band or jacket type clamp lined with suitable compressible material and capable of being clamped tightly against a generally cylindrical outer surface of an object, with the image to be transferred against such outer surface. The image is urged into intimate contact with the outer cylindrical surface by the clamping pressure transferred through the compressible material. An adjustable clamp permits ease of placement of the band type press onto the object to which the image is to be transferred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Fargo Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher R. Christensen
  • Patent number: 5755908
    Abstract: A pliable flat disk of laminated construction having a thin top layer of deformable material bonded to a relatively thicker intermediate layer of pliable adhesive sealant material and a removable bottom layer of release paper covering the exposed surface of the sealant material is deformed during installation to cover and seal the head of a fastener protruding from a surface. The disk is installed by a tool having an end adapted to hold the flat disk. The end of the tool has a recess slightly deeper than the height of the head of the fastener and an interior slightly larger than the outer periphery of the head of the fastener. The flat disk is releasably attached on the end of the tool and covers the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Inventors: Herbert Rayburn, Susan Rayburn
  • Patent number: 5730827
    Abstract: A tape applying mechanism employs a puller having a gripper that grips the free end of a tape and then pulls it from a pickup position along a path into an extended position. A pressure bar then moves across the path and forces the tape against the surface of an article, preferably the pressure bar will include a pair of end wipers to wipe end sections of the tape along a pair of sides of the article in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first or major surface of the article. The device is particularly suited for applying a sealing tape to a carton wherein the side of the tape facing the article or carton has an adhesive surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignees: Dekka Industries Inc., Sidewinder Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Clive Sewell
  • Patent number: 5730830
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for forming structural panel members from fiber crop material such as rice, straw and the like. The fiber crop material is bailed into circular or rectangular bails which bails are placed in a debailer/shredder. The fiber material is cut to a predetermined length and conveyed pneumatically to a compression chamber. A ram compresses the fiber into a rectangular slot between upper and lower platen members. Paper is applied with glue to the upper and lower surfaces of the fiber and is folded up to cover the sides of the fiber. The glue is cured on a curing table and the fiber is severed in a cutting section into desired lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Haddonfield Management Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Lorne D. Hall
  • Patent number: 5730831
    Abstract: A tape applying apparatus adjustable to accommodate various width taping heads. The apparatus includes a base, left and right bed portions separated by a central open portion, and left and right filler plates mounted in the central open portion. The distance between the filler plates can be adjusted to adjust the width of the central open portion and accommodate lower taping heads of different widths. Replaceable front and rear guards are placed on the front and rear of the bed across the ends of both filler plates. The apparatus can also include an upper frame for supporting an upper taping head. The upper frame includes two support members. A rear spacer connecting the two support members, a front support plate, and a top cover can be replaced or adjusted to accommodate an adjustable upper taping head width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Van E. Jensen, Jr., Michael R. Mitchell, Lloyd S. Vasilakes
  • Patent number: 5725721
    Abstract: A mechanism of a band attaching device of a case sealing machine for preventing the band from falling down. A fourth band guiding wheel is disposed under the band stopper boards and movable on the front band pressing wheel support. When the fourth band guiding wheel is positioned at a lowest position, the front edge of the outer surface of the fourth band guiding wheel intersects the band stopper boards and the band is forced to move downward and linearly contact with the band stopper boards on the adhesive face. At this time, the band is urged to forward project into an arch state so as to enhance the upright standing ability of the band without falling down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Inventor: Tsuang-Hang Yeh
  • Patent number: 5718307
    Abstract: A membrane press and method of elevating a three-dimensional workpiece are provided. The membrane press includes a work base having a supporting surface for carrying the workpiece. A foil-pressing frame is positioned above the workpiece for heating and applying a laminating foil to the workpiece. A plurality of fluid actuated pedestal assemblies are positioned for movement between a workpiece-loading position and a workpiece-lifting position above the supporting surface of the work base. Fluid passages communicate with the pedestal assemblies, and fluid pressure control means. The control means selectively directs a flow of fluid to the pedestal assemblies in response to the loading of the workpiece onto the supporting surface of the work base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: Smartech LLC
    Inventor: Hartmut Diekwisch
  • Patent number: 5711845
    Abstract: A device is disclosed for gluing an ornamental body (S) onto a shaped body (W). The device aims to minimize the elongation of the ornamental body and the residual stress in it when it is fitted in a concave part (B) of the shaped body (W) to provide a product of good quality wherein no separation of the ornamental body from the shaped body occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Sintokogio, Ltd.
