Means Joining Flexible Indefinite Length Or Endless Bodies End-to-end (e.g., Film, Tape, Belt Splicers) Patents (Class 156/502)
  • Patent number: 7036544
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for connecting ends of wires. Ends of wires (a, a?) to be connected are placed linearly on a base plate (11). An adhesive tape (t) is placed on an auxiliary plate (12) near the base plate (11). A movable plate (33) then is moved transverse to the wires (a, a?) to roll the wires (a, a?) onto the tape (t) and to wind the tape (t) around the wires (a, a?). The movable plate (33) then is moved back after winding of the tape (t) to untwist the wires (a, a?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Susumu Matsuzawa, Tomiyuki Takeda
  • Patent number: 6981537
    Abstract: A tape splicing mechanism joins the tail of one tape to the leading edge of another tape. A frame defines a passageway along which the tape passes. A pair of arms rotatably attached to the frame have projecting posts and rotate between a first position where the posts are closer to the pathway and a second position where they are further from the pathway. The arms are urged toward the first position and a catch mechanism holds them in the second position until released by a release mechanism when a release indicia in the first tape passes. The leading edge of the second tape is looped around the first tape to form a loose knot and is tied to the post on each side of the first tape. When the arms are released they move to the second position and tighten the knot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Industrial Adhesives, Inc.
    Inventors: Gilles Cyr, Elvin Dalebout, Ronald L. Willadson
  • Patent number: 6982018
    Abstract: Two pieces of weatherstripping are spliced together by cutting a defined amount of a sealing element from a first piece of weatherstripping leaving an exposed backing, then overlapping a second piece of weatherstripping over the exposed portion of backing of the first piece of weatherstripping, and then ultrasonically welding the backing of the first piece of weatherstripping to the backing of the second piece of weatherstripping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Amesbury Group, Inc
    Inventor: Joseph Henry
  • Patent number: 6978816
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for splicing web materials. The apparatus comprises a first nip roller, a second nip roller and an adhesive roller. The apparatus further comprises a first wind up roller and a second wind up roller. The apparatus also comprises a pair of infeed web cutting elements, and a pair of outfeed web cutting elements. First and second webs are received from upstream web supplies. One web proceeds downstream and the other is wound on a wind up roller. Adhesive is applied to one web and the two webs together with the adhesive pass between the nip rollers. One web is separated between the upstream supply and the splice and the other is separated between the splice and the wind up roller. The splice may proceed downstream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Thomas Timothy Byrne, Fredrick Edward Lockwood, Thomas Edward Franklin
  • Patent number: 6973951
    Abstract: An apparatus for seaming roofing membranes to one another, wherein one of the membranes is secured to an underlying support structure by at least one protruding fastener is provided. The apparatus includes a wheeled carriage having an upwardly extending push/pull bar. A power supply propels the wheeled carriage and energizes a heating assembly that generates a heated airflow sufficient to fuse the roofing membranes to one another. A nozzle is coupled to the heating assembly for directing the heated airflow between the two membranes. A variable pressure roller assembly is coupled to the carriage and has a single durometer material carried by an axle that may have different diameter sections. The roller passes over the at least one protruding fastener while still applying a uniform pressure so as to form a substantially continuous width seam except where interrupted by the protruding fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: BFS Diversified Products, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey W. Henegar
  • Patent number: 6966961
    Abstract: The splicing device comprises two heads (41A, 43A; 41B, 43B), each of which has: a roller (33A; 33B) associated with a clamping bar (93A; 93B) to hold between said roller and said clamping bar an initial edge (L) of the second web material; a counter-pressure member (53A; 53B) cooperating with said roller to press said first and second web materials against each other; and a cutting member (67A; 67B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Fosber, S.p.A.
