Progressive Continuous Bonding Press (e.g., Roll Couples) Patents (Class 156/555)
  • Patent number: 6527028
    Abstract: The present application discloses a substrate processing apparatus having a pair of pressed together supply rolls for applying pressure to perform the processing operation. The present application also discloses a method for processing a substrate wherein a pair of supply rolls are pressed together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Xyron, Inc.
    Inventor: David D. Miller
  • Patent number: 6523596
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a flexible curtain as disclosed and claimed. Edges of a polymeric material are folded back on themselves. A portion of the edges are secured and a portion is left unsecured or free. The flexible curtain is used in a windlocking apparatus to prevent the unwanted intrusion of wind, water and debris into a building opening. The free, or unsecured flap of the folded edge absorbs shock associated with storm disturbances. Edge rollers are used to laminate the edges of the curtains selectively such that only a portion of the edge is secured leaving the flap unsecured. Stitching, ultrasonic welding and gluing are alternative ways and/or additional ways of providing for the securement of a portion of the edge to itself. Perforations are made in the secured portion of the folded edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Wayne-Dalton Corporation
    Inventors: Willis Jay Mullet, Donald Bruce Kyle, Kelly Ray Green, Harry Edward Asbury
  • Patent number: 6517650
    Abstract: This invention pertains to apparatus and methods for intermittently creating ultrasonic bonds in sequentially advancing work piece segments, in a nip. The work piece segments are up to about 0.25 inch thick. The apparatus comprises a frame, anvil support apparatus supporting an anvil, and horn support apparatus supporting an ultrasonic horn. The ultrasonic horn and anvil are collectively mounted and configured such that the ultrasonic horn and anvil can be brought together to define the nip. The frame, anvil support apparatus, and horn support apparatus collectively are sufficiently rigid that the horn and anvil can be brought together with interference levels of about 0.000 to about 0.008 inch at a raised bonding portion in combination with defining sufficient nip pressure to develop ultrasonic bonds in work piece segments passing through the nip. The method comprehends bringing a back-up roll, mounted above the ultrasonic horn, into engagement with the ultrasonic horn, to directly support the horn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Lee Couillard, Kent William Abel, Joseph Daniel Coenen, Michael Lee Lohoff, Robin Kurt Nason, Dan James Sorensen
  • Patent number: 6517671
    Abstract: Method and apparatus comprising a novel ramped anvil roll for cooperating with a rotary ultrasonic horn and creating ultrasonic bonds in a work piece passing between the anvil roll and ultrasonic horn. A relatively smaller radius portion of the anvil roll extends about a first portion of the circumference, and a relatively larger-radius raised bonding element extends about a second portion of the circumference. An outer surface at at least one of a front and rear end portion of the raised bonding element defines a transition gradient between the raised operating surface and the relatively smaller radius portion. The transition gradient defines a modified sinusoidally-shaped curved loading surface including an inflection locus, the curved loading surface representing a relatively constantly changing angle as measured against respective radii of the anvil roll in combination with advancing along the corresponding portion of the circumference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Lee Couillard, Joseph Daniel Coenen, Kent William Abel
  • Publication number: 20030015298
    Abstract: Vacuum-assisted film laminating and removal systems and methods of using the same. The systems include a vacuum-assisted laminator for applying large format films to substrates where lamination pressure is generated at least partially by a vacuum drawn in a vacuum cavity. The removal apparatus applies tension over the width of the adhesive film, thereby removing the film from the substrate along the release line that extends over the width of the film. The systems and methods can be used to apply and remove large-scale adhesive films from substrates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Ronald S. Steelman, John R. David
  • Publication number: 20030010456
    Abstract: A master processing apparatus for use with a pair of removable feed rolls comprises a frame, a master processing assembly, and a gauge assembly. The removable feed rolls carry a supply of stock material to be unwound, at least one of the stock materials having a layer of adhesive provided thereon. The frame removably mounts the feed rolls. The master processing assembly performs a master processing operation wherein the master processing assembly causes adhesive bonding between a master and the stock materials. The gauge assembly has (a) a supply roll monitor operable to continuously monitor an amount of stock material remaining on the feed rolls and (b) a user readable supply level indicator operatively connected to the supply roll monitor. The supply level indicator is operable to continuously indicate to the user the amount of stock material remaining on the feed rolls as the stock materials are being unwound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Applicant: XYRON, INC.