    Inventors: Fukuji Ozawa, Hisamoto Tsuiki, Tetsu Yabuno
  • Patent number: 5705024
    Abstract: A system for applying labels to objects includes an object supply for supplying objects substantially equally spaced and aligned in single file for labeling. The system also includes a label applicator for applying a label to an object from the object supply and a label supply for supplying the labels to the label applicator. Each of the labels are joined at an end to at least one other of the labels. The system also includes a labeling finisher to detach the end of each label from the at least one other label and to smooth the end of each label onto their respective object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Eric Bainbridge, John Hitchings
  • Patent number: 5648109
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for forming an article of advanced composites on a tool forming surface from a preform are disclosed. Apparatus includes, according a preferred embodiment, a tool forming surface, a first diaphragm for urging a preform into conforming contact with the tool forming surface, and a second diaphragm for supporting a side of the preform opposite the side engaged by the first diaphragm during forming. The second diaphragm does not extend completely between the preform and the tool forming surface. The apparatus is arranged with a first diaphragm mountable on the apparatus and conformable to a preform to be formed and a second diaphragm mounted on the apparatus and conformable to a portion of the preform simultaneously with the first diaphragm. A forming tool is provided, including a tool forming surface positionable for receiving the preform between the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm when the first and second diaphragms are mounted on the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Timothy G. Gutowski, Gregory P. Dillon, Sukyoung Chey, Haorong Li
  • Patent number: 5645670
    Abstract: A fiberglass or other material skin is applied to a composite airfoil structure in a mold assembly having a partially compliant caul plate component which defines the shape of the lower surface of the airfoil. The caul plate component includes a first portion which is essentially rigid and which covers the leading edge of the airfoil. The rigid portion of the caul plate component provides improved conformation of the airfoil skin to the leading edge of the airfoil. The caul plate component also includes a compliant portion which covers and defines the shape of the trailing edge of the lower surface of the airfoil. The stiffness of the caul plate component also has a variable stiffness zone which interconnects the rigid and compliant portions thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Sikorsky Aircraft Corp.
    Inventors: William C. Reinfelder, David A. Kovalsky, Corey D. Jones
  • Patent number: 5645669
    Abstract: A label applicator for applying a label to an article comprising a supporting structure, a label carrier adapted to receive and releasably retain a label and a carrier mount. The label carrier is mounted for rotation on the carrier mount. The carrier mount mounts the label carrier on the supporting structure for bodily movement between a label receiving position in which the label carrier can receive and releasably retain a label and a label applying position in which the label carrier can apply the label to the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Label-Aire, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Crankshaw, William F. Akerboom
  • Patent number: 5635280
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming a laminate to a core having a profiled edge, comprising a frame for supporting the core and laminate, a resilient sheet, and means mounted to the frame for placing the sheet in tension and moving the sheet between a position out of contact with the laminate to a tensioned position in contact with the laminate, whereby further movement of the sheet applies a force to the laminate to form the laminate to the edge of the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Inventor: Richard J. Hyde
  • Patent number: 5635004
    Abstract: A tape applying apparatus (10) includes a plurality of pairs of vacuum heads (120, 122) extending axially at circumferentially spaced intervals on a disc (24) rotated about an axis by the extension of a cylinder (48) which is operatively connected by a cam follower (60) to a cam (40) rotatably fixed to the disc (24). The vacuum head (120) adjacent the free end of the tape includes a trough (126) including vacuum bleed holes (128) for drawing the tape segment extending over the trough (126) into the trough (126) to form a tab when desired. A slide (66) is reciprocated between retracted and extended positions by a further cylinder (72). A knife (98) is movably connected to the slide (66) for cutting the tape when the knife (98) reaches a cutting position, with the knife (98) stopping at the cutting position before the slide (66) reaches the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: Douglas Machine Limited Liability Company
    Inventors: Irvan L. Pazdernik, Leon J. Krause
  • Patent number: 5630894
    Abstract: A flexible heating and vacuum pad sealer. The heating/vacuum pad is used to hold heat sensitive decalcomania between the pad and the substrate for application of a decal to the substrate by heat and pressure. The sealer is normally used in combination with a reverse image type sublimation decal system to facilitate application of decals to solid objects such as urns or monuments. The heating pad includes a manifold portion having passageways for drawing a vacuum, a heating pad body portion having heating elements embedded therein, a porous lower compliant skin portion to contact the decal being applied, and a peripheral sealing lip. The heating elements and vacuum are interconnected with a control box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignee: Gemstone Memorials, Inc.
