Douglas G Swenson

US Patent:

50211110, Jun 4, 1991

Filed:

Aug 31, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/238568

Inventors:

Douglas A. Swenson - Maplewood MN

Assignee:

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

B32B 3110
B65C 925

US Classification:

156264

Abstract:

Apparatus and method for applying heat-sensitive adhesive tape, such as frontal diaper tape, of the type having a layer of heat sensitive adhesive material to a web moving at high speed, such as a web of water-resistant material designed for use as the outer layer of disposable diapers. The apparatus comprises a tape-feed wheel for preheating and feeding the tape to the apparatus from a supply of generally continuous tape, and a tape-applying wheel in rolling engagement with the web for applying tape fed to it from the tape-feed wheel to the web. The tape-applying wheel includes vacuum passageways for providing suction through a circumferential surface of the tape-applying wheel to hold the tape thereon, and a heating mechanism for heating the tape to an elevated temperature at which the heat-sensitive adhesive is tacky and for maintaining the tape at the elevated temperature until it is applied to the web. Successive end portions of the tape are cut against the tape-applying wheel into pieces to be applied to the web, and each successive piece of tape cut from the tape is accelerated by the tape-applying wheel from the relatively slow velocity of the tape-feed wheel to the relatively fast velocity of the web and applied to the web.

US Patent:

49879405, Jan 29, 1991

Filed:

Aug 19, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/234310

Inventors:

Melvin J. Straub - Plymouth MN
Edwin Kalash - Independence MN
Douglas A. Swenson - Maplewood MN

Assignee:

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company - Saint Paul MN

International Classification:

B32B 3110

US Classification:

156164

Abstract:

A device for applying spaced layers generally transversely across an elongate web which defines a through path for the web including parallel inlet and outlet path portions spaced sideways from each other and a transverse path portion between adjacent terminal and beginning ends of the inlet and outlet path portions. The web is moved lengthwise at a predetermined speed in a first direction along the inlet and outlet path portions, the device periodically moves the portion of the web along the transverse path portion generally edgewise in a direction parallel to the first direction and at about the predetermined speed to essentially stop longitudinal movement of the portion of the web along the transverse path portion; and the device applies a layer of material such as tape generally transversely across the portion of the web along the transverse path portion as it moves tangentially by the periphery of a rotating applicator drum.