Abstract: The invention relates to a tensioning device for tightening strapping bands. When a tensioning motor runs forwards in the tensioning direction, a tensioning wheel is automatically pivoted against an abutment in the opposite direction. Once the tensioning process is complete, said tensioning wheel is pivoted back out of the tensioning position and into the starting position by running the tensioning motor backwards.

Abstract: A roll changer for splicing starting piece and end pieces of material webs to each other in an apparatus for producing hygienic products, includes carriers for web rolls, holding and guiding elements, severing elements and embossing rolls. The starting piece of a new material web can be fixed to an embossing roll. At least one embossing roll can be driven and at least one embossing roll can be moved selectively toward and away from the other embossing roll.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a device for splicing webs, in particular, paper webs for manufacturing corrugated cardboard, with a splicing unit (9) for preparing and splicing the rear end of a nearly empty active roll (5akt) to the front end of a web (5spl) to be spliced, and with the splicing unit (9) containing one respective intake (11) for the active web (5akt) and for the web (5spl) to be spliced. The device also contains a web unrolling device (13) that serves for accommodating several web rolls (21), with the web unrolling device (13) being constructed in such a way that it is able to accommodate at least three web rolls (21) such that a first web of the three webs delivered from the web rolls (21) can serve as the active web (5akt), a second web of the three webs (21) can serve as the web (5spl) to be spliced to the active web and the third web roll (21) can be simultaneously exchanged and/or the web in question can be prepared for the next splicing process.

Abstract: A rotatable cutting wheel is used to heat a polymer substrate as it is being cut. The cutting wheel has a heater and a thermocouple associated therewith, which are used to heat and control the temperature of the cutting wheel. The heat softens the substrate, making it easier to cut and reducing distortion caused by cutting. A cleaner cut also makes it more likely that polymer will be retained on reinforcement when the substrate is a reinforced polymer. A method of the invention comprises the steps of heating the cutting wheel and traversing the substrate with the heated cutting wheel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for thermally attaching web-based polishing pads in a chemical-mechanical planarization (CMP) system. Specifically, one end of a first web-based polishing pad and an end of a second web-based polishing pad are inserted in a thermal sealing unit. The ends of the polishing pads are brought into contact with each other and secured in place within the thermal sealing unit. A heating element within thermal sealing unit is activated, thereby fusing the polishing pads.

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.

Abstract: The configuration enables the introduction of a material web, which can be divided up into material sub-web strands, into the conveying paths of an angle-bar superstructure of a rotary printing machine. A slitting arrangement, which can be positioned in a variable manner in the angle-bar superstructure, and web drawing-in devices and components for attaching the material web or the material sub-web strands to the web drawing-in devices are provided. Assigned to the web-running plane is an adjustable advancement element which bridges a contact-pressure gap in relation to a mating roller, accommodated in the angle-bar superstructure, and by way of which one of the material sub-web strands or can be attached to an introduction element which can be moved into the web-running plane.

Abstract: A tail for adhering the tailing edge of a first roll of tape that is being fed to an application device to the leading edge of a second roll of tape without stopping the tapes includes a bulge which is located in the tail and has an adhesive coating on each side. A first protective element located on the tail releasably covers the adhesive coating on one side of the bulge and a second protective element located on the other side of the bulge releasably covers the adhesive coating on the other side of the bulge when the tail is wrapped onto a roll base. The leading edge of the second roll of tape is wrapped around the tape from the first roll to form a loose knot and then is threaded through a pair of pincher rollers through which the first roll of tape is fed. Thus, when the bulge passes through the pincher rollers it becomes adhesively attached to the leading edge of the second roll and the knot is tightened around the second roll and a mechanical joint is formed between the tapes.

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′).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of forming cutouts (4) and transverse welding seams (10) in a sheet of film (5) that is advanced continuously at high velocity, wherein the cutouts (4) constitute areas that are delimited by cutting lines (6, 7), wherein the method comprises the following steps: a) the formation of the cutouts (4) in a sheet section with high sheet tension with cutting lines (7) that extend longitudinally of the sheet of film (5), and cutting lines (7) that extend transversely of the sheet of film, said cutting lines featuring a number of interruptions (8) that constitute support points whereby the cutouts (4) continue to be coherent with the sheet of film (5) at the support points, b) subsequent formation of the transverse welding seams (10) in a sheet section with low sheet tension.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for splicing photographic films is disclosed, where the films are conveyed along a path and supported by a track element. Upon being positioned to receive a splice, the films are clamped between a movable splice pad and the track clement. The clamping action produced by the movable splice pad substantially eliminates the problem of film foldovers caused by curling at the trailing end of a film. A splice head is lowered to apply a splice tape to the films, thereby forming the splice. The films are spliced together in a flattened state, producing a continuous web of film which can be wound onto a roll or core for further processing.