    Inventors: Esther A. Koch, Jimmie M. Craig
  • Patent number: 5618376
    Abstract: A device for girding an article with a strip of adhesive tape whose ends adhere to one another where the device includes a housing with a cavity for accommodating a supply roll of adhesive tape, a star wheel rotatable with light friction having a number of spokes bounding identical, substantially radial recesses disposed at mutually equiangular distances, two mutually registered slits open on one side which are present in the front wall and the rear wall respective of the housing and which together bound a channel wherethrough an article for girding is moved from the open side. A movable positioning arm is arranged hingedly on a tilt piece which engages with its free end into a recess in the star wheel, whereby this star wheel is positioned such that another recess is situated in a channel and is ready to receive an article for girding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: Household Innovations International B.V.
    Inventor: Leonardus F. M. van der Storm
  • Patent number: 5603150
    Abstract: An upholstering apparatus is provided including a frame, a work-supporting plate operably mounted on the frame including a nest configured to support a sheet of upholstery material, especially fabric, and a substrate. A clamp on the frame is configured to rubbingly press the substrate against the upholstering material. In a first embodiment, a plurality of edge fold assemblies are located around the nest, each including a first subassembly having an edge fold blade operably attached to the work-supporting plate, and a second subassembly operably attached to the clamp for engaging the edge fold blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Assignee: J. R. Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Assink, Mark J. Feenstra
  • Patent number: 5597440
    Abstract: An apparatus for the adhesive fixing of a joining part (11) to a resilient workpiece joining point (13) function in such a way that by means of a compensating device (20) the yielding of the joining point (13) is determined according to distance and/or position change and is taken into account during the smoothing adapting of the joining point (13) and during the attachment of the joining part (11) and consequently eliminated. This makes it possible to obtain a high joining quality and constancy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Inventor: Ernst Pecha
  • Patent number: 5580415
    Abstract: A membrane press and method of elevating a three-dimensional workpiece are provided. The membrane press includes a work base having a supporting surface for carrying the workpiece. A foil-pressing frame is positioned above the workpiece for heating and applying a laminating foil to the workpiece. A plurality of fluid actuated pedestal assemblies are positioned for movement between a workpiece-loading position and a workpiece-lifting position above the supporting surface of the work base. Fluid passages communicate with the pedestal assemblies, and fluid pressure control means. The control means selectively directs a flow of fluid to the pedestal assemblies in response to the loading of the workpiece onto the supporting surface of the work base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Inventor: Hartmut Diekwisch
  • Patent number: 5573628
    Abstract: A device for applying sealing labels to containers defined partially by two parallel faces and by a further face connecting the two parallel faces; the device including a conveying device for feeding containers to a labeling station, and a supply device for supplying labels and presenting at least one retaining device for retaining two opposite end portions of the label; the conveying device consisting of a conveyor for successively conveying the containers with the further face downstream in relation to the traveling direction of the conveyor; and an actuating device being provided for moving the retaining device between a position, assumed at least at the labeling station, of interference with the path of each container on the conveyor, and a position of noninterference with the aforementioned path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: G.D Societa per Azioni
    Inventor: Fulvio Boldrini
  • Patent number: 5529658
