Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a relief plate precursor, such as a printing plate precursor, that has to be treated. The apparatus includes a transport bar provided with at least one penetration element, preferably a plurality of penetration elements; and a plate coupling station configured for coupling a relief plate precursor to the transport bar by causing a penetration by the at least one penetration element through an unperforated area near an edge of a relief plate precursor.

Abstract: A transport unit configured to transport a medium, a printing unit configured to perform printing on the medium, and a cutting unit configured to cut the medium are provided, the cutting unit located downstream of the printing unit cuts the medium into a base portion upstream of the cutting unit, and a cut piece downstream of the cutting unit, and the transport unit, with an upstream end of the cut piece in a state of being superposed over the base portion, transports the upstream end of the cut piece from downstream of the cutting unit to upstream of the cutting unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a pre-fastened adjustable pant-like disposable absorbent undergarment including a fully severed front body panel is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a moving web and first creating an altered area on the moving web at an altering station to define a leading portion of the moving web and a trailing portion of the moving web connected at the altered area. The moving web then passes through a fastener attachment station to bridge the connected leading portion and trailing portion together with a fastener assembly that extends over the altered area. Finally, the moving web is then passed through a web breaking station to completely separate the leading portion and trailing portion of the moving web at the altered area, such that the leading portion and trailing portion remained bridged together by the fastener assembly.

Abstract: The apparatuses and methods herein may be configured to transport articles in the form of continuous lengths of substrates having thicknesses that varies along a machine direction and/or cross direction. The conveyance apparatuses may be configured to include a first carrier and second carrier, wherein each carrier includes an endless belt positioned adjacent to the other so as to define a nip region between the endless belts, the nip region extending in a machine direction and a cross direction. The carriers may also include compliant rollers in rolling contact with the endless belts. Each compliant roller may be elastomeric and adapted to provide a reaction force normal to the endless belt along the machine and/or cross direction of the nip region. As such, the compliant rollers help maintain and hold the endless belts in contact with both relatively thin and thick areas of the substrate advancing through the nip region.

Abstract: In the control of a cutting mechanism of a sheet processing apparatus, when rear end cut region of a sheet is finely cut and divided into predetermined fine-cutting unit length, if sheet conveying direction length of rearmost end divided region is equal to or more than minimum reference length corresponding to the distance between cutting position of the cutting mechanism and nipping position of a pair of first conveying rollers and is less than maximum reference length in which predetermined fine-cutting unit length is added to minimum reference length, upper and lower blades of the cutting mechanism are held opened immediately after the downstream edge of rearmost end divided region is cut and the pair of first conveying rollers are driven at limited conveying speed lower than normal conveying speed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a web of sheet product, with a discontinuous perforation arrangement such that manufacture of a web of sheet product provides for an increase in the breaking strength of the web of sheet product while feeding the web in a machine direction, thereby reducing the risk of breaking and maintaining the yield and throughput of the production of the perforated web as an intermediate product, yet providing a low breaking force for individual strips produced from the web.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for handling flexible components during manufacturing of an assembled article. The process and apparatus involve at least one transfer of the flexible components from one support surface to another. Control of the position and orientation of the flexible components during transfer from one support surface to another may be managed through the spacing between the support surfaces and/or coordinated air pressure changes.

Abstract: Personal sanitary items are manufactured by a machine comprising a first feed system (2) directing a first continuous web (3) of material along a given feed path (P), a device (9) serving to make a succession of absorbent pads and apply the single pads to the first web (3) of material, and a second feed system (19) supplying a second continuous web (20) of material that is bonded ultimately to the first web (3), with the pads sandwiched between, to produce a continuous succession of sanitary items. The pad-making device (9) comprises at least one cutter (12) by which a continuous band (11) of absorbent material is divided up to produce the succession of pads, and the feed path (P) follows a convoluted trajectory substantially of “S” configuration.

Abstract: Curvilinear or other complex perforation patterns for paper products, such as paper towels and bath tissue, can be produced using a differential speed perforation nip formed between a rotating pattern roll and a moving anvil surface. The relative speed between the perforation elements on the surface of the pattern roll and the anvil surface shears the web at the perforation points.