Abstract: An adhesive tape piece sticking device (14) for sticking a double-coated adhesive tape piece to a cigarette paper (P) has a motor (52) for rotating a reel (32) that takes up a tape band (T) delivered from a tape roll (58). A guide block (66) for projectingly guiding the tape band toward the paper (P) and a lift guide unit (68) are arranged in the middle of a take-up path for the tape band. The sticking device slides as a whole with a tape piece positioned between an edge (70) and a guide plate (74), thereby pressing the tape piece against the paper. Further, the lift guide unit is lowered to separate the mount from the tape piece that is stuck to the paper.

Abstract: A group for joining the ends of closed-loop abrasive belts, including a machine for the preparation of the end edges of the strips of abrasive belt and an assembling machine including a support arm around which the strips of abrasive belt are wound in a closed loop, and a press unit for joining the relative end edges. The input end of the support arm of the assembling machine is situated immediately next to and on the extension of the edge preparation machine.

Abstract: A roll film connecting device comprises means for transporting a preceding film and a film following the film via a connecting station, a pair of connecting members arranged at the connecting station and movable toward or away from each other with a film transport path positioned therebetween, each of the connecting members having a face opposed to the other and serving as a suction face, a pair of cutters so arranged as to be movable out of or into the respective suction faces of the connecting members, and a cutter receiver so disposed as to be movable into or out of a space between the connecting members as moved away from each other.

Abstract: A butt splicer apparatus is disclosed for butt splicing a tail end of a roll having a first and second label mounted in series thereon with a leading edge of a new roll having a first and second further label mounted in series thereon. The apparatus includes a cutter for cutting through the tail end and a detector for detecting a location disposed along the tail end so that movement of the location past the detector generates a signal. The apparatus also includes a rotatable drive for driving the tail end relative to the cutter, the signal controlling rotation of the drive. The arrangement is such that the second label and the further second label are registered congruently relative to each other with the cutter disposed between the first and second label.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically applying a flying splicing tape to a roll of sheet material. The roll of sheet material is defined by a width and includes an outer-most layer. With this in mind, the method includes lifting a portion of the outer-most layer away from a remainder of the roll. The lifted portion is then cut to form a leading edge that is otherwise spaced from a remainder of the wound roll. To this end, the cut is made at a defined spacial location along the outer-most layer such that the leading edge is radially aligned with a defined application line relative to a circumference on the wound portion of the roll. In other words, when the outer-most portion is subsequently wound back onto the roll, the leading edge will be aligned with the defined application line. The splicing tape is then applied to the wound portion of the roll at the defined application line, such that the splicing tape extends across at least a portion of the width of the roll.

Abstract: A continuous precursor fiber bundle for manufacture of carbon fibers comprising a plurality of precursor fiber bundles each of which comprises at least 30,000 filaments, having a joined portion formed by joining at the terminal end of one of the precursor fiber bundles and the starting end of another one of the fiber bundles directly or through an intervening fiber bundle comprising a plurality of filaments, wherein the individual filaments at the joined portion are substantially uniformly interlaced with each other and wherein the interlacing of filaments is in a pattern selected from the group consisting of continuous substantially uniform interlacing in the transverse direction of said fiber bundles, interlacing at many joints on the joining portion, and interlacing of the entire face of said joining portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for thermally attaching web-based polishing pads in a chemical-mechanical planarization (CMP) system. Specifically, one end of a first web-based polishing pad and an end of a second web-based polishing pad are inserted in a thermal sealing unit. The ends of the polishing pads are brought into contact with each other and secured in place within the thermal sealing unit. A heating element within thermal sealing unit is activated, thereby fusing the polishing pads.

Abstract: A web threading and splicing system that provides easy access to the threading rolls by an operator. The new web supply roll for replacement of the expired web can be threaded at a standstill position adjacent the operator. This affords ease of access, which furnishes a great ergonomic and safety advantage, wherein the operator does not have to reach into moving web components in order to accomplish the splice.