    Abstract: The invention is an improved membrane press, and method of elevating a workpiece above the supporting surface of a work base. The membrane press includes a work base having a supporting surface for carrying the workpiece, and a foil-pressing frame positioned above the workpiece for heating and applying the laminating foil to the workpiece. The improvement in the membrane press includes a plurality of workpiece-lifting pedestals residing substantially beneath the supporting surface of the work base. A piston is located beneath each pedestal, and responds to the placement of the workpiece onto the supporting surface of the work base. The piston imparts an upward force on certain ones of the pedestals residing adjacent to and beneath the workpiece to raise the pedestals and workpiece upwardly above the supporting surface of the work base. The raised pedestals permit the top surface, corners, and peripheral borders of the elevated workpiece to be laminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Inventor: Hartmut Diekwisch
  • Patent number: 5522478
    Abstract: The invention is an improved membrane press, and method of elevating a workpiece above the supporting surface of a work base. The membrane press includes a work base having a supporting surface for carrying the workpiece, and a foil-pressing frame positioned above the workpiece for heating and applying the laminating foil to the workpiece. The improvement in the membrane press includes a plurality of workpiece-lifting pedestals residing substantially beneath the supporting surface of the work base. A piston is located beneath each pedestal, and responds to the placement of the workpiece onto the supporting surface of the work base. The piston imparts an upward force on certain ones of the pedestals residing adjacent to and beneath the workpiece to raise the pedestals and workpiece upwardly above the supporting surface of the work base. The raised pedestals permit the top surface, corners, and peripheral borders of the elevated workpiece to be laminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: Smartech LLC
    Inventor: Hartmut Diekwisch
  • Patent number: 5494552
    Abstract: Two-sided fusible tape is mounted in an effective manner upon the sleeve seam allowance of a garment comprising the steps of placing a jacket arranged inside out upon a heated stationary buck, the jacket being positioned on the buck so that the sleeve seam allowance is properly aligned. An exposed surface of a two-sided fusible strip is placed along the sleeve seam allowance, the other fusible surface being covered with a protective sheet. A vacuum communicating with the buck is drawn to retain the garment in the proper position. A pair of heated heads having pressing surfaces conforming to the shape of the buck are simultaneously driven toward the buck to press the fusible strip against the sleeve seam allowance of the garment, the heat from the buck and the heads activating the fusible. Steam may be ejected from the heads when the fusible employed requires steam for activation. The heads are withdrawn from the buck and the garment is removed in preparation for mounting a shoulder pad to the garment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: Hoffman/New Yorker Incorporated
    Inventor: George V. Thompson
  • Patent number: 5484498
    Abstract: A method of molding an elongated, tapered seamless and hollow member or tubular of net shape comprising providing an elongated, tapered mandrel, applying a composite material consisting of reinforced fibers with a resin on the mandrel, providing a shell having an elongated, tapered bore, inserting the mandrel with the composite material applied thereon into the bore of the shell to provide a mold assembly, heating the mold assembly, displacing the mandrel and shell longitudinally toward each other to compress the composite material of the article being formed by simultaneously applying a tensile force at one end of the mandrel and a compressive force at the other, allowing the mold assembly to cool, and then separating the shell and mandrel from the molded article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Inventors: Harold P. Hogarth, Wayne E. Hogarth
  • Patent number: 5478431
    Abstract: Machine for automatically forming hard folders for bindery, comprising:--means for individually feeding the folder's two mirror-sections and central backbone matched to the respective lining sheet--means for pressing each paired elements thus fed;--means for horizontally moving each pair thus pressed;--means for beating the first and then the second trasverse rim projecting from the lining sheet onto the trasverse edge of the corresponding cardboard mirror-section;--means for moving backwards the angular portion of each trasverse rim being beaten and protruding out of the corresponding cardboard mirror-section;--means for beating the protruding longitudinal rims of the lining sheet onto the corresponding sides of the cardboard mirror-sections and backbone;--means for pressing the said pair with the thus beaten rims of the lining sheet. (FIG. 1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Inventor: Marco Aiazzi