Abstract: A display easel is provided having a base or first panel which includes a horizontal supporting tab and a vertical restraining tab spaced in vertical relation to the supporting tab. The horizontal supporting tab has a first hinge that enables movement of the supporting tab relative to the panel body, preferably to about 90 degrees, into a position for supporting the first panel. The vertical restraining tab has a second hinge which enables movement of the vertical restraining tab relative to the panel body, preferably between about 120 degrees and 160 degrees, to permit abutment of the vertical restraining tab to the horizontal supporting tab and to restrain movement of the horizontal supporting tab. By restraining movement of the horizontal supporting tab, the display easel is maintained in an upright position. A method of forming a display easel is also provided which enables the display easel to be rapidly and economically manufactured in large quantities, such as through the use of web press equipment.

Abstract: A die cutting/scoring apparatus has die cutting/scoring and blanket covered steel anvil roller pairs arranged in sections some of which sections displace to permit dismounting of and changing die cutting/scoring rule members or printing members mounted on plywood substrates, which are bolted to a roller. The roller pairs also convey sheet material being processed through the sections. Sheet material pliable drive members are provided which replace the die cutting rule members or printing members on a roller in an idle section. The drive members comprise pliable magnetic substrates made of vinyl, rubber or elastomeric material which magnetically attach to a corresponding steel roller that is being idled. A pliable compressible foam or other rubber or plastic material high friction drive engagement member is bonded to the substrate forming a strip which is easily and quickly wrapped about a roller.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a machine and method for performing the laser sealing and laser cutting of flexible material into segments, such as a polymeric web in which the segments will ultimately be individual bags. The machine includes a generally cylindrical drum having openings on an exterior surface. A laser produces a laser beam that contacts the flexible material while the flexible material is being held on the drum. The drum is preferably comprised of drum sections that can be independently moved in the radial direction. The machine includes a cam system causing the drum sections to be sequentially moved in the radial direction. Typically, this radial movement is for the purpose of releasing the individual segments of the flexible material that have been cut by the laser.

Abstract: A system of dividing an endless, wide multi-layered web of packing material into a plurality of individual webs of equal width and aseptically processing the individual webs comprises laser-cutting elongated slits into the endless wide multi-layered web at a distance corresponding to the width of the individual webs to produce the individual webs, the slits extending through all layers of the web except for a web layer remote from the laser, which is only notched at least at selected distances, whereby the notched remote web layer holds the individual webs together, then sterilizing the laser-cut multi-layered web in a sterilization station, and conveying the sterilized, laser-cut multi-layered web in a sterile chamber to a number of tube-shaping elements corresponding to the number of individual webs, the notched remote web layer being torn by the tube-shaping elements to separate the individual webs from each other.

Abstract: A system and method for producing a partially perforated tear line on a substrate material uses an high energy beam to ablate the substrate material at a depth less than full depth of the substrate. By varying the output energy level of the high energy beam for varying time intervals, a substrate material is weakened to provide an easy open feature without significantly reducing the tensile strength of the substrate material. The ratio of partial perforated to unablated substrate material may vary according to almost any ratio.

Abstract: A device for guiding material webs (A through D; E through H) via an angle-bar deck (2), including a folding section that is arranged on a plurality of planes (3.1, 3.2, 3.3), from where the material webs (A through D), (E through H) enter folding apparatuses (4), (5). Accommodated on longitudinal folding devices (8), (9) are infeed elements (7), which have guide sections (13), (14) that are-able to be operated independently of one another.

Abstract: An apparatus for the processing and segmenting of a cover-forming laminate web or sheeting structure which is adapted to interconnect a plurality of containers, such as the base members of blister packages each of which is designed to contain a hydrophilic contact lens in a sterile aqueous solution. More specifically disclosed is an apparatus for the imprinting, perforating, slitting and cutting the laminated web structure such that the severed laminate segments constitute printed covering label for an array of such containers, and whereby the laminated web or sheeting segment may be severed along weakening or perforation lines so as to provide a separable packaging arrangement for individual of the containers which are subsequently adhered thereto.