    Inventor: Mauro Adami
  • Patent number: 6957678
    Abstract: The device according to the invention for tensioning and sealing of strapping bands has a band abutment (24) for the inner band edges (27) of the band ends (20, 21) to be welded together, which is provided with a band width adjustment device (28) according to the invention, with the help of which the band abutment adjusts the band abutment transversely to the longitudinal direction of the strapping band in the housing and that the device can be adjusted to strapping having with different widths without any reconstruction measures (see FIG. 3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Cyklop GmbH
    Inventors: Detlef Scholl, Christian Spohr, Peter Nober
  • Patent number: 6951676
    Abstract: Butt splicing tape comprising: a splicing portion, an attachment portion and a gripping portion, wherein said splicing portion comprises an elongated first backing member (10) having two faces and two longitudinal edges, a first adhesive layer (11?) on the first face of said first backing member (10), said first adhesive layer (11?) extending substantially along the first longitudinal edge of said first backing member (10) and optionally being covered by a first release liner (12), and a second adhesive layer (11?) on the first face of said first backing member (10), said second adhesive layer (11?) extending substantially along the second longitudinal edge of said first backing member (10) and being covered by a second release liner (13) having two faces and two longitudinal edges, the first face of said second releaser liner (13) being adjacent to second adhesive layer (11?); wherein said attachment portion (20, 21) is connected to said splicing portion, and includes a third adhesive layer (31) and is conne
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Robert G. Shaw
  • Patent number: 6941994
    Abstract: A double-faced splicing tape of the present invention splices a first web used for forming a tobacco rod and a second web in a stand-by state to and has a plurality of perforations extending in a longitudinal direction of the webs. Furthermore, the present invention provides a feeding device for making the double-faced splicing tape hang toward a feeding position located in between a main delivery path of the first web and a sub-delivery path of the second web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Japan Tobacco Inc.
    Inventors: Shigenobu Kushihashi, Junichi Nagai, Hisao Suzuki, Fumio Kubo, Syozo Horikawa
  • Patent number: 6939436
    Abstract: A machine for joining opposite respective edges of respective pairs of large sheets (2) of plastic comprises a frame (1), a rectangular table (10) having a horizontal surface for supporting the sheets in position for joinder, the table provided with an elongated linear slot (18) extending centrally of and between opposite ends of the table and disposed between first and second rows (150, 150?) of spaced apart air suction holes (15, 15?) that open on the table for pulling the sheets against the table, a fixed electrode (11) disposed in the slot (18), a mobile electrode (14) mounted for vertical up and down movement on top of the fixed electrode, push buttons (19, 19?) for activating suction of air through the holes, and control means in the form of a robot to control different operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Inventor: Louis Prénat
  • Patent number: 6929708
    Abstract: A splicing device comprising: an elongated anvil having an elongated slot therein; an elongated splicing head having a pair of spaced apart tips extending therefrom and having a longitudinal aperture therein; a heating element in the longitudinal aperture; and an actuator mechanism for driving one of the tips toward and into the elongated slot to weld two overlying polymer films together and the other of the tips into cutting contact with a polymeric film from a spent roll of film. According to various preferred embodiments, the splicing device further includes a pair of retaining members on either side of the anvil that serve to retain films to be spliced in taut contact with the anvil during splicing, and a turret section for rotating full and spent rolls of polymeric film into position for continued operation and reloading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Bakery Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Eric Wyman, Thomas Pearce, Mark Manzi, Roland Lomerson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6923880
