By Driven Web Feeding Means Patents (Class 156/495)
  • Patent number: 5580417
    Abstract: A multi-purpose laminating and adhesive transfer apparatus having a frame supporting rotatably engaging nip rollers. A replaceable cartridge is insertable into the frame and has upper and lower feed rolls which may be a laminate, film or paper, or an adhesively coated film or a film having an affinity for adhesive. The upper and lower feed rolls containing the webs of laminating or adhesive transfer material have tensioning caps which can be adjusted to provide the proper tensioning to prevent the rollers from overrunning as they rotate. Tensioning caps and the cartridges are pre-set and provided to the user. A cutter blade is positioned at the discharge side of the nip rollers and may be actuated to sever the master at any desired location. The apparatus may be operated to apply lamination to either top or bottom surfaces of a substrate or an adhesive to the top or bottom surface of the substrate or to both surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Inventor: Franklin C. Bradshaw
  • Patent number: 5573626
    Abstract: A continuous tape supply apparatus is provided in accordance with the present invention for supplying tape at a substantially consistent tension to a tape applicator machine having an indexing demand, such as a box sealing and taping machine. In general, the continuous tape supply apparatus includes plural tape sources, such as in roll form, from which tape can be supplied to the tape applicator machine, a splicing station for splicing the tape from at least one of the tape sources to another of the tape sources, a means for causing the splice and thus the changeover of tape from one source to another, and a tension control means for providing the tape from the continuous tape supply apparatus at a substantially consistent tension under an indexing demand. Preferably, the splicing mechanism also splices tape in the reverse order from the other tape source station back to the first tape source stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Steven J. Rossini, Keith T. Pinckney, Karl M. Kropp, Robert A. Luhman
  • Patent number: 5567269
    Abstract: A plurality of helically wound tire beads are made by winding them on a forming wheel at two predetermined tension levels. The tension levels are generated by a braking pulley and metallic particle brake in conjunction with a programmable logic controller. The first few turns of wires are made at a relatively low tension level. Subsequent turns are made at a higher tension level. The lower tension level contributes to longer life of the forming wheel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventor: Ralph W. Golightly
  • Patent number: 5547531
    Abstract: A female component for a refastenable fastening device having an elastomeric adhesive backing and a multiplicity of fibrous elements extending from the backing. The female fastening component is formed by a method comprising the steps of: providing a first lamina comprising an elastomeric, pressure-sensitive adhesive film having a first adhesive surface and a second adhesive surface opposed to said first adhesive surface, a relaxed orientation and an elongated orientation; stretching said first lamina from said relaxed orientation to said elongated orientation; contacting a second lamina comprising a nonwoven web with said first surface of said first lamina in said elongated orientation, thereby directly joining said second lamina and said first lamina to form a laminate; and relaxing said first lamina such that said second lamina is shirred to form catching regions capable of entangling the hooks of a complementary male fastening component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: The Proctor & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Patrick J. Allen, Beverly J. Bross-Kelly, Louis J. Viltro, William R. Vinnage, Jr., David M. Weirich
  • Patent number: 5518566
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a tensioned garter. A garter is any continuous loop of elastic material or a laminate of elastic bands and one or more flexible backing sheets. In one embodiment mandrels having a perimeter of the desired garter shape are mounted to a rotating drum. Tensioned elastic ribbons are progressively clamped, sealed, and cut around the mandrels to form individual tensioned garters which cling to the side walls of the mandrels. Once the garters are formed the mandrels may be rotated on their radial axes for alignment with downstream operations. Sealing through elastic members is avoided by interrupting the bonding of elastic members to an elasticized laminate at locations where ribbons are to be clamped. High compression of elastics where they are not sealed to the laminate causes elastic members to burst and contract. Elastic contraction leaves an area in which ribbons may then be bonded together without sealing through elastic members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Russell P. Bridges, James R. Golan, Ronald H. Helton, Stephen J. Lange, Michael J. Madill, Michael G. Nease
  • Patent number: 5509994
    Abstract: A tie gun for tying elongated bundles with a polymeric material tape loop, the loop having overlapped tape lengths, the overlapped material being welded with an ultra sonic horn, this horn embodying a horn tip end which with a clamp, and an anvil arrangement holds the loop in such way that a tape stock section just upstream of the weldment is weakened by horn operation disrupting at least some of the molecular orientation in the material so that the stock can be separated from the loop with an upstream directed pulling force applied to the tape stock resulting in a severance that leaves no objectionable protuberance or tab at the weldment. The tie gun also includes a quick release for freeing a tape build up in the gun incident a tape feed jam. A face of the clamp, face surfaces of the anvils and the horn tip end define a funnel envelope to facilitate tape stock feed to tape loop forming jaws on the gun at the outset of a tying cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Assignee: Anorad Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew M. Recchia, Joseph J. Hernandez, Anwar K. Chitayat, John A. Sehlmeyer
