Abstract: The present disclosure is, in one aspect, directed to a sheet material dispenser assembly including a dispenser housing with at least one support and a discharge. The dispense assembly has a supply sheet material at least partially supported by the at least one support, and at least one driving roller driven to direct sheet material from the supply of sheet material to the discharge. In addition, the dispenser assembly includes a plurality of pressing rollers at least partially engaging the sheet material against the at least one driving roller as the at least one driving roller is driven to direct the sheet material towards the discharge, which pressing rollers are held in a substantially tensioned arrangement to facilitate a consistent drawing or pulling of the sheet material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing profiled metal strips (1, 1?), in which a metal strip (1, 1?) with predefinable material thickness consisting, in particular, of stainless steel is wound up on a coil (4) and guided through a rolling stand (W1-W4) containing several rolls (2, 3, 2?, 3?), wherein at least the rolls (2, 3) that effectively interact with the metal strip (1, 1?) are provided with a predefinable topography (8, 9), by means of which profiles with profile depths >250 ?m can be produced on both sides of the metal strip (1, 1?) depending on the geometry of the topography (8, 9) of the rolls (2, 3), and wherein the metal strip (1, 1?) is subsequent to its profiling wound up on a coil (5) and, if so required, subjected to a thermal post-treatment.

Abstract: Provided is a pitch feed mechanism which is capable of performing an accurate, high-speed pitch feed of an original fabric having unevenness on a surface thereof in a sticking operation of an insulating tape.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transfer device that can feed a work in a stable condition without applying it any excess loads. The transfer device for feeding a tape-shaped work to a process stage standing in an upright position, which is placed on one side of the process stage and which includes a supply reel, a take-up reel and a work feeding mechanism. Specifically, the supply reel, around which the work and a protective sheet are wound, is adapted to feed the work and the protective sheet therefrom. The take-up reel is adapted to wind the work and the protective sheet that have been fed from the supply reel, and it is located below the supply reel. The work feeding mechanism is adapted to forward the work from the supply reel to the take-up reel through the process stage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transfer device that can feed a work in a stable condition without applying it any excess loads. The transfer device for feeding a tape-shaped work to a process stage standing in an upright position, which is placed on one side of the process stage and which includes a supply reel, a take-up reel and a work feeding mechanism. Specifically, the supply reel, around which the work and a protective sheet are wound, is adapted to feed the work and the protective sheet therefrom. The take-up reel is adapted to wind the work and the protective sheet that have been fed from the supply reel, and it is located below the supply reel. The work feeding mechanism is adapted to forward the work from the supply reel to the take-up reel through the process stage.

Abstract: A cartridge and a method for handling thin film membranes using a cartridge are disclosed. The cartridge may be used to handle any thin-film material, but is particularly useful in handling the thin membrane materials used in fabricating Membrane Electrode Assemblies (MEA) for fuel cells. In one aspect, the cartridge includes cavities positioned at opposite ends of a frame. The cavities and associated mounting arrangements are adapted to accept spools for dispensing membrane material and drawing it across the frame. The cartridge also includes a removable cover having an aperture through which the membrane material may be accessed and, for example, cut to a desired shape. Aspects also include methods and apparatus for advancing the membrane in the cartridge. Aspects of the present invention provide improved methods and devices that facilitate the handling and assembly of thin film membranes into membrane-containing devices, such as, fuel cells.

Abstract: A web processing machine permitting inspection and repair of a roll of web material includes an inspection zone vertically juxtaposed to a splicing zone. The inspection zone is structured to be removed from the juxtaposed position to a retracted position in which the splicing zone is exposed to permit an operator to perform a modification of the web without having to substantially move physically from the position in which the operator was located to perform inspection while the machine is running.

Abstract: A double-sided tape dispenser is provided, in which a rolling tape mechanism is axially formed at the inner wall of body. The rolling tape mechanism comprises a driving gear and a drawback gear joggling with the driving gear. A drawback roll wheel pivots onto the drawback gear. A double-sided tape pivots onto the driving gear to wind the tail of tape onto the roll wheel. Double-sided adhesive is formed over the outer circumference of double-sided tape. An adjustment part pivots onto the drawback roll wheel, so when the gear is driven to joggle with the drawback gear to run, a frictional resistance is caused between the drawback roll wheel and the drawback gear to keep the tightness of drawback of the drawback release paper, preventing the release paper from being blocked on the drawback roll wheel and then the double-sided tape from not drawing back completely.