    Abstract: A film splicer apparatus is disclosed for splicing a film used for bagging snack foods. The apparatus includes a frame and an axle which is rotatably supported by the frame for rotatably supporting a first roll of the film used for the bagging of the snack foods. A further axle is disposed spaced from the axle for rotatably supporting a replacement second roll of film for replacing the first roll of the film when spent. The first roll and the replacement second roll are rotatable about a first and second axis respectively, the first and second axes being disposed spaced and parallel relative to each other. A tail grabber is provided for grabbing a tail end of the spent first roll. Also, a tracking control is used for tracking the tail end of the spent first roll. A registration device is controlled by the tracking control for registering the tail end of the first roll with an aligned leading edge of the replacement second roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Keene Technology Inc.,
    Inventors: John F. Keene, Christopher J. Plude
  • Patent number: 6905572
    Abstract: A belt seam treatment apparatus includes a support element with a smooth surface that supports the seam region of the belt, a heat source that heats a treatment strip and the belt seam region, and a pressure applicator that forces the treatment strip against the belt seam region. The support element can be a tube over which the belt hangs and can include a vacuum belt hold system that secures the seam region against the tube during treatment. The heat source can be an infrared laser or an infrared lamp. Optics form a heat spot or a heat line on the strip and seam region, and a pressure wheel traverses the seam region after heating to compress the strip and seam and bond a thermoplastic polymer of the strip to the seam region of the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Robert C. U. Yu
  • Patent number: 6893531
    Abstract: A splicer quickly and accurately joins together with tape the ends of plain sheets or perforated sheets, such as the ends of fanfold sheet commonly used for printing. The sheets are clamped between mating pairs of resilient strips by a top which hinges down onto a base. The base has a combination of frictional clamps and retractable pins, for aligning the ends of sheet before they are clamped in place by the top, according to whether the sheets are perforated or not. A head is then moved rearwardly along the top, to first slit overlapping sheets and create a precise butt line, when that is required. An anti-friction surface on one of the resilient clamping strips attached to the top enables selective removal a one trim piece, to expose the butt line for taping, without release of the clamping action on the sheets. The head is then moved forward to precisely apply tape from a dispenser, and to automatically cut the tape and the end of the run.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Asterisk, Inc
    Inventors: Frank A Todaro, David J. Clark, Brian C. Richardson
  • Patent number: 6887330
    Abstract: Carrier tapes, each carrying electronic circuitry parts at predetermined intervals on a carrier portion, are successively and continuously fed to a punching station from a tape feeding station with at least a pair of tape supply reels. While a carrier tape from a first supply reel is being fed to the punching station, a carrier tape from a second supply reel is set in a standby position. As soon as the carrier tape from the first supply reel is consumed to a last electronic part, a head end of the carrier tape from the second supply reel is spliced to a tail end of the carrier tape of the first supply reel by means of tape holder members located in the course of a tape supply route between the tape feeding station and the tape punching station, thereby make replacement of the tape supply reel quicker and easier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Tech Electronics Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Onoshiro, Kenya Wada, Hideaki Kataho
  • Patent number: 6887329
    Abstract: A supply of sheet stock material for use in a cushioning conversion machine is disclosed. The supply of stock material includes at least one ply of sheet stock material rolled or folded into a compact configuration such as a roll of wound stock material or a stack of fan-folded stock material. The ply has disposed on a leading or trailing end thereof, a pressure sensitive adhesive layer and a removable release liner covering the pressure sensitive adhesive layer. When a supply of sheet stock material is almost spent, a succeeding supply of stock material may be spliced to the almost spent supply by removing the release liner to expose the adhesive and then applying the leading or trailing end, having the adhesive thereon, to a trailing end of the almost spent supply of stock material or leading end of the succeeding supply of stock material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Ranpak Corp.