  • Patent number: 5486254
    Abstract: A system of incrementally moving a foil, or other flexible and elastic elongated web, through a work station, by contacting and registering the foil on both sides of the work station. An example of such a work station is a hot stamping press that transfers optical images from the foil to other substrates. A drive mechanism, with an associated foil registration device, is provided at each of the entrance to the work station and the exit from it. Each registration device optically detects registration marks provided on the foil along its length, and is used to stop its associated drive mechanism after a predetermined number of marks have passed. This dual drive system maintains registration of the foil or other web throughout an extended work station. It is particularly advantageous for use with those hot stamping presses that either have a large number of die or whose multiple die are widely separated, since the multiple images carried along the foil are then all properly registered with the die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Assignee: Total Register, Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Gallagher, Terence J. Gallagher
  • Patent number: 5484499
    Abstract: A paper web having a longitudinally extending zone coat of adhesive is continuously wound around the cylindrical surface of a rotating drum for a selected number of wraps to form a multi-layer cylindrical master stack. Web tension is controlled during winding to cause each succeeding wrap to be placed in relatively greater tension, so that when the completed cylindrical stack is cut transversely and unwrapped from the drum, equalization of the tensile stresses in the web wraps results in a flat master stack of rectangular sheets of equal length. The stack is further processed by cutting along transverse and longitudinal cut lines to form individual pads of adhesive-backed notes. Tension control may be based directly on the increase in drum radius resulting from the buildup of web wraps or by maintenance of print pattern register between continuous equally spaced print patterns in overlying wraps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: Converex, Inc.
    Inventor: Carl R. Marschke
  • Patent number: 5472554
    Abstract: A masking film adhering method and apparatus for transporting smoothly and accurately a masking film tape to which a wafer is stuck to the cutting location where the masking film is to be cut. The wafer is stuck onto the masking film tape by passing the masking film tape and the wafer through upper and lower adhesive rollers. The separation of the masking film tape is then increased from a cutting table so that the masking film tape having the wafer stuck thereon may not become adhered to the cutting table, by moving the upper adhesive roller upwardly when the wafer completely passes through the adhesive roller. After the masking film is transported to a cutting location, maintaining a predetermined distance between the masking film and the cutting table, the masking film tape is cut along the shape of the wafer. Sagging of the masking film due to the weight of the wafer is prevented to avoid the masking film tape adhesion to the cutting table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyoun-hee Ko, Il-ho Kim, Chul-hee Kim, Woung-Kwan An
  • Patent number: 5462631
    Abstract: A tape loader has a splicing station including a splicing block whose underside is grooved and provided with perforations constituting vacuum shoes. A slitting head mounts a blade which cooperates with the grooved under surface in slitting tape across its lateral dimension while it is received in its groove retained by vacuum. A splicing arm operates through an orifice in a face plate to splice together two lengths of tape retained in the groove. Operating on the front face of the face plate is a final guide assembly comprising an eccentric plate having a leader tape extraction arm; a bearing block housing a journal into which a cylindrical boss, integral with the plate, is rotatably received; and an internal flange of the boss forming a tooth wheel operably with a belt to apply the output of a motor to drive the plate. The changeover arm is comprised of a cranked changeover arm member mounted to a sleeve secured to a shaft passing through an orifice in the face plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Inventor: John P. Gardner
  • Patent number: 5443679
    Abstract: A tab tape bonder including a bonding device which bonds semiconductor chips, etc. to a tab tape, a first roller driver which feeds the tab tape into the bonding device, a detector which detects holes or perforations formed in the tab tape fed by the first roller driver, and a controller which controls the feeding pitch of the tab tape by the first roller driver in accordance with the detection results obtained by the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Shinkawa
    Inventors: Akihiro Nishimura, Koji Sato
  • Patent number: 5437752
