Abstract: Apparatus and method deliver consecutive foil leaves of a selected length from a supply of foil of indeterminate length. An actuator system maintains a cutter at an elevation above a shearing blade, and then releases the cutter, in response to a sensor sensing that a selected length of foil has been delivered, so that the cutter, biased by gravity, drops to shear a foil leaf of selected length from the indeterminate length of foil. Subsequently, the actuator system returns the cutter to the elevation above the shearing blade where the cutter is maintained in readiness for a next-consecutive shearing operation.

Abstract: A dispenser dispenses portions of a roll of a double-sided sticky adhesive tape where at least one sticky side is covered by a liner.

Abstract: A drawing apparatus to draw a sheet includes a first protrusion group aligned in rows along a drawing direction of the sheet; and a second protrusion group aligned in rows along the drawing direction and that meshes with the first protrusion group. The sheet is bitten in between the first and second protrusion groups. A space in which the sheet is bitten with the first protrusion group and the second protrusion group includes a first region, a second region adjacent to the first region, and a third region adjacent to the second region opposite to the first region. A drawing amount of the sheet in the case that the sheet is bitten with the first protrusion group and the second protrusion group in the second region is greater than the drawing amount in the first region and is smaller than the drawing amount in the third region.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for fabricating a funnel, a tool for carrying out said method, and a funnel of flat material, more particularly of plastic-coated paper. The invention further relates to a receptacle for a pulverulent and/or liquid medium, comprising a funnel disposed in a pouring or discharging region. According to the invention, a blank of flat material is shaped to a funnel-shaped sleeve (3) having an outlet opening (30), an inlet opening (31), and an opening angle (?) and the funnel-shaped sleeve (3) is swaged in at least one subregion to effect enlargement of the opening angle (?).

Abstract: A dunnage conversion machine includes a conversion assembly having a pair of rotating members to feed stock material along a path between the rotating members mounted for rotation about respective axes to feed stock material along a path between the rotating members, and a chute that bounds the path between the rotating members. One of the rotating members and a portion of the chute are mounted for common movement toward and away from the other rotating member and another portion of the chute. The floating rotating member and floating portion of the chute are part of a subassembly that can be removed from the conversion assembly as a unit, separate from another portion of the chute and the other rotating member.

Abstract: The invention describes a sack (220) which (220) is formed by first transverse sealing seams (110, 150) from a foil tube (101), and which (101) is provided with at least a first vent channel (20), which runs largely parallel to the axis of the film tube (101), and whose inner (40) film layer has first vent openings for venting of the sack interior (210) into the first vent channel (20). It is characteristic that at least a second vent channel (140) is provided, which is connected to the first vent channel (140) by second vent openings (90, 100, 200), and which, in turn, has third vent openings (120), which vent the at least one second vent channel (140).

Abstract: The invention is directed to method and apparatus for making pads, such as interlabial pads. The apparatus includes a blending apparatus that weighs and blends fibers of different materials, at least one of which is absorbent. The blended fibers are conveyed through a chute to a fiber collection station. At the fiber collection station, collecting and feeding apparatus collects the blended fibers and feeds them to a forming apparatus that forms the blended fibers into a continuous blended-fiber web. The blended-fiber web is fed to a pad-making apparatus that cuts fluid-absorbent bodies in the blended-fiber web and laminates the bodies with at least one continuous cover web to form a laminated web. The laminated web is fed to a sealing and cutting apparatus to make the pads. Folding apparatus is provided for folding each pad along a major axis thereof.

Abstract: A method of producing a packaging laminate (10) in which a web is provided with through-going holes (2) which are covered on one side with a first outer layer (3) on the one side of the web and with a second outer layer (4) on the other side of the web in such a manner that the first and second outer layers (3 and 4) are permanently sealed to one another within the regions of the opening contour of the through-going holes. In order to ensure the permanent seal between the two outer layers (3 and 4), the web is subjected, after application of the first outer layer but prior to application of the second outer layer, to so-called flame-treating whereby accessible parts of the first outer layer within the regions of the through-going holes (2) are activated or polarized by means of one or more gas flames directed at the other side of the web.

Abstract: A paper composite for realizing packages in three-dimensional form having a layer of yieldable paper with a degree of yieldingness in any direction not less than 10% and impermeablilizing film having a yieldingness compatible with yieldable paper. A method for realizing packages where a leaf of composite is faced to a cavity of at least a mould, the leaf being bounded in correspondence of a continuous edge of the cavity, and subsequently tangentially stretching the leaf of composite to adhere to an inner surface of the cavity to obtain a concave valve. The valve has the shape of the cavity. The package obtained is a concave container having a closure film applied to the filling, and may have two concave valves joined together along the facing edges.