    Inventors: Paul J. Lemens, Joseph E. Velasquez, Daniel G. Reed
  • Publication number: 20030010432
    Abstract: This invention concerns a process and a device for producing strip elements for electronically securing articles and a corresponding produced strip element. The aim of the invention is to present a process, a device, and a strip element which can be economically produced according to said process. As for the process, the aim is achieved in that an endless strip of electronically detectable material is fed and is cut into individual segments of a defined length, in that the individual segments are advanced by means of a conveyor, the speed of which is greater than the speed at which the endless strip is fed, the relative velocity being adjusted to provide the desired interval between two consecutive strip segments, and in that the segments separated by intervals are given a coating on one or both sides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: Detlef Duschek, Gordon Klassen
  • Publication number: 20030006011
    Abstract: A vacuum-assisted lamination apparatus and methods of using the same to laminate a film to a substrate or two or more continuous webs together are disclosed. The apparatus includes a series of rolls and a partial vacuum source to provide pressure on a film or films.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Ronald S. Steelman, John R. David
  • Patent number: 6502616
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for folding an adhesive face of tape upon itself and dispensing the folded tape is disclosed. Tape is dispensed from a roll, through a guiding collar having a curved space extending around and defined by a core mounted within a central opening of the guiding collar. As the tape exits the curved space, the tape is correspondingly curved in cross-section, with a portion of the sticky, adhesive face of the tape confronting another portion of the adhesive face. The correspondingly curved tape passes under an element for compressing or pinching the tape, which folds the tape upon itself and compresses the confronting portions of the sticky, adhesive face of the tape together. Rotation of the guiding collar varies the position of the curved space to permit adjustment of the fold width of the tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Inventor: Scott Whasuk Row
  • Patent number: 6500291
    Abstract: A lamination device for performing a lamination method for a dry film resist as a transfer layer, comprising a substrate transport part (15), a substrate preheating part (8), a lamination part (9) and, (10), an inter-substrate film processing part (3), a film feed part (2), a film accumulation part (4), a base film continuous peeling part (12, 13), and a cover film continuous peeling part (5), wherein a lamination is carried out by a pair of lamination rolls (9) and (10), part (15) being transport rolls, a base film is peeled off from a substrate after lamination, a guide roll (12) for peeling off the base film is located forward of the lamination rolls in the transport direction of the substrate, and the guide roll is free to move vertically or laterally, whereby an angle between a substrate surface and the base film being wound up, i.e., the peeling angle of the base film can be changed to any angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Hitachi Chemical Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoto Okada, Toshikatu Shimazaki, Takeshi Yoshida, Yoshitaka Minami, Hiroshi Yamazaki
  • Publication number: 20020195194
    Abstract: Radio frequency identification labels are made in a high speed and effective manner in a variety of different ways utilizing a number of different sources of RFID inlets, each inlet including an antenna and a chip. A plurality of webs are matched together and RFID labels are die cut from the webs, to produce lined RFID labels. Alternatively linerless RFID labels are produced from a composite web with a release material on one face and pressure sensitive adhesive on the other, the labels formed by perforations in the web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Applicant: Moore North America, Inc..
