Abstract: An end of a sheet drawn out form a feeder is clamped by a pair of upper and lower clamping devices of two or more pairs. The sheet is drawn out from the initial position to the end position in a spread state. While the spread sheet is being tentered on pin tenters, another pair of upper and lower clamping devices at the end position is separated from each other and moved along the respective rails into the initial position. The end of the sheet drawn out from the feeder is clamped from above and below at the initial position with the upper and lower clamping devices that has returned to the initial position.

Abstract: A labelling machine for labels printed on pre-pasted continuous film, comprising a rotating carousel provided with elements for supporting the individual containers to be labelled, adapted to turn such containers about their own axis, and alignment elements and tension adjustment elements for the film that unwinds from a reel and a cutting and transfer drum comprises a structure for supporting actuation elements for individual blades designed to cut the labels, the supporting structure being adapted to support a number of circumferential portions of peripheral shells provided with film retention elements and adapted to be inserted in the gaps formed by the blades that are present in each one of the groupings, so as to form a continuous cylindrical surface for supporting the film.

Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for manufacturing a heat insulator, including: a frame having a feeder provided at front side of the frame for feeding a cross-linked foam polyethylene sheet and a winder provided at rear side of the frame for winding a completed heat insulator; a cutting part provided at a leading side of the frame, a widening part provided at a rear side of the cutting part, which is for transforming the cutoff slots into cells by widening a width of the cross-linked foam polyethylene sheet formed with the cutoff slots; a cooling part provided at a rear side of the widening part, which has cooling rollers to continuously maintain a widened width of the cross-linked foam polyethylene sheet and a shape of the cells transformed from the cutoff slots; and a sheet-attaching part provided at a rear side of the cooling part.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for automatically punching and bonding MEA materials for a fuel cell, which can automatically and continuously perform a punching process and a bonding process for the MEA materials by improving a conventional method in which a 5-layer MEA material is manually manufactured. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the time required to manufacture the 5-layer MEA, provide a reduction in manpower and an efficient production, enable mass production, and improve the quality of the finished 5-layer MEA material.

Abstract: A sanitary absorptive article producing device and method, particularly suitable for producing interlabial pads, which are small-sized sanitary absorptive articles having a mini-sheet piece. The method comprises a main-section assembly step for disposing an absorptive body between a face-side sheet continuous-member and a back-side sheet continuous-member, joining the face-side sheet continuous-member to the back-side sheet continuous-member to form a main-section continuous-body having a portion continuous therewith which becomes the main section of the sanitary absorptive article, and a mini-sheet assembly step for joining the mini-sheet piece to the back-side sheet continuous-member of the main-section continuous-body to form a sanitary absorptive continuous-body. The sanitary absorptive article continuous-bodies have their unnecessary potions removed by a round-cutting step to become individual sanitary absorptive articles.

Abstract: There is provided a mounting apparatus capable of forming dicing tapes in the process of feeding-out a strip material, and sticking the dicing tape to a ring frame to fix a semiconductor wafer. The mounting apparatus 10 sticks the dicing tape to the ring frame RF to fix the semiconductor wafer to the ring frame in a state that the ring frame RF and the semiconductor wafer W are disposed on a table 11. The mounting apparatus 10 includes a pre-cut means 13 for forming a cut L in a state of half cut in a film FL of a strip material A to form a dicing tape T in the process of feeding out the strip material A and a sticking means 34 for peeling off the dicing tape from a base sheet S to stick the dicing tape to the ring frame RF.

Abstract: A system and a method for manufacturing an optical display device. The system includes a first cutting and bonding apparatus to handle a first roll of sheet material including a first optical film with a width corresponding to the short side of an optical display unit and to bond the first optical film to one surface of the optical display unit and then to cut the first optical film into a length corresponding to the long side of the optical display unit. A second cutting and bonding apparatus handles a second roll of sheet material including a second optical film with a width corresponding to the long side of the optical display unit and bonds the second optical film to the other surface of the optical display unit and then cuts the second optical film into a length corresponding to the short side of the optical display unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for laminating a film on a wafer includes a cutting mechanism and a laminating mechanism. The cutting mechanism has a cutting device disposed thereon for pre-cutting a dry film. The cutting mechanism has a supporter disposed adjacent to the cutting device for positioning a wafer. The cutting mechanism has a suction member disposed and corresponding to the cutting device for sucking the cut dry film to allow the cutting device pre-cutting the dry film and moving the cut dry film to the supporter. The laminating mechanism has a first lower member provided for positioning the wafer and a first upper member disposed above the first lower member for laminating the cut dry film with electrically heating to adhere the cut dry film on the wafer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fiber strip multiapplicator head of the type supplying multiple independent application strips, to be compacted jointly in an area (2) by means of a roller of flexible material, the independent strips being led through hollows defined by the structural formation of a body (3) in the sides of which assemblies are arranged, which assemblies comprise respective master rollers (4) for pulling the strips synchronized with the respective cutting systems (5).

