Abstract: The invention relates to band-like doctor blade assembly, a doctor blade and a method in the use of the doctor blade. The doctor blade assembly includes continuous and substantially infinite doctor blade that is placed in a reel, the doctor blade is then fed into a blade holder. The blade holder includes locking devices in its connection for locking the doctor blade in the blade holder. The continuous and substantially infinite doctor blade has a plurality of edge notches formed along an edge thereof and the doctor blade is fed over a length substantially equal to the distance between the edge notches, while the notches are placed, during the operation of the doctor blade, at both ends of the blade holder and permit bending of the continuous band-like doctor blade.

Abstract: The present invention is a tape feeding device with splicing capabilities for reliably conveying parts to a pickup location for attachment to a substrate using a pick and place machine, including an extensible carrier tape reel support, a system for sensing the fill state of a carrier tape take-up reel, and a split hub take-up reel design to facilitate the removal of carrier tape therefrom.

Abstract: A device and method for dispensing and measuring a plurality of strands from a single spool of stranded material is disclosed. The device is comprised of a mobile portion on which a plurality of pulleys is mounted. The mobile portion includes a frame mounted on an axle to which tires are attached so that the mobile portion may be wheeled about readily. A stationary portion includes a plurality of pulleys and a supply spool of wire. Stranded material from the supply spool is routed back and forth between the mobile portion and the stationary portion, over the pulleys attached to each, until the number of strands between the mobile portion and the stationary portion corresponds with the desired number. Next the mobile portion is displaced away from the stationary portion a distance equal to the length of strands desired. A distance measurement device is mounted on the mobile portion to aid the user in ascertaining the distance that the mobile portion has moved, thereby indicating the wire length.

Abstract: In the method in unwinding, paper web (W) is discharged from a reel (R1) that is becoming empty and the paper web of a new full reel (R2) is spliced at the discharge speed to the paper web discharged from the reel that is becoming empty. The terminal end point (L) of the web of the reel (R1) that is becoming empty is stored as information indicating its position in the longitudinal direction of the web in a readable memory (M) corresponding to the reel. During the discharge the distance travelled by the web is determined and compared to the memory, and when there is a predetermined length of web to the terminal end point (L) remaining on the reel (R1) that is becoming empty, a splicing command is given, whereafter the leading end of the paper web of a new full reel (R2) is spliced to the paper web (W) being discharged.

Abstract: A method for detecting slippage in a tape path, and re-calibrating a sensing assembly in a tape storage device to account for the slippage. The method includes sensing a position of one of a supply reel and a take-up reel. In response to sensing the position of the supply reel or take-up reel, sensing a position of a guide roller. The position of the guide roller corresponds to the position of the guide roller when the position of the supply reel or the take-up reel is sensed. In response to sensing the position of the guide roller, the tape media is wound through the tape path between the supply reel and the take-up reel. In response to winding the tape media through the tape path, a second position of the one of the supply reel and the take-up reel is sensed. In response to sensing the second position of the one of the supply reel and the take-up reel, a second position of the guide roller is sensed.

Abstract: A measuring cable travel sensor includes a housing and a cable drum which is arranged in the housing rotatably and longitudinally displaceably in the longitudinal direction of the travel sensor. The measuring cable is guided into and out of the housing through a stationary cable guide. The travel sensor has a longitudinal drive for displacing the cable drum, including a spindle drive comprising a screwthreaded spindle and a spindle nut screwable thereon. The longitudinal drive has an additional transmission for transmitting rotary movement of the cable drum to the spindle drive for producing cable drum displacement.

Abstract: A device for detecting remaining quantity of rolled papers has housing having a bottom for supporting a rolled paper. Optical detectors are provided for detecting a peripheral position of the rolled paper supported on the bottom when the peripheral position approaches an inner end of the paper and for generating an output signal. A positioning lever is provided for positioning the detectors at a position dependent on a radius of a core of the rolled paper. A control circuit responds to the output signal for informing that the rolled paper reaches the inner end.

Abstract: A device for the dispensing of drip system tubing for commercial installers of such irrigation systems. The device has a lower base upon which is centrally disposed a spaced bearing housing with a bearing therein for rotation of an upper base. The upper base has a reel optionally removably mounted thereto, for receipt of a coil of drip system line. The device may include grab handles for carrying it from location to location. It may also include a handle for aiding in the rotation of the upper base relative to the lower base for the dispensing of the drip line tubing. An optional counter for measuring the amount of drip line dispensed may also be included.

