Abstract: A fixture having a bottom plate, top plate and an expansion block interposed between the bottom plate and top plate. A workpiece is positioned between the expansion block and bottom plate. When the fixture is heated, there is a net displacement exerted by the expansion block so as to apply pressure to the workpiece. The pressure applied by the fixture to the workpiece is due solely to the thermal expansion of the fixture when it is heated.

Abstract: A method and means for reconciliation between incorrect/faulty labels identified during a labeling operation and incorrect/faulty labels removed from the operation.

Abstract: Provided is a protection film bonding method and a protection film bonding apparatus that improves productivity for bonding the protection film onto one surface of a silicon wafer. A carrier film is separated from a three-layer film having a reinforcement film, and is provided on front and rear surfaces of a protection film, to provide a two-layer film. This two-layer film is bonded onto the front surface of the silicon wafer, the reinforcement film is removed from the two-layer film and the protection film is trimmed. An apparatus consists of a supply unit, separation and take-up unit that separates the carrier film from the three-layer film, an assigning and separation unit, a joint unit that joins the two-layer film onto the silicon wafer, and a peel-off unit, that removes the reinforcement film while separating it from the two-layer film.

Abstract: A conduction welding apparatus and method for bonding abutted thermal plastic tubular end portions is particularly suitable for welding PFA. In a preferred embodiment, a folding weld head embraces the abutted the tubular end portions to be welded, each tubular end portion including a flange spaced from the surfaces to be joined. The weld head includes means for securing the flanges within the weld head and further include bias means. The bias means provide an inward axial bias on the adjoined tubular end portions when the tubular end portions are displaced axially outward from the weld head due to the expansion of the plastic during the weld process. The bias means in a preferred embodiment is substantially inoperative prior to the weld and provides bias, or a substantial increase in bias, when the flanges are displaced due to the expansion of the molten PFA during the weld process.

Abstract: A Collapsible Rotary Blister Sealer with Rolling Heater Coating is disclosed. The disclosed blister sealer comprises a lightweight, tubular frame, detachable legs and a lightweight, modular turntable. Further disclosed is a sealer that is mountable on a table-top or other horizontal surface. Said disclosed turntable is height-adjustable; easily removable, and further includes an indexing means for stopping said turntable at predetermined angular positions. The disclosed press of the present blister sealer may be height- and pressure-adjustable, and said frame may further include a strut to further strengthen said frame when greater pressures are desired from said press. It is further disclosed that said sealer include a unique heater plate assembly that permits easy access to the heating coils and further may include a protective sheath to prevent damage to said heater plate assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for making a laminate. The method including providing a work material such as a hide, and a backing material and moving one of the work material and the backing material into engagement with one another and adhesively bonding the backing material to the work material thereby forming a laminate. The apparatus includes a first support surface for carrying a work material, a second support surface positioned adjacent the first support surface, and means for transferring the work material between the first and second support surfaces. A roll of backing material is rotatably and operably positioned relative to the first and second support surfaces so that during movement of the work material between the first and second support surfaces the backing material can be fed from the roll into engagement with a surface defined by the work material to form a laminate.

Abstract: An application apparatus 10 is provided with an object supporting section 16 including a support surface 14 for supporting an object 12 while allowing a free rolling of the object; a tape carrying section 22 for rotatably carrying, in a roll form, a double-coated pressure sensitive adhesive tape 20 with a release paper 18 attached to one side of the tape; a tape laying section 24 for holding the double-coated pressure sensitive adhesive tape 20 with the release paper, fed in a strip form from the tape carrying section 22, in a condition where the tape is laid on the support surface 14 of the object supporting section 16 with an adhesive surface 20a of the tape to which the release paper 18 is not attached facing outward; and a tape cutting section 26 provided between the object supporting section 16 and the tape carrying section 22 for acting on the double-coated pressure sensitive adhesive tape 20 with the release paper, held on the support surface 14 by the tape laying section 24, so as to cut only the doub