Abstract: To provide a lay-up apparatus capable of precision positioning and laying of thin strips of copper foil or insulation tape on a flat plane even when there are variations in the cut lengths of the strips. A lay-up apparatus lays first and second strips of tape 101, 102 on top of two electrodes 5, 6 deposited on a photovoltaic devices panel 1. The strips of tape are unwound by first and second grippers 112, 122 and cut to predetermined lengths by first and second cutters 113, 123. The cut strips of tape are laid one on top of the other and transported by rotatable moving means 130. The moving means 130 rotates in opposite directions when laying the strips of tape it holds from the electrode 5 toward the electrode 6 and when laying the strips of tape from the electrode 6 toward the electrode 5, while using one end of the strips of tape as a reference and keeping constant the relative positions of the reference end of the strips of tape and that electrode which is nearest the reference end.

Abstract: A placement apparatus comprising an anvil roller, a die roller communicatively associated with the anvil roller, and a bump transfer roller communicatively associated with the vacuum roll. The invention also provides a process for placing articles on a web, comprising the steps of providing a stream of articles, placing the articles on the anvil roller, moving the anvil roller, moving an output web, and periodically bringing the output web into communicative association with the anvil roller whereby the articles are transferred to the output web at a predetermined distance from each other.

Abstract: A rubber sheet joining apparatus includes a cutting unit for cutting a ribbon of rubber sheet reinforced with cords to generate rubber sheet strips having different lengths; a sheet overlapping unit for overlapping and joining the rubber sheet strips having different lengths to make an overlapped and joined strip. First holding members hold a front end portion of a following overlapped and joined strip. Second holding members hold a rear end portion of a preceding overlapped and joined strip. Support guides movably support the first holding members relative to the second holding members. An operating unit moves the first holding members relative to the second holding members to butt-join the side surfaces of two successive overlapped and joins strips held respectively by the first holding members and the second holding members to generate a ply sheet.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for adhering an object (12) having an adhesive tape (16) preferably having a liner (26), wherein the object having the adhesive tape contacts and is applied to the object during transport of the object having the likewise transported adhesive tape and wherein the speed of the object and the speed of the adhesive tape are synchronized during the adhesion. In order to enable adhesion of the object without influencing the adhesive tape, whereby the adhesive effect could be negatively influenced, according to the invention the object is transported by means of a handling arrangement and both the velocity and acceleration curves of the object are transferred to the transport of the adhesive tape via an axis of the handling device.

Abstract: A multi-layer film (1), depicting a colour two-dimensional image which is only visible through a polarizing filter comprises an optically active layer (2) placed over a polarizing layer (3) and configured to form the image on its face opposite the polarizing layer (3) when said face is seen through the polarizing filter, the optically active layer (2) comprising a plurality of sheets (4) of optically active material placed over each other, at least one of which is shaped to form at least one portion of the outline of the image.

Abstract: A cutting mechanism for dry film laminator includes a main base connected to a dry film laminator. The main base has a cutting space defined therein. The main base has two rollers disposed thereon and located beside the cutting space. The two rollers flatly guide a film above the cutting space. A film-carrying device is movably disposed on the main base. The film-carrying device includes a suction member movably disposed thereon. The suction member has at least one annular groove defined therein and corresponding to a shape of a wafer. A cutting device is movably disposed below the main base. The cutting device includes a film cutter movably disposed thereon. The cutting device includes an elevating device disposed thereon for moving the film cutter upward/downward. The cutting device includes a motor disposed thereon for rotating the film cutter.

Abstract: An improved tabbed divider making apparatus is disclosed. The machine preferably improves upon existing tabbed divider making machines in its ease of use and efficiency. Among other elements, the machine may include a paper feeder, a processing section, and an output tray. An improved film delivery system is also disclosed, as well as methods relating to manufacturing of tabbed dividers.