Abstract: The present invention provides an indicator and indicator cartridge that shows the amount of material on a roll. The roll preferably has at least one toothed sprocket, the indicator, and includes a rotatable rod which is rotated through engagement with the rotating roll. At one end of the rod, a pinion gear is fixed to engage the toothed sprocket. An indicator member is slidingly configured to engage the rod such that the rotation is at least partially converted to linear motion of the indicator member. The rod and the indicator member are preferably threaded. A reference point is included for showing the linear displacement of the indicator member relative to the rod.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing paper from rolls which feeds continuously, roll to roll, and does not require extra procedure to bring stub roll into position. The apparatus has means for holding and positioning at least first and second rolls of paper with respect to each other; means for dispensing paper from the first roll; means for dispensing paper from the first and second rolls simultaneously when the first roll reduces to a predetermined diameter of paper, means for positioning the depleted first roll for replacement without the necessity of removing the second roll; and means for dispensing from the second and replacement rolls simultaneously when the second roll reduces to a predetermined diameter of paper. The apparatus also has a capacity-change based proximity sensor comprising a circuit according to a balanced bridge principle where detection is based on detecting a phase difference, which depends upon the amount of detected capacitance difference or change.

Abstract: The invention relates to a towel dispenser (10) such as a paper towel dispenser comprising a housing (12) in which a paper roll and an issuing device (50) are arranged. Said issuing device can AC be controlled by a sensor (38). In order to simplify the operation and to increase the reliability of the towel dispenser, the invention provides that the sensor (38) is configured as a capacitive sensor.

Abstract: A hose extending and retrieval system and method used for loose-fill insulation operations that includes a hose member that is taken-up or fed-out from a hose storage container with a gear mechanism. A hose extending and retrieval system includes a hose member having a helical rib traversing therethrough, a hose storage container comprising an aperture forming a conduit, and a gear mechanism including a first gear and a second gear disposed on opposing sides of the hose member, wherein protrusions on the first and second gears interlock with the helical hose member. The gear mechanism interlocks with a helical component on the outside of the hose to provide sufficient operational impetus.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically dispensing individually predetermined lengths of a web material, such as textile, from a bolt of same. An inclined transport surface conveys a bolt introduced by a customer towards a flip-over mechanism including rods on chains, the textile thereby being unwound from the bolt, the length of the unwound textile being measured by a rotative measuring device, the predetermined length of textile being severed by a severing device. The separated length is delivered to the customer for removal from the apparatus in folded condition together with the bolt in a receptacle displaceable along rails.

Abstract: A device and method for dispensing and measuring a plurality of strands from a single spool of stranded material is disclosed. The device is comprised of a mobile portion on which a plurality of pulleys is mounted. The mobile portion includes a frame mounted on an axle to which tires are attached so that the mobile portion may be wheeled about readily. A stationary portion includes a plurality of pulleys and a supply spool of wire. Stranded material from the supply spool is routed back and forth between the mobile portion and the stationary portion, over the pulleys attached to each, until the number of strands between the mobile portion and the stationary portion corresponds with the desired number. Next the mobile portion is displaced away from the stationary portion a distance equal to the length of strands desired. A distance measurement device is mounted on the mobile portion to aid the user in ascertaining the distance that the mobile portion has moved, thereby indicating the wire length.

Abstract: A system for removing optical fiber from a spool, including a frame adapted to support the spool of optical fiber, and a head adapted to be placed in axial alignment with the spool supported by the frame. The head has an internal passage that extends therethrough which is adapted to receive a portion of the optical fiber to be removed from the spool. The head further has a supply passage that extends through the head to the internal passage. This supply passage is oriented within the head to channel pressurized gas through the supply passage and through the internal passage so as to draw the optical fiber through the head to unravel the optical fiber from the spool.

Abstract: A powered dispenser for dispensing individual paper towel segments from a continuous roll of paper provided with spaced lines of tearing comprises a housing, a support for the roll of paper, a feed mechanism, and a control device. The control device senses the presence of a user to activate the feed mechanism, controls the amount of material which is dispensed from the housing for any one cycle, and prevents further dispensing of the paper until the previous segment is separated from the roll. The control device detects the leading edge of the paper to initiate monitoring of the length of paper to be dispensed to prevent any cumulative error in dispensing the segments.

Abstract: Device and method for changing film rolls, with apparatus for holding a first film roll in a working position in which film can be pulled off and separated from the film roll as desired, and holding a second film roll in a standby position. The second film roll can be moved from the standby position into the working position, with the first film roll being removable from the working position by moving the second film roll.

Abstract: A wire reel assembly comprises a reel, a reel support and a reel securing assembly. The reel includes a central body and removable sides. The central body is removably mounted to an arm of the reel support thereby allowing one of the removable sides to be disconnected from the central body without requiring disassembly of the reel support. The reel securing assembly is also used as an adjustable brake assembly since it includes a friction element contacting the body of the reel to generate a friction force.