Abstract: In the manufacture of plastics bags using reclosable zipper strip (10, 14) with engageable male and female profiles (12, 16), a butt splicing operation is used to speed up the changeover from one reel of zipper strip to another. The trailing end of one strip and the leading end of the next strip are brought together in abutting relationship within a splicing unit, sealing material (22) is overlaid on the end zones of opposite sides of the strips, and this is sealed to the underlying zipper strips, preferably using heat and pressure. The flanges (18) of the zipper strips are held apart by separator plates (20) during the sealing operation.

Abstract: Apparatus for manipulating uniting bands having pairs of adhesive sides ahead of a splicer wherein the leader of a fresh web carrying one or more uniting bands is attached to the trailing end of an expiring web employs a base carrying a first reel which supplies a strip-shaped carrier of uniting bands, with one side of each uniting band adhering to the carrier, and a second reel which collects successive increments of the carrier subsequent to their separation from the uniting bands. The base further supports a spring-biased clamping member and is pivotable between a first position in which the carrier is remote from the leader of a fresh web, and intermediate position in which the clamping member begins to bias the leader of the fresh web against a back support, and a second position in which the other side(s) of a selected number of uniting bands contacts or contact the leader of the fresh web.

Abstract: A method for forming a continuous material by connecting sheet materials which are used in various fields including the processing of metal foils, the processing of metal-plastic composite film material, and the processing of thermoplastic resin films such as polyimides, and an apparatus used for carrying out this method comprising a hot press, a material locking device and an accumulator. A continuous material can be formed by interposing a resin bonding layer between the trailing edge of a sheet material and the leading edge of another sheet material, and subjecting this part to thermocompression bonding.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying sealing film for a blister band to a splicing station (10) includes a stepwise rotating drum (8) on which reel carriers (7) are mounted for receiving reels (6,6s,6a) of films (1,1s,1a). A pair of holding-driving rollers (16,17) are located close to each of carriers (7) to hold the film (1a) and to feed the film to the splicing device (10). The rollers (16,17) are operated by a retractable shaft (32), which engages the pair of rollers (16,17) situated in the region of the splicing device (10). A plate (5) keeps apart the film (1a) unrolled from a replacement reel (6a) from the film (1s) coming from a running out reel (6s). The plate (5) can be shifted crosswise with respect to the film unrolling direction, so as to allow the in-wait-state film (6a) to move to the unrolling position (S) after the splicing.

Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for manufacturing multi-layered hygiene products, a starting material web (2) is transported from one or more supply stations (4) to one or more processing stations (3) in which the starting material is cut, shaped, laminated, folded, etc. so as to form the finished hygiene products. The processing stations (3) are arranged on a processing plane (12), while the supply stations (4) are arranged on a supply plane (13), wherein these two planes are respective parallel vertical planes that are horizontally spaced apart from each other. The physical separation of the supply stations from the processing stations allows an effective noise shielding of the processing stations and the use of larger supply rolls in the supply stations, as well as improved accessibility of the equipment.

Abstract: An apparatus (21, 221, 231) for forming a butt seam (33, 233, 354) between opposed edges (32, 33, 231, 232) of resiliently compressible, fully cured, elastomeric, fabric sheets (28, 29, 228, 229, 351, 352), such as foamed neoprene for wet suits and dry suits. In some embodiments (21, 221) the apparatus includes fabric manipulating assembly (23, 223) which continuously compresses the sheets proximate and inwardly of the edges, preferably by a roller assembly (26, 27, 226, 227), to firmly press the opposed edges of the flexible and compressible sheets (28, 29, 228, 229) tightly together during movement and bonding along the seam (33, 233). The apparatus (21, 221, 331) preferably includes adhesive activation device in the form of an ultrasonic transducer (24, 222, 322) which contacts the neoprene pieces to activate a dry neoprene cement carried on the edges of the fabric pieces.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for making a splice into a paper web, which device (10) has been fitted to be used as an auxiliary device in making a cross-direction splice between two ends of a web in a winder. The device (10) comprises a suction zone (11) for immobilizing the web and means (15) for keeping the device (10) in the desired location. The device has been attached to the frame constructions of the winder by means of relief devices. The invention also concerns a method for making a splice into a paper web, in which method a cross-direction splice is prepared between two ends of a web in a winder by means of a device (10) operating as an auxiliary device. In the method, the web is immobilized in a suction zone (11) of the device (10). In the method the device (10) is kept in its place by means of devices (15), and the device (10) is operated as relieved by means of relief devices as attached to the frame constructions of the winder.

