Thomas A Meyer

US Patent:

7533709, May 19, 2009

Filed:

May 31, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/141552

Inventors:

Thomas C. Meyer - Elkhart Lake WI, US

Assignee:

Curt G. Joa, Inc. - Sheboygan Falls WI

International Classification:

B32B 37/00

US Classification:

156517, 156516

Abstract:

This invention proposes a new, improved method and apparatus for applying web segments to a traveling web. These web segments, sometimes called ears or wings, may be asymmetrical or otherwise incompatible with the usual slip-and-cut method. The asymmetrical shape may have differing web tensions which can cause the web segments to be improperly engaged with the vacuum holes on an anvil roll. The present invention utilizes both circumferential rows of vacuum holes and an additional pattern of ear retaining vacuum holes. The circumferential rows of vacuum holes are activated consecutively by vacuum commutation, however, the pattern of ear retaining vacuum holes are activated simultaneously to counter the effects of differing web tensions on the ear portions.

US Patent:

7618513, Nov 17, 2009

Filed:

May 31, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/141633

Inventors:

Thomas C. Meyer - Elkhart Lake WI, US

Assignee:

Curt G. Joa, Inc. - Sheboygan Falls WI

International Classification:

B32B 37/00

US Classification:

156285, 156265, 156517

Abstract:

This invention proposes a new, improved method and apparatus for applying web segments to a traveling web. Ears, or wings, are placed on a running web of disposable diapers. Because these webs are often asymmetrical or otherwise incompatible with the principle of slipping over the surface of a moving vacuum roll, the webs may float from side to side or otherwise be drawn out of square by asymmetrical forces. A vacuum groove is provided on a vacuum roll to counter these effects. Alternatively, a ridge with vacuum about the ridge is provided, also to pull a machine direction line of material into the groove or over the ridge, thereby giving the web some degree of cross-directional stability.

US Patent:

7640962, Jan 5, 2010

Filed:

Apr 20, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/110437

Inventors:

Thomas C. Meyer - Elkhart Lake WI, US
Tim Parrish - Plymouth WI, US
Jeff W. Fritz - Plymouth WI, US

Assignee:

Curt G. Joa, Inc. - Sheboygan Falls WI

International Classification:

B29C 65/50
B29C 65/56
B32B 37/22
B44C 1/24
B65C 9/30
B29C 65/80
B32B 37/26
B44C 1/17
B65C 9/20

US Classification:

156519, 156230, 156238, 156250, 156269, 156312, 156465, 156517, 156521

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for applying tape tabs to a traveling web of material, for example, placement of tape tabs on a running web of disposable undergarments. A pair of wheels each has a protuberance come in contact with the running web of material, which comes in contact with an infeeding tape web. The invention allows placement of tape tabs at asymmetrical spacings, where placement of the tape from contact of the first wheel and protuberance may not be equally or centrally spaced from placement of the tape by the second wheel and protuberance.

US Patent:

7703599, Apr 27, 2010

Filed:

Apr 12, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/104316

Inventors:

Thomas C. Meyer - Elkhart Lake WI, US

Assignee:

Curt G. Joa, Inc. - Sheboygan Falls WI

International Classification:

B65G 47/26
B31F 1/10

US Classification:

19845703, 198406, 493444

Abstract:

A method of reversing direction of an article is disclosed by engaging an article with a first belt to move the article in a first direction; disengaging the article from the first belt; and then engaging the article with a second belt to move the article in a second direction. An apparatus to reverse direction of an article is also disclosed by a first belt rotating in a first direction; a second belt rotating in a second direction; the first belt engaging an article at a first time while the second belt is disengaged with the article, the first belt disengaging the article at a second time, and the second belt engaging the article at a third time while the first belt is disengaged with the article.

US Patent:

8417374, Apr 9, 2013

Filed:

Apr 26, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/799479

Inventors:

Thomas C. Meyer - Elkhart Lake WI, US
Peter J. Jenquin - Plymouth WI, US

Assignee:

Curt G. Joa, Inc. - Sheboygan Falls WI

International Classification:

G06F 7/00

US Classification:

700230, 19845703

Abstract:

A method of reversing direction of an article, or of speeding up or slowing down an article is disclosed by engaging an article with a first belt to move the article in a first direction; disengaging the article from the first belt; and then engaging the article with a second belt to move the article at a different speed. An apparatus to change speed of an article is also disclosed by a first belt rotating in a first direction; a second belt rotating in the direction at a second speed; the first belt engaging an article at a first time while the second belt is disengaged with the article, the first belt disengaging the article at a second time, and the second belt engaging the article at a third time while the first belt is disengaged with the article.

US Patent:

20050230449, Oct 20, 2005

Filed:

Apr 20, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/110616

Inventors:

Thomas Meyer - Elkhart Lake WI, US
Chris Nelson - Plymouth WI, US
Brian Krueger - Plymouth WI, US

International Classification:

B65H020/34

US Classification:

226118200

Abstract:

An improved web accumulator with two arms where at least one arm is a swinging dancer arm and at least one arm is attached to a sliding carriage. Each arm has a set of rollers attached. A web is threaded alternately between the two sets of rollers. The arms are mechanically connected to move simultaneously towards or away from each other. The arms are initially position at their maximum separation to accumulate a maximum length of web. When web infeed is interrupted while web outfeed or draw persists, the arms are first rotated in towards each other to pay out the stored length of web. As the demand persists and the dancer arm is rotated beyond some predefined position, the sliding carriage begins to slide to a least storage position. As web infeed returns to normal operational speeds, the dancer arm and the sliding carriage are returned to their original position to again accumulate a maximum amount of web.

US Patent:

51635941, Nov 17, 1992

Filed:

Feb 10, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/833811

Inventors:

Thomas C. Meyer - Elkhart Lake WI

Assignee:

Curt G. Joa, Inc. - Boynton Beach FL

International Classification:

B65H 2024
B65H 1918
B65H 5912

US Classification:

226119

Abstract:

In one embodiment of a web accumulator, at least one pneumatic cylinder actuator has a chain loop connected to opposite ends of its piston rod. Translation of the chain in response to pressurizing the cylinder causes the chain to drive two spaced apart axle shafts in the same rotational direction. An arm is fastened to each axle shaft and there is a row of rollers on each arm and a roller on each axle shaft. Web is threaded in loops back and forth between rollers on the respective arms. When the web infeed rate to the accumulator and the outfeed or rate at which the web is drawn out by a web consuming device are equal, the regulated air pressure to the actuator drives the arms apart to thereby accumulate a long length of web. When web infeed is interrupted while outfeed or draw persists, the arms are pulled toward each other and they pay out the stored length of web. In one embodiment, web tension may vary with the angles of the arms on each side of an imaginary center line to which the axes of the axle shafts are perpendicular.