Longitudinally Moving Web Support Moving Web Ends Into Association Patents (Class 156/507)
  • Patent number: 11753264
    Abstract: The present application relates to a tab roll replacing device and a winding apparatus. The tab roll replacing device includes an unwinding mechanism; a roll mechanism, including a transfer plate, a first floating clamping assembly, a second floating clamping assembly, and a first fixed clamping assembly; a cutting mechanism for cutting off a tab material strip clamped by the first floating clamping assembly and the first fixed clamping assembly, or the second floating clamping assembly and the first fixed clamping assembly; and a strip splicing mechanism for connecting the tab material strip output by the unwinding mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Inventors: Er Cao, Xiaofei Yang
  • Patent number: 11007737
    Abstract: To accurately cut a ply for a tire. It is a cutting device 1 for cutting a ply 10 for a tire in which a plurality of cords 12 parallelly arranged at fixed pitches are coated with an unvulcanized topping rubber 10. It has a pitch increasing means 2 for increasing the pitches of the cords 12 by pressing the ply 10 from a second surface 10b side to a first surface 10b side of the ply 10 so as to stretch the ply 10 toward the first surface 10a side; and a ply cutting means 3 disposed on the first surface 10a side of the ply 10, for cutting the stretched portion of the ply 10 along the cords 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Yuichi Takai
  • Patent number: 9849644
    Abstract: Provided is a device and method for butt-splicing strip members for tire components, having a first clamp and a second clamp arranged for clamping a first end of a first strip member and a second end of a second strip member, respectively, wherein at least one of the first clamp and the second clamp is movable along a butt-splice direction into a butt-splicing position opposite to the other of the first clamp and the second clamp for butt-splicing the ends, wherein the first clamp includes a first upper clamp member and a first lower clamp member, wherein the second clamp includes a second upper clamp member and a second lower clamp member, wherein the first lower clamp member projects beyond the first upper clamp member over a first overlap distance and wherein the second upper clamp member projects beyond the second lower clamp member over a second overlap distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: VMI HOLLAND B.V.
    Inventor: Gerrit Roy Nijland
  • Patent number: 9302439
    Abstract: The subject invention includes methods and apparatus for joining treads. Such methods include the step of providing a first tread portion and a second tread portion for forming a joined tread, each tread portion comprising a section of tire tread extending lengthwise from a terminal end. Additional steps include providing a first fixture configured to retain the first tread portion and a second fixture configured to retain the second tread portion and securing the first tread portion into the first fixture and securing the second tread portion into the second fixture, each of the first and second fixtures being arranged within the first and second fixtures such that the terminal end of each tread portion is in communication with a joining side of each fixture. The methods further include directing the terminal ends towards each other and into forceful engagement with an elastomeric joining material arranged between the terminal ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignees: Compagnie Generale Des Etablissements Michelin, Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventors: Chinglin Pan, David Chan Wah Lung, Michael D. Petrovich
  • Patent number: 9027623
    Abstract: A belt welding apparatus is provided for joining together the ends of one or more monolithic conveyor belts. In one form, a belt support is configured to support the belt ends in spaced relation to each other and a non-contact heating device is provided for being disposed between the belt ends to generate thermal radiation for joining the belt ends together. In another form, a drive mechanism is operable to cause relative movement of a pair of platens, for supporting belt ends, toward and away from each other and a heating device between heating and stowed positions. An actuator of the drive mechanism is movable by an operator between at least three operation positions corresponding to three different operation positions of the platens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Flexible Steel Lacing Company
    Inventor: Joannes Stefanus van 't Schip
  • Patent number: 8905106
    Abstract: End portions of a sheet-shaped rubber member are manually and firmly joined together. A pair of opening/closing members is arranged to sandwich and move along the end portions. An opening/closing mechanism opens/closes the pair of opening/closing members between an open position and a closed position where the end portions are joined together. A pair of guiding rollers is provided to one opening/closing member and guides each of the end portions to a joining position. A pressing roller is provided to the other opening/closing member and presses each of the end portions onto the guiding roller. A pair of joining rollers is provided to the pair of opening/closing members, respectively, and sandwiches each of the end portions guided by the pair of guiding rollers. The joining rollers roll on each of the opposing end portions and abut and join the end portions to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventor: Yuichiro Ogawa
  • Publication number: 20140305575
    Abstract: An apparatus for butt joining sheet members has a supporting plate (2) and a movable arm (3) being moved toward one side in a longitudinal direction of the movable arm (3) with respective edges of two sheet members to be joined being sandwiched between a pair of joint units (4a, 4b) to bring the edges closer together and butt join edge faces of the sheet members, wherein drawing rolls (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d) of the supporting plate (2) and the movable arm (3) are arranged ahead in an advancing direction of the supporting plate (2) and the movable arm (3), and the gear wheels (21a, 21b, 21c, 21d) of the supporting plate (2) and the movable arm (3) are arranged behind in the advancing direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kanau Ito