Abstract: A laminating apparatus and methods are provided for laminating fabric such as for a disposable garment. The apparatus preferably includes a frame having upper and lower frame regions, a first roll of fabric mounted to the upper frame region so as to provide a first web of fabric when unwound from the first fabric roll, and a second roll of fabric mounted to the lower frame region and positioned adjacent the first fabric roll so as to provide a second web of fabric when unwound from the second fabric roll. A fabric dance controller is preferably positioned downstream from the first and second fabric rolls and positioned to receive the first and second webs of fabric therefrom for dancingly controlling the tension of the first and second webs of fabric being received from the first and second fabric rolls.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for heat-seal splicing a trailing end of a first plastic web and a leading end of a second web. The apparatus includes a traverse cylinder actuated pulley system that is disposed transverse to the longitudinal axes of the web ends. The pulley system moves a shuttle that is attached to and that carries a spring biased wheel. In operation, the wheel is moved in either direction across the web ends and between the two ramps. The wheel is spring biased into contact with a heated sealing wire that, in turn, is brought into web sealing contact with sequential portions of web ends as the wheel is moved transversely across the web ends from one webs' side edges to the other webs' side edges and along the sealing wire so as to heat-seal splice the web ends.

Abstract: A tool for tightening and melt-adhering a strap, which is light in weight, can be operated by one hand, performs a series of operations, i.e., tightening, pressurizing and frictionally melt-adhering the strap by utilizing power (fluid pressure) instead of manual operation, and which enables the time for frictional melt-adhesion to be adjusted over a wide range and highly precisely with ease, enabling the worker to continue the operation maintaining high efficiency with less fatigue. The tool for tightening and melt-adhering the strap comprises a means for pressing a tightening roller which includes a reversible motor, a means for pressing a vibrator for friction, and a timing mechanism capable of adjusting the time for driving the vibrator over a wide range and finely, which are compactly arranged as a unitary structure.

Abstract: A splicer for joining with tape the abutted ends of two sheets, such as the headers and footers of stacks of fanfold paper to be printed upon, is comprised of a clamp assembly and a tape dispenser. The clamp assembly captures the ends of the sheets between the resilient surfaces of a base and a movable top comprised of two spaced apart bars. Pins in the base help align perforated paper for joining. The dispenser runs along the slot between the two bars. It dispenses, presses down, and cuts the tape as it is laid along the butt-line between the ends of the sheets. An optional reversing bar causes the two sheets to travel along different shape paths to the splicer, thus enabling application of tape to the opposing sides of the sheets.

Abstract: A device for splicing strips of thermoplastic material to splice a first strip extending along a first path and a second strip extending along a second path; the device having first guides for guiding the first strip, and second guides for guiding the second strip, the first and second guides being movable with respect to each other to bring together a portion of the first strip and a portion of the second strip; a heat-seal block movable between a rest position and a work position to grip and heat seal the portions of the first and second strips between the heat-seal block and the second guides; and a heatable element which is movable to intercept a portion of at least one of the first and second strips and cut the strip by melting the portion of the strip contacting the element.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a laminated, web-shaped packaging material intended for packaging containers in which the longitudinal joint has improved gas-and liquid-tightness properties and is substantially planar. The laminated, web-shaped packaging material includes a core layer and a layer of metal or metal oxide applied on one side of the core layer, and is processed along the longitudinal edges of the web in such a manner that the metal layer is exposed from the core layer along one of the edges and the edges are then covered with outer layers of plastic.

Abstract: A strapping apparatus for strapping goods with a band, which apparatus has a tensioning device which is operatively connected to a tensioning drive and is intended for tensioning of the band, a closure device for sealing two ends of a band, and a plurality of rewinding locks for fixing the band on the strapping apparatus, is to be as lightweight as possible while of high functional reliability. It is therefore proposed that an essentially plate-shaped control board (14) which is operatively connected to an actuating means is provided as the means for controlling functions of the strapping apparatus, that a movement of the actuating means brings about a pivoting movement of the control board (14), and that the pivoting movement of the control board can be transmitted to a plurality of transmitting means which are coupled to the control board, with which the rewinding locks (5, 6, 26) can be transferred from a locking position into an insertion position and vice versa.

Abstract: A group for joining the ends of closed-loop abrasive belts, including a machine for the preparation of the end edges of the strips of abrasive belt and an assembling machine including a support arm around which the strips of abrasive belt are wound in a closed loop, and a press unit for joining the relative end edges. The input end of the support arm of the assembling machine is situated immediately next to and on the extension of the edge preparation machine.