Abstract: The device comprises at least one circular slitting tool (25; 25B) with an axis of rotation located on one side of the path of the web, which works in conjunction with an edge (68; 68B) that supports the web (N) and that is situated on the opposite side of said path (P) from the tool axis and essentially perpendicular to the direction of forward travel (F) of the web and over which said web (N) travels during its advance.

Abstract: The present invention provides a machine for cutting at least two components of a multi-component workpiece from webs of material which are moving at different speeds relative to one another, and depositing the two cut components on a third web of material moving at yet a different speed.The machine cuts the first component from a moving first web, transfers the cut component to overlie a moving web of second material, and cuts the second component from the second web while the first component overlies and falls, either wholly or partially, within the cut boundaries of the second component. The mated first and second cut components are then transferred by the machine to a web of third material.An optional embossing roller imparts a pattern to the stacked cut first and second components as they pass between the embossing and anvil rollers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for manufacturing a multi-component product comprising at least two components cut from moving webs of material, registering the components with respect to one another, and depositing the registered components on a web of moving material. The components have respective leading and trailing edges, a longitudinal center line, and a longitudinal center defined by a point midway on said longitudinal center line between said leading and trailing edges.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to severing a running material web in a folding apparatus of a web-fed rotary printing press. In one exemplary embodiment, a severing element is moved in the traveling direction of the web with a speed which is substantially equal to the speed of the running web and is simultaneously moved across the width of the web in a substantially lateral direction. The severing element can be a sled with a blade, a laser source, a high-pressure fluid jet or a heated wire. The severing element is received and guided by a guiding rail coupled to a pair of endless parallel transport chains.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for forming a web (N) that is permeable to liquids and designed to separate two environments and to allow the liquid to flow in one direction from one of said environments to the other, in which said web is caused to pass between two contra-rotating cylinders (5, 7) that are pressed against each other, one of said cylinders (7) having a surface provided with projections which cause perforations in said web (N). The cylinder (7) with the projections is turned at a peripheral speed greater than the peripheral speed of the other cylinder (5), with a consequent relative slipping action between the surfaces of the two cylinders (5, 7).

Abstract: A signature perforating knife that is useable to perforate multi-layer signatures is formed as a compound knife using either several knife blades or a combination of knife blades and spacer blades. Each compound perforating knife has a uniform base thickness. The specific characteristics of the compound perforating knife can be adapted in accordance with the weight of the paper web being printed and the number of layers of the multi-layer signature which will be perforated and then folded in a folding apparatus of a web-fed rotary printing press.

Abstract: A rotating cutting apparatus has an arrangement for controlling and finishing the cutting which is arranged between a cutting station and a receiving station. This arrangement includes a conveying arrangement for box blanks, an arrangement for acting on the cut flaps of the box blanks to bend them out of the plane of the blank and an arrangement for pressing the flaps back into the plane of the blank.

Abstract: Fine paper that is sized with a 2-oxetanone alkaline sizing agent and that does not encounter machine feed problems in high speed converting or reprographic machines, including continuous forms bond paper and adding machine paper, processes for converting the paper into envelopes, continuous forms bond paper and adding machine paper, and paper products of the processes.

Abstract: An apparatus for the processing and segmenting of a cover-forming laminate web or sheeting structure which is adapted to interconnect a plurality of containers, such as the base members of blister packages each of which is designed to contain a hydrophilic contact lens in a sterile aqueous solution. More specifically disclosed is an apparatus for the imprinting, perforating, slitting and cutting the laminated web structure such that the severed laminate segments constitute printed covering label for an array of such containers, and whereby the laminated web or sheeting segment may be severed along weakening or perforation lines so as to provide a separable packaging arrangement for individual of the containers which are subsequently adhered thereto.

Abstract: In a rotary press cutter for the production of envelope blanks, a flexible foil cutting die (8) is used. The leading edge of the foil cutting die (8) is anchored against a leading face (20) of the rotary punching roller (10), and the trailing portion of the foil cutting die (8) extends without creasing over a rounded outer portion of the blade anchorage slot, to be held against the outer periphery of the punching roller (10) by magnetic attraction from inset magnet means (15). The leading edge of the foil cutting die is preformed to provide a location and anchorage flange (24) which is bent without creasing to an obtuse angle to the remainder of the foil, with a radiussed junction between the flange (24) and the remainder of the foil. A unique structure of the magnet means (15) provides very strong adhesion of the body of the foil cutting die (8) to the punching roller (10).