Abstract: A separable paper-stripping device includes a base formed with a first and a second wall plate. The first wall plate is assembled thereon with a paper-roll holder, an idle gear and a separable-paper holder, and the second wall plate is secured thereon with a cutting member. The paper-roll holder is provided with a first gear able to actuate the second gear of the separable-paper holder to rotate through the idle gear. After a separable-paper roll is fitted on the paper-roll holder and the end of separable paper stripped from the separable-paper roll is fixed in the separable-paper holder, the sticking paper and the separable paper can be continuously separated from each other by pulling forward the end of the stripped sticking paper, and simultaneously the stripped separable paper can be rolled up by the separable-paper holder.

Abstract: A system of detecting and adjusting the normal force exerted by a web material around the circumferential surface of a cylinder is provided. Sensors associated with the cylinder surface are wired to a processor that compares detected normal web forces with a set value. An actuation device is activated by the processor to adjust the normal force exerted by the web by, e.g., adjusting the tension in the web material. A positioning device that preferably translates a web-wound spool is also provided as an option for the actuation device.

Abstract: The invention discloses an apparatus and method for adjusting the position of the center of mass of a mechanical structure. A typical apparatus includes a storage spool, an output spool and a flexible material having a first end coupled to the storage spool and a second end coupled to the output spool. The flexible material has a length distributed between windings of the storage spool and the output spool to adjust mass properties of an attached structure.

Abstract: A dispenser for individual strip bandages from a rolled elongate bandage supply having the individual strip bandages releasably interconnected between a pair of cover strips defining chambers about each strip bandage. The dispenser provides a feed spindle carrying the bandage supply that is moved to a cover strip separator adjacent to a delivery slot in a casement. The cover strips are removed from a given strip bandage in the separator and pass along waste courses to motor powered take-up devices which move the bandage supply and disperse the given strip bandage through the delivery slot. At least one cover strip waste course has a tension sensor to sense tension in the associated cover strip to control the take-up device moving the associated cover strip to maintain synchronization of the motion of the pair of cover strips on the take-up devices moving them.

Abstract: A printer ribbon spool comprising an integral element, molded in one piece from a durable plastic composition, such as of nylon, has an elongate cylindrical ribbon support shaft of substantially uniform, relatively small diameter. One end of the support shaft functions as a first rotation bearing member for the spool, and the other end of the shaft is integral with a narrow, relatively large diameter gear having on the opposed surface thereof a second cylindrical rotation bearing member having a larger diameter than the diameter of the ribbon support shaft and of the first rotation bearing portion thereof.

Abstract: A self-cleaning strainer which may be installed upstream of a heat exchanger to prevent debris greater than a critical size from reaching the heat exchanger. The strainer is preferably mounted just upstream of a heat exchanger in order to minimize the possibility of debris reaching the heat exchanger. The strainer comprises a screen element which can be advanced across the flow path of the fluid between two rollers. The screen element is placed so that the fluid must flow across the screen element face to continue through the process pipe; the screen may be perpendicular or parallel to the fluid flow axis of the strainer body or at an intermediate angle to it. Flow blocking members are used so as to direct the flow to pass through the screen element.

Abstract: A jig adapted for atmospheric as well as heated and pressurized treatment of web material. The jig incorporates an arrangement of self lubricating and self aligning bearings disposed in supporting relation at the ends of roller shafts. At least one roller within the jig is adapted to be oscillated in an axial direction.

Abstract: A printer ribbon spool comprising an integral element, molded in one piece from a durable plastic composition, such as of nylon, has an elongate cylindrical ribbon support shaft of substantially uniform, relatively small diameter. One end of the support shaft functions as a first rotation bearing member for the spool, and the other end of the shaft is integral with a narrow, relatively large diameter gear having on the opposed surface thereof a second cylindrical rotation bearing member having a larger diameter than the diameter of the ribbon support shaft and of the first rotation bearing portion thereof.

Abstract: A device for suspending posters comprises a poster web that can be driven back and forth between two rolls with longitudinal tensioning in the direction of transport. The rolls are arranged one on top of the other. Each of the lateral longitudinal edges of the web extend in the transport direction. To avoid annoying fluttering of the poster web in wind and weather, a holding device is associated as a lateral guide for the web between the rolls.

Abstract: A method of aligning the edge of an elongated printable media on the web handling assembly of a printer is disclosed. The method includes the steps of projecting an alignment marker onto at least a portion of the web handling assembly, passing the elongated printable media through the web handling assembly, and aligning the edge of the elongated printable media with the alignment marker such that the edge is substantially co-linear with the alignment marker. An apparatus for aligning an elongated printable media on the web handling assembly of a printer is also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus for facilitating scrolling of a scrollable document on and off at least one roller fixed to a respective edge of the document, comprising a pair of tracks each for supporting a respective end of each roller, and for each roller, a corresponding pair of sliders at least one pair of which is adapted for sliding movement along a respective one of the tracks and each being adapted for rotatably supporting a corresponding end of the roller.