  • Patent number: 5474134
    Abstract: A laminate is made by first forming a substantially closed mold cavity between a pair of mold halves, then injecting a plastified synthetic resin into the cavity under pressure to substantially fill the cavity and at least partially curing the resin in the cavity to form a base body. The mold halves are then separated to leave the partially cured body in one of the mold halves with a face of the body exposed and a deformable sheet is laid over the face of the body in the one mold half. A die having a face conforming at least generally to the shape of the body face is then laid down against the sheet onto the body to press the sheet into intimate contact with the body face and bond the sheet and body together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Assignee: Krauss-Maffei AG
    Inventors: Markus Spotzl, Erwin Burkle, Konrad Zweig
  • Patent number: 5468325
    Abstract: A process for applying an adhesive band with one adhesive side to the narrow rim of an elongated workpiece, particularly a coathanger of corrugated paper, includes the following steps: removing a workpiece from a magazine; sorting the workpieces into corresponding compartments of a compartmented disk carousel that rotates on an axis; forward cyclical rotation of the filled compartmented disk carousel, such that the workpieces placed in the compartments, which are positioned one on top of the other, are transported to other processing stations; at the next processing station, pressing the adhesive band, which has one adhesive side, onto the narrow rims of the flattened workpieces, which project from the compartments of the carousel; at another processing station, cutting the adhesive band and pressing it to the lateral profile of the narrow rim; at another processing station, folding and pressing the projecting edges of the adhesive band against the workpiece, and ejecting the fully processed workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignee: Windmoller & Holscher
    Inventors: Ulrich Eckelt, Karl-Ernst Timmerbeil
  • Patent number: 5458726
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for applying an adhesive handle to a load, both if it is a pack of items kept together by a unitizing means such as heat-shrunk wrapping or if it is a single article such as a box. More specifically, the apparatus for applies adhesive handles to loads that as they are driven along a path, the apparatus in its preferred embodiment being characterized by a rotatable lever having two opposing arms, either of the arms being in turn positioned within the path. A holding means is provided on the lever for carrying a handle to lay on a surface of the two arms of the lever with its non-adhesive side against the surface of the lever and its adhesive side exposed. Additionally a lever driving means is provided to controllably rotate the lever by about 180.degree. after a load that is driven along the path hits an arm of the lever that is positioned within the path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Roberto Castoldi
  • Patent number: 5453142
    Abstract: A composite structure such as a roller door comprises a plurality of rigid slats (1) arranged parallel with one another and spaced apart transversely in an array, the array of slats being sandwiched between upper (3) and lower (4) flexible sheets fixed together in the spaces (5) between adjacent slats to form flexible hinge portions. Preferably the structure is formed by advancing the array of slats (1), in the longitudinal direction of the slats through means which applies the upper and lower flexible sheets to the upper and lower surfaces of the slats and bonds the flexible sheets to the upper and lower surfaces of the slats, then passing the resulting assembly, still in the longitudinal direction of the slats, through apparatus which bears on the flexible sheets and deforms them, in the interstices between the slats, until the upper and lower sheets come together in said interstices and are bonded to each other where they come together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Inventor: Andre Klein
  • Patent number: 5425836