  • Patent number: 8770253
    Abstract: A belt cutting and splicing apparatus is provided for joining together the ends of one or more monolithic conveyor belts. In one form, a belt support is configured to support the belt ends in spaced relation to each other and a non-contact heating device is provided for being disposed between the belt ends to generate thermal radiation for joining the belt ends together. In another form, a drive mechanism is operable to cause relative movement of a pair of platens, for supporting belt ends, toward and away from each other and a heating device between heating and stowed positions. An actuator of the drive mechanism is movable by an operator between at least three operation positions corresponding to three different operation positions of the platens. An on-board belt cutting mechanism is provided for precision cutting of the belt ends using the same apparatus for both belt cutting and splicing operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Flexible Steel Lacing Company
    Inventor: Andrew J. Zieger
  • Patent number: 8540841
    Abstract: A rubber sheet jointing apparatus is provided with first holding means for releasably holding a joint end portion of one of two rubber sheets, second holding means provided movably relative to the first holding means for releasably holding a joint end portion of the other of the two rubber sheets, and operating means for pressure-contacting the end surfaces of the two rubber sheets respectively held by the first and second holding means by moving the second holding means relative to the first holding means. Mutually facing surfaces of the first and second holding means are respectively provided with holder portions which are formed as rugged portions each taking a comb tooth shape and which are able to partly overlap to mesh with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignees: Fuji Shoji Co., Ltd., Fuji Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chikara Takagi
  • Patent number: 8408264
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for joining plastic tubes is provided. The apparatus comprises a treatment body which is arranged above a depositing surface of the apparatus and is guided over a joining section of the plastic tubes during the joining operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventor: Roland Ederer
  • Patent number: 8381788
    Abstract: To provide a plurality of conveyor belts which are disposed, with a space kept mutually in the width direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction thereof, and capable of running along the longitudinal direction thereof in such a state that the sheet pieces with cords are placed thereon, and a lift mechanism installed between the plurality of conveyor belts to support the sheet pieces with cords on the upstream side or those on the downstream side in the longitudinal direction among the sheet pieces with cords placed on the conveyor belts while in contact with these sheet pieces from the lower side, thereby allowing them to make a relative upward movement from the sheet placing surfaces of the conveyor belts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Miyahara, Jiro Agawa
  • Publication number: 20120080139
    Abstract: A rubber sheet jointing apparatus is provided with first holding means for releasably holding a joint end portion of one of two rubber sheets, second holding means provided movably relative to the first holding means for releasably holding a joint end portion of the other of the two rubber sheets, and operating means for pressure-contacting the end surfaces of the two rubber sheets respectively held by the first and second holding means by moving the second holding means relative to the first holding means. Mutually facing surfaces of the first and second holding means are respectively provided with holder portions which are formed as rugged portions each taking a comb tooth shape and which are able to partly overlap to mesh with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicants: FUJI SEIKO CO., LTD., FUJI SHOJI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shigemasa TAKAGI
  • Patent number: 8127817
    Abstract: A rubber sheet jointing apparatus is provided with a first holding member for releasably holding a joint end portion of one of two rubber sheets; a second holding member provided movably relative to the first holding member for releasably holding a joint end portion of the other of the two rubber sheets; and an operating member for pressure-contacting the end surfaces of the two rubber sheets respectively held by the first and second holding member by moving the second holding member relative to the first holding member. Mutually facing surfaces of the first and second holding member are respectively provided with holder portions which are formed as rugged portions each taking a comb tooth shape and which are able to partly overlap to mesh with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignees: Fuji Shoji Co., Ltd., Fuji Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigemasa Takagi
  • Patent number: 8011409
    Abstract: A splicing device to join a first web material coming from a reel being fed (BA), to a second web material (NB), coming from a reel standing by (BB), comprising two heads (107A, 127A; 107B, 127B), each of which comprises: a roller (129A; 129B) associated with a clamping bar (143A, 145A; 143B, 145B) to hold an initial edge of the second web material (NB); a counter-pressure member (109A; 109B) cooperating with said roller (129A; 129B) to press said first and second web material (NA, NB) against each other; a cutting member (111A; 111B); a moving unit (113A; 113B), on which said counter-pressure member (109A; 109B) and said cutting member (111A; 111B) are carried. A first common control member (121) is provided to cause, by the movement it imparts to the moving unit of one or other head alternately: pinching of the first and second web material between the roller (129A; 129B) and the counter-pressure member (109A; 109B); cutting of the first web material; and release of the second web material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Fosber S.p.A.