Abstract: The invention relates to improvements in fiber strip application heads for applying fiber strips (4) that are supplied with a support and protection paper (5), the fiber strip (4) to be applied being supplied with the immediate separation of the protection paper (5) at the exit from the feed reel (1), such that the fiber strip (4) circulates by itself through the head, passing through drive modules (10) formed by caterpillar strips, with the passage through a longitudinal cutting module (20) and through a waste separation module (22) in the path towards the application area.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for visualizing air stream by little threads on aerodynamic surfaces such that strips of adhesive tape populated with threads are automatically fabricated.

Abstract: To provide a manufacturing apparatus of an electronic component using an interposer, having high installation flexibility and high production efficiency. The electronic component manufacturing apparatus includes a converter unit configured to place an interposer on a surface of a base circuit sheet, and an interposer supply unit configured to continuously convey carriers holding the interposers and supply the interposers to the converter unit. The interposer supply unit has the carriers that hold the interposers, and is configured to convey the interposers via the carriers.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided to allow for cutting a stretchable first web into segments and securing the segments to a second web. The apparatus includes an infeed rate adjustment apparatus, a tension control device, a cutting apparatus, and means for securing the segments to the second web. The infeed rate adjustment apparatus is sized and configured to adjust the speed of the infeed of the first web to the cutting apparatus to space apart the segments.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing an optical display device having an optical display unit and an optical film bonded thereto and including a polarizing plate, the system including: a first cutting and bonding unit which performs a process including unwinding a long sheet material from a first roll of the long sheet material, wherein the long sheet material includes a first optical film, a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer and a release film laminated in this order; a second cutting and bonding unit which performs a process including unwinding a long sheet material from a second roll of the long sheet material, wherein the long sheet material includes a second optical film, a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer and a release film laminated in this order; and a turning unit which turns the optical display unit to the direction of bonding in the other cutting and bonding unit.

Abstract: A tape sticking apparatus includes a feed-out device for feeding out a raw sheet in which a strip-shaped tape base material is temporarily stuck on one surface of a strip-shaped release liner. A cutting device is configured to form a closed-loop-shaped cut-line on the tape base material to form a sticking tape. The apparatus further includes a peeling device for peeling the sticking tape from the release liner, and a sticking device for sticking the sticking tape to a workpiece. A collecting device collects the raw sheet after being peeled off the sticking tape by the peeling device.

Abstract: An adhering apparatus having a pressurizing tool including a plurality of pressurizing surfaces and rotatably mounted on a base member, a supply reel which supplies a release tape adhered to an adhesive tape along the pressurizing surfaces of a periphery of the pressurizing tool, a cutter which is disposed to face one of the pressurizing surfaces and cuts only the adhesive tape into a predetermined length, and a backup tool supporting a lower surface of the substrate and disposed to face a pressurizing surface located downstream from the pressurizing surface facing the cutter. When the base member is driven downward in the vertical direction, the pressurizing surface facing the backup tool adheres the adhesive tape to the upper surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A method of welding a window frame provides a welding system (10) having movable head fixtures (16). Certain of the head fixtures include cutting structure (37) and each head fixture includes heat supplying structure (40). A one-piece lineal (20) has first and second ends and notches therein. The lineal is loaded with respect to the head fixtures, with portions of the lineal being folded about the notches to define folded corners. Head fixtures are moved to clamp on the lineal. The cutting structure cuts the lineal generally at each notch to separate each of the folded corners from the lineal, with each corner of the lineal being defined by a pair of ends. The head fixtures are repositioned so as to provide a space between each pair of ends. A heat supplying structure is inserted into the space to heat each pair of ends and then removed. The head fixtures are moved so that each pair of ends contact and join in a thermally welded manner.

Abstract: Disclosed are a device and method for the simultaneous fusion of multiple plastic pipe sections. A plurality of pipe sections may be rigidly held, faced off, heated, and joined at the same time using a single piece of equipment. The inventive process allows increased throughput of the fusion process without significant additional costs.

Abstract: A spring tension control system for the front and rear application roller arms, and for the sealing tape application rollers mounted thereon, of a tape cartridge assembly of a case sealing machine comprises a first spring-biasing mechanism to control the disposition and movement of the front and rear application roller arms upon which are respectively mounted the front and rear case sealing tape application rollers for applying the sealing tape to the vertically oriented front and rear surface portions of the case. In addition, there is also provided a second spring biasing mechanism which operatively cooperates with the first spring biasing mechanism so as to effectively impart an enhanced amount of tension and speed to the rear case sealing application roller in order to achieve enhanced case sealing processing speeds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a head for applying fibers in order to make components of composite materials, intended to be mounted at the end of a displacement system for applying to a surface a wide strip formed of a number of fibers. The head comprises an application roller for applying fibers in the form of a strip, means for guiding fibers on said roller, and cutting means including blades activated by activation systems between a rest position and an active cutting position so as to cut the fibers upstream of the application roller. Said blades and associated activation systems are all placed on the side of the roller relative to said fibers.