Abstract: A veneer edge jointing apparatus which comprises a plurality of rows of conveyors (chains) for transporting a veneer piece until a trailing edge of the veneer piece in a direction of transportation comes to an abutting position; an adhesive-applying device for applying a hot melt adhesive to a leading edge of the transported veneer piece in the direction of transportation; and a bonding device for abutting the leading edge of the veneer piece transported by means of the conveyors against a trailing edge of a preceding veneer sheet in alignment with the abutting position, and then pushing and feeding the veneer piece to bond the veneer pieces to each other into a continuous veneer sheet. The bonding device is arranged at a position for substantially filling vacant regions in the direction of width orthogonal to the direction of transportation.

Abstract: A unit for supplying a strip to a user machine, the unit being located along a supply path of the strip, having an input for a first strip of a running-out reel and for a second strip of a new reel, and having two splicing rollers located downstream from the input and on opposite sides of the supply path to butt splice the first and second strip; a first roller of the two rollers defines an end portion of a casting path along which to cast the second strip and extending between the input and the first roller, and provides for casting a leading end portion of the second strip towards the output of the unit in time with a trailing end portion of the first strip.

Abstract: For removing defective transponder units or electronic transponder equipment a web (6)is parted in a station (23) firstly in front and then at the rear of the individual unit. Thereafter the picked out unit is conveyed off transverse to a working plane (3)and the two resulting web ends are transferred into a directly juxtaposed station (24). There the web ends are fixedly interconnected by welding, glueing or the like. Therefrom a use web arises, which includes only non-defective units since the defective units were previously detected by a sensor (32)and then severed out as described with the aid of a control device (50). This fully automatically working apparatus (1)coils the processed use tape in a store (26)into a roll (40)which is suitable for further processing in a machine.

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

Abstract: A polarizer labelling tape comprises a series of releasable strips which are connected end-to-end to each other by adhesive strips arranged at respective connections between the releasable strips, and a plurality of polarizer elements releasably attached to and along the series of releasable strips, each of the polarizer elements being covered by a protective layer. The releasable strips of the tape may be constituted by a releasable layer originally present in a master polarizer plate.

Abstract: A lap splicing apparatus for lap splicing first and second webs together, with each of the first and second webs alternately constituting a running web and a new web to be spliced to the running web, includes a frame; a first spindle mounted at a first fixed position on the frame for holding a roll containing the first web at a first orientation; a second spindle mounted at a second fixed position on the frame for holding a roll containing the second web at the first orientation; a single lap splicing device immovably mounted at a fixed position on the frame for lap splicing the first and second webs together with the trailing tail end of the lap splice always being on the same side; a first transfer assembly of rollers for bringing the first web to the lap splicing device, and for turning the first web by at least one angle from the first orientation; and second transfer assembly of rollers for bringing the second web to the lap splicing device, and for turning the second web by at least one angle from the f

Abstract: An automatic paper-web splicing system rotates a new paper roll being spliced, causes the peripheral speed thereof to agree with the traveling speed of a traveling web, and splices the start end of the new paper roll to the traveling web. The automatic paper-web splicing system directly detects via a detection mark provided on the outer peripheral surface of a new paper roll being spliced to a traveling web that the outer peripheral surface of the new paper roll is moved by a predetermined length by the rotation of the new paper roll, causes the time required for the new paper roll to move to agree with the time required for the traveling web to travel over the predetermined length, thereby causing the peripheral speed of the new paper roll to agree with the traveling speed of the traveling web, and carries out automatic splicing in this state.

Abstract: A heat seal splice assembly for heat splicing first and second webs together, with each web alternately constituting a running web moving in first direction and a new web to be spliced to the running web upon depletion of the running web from a roll, includes a central guide having first and second sides, with the first web being located to the first side of the central guide and the second web being located to the second side of the central guide, the central guide having a hold down assembly for holding the new web to the central guide, a rotation assembly for rotating the central guide such that the new web held to one side of the central guide can be positioned to an opposite side of the central guide at which the running web is positioned, a clamping assembly for clamping the first and second webs together, a first heat seal assembly movable toward and away from the first side of the central guide to heat seal the first and second webs together against the first side of the central guide when the first a

Abstract: A method and apparatus for joining two pieces of wood veneer with square cut edges by a lap joint with a pre-determined thickness not greater than the thickness of a single piece of veneer. The lap joint is formed in a press which may have heated plates for pressing the overlapping portions of the veneer pieces together. The press is provided with adjustable stops for limiting the spacing between the platens in the final pressed position to provide the lap joint with the pre-determined thickness. The lap joint is bonded by glue provided on the surface of at least one of the overlapping portions of the two veneer pieces. The lap joint is heated to an elevated temperature above the lignin softening temperature of the veneer during pressing to enable thermoplastic flow of the wood veneer which produces a lap joint of greater strength.