Abstract: A system for creating a coil of stamps from a web of stamp material having an adhesive applied to a side thereof is provided. The system includes an anvil and a perforation die cooperating therewith with the web passing therebetween in order to perforate the web. The web is passed between the anvil and the die with the adhesive side thereof facing the anvil. The anvil is chilled so as to inhibit the adhesive from adhering thereto as the web is perforated. The anvil may be chilled from an outer surface thereof, or may be hollow and chilled from an inner surface thereof. In the former case, the system preferably includes a trough holding a chilling material through which at least a portion of the outer surface of the anvil is passed. Where the anvil is chilled from an inner surface thereof, a cooling fluid is preferably passed therethrough.

Abstract: A device and method to manufacture two substrates simultaneously using a separator. The separator is sandwiched between two cores and adhesive is used to affix to the first core to the second core. Layers are affixed to the first core and the second core simultaneously. The cores are then separated and the separator removed to form two substrates.

Abstract: A laminating apparatus 20 for a DVR as an optical disc comprises front side peeling means 24 for peeling a protective film P1 from a protective label L having the protective film P1 and a release-liner D adhered thereto, a peel plate 25 for peeling off the release-liner D from the protective label L from which the protective film P1 has been peeled, and laminating means 29 for laminating the protective label L after the peeling of the protective film P1 and the release-liner D to a DVR recording substrate by laminating the protective label L to the DVR recording substrate B with a predetermined pressing force.

Abstract: An ultrasonic welder 10 for providing improved surface finish on weldable material, including an anvil 22 and a fabric element 30 positioned between the anvil 22 and the weldable material 24 thereby protecting the surface finish on the weldable material 24.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for synchronously removing coverlay film from an adhesive film and applying an adhesive strip cut from the adhesive film to cover one or more reject die sites and/or functional die sites on semiconductor package support elements are disclosed. Reject die sites on defective substrates are covered prior to encapsulation.

Abstract: A Roll-fed labeling apparatus is disclosed which includes a delivery means for delivering a label web to a rotary cutting drum, and one or more cutting assemblies located on the cutting drum providing cutting means for cutting with a slicing action the web into individual labels while the web is held by a relatively negative pressure on the circumferential surface of the drum. Each of the cutting assemblies comprises a piston arranged to move the cutting means along a slot on the cutting drum to enable the slicing action to take place. The slicing action is not dependent upon a surface auxiliary to the cutting means.

Abstract: A method and apparatus 200 for building a laminate 10A and in forming a subassembly 10 for a pneumatic tire from an assembly of reinforced or unreinforced tire components wherein the method has the steps of providing an apparatus 200 for simultaneously forming, positioning, attaching and conveying a plurality of continuous strips of elastomeric tire components and activating the apparatus simultaneously forming, positioning and attaching the plurality of continuous strips of elastomeric tire components to adjacent strips of tire components as they are conveyed thus forming a laminate 10A of reinforced or unreinforced tire components suitable for use as a subassembly for a pneumatic tire.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extruding a plastic spacer directly on an object, in particular on the periphery of window glazing, such as automobile glazing intended to be glued into the opening of a vehicle. In particular the invention relates to properly producing the connection zone between the end and the beginning of the extruded spacer when it forms a closed loop. According to the invention the beginning of the spacer and the remainder of the loop are extruded, with the exception of the connection zone. The object is then provided with an applied anti-adhesive deposit surface that is continuous with the surface of the object. The path of the extrusion head is diverted in relation to the surface of the object so that the extrusion occurs on the applied deposit surface, proximate to and beyond the beginning of the spacer loop. The extruded spacer is then allowed to harden and the extremities of the spacer are cut and adjusted to properly complete the connection.

Abstract: In a method for manufacturing a composite arrangement, at least one printed circuit board substrate is joined with a support under the influence of an applied pressure exerted by a press die over a weave layer (prepreg) impregnated with resin, such that the resin in the region of an opening of the printed circuit board substrate does not flow into this opening. The applied pressure is, therefore, at least partially reduced in the region of the opening of the printed circuit board substrate.

