Abstract: Arrangement for effecting the superfine perforation of film-like sheeting with the aid of high-voltage pulses. The sheeting to be perforated is permitted to pass in a contactless manner between two areal electrode fields. The electrode fields consist of a multitude of needles which are aligned to one another in a mirror-inverted manner and arranged in rows, with each time pairs of them forming discharge or sparking gaps. The needles of the first electrode field are in a direct conductive connection with each time one high-ohmic resistor. Each needle pair is arranged within the secondary circuit of an ignition transformer. These transformers have a high transformation ratio. On the primary side, the transformers are connected via transistor switches, to a source of low d.c. voltage. The transistor switches are initiated groupwisely via a distributor (ring counter) which, in turn, is controlled by a clock-pulse generator.

Abstract: A continuous process for forming a longitudinal heat-weakened strip in a cross-lapped oriented polyolefin film is disclosed. The process comprises directing heat from two longitudinally aligned sources, to opposing sides of a travelling web of the cross-lapped oriented polyolefin film, to such an extent that the tensile breaking strength at the heat-weakened strip so formed is in the range of 20 to 100 Newtons per centimeter of length of film. The film so formed is particularly useful for packaging slurry explosives.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the perforation of webs being moved in a longitudinal direction, by an array of electrodes spatially distributed in a transverse direction, wherein selected control electrodes are added to or removed from the electrode array to provide a transverse, or spatial, degree of control over web porosity. Synchronized sensing of multiple point transverse web porosity, combined with logic circuitry provides the controls for selection and actuation of the appropriate control electrodes. A combined temporal and spatial porosity control embodiment is disclosed. The combined and alternate embodiments described are particularly useful for perforating paper, film, and like materials, where a high degree of area-balanced porosity control is desired.

Abstract: Apparatus for making holes in a running web of wrapping material for cigarettes or in a running web of uniting band material which connects filter plugs with plain cigarettes has one or more groups of series-connected electrode pairs whose electrodes are disposed at the opposite sides of the web. Several sources of high-voltage impulses transmit impulses seriatim to one electrode of the foremost electrode pair of each group whereby the resulting spark discharge across the gaps between the electrodes of each pair entails the formation of holes. The size and/or the number of holes can be varied in order to ensure that the permeability of each unit length of the web will equal or approximate a selected value, by changing the frequency of application of high-voltage impulses or by changing the number of series-connected electrode pairs. The polarity of impulses is reversed, either regularly or at random intervals, in order to remove scraps of paper which accumulate at the tips of the electrodes.

Abstract: Porosity measuring apparatus for a moving web of sheet material comprising a sensor having a chamber and a wall provided with apertures communicating with the chamber and of number, spacing and dimension sufficient to obtain an air seal between the moving web and wall during application of a vacuum to the chamber.

Abstract: A web is electrically perforated at high hole density by applying alternating-current voltage across an electrode pair facing the web while pressurized gas is supplied to the electrode gap. Voltage amplitude level and gas flow and direction thereof are selected to provide for the striking of multiple arcs per half-cycle, thereby enabling reduction in spacing between adjacent perforations in the web. Perforation practice involving preselection of cigarette filter tipping paper based on chemical composition of the paper is also disclosed as is apparatus for use in implementing the described practices, wherein electrode support members have gas flow conduits formed integrally therewith and wherein webs are taken up by a capstan drive unit resiliently biased into engagement with a web take-up roll.

Abstract: In a ventilated cigarette making system the tipping paper is perforated before assembly of the cigarettes using a spark perforator which is controlled by a feedback arrangement, in response to the resultant air permeability of the finished cigarettes, or the permeability of the tipping paper as monitored before assembly. Preferably the testing of the finished cigarettes is done in a modified Molins "CID 4" cigarette testing device. The averaged test signal is used to control the frequency of power supply to the spark perforator, whose electrodes are loaded with capacitors so that the change in frequency results in a change in the current flow through the electrodes, and thus the size of the holes produced.

Abstract: A web is electrically perforated at high hole density by applying alternating-current voltage across an electrode pair facing the web while pressurized gas is supplied to the electrode gap. Voltage amplitude level and gas flow level are selected to provide for the striking of multiple arcs per half-cycle, thereby enabling reduction in spacing between adjacent perforations in the web. Perforation practice involving preselection of cigarette filter tipping paper based on chemical composition of the paper is also disclosed as is apparatus for use in implementing the described practices, wherein electrode support members have gas flow conduits formed integrally therewith and wherein webs are taken up by a capstan drive unit resiliently biased into engagement with a web take-up roll.

Abstract: The disclosed apparatus has a spark gap at which optical fibers are to be exposed to spark erosion treatment. The spark gap receives electrical energy from a spark-impulse transformer with the secondary winding of which it is connected by means of a length of coaxial charging cable. A firing circuit has its output connected with the primary winding of the transformer and its input connected with a control circuit which includes a multi-vibrator that can be adjusted as to its pulse-repetition frequency.