    Inventor: Joseph J. Harding
  • Patent number: 6877539
    Abstract: A welding apparatus for plastic work pieces has two welding tables arranged next to one another. A propulsion device displaces the welding tables. The propulsion device has a drive motor and a propulsion rod assembly. The propulsion rod assembly has spatially separated double arm levers with two lever arms in each case. The two lever arms are each mounted in a rotatable manner on an axis of rotation and are in a mechanical state of rotary connection with one another. One set of lever arms is kinematically connected to one welding table and the other lever arms are kinematically connected to the other welding table. During rotary movement of the double arm levers, the welding tables are moved toward one another in one direction of rotation, and away from one another in the other direction of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Wegener GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Gehde
  • Patent number: 6868883
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing the amount of wallboard wasted during the manufacturing process is disclosed. Wallboard sections that contain a cover paper splice, which sections must go to waste, are reduced in size during the manufacturing process. This is accomplished by determining the optimum location for a cover paper splice to be made and making the splice at or near this location, such that a rotary knife can readily isolate the splice onto a section of wallboard having a reduce length. This function is accomplished using any suitable computer equipment capable of monitoring desired manufacturing conditions and using this data to calculate the optimum location for a splice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: National Gypsum Properties, LLC
    Inventor: John Benedetti
  • Patent number: 6848571
    Abstract: A method is provided for splicing a conveyor belt having vulcanized rubber with steel strands embedded in the vulcanized rubber, comprising the steps of exposing a plurality of strands at two belt ends, and applying a vulcanizable rubber composition to the exposed strands to form a spliced joint between the two belt ends, the vulcanizable rubber composition comprising 100 parts by weight of rubber, and the rubber comprising from about 1 to about 40 parts by weight of a polyoctenamer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Terry Frank Allen, Kevin Xie
  • Patent number: 6827803
    Abstract: A belt press use a combination of vacuum and atmospheric pressure to provide the majority of the compressive force between platens. A first platen has a substantially rigid proximal side and a plurality of vacuum ports communicating therewith. The compressive force is generated by pulling a vacuum at the vacuum ports associated with the first platen while allowing atmospheric pressure to act against its distal side. Heat may be applied via at least one of the platens while generating the compressive force. Evolved gases are vented via the vacuum ports while applying the heat by continuing to pull the vacuum during heating. When the now-joined belt ends have cooled after the application of heat, the compressive force is relieved by ceasing the pulling the vacuum at the vacuum ports associated with the first platen. The second platen of the belt press may be similar to the first platen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Inventor: John A. Willis
  • Patent number: 6818098
    Abstract: After the fixing of an angle indexing body to a holder by fixtures is canceled by loosening the fixtures, a resonator is turned by operating the angle indexing body with an axis in a vibration transmission direction as the center of rotation, a bonding work face is replaced by another bonding work face, and the angle indexing body is fixed to the holder by the fixtures so that the new bonding work face becomes parallel to the top face of a mounting table. Therefore, the replacement of the bonding work face can be simplified. Since overlapped workpieces are sandwiched between the bonding work face of the resonator and the mounting table, the mounting table makes a follow-up movement by a bearing composed of a spherical projection portion and a spherical depression portion to ensure that the bonding work face becomes parallel to the top face of the mounting table, thereby making it possible to optimize the position of the sandwiched workpieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Ultex Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeru Sato, Seiya Nakai
  • Patent number: 6814827
    Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for joining films wherein a rear end portion of a preceding film and a front end portion of a trailing film are mutually joined without using a joining material such as an adhesion tape or the like to sufficiently contribute the joint portion to heat seal likewise the other portions of the films and realize excellent liquid tightness and airtightness of the joint portion itself and also tensile strength required for the film itself is given to the joint portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Taisei Lamick Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsunori Futase
  • Patent number: 6814124