    Inventors: Robert E. Grabau, Nancy G. Michell, Thomas P. Nash, Eric V. Palmer, Adele C. Shipston, John R. Soltysiak
  • Publication number: 20020195191
    Abstract: Extrusion coating of a removable thermoplastic material onto freshly painted (non-fully cured paint) surfaces has been found to be an effective method for providing protection against damage during handling, and blocking during stacking, enabling handling of the substrate shortly after painting. Furthermore, the extrusion coating allows the paint to dry and cure on porous and non-porous substrates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Inventors: Christopher H. Weiss, Michael G. Weiss, Harley L. Weiss, Marek J. Gnatowski, Andrew Koutsandreas
  • Publication number: 20020195195
    Abstract: Radio frequency identification labels are made in a high speed and effective manner in a variety of different ways utilizing a number of different sources of RFID inlets, each inlet including an antenna and a chip. A plurality of webs are matched together and RFID labels are die cut from the webs, to produce lined RFID labels. Alternatively linerless RFID labels are produced from a composite web with a release material on one face and pressure sensitive adhesive on the other, the labels formed by perforations in the web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Applicant: Moore North America, Inc..
    Inventors: Robert E. Grabau, Nancy G. Mitchell, Thomas P. Nash, Eric V. Palmer, Adele C. Shipston, John R. Soltysiak
  • Publication number: 20020195198
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating a laminate carrier from a laminated media sheet involves pulling the carrier away from the laminated sheet around separator bar having a sharp corner so that the separated carrier follows a path which makes an angle of not less than about 85° with the laminated sheet from which the carrier has been removed. The corner preferably has a radius no greater than about 0.50 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Inventor: Stephen M. Ledak
  • Patent number: 6497778
    Abstract: A composite sheet having the capability of having embossed therein a holographic image or diffraction grating image having a structure of multiple layers including a plastic film carrier, lacquer, metal and wax or siloxane. It may be adhered to a substrate by heating, pressing or stamping without the necessity of removing the plastic film carrier and may have a holographic image embossed therein during the step of heat pressing or stamping or in a separate operation at a different time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: NovaVision, Inc.
    Inventor: David R. Boswell
  • Publication number: 20020185214
    Abstract: A manufacturing apparatus and method for making high tensile strength bag material, the apparatus consists of a first feeding mechanism, a second feeding mechanism located on the deliver process of the first feeding mechanism, a set of opposing roller calender mechanism located behind the second feeding mechanism and a receiving mechanism behind the roller calendar mechanism. A roll of mesh belt is mounted on the first feeding mechanism and delivered therefrom. During transportation of the mesh belt, the second feeding mechanism delivers plastic films to cover the mesh belt. Then the mesh belt and plastic films are formed under heat and between ramming rollers in the roller calendar mechanism, and then are cooled in a cooling apparatus to make the mesh belt and plastic films bonding together. Finally, the bonded mesh belt and plastic films are wound by the receiving mechanism to become a high tensile strength bag material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Inventor: Wei-Ling Hsu
  • Publication number: 20020170680
    Abstract: The lamination apparatus of this invention enables the operator to keep working without paying attention to the remaining length of the laminating film. The lamination apparatus is used to make lamination layers with a transparent or semitransparent laminating film pasted on such printed matters as posters, advertising fliers or computer output media. The laminate apparatus comprise the following systems and units. Measuring system containing encoder 13 to measure the length of laminate film A pulled out from original roll. Input system 16 for the length of laminate film A set in advance. Calculation system to subtract pulled-out length of laminate film A from that of the original film roll 4. Display unit 17 to indicate the subtracted value of laminate film. Alarm system for issuing a warning when the subtracted value reaches some certain level or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Shimizu, Masaki Takeuchi, Yasuaki Matsui, Masaki Koroyasu, Akira Okuno, Katsushige Tsukuya, Daimon Ueda
  • Publication number: 20020166638
    Abstract: A laminate apparatus having a laminate target supply unit that supplies a laminate target along a supply path, a sheet supply unit in which a pair of upper and lower sheets being wound in roll shape are detachably mounted, the sheet supply unit supplying a pair of sheets to laminate the laminate target, a laminate processor, a laminate processor that laminates the laminate target supplied with the pair of sheets when the laminate target is sandwiched between the pair of sheets and then feeds the laminated product outwardly. The laminate processor includes a pair of upper and lower pinch rollers disposed in the laminating processor, a pair of upper and lower sheet guide portions disposed between the pinch rollers and the sides of the sheets drawn from the pair of sheet rolls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Ito, Nobuo Kato, Masaru Moriguchi, Motohito Muraki