    Abstract: Apparatuses and processes for laminating a finish layer of paper, plastics, film, foil, and other thin sheet material to corrugated material along a corrugator line. The finish layers may be single layer or composite material and are preferably, but not necessarily preprinted, reverse printed, etched or otherwise. The finish layers may be produced, supplied and run in any desired width to suit a customer's needs, without the need to engage in the planning, expense and scheduling necessary to run an entire full width roll of preprint material as single face or double face liner on the corrugator, and without the problems inherent in applying graphics to containers or cartons during the conversion process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Assignee: Lin Pac Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Lang
  • Patent number: 5411618
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for making diapers wherein spaced apart moisture pervious webs are applied to fluff pads and overlaid with a further moisture pervious web which permits further processing prior to adhesively sandwiching a waistband between the further web and an underlying moisture impervious web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Assignee: Paper Converting Machine Company
    Inventor: Frank F. Jocewicz, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5393360
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a tensioned garter and bonding it to a substrate while holding the garter in a predetermined shape. A garter is any continuous loop of elastic material or a laminate of elastic bands and one or more flexible backing sheets. In one embodiment mandrels having a perimeter of the desired garter shape are mounted to a rotating drum. Tensioned elastic ribbons are progressively wrapped, sealed, and cut around the mandrels to form individual tensioned garters which cling to the side walls of the mandrels. In another embodiment each mandrel has a top surface. The upper portion of a garter has sufficient elastic tension to cause it to fold over the mandrel top surface to form a garter flange thereon. A substrate is then engaged with the garter flange and an external sealing means seals the flange to the substrate, using the mandrel top surface as an anvil. In still another embodiment the mandrel top surface has a raised outer rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Russell P. Bridges, James R. Golan, Ronald H. Helton, Stephen J. Lange, Michael J. Madil, Michael G. Nease
  • Patent number: 5389173
    Abstract: Apparatus for producing disposable diaper type products such as diapers per se and training pants in which leg elastic strands are captured between a pair of webs which are thereafter united with a fluff pad-equipped web and wherein guide members are employed for traversing the elastic strands to abut leg openings in the diaper type product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: Paper Converting Machine Company
    Inventors: John R. Merkatoris, Gary E. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5360507
    Abstract: A flame resistant to nonflammable composite panel is produced from a nonextrudable core mixture with a pourable, nonflammable filling material and a binder, and on both sides cover strips, flexibly bonded to the core. For a continuous production of the composite panel in one operation, the core mixture is poured onto a flexible lower adhesive film, supported as it runs in, and a pile extending over the entire width forms there. Between the lower adhesive film and a flexible upper adhesive film, likewise supported as it runs in, material of the core mixture is continuously and uniformly drawn through a V gap and compacted there for the first time and calibrated to thickness. The adhesive films containing the precompacted core mixture are adhesively bonded to the continuously fed cover strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1994
    Assignee: Alusuisse-Lonza Services Ltd.
    Inventors: Reinhard Schlatter, Rainer Ehrat, Peter Muller, Paul Kubler, Otto Hodl
  • Patent number: 5352320
    Abstract: The present invention is a portable manual tape dispensing apparatus for use with a stretchable adhesive tape such as of the type that progressively detackifies when stretched. The apparatus has a supply spool for carrying a supply of the tape and a handle connected to the supply spool for manually grasping and manipulating the apparatus. A mechanism for stretching the tape is arranged and configured to receive the tape from the supply spool. The stretching mechanism has a stretching zone defined between first and second engagement surfaces. The first and second engagement surfaces frictionally engage the tape and move at disparate longitudinal speeds to stretch the tape when the stretching mechanism is activated. A manually operative mechanism is provided for selectively activating the stretching mechanism so an operator can remove the tape from the supply in a substantially detackified stretched condition when the stretching mechanism is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Mark E. Schwartz, James D. Ramacier, Robert A. Luhman, Raymond D. Zachrison
  • Patent number: 5288714
    Abstract: A system for laying up multi-layer stacks of sheets is particularly well suited for making pads of notes having ultra-removable adhesive coatings applied in a narrow strip to the back of each sheet. Large sheets having areas many multiples larger than the size of the individual pads, are applied from a continuous paper web having zone coated adhesive strips applied thereto onto a series of recirculating pallets each of which serially receives a large sheet. The web is applied by pressing the adhesive coated side onto the pallet as the pallet travels through a nip formed by the web carrying roll. Closely spaced end-to-end register of the pallets is maintained through the web-applying nip roll and a perforating blade cooperates therewith to form a weakened tear line across the width of the web which is synchronized to coincide with the gap between adjacent pallets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Assignee: Converex, Inc.