    Abstract: Apparatus for splicing optical ribbon fibers or ribbonized fibers has a splicing part for splicing the optical fibers to each other and a heating part or oven for heating a protective shrinkable sleeve for applying it around spliced portions of the fibers. A transport device is provided for transferring the spliced fibers from the splicing part to the heating part. The transport device includes clamps at the sides of the frame of the apparatus, which are elastically biased to give the spliced fibers a straight condition between the clamps. The transport device is manually operated by moving a handle lifting the clamps and the fibers along a slightly curved path to allow them to move unobstructed by the components of the splicing part. Thereafter a second handle is actuated to make the clamps slide along side rails having elongated holes in a straight path to a position in which the spliced portions of the fibers are located at the heating part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
    Inventor: Sasan Esmaeili
  • Patent number: 6811636
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process and to a machine for splicing the trailing end of a running expiring web (e.g., a web of cigarette paper) to the leading end of a fresh web while the ends of the webs travel next to each other, in the same direction and at an at least substantially identical speed between a rotary knurling surface and a complementary second rotary surface which may but need not be a knurling surface. The rolls which constitute or mount the carriers for the two surfaces are driven in such a way that each n-th (e.g., each tenth) revolution results in the making of a splice between the leading and trailing ends of the webs. The forwardly and/or rearwardly extending remnants of the fresh and expiring webs are torn off the spliced-together webs at the respective ends of the splice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: HAUNI Maschinenbau Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Albert-Berend Hebels, Frank Grothaus, Franz Hartmann
  • Patent number: 6811637
    Abstract: A source for supplying lengths of adhesive tape applies such adhesive elements with their outer surfaces facing outwards onto a gripping element consisting of a rotating drum. The drum in question applies the adhesive element on the outer surface of a reel of web material in such a way as to establish adhesive connection with the latter. As a result of a subsequent movement of the drum with respect to the reel, there is formed a loop of web material. Since the loop is separate from the reel, it can undergo a cutting action with the consequent formation of a free flap that can be used for unreeling the web material from the reel. After the web material has been unreeled for a certain stretch and the portion on which the aforesaid adhesive element was applied has been eliminated, on the same web material there may be applied a further adhesive element which is left uncovered for at least part of its surface provided with adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Fameccanica.Data S.p.A.
    Inventors: Pietro Pelagatti, Giancarlo Casuscelli
  • Publication number: 20040188014
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of joining sleeves, e.g. paperboard sleeves, which within the paper industry are employed for rolling up manufactured paper webs, wheets webs or the like, in which at least the one joint surface is provided with a first glue strand of a glue of such properties that the glue gives an immediate fixing of the joint parts and said at least one joint surface is provided with a second glue strand of a glue of such properties that the sleeve material in the joint surface and its immediate vicinity are wetted, and thereafter sets, e.g. by drying.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventors: Kjell Johanson, Goran Ljungek
  • Publication number: 20040188029
    Abstract: A double-faced splicing tape of the present invention splices a first web used for forming a tobacco rod and a second web in a stand-by state to and has a plurality of perforations extending in a longitudinal direction of the webs. Furthermore, the present invention provides a feeding device for making the double-faced splicing tape hang toward a feeding position located in between a main delivery path of the first web and a sub-delivery path of the second web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventors: Shigenobu Kushihashi, Junichi Nagai, Hisao Suzuki, Fumio Kubo, Syozo Horikawa
  • Patent number: 6796354
    Abstract: Splicer (1) for splicing to each other strips (30) of cords embedded in rubber material. The device comprises a supply transport device (2) for supplying strips in a supply direction. A splicing unit (6) splices strips to each other, and comprises a splicing table (7) and a splicing machine (8) placed over the splicing table. The supply transport device supplies strips to the splicing unit. A discharge transport device (11) discharges strips spliced to each other. A first (4) and a second (5) transport unit that are in line with each other are provided. The first transport unit (4) supplies strips to the second transport unit (5), in which the second unit supplies strips to the splicing unit and has an inlet end and an outlet end. The outlet end of the second transport unit and the splicing table are laterally, that means transverse to the transport direction, movable with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: VMI Epe Holland B.V.