  • Publication number: 20020166639
    Abstract: A laminating apparatus is provided in which the distance between a pair of paper feed rollers and a pair of pinch rollers is adjusted according to the size of the paper or item being laminated and the diameter of sheet rolls between which the paper or item is laminated. The adjustment is synchronized so that the paper sizes and sheet roll diameters are accounted for at once according to the insertion of a detachable housing providing a cassette accommodating different paper sizes. A depression portion on the housing permits the paper feed rollers to adjust to or from the pinch rollers when the selected housing is inserted to the laminating apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaru Moriguchi, Motohito Muraki
  • Publication number: 20020166637
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing laminated material which can remove ear portions of a resin film extruded from an extruding machine and can directly laminate the resin film to a substrate and can make the processing of end portions of a laminated material after lamination unnecessary. The present invention also provides an apparatus used for such a manufacturing method. In the method for manufacturing laminated material which laminates a resin film formed by extruding molten thermoplastic resin from a T-die to a substrate, a laminating film is formed by cutting ear portions of the resin film before lamination and the laminating film is laminated to the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Applicant: TOYO SEIKANKAISHA, LTD.
    Inventors: Akira Kobayashi, Kouji Yamada, Hideo Kurashima
  • Patent number: 6474389
    Abstract: A vacuum-assisted lamination apparatus and methods of using the same to laminate a film to a substrate or two or more continuous webs together are disclosed. The apparatus includes a series of rolls and a partial vacuum source to provide pressure on a film or films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Ronald S. Steelman, John R. David
  • Patent number: 6471803
    Abstract: The present invention provides a hot air welding apparatus that provides accurate and repeatable control of the drive wheel speed. To afford very precise control of the speed and the relative rotation of the drive wheels at all times during the welding process, the present invention is provided with a computer control system and two high torque stepper motors, one for each drive wheel. The computer control system allows the speed and position of the drive wheels to be regulated with a very high accuracy. The computer control system allows the drive wheel settings to be adjusted while the seam is being welded and further includes an automatic ramp capability, a repeat mode, and a test strip mode. Further, the computer control system is capable of controlling the temperature of the air used in the welding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Inventors: Ray Pelland, Christopher K. Chambers, David R. Gahr
  • Patent number: 6470945
    Abstract: A device for embossing and laminating a multiple-web web material, comprising: a first and second embossing cylinder (1, 3), provided with tips and arranged with parallel and adjacent axes so as to farm a nip (G) between them; a pair of pressure rollers, (5, 7), each of which cooperates with one of the embossing cylinders; an adhesive applicator (17) associated with the first embossing cylinder; and a laminating roll (13) arranged downstream of the nip (G) between the embossing cylinders (1, 3) and cooperating with the first embossing cylinder (1). Planes (P3, P5) contain axis (1A, 3A) of each embossing cylinder (1, 3) and the axis (5A, 7A) of the corresponding pressure roll (5, 7) are both inclined with respect to the plane. (P2) containing the axes (1A, 3A) of the embossing cylinders at an angle different from 0 and 90 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Fabio Perini S.p.A.
    Inventor: Guglielmo Biagiotti
  • Patent number: 6471810
    Abstract: First, an image receiving sheet is put on an insertion table of an image transfer device, next, the paper is overlapped on the image receiving sheet, then, a flexible hygroscopic carrier sheet is further overlapped on them and they are inserted between the pair of heat rollers in that state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mitsuru Sawano
  • Patent number: 6467523
    Abstract: The invention relates to a laminating apparatus for sealing or sealing in flat material with the aid of at least one plastic laminating film coated with an adhesive. The laminating apparatus includes a laminating unit and a deposition unit. Lamination is performed as the material passes through a laminating unit, which has at least one pair of rolls with transport rolls driven in opposite senses in the pass direction. To obtain laminates free from curvature, the invention proposes that the transport rolls of the at least one pair of rolls are arranged in pairs at the same height and delimit a nip which can be supplied in a vertically downward pass direction, and in that the deposition unit is arranged underneath the laminating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Esselte N.V.
