Other

Paper Converting Machine Company

William Paul Niedermeyer

Harvey J Spencer

A solar concentrating collector includes corrugated board parabolic support segments with flexible strips and side tabs over the cut edge to support a laminate with reflective coated film. The reflector assembly has supporting arms and pivots about a heat absorbing conduit secured to vertical extensions of adjacent stationary posts. Selected external surfaces are weatherproofed. The conduit includes vacuum insulators and means to isolate conduit from insulator expansion. Upper arms support pulleys and cable take-ups for continuous collector position changes. Cross members of the extended post secure the fixed conduit, and at a higher level, a programmable drive to rotate two cable capstans for cables that pivot two adjacent reflector assemblies. Other embodiments include triangular or square fluid conduits with planar surfaces for photovoltaic cells and a modified reflective surface to disperse solar rays into a band of reflected sunlight directed to photocell areas.

Parabolic trough solar collector for fluid heating and photovoltaic cells

A solar energy concentrating collector having a frame with bottom, end and side panels of corrugated material adapted to include secondary side panels that are folded inward and have vertical slots for containment of parabolic supports for a flexible reflective surface placed on top of the supports. Frame end panels have apertures located on the parabolic focal line for connection of fluid conduits outside the frame. For arrangement in solar collector arrays, conduit apertures in end-to-end mounted collectors are aligned to receive a common absorber pipe that extends through and beyond a plurality of collector frames for external connections to conduits in the next adjacent parabolic reflective surface parallel to the first reflective surface in the same frame. Supports for the reflective surface have parabolic cutouts in the top portion and are processed as multiple side by side components in a corrugating machine. The preferred material is corrugated paperboard.

Solar energy collector for hot water

A solar heat collector constructed of non-conducting laminated and corrugated material to form a collector container with a bottom panel, a plurality of end panels that include a plurality of attached plenums with air inlet and exiting apertures and distribution apertures for air flow over and under an absorber plate. A plurality of side panels include longitudinally folded supports for an absorber plate held in place by bonding attachment to longitudinal side and underlying center supports extending upward from the bottom panel. The conductive absorber plate is positioned vertically to allow air flow space between the plate and a cover and air flow space below the plate parallel to the centerline. In another embodiment, end and side panels including the end plenums and side supports are co-extensive panels of a common multi-panel blank that is folded to form the container bottom, ends and sides. After assembly of heat collecting parts, the container can be overwrapped in film for waterproofing with air connections added through punctures in the film at field assembly of a collector array. In another embodiment, a third tertiary panel extension from one or both sides of the secondary side panel includes score lines for a folded center support underneath the absorber.

Solar collector for heating air

Dual folding apparatus using multi-width parent rolls to produce color sequenced stacks of napkins, including means for unwinding, slitting and advancing same-color product webs to a turning and lane separating device to selectively transfer first-color webs to one of two 'folding' lanes and selectively transfer second-color webs to the other lane. First and second-color webs in superposed side by side advancement are embossed, and webs of the same color are directed to one side of a dual folder for longitudinal folding, cutoff, and transverse folding while the second-color web is processed in the other side of the dual folder. Napkins of one color are superposed on napkins of a second color and delivered as a pair between delivery belts for packout into stacks having napkins of alternating color. Two adjacent delivery lanes deliver stacks of the same mixed colors. In machines with four delivery lanes, first and second lanes can have alternating first and second colors, while the the third and fourth lanes can have alternating third and fourth color stacks. Other embodiments include different placement of unwind stands, arrangement of parent roll colors, and other turning and lane changing means.

Folding apparatus for napkin stacks having two-color sequences

A brief assembly with a full front panel opening and an inner elasticized support panel includes two half width segments superposed in overlapping relationship, with a portion of the overlapped central area between rear portions of the segments bonded to form a unitary rear panel. The other half of the overlap is left unbonded to provide the full opening in the front panel. The outer margin of the opening can be reinforced by enclosure within a V-folded strip. Portions of outer side margins on each segment are removed to form an hourglass-shape. Overlapped segments are held together by a releasable fastener means that joins the two front panel half width segments. Tensioned elastic strands are attached to a support panel at spaced intervals. The support panel is secured to the inner surface of the overlapped segments. Tapes or other fasteners protrude from the side margins and are used to complete the waist and leg apertures after the front half is folded upward around a user's body. The support panel can have release strip covered adhesive receptor areas to accept an absorbent pad insert of the user's choice.