Abstract: Method for producing sheets of corrugated cardboard with a variable format in which a web of corrugated cardboard is removed continuously from a heating and pulling device of s conventional corrugated cardboard installation. The sheets are processed to the required format in at least one longitudinal cutting and grooving device. For this purpose the web is conveyed through a pulling device. A cross cutter cuts the sheets of corrugated cardboard from the cardboard web according to a preset format. The cardboard web is conveyed to a cross cutter for the corrugated cardboard sheets in the direction of conveyance without cutting them crosswise. When the format is changed, the area of the web of corrugated cardboard where the formats overlap is cut out by the cross cutter and removed to a waste container through a trap.

Abstract: A method for severing work objects constructed of laminate materials including establishing a high pressure jet of fluid passing substantially along a longitudinal axis; placing the work object and the jet of fluid in alignment with each other so that the jet of fluid intersects the work object; and moving the work object and jet of fluid relative to each other to sever the work object with the jet of fluid.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for carrying out an operation, according to a given pitch, on a uniformeously and continuously moving web.The device comprises a first block provided with a tool, which describes in a reciprocating motion a small arc of circle around a stationary horizontal axis parallel to the axis of the movement of the web, to make periodically cooperate said tool with a member complementary to said tool, provided on a second block, said first block being connected to said second block at the level of said stationary axis, both blocks such connected and hung to a stationary frame, being driven parallel to the movement axis of said web in a reciprocating motion, the period of which is identical to the period of the motion around said stationary axis.Application to the perforation, the cutting, the embossing, the notching, the stitching of webs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for preparing box blanks of corrugated board which include feeding the blanks of corrugated board in succession along a feed path and in a direction parallel to opposite edges of the blanks. The blank is folded to form a flat tube prior to its formation into a box. The opposite edges of the folded blank overlap and are reduced in thickness in the areas in which the overlap occurs. Cutting means adjacent to the feed path removes material from opposite faces of the respective edges. The resulting flaps overlap with an unreduced portion of the board of the finished box.

Abstract: A cushioning conversion machine for converting a sheet-like stock material, which may be viewed as having two edge sections and a central section, into a cushioning product is provided. The machine includes a conversion assembly for converting the sheet-like stock material into a cushioning product and a supply assembly which supplies the sheet-like stock material to the conversion assembly. The stock material is supplied to the conversion assembly in such a manner that its edge sections must travel in a longer path than the central section thereby creating edge-tension in the edge sections of the stock material. While a certain minimum conversion-tension is necessary in the edge sections of the stock material to properly convert the stock material into a cushioning product, a certain continuous tearing-tension, greater than the minimum conversion-tension, will cause a continuous tear in the stock material.

Abstract: A machine is described for handling die-cut carton blanks as they emerge from the die-cutter. The die cut web is separated into sheets of blanks and projected sequentially onto a conveyor. The conveyor is operated at a speed which is less than that at which the sheets are projected onto the conveyor so that the distance between the sequential die cut is closed up, the sheets being maintained in contact with the conveyor by air pressure.

Abstract: A paper web cutter for cutting across the width of a moving web of paper in locations along the length of the web, for severing the web in two sections. Two conveyors carry the web therebetween and hold the web against each other. One conveyor carries a cutter which operates to cut either the full web width, or only a part of the web width, and another cutter then cuts the remainder of the web width.

Abstract: A product support table, having an elongated longitudinal opening is positioned over a pair of fin seal wheels which provide a seal between two edges of a sheet of film that has been wrapped around an article. The product support table supports a pair of product transport belts that are located between the product being wrapped and the product support table. The belts run the length of the product support table generally in contact with the top side of the table and then, on the return run, are directed upwardly to the bottom of the product support table for most of its travel back to a drive roll and a belt take-up roll.