    Inventor: Klaus Botta
  • Publication number: 20020148569
    Abstract: An improved film sealing and cutting apparatus (10) for use with a shrink-wrap machine that individually wraps articles (219) sequentially with shrink-wrap film material (200) of different possible thickness and composition, especially thick, tough film which would be difficult to seal. The apparatus (10) includes two pairs of selectively heated rollers (97, 98). Overlapping layers (209) of film material wrapped around an article are passed between peripheral surfaces of each roller pair. The first roller pair forms a thermal conditioning pre-seal (208) between opposing surfaces of the overlapping layers by application of heat and pressure along the peripheral surfaces of the first roller pair. The second roller pair then completes the seal and cuts through the opposing surfaces, leaving a margin between a cutting path formed by the peripheral surfaces of the second roller pair and the seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventor: Brian R. Stork
  • Patent number: 6463981
    Abstract: A laminating assembly and method bonds a lamination sheet to receiver stock. The laminating assembly includes a pressure roller arrangement which comprises upper and lower pressure rollers (16, 18). At least one of the upper and lower pressure rollers includes at least one deformable layer. The roller arrangement including the at least one deformable layer permits an increase in a width of a nip portion (32) between the upper and lower rollers to overcome lateral shear stresses and overdrive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Roger S. Kerr
  • Publication number: 20020139487
    Abstract: A laminator assembly utilizing either an endless multi-ply belt (27) or a half-lap belt and another endless belt and a roller arrangement (43) to apply pressure to media (55) to be laminated and to convey the media (55) in a controlled manner to pressure rollers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Roger S. Kerr
  • Publication number: 20020139488
    Abstract: A pressure sealer machine is provided for the production of pressure sealed documents, and more specifically nested documents, that uses a number of roller cassettes disposed in side-by-side relation, in parallel to at least one drive roller, for handling forms with inserts. In the preferred embodiment, each cassette is a dual roller cassette to include infeed and ouffeed rollers. The cassettes are sized relative to the wheels so that there is a lateral gap between adjacent seal wheels, so that the cassettes produce a seal pattern composed of a series of seal strips having a uniform gap therebetween. Each cassette is spring loaded at its top side and pressure is uniformly applied to the system using a pressure plate to compress all cassette springs simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventor: Rebecca L. Parker
  • Patent number: 6454890
    Abstract: Bonding apparatus and methods for creating up to full-width ultrasonic bonds in an advancing web. The bonding apparatus comprises a first nip, defined by, in combination, a first set of bonding elements comprising a first rotary ultrasonic horn and a first rotary anvil, and first engagement apparatus bringing the first horn and first anvil into effective bonding engagement with each other. The first horn and anvil being supported from support structure and rotating in common with each other thereby to convey the web through the first nip. The bonding apparatus also comprises a second nip, defined by a second set of bonding elements comprising second separate and distinct horn and anvil, and second engagement apparatus bringing the second horn and second anvil into effective bonding engagement with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Lee Couillard, Robin Kurt Nason, Kent William Abel
  • Patent number: 6451154
    Abstract: Radio frequency identification labels are made in a high speed and effective manner in a variety of different ways utilizing a number of different sources of RFID inlets, each inlet including an antenna and a chip. A plurality of webs are matched together and RFID labels are die cut from the webs, to produce lined RFID labels. Alternatively linerless RFID labels are produced from a composite web with a release material on one face and pressure sensitive adhesive on the other, the labels formed by perforations in the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Moore North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Grabau, Nancy G. Mitchell, Thomas P. Nash, Eric V. Palmer, Adele C. Shipston, John R. Soltysiak
  • Patent number: 6435247
    Abstract: A laminator assembly utilizing either an endless multi-ply belt (27) or a half-lap belt and another endless belt and a roller arrangement (43) to apply pressure to media (55) to be laminated and to convey the media (55) in a controlled manner to pressure rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Roger S. Kerr
  • Patent number: 6435246
    Abstract: A laminator assembly and lamination method which comprise: a first roller located on a first side of a media passage; a second roller located on a second side of said media passage so as to oppose said first roller, wherein a nip portion is defined between said first and second rollers so as to apply pressure to media in said media passage which passes through said nip portion; and wherein at least one of said first and second rollers is a roller comprising a substantially solid layer (42), a deformable layer (48) surrounding said substantially solid layer, and a perforated layer (46) surrounding said deformable layer forming an outer surface of said at least one of said first and second rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Roger S. Kerr