    Inventor: Mauro Adami
  • Patent number: 7971617
    Abstract: A welding machine having a frame that includes end supports spanned by a top beam with a truncated V-shaped cross-section. A vacuum track assembly disposed vertically beneath the top beam retains fabrics to be welded on a perforated surface using suction. A welding head travels along the top beam and applies heat and pressure to the surface to weld the fabrics together. The top beam and vacuum track assembly are extendable by including additional unit segments from which the beam and assembly are constructed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Miller Weldmaster Corporation
    Inventors: Brian D. Henry, Vincent L. Haley
  • Patent number: 7914642
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for process automation, for connecting the edge of two correspondingly profiled ends of at least one profiled sealing element, said profiled sealing element being already applied to a surface of a vehicle or a vehicle component. The invention also relates to a device for carrying out said method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Grohmann Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Grohmann, Lothar Thommes, Bernhard Kohlen
  • Patent number: 7533844
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a paper splicing apparatus that can improve workability of an operator and splicing accuracy at low cost with a simple construction. Thus, a paper splicing apparatus that carries out paper splicing by sticking together a tip of a new web pulled out from a rolled web to an old web drawn out from another rolled web comprises a first reciprocating member provided to freely reciprocate in an approaching/departing direction to/from a surface of the old web, a second reciprocating member provided to freely reciprocate in the approaching/departing direction independently of the first reciprocating member, a first roller pivotally supported to freely rotate with respect to the first reciprocating member, and a second roller pivotally supported to freely rotate with respect to the second reciprocating member with the new web fastened between the first roller and the second roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideki Mizutani, Yoshio Harada, Takayuki Miyake
  • Publication number: 20090068398
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for splicing tapes dispensed from a tape dispenser. According to one embodiment, a first, running or unwinding roll of tape is provided with a first splicing element secured to its trailing end portion. A second, stationary or standby roll of tape is provided with a second splicing element secured to its leading end portion. The second splicing element comprises a body made of a self-supporting material and formed with at least one aperture sized to receive the tape from the first roll. While tape is being dispensed from the first roll, the running tape is inserted into the aperture of the second splicing element. When the first roll of tape becomes depleted, the first splicing element engages the second splicing element, thereby splicing the leading end portion of the second tape roll to the trailing end portion of the first tape roll.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventors: Vartan Mailyan, Dennis A. Bradshaw, Jorge A. Nash, William W. Maness
  • Patent number: 7441579
    Abstract: A splicing device to join a first web material coming from a reel being fed (BA), to a second web material (NB), coming from a reel standing by (BB), comprising two heads (107A, 127A; 107B, 127B), each of which comprises: a roller (129A; 129B) associated with a clamping bar (143A, 145A; 143B, 145B) to hold an initial edge of the second web material (NB); a counter-pressure member (109A; 109B) cooperating with said roller (129A; 129B) to press said first and second web material (NA, NB) against each other; a cutting member (111A; 111B); a moving unit (113A; 113B), on which said counter-pressure member (109A; 109B) and said cutting member (111A; 111B) are carried. A first common control member (121) is provided to cause, by the movement it imparts to the moving unit of one or other head alternately: pinching of the first and second web material between the roller (129A; 129B) and the counter-pressure member (109A; 109B); cutting of the first web material; and release of the second web material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Fosber, S.p.A.
    Inventor: Mauro Adami
  • Publication number: 20080196819
    Abstract: A process and a device for the splicing of label bands having a conveying device for the forward movement of a first forward label band and of a second trailing label band along a transport path, and a splicing station for exerting a splicing pressure during the transport. In order to ensure that the splicing can be carried out reliably and precisely, even at high band speeds there is provided within the transport path in front of the splicing station, a separating device for the formation of a defined end edge on the trailing end of the forward label band.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2005
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: KRONES AG
    Inventor: Dieter Hafner
  • Patent number: 7398813
    Abstract: Plastic tubes are welded by first placing the plastic tubes across aligned tube slots in a pair of side by side tube holders. The tubes are clamped to create a fluid free area. The clamps in one of the tube holders are shifted laterally away from the other tube holders to increase the fluid free area of each tube. A cold cutting device cuts through the clamped tubes to create four stub ends. The four stub ends are heated/melted. The stub ends are realigned so that the one stub end in one holder is aligned with the other stub end of the other tube holder and the realigned stub ends are pressed into contact with each other to create a weld seam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Denco Inc.