Front opening briefs with integral support panel

The machine of the present invention produces folded product by advancing a web through longitudinal folding devices and transferring the unsevered continuous web to the surface of a carrier cylinder with anvils. A cooperating knife roll coacts with anvils in the carrier to cut individual product webs into segments held in place by vacuum ports communicating with internal conduits including some for direct air blast through apertures near the fold line to lift the front panel before it is passed under a stationary plate to complete the foldover. Internal conduits for air and vacuum are attached to the inside surface of the carrier cylinder using extruded or pre-molded shapes. Larger cylinders with less weight permit wider machines and circumferential space for a plurality of separate web feed and cutoff units, each of which advances separate webs at reduced speed to increase parent roll run time between roll changes. With different multiples and repeats of the cutoff units, the machine produces stacks having different pre-determined color or material sequences.

Transverse aid folder with cylinder mounted cutoff anvils

Vacuum folding apparatus to make longitudinal and transverse folds in product width webs for folded napkins using a plurality of full speed web feed and cutoff anvil/knife roll couples each to process a portion of product webs slit from a wide parent web. The preferred apparatus includes two or more cutoff units in circumferentially spaced contact with a carrier cylinder having a hollow cylinder with shaped vacuum conduits attached to the inside surface and cooperating with pluralties of anvil/knife rolls having drilled conduits and valve means to control vacuum independently for each plurality of webs being processed. Intermediate between frame members support one end of multi-width anvil/knife roll couples. In another embodiment, the plurality of units to feeds, cuts, and transfers single width product segments at full speed for processing multiple juxtaposed webs being advanced along parallel paths In another embodiment, two or more pluralties of product width feed and cutoff roll couples are each supporteds by interframe members and operate at reduced speed requiring two or more parent roll unwind stands each operating at reduced speed for a cummulative speed equal to folder processing speed.

Apparatus for folding pluralities of product webs advancing along parallel paths

Apparatus and method for producing selected color or material sequences with a stack of transversely folded products. Slit product width webs are longitudinally folded and advanced by slow speed feed rolls to a plurality of anvil rolls and segments are retarded so that voids are created in each of two or more streams of segments that are synchronized to create a continuous series of segments on the surface of a common carrier cylinder. Single or doublefolds can be made during or after transfer to the carrier. Reduced web speed from each parent roll results in longer run time between roll changes. In another embodiment, a central intermediate frame permits use of a plurality of half width cutoff units cooperating with a full width hollow carrier cylinder for processing of wide parent rolls without intermediate off-line slitting and rewinding.

Method and apparatus for making multicolored stacks of folded product

A hollow roll assembly for cutting, advancing, and folding segments when used in a folding machine, including discreet transversely extending vacuum conduits superposed against the inside surface of a rotating roll. The conduits have closed ends, apertures in one surface connecting the conduit to vacuum ports on the surface of the roll, and open sliding connections communicating with vacuum grooves in a non-rotating vacuum valve. The conduits also have apertures in another surface to communicate with vacuum grooves in the inside of the roll and extend vacuum to side margins of the segment. Similar conduits are provided for air with connections to surface apertures at one end and a pressurized air source at the other end. In another embodiment of the roll assembly, anvils and roll stiffening means are provided. In other embodiments, rolls include a pre-molded section having air and vacuum conduits for use in single or double fold applications. In all embodiments, the pre-molded plastic or prefabricated tubing can have a closed end and an end with sliding connections on both ends to cooperate with two stationary valves. In the preferred embodiment, a single vacuumized roll with anvils completes a singlefolded product versus two vacuumized rolls required for present art machines, and can complete a doublefold with one roll versus three vacuumized rolls with present art machines.

Rolls to fold, cut, or advance segments in folding apparatus

A machine which fabricates an undergarment assembly having an openable front panel. The assembly is made from two continuous half width webs. The first and second web paths are transversely spaced. It includes devices to add a V-folded reinforcing strip along the edge of one web. Devices are included to add elastic strands adjacent the central crotch section and a re-closable tape across the front panel opening. One of the webs is printed with adhesive at spaced longitudinal intervals to bond portions of the two overlapped webs in central areas to define a bonded full width rear panel. The machine cuts leg openings and pad securement flaps on the outer margins of each half web. After assembly, the web is severed into unit products for delivery and packaging. The delivery system includes vacuum rolls for transferring flat product or longitudinally and transversely folded product for package size reduction. The machine applies tapes that protrude from side margins for manual taping connection of front and rear panels after folding the product around a user's crotch.