Abstract: A device for sealing plastics films, particularly in batch packages (10) comprises a sealing jaw (32) and a sealing surface (33) thereon. In order to avoid the adhesion of residues of the film on the sealing jaw (32) or its sealing surface (34) during sealing of sealable plastics film in packaging technology, the sealing jaw (32) or sealing surface (33) is protected by a cover comprising a polytetrafluoroethylene (sold under the trademark TEFLON) strip (34). This TEFLON strip is so disposed and designed that it may be moved on from time to time relative to the sealing jaw (32) or sealing surface (33), so that unused areas of the TEFLON strip (34) pass into the sealing position to the required extent.

Abstract: A marker insertion apparatus automatically removes a marker from a roll of marker material and applies the marker to an applicator. The markers mount to a backing sheet and are peeled from the sheet by passing over a peel bar. Jaws are positioned near the peel bar and configured for gripping an end marker. An applicator member inserts intermediate the jaws and has the end marker pressed onto the applicator and torn from the roll. In a first embodiment, the applicator is a paddle applicator for inserting markers between opposing pages, and in a second embodiment the applicator is a bayonet: applicator for inserting markers into the spine of a book.

Abstract: A process for hardening a composition and a hardenable composition, in wh there are used:at least one novolac resin;at least one hardener of the resin, selected from the group consisting of substituted melamines;at least one compound comprising at least one ##STR1## group, this compound being without methylol group and ether group corresponding to methylol, and/or at least one reagent capable of giving such a compound under the conditions of the hardening.The hardening of the resin is caused by the action of heat.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a multi-layer printed circuit board. The printed circuit board includes a bottom layer board, a hole board, and an adhesive sheet between the bottom layer board and the hole board. The printed circuit board is heated so that adhesive sheet bonds the bottom layer board to the hole board. A mold release sheet and a thermoplastic resin sheet begins to soften at a temperature lower than the melting temperature of the adhesive. A contraction control member controls contraction when the thermoplastic resin sheet cools.

Abstract: A method for forming an item by partially fusing selected portions of two sheets together. A non-heat-sensitive barrier sheet is inserted between two heat-sensitive sheets. The sheets are stamped with a die to fuse portions of the heat-sensitive sheets together remote from the barrier sheet. The barrier sheet and waste heat-sensitive sheet material is removed to leave the item. The method has particular application to stamping envelopes from a clear flexible vinyl material in a single continuous stamping operation.

Abstract: A laminating system for bonding, to receiver stock, a lamination sheet of the type including a carrier and a material to be applied to the receiver stock, and for de-laminating the carrier from the receiver stock after the material has been applied to the receiver stock includes a superposed sandwich of the lamination sheet and the receiver stock. A de-lamination leader is associated with one edge of the lamination sheet and the receiver, whereby the carrier can be easily peeled from the receiver stock starting at the one edge. The leader may be between the one edge of the lamination sheet and the receiver stock so that the edge does not laminate to the receiver stock upon application of heat and pressure. Alternatively, the leader may be butt joined to the one edge of the lamination sheet, such as by tape. A pair of adhesive stripes, one stripe being more adhesive than the other, may also be used to join the materials.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing superposed film webs or flat lying tubular webs of a thermoplastic synthetic material, including sealing bars heatable by heating appliances, which are displaceable towards each other and away from each other and over whose front surfaces there can be spread a separating sheet of a material not sticking to the synthetic material.

Abstract: A braided fiber reinforced thermoplastic member is formed by a device, which comprises a braiding device for weaving thermoplastic coated fibers with second fibers onto a weaving mandrel for form a braided preform, and a heating die for melting the thermoplastic of the coated fibers of the braided preform to form a continuous matrix of thermoplastic between the coated fibers and the second fibers. A method for forming a fiber reinforced thermoplastic member comprises coating carbon fibers with a thermoplastic melt, cooling the thermoplastic coated carbon fibers, braiding the coated carbon fibers onto a weaving mandrel with Kevlar.RTM. bias fibers to form a braided preform, and drawing the braided preform through a heating die.