Abstract: A method for separating a pair of plastic bags, connected together at a transversely disposed parting line, comprises the steps of intermittently moving the pair of bags along a path disposed in a horizontal plane, stopping the bags and placing the parting line over an opening extending transversely relative to the path and positioned between a pair of platens, clamping the pair of bags to the platens and severing the parting line to separate the pair of bags from each other by moving a cutting blade in a horizontal direction and transversely through the opening.

Abstract: A continuous method of forming a repetitive pattern on a metallized film substrate is disclosed as including the steps of continuously feeding a web of metallized film substrate at a predetermined web speed, selective dry removal of predetermined metallized areas from the metallized film substrate during continuous movement thereof, and collecting metallized dust and flakes removed from the metallized film substrate during the aforementioned dry removal of predetermined metallized areas from the metallized film substrate. Unlike existing wet systems which remove metallized areas from a metallized film substrate, the present invention employs selective dry removal, along with the collection of dust, in a continuous in-line system. Following the selective removal of metallized areas from the metallized film substrate, metallized dust is collected in a closed dust removal system providing removal, transport and collection of the metallized dust in a storage unit.

Abstract: A continuous running paper web is folded in zig-zag formation at a stacking station to form a pile of superimposed panels which are joined to each other by weakened fold lines. A stack containing a preselected number of superimposed panels at the bottom of the pile is moved laterally away from the stacking station so that the topmost panel of the stack or the lowermost panel of the remainder of the pile is unfolded, and the web is broken between such panels by tearing it along a weakened fold line or by severing it from one marginal portion to the other marginal portion along a weakened fold line or across one of the panels. The part or parts which move the stack from the stacking station can include or constitute the web breaking device. The remainder of the pile is supported from below during removal of the stack from the stacking station.

Abstract: Apparatus provided with lateral cutters to effect lateral cuts at the upper and lower parts of a tape applied on to the flaps at both ends of a carton case. The cutters are installed on a mechanism for extending and retracting the cutters relative to the end face corners at both ends of the case. A cylinder is also provided for pushing and receiving cartons to prevent superposed cartons from tumbling as they are withdrawn from the case.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming draw tape bags wherein the bag material moves continuously during the manufacture, except for the last step. The apparatus may be used with an in-line system wherein a tube is extruded and a side gusset is formed to create a hem; or the apparatus may be used with an off-line system wherein folded bag material is used, and a continuous hemmer is provided to turn the loose edges. In the off-line system a constant tension dancer precedes the hemmer to maintain constant tension on the web regardless of the size of the supply roll. The web continues to move, and a cutter is actuated to move through a circle and engage the web to punch finger holes in the hem. A reel of a strip of material is continuously fed, the strip being slit longitudinally to provide the draw tapes which are inserted into the hems. A tape guide tensions the tape and assures that the tape is well within the hem, the hems are sealed, and the bags are side welded.

Abstract: A bag forming apparatus passes a hemmed web through a rotating edge notcher and related units to form a taped hem in the web which is passed through an intermittently operated bag making machine. A web supply unit includes a web take-up unit to maintain a constant tension in the continuously moving web to the bag making machine. The web notches are phased with the bag making machine to locate the notches centrally of each bag. During starting and stopping, the web take-up unit changes the web length moving through the notching unit at normal full web speed operation and the web length variations are minimal. A programmable notch controller actuates a stepper motor to rotate the notcher. The controller responds to a control signal to form a notch. A programmable switch is coupled to the bag making machine to generate a first control signal for each bag cycle and is phased with the full web speed to locate the notch centrally of the bag.

Abstract: In a multi-bobbin machine for making paper booklets e.g. of interleaved cigarette paper, a multiplicity of strips from respective supply bobbins are interfolded and converged to form a booklet strand which is cut to length by a cutting station which reciprocates along the strand so that booklet lengths enter it and are cut. A rotating non-circular shaft passes through the cutting station and a sleeve in the cutting station slides axially along the shaft as the station reciprocates and rotates with the shaft. The sleeve is independently linked to a strand clamp and to a cutting knife which are separately timed and move along different paths, the strand clamp moving longitudinally towards and away from the strand while the knife makes a slicing movement across and through the strand.