  • Patent number: 6431243
    Abstract: A laminate apparatus having a laminate target supply unit that supplies a laminate target along a supply path, a sheet supply unit in which a pair of upper and lower sheets being wound in roll shape are detachably mounted, the sheet supply unit supplying a pair of sheets to laminate the laminate target, a laminate processor, a laminate processor that laminates the laminate target supplied with the pair of sheets when the laminate target is sandwiched between the pair of sheets and then feeds the laminated product outwardly. The laminate processor includes a pair of upper and lower pinch rollers disposed in the laminating processor, a pair of upper and lower sheet guide portions disposed between the pinch rollers and the sides of the sheets drawn from the pair of sheet rolls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Ito, Nobuo Kato, Masaru Moriguchi, Motohito Muraki
  • Patent number: 6431244
    Abstract: A laminating apparatus is provided in which the distance between a pair of paper feed rollers and a pair of pinch rollers is adjusted according to the size of the paper or item being laminated and the diameter of sheet rolls between which the paper or item is laminated. The adjustment is synchronized so that the paper sizes and sheet roll diameters are accounted for at once according to the insertion of a detachable housing providing a cassette accommodating different paper sizes. A depression portion on the housing permits the paper feed rollers to adjust to or from the pinch rollers when the selected housing is inserted to the laminating apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaru Moriguchi, Motohito Muraki
  • Patent number: 6427744
    Abstract: A laminating apparatus includes a detector disposed between introduction-side transport rollers and a web supply unit. When the detector detects a front edge of a prior object transported by the introduction-side transport rollers, then the introduction-side transport rollers and a laminate processing unit transport and laminate the prior object until a rear edge of the prior object is positioned in the vicinity of the web supply unit, whereupon transport and lamination of the prior object are stopped for a predetermined duration of time. Then once the detector detects a front edge of the subsequent object after the predetermined duration of time elapses from stopping transport of the prior object, the introduction-side transport rollers transport a subsequent object to the laminate processing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takao Seki, Motohito Muraki, Kazuki Ohashi
  • Patent number: 6422281
    Abstract: The application discloses an adhesive transfer apparatus comprising a frame, a first feed roll carrying a supply, of an adhesive transfer substrate, and a second feed roll carrying a supply of an adhesive mask substrate. The adhesive transfer substrate has a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive disposed on an adhesive carrying side thereof. The first and second feed rolls are rotatably mounted to the frame. The adhesive mask substrate has a bonding side to which the adhesive will bond. Tie first and second feed rolls are positioned such that The selected substrate can be inserted between the transfer substrate and the mask substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Xyron, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Ensign, Jr., Joseph P. E. Velasquez, Jerry L. Hardy
  • Patent number: 6418996
    Abstract: Laminator including: a pair of fixing seats fixedly mounted in a housing opposite to each other; a pair of pressing rollers parallelly pivotally installed between the pair of fixing seats, the rotary shafts at one end of the pressing rollers being respectively fitted in two gears which are drivingly engaged with each other, one of the gears being engaged with and driven by a driving gear of a driving motor; a thermally conductive casing assembly fixedly mounted between the fixing seats for rotatably containing therein the pair of pressing rollers, a rear end of the thermally conductive casing assembly being formed with an enlarged exit, a front end of the thermally conductive casing assembly being formed with a longitudinal entrance; and at least one heating member 4 fixed on the thermally conductive casing assembly for heating the same. Prior to passing through the pressing rollers, an article to be laminated is first heated by the thermally conductive casing assembly to a certain temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Tex Year Industries Incorporation
    Inventor: Chin-Tsung Hsiao
  • Patent number: 6416608
    Abstract: Method for Producing a multiple-layer label and device for implementing said method. A device for manufacturing a multiple-layer tag has two laminating rollers (10, 11) arranged as a pair, between which portions (14) of a coating web (1) are joined to a supporting web (13). The coating web (1) is alternately stopped and driven between the laminating rollers (10, 11) at the speed of the supporting web (13) by an advancing means (9). By means of stopping the coating web (1) for a longer or shorter period of time, the distance apart of the portions (14) on the supporting web (13) can be changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Avery Denison Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen Arthur Mynott, Peter John Kuzma, Dieter Arabin