Abstract: A plurality of webs drawn from respective supply rolls forms a core stack which is passed through a single-level press to press boards from the press stack formed by applying cover foils to the core band. Once the pressed board forming part of the band is advanced from the press, the pressed board can be cut and trimmed from the band. The apparatus has a separating web insertion station for selectively inserting a separating web between core forming layers as part of the band so that, when one or more separating layers are inserted, each press cycle simultaneously forms two boards, but when no separating layer is inserted, only a single board is formed at each press cycle and separating operation.

Abstract: A method of making a balloon includes providing two balloon films and providing two valve films. The two valve films are placed one on top of the other and then inserted between the two balloon films. Then a portion of each of the valve films is tack sealed to its respective adjacent balloon film. The valve films are then sealed together to form a valve passageway therein. During the valve sealing step, the balloon films are held in a fanned out manner. Finally, the balloon films are sealed together along the perimeter thereof to form the balloon.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a method of continuously forming a layered composite material into a rigid structure as the material is moved from an upstream location to a downstream location. The uncured layered composite material is pulled from a supply at the upstream location through a forming die to form the material into a structural member having a desired shape. The member is moved downstream into a heating die where it is at least partially cured. After it leaves the heating die it is cooled and continues to move downstream where it is cut into suitable lengths. The cooling can be accomplished by a cooling die located downstream from the heating die. A liner is provided within the dies having the same shape as the structural member through which the structural member slides as it moves in the downstream location.

Abstract: Optical elements (52, 54) are bonded to supports (58) by a resilient bonding agent (68) and a rigid bonding agent (78). The resilient bonding agent has the property of shrinking upon curing and is placed within a bonding space (66) defined by rails (64) of a rail assembly (56). Upon curing, the bonding agent shrinks and securely pulls the contacting surfaces (52b, 64a) of the element and the rails under tension of the bonding agent. A donut (80) of resilient material spaces the bonding agent from contact with or adjacent to the contacting surfaces (64a, 52b) so that, for a rail assembly and an optical element of significantly different coefficients of thermal expansion, temperature variations will not cause glass pieces to be pulled from the optical element. The base (62) of the rail assembly is also made thin to bend and provide relief upon contraction of the bonding agent rather than to unduly stress the optical element.

Abstract: A method for forming cellular shades using sheer materials. Strips of sheer material are creased to define tabs and central portions. Strips of a non-bonding material are placed over the central portions. Beads of adhesive are placed over the tabs and these assemblies are stacked, whereby the tabs are adhered to the central portions of the successive strip, while the non-bonding material prevents adhesion of the tabs to the central portions of the corresponding strips. When the adhesive has set, the non-bonding strips can be conveniently removed, yielding a cellular shade which can be formed of substantially any fabric material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for heat sealing two thermoplastic parts by clamping the parts together with a cooled clamp so that the edges of the parts are exposed and melting the edges together by contacting them with a hot seal head wherein a layer of a protective material is interposed between the hot seal head and the parts to be sealed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for integrally bonding two latex surfaces is disclosed, together with a latex bag having integral loops and/or holding straps which is made by the process. Briefly, a first curing latex surface such as a strip of curing latex, is held against a second curing latex surface such as the curing surface of the bag, so that the two surfaces form an integral bond. Preferably, a few drops of latex are added to the interfacing area prior to bringing the two surfaces into contact.

