Patent ID: 6234228
Filing Date: 2001-05-22
Classification: B29C,B29L,B65H,D06B

Abstract:
An apparatus for covering a textile dye tube with a filter sheet, said apparatus comprising:(a) a hollow mandrel for supporting said tube, at least a portion of the outer surface of said mandrel having a plurality of openings;(b) a vacuum source connected to said mandrel for drawing said sheet against said mandrel;(c) roller sealing means for bonding the overlapping edges of said sheet to one another and to said tube; and(d) wherein said mandrel includes a mandrel support table having a tube loading station, a sheet wrapping and sealing station, and a discharge station; table drive means for indexing said mandrel sequentially to each of said stations; a vacuum chamber extending from said tube wrapping and sealing station, said vacuum chamber drawing a vacuum inside said mandrel at and between said wrapping and sealing positions; a tube feeder for feeding tubes to said tube loading station; a sheet feeder for feeding sheets of filter material to said wrapping position; and a sealer at said sealing position for sealing said sheet around the circumference of said tube.