  • Patent number: 6405779
    Abstract: Hot stamping apparatus and embossing apparatus for the production of holographic images on a substrate web, each apparatus comprising a heated roll and an anvil each having trunnions at its end journalled for rotation in bearings in a frame with a cooling system for cooling the bearings for all the trunnions and for cooling the trunnions of the heated roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Integrated Design Corporation
    Inventor: Eugene W. Wittkopf
  • Patent number: 6402873
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a laminated thermoplastic resin sheet having an improved transparency without generating a wrinkle and an apparatus therefor are provided. The laminated thermoplastic resin sheet is manufactured by using an apparatus including an endless belt wound between a first cooling roll having an elastic material, a second cooling roll and a third cooling roll brought into contact with the first cooling roll through the belt, arranging a guide roll near the first roll so as to introduce a molten thermoplastic resin sheet between the first and third cooling rolls in such a manner as to be brought into contact with the belt and the third cooling roll substantially at the same time, and introducing a thermoplastic resin film between the belt and the third cooling roll via the guide roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Idemitsu Petrochemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Fujii, Akira Funaki, Masahiro Kubo
  • Patent number: 6401784
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tool for sheathing a bundle of elongate elements by wrapping said bundle in a flexible adhesive tape which is wrapped transversely to its long direction about the bundle and which has longitudinal margins that are united by adhesive, the tool comprising a shaping member for shaping the tape, which member comprises a sleeve of substantially circular cross-section that possesses a sloping end portion forming a deflector edge, and remote from the point where the tape reaches it, a longitudinal slot through which the longitudinal margins of the tape pass, the sleeve having at least one longitudinal hinge to enable it to be opened and to enable the tape to be put into place therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Coroplast Fritz Muller GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Henri Bigot, Bruno Garin
  • Patent number: 6397914
    Abstract: An apparatus for continuously producing composite structural beams is disclosed. The invention includes novel apparatus for producing a continuous lightweight composite beam by combining solid pultruded cap sections with composite sandwich panels. The invention further provides novel means by which pultruded composite tubular structural elements can be made of composite materials, wherein the tubular elements include solid pultruded corners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Richard Bott
  • Publication number: 20020056525
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a tape attaching device used in attaching a tape to a car door sash, instead of painting. Tape attaching device comprises a drum block 2 having pressure drums 4, 6 and guide bars 8, 10, a drum cap 12 for adjusting the length of the pressure drums 4, 6 and guide bars 8, 10, an inner roller block 16 having a plurality of inner rollers 18 facing the pressure drums 4, 6 and mounted to a block housing 14 together with the drum block 2 so as for space to be adjusted, a slide support 22 mounted so as for space to be adjusted in the same direction as that of the inner roller block 16, and an outer roller block 26 mounted to the slide support 22 so as for height to be adjusted and having a plurality of outer rollers 24. It can apply to all kinds of car by simply adjusting the space between the pressure drums 4, 6 and inner and outer rollers 18, 24 and the height of outer rollers 24 according to the width and sectional shape of attaching surface of door sash portion 50.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Publication date: May 16, 2002
    Inventor: Won Gu Kang
  • Publication number: 20020056524
    Abstract: A device for pressing the adhesive-glued areas of continuously conveyed, flat objects, preferably the bottoms of flat-laying bags, consists of two dual belt conveyors running parallel to each other and mounted in a rack, and whose conveyor belts pressed against each other form pressing belts. To be able to quickly and easily adjust the pressing belts to a different position of glued areas to be pressed, at least one dual belt conveyor is mounted on a support or frame that is guided cross-sliding in the rack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Publication date: May 16, 2002
    Inventor: Ulrich Eckelt
  • Publication number: 20020053398
    Abstract: The present application discloses a substrate processing apparatus having a pair of pressed together supply rolls for applying pressure to perform the processing operation. The present application also discloses a method for processing a substrate wherein a pair of supply rolls are pressed together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Publication date: May 9, 2002
    Applicant: XYRON, INC.