    Inventor: Carl R. Marschke
  • Patent number: 5275676
    Abstract: A distinctive method and apparatus for applying an elastic member onto a moving substrate along a selected curvilinear location includes a transporting mechanism for moving the substrate along a selected substrate path. A rotatable nip roll contacts the elastic member to place the elastic member onto the substrate along the curvilinear location. A guiding mechanism delivers the elastic member across a free-span distance directly onto the nip roll while selectively changing a lateral positioning of the elastic member relative to a cross direction of the invention. A conveying mechanism directs the elastic member along a selected elastic path into the guiding mechanism, and an elastic supplying mechanism provides the elastic member to the conveying mechanism. In one aspect of the invention, a bonding mechanism provides an adhesive in an arrangement which secures the elastic member to the substrate along the curvilinear location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventors: Jon P. Rooyakkers, Lyle T. Lamers, David J. Van Eperen
  • Patent number: 5236539
    Abstract: An apparatus for laying pre-stretched elastic threads in a curved path on a continuously advancing web of material includes at least one rotatable thread-guide roll. The roll is provided with a peripherally extending curved groove or slot whose axial amplitude controls the positioning of the threads on the web, and achieves the desired curvature of the threads. The apparatus further includes a glue applicator for applying adhesive to the threads. The roll may conveniently have the form of a tube provided with through passing slots for guiding the threads straight through the tube and laying them onto the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Inventors: John A. Rogberg, Verner E. Andersen
  • Patent number: 5186779
    Abstract: A stretchable composite strip material comprising coextensive lengths of a band of elastic material and a stretchable non-elastic drawstring formed of textile material, and means releasably securing said drawstring alongside said band in lengthwise-bulked condition to medial portions of the elastic band is provided. The composite strip may be formed into a composite endless loop and incorporated into a garment. An apparatus and method for making the composite strip material is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Assignee: Elastex, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert W. Tubbs
  • Patent number: 5171386
    Abstract: A machine and method for the fully automated manufacture, assembly, and packaged delivery of protective spectacles of that type typically provided by an optometrist to a patient for temporary protective eyewear use following mydriatic eye examination procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Assignees: W. Peter Knepp, Christine F. Knepp
    Inventors: Michael C. Schiavone, Jr., James E. Beck, W. John Gaudlip
  • Patent number: 5100497
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for forming an apex filler (13). The invention also provides a method and apparatus that is uniquely adapted for applying an apex filler (13) onto a bead ring sub-assembly (14) without the introduction of stresses at the outer edge (50) of the apex filler (13). The apex filler forming apparatus (10) works in conjunction with an extruder (43) which presents a linear strip (42) of elastomeric material having a pre-determined cross-section. A pair of opposed, forming rollers (33) present a nip (35) therebetween. Means (36) are provided to rotate the rollers (33). Rotation of the forming rollers (33) causes the nip (35) frictionally to engage the elastomeric strip (42). The interaction between the elastomeric strip (42) and the nip (35) effects rotary motion of the elastomeric strip (42) and increases the circumferential length of the elastomeric strip (42) proportionally to the radial distance outwardly from the base (49) thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Assignee: Steelastic West, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale R. Moody, Robert A. Cronin
  • Patent number: 5062920
    Abstract: An apparatus for fixing a tightly closed loop of a tape of thermoplastic material around an object, such as a bundle of cables. The apparatus includes two jaws which can be opened to encircle the object. The tape is fed around the inner periphery of the closed jaws. There are means for clamping the free end of the tape and pulling back the tape so as to draw it tight around the object. Welding members connected to a microwave generator, all incorporated into the apparatus, serve to effect a weld on the tape to form a closed loop around the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1991
    Assignee: Akzo NV
    Inventors: Cornelis M. Horikx, Martinus J. Jaspers
  • Patent number: 5058365