Abstract: An optical laser beam chopper for converting a continuous beam into a series of scanning impulses for use in perforating a moving web is disclosed. The system utilizes a coherent light source which produces a beam for use in perforating a thin paper web of the type used in producing cigarette filters. The beam passes through a rotary chopper, or shutter, system which incorporates a plurality of rotary discs each of which carries one or more annular rings divided into segments. Selected segments on each ring are formed of a reflective material to act as mirrors for the laser beam, while the remaining segments are in the form of apertures which allow the beam to pass through the disc.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for electrically perforating a moving web such as paper, film and the like by passing the web between at least one electrically charged electrode and a ground electrode in a perforating unit, the charged electrode comprising a member adapted to rotate in a direction parallel to the direction of the moving web and connected to an intermittent high voltage source and the ground electrode comprising means adapted to move in a direction at right angles to the direction of rotation of the charged electrode.

Abstract: A high speed process and apparatus are disclosed for forming outlet passageways of accurate, predetermined size in the walls of pills which dispense their contents by osmotically pumping said contents out said outlet passageways. The pills are moved in succession by an indexer past a passageway forming station where the pills are tracked seriatim at the velocity at which they are moving by an optical tracking system focused on the pill wall and into which a laser beam is directed. During the tracking the laser is fired and the laser beam is transmitted by the optical tracking system onto the wall of the moving pill, the laser power, laser beam dimensions and firing duration being such as to cause the laser beam to heat and pierce the pill wall, thereby forming said outlet passageway.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for introducing holes or straight or circular slots approximately normal to the surface in the vicinity of the surface of round timber and to an approximately predetermined depth for the purpose of facilitating the penetration of impregnating means into the surface zones of the timber to better protect against chemical and biological attacks.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed in a system for drilling holes with a laser beam in a plurality of discrete moving workpieces carried by a support which moves each workpiece sequentially along a predetermined path at a predetermined velocity, the apparatus including means for sequentially tracking along a portion of such path each workpiece being drilled seriatim by the laser beam. This tracing apparatus includes means for directing the laser beam generally transversely of the direction of movement of the workpiece on the support and a mirror for folding the transversely directed laser beam toward the workpieces with means for oscillating the folding mirror synchronously with the movement of the workpiece to track the workpiece as it moves.

Abstract: A poultry beak remover for debeaking fowl includes a housing having a pair of spaced apart electrodes supported therein and a beak receiving aperture therein for insertion of the beak of the fowl into the housing into proximity with the electrodes, and electrical circuitry connected with the electrodes for discharging a spark to burn the beak of the fowl and thus effect removal of a desired portion thereof.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for electrically perforating a moving web such as paper, film and the like in which the web passes between spaced, charged and ground electrodes adapted to move at right angles to one another, including a flat plate for supporting said web as it passes between said spaced electrodes having a narrow slot in which the ground electrode travels parallel to the surface of said plate, said surface recessed along both sides of said slot to provide a collection area for particulate matter produced from perforating said web and means for removing said particulate matter from said collection area.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming rows and columns of closely spaced micron sized holes in a thin foil, including a cylindrical member and means for rotating it. There are means for mounting a plurality of axially extending foil strips on the cylindrical member and means for moving said foil strips axially of the cylinder. There are a plurality of stationary lasers uniformly positioned in a single plane about the periphery of said cylindrical member and means for correlating movement of said cylindrical member, axial movement of the foil strips and the firing of said lasers so as to form holes as described in closely spaced rows and columns.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for electrically perforating a moving web such as paper, film and the like by passing the web between at least one electrically charged electrode and a ground electrode in a perforating unit, the charged electrode comprising a member adapted to rotate in a direction parallel to the direction of the moving web and connected to an intermittent high voltage source and the ground electrode comprising means adapted to move in a direction at right angles to the direction of rotation of the charged electrode.

Abstract: A system is provided for controlling the porosity of a web or film issuing from an electric spark perforating apparatus in accordance with an operator-set reference porosity regardless of variations in web speed, inherent web porosity, spark discharge energy and spark repetition frequency by controlling the frequencies of the electrical sparks applied to the web in accordance with the product of two signals, one a difference signal obtained by comparing the porosity of the web leaving the perforator and the reference porosity and the other signal derived from the speed of the web.

Abstract: An epilating device includes an electrically conductive grid adapted to be placed against the skin, to serve as a ground plane, and an array of needle electrodes spaced behind the grid in register with openings in the grid for setting up electrical discharges between the ends of the needle electrodes and the ends of previously shaved hair shafts protruding through the grid to erode the hair shaft and damage the hair follicle. In one embodiment adapted to set up a discharge through the longest hairs protruding through the grid, the needle electrodes are connected in common to a capacitor. In another embodiment adapted to set up simultaneous discharges to each of the hair shafts protruding through the grid, the electrodes are connected to individual capacitors.

Abstract: A method of cutting cloth into sections, for example for making up into a garment, is described in which spark discharges are passed through the cloth at the periphery of the sections from a first electrode shaped to follow the periphery of the sections on one side of a piece of cloth to a second electrode on the other side of the cloth. The second electrode may be a narrow strip closely following the periphery like the first electrode, a broader strip shaped to follow the periphery generally, or a sheet covering all the sections. Alternatively the second electrode may be a conductive rod which is moved over the cloth during the discharges. During cutting the cloth may be supported by a current of air.