    Inventor: David D. Miller
  • Patent number: 6382290
    Abstract: A machine and process are disclosed for bonding an elastic member to a moving substrate web while the elastic member is in an un-stretched condition. The machine provides for upwardly folding a moving substrate web along a longitudinal centerline while maintaining the side edge regions of the web in a flat un-folded or un-gather condition. An elastic member is applied to the moving web while the elastic member is un-stretched, applying the first and second end regions of the elastic member to the respective first and second side edge regions of the moving web. The end regions of the elastic member are next bonded to the side edges of the web, leaving the remainder of the elastic member un-bonded to the web. The web is then un-folded or un-gathered to its first normal width, stretching the bonded elastic member. At least a portion of the remainder of the elastic member previously un-bonded to the web is then bonded to the web, and the stretched elastic member is allowed to relax.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick Sean McNichols
  • Patent number: 6375776
    Abstract: A method of continuously forming a multi-layer laminate of thermoplastic polymeric films wherein one surface thereof has a precision pattern of embossed elements thereon and wherein the thermoplastic polymeric films can be dissimilar. A generally cylindrical seamless metal embossing tool with an outer surface having the reverse of the pattern to be formed on the surface of the sheeting is used. The laminate is formed by continuously feeding onto a heated embossing tool a superimposed first resinous film and a first carrier film wherein the first resinous film is pressed against the embossing tool and is heated above its glass transition temperature thereby becoming embossed with the pattern, while the first carrier film remains at a temperature below its glass transition temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventors: Drew J. Buoni, Alan R. Kaufman
  • Patent number: 6375781
    Abstract: An apparatus and high speed process for heating and stretching a film having a bridle mechanism comprising a first heated roll and a second heated roll. The film is stretched as the film is transferred from the first heated roll to the second heated roll which rotates at a speed greater than the speed at which the first heated roll rotates. The film is fed into the bridle mechanism at a rate of about 1,500 fpm to about 2,500 fpm wherein it is stretched to a length that is up to about 450% greater than its initial, pre-stretched length. The increased contact between the large diameter heated rolls and the film and the short draw gap between the two heated rolls result in a highly stretched film having minimal neck-in.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Wojcik, Deepak H. Mehta, Donald L. Van Erden
  • Patent number: RE37758
    Abstract: A multi-purpose laminating and adhesive transfer apparatus having a frame supporting rotatably engaging nip rollers. A replaceable cartridge is insertable into the frame and has upper and lower feed rolls which may be a laminate, film or paper, or an adhesively coated film or a film having an affinity for adhesive. The upper and lower feed rolls containing the webs of laminating or adhesive transfer material have tensioning caps which can be adjusted to provide the proper tensioning to prevent the rollers from overrunning as they rotate. Tensioning caps and the cartridges are pre-set and provided to the user. A cutter blade is positioned at the discharge side of the nip rollers and may be actuated to sever the master at any desired location. The apparatus may be operated to apply lamination to either top or bottom surfaces of a substrate or an adhesive to the top or bottom surface of the substrate or to both surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Xyron, Inc.
    Inventors: Franklin C. Bradshaw, Michael W. Paque