    Abstract: A tensioning and sealing apparatus, for tensioning and sealing a strap made of a plastic passed around a packaged item, is disclosed. The apparatus includes a clamping device for securing a lower starting section of a plastic strap. The apparatus of the invention further includes a tensioning device for both tensioning the strap and for acting upon an upper section thereof. Upstream from the tensioning device, a friction welding device is provided which preferably includes two welding dies, which are movable relative to one another, for joining mutually overlapping regions of the strap. A cutting member is further provided, preferably arranged between the friction welding device and the tensioning device, for cutting through the upper section of the strap after the strap has been welded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Assignee: Strapex AG
    Inventor: Bruno Kagi
  • Patent number: 5043036
    Abstract: A device for stretching the width of strip material including two rotatably mounted circular pulleys having portions of their peripheries at a close spacing at a first location and portions of their peripheries at a larger spacing at a second location. Two flexible belts are mounted for movement along predetermined paths including clamping path portions with portions of the belts and pulleys in engagement from an inlet position adjacent the first location to an outlet position adjacent the second location. Edge portions of the strip material are guided between the belts and the peripheral surfaces at the inlet position and the portion of the strip material extending from the inlet position to the outlet position is clamped to the peripheral surface of the pulley by the belts and is stretched to widen its width as the pulleys rotate during movement of the strip material from the inlet position to the outlet position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1991
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Douglas A. Swenson
  • Patent number: 5011561
    Abstract: A labelling machine has a supply reel, supplying a band carrying labels, a receiving reel for the band after stripping of the labels, a distribution plate placed close to two deviating bars for deviating the band so that the band forms a sharp angle in its path between the first deviating bar, the distribution plate and the second deviating bar, and a band pulling system placed after the second deviating bar. An arm has on one end the first deviating bar, and is mounted for pivoting about a first pin. A lever carries a stop member and the first pin, and is mounted for pivoting about a second pin, fixed on the frame of the machine. A first return means is fastened to the pivoting lever and the frame of the machine and is capable of causing the lever to pivot about the second pin so that the stop member is directly or indirectly applied on the pivoting spindle of the supply reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1991
    Assignee: Nord Techniques Etiquetage - SARL
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Carolus, Francois Delvinquiere
  • Patent number: 4995928
    Abstract: A carrier strip or filament of cold drawable material is utilized to transport discrete lengths of elastic ribbon within a manufacturing apparatus. The elastic ribbons are extruded onto the carrier strip or around the filament and adhere thereto. The carrier strip and elastic ribbon are jointly stretched a predetermined amount. The stretched carrier strip and stretched elastic ribbon are bonded to a component of a final product, as, for example, the backing sheet of a disposable diaper, wherein the elastic ribbons are employed to elasticize the leg areas. The carrier strips greatly facilitate machine handling relatively short lengths of stretched elastic ribbons without waste. The carrier strips may be transversely guided along a predetermined path to follow the hourglass contour of the margins of a diaper having form fitting legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1991
    Inventor: Reinhardt N. Sabee
  • Patent number: 4992125
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an apparatus adapted to cut an elastic member for fitness of opposite side edges around the user's legs into desired lengths and then to successively attach these lengths of the elastic member onto a disposable diaper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1991
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Migaku Suzuki, Mitsuzo Ochi, Hironori Nomura, Takamitsu Igaue, Takeshi Kudo
  • Patent number: 4969970
    Abstract: An apparatus for modifying and joining a sheet of foam to a non-elastic component that includes slitting the foam to form a plurality of openings, forming the slit foam into a U shaped slack condition and joining surfaces of the foam sheet to a non-elastic component adhering the two together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1990
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Migaku Suzuki, Masamitsu Yamamoto, Hiroshi Ujimoto, Yoshikazu Tanaka, Hiromi Aono
  • Patent number: 4957587
    Abstract: The apparatus has a strip support (12) which can be advanced in relation to gripping members (14) in order to pre-tension strip sections (6,8) against the clamping members. The clamping members feed, tension and weld the strip sections superimposed on the strip support (12). To improve feeding and tensioning and to avoid damage to the strip parts, the gripping members (14) are fixed to a link conveyor (48) which is guided over two guide wheels and from which at least one clamping member projects at the corresponding strip section (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1990
    Assignee: Fromm Holding AG
    Inventor: Manfred Rauch