Abstract: A method and an improvement to saw systems configured to convert raw I-joists from inventory to pre-cut sizes and/or cut routed patterns in I-joists for utility pass-through applications prior to their shipment to a construction site or return to inventory, whereby a controlled amount of adhesive and a protective liner are automatically and successively applied to the top flange of each I-joist. The saw system improvement comprises coordinated mechanical, electrical, and pneumatic components.

Abstract: A label finishing station receives a web carrying printed images for labels arranged so there are a plurality of images formed in rows or ranks across the width of the web. The images are also arranged in longitudinal columns along the length of the web. A cutting station carries a plurality of cutter heads to cut out the plurality of labels forming each row or rank simultaneously. The web, with the label peripheries cut out, may be slit longitudinally and formed into finished rolls of labels.

Abstract: A motorized head for applying fiber composite material to an application surface includes a drive roll and a backup roll for feeding fiber composite material toward the application surface, a compaction roll for pressing fiber composite material onto the application surface, and a restart pinch roll assembly located between the drive roll and the compaction roll for driving fiber composite material received from the drive roll to the compaction roll. The drive roll nip between the drive roll and the backup roll forms a drive zone that grips and drives the composite material, a clamp zone that prevents movement of the composite material after it has been cut, and a free zone that allows composite material to be freely pulled through the head. Two cutters mounted on the drive roll mesh with a single anvil on the backup roll to cut the composite material to the desired length.

Abstract: Taping heads having an applying arm connected to a buffing arm are described. The taping heads include at least one buffing cam and buffing cam guide are described. Taping heads having two buffing cams and two buffing cam guides are also described.

Abstract: A device for manufacturing a crosslaid fiber web on the basis of two parallel longitudinal fiber webs and segments of another longitudinal fiber web comprises a fixing table on which the longitudinal fiber webs and the segments come together. Furthermore, the device comprises a pair of high-voltage bars, movably arranged with respect to the fixing table. When a segment is in a correct end position with respect to the longitudinal fiber webs on the fixing table, the pair of high-voltage bars is activated and moved with respect to the segment and the longitudinal fiber webs, wherein the segment and the longitudinal fiber webs are situated between the high-voltage bars. As a consequence, the segment is fixed with respect to the longitudinal fiber webs, before being supplied to another device in order to get definitively connected to the longitudinal fiber webs.

Abstract: A gasket assembly (20) and method for forming the gasket assembly (20) for sealing two mating surfaces (46,48) over a complex geometrical contact region. The gasket assembly (20) is formed by a hollow silicone rubber tube (22) having a naturally straight configuration but easily bent into complex configurations without kinking. The tube (22) is filled with a curable liquid rubber compound (30) and then the ends (24,26) of the tube (22) are joined in end-to-end fashion to form a continuous loop. The joined ends (24,26) of the tube (22) can be reinforced with a connector (34,134) and then locally cured on a preliminary operation so that the liquid rubber compound (30) does not escape. The tube (22) is then laid up in a mold (40) having a complex geometrical feature (42) which replicates the complex geometrical contact region of the two mating surfaces (46,48) to be subsequently sealed.

Abstract: An end of a sheet drawn out form a feeder is clamped by a pair of upper and lower clamping devices of two or more pairs. The sheet is drawn out from the initial position to the end position in a spread state. While the spread sheet is being tentered on pin tenters, another pair of upper and lower clamping devices at the end position is separated from each other and moved along the respective rails into the initial position. The end of the sheet drawn out from the feeder is clamped from above and below at the initial position with the upper and lower clamping devices that has returned to the initial position.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are proposed for aligning and fixing a ribbon onto the groove of a solar cell for avoiding undue stress on the ribbon as well as crystal damage of the solar cells by hardening of the ribbon. The apparatus includes a frame, a leading arm, and a trailing arm, the leading and trailing arms being movably mounted on at least one linear guide arranged on said frame. The apparatus further provides for upward and downward movement of the at least one linear guide, and a shear for cutting said ribbon. Both the leading arm and the trailing arm have a gripper for gripping the ribbon. These grippers are provided to apply a predetermined longitudinal tension to the ribbon when the leading and trailing arms are moved relative to one another.