Method and apparatus for undergarment assembly

The machine of the present invention fabricates an undergarment assembly having an elasticized pad support panel secured to inner surfaces of the rear panel and the openable front panel. The machine makes the garment assembly from two half width webs, one of which has a reinforced edge. The machine arrangement includes first and second transversely spaced web paths and components to bond tensioned elastic strands to spaced dots of adhesive located on a third pad supporting web that is secured to adhesive areas applied adjacent, but not in, the garment crotch area with spaced adhesive applied to the innermost surfaces of the rear and front panels. The machine includes devices to add side margin and front panel connecting tapes, and die cutting rolls to cut leg openings in side margins. The machine includes components to divert cull product and deliver flat unfolded product, or longitudinal and transverse folded products for packaging.

Method and apparatus for briefs with pad support panel

An article of apparel comprising a first segment and a second segment of substantially similar shape, each having at least two side margins parallel to a central line and at least one margin at an angle to the central line. One segment has flap extensions along selected margins for folded securement to the other segment thus forming a garment with folded external seams. In a three segment embodiment, one panel is constructed from two similarly shaped half width segments that are overlapped to form an openable panel with resealable closure means. In another two panel embodiment, both half width panels are partially overlapped to form a central 2-ply area, portions of which are bonded together in a region that becomes the rear panel. After rear portions of the bonded segments are folded in half over and around a transverse fold line, front and rear panels are connected with side flaps. The overlapped area in the front panel remains unbonded to form an opening which is secured be resealable tapes or equivalent means.

Apparel with panel attachments along selected margins

An article of apparel comprising a first segment and a second segment of substantially similar shape, each having at least two side margins parallel to a central line and at least one margin at an angle to the central line. One segment has flap extensions along selected margins for folded securement to the other segment thus forming a garment with folded external seams. In a three segment embodiment, one panel is constructed from two similarly shaped half-width segments that are overlapped to form an openable panel, with resealable closure means. In another two panel embodiment, both half width panels are partially overlapped to form a central 2-ply area, portions of which are bonded together in a region that becomes the rear panel. After rear portions of the bonded segments are folded in half over and around a transverse fold line, front and rear panels are connected with side flaps. The overlapped area in the front panel remains unbonded to form an opening which is secured by resealable tapes or equivalent means.

An unfolded hour-glass shaped undergarment brief assembly comprising two shaped half width segments superposed in overlapping relationship with about half of the overlapped central area between segment halves bonded to form a unitary rear panel. The other half of the overlap is left unbonded to provide an opening in the front panel. The outer margin of the opening can be reinforced by enclosure within a v-folded strip and the overlapped segments are held together by a releasable fastening means that joins the two front panel half width segments. Tapes or other fastening means protrude from the side margins and are used to complete the waist and leg apertures after the front half is folded upward around the user. Release strip covered adhesive receptor areas are provided to accept an absorbent pad insert. The central crotch section can have flap extensions that are folded around edges of the pad insert to hold it in place and prevent side leakage from the pad.

Undergarment assembly

The machine of the present invention is used to produce articles of apparel having an openable front or rear panel. It includes feeder mechanisms to supply two half width webs and webs for reinforced edges through cutter mechanisms where webs cut into segments for the desired garment are overlapped to provide a central opening. Segments are transferred to a carrier drum having folding devices which are operative while the drum rotates. A full width web with a pattern of adhesive pre-applied to selected margins is overlaid on top. The underlying segments have extension flaps along selected margins which are folded around and over the edges of the top panel segment and bondably seamed to it by means on, or co-acting with, the carrier drum. Seams can be made along transverse, longitudinal, or skewed lines by different folding device arrangements. In another embodiment, an openable front or rear panel can be produced by including a transverse vacuum folding roll to half fold overlapped segments into a front/rear panel configuration and means to then fold extensions on each rear half panel over the transversely folded front half portions positioned away from the drum surface. Machine arrangements can include special devices for features like pockets, shoulder pieces, shirt collars, etc.

Growing community of inventors

Green Bay, WI, United States of America

William Paul Niedermeyer