  • Patent number: 4952270
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a band feeding and tightening apparatus within a strapping machine wherein an external force tending to cause jamming by means of friction and the like in feeding the band pivotably rotates a chute guide constituting part of a band passage, whereby the rear end portion of the chute guide is pushed upwardly and the band which is loosened by means of a length corresponding to the height of the pushed-up portion of the chute guide is retained within the band passage, so that the external force is momentarily released and the band is smoothly fed to the outside of the main body by means of a continuously rotating feed roller and an upper roller without causing jamming and distortion of the band.The feed roller is driven by means of a series motor and the band is fed at a high rate of speed and a low torque, and then restored so as to perform a primary tightening operation, and finally closely tightened around an article to be strapped at a low rate of speed and a high torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1990
    Assignee: Strapack Corporation
    Inventors: Yasunori Sakaki, Tsutomu Tagomori, Eisaku Yamada
  • Patent number: 4946539
    Abstract: This invention is generally accomplished by providing continuous self-adhesive strands of elastic to a substrate having retractable supports extending therefrom. The retractable supports in a convex pattern are contracted with the self-adhering elastic and the substrate bearing the elastic and supports is brought into contact with the web to which the elastic is to be transferred. The series of supports around which the elastic contacts are forced to retract as the self-adhering elastic is pressed against the web causing the elastic to transfer to the substrate thereby creating an elastic band on the substrate. In a preferred form the substrate is fed two strips of self-adhering elastic that are applied on each side of a series of a convex pattern of pins and then pressed together around opposing sides of the convex pattern of pins to seal the elastic to itself and sever the elastic, creating a contoured closed loop around the pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1990
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas M. Ales, Jeffrey J. Samida, Donald F. Arthur, Ronald H. Wideman
  • Patent number: 4941939
    Abstract: A moving web is folded at its predetermined length at its opposite side portions so that the opposite side portions are opposed to each other at a predetermined angle with its central portion. Then part of each of the opposite folded portions is outwardly folded. These foldings occur so that a first folding line and a second folding line being opposed to each other at each side of the web include portions in non-parallel relationship. Elastic bands are affixed onto the web along the second opposite folded portions longitudinally and substantially in parallel to each other. When the web is flattened from the folded condition, the paired elastic band affixed onto the web at its opposite sides each has a diagonal orientation symmetrically with respect to the direction in which the web moves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1990
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Hironori Nomura, Taiji Shimakawa, Junji Shinohara, Shigetoyo Kobayashi, Hiroki Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 4938821
    Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for making a diaper having one or more elastic margins. The diaper uses for the entire moisture permeable backing sheet an elastomeric material of the type that is heat unstable and relatively inelastic in its unshrunk form and stable and relatively elastic in its heat shrunk form. Diapers made using one of these materials as a backing sheet can be conventionally assembled. After assembly, the marginal areas, which may be either or both of the transverse and longitudinal margins, may be heated to a sufficient temperature for shrinkage to occur in the backing sheet. This shrinkage will only occur when the backing sheet is unrestrained. The method provides for the maintenance of longitudinal tension in the central portion of an end-to-end assembly of diaper units while relaxing the edge tension on the units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1990
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser Company
    Inventors: J. Donald Soderlund, Richard H. Young, E. Peter Lancaster
  • Patent number: 4921556
    Abstract: A protective web is releasably laminated to an adhesive-coated stretchable web by continuously drawing the webs at differential degrees of tensile strain into laminating contact in the nip formed by a resilient and a non-resilient roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Zbigniew Hakiel, Gerald G. Reafler, Robert W. Schrader, James R. Schuler
  • Patent number: 4917746