    Abstract: A die for pressingly bonding a foam padding to a covering member of assemblage of a vehicle seat, the foam padding being of a one-side-opened type having a hollow therein, which die includes an upper die comprising a main die portion and a movable die member connected hingedly thereto. The movability of such die member allows easy securement of the foam padding to the upper die, as the movable die member is easily inserted into the hollow of the padding, thereby allowing further insertion of the upper die on the whole into within the padding. When pressing the padding against the covering member by use of the upper die, the movable die member is moved within the padding to a position on the same horizontal line with the main die portion, giving a pressure evenly both padding and covering member for effective bonding of them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1995
    Assignee: Tachi-S, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Shimada, Hideki Kamata
  • Patent number: 5395478
    Abstract: An improvement in a device for applying heat-transferrable decalcomania to a generally curved container surface such as a mug comprising a multiple segment tightening band surrounding a cushioned blanket surrounding a heating element, the segments being hingedly connected so that the band firmly applies the cushioned blanket heating element against the decalcomania and the contiguous curved container surface to effect transfer of the decalcomania design to the container surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Inventors: David M. Sattler, William C. Cox
  • Patent number: 5394644
    Abstract: Device for tying vines or other plants that can be trained by tying, using adhesive tape.A flat body (10), the rear portion (11) of which encloses a roll (2) of adhesive tape (20), its front part (12) housing a star-shaped wheel (3) with several spokes (30), mounted in free rotation around a transverse axis (31), with the end (32) of each of the spokes (30) being rounded and of a width that is approximately equal to the width of the adhesive tape (20). Said spokes (30) are surrounded by the side walls (34) separated by spaces (35,), with part of said star-shaped wheel (3) exceeding the length of its spokes on the lower edge (13) of the body (10), and being partially covered by a cog (4) in the arc of a circle, mounted in a pivot around an axis (40) to the front part (12) of the body (10) and held by a spring (41) against the ends (32) of the spokes (30) between the side walls (34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: ECB SaRL
    Inventor: Jean-Louis Ballu
  • Patent number: 5395466
    Abstract: A back pasting apparatus which uses a back pasting adhesive tape and is intended to make the apparatus compact and to improve back pasting quality. A guide rail (16) movable back and forth with respect to a frame (14) is provided. A paper table (15) arranged opposite to the guide rail (16) is biased by a spring or the like in the direction of the guide rail (16). The guide rail (16) and a clamp (22) are driven by a drive mechanism. First, a back pasting adhesive tape (30) is fed by a tape feeder into the guide groove (19) of the guide rail (16). As the clamp (22) lowers, the cover of papers (17) is pressed against the adhesive tape (30). The guide rail (16) is moved down along the grooves (20, 20) before being moved forward. As a result, only the paper table (15) is pressed down and moved back so that the adhesive tape (30) is pressed against the back and back cover of the papers (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: Max Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouichi Tukagoshi, Takuya Kitamura, Kiyoto Fujii, Kazuo Higuchi, Shinji Imai, Kazuhiko Kitagawa
  • Patent number: 5393366
    Abstract: Articles such as mail are rotated 90.degree., aligned at one edge, and tabs applied to the edge and wrapped around the edge. The article is carried on a belt, and a stop halts forward movement of the article as the article is received under a pivot ball and a drive ball that holds the article against the belt. The driving force causes the article to rotate about the pivot until the article is free to move further on the belt. Angled belts receive the article and urge it against an alignment fence. A tab is dispensed onto the article, and a twisted belt provides a warped surface for wrapping the tab around the edge of the article. Pressure belts press the tab firmly into position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: Profold, Inc.