Abstract: A welding apparatus for welding flat webs or web sections made of synthetic thermoplastics comprises two parallel welding bars, which are adapted to be raised and lowered relative to each other, and tensioned strips of polytetrafluoroethylene, preferably strips of polytetrafluoroethylene which are reinforced by glass fiber woven fabrics, which strips cover said welding bars and are fixed on rolls, which are disposed beyond opposite ends of each welding bar and serve to wind up and unwind said tensioned strips. The rolls are movably mounted beyond opposite ends of the welding bars on axles extending transversely to said welding bars.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for sealing plies of thermoplastic material included in laminated sheets having thickened sections in a manner such that strong side seals result with substantially no delamination of one or more plies of a laminated sheet comprises performing a first blocking operation on the laminated sheets by application of heat and pressure through a first pair of seal bars having an effectively matched cross-section such that the laminated sheets remain substantially planar during the first blocking operation. A second blocking operation is performed over the previously blocked areas by the application of heat and a soft pressure through a second pair of seal bars having an effectively matched cross section such that the laminated sheets remain substantially planar during the second blocking operation.

Abstract: A package obtained by superposing a sheetlike lid through the medium of a hot melt layer, on a tray provided along the edge of a recess therein with a sheetlike flange part, and then heat sealing the tray and the sheetlike lid at the sheetlike flange part. The heat sealed portion formed between the sheetlike flange part of the tray and the sheetlike lid includes at least one primary joined portion having one of the sheetlike parts strongly pressed down and partially buried in the other sheetlike part, and at least one secondary joined portion adjacent said primary joined portion having said sheetlike parts pressed down less strongly against each other than in the primary joined portion. The secondary portion is at least on the inner side of the primary joined portion toward the tray recess, relative to the direction of the cross section of the heat sealed portion, thus serving to provide protection for the primary joined portion.

Abstract: Ostomy pouches are manufactured by partially contour welding two pouch walls one of which has a stoma aperture over an area extending from the top edge of the pouch past the region of the weld seam around the aperture. A separator member is inserted into the partially welded pouch and an adhesive label is then welded or bonded to the pouch wall around the aperture. The separator member is withdrawn and the contour welding is completed to form the completed pouch.

Abstract: Ostomy pouches are manufactured by partially contour welding two pouch walls one of which has a stoma aperture over an area extending from the top edge of the pouch past the region of the weld seam around the aperture. A separator member is inserted into the partially welded pouch and an adhesive label is then welded or bonded to the pouch wall around the aperture. The separator member is withdrawn and the contour welding is completed to form the completed pouch.

Abstract: An apparatus for working on limp sheet material has a support surface with a high coefficient of static friction relative to the limp sheet material. A sheet of low friction material is attached at one end to a carriage supported to move longitudinally of the support surface and is spread on the support surface by advancing the carriage. The limp sheet material is spread on the support material and shifted relative to the support material to align the sheet material in predetermined position relative to the apparatus. The carriage is retracted and the support material simultaneously withdrawn from between the limp sheet material and the support surface by winding the support material onto a pay-off/take-up roll. A brush and a roller carried by the carriage smooth wrinkles from the limp sheet material and press the material into engagement with the support surface as the carriage retracts.

Abstract: Cellulosic paper sheets interleaved with sheets of a thermoplastic material having a glass transition point below about 100.degree. C. and a melting point of about 125.degree. C. or more provide a cushion for use in laminating operations. The thermoplastic sheets employed in the cushion have an individual thickness ranging from about 2 to 20 mils and a combined thickness of at least 5 mils. Such a cushion provides a long-term, reuseable cushion for laminating operations.

Abstract: A continuous laminating system is disclosed wherein a pair of rotating laminating rollers are provided which form a laminating nip through which a product to be laminated together with sheets of laminating film are fed and pressed. A pair of rearwardly positioned pull rollers pull the laminating film through the laminating rollers together with the product. Adjacent each laminating roller a shoe-type heating member is provided which has a concave surface adjacent the respective laminating roller and a convex heating surface positioned so that the laminating film from each of the supply rollers slides over the heating surface and is heated prior to entry into the laminating nip. A Teflon-coated fiberglass layer is provided at least over portions of the convex heating surface over which the laminating film slides. Problems of scratching of the laminating film and squealing during processing are solved according to the invention.