Abstract: A technique for transferring discrete areas of material, such as hot stamping foil, from a carrier onto positions spaced apart along a substrate, such as paper. The carrier is dispensed at a rate that is much less than the speed of movement of the substrate. During transfer, a segment of the carrier is moved at the same speed as the substrate while, in between such material transfers, the speed of the carrier is sharply reduced and even reversed in direction in order to maintain the average speed of this carrier segment equal to the reduced speed at which the carrier is being dispensed. This is accomplished by a shuttle mechanism that is moved by its own motor, under control of a microprocessor-based motor control system, in synchronism with the speed of the substrate and transfer operations. This significantly improves the utilization of the material on the carrier, with an improved flexibility to adapt to various substrate speeds and ease of implementation in machinery.

Abstract: Electro-chemical polishing of fine wire contacts is facilitated by welding the wire contacts to a mounting element on a continuous, flexible, metal strip. The assembled contact strip is wound on a spool and transported to the electro-chemical polishing site where the contact strip is drawn into the polishing site at a constant rate under the control of a microprocessor. The progress of the assembled contact strip is monitored by metering rollers and pulse generators that inform the microprocessor of the drive speed of the assembled contact strip. The controller then provides signals to control the take-up and supply spools to ensure that a proper tip polishing operation is carried out.

Abstract: In an electronic component feeding device which comprises a component carrier tape wound around a reel, on which electronic components are accommodated in cavities formed on a support tape whose surface is covered by a removable top tape, a reel guide is pivotally mounted, which has a U-shaped cross section that resembles a hook, an open end of the hooked part being formed at a fixed angle &thgr;, and which holds the reel when engaged with an outer peripheral edge of the reel.

Abstract: A technique and machine for transferring discrete areas of material, such as hot stamping foil, from a carrier onto positions spaced apart along a substrate, such as paper. The carrier is dispensed at a rate that is much less than the speed of movement of the substrate. During transfer, a segment of the carrier is moved at the same speed as the substrate while, in between such material transfers, the speed of the carrier is sharply reduced and even reversed in direction in order to maintain the average speed of this carrier segment equal to the reduced speed at which the carrier is being dispensed. This is accomplished by a shuttle mechanism that is moved by its own motor, under control of a microprocessor-based motor control system, in synchronism with the speed of the substrate and transfer operations. This significantly improves the utilization of the material on the carrier, with an improved flexibility to adapt to various substrate speeds and ease of implementation in machinery.

Abstract: A plate material tensioning and advancement mechanism is disposed in parallel relation to a cylinder, such as a plate cylinder of a printing press, so as to separate the plate material into distinct printable sections. The plate material tensioning and advancement mechanism assists in supplying tension to the plate material via a tensioning roll during printing operation and assists in winding fresh plate material about the cylinder during advancement operation by reducing the tension on the plate material and by optionally applying tangential force to the plate material via a winding roll.

Abstract: A web driving device including a web, a winding axis connected to a first end of the web and configured to rotate and wind the web about the winding axis in a winding direction, and a supplying axis connected to a second end of the web and configured to rotate. The web driving device further includes a driving device configured to drive the winding axis in the winding direction. The driving device is configured to prevent rotation of the winding axis when the driving device is in an inactive condition. The web driving device further advantageously includes an intermediate gear device engaged to the winding axis and configured to restrict rotation of the supplying axis when the winding axis stops rotating.

Abstract: Apparatus for facilitating scrolling of a scrollable document on and off at least one roller fixed to a respective edge of the document, comprising a pair of tracks each for supporting a respective end of each roller, and for each roller, a corresponding pair of sliders at least one pair of which is adapted for sliding movement along a respective one of the tracks and each being adapted for rotatably supporting a corresponding end of the roller.

Abstract: A processing arrangement for web shaped material (M) wound onto reels before and after processing includes a processing station (B) for the material, associated transport mechanism (T) for transporting the material through the processing station, an unwind arrangement (U) for the automatic feeding of material to be processed from on an unwind reel (S) located in an unwind position (pU) to the processing station, a windup arrangement (W) for the automatic feeding and winding up of processed material leaving the processing station onto a windup reel (S) located in a windup position (pW), and a common reel carousel (K) for receiving at least three windup reels (S) and unwind reels (S).