    Inventor: David L. Bell
  • Patent number: 5391254
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and an associated method for achieving alignment between an image on a film and a lenticular material that is to be bonded to the film to permit the image to be viewed in 3D. The apparatus imparts a controlled bending of the lenticular material over the film such that the slight differences in length between the lenticular material and the film, caused by the bending, adjusts for changes in the line spacing of the lenticular material and or in the spacing of the image segments. Other embodiments of the invention provide for a controlled stretching of the film along its length and from side-to-side to again compensate for variations in the line spacing of the lenticular material or spacing of the image segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Roger A. Morton
  • Patent number: 5374326
    Abstract: A sealing machine for sealing parallelpiped boxes with down-turned flaps, comprises a lower supporting and containment structure defining a supporting plane for the boxes; a lower sealing unit normally contained within the supporting and containment structure; means for advancing the boxes along the supporting plane; a vertically movable upper supporting structure; and an upper sealing unit fixed to the upper supporting structure. The lower supporting structure includes a control unit operable externally from the sealing machine for enabling upward movement of the lower sealing unit to a position wherein at least a portion of the lower sealing unit is disposed above the supporting plane of the boxes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1994
    Inventor: Augusto Marchetti
  • Patent number: 5356505
    Abstract: An applicator for evenly applying an adhesive backed foil to edges of pieces of stained glass. The applicator includes guide members which direct a foil strip from a foil spool past an application point to a take-up reel. The take-up reel is motor driven to pull the foil from the foil spool at a constant speed and to wind up a protective backing after the backing has been removed from the foil and the foil applied to the edge of a piece of stained glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Inventor: John J. Salvatore
  • Patent number: 5356508
    Abstract: An apparatus for applying seals to articles has a rotary table having heads, and an article guide provided along the periphery of the rotary table. Each head is provided with a holding-moving mechanism for holding an article and moving the article on and along the article guide together with the head, and a labeling mechanism for applying a label to the article which is being transferred together with the head. The article is held by the holding-moving mechanism and moved together with the head. During the transfer of the article, the label is applied to the article. The article can be applied with the label while the article is being continuously transferred without being moved intermittently, whereby the apparatus can be easily operated at a high speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Assignee: Japan Tobacco, Inc.
    Inventor: Tomoichi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 5350473
    Abstract: A cover forming apparatus for forming a flower pot or flower pot cover from a sheet of material by engaging a sheet of material about the outer surface of a mold, die or pot. The cover forming apparatus includes a plurality of pivotable forming members resting in a surface which supports a sheet of material upon which is positioned a flower pot mold or flower pot. When the forming members are pivotally moved from the storage position to an extended position, the forming members cause the sheet of material to be appressed to or engaged with the mold or pot. The article formed in accordance with the present invention may be separable from the mold or pot and usable as a flower pot or flower pot cover or may be more or less securely attached to the pot by adhesive, cohesive, barbs, friction pinches or other securing means thereby forming a decorative cover connected to a flower pot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Assignee: Highland Supply Corporation
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Paul Fantz
  • Patent number: 5350472
    Abstract: A novel method and apparatus are provided for making an improved welded joint between overlapping lengths of thermoplastic strap. The welded joint includes a central region and an adjacent peripheral region. The pressure on the strap joint during formation is released first in the peripheral region and subsequently in the central region. An embodiment of the apparatus for making such a joint includes an anvil, a central strap-engaging member, a peripheral strap engaging member, and a mechanism for moving the anvil sequentially to three positions. At a first position the overlapping strap lengths are pressed between the anvil and both the central and peripheral strap-engaging members. In the second position of the anvil the peripheral strap-engaging member does not press against the strap lengths while the central strap-engaging member continues to press the strap lengths against the anvil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Assignee: Signode Corporation
    Inventor: Robert J. Koblella
  • Patent number: 5338384
    Abstract: A tape head apparatus for applying sealing tape to cartons moving thereunder on a conveyor has rollers as part of roller assemblies for rolling the tape under pressure onto the leading face, top surface, and trailing face of the carton. The rollers, assemblies, which are carried on a support frame, and are biased toward their extended position, with the biasing force creating the pressure of the rollers on the tape and the carton. The biasing force is augmented by a pressure enhancer which is actuated while the rollers are applying the tape to the top surface, and the augmented force remains until the tape has been applied to the trailing face of the carton. A cutter cuts the tape prior to its application to the trailing face, leaving a length of unapplied tape sufficient to apply to the trailing face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Assignee: ABC Packaging Machine Corporation
    Inventor: Donald G. Reichert