Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company

James H Casey

Curtis L Larson

Robert A Luhman

Larry A Bettenhausen

Richard P De Neui

Robert C Brown

Alan J Craig

A system of providing convenient filling and sealing of air cushions at the site of their intended use, such as at a packaging line. A concatenation of inflatable cushions is prepared with each cushion comprising two thin films of a thermoplastic, at least one of which films has a generally central opening. The films are fused together in discrete areas to define a plurality of inflatable chambers between the films disposed around the opening, with each of the chambers having an inlet passageway communicating with the opening. The cushions are shipped uninflated to the site where they are to be used, and are then inflated and sealed on a device which includes a nozzle for simultaneously directing air through the opening of the cushion and the inlet passageways to inflate the chambers, and a means for sealing together the films in a small area around the opening to close the inlet passageways to the chambers.

System for inflation and sealing of air cushions

An applicating machine for applying short lengths of flexible fibrous material having an adhesive coating to a surface. The applicator uses a pair of fingers to hold the fibrous material onto the surface of an applicating pad and a rod to strip the material from the fingers. The fingers are initially spaced from the pad to permit a measured length of flexible material to be moved between the pad and the fingers. The fingers are then retracted to a closed holding position. The fingers support the length of material during the severing of a short length of material by cutting means and while the applicating pad transports the severed strip to the surface for application. The measured length of the flexible material to be dispensed and applied, the applicating pad, and the fingers are moved downward the severed length of fibrous material being applied to a product. A reciprocating push rod places pressure on a portion of the applied flexible material holding the material against the product while the fingers and the pad are retracted. The fingers move to a lowered position to receive another length of fibrous material.

Tape handling apparatus

An apparatus for applying severed strips of double-coated adhesive tape to a substrate from the face of a carrier liner. A length of tape having adhesive on both sides and disposed on a release liner is fed continuously past a severing means which cuts the tape into strips but does not sever the liner. The tape strips are then carried by the liner to an applicating member where the strips of tape are applied to a moving substrate.

Tape applicating and severing assembly

A device used during fusion butt-welding between the ends of tubes to form a backing for the weld inside the tubes. The device comprises a thin flexible metal support strip having end portions which are overlapped to provide an arcuate outer peripheral surface, means guiding the overlapping end portions for relative longitudinal sliding movement to change the peripheral circumference of the support strip, and means for biasing the end portions in a direction to increase the peripheral circumference of the device. For use, the circumference of the support strip is decreased in opposition to the biasing means, and a backing strip of refractory material is secured on the periphery of the support strip. Next the device is positioned with the backing strip adjacent the inner surfaces of and bridging the ends of the tubes to be welded. The device is activated so that the biasing for the support strip will press the backing strip into engagement with the tubes, and the tubes are ready for welding.

Growing community of inventors

Roseville, MN, United States of America

James H Casey