Certainteed Corporation

Mark Buscher

David I Suda

Larry Clevenstine

Michael J Lembo

Bruce Rofsky

Tom Cuthbertson

Richard Pentz

A backing sheet, and a system and method of manufacturing a backing sheet with stapling tabs. The system includes a roller device configured to apply an adherent material to a first side of the backing sheet continuously fed from a feed roll. The sheet is then fed to a first pair of folders configured to fold the backing sheet along the edges such that the adherent material holds the first fold in place. The sheet passes through a second pair of folders that form a second fold along the edges of the sheet by folding in the opposite direction as in the first fold. Advantageously, an applicator device is configured to apply a tacky substance, such as a starch solution, between the contacting portions of the second fold, prior to the formation of the second fold. The tacky substance maintains the second fold and prevents the stapling tab from opening during further manufacturing and packaging processes. Alternatively, the system includes a piercing device configured to piece a hole through the backing sheet in order to allow a portion of adherent material to leak through the hole and contact a portion of the backing sheet. Once the second fold is made, the portion of adherent material extending through the hole will contact a portion of the backing sheet and will adhere to the portion of the backing material it contacts, and thereby prevent the stapling tab from opening during the remaining manufacturing and packaging processes.

Backing sheet, and system and method of fabrication thereof

A rolling apparatus including a first elongated projection, and a second elongated projection connected to a rotatably mounted shaft. The shaft is attached to a crank, motor or other device that can be used to manually or automatically rotate the shaft about an axis. A leading end of an elongated sheet of material is positioned between the elongated projections, and the elongated projections are then rotated with respect to one another about the axis of the shaft to form a rolled item. The rolled item is removed from the elongated projections by sliding the rolled item in a direction parallel to the axis. The rolled item is then inserted within an open end of a receptacle. Alternatively, the receptacle is slid over the rolled item following the rolling procedure, and prior to removal of the rolled item from the projections. Then the rolled item with the receptacle is slid smoothly off the elongated projections for further processing or sealing of the receptacle. Alternatively, a method is provided for packaging the item following the removal of the rolled item from the elongated projections using a bagging apparatus that includes a main portion having a tube section and a flared section with a wide opening. The bagging apparatus includes a receptacle receiving portion on an exterior surface of the tube section adjacent an opening thereof. The method includes positioning a receptacle over the exterior surface of the tube section adjacent the opening and inserting the item within the flared section of the bagging apparatus via the wide opening. The item is then slid through a narrow opening of the flared section, through the tube section, and within the receptacle.

Method for packaging an elongated item

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Pine Hill, NJ, United States of America

Mark Buscher