Abstract: Cellulosic paper sheets interleaved with sheets of a thermoplastic material having a glass transition point below about 100.degree. C. and a melting point of about 125.degree. C. or more provide a cushion for use in laminating operations. The thermoplastic sheets employed in the cushion have an individual thickness ranging from about 2 to 20 mils and a combined thickness of at least 5 mils. Such a cushion provides a long-term, reuseable cushion for laminating operations.

Abstract: Brassiere tapes having a body portion and a pair of overlapping tabs extending outwardly therefrom are manufactured by providing a continuous strip of material for the tapes having fastener elements spaced along the strip and layers in the body portion and in each of the tabs weldable with ultrasonic vibratory energy. The tabs are separated physically from each other such that the individual layers in the strip may be simultaneously severed and welded across the body portion and the tabs when interposed between ultrasonically vibrating horn and anvil devices, except that the tabs which are physically separated from each other are not welded to each other. Compliant means for mounting of the anvil is provided so that the cutting edge for severing the tapes from the strip which is associated with the anvil is not readily dulled by the repetitive contacting engagement of the horn and anvil surfaces in the operative position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying segments of sealing tape to both ends of a carton and for forming pull-tabs at both ends of the segments of sealing tape so applied. Cartons are conveyed in indexed fashion at uniform intervals on a conveyor. Sealing tape is dispensed from two rolls and is applied to the ends of the cartons by lay-down rollers at the margins of the conveyor. The conveyor is indexed so as to stop the conveyor after a section of tape linking two adjacent cartons on the conveyor is provided at each end of the cartons. Short segments of masking tape are applied to the adhesive side of the sealing tape at specific locations thereon and at a station spaced upstream from the point where the sealing tape is applied to the cartons whereby after the sealing tape is applied to the cartons, the masking tape segments will be disposed on the linking sections of sealing tape midway between two adjacent cartons.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for the manufacture of adhesive covers in which cover material is conveyed through an apparatus wherein a hot melt adhesive is applied to selected portions of the cover material, a release agent is applied to the adhesive and the adhesive on the cover material is cooled. The apparatus includes a novel hot melt adhesive applicator which is adapted to break the string of adhesive stretching from the hot melt bead on the cover to the applicator nozzle. One embodiment of the unit involves an in-line arrangement in which individual covers are processed. Another embodiment involves an in-line arrangement in which web of cover material flows continuously through various operations and is then cut at the end into individual covers. Another embodiment involves an in-line arrangement in which a web of transparent cover material is incorporated in the process and combined with a web of cover material overlapping a portion of the latter.

Abstract: Renewal of the running surface of a worn pneumatic or solid rubber tire, in which a layer of bonding rubber is applied to the prepared body of the tire and to the interior of a prefabricated precured rubber tread ring has gaseous inclusions between the applied layers led away and the assembly prepared in this way is heated in an autoclave for vulcanizing the layer of bonding rubber. The tread ring directly before applying it to the body is stretched very hard in a simple stretching mechanism so that when the tread ring is removed from the stretching mechanism a free stretch of about three to four percent remains temporarily. This allows the freed but stretched tread ring to be slipped over the body without further auxiliary means retaining the ring stretched and the ring to be arranged in exact correlation with the circumference of the body. The free stretch rapidly and continuously reduces to about one percent permanent stretch.

Abstract: Bonds are made between two work pieces by using foils exploded by electrical energy typically stored in a large capacitor. To increase the uniformity of the bond area, a foil having at least one slit cut in the direction of current flow is used. The foil strips separated by the slit are attracted together by the pinch effect when current is applied, tending to eliminate loss of foil through a jetting action during explosion. Platings are made by pressing the foil between the work piece and a plastic layer to which the foil does not adhere. In both bonding and plating, the capacitor is charged with energy sufficient to bring the foil just to its boiling point. This "tuning" is more efficient and minimizes heat and blast effects that might otherwise damage a small work piece.