    Inventors: Klaas Nauta, Theodorus Gijsbertus Gerardus Teunissen
  • Publication number: 20040182497
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically activating a paster or splicing mechanism in a printing press to connect web material from an expiring first roll to a new second roll, comprising a detector which detects a mark on the face of the web at the end of the expiring first roll and thereby activates the paster or splicing mechanism to connect the web from the expiring roll to the web of the new second roll. Because the detector acts instantly the press can continue to run during pasting or splicing and very little wasted web is left on the expired first core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventor: John D Lowrey
  • Publication number: 20040140044
    Abstract: A banderoling machine (1) has film rolls (8, 9) on sides of a feed table (2). Film webs (3) of the rolls are joined by a seal seam to form a film curtain (4) which passes through a slot (5) in the feed table (2). Material to be banderoled is pushed towards the curtain, film is placed around the material to form a loop and the loop is tightened by a tensioning device (6) which temporarily clamps at least one of the film webs, and is heat-sealed by a heat-sealing device and separated from the remainder of the film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventors: Roland Rassi, Manfred Kirchmann
  • Publication number: 20040112527
    Abstract: A film splicer apparatus is disclosed for splicing a film used for bagging snack foods. The apparatus includes a frame and an axle which is rotatably supported by the frame for rotatably supporting a first roll of the film used for the bagging of the snack foods. A further axle is disposed spaced from the axle for rotatably supporting a replacement second roll of film for replacing the first roll of the film when spent. The first roll and the replacement second roll are rotatable about a first and second axis respectively, the first and second axes being disposed spaced and parallel relative to each other. A tail grabber is provided for grabbing a tail end of the spent first roll. Also, a tracking control is used for tracking the tail end of the spent first roll. A registration device is controlled by the tracking control for registering the tail end of the first roll with an aligned leading edge of the replacement second roll.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: John F. Keene, Christopher J. Plude
  • Patent number: 6749708
    Abstract: A method is provided for splicing a conveyor belt having vulcanized rubber with steel strands embedded in the vulcanized rubber, comprising the steps of exposing a plurality of strands at two belt ends, and applying a vulcanizable rubber composition to the exposed strands to form a spliced joint between the two belt ends, the vulcanizable rubber composition comprising 100 parts by weight of rubber, and the rubber comprising from about 1 to about 40 parts by weight of a polyoctenamer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Inventors: Terry Frank Allen, Kevin Xie
  • Publication number: 20040103977
    Abstract: The invention relates to improvements to methods for recharging a machine which is used to pack groups of products (1, 2, 3, 4) with the aid of a plastic film (5; 51; 53) wherein the film (51) of a distributor reel (7) is unwound, the film of a full reel (70) is subsequently engaged into injection means (17) in such a way that said reel (70) becomes a distributor reel in turn, then the empty distributor reel (7) is replaced with a new full reel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Inventors: Laurent Mace, Francois Gosset
  • Patent number: 6742560
    Abstract: Two flat fiber bundles of non-twisted filaments are arranged in an overlapped relationship or in a parallel and adjoining relationship, and held by a gripper at two points spaced apart from each other in the filament-extending direction. Compressed air is injected from a nozzle to the overlapped portion of the fiber bundles between the holding points at a plurality of positions arranged in the direction transverse to the filament-extending direction to cause the adjacent filaments to be entangled. The nozzle is moved across the fiber bundles while injecting air. Filaments are thus opened and rotated by the injected air, and thus entangled. A fiber bundle joining apparatus includes support sections and a receiving section provided in a base, a gripper cooperating with the support sections to grip overlapped ends of fiber bundles therebetween, a nozzle, and a regulating member to temporarily hold the fiber bundles and to allow the lower fiber bundle to be slackened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Junji Takeuchi, Yasuki Miyashita, Yoshiharu Yasui
  • Publication number: 20040094257
    Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for joining films wherein a rear end portion of a preceding film and a front end portion of a trailing film are mutually joined without using a joining material such as an adhesion tape or the like to sufficiently contribute the joint portion to heat seal likewise the other portions of the films and realize excellent liquid tightness and airtightness of the joint portion itself and also tensile strength required for the film itself is given to the joint portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventor: Katsunori Futase