Abstract: A security and/or tracking information and graphic image fusion system to be used with verification equipment to provide a tamper proof labeled article having security and/or tracking information thereon. The label comprises a printable sheet having at least one RFID device thereon, and an outer layer thereon. The RFID device provides security and/or tracking information for the labeled article. The label may further include at least one visible image printed thereon. To provide additional layers of security, at least one invisible IR or UV image, or both, may also be printed on the printable sheet to provide security and/or tracking information. The visible image provides the graphic image. The label is permanently fused by an in-mold molding process to an article made of plastic, rubber or the combination thereof to render it tamper proof.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various waterproof membranes that may be applied to a sill surface of an opening in a building structure to waterproof that surface as well as direct water that penetrates through the opening out of the structure. Generally, one or more flexible waterproof membranes are adhesively applied to the sill surface for purposes of waterproofing that surface. Such membranes may further incorporate a back dam structure that is disposed proximate to the rearward edge of a sill plate (i.e., disposed toward the interior of the structure) to direct water towards the front edge of the sill plate (i.e., toward the outside of the structure). Further, such membranes may include wicking material on one or more surfaces to allow for directing water out of a building structure. In various arrangements, one or more flexible membranes may be utilized to create an open fronted sill pan.

Abstract: An automatic nose strip bonding apparatus for a face mask is disclosed, including a nose strip providing mechanism, a nose strip turnover mechanism, and a press-to-bond device. The nose strip providing mechanism drives a nose strip forward and carries out stamping operation on the nose strip, and applies a bonding agent to the nose strip. The nose strip turnover mechanism serves to turn over the nose strip that has already been applied with the bonding agent to allow the surface of the nose strip on which the bonding agent is applied to face a face mask. The press-to-bond device includes a first bonding device and a second bonding device to attach the nose strip to the face mask and to carry out a secondary bonding operation, respectively, to ensure firm bonding of the nose strip to the face mask.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for substantially continuously forming thin-walled sleeves that may be incorporated into tubular devices sized for introduction into a patient. In one embodiment, a pair of sheets including coated surfaces oriented towards one another are directed through a cutting apparatus to cut the sheets into multiple pairs of strips. The pairs of strips are bonded together to create a plurality of sleeves having lumens defined by the coated surfaces. In another embodiment, a sheet having a coated surface is fed through a cutting tool to separate the sheet into a plurality of strips, and the strips are formed into sleeves, e.g., by feeding the strips through a die or mandrel using a substantially continuous process. Optionally, the sleeves may be subsequently cut into individual tubular devices and/or further processed, e.g., by providing one or more layers around the sleeves to create catheters, sheaths, or other apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for visualizing air stream by little threads on aerodynamic surfaces such that strips of adhesive tape populated with threads are automatically fabricated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for applying flat material web sections (28) to a first flat web of material (6) which is displaced in the direction of the machine having a first web speed during the production of hygiene articles or medical articles. The dimensions of the flat material web sections (28), in the direction of the machine, are smaller than the measurements of the articles which are to be produced. The flat material web sections (28) of an endless web (8) are separated in the cut-and-place method and are arranged on the first flat material web (6). The endless web (8) is fed at a second web speed to a second cutting station in the direction of a cutting roller (18). According to the inventive method, a front section (26) of the endless web (8) is applied against a surface section (24) of an anvil roller (22) which co-operates with the cutting roller (18), the surface section being curved less than the periphery (34) of the anvil roller (22).

Abstract: An apparatus for making SMC comprising a conveyor belt assembly having a feed end and a transfer end. The conveyor belt assembly including a belt having an outer surface and an inner surface. A cutting support structure disposed between the feed end and the transfer end, and in contact with the inner surface. A cutting wheel having a perimeter surface and disposed adjacent to the cutting support structure. A feed tension member proximate the outer surface and disposed between the feed end and the cutting wheel. The feed tension member positions the fiber rovings onto the outer surface to be cut by the cutting wheel. The feed tension member, cutting wheel and belt cooperate to feed the fiber rovings at a feed rate, cut the fiber rovings into a plurality of parallel discontinuous fibers, and convey the fibers at substantially the same rate as the feed rate.