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying an elastic ribbon in a curved path to a continuously moving web of material. A rotatable roll is moved essentially transversely to the direction of the moving web of material. The movement of the roll is imparted to the elastic ribbon which is then adhered to the continuously moving web of material. The elastic ribbon passes around the roll with a predetermined stretch. The axis of the roll may be disposed essentially transverse to the direction of movement of the moving web or essentially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the moving web. The roll may be cylindrical in shape with a uniform radius, it may have a nonuniform radius or it may have a portion of the surface with a larger radius intermediate to the ends of the roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Inventors: Hugo L. Kons, Richard H. Frick
  • Patent number: 4915770
    Abstract: In an electronic chip supplying apparatus, a vacuum suction device for sucking a retainer tape which encases electronic chips is provided in a retainer tape support member provided at an opening position where the electronic chips are picked up from a chip pickup device, or a tension applying device for the retainer is provided. Thus, vertical fluctuation of the retainer tape is prevented at the opening position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1990
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshio Haeda, Masato Itagaki, Keisuke Fujishiro
  • Patent number: 4915767
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) of the type for applying an elastic ribbon (18) onto the surface of a moving web (12) in curved line path relative to the longitudinal centerline (14) of the web (12) includes a nip roll (16) for directly rolling the elastic ribbon (18) into engagement with the moving web (12) and an oscillating roll (20) adjacent to and spaced from the nip roll (16) for oscillatiang the elastic ribbon (18) in a direction transverse the centerline of the web (12) and applying the elastic ribbon (18) to the nip roll (16) in the curved line path. A guide roll (22) guides the elastic ribbon (18) to wrap around the oscillating roll (20) and tension the elastic ribbon sufficiently for tracking and holding the lateral position of the elastic ribbon (18) on the nip roll (16) to be applied to the moving web (12) in the curved line path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1990
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory J. Rajala, William J. Moore, Kurt J. Kloehn
  • Patent number: 4896793
    Abstract: A machine particularly for applying labels to non-uniform items such as fruit and vegetables, the labels being provided along a carrier strip and the carrier strip having profiled edges, said machine including means for separating the labels from the carrier, a profiled means, such as a profiled roller, engageable with the edges of the carrier to advance the carrier strip from a storage means to the separating means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1990
    Assignee: Sinclair International Limited
    Inventors: Peter D. S. Briggs, Richard J. Hirst, Alan Constantine
  • Patent number: 4888717
    Abstract: A method and apparatus controlling the lateral position of a moving web of material having a central longitudinally extending web axis extending generally parallel to the direction of movement of the web so as to maintain the central longitudinally extending axis of the web at a substantial constant lateral position relative a fixed longitudinally extending axis associated with a fixed web alignment station based upon the detected longitudinal distance between certain portions of a series of longitudinally spaced apart, substantially identical, generally transversely extending indicia in a longitudinally extending indicia path parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1989
    Assignee: Adolph Coors Company
    Inventors: James W. Ditto, James W. Jensen
  • Patent number: 4865675
    Abstract: A hot press device has a pair of hot press rollers for heating and pressing a treatment object therebetween while rotating, and pairs of delivery rollers are arranged before and after the pair of hot press rollers. The treatment object passes back and forth through the pair of hot press rollers, and a controller controls the delivery rollers so that the circumferential speeds of the respective delivery rollers located downstream in the forward or reverse passing direction of the treatment object can be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1989
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mayumi Yamamoto, Eiichi Suzuki, Yoshitaka Watanabe
  • Patent number: 4863542
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for applying an elastic material (14) to a backing material (18) includes an applicator assembly (12) for applying a length of elastic material (14) to a bonding template (16), and a bonding template (16) for supporting the length of elastic material (14) relative to the backing material (18) for a bonding operation. Ultrasonic horns (104,106) bond the length of elastic material (14) to the backing material (18). The applicator assembly (12) includes rolls (32,36) for tensioning the elastic material (14) and a vacuum mechanism for selectively retaining the length of tensioned material (14) and releasing the tensioned elastic material (14) to the bonding template (16). A mechanism is provided for transferring the tensioned elastic material (14) from the applicator assembly (12) to the bonding template (16) while maintaining the elastic material (14) in the tensioned condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1989