  • Publication number: 20040089402
    Abstract: A tape splicing mechanism joins the tail of one tape to the leading edge of another tape. A frame defines a passageway along which the tape passes. A pair of arms rotatably attached to the frame have projecting posts and rotate between a first position where the posts are closer to the pathway and a second position where they are further from the pathway. The arms are urged toward the first position and a catch mechanism holds them in the second position until released by a release mechanism when a release indicia in the first tape passes. The leading edge of the second tape is looped around the first tape to form a loose knot and is tied to the post on each side of the first tape. When the arms are released they move to the second position and tighten the knot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventors: Gilles Cyr, Elvin Dalebout, Ronald L. Willadson
  • Patent number: 6732638
    Abstract: A time-out indicator is adapted for use in a pneumatic strapping tool for tensioning a strap around a load, adhering the strap onto itself, and cutting a feed end of the strap. The strapping tool has a cylinder housing, a piston disposed within a cylinder in the cylinder housing, a pneumatic weld motor operably connected to the piston, a vibrating weld element operably connected to the piston for contacting the strap and adhering the strap onto itself. A pneumatic module is mounted to the cylinder housing to provide compressed gas to the cylinder housing and the pneumatic weld motor. The time-out indicator includes a sleeve fitted into an opening in the module. The opening is disposed above and in communication with the cylinder. The sleeve defines a central, longitudinal opening. An indicator is biasedly mounted in the sleeve and disposed for contact with the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Rometty, Jason R. Nasiatka, Robert J. Nix
  • Publication number: 20040060641
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for splicing a web of layered material so that a new roll of material may be joined to an expiring web via a butt joint. A shear wheel is driven to ensure that the shear wheel positively rotates as it cuts across web material that is held against the side of an anvil. In the illustrated embodiment, a drive cable and shear wheel assembly are operably connected to a splicing apparatus, a portion of the drive cable being threaded through the splicing apparatus and wrapped around at least a portion of the shear wheel, the threaded drive cable being maintained under tension. The rapid movement of the shear wheel assembly, and the wrapping engagement between the taut threaded drive cable and shear wheel, forces the shear wheel to positively spin, thereby improving the cutting capabilities of the attached rotary cutter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: James K. Ward, Timothy J. Searles
  • Patent number: 6701992
    Abstract: A butt splicer lengthens a travel distance of a lap-spliced web by a predetermined distance. A pair of knives, spaced apart by the predetermined distance are fired when the lap splice is between them. The severed ends of the web are brought together on a vacuum roll for the application of a tape bridging the upstream and downstream ends. In one embodiment, a second tape is applied to the second side of the web to form a double butt splice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: New Era Converting Machinery, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Pasquale, Frank Lembo
  • Publication number: 20040035524
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing continuous belts is disclosed. The belts are formed from plastic films and are used as transfer belts in electrographic printers and copiers. The ends of the film are welded together by abutting their front faces and the ends are held together under pressure while being heated by radiation to a temperature to cause welding of the ends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventor: Robert Link
  • Patent number: 6695027
    Abstract: An apparatus splices a web of paper being paid out from a one web roll and fed into a printing press to another web roll being rotated in a splicing position. The new web roll of any diameter is spaced a prescribed distance from the old web traveling along a predefined path into the press. A sensor positioning mechanism adjustably moves a photoelectric web roll speed sensor along two orthogonal axes to an optimum sensing position with respect to the new web roll regardless of its diameter. An electronic control circuit has an input connected to a speed sensor for the old web traveling along the predefined path, and another to the photoelectric speed sensor for the new web roll, for energizing a new web roll drive motor according to a departure of the peripheral speed of the new web roll from the running speed of the old web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokyo Kikai Seisakusho
    Inventor: Nobuaki Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 6695133
    Abstract: A preformed strip (20) of unvulcanized rubber having a plurality of strand receiving grooves (22) for splicing the ends (11, 12) of steel cord or strand reinforced rubber conveyor belts (10) is disclosed along with a method of forming the spliced joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Robin Bovaird Steven, David Joseph Maguire, Steven Andrew Lederer, William James Head, Larry James Gehrett, James Alfred Benzing, II