Abstract: An automatic taping lathe-microtome that produces a continuous ribbon of tissue by lathing an extremely thin strip off the surface of a cylindrical block containing a multitude of embedded tissue samples. Mechanisms are included for sandwiching this fragile ribbon of tissue between a pair of support tapes. Viewing holes are cut in the support tapes above and below each tissue slice such that the tapes act as slot grids allowing for direct viewing of each tissue slice in a transmission electron microscope (TEM). The resulting tissue-tape is placed on a spooling mechanism and fed into the beam of a TEM much like the film in a movie projector. This allows for random-access imaging of any section on the tape without requiring the TEM's vacuum be broken. This system is intended to give neuroscientists a tool to ultrastructure image large volumes of neural tissue and to trace multi-scale synaptic circuits.

Abstract: In a laminating apparatus for a ceramic green sheet according to the present invention, cutting means and laminating means are positioned on a conveying path of a carrier film conveyed by conveying means. Specifically, cutting of the ceramic green sheet and lamination of sheet pieces are carried out on a single conveying path. Consequently, the reduction of production efficiency is prevented significantly. Furthermore, the position of the cutting means and the position of the laminating means are different. Therefore, even when cut scraps are generated when the ceramic green sheet is cut by the cutting means, the cut scraps are significantly prevented from entering between layers in a green sheet laminated body.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying tape tabs to a traveling web of material, for example, placement of tape tabs on a running web of disposable undergarments. A pair of wheels each has a protuberance come in contact with the running web of material, which comes in contact with an infeeding tape web. The invention allows placement of tape tabs at asymmetrical spacings, where placement of the tape from contact of the first wheel and protuberance may not be equally or centrally spaced from placement of the tape by the second wheel and protuberance.

Abstract: This invention proposes a new, improved method and apparatus for applying web segments to a traveling web. Ears, or wings, are placed on a running web of disposable diapers. Because these webs are often asymmetrical or otherwise incompatible with the principle of slipping over the surface of a moving vacuum roll, the webs may float from side to side or otherwise be drawn out of square by asymmetrical forces. A vacuum groove is provided on a vacuum roll to counter these effects. Alternatively, a ridge with vacuum about the ridge is provided, also to pull a machine direction line of material into the groove or over the ridge, thereby giving the web some degree of cross-directional stability.

Abstract: A sanitary absorptive article producing device and method, particularly suitable for producing interlabial pads, which are small-sized sanitary absorptive articles having a mini-sheet piece. The method comprises a main-section assembly step for disposing an absorptive body between a face-side sheet continuous-member and a back-side sheet continuous-member, joining the face-side sheet continuous-member to the back-side sheet continuous-member to form a main-section continuous-body having a portion continuous therewith which becomes the main section of the sanitary absorptive article, and a mini-sheet assembly step for joining the mini-sheet piece to the back-side sheet continuous-member of the main-section continuous-body to form a sanitary absorptive continuous-body. The sanitary absorptive article continuous-bodies have their unnecessary potions removed by a round-cutting step to become individual sanitary absorptive articles.

Abstract: A lamination system comprises a lamina supply to supply a first web comprising lamina sheets or patches, a substrate supply to supply a second web having defined substrates to be laminated, and a separation station where lamina sheets or patches from the first web are laminated to the defined substrates. The substrate is preferably a card, such as an identification card, a credit card, or other CR80 size card. The sheets or patches are approximately the same size as the substrates, and the sheets or patches are subjected to heat and/or pressure to cause them to bond to the substrates.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for substantially continuously forming thin-walled sleeves that may be incorporated into tubular devices sized for introduction into a patient. In one embodiment, a pair of sheets including coated surfaces oriented towards one another are directed through a cutting apparatus to cut the sheets into multiple pairs of strips. The pairs of strips are bonded together to create a plurality of sleeves having lumens defined by the coated surfaces. In another embodiment, a sheet having a coated surface is fed through a cutting tool to separate the sheet into a plurality of strips, and the strips are formed into sleeves, e.g., by feeding the strips through a die or mandrel using a substantially continuous process. Optionally, the sleeves may be subsequently cut into individual tubular devices and/or further processed, e.g., by providing one or more layers around the sleeves to create catheters, sheaths, or other apparatus.

Abstract: This invention proposes a new, improved method and apparatus for applying web segments to a traveling web. These web segments, sometimes called ears or wings, may be asymmetrical or otherwise incompatible with the usual slip-and-cut method. The asymmetrical shape may have differing web tensions which can cause the web segments to be improperly engaged with the vacuum holes on an anvil roll. The present invention utilizes both circumferential rows of vacuum holes and an additional pattern of ear retaining vacuum holes. The circumferential rows of vacuum holes are activated consecutively by vacuum commutation, however, the pattern of ear retaining vacuum holes are activated simultaneously to counter the effects of differing web tensions on the ear portions.