Abstract: A flexible counter for an embossing system provides resilient support under a sheet which opposes pressure from a contoured die forming an embossment in the sheet. The flexible counter includes a resilient mat and a fixed bolster which supports the mat. The bolster has a peripheral wall which extends around sides of the mat so that an upper portion of the mat protrudes above the peripheral wall. In addition, the bolster includes support surfaces bounded by recesses. The support surfaces support a bottom surface of the mat, and the recesses receive bulging portions of the mat when compressed under pressure from the die.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for forming seamless cylindrical photosensitive elements of uniform thickness on flexible sleeves. The apparatus for forming a seamless cylindrical photosensitive element of uniform thickness on a flexible sleeve, comprises a mandrel, a mandrel support assembly, a calendering assembly, a drive system and at least a heating element. The methods comprise forming seamless cylindrical photosensitive elements of uniform thickness on flexible sleeves from a stream of molten photopolymerizable material, or a solid or molten sheet of photopolymerizable material. The seamless cylindrical photosensitive elements are formed on polyester sleeves for use on a printing cylinder.

Abstract: A collapsible bag for use in containing and dispensing a liquid includes a bladder layer and an outer layer. The bladder layer includes a pair of inner opposed panel sections sealed together to provide an enclosed region. The inner panel sections have an inner surface facing the enclosed region and a plurality of ribs formed thereon, and one of the inner panel sections has a first product-dispensing hole therethrough. The outer layer includes a pair of outer opposed panel sections covering the bladder layer and one of the outer panel sections includes a second product-dispensing hole therethrough aligned with the first product-dispensing hole. A spout is attached to the outer layer and covers the first and second product-dispensing holes to provide access to the enclosed region. The bag may be used in a box to dispense liquids.

Abstract: An expanded paper cylinder formed from a spiral is disclosed as a void fill. A delivery system is provided for manual and automatic delivery of the expanded paper from a continuous, unextended wound roll of an extendible sheet material. The cushioning material formed by the expander can be used as a expanded sheet around an article or as void fill, or can be formed into spiral cylinders for use as void fill. The manual dispensing system includes a support member supporting a rotatable feed roll. A restraining restraining device slows the free delivery of the wound feed roll of unextended sheet material, so that the sheet material expands while it is being drawn, under tension from the feed roll. An automatic system uses expander rollers to expand the slit paper and can be coordinated with apparatus which cuts and forms the spiral cylinders.

Abstract: The crispness or clarity of embossed tissue is improved by embossing the tissue twice in two successive embossing nips formed between a rigid engraved embossing roll and a resilient backing roll. The hardness of the resilient backing roll in the first embossing nip is less than the hardness of the resilient backing roll in the second embossing nip. This form of double nip embossing is particularly effective for embossing tissue webs having high bulk and resiliency, such as soft uncreped throughdried tissues, which cannot be satisfactorily embossed by conventional methods.

Abstract: A packaging machine and process for loading bags of a novel web of side connected bags are disclosed. The web is fed through a bagger section by a pair of grooved main transport belts and a pair of lip transport belts each disposed in the groove of the associated main belt to trap bag lips in the grooves. Adjustable belt spreaders space reaches of the transport belts as they move through a load station whereby to sequentially open the bags into rectangular configurations. A closure section in the form of a novel and improved heat sealer is releasably connectable to the bagger section. The sections are adjustable together between horizontal and vertical orientations. Processes of opening, closing and sealing side connected bags are also disclosed.

Abstract: A conveyor system for gripping and transporting plastic film is disclosed in the environment of a packaging machine and process for loading bags of a novel web of side connected bags. The web is fed through a bagger section by a pair of grooved main transport belts and a pair of lip transport belts each disposed in the groove of the associated main belt to trap bag lips in the grooves. Adjustable belt spreaders space reaches of the transport belts as they move through a load station whereby to sequentially open the bags into rectangular configurations. Alternate conveyor embodiments are also disclosed. The belts of each embodiment are constructed such that when force is applied to a gripped plastic film coaction of the film and belts causes the belt gripping of the film to tighten.

Abstract: A die for making a flat-paneled flower pot or flower pot cover by forming a sheet of material into a flat-paneled flower pot or flower pot cover. A platform supports a female die having an opening with flat surfaces for forming panels in the base and skirt of the flower pot or flower pot cover. The sheet of material is centered over the opening of the female die. A bracket having a plurality of legs which align with the panel-forming surfaces of the female die is placed on the sheet of material. The top surface of the platform and the bracket legs frictionally control the sheet of material as a male die pushes the sheet of material into the female die. A plurality of pivoting fingers at the upper end of the female die push the sheet of material against the male die as the male die enters the opening of the female die. The sheet of material is pressed between forming surfaces of the male and female die to form the flat-paneled flower pot or flower pot cover.

Abstract: A roller for use in fibrillating oriented films of polyolefin materials having a plurality of pins projecting from the surface of the roller. The pins are distributed in a plurality of rows spaced around the roller surface. The rows each contain about 25 to 34 pins per inch in a space-staggered relationship along two adjacent lines extending along the surface of the roller, either in a linear relationship inclined to a line parallel to the axis or rotation, or in a sinusoidal relationship with adjacent rows being in or out of phase. The roller is rotated and the film is advanced over the rotating roller surface for an arc length of contact of about 30 to 37 degrees to fibrillate the film. The ratio of the surface speed of the roller to the advancing film are controlled to a ratio between from about 1.8:1 to about 2.2:1.