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel J. Oshefsky, Gregory J. Rajala
  • Patent number: 4861406
    Abstract: A web (102) of backing material to which a web (104) of composite material is adhered is tensioned between two reels (12). A mold (100) is brought into position relative to the webs (102, 104) and located in an oriented closely spaced position relative to a ply (106) cut from the web (104). Localized downward forces are applied to the backing material (102) opposite the ply (106) by extending vacuum cups (40) or ejecting streams of air from nozzles (72). The downward forces move the ply (106) toward the mold (100) and into contact with portions of the mold (100). The ply (106) adheres to the portions of the mold (100) which it contacts. The vacuum cups (40) are moved along the web (102) and then retracted. The suction of the vacuum cups (40) and the tensioning of the web (102) cause separation of the web (102) from the adhered ply (106). When streams of air provide the downward force, the tensioning of the web (102) causes the separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1989
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Edwin T. Baker, George V. Neilson, George R. Stumpf, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4859259
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing a reclosable container stock with adhered occludable closure strip portions, said apparatus comprising a rotatable lay-on roll having circumferential grooves therein, means to advance the closure strip portions to the lay-on roll, a rotatable casting cylinder positioned opposite the lay-on roll, means for extruding a molten plastic film onto the casting cylinder so that the film adheres to the closure strip portions, and means for cooling the resulting reclosable container stock with adhered closure strip portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1989
    Assignee: First Brands Corporation
    Inventor: Gerald H. Scheibner
  • Patent number: 4855005
    Abstract: A compensated web transport for decorators, in which the motion of the web is matched with that of a container being decorated. Controlled motion of the web is used to reduce distortion in the transfer of labels to irregularly shaped containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Assignee: Dennison Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Robert M. Jodrey
  • Patent number: 4853063
    Abstract: A system for applying folded outserts to conveyed products utilizing a pressure sensitive tape for transportation from the magazine type hopper to the products. The tape with a pressure sensitive adhesive is routed in front of the outfeed of the outsert hopper. A reciprocating tape tamping device and vacuum manifold mounted on an air cylinder are used to first bump the adhesive-coated tape in contact with the outsert and then withdraw the outsert from the hopper. The withdrawal occurs after the initial precise placement of the outsert to the tape. The method of withdrawal requires further forward movement of a pair of bellow style cups which contact the outsert after adhesion. The initiation of vacuum on contact and termination on withdrawal permit the outsert to be retained individually on the tape. The outsert is then indexed forward where it is transferred to a conveyed product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1989
    Assignee: Alford Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Basgil, Mark K. Shuster, Thomas R. Pituch
  • Patent number: 4836873
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1989
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Sato
    Inventors: Makoto Mitanihara, Tatsuo Sekine
  • Patent number: 4835720
    Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring the phasing relationship of a moving web of material of the type having a repeating series of graphics patterns thereon which repeat at ordinarily constant distance repeat length intervals of web travel and which contain separate repeating indicia portions which define a repeating indicia set which are positioned in a repeating indicia path extending longitudinally of the web comprising: an indicia detection device for providing an indicia detection pulse signal; a web travel sensing device for providing a web movement signal; an indicia profiling device for processing the indicia pulse signal and the web monitoring signal for generating a unique indicia image for each of the repeating indicia in a selected repeat length portion of the web; an indicia image storage device for identifying and storing the indicia images from a first selected repeat length portion of the web; a register indicia designation device for initially designating one of the repeating indicia to be register in
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Assignee: Adolph Coors Company
    Inventors: James W. Ditto, James W. Jensen, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4832785
    Abstract: In an on-line manufacturing of sheets of glass provided at their rim with a sealing strip of a polymeric material, a machine is provided, ahead of the sealing strip assembly, to a thin protective film to cover one face of the glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Assignee: Societa Italiana Vetro SIV S.p.A.
    Inventors: Sergio Cappa, Nicola Caldoro, Ciro Paudice