Abstract: A method of making a beverage packaging bag made of at least one laminar panel which has an inner layer and an outer layer with appropriate portions of the laminar panel bonded and thus sealed together by heating and a plurality of cuts provided in the outer layer to facilitate piercing of a straw through the panel, by directing a laser beam through a mask at the bag.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for producing a deckle edge on paper which involves applying a stream of liquid to a paper to form a wetted line thereon and applying a shearing force sufficient to cause the paper to separate into two parts along the wetted line thereby producing a deckle edge on the paper.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for slitting a continuous strip of thermoplastic web by a knife heated to a temperature below the melting or fusing temperature of the web. By heating the knife the cutting force is substantially reduced.

Abstract: A flexible web which is caused to run through a cross cutter to be severed at regular intervals in order to yield a series of discrete sections is engaged by a pair of holders which attract the web by suction immediately behind the severing plane when the cutter severs the web. The holders advance with the web and thereafter with the freshly formed section to prevent changes in orientation of the sections on their way to a removing station where they are expelled from the path of the web by block-shaped commodities which are draped into the respective sections. The surfaces of the holders are small and the length of each holder is a minute fraction of the length of a section, as considered in the longitudinal direction of the web. The holders are mounted on endless toothed belt or chain conveyors which advance the holders along an endless path having an elongated reach extending adjacent to the path of movement of the web and its sections toward, past and beyond the severing station.

Abstract: The invention relates to method and apparatus for removing the flaps from a perforated web of paper by drawing the perforated web over an abrasively surfaced drum rotating in the same direction as the paper is traveling and at a peripheral speed about seven times greater than the speed of the web. The web is passed over the drum such that the flaps are at the leading or downstream edges of the perforations and lie between the paper and the drum. A spring-biased pressure yoke holds the perforated web against the drum surface with a predetermined amount of pressure to facilitate abrading the flaps from the web.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing paper sheets having an appearance of being hand-made, the method comprising the steps of forming watermarks on a continuous web along longitudinal and transverse zones spaced according to the width and length of the paper sheets, drying the continuous web, crushing longitudinal and transverse regions of the dried continuous web within the watermarked longitudinal and transverse zones, respectively, tearing and separating the dried continuous web along the longitudinal and transverse crushed regions, respectively.

Abstract: A slitting apparatus employing safety features and particularly suited for use in slitting strip paper as employed in a graphics drum plotter. A housing is provided which is adapted to be releasably attached to the frame of the plotter adjacent the takeup roller for the strip paper. The housing has a box-shaped top with a hinged opening rear portion. A plurality of knife blades are mounted in housings disposed in a slot in the wall of the box portion for adjustability as to their position along the width of the paper. The knife blades are spring-biased to a retracted position and adjustable actuators in the hinged portion extend the blades selectably only when the box is closed. A releasable latch is provided for holding the box in a closed position. A releasable latching assembly connects the housing to the frame of the plotter. The latching assembly is activated by opening the box which, in turn, retracts the knife blades.

Abstract: A continuous film sheet having a width in a horizontal direction is unwound from a film roll with its axis being substantially horizontally kept. The direction of extension of the film sheet is changed so as to have its width in a vertical direction before the film sheet is slit along its center line into two continuous strips. The two continuous strips are superposed on each other and heat-sealed in lengthwise and transverse directions to form a plurality of rectangular sections defined by heat-sealed sides. The heat-sealed sheet is then slit and cut into separated envelopes having their respective three heat-sealed edges.

Abstract: The present invention describes an apparatus for creasing and cutting an endless web of cardboard. A pair of rollers operates on the web while another pair of rollers is in an inactive position where the tools mounted on the rollers can be moved to new positions. When it is time for different operations to be performed on the web the original rollers working on the web are removed from their working position and the rollers previously in the inactive position are moved to the working position. The rollers now in the working position have had their tools aligned for the new operation while they were in the inactive position. The rollers originally in the working position are now in an inactive position where the tools on these rollers can be aligned for another operation. Each pair of rollers is independently driven to spin independent of the position of the roller.