Abstract: A process and device for cutting and distributing printed large width bands and a positioning table for implementing the process.In the extension of a feed table a positioning table is provided which is itself equipped with endless belts each carrying a gripping clip for pulling an initial band from the feed table on to itself, devices for registering and positioning the band being provided at least at the inlet and at the outlet of the positioning table.The device allows the production of a continuous wide width printed band from a narrower width printed band assuring that the design and the pattern on the new wide width band are in perfect register as shown in FIG. 1. The device cuts a rectangular length of the original narrow band, the length being the width of the desired wide width band. The so cut rectangular sheets are joined by gluing them along the longer side of the rectangles.

Abstract: A strap welding tool and method therefor including a first cam member for moving a sealing gripper toward a first support member to engage and retain tensioned strap disposed therebetween, a second cam member for enabling a vibrator motor to vibrate a welding pad, and a third cam member for moving the welding pad toward a second support member to engage and weld overlapping strap portions disposed therebetween. The tool includes a relatively small base plate to reduce loss of strap tension upon removal of the tool from between strap tensioned about small and irregular loads. A column strength of a strap portion engaged by the vibrating welding pad is reduced by deforming or bending the strap portion, and preferably forming a gap between upper and lower strap portions.

Abstract: A strap welding tool and method therefor including a first cam member for moving a sealing gripper toward a first support member to engage and retain tensioned strap disposed therebetween, a second cam member for enabling a vibrator motor to vibrate a welding pad, and a third cam member for moving they welding pad toward a second support member to engage and weld overlapping strap portions disposed therebetween. The tool includes a relatively small base plate to reduce loss of strap tension upon removal of the tool from between strap tensioned about small and irregular loads. A column strength of a strap portion engaged by the vibrating welding pad is reduced by deforming or bending the strap portion, and preferably forming a gap between upper and lower strap portions.

Abstract: An apparatus for lamination of a non-woven fibrous sheet and an extruded polymer sheet including a web slitter to divide the fibrous sheet into a plurality of webs, a plurality of folding means to fold each web, a plurality of separated turning bars to turn each folded web such that the webs are separated, and an extrusion laminator for laminating the polymer sheet to the separated webs to provide a laminate having a portion of the polymer sheet between the separated webs.

Abstract: A splicing method comprising the steps of: (a) holding a first tape on a first tape guiding portion and a second tape guiding portion which are positioned in alignment with each other; (b) cutting the first tape between the first tape guiding portion and the second tape guiding portion so as to allow a first end portion held on the first tape guiding portion and a second end portion held on the second tape guiding portion to be formed in the first tape; and (c) splicing one of the first end portion and the second end portion to a second tape, wherein a step (d) of detecting whether or not at least one of a portion of the first tape being held on the first tape guiding portion and a portion of the first tape being held on the second tape guiding portion is in a predetermined holding position is effected prior to step (c), and when the at least one is in the predetermined holding position, step (c) is effected.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for fabricating a flexible belt comprising conveying the leading edge of a flexible web from a supply roll to a slitting station, slitting the web a predetermined distance from the leading edge to form a web segment having the leading edge at one end and a trailing edge at the opposite end, conveying the leading edge toward the trailing edge, flowing at least one stream of fluid upwardly against the web segment to form an upwardly extending bulge in the segment adjacent the leading edge, flowing at least one stream of fluid downwardly against the web segment to form the web segment into a U-shape, overlapping the leading edge and the trailing edge of the web segment to form a joint, and welding the joint to permanently join the leading edge and the trailing edge together to form a belt. Apparatus for carrying out this process is also disclosed.

Abstract: A leading edge of a paper web on a paper web feed roll is prepared for use in a flying web splice. The paper web feed roll is supported adjacent a carriage which is movable generally parallel to an axis of rotation of the paper web feed roll. The carriage carries a paper web leading edge cutter, and adhesive tab dispensing device, an adhesive tape application device and a web corner cutting device. The free end of the paper web is end cut, has adhesive tabs applied to it, is provided with a double sided adhesive splice tape and has lateral edge cuts formed in one pass of the carriage across the face of the paper web feed roll.