    Inventors: Ivars V. Ivansons, Gregory M. Bak, Dudley Spencer
  • Patent number: 7383867
    Abstract: A splicing machine (10) to join strip material, the strip material being intended to be delivered to a packaging machine. The splicing machine (10) supports two rolls of strip material on supports (12, 13), with the strip material being taken from one of the rolls. When the material taken from one roll becomes depleted the trailing end of the material is engaged by a first web securing member (18). A second web securing member (19) engages and retains the leading portion of the next roll. The trailing portion of the first roll is then joined to the leading portion of the next roll so that the strip material is continuously delivered to an associated packaging machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: TNA Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Tadeusz Fraczak, Deni Ferfolja
  • Patent number: 7328734
    Abstract: A machine and method for welding thermo-plastic rain gutters or other work pieces together. The machine includes a frame assembly and a protective shroud. Handles or a wheeled carriage are provided for transporting the machine to a work site. A stationary plate and a moveable plate are each secured to the frame assembly. Work piece holders and corresponding clamps specially configured for clamping rain gutters or other work pieces are disposed on the stationary and moveable plates together with a spacer plate for positioning and holding the ends of two work pieces in a position for welding the ends together. A heater is provided for heating the ends of the work pieces to a desired welding temperature and a press is provided for pressing and holding the molten ends of the work pieces together for welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Royal Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Bacik, Kechang Xing
  • Patent number: 7138033
    Abstract: The present invention simplifies an apparatus and is capable of, when replacing a roll, swiftly connecting the tail end side portion of a previously paid out web material and the lead end portion of web material to be paid out subsequently. A connecting apparatus 15 comprises a pay-out device 21, which is arranged so as to sequentially pay out web material M, which is wound on a first and second rolls 12 and 13, and a connecting device 22 that connects the portion at the tail end 12a (13a) side of the web material M from either one of the rolls 12 and 13 and the portion at the lead end 12b (13b) of the web material M from the other roll 12 (13). At the tail end 12a (13a) side, of the web material M, substantially a half of a connecting sheet M1 is stuck thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Lintec Corporation
    Inventor: Takuya Hayasaka
  • Patent number: 7073552
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming a continuous preparation ply of the type used to make vehicle tires from preparation ply sections having nonmetallic cords. An infeed conveyor successively feeds the preparation ply sections to a butt splicing machine that joins the ends of the two preparation ply sections to form a butt joint. A gum strip applier receives the continuous preparation ply from an outfeed conveyor and applies a gum strip over the butt joint. A method is provided for forming a continuous preparation ply by first automatically forming a butt joint, and thereafter automatically placing a gum strip on the butt joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Christopher David Dyrlund, Donald Chester Kubinski, Jeffrey Ford Bull, Frank A. Edwards
  • 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: 6911101
    Abstract: From a supply reel which is set in position at an ACF (Anisotropic Concuctive Film) feeding station, an ACF tape having an ACF laminated on one side of a liner tape is drawn out by an ACF bonding means. At least two reel mount members are provided on a reel stand at the ACF feeding station to mount two ACF tape supply reels concurrently thereon. The reel stand is connected to a switch means thereby to switch the two reel mount members either to an operating or tape supplying position or a standby position. As soon as an ACF tape from a supply reel in the operating position is consumed completely, a fresh supply reel in the standby position is switched into the operating position to continue the supply of the ACF tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Tech Electronics Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Onoshiro, Kenya Wada, Ichiyo Ando
  • Patent number: 6860309
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing continuous supply of transfer tape to an applicator machine. The method includes unwinding the tape from the rolls to erase the roll memory in the tape, advancing the tape along a web path through knife elements to staging areas and past pinch rollers to the applicator. A second tape is placed on the staging plate for splicing to the first tape at the pinch roller. The first tape is cut and the second tape is advanced to the applicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Adalis Corporation
    Inventors: James N. Hartman, Peter M. Downie
  • 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: 6786264
    Abstract: Automatic splicing device for laminar webs in continuous feed processes, consisting of two reel-carriers (1 and 2), mounted above which are the respective preparation heads (3 and 4) and between them a moving head (14) capable of displacement between the positions of said preparation heads (3 and 4), for the preparation in either of these of the web from a reel in stand-by for the subsequent joining to the web of another infeed reel when the latter runs out, without any interruption to the feed process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Inventor: Manuel Torres Martinez
  • Publication number: 20040050481