Abstract: An article forming system for forming at least one sheet of material into an article, such as a decorative flower pot cover for example, and a novel article formed utilizing such a system. The article forming system includes a male die, a female die and a platform having a support surface and an opening extending through the support surface. The female die is disposed generally within the opening in the platform with the upper end of the female die being disposed near the support surface. The article forming system includes means for slidingly holding portions of the sheet of material generally against portions of the support surface while permitting such held portions to slide on the support surface during the forming of the article for cooperating in forming a decorative border on the decorative flower pot cover type of article which flares generally away from the flower pot object when the decorative flower pot cover article is applied to the flower pot.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming an elongated visually detectable element on a sheet of absorbent material comprising, a device for extruding at least one colored strand, and a device for placing the strand on the sheet.

Abstract: A thermoplastic draw tape having thick and wide end portions with a relatively thin and narrow central portion between them is produced by movable clamps which stretch the tape between stationary clamps to produce the stretched, oriented portions of the tape. A plurality of movable clamps and a plurality of stationary clamps produce a plurality of stretched central portions so that the stretching time can be greater than the cycle time of bag making machinery with which the stretching apparatus is synchronized.

Abstract: A thermoplastic draw tape for bags is produced by stretching thermoplastic between a first pair of nip rollers running at a relatively slow speed and a second pair of nip rollers running at a higher speed. A rotating cylinder has hot and cool sections spaced around the circumference. The draw tape is heated in intermittent sections which are stretched as they pass through the nip rolls to produce a relatively thin and narrow central portion between end portions which pass over the cool sections of the rotating cylinder.

Abstract: A draw tape for thermoplastic bags is made by feeding tape to a first pair of nip rolls rotating at a relatively slow speed and a second pair rotating at a fast speed. The tape is stretched to form thin and narrow central portions between end portions of unstretched tape. The first nip rolls are increased in speed, or are released to interrupt the stretching. When the rolls are closed, one of them is momentarily retarded or backed up, to produce a rapid transition in the tape between the unstretched end portion and the stretched central portion.

Abstract: A thermoplastic tape having thick and wide end portions with a relatively thin and narrow stretched central portion between them is produced by a first pair of nip rolls running at a slow speed, and a second pair of nip rolls running at a higher speed. The tape between the nip rolls is intermittently moved away from, and toward said first nip rolls to stretch it to produce the relatively thin and narrow central portion. The second pair of nip rolls is mounted on a pivoted arm so that they are movable toward, and away from said first nip rolls. Alternatively, an idler roll between the two pairs is moved toward, and away from, the first nip rolls.

Abstract: Thermoplastic tape is stretched by a rotating disk having slots extending radially outward from the center of rotation of the disk. The tape is gripped by clips which are moved outwardly in the slots by a cam slot as the disk rotates. The clips grip the tape throughout a length which forms relatively thick and wide unstretched portions of tape with relatively thin and narrow central portions of stretched tape between said clips.

Abstract: A packaging machine having a molding station for molding a container from a web of material using a molding die provided with a side wall, a bottom area and an edge area. A rotating cylinder or roll is arranged in at least part of the edge area to prevent damage to the web of material.

Abstract: A press includes a frame, a flywheel, a motor for driving the flywheel, and a shaft. A clutch and brake assembly is provided which is actuable for engaging and disengaging the shaft to the flywheel. An eccentric is journaled upon the shaft and rotates therewith. The eccentric rotates in a block which is slidably mounted in a head to permit the block to move laterally within the head. The head is vertically movable in response to vertical movements of the block. The press also includes an upper die which is mounted on the head and a lower die which is resiliently supported upwardly on a base. Movement of the head engages and disengages the upper die and lower die. One embodiment of the press includes a second set of dies mounted to the head for cutting a continuous sheet of material into a predetermined shape.

Abstract: A multi-layer bonded foil 10 which forms the inner wrapper of a cigarette pack is provided with a tear line 14 to facilitate opening a tear flap 15. The tear line is formed by a fixed lower tool 25 having a raised rib 28 flanked by grooves 29, 30 and a reciprocable upper tool 20 having a pointed edge 21 and movable between guide supports 22, 23. The upper tool is heated and forced into the foil to stretch-weaken its upper polyester layer 11 and central aluminum foil layer 12, and to simultaneously heat soften and deform its lower polyethylene layer 13.

Abstract: An improved multi-station machine is disclosed for assembling ring-type closures from generally cylindrical paperboard cylinders and generally circular paperboard discs. The machine employs a rotatable dial plate, carrying eight mandrels and an improved ring clamping system, which dial plate is incrementally rotated by an automatic indexer assembly relative to the various operating stations which consist of a ring feed station, a disc feed station, an adhesive dispensing station, a curling station, a grooving station and a closure ejecting station. Means are provided for controlling the operation of the various stations so that they operate in substantial synchronism with one another and with the rotatable dial plate. The improved disc feed station automatically feeds the lowermost disc from a stack of discs to a position over a ring on the dial plate and simultaneously forms a peripheral skirt on the disc and positions it in an open end of the ring.