  • Publication number: 20040011472
    Abstract: An automatic welding machine for planar plastic materials, such as sealing sheets, tarpaulins or films, the chassis, in the welding position, in addition to being carried by the driving unit and the pressure device, also being carried by a rigid guide wheel, preferably in the front region of the chassis. With respect to a pressure roller running essentially on the welded overlap region, the guide wheel is arranged in such a way that, during the welding, it runs along the bottom plastic material parallel to the edge of the top plastic material. In addition, the guide wheel has a narrow running surface. During the welding, the guide wheel runs along the edge of the overlapping plastic material and the pressure roller runs essentially on the weld region. Due to this configuration, the automatic welding machine can follow the edge in such a way as to keep to the track, so that guidance by the operator or frequent corrections of the welding direction are not necessary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventors: Walter Zurmuhle, Bruno von Wyl
  • Patent number: 6675853
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a splice in a conveyor belt. The apparatus includes a lower plate having a heating strip where the splice is being formed. The lower plate includes areas of insulation adjacent the heating strip to reduce transfer of heat to areas of the conveyor belt adjacent the splice during vulcanization or heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Inventor: Curt Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20030232583
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided for superpolishing the inside diameter surface of a seam of a flexible continuous photoreceptor belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Applicant: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Paul F. Mastro, Daniel L. Coughlin
  • Publication number: 20030230377
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for splicing closer tape utilizes a first clamping assembly adapted to hold a first section of closer tape and a second clam ping assembly adapted to hold a second section of closer tape. A moving assembly is adapted to move the first and second clamping assemblies relative to one another so as to permit alignment of the first and second sections of closer tape. A joining assembly is adapted to join the first and second sections of closer tape together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Inventors: Robert R. Turvey, Theis F. Clarke, Jeramy M. Dubay
  • Patent number: 6622959
    Abstract: An apparatus and method to auto-splice tapes in a tape dispensing machine where a continuous supply of tape is required. When a new roll of tape needs to be provided, a splicing apparatus or technique must permit to securely and efficiently make the connection between the first roll of tape and the new tape. The apparatus and method provide an open clip which engages one extremity of a running tape and one extremity of a stationary stand-by tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Inventor: Martin Robitaille
  • Publication number: 20030141021
    Abstract: The invention relates to a splicer for splicing strips of in rubber material embedded cords to each other, the splicer I comprising a supply device (3) having an output side (30), for supplying the strips in a supply direction, a transport device (32, 24) in line with the supply device and having an input side (36, 38) oriented at the output side of the supply device. The transport device (33, 24) is adapted for transporting the strips. The splicer further comprises a splicing unit for splicing strips to each other along a splice line which splice line intersects the transport device at an angle alpha. The transport device comprises at least two transport means that are substantially parallel on to the other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Applicant: VMI EPE HOLLAND B.V.
    Inventor: Klaas Nauta
  • Publication number: 20030141020
    Abstract: A device for automatically aligning the leading section of a corded belt, especially a steel-corded belt, unwound from a supply roll, for splicing to the trailing end of the corded belt of the preceding supply roll, comprising suction or magnetic rollers with reversible driving devices, which are provided for the adhering fastening of the downwards starting sagging section of the corded belt
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Bernd Hoffmann, Ralf Klenner
  • Publication number: 20030116256
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for applying a flying splicing tape to a roll of sheet material. A preferred embodiment of the invention provides methods and apparatus for lifting a portion of the outer-most layer of sheet material away from a roll of sheet material to form a lifted portion of the outer-most layer, applying a splicing tape to a wound portion of the roll, and applying pressure to the lifted portion of the outer-most layer to progressively place the lifted portion of the outer-most layer in contact with the remainder of the roll and the splicing tape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Leif O. Erickson