    Abstract: The invention includes a belt forming apparatus. The belt forming apparatus includes a station. The station includes a first invertible gripping member, a second invertible gripping member, and a welder having a nib placed relative to the first invertible gripping member and the second invertible gripping member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Erich Coiner, David Burney, Alan Jacques
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6547909
    Abstract: A flying web splice apparatus and method for splicing a moving web of material to another web of material without tape or adhesives being used at the splice. Two splicer assemblies are provided which each have a rotatable parent roll feeding web material into the splicer apparatus. Each splicer assembly has a series of substantially parallel vacuum belts and a series of vacuum boxes therein. The vacuum boxes for each splicer assembly are evacuated by a vacuum blower, which creates a vacuum causing a suction through holes within a portion of the vacuum belts in order to hold web material to the vacuum belts. The series of belts for each splicer assembly are preferably rotatable about a top pivot to bring a bottom portion of each series of belts together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: C. G. Bretting Mfg. Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Tad T. Butterworth
  • Patent number: 6533891
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for forming and reinforcing a butt splice (21) along the abutting edges (18, 20) of two elastomeric sheets (12, 14) which typically contain a plurality of reinforcing cords (16) extending parallel to one another and to the abutting edges (18, 20) of the sheets. Each butt splice (21) is reinforced with a splice strip (22, 24) which bridges the butt splice. The splice strip (22, 24) is applied to the butt splice (21) using a splice applicating device (60) containing at least one and preferably two applicator heads (66, 68) which move from a splice strip load position P1 to a third position P3 where an applicator head can press the splice strip (22, 24) into contact with the butt splice (21). First, the applicator heads (66, 68) rotate about an axis between the load position P1 and a second position P2 spaced from the butt splice (21). Then, one of the heads (66, 68) reciprocates toward and away from the splice strip application position P3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventor: Donald Chester Kubinski
  • Patent number: 6502617
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Metis SRL
    Inventor: Maurizio Alfieri
  • Patent number: 6488800
    Abstract: In a lamination process, a method for changing the withdrawal of a top layer to be applied to a base material at a belt type press by feeding of the forward end of the top layer from a second roller to the rearward end of the top layer from a first roller. The top layer from the first roller is then cut off in coordination with the arrival of the forward end of the top layer arriving from the second roller, so that the ends of both top layers are positioned on the base material flush with one another with a slight separating line or in an overlapping manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Firma Theodor Hynmen
    Inventor: Werner Pankoke
  • Patent number: 6451145
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Frontier Industrial Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Forbes
  • Patent number: 6431240
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Supreme Plastics Holdings Limited
    Inventor: Murray Edward Bruce Leighton
  • Publication number: 20020046812
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for end to end connecting for a machine for continuously unrolling, with end to end connection between two strips, an ending strip (1) and a new strip (2), comprising at least means (3) for unrolling two spools, an accumulator for the strip (4) and a device for connecting and cutting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Applicant: MONOMATIC
    Inventors: Bernard Muller, Jean-Louis Dumas
  • Patent number: 6375770
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: O'Neill, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J. Meltzer, Tommas J. Tompkins
  • Patent number: 6355128
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Valmet Corporation
    Inventor: Pekka Eronen
  • Patent number: 6280556
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming a desired belt member in such a manner that a continuous strip material is cut into a plurality of strips each having a predetermined length while the strip material is fed in a direction traversing a conveyer and the cut strips are aligned and spliced on the conveyer while moving the conveyer intermittently. The apparatus is provided with a first guide having a bottom plate for supporting the rear edge of the strip material along a feeding path through which the strip material is fed to a conveyer and a side plate for regulating the rear edge position of the strip material, a second guide having a side plate for regulating the front edge position of the strip material and capable of moving vertically and a splicing press capable of moving vertically along the second guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noboru Okada, Haruhisa Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 6228205
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a splice between the trailing end of an expiring web of paper or other material, and the leading end of a new web of material. The apparatus includes a clamp for engaging and stopping the advancing web, and a web severing mechanism to transversely move across and sever the stopped web. A new web holding assembly supports the leading end portion of the new web, and the holding assembly may be lowered to align the trailing and leading ends so that they may be joined by a tape or the like. The web severing mechanism includes a clamping wheel positioned to smooth the trailing end portion of the stopped web before it is severed by a following cutting wheel. Also, a hand-held tool is provided for accurately and safely positioning the leading end portion of the new web on the new web holding assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: David Earl Rhodes, Willis Augustus Usher, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6129813
    Abstract: A machine for fusing plastic plates includes a frame and a movable table mounted to the front end of the frame and movable along a longitudinal direction of the frame. Two spaced screw driving devices are secured to the underside of the movable table. Two screw rods are provided and each has a first end fixed to the frame and a second threaded end coupled to an associated screw driving device. The screw driving devices are driven to urge the movable table to move along the longitudinal direction of the frame. A rear compressing device is mounted behind the movable table for clamping a first plastic plate. A front compressing plate that is movable in a vertical direction is provided so as to cooperate with the movable table for clamping a second plastic plate. A fusion blade is provided for fusing a front end face of the second plastic plate with a rear end face of the first plastic plate. The front compressing plate further includes a fixed seat mounted thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Inventor: Ten-Fu Yeh
  • Patent number: 6085820
    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
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: CTC International Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph L. Ryan
  • Patent number: 6056033
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the simultaneous welding of at least four plastic profile sections cut for mitre joint for window or door leaves or frames with four welding heads which are arranged moveable relative towards one another, with stops being provided in the zone of each welding head in order to outwardly support the ends of the profile sections and with spacer elements being provided which support the surfaces of the profile sections cut for mitre joint. A precise arrangement of the corners is achieved in such a way that the spacer elements are outfitted with springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Technoplast Kunststofftechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Meinhard Schwaiger
  • Patent number: 6033508
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a ribbon roll by joining a splice tape to a ribbon, is capable of accomplishing automatization to deal with splice tapes different in length and kind. This method comprises a ribbon supply process, an edit process for joining first and second splice tapes to the ribbon and a take-up process for rolling up the ribbon joined to the first and second splice tapes. In the edit process, the first and second splice tapes are joined by an adhesive tape sticking section and its feeding quantity is adjusted by an accumulator. On the other hand, the ribbon is drawn out by a given length from a supply unit and cut. A rotating bed 42 supporting the cut ribbon is rotated so that the end of the cut ribbon comes into an opposed relation to the end of the first or second splice tape. In this state, the ribbon and the splice tape are joined to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Sony Chemicals Corp.
    Inventors: Yoshimasa Taniguchi, Akihiro Kaneko, Tetsuji Ishikawa, Seiji Gunji
  • Patent number: 6029728
    Abstract: A continuous flow device for use in association with computer printer invoices including side tear holes, the apparatus comprises an invoice support assembly comprising a center section and first and second arm sections, the center section having a bottom region and a top region, the top surface having two short side edges and two long side edges, each arm section of the invoice support assembly having inner and outer long side edges and two short side edges, each inner long side edge being hingedly coupled to the top region of the center section; and a plurality of connectors each including an adhesive surface thereon, an adhesive strip being coupled on top of the adhesive surface, in an operative orientation a user placing a connector on the center section and removing the adhesive strip, the user then positioning a first invoice on the first arm section and a second invoice on the second arm section thereby coupling the invoices together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Inventor: James Hetem
  • Patent number: 6013148
    Abstract: The ends of material webs or tapes are joined to each other in an apparatus in which two holding and press-on heads are tiltable about fixed journal xes away from two fixed guide rollers for the webs so that a slide carriage for the heads and for the fixed guide rollers is avoided. The holding and press-on heads are mounted outside of the spacing between the guide rollers, but close to these guide rollers, but with a defined spacing from these guide rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Winkler & Duennebier Maschinenfabrik und Eisengiesserei KG
    Inventor: Martin Bluemle
  • Patent number: 5935377
    Abstract: A device for joining ends of material strips of rubber or plastic materials with rubber properties, wherein the ends to be joined have areas of reduced wall thickness and wherein the end cut first is stretched shortly before joining the two ends, includes a plurality of force-transmitting elements positioned adjacent to one another transverse to a longitudinal direction of the material strip at a forward end thereof and acting on one face of the material strip. At least the force-transmitting elements positioned at the areas of reduced wall thickness of the forward end are movable in the longitudinal direction of the material strip for stretching the forward end of the material strip at least within the areas of reduced wall thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Continental AG
    Inventors: Horst Sergel, Gerd Brandes