Glue application system for a collating machine

For use in a collating apparatus of the type in which a plurality of rolls are mounted on spaced spindles and webs unwound therefrom are collected in overlapping relation, an improved glue application system comprising:

• at least one nozzle having a flexible body, a tip at one end for contacting a supported surface of a selected web at a glue application point and an opposite end for mounting to a rigid support, said body extending at an angle other than normal to the supported surface and being sufficiently flexible that said body is capable of flexing between said ends in response to variations in the distance between said application point and said opposite end;
• means mounting said nozzle body for biasing said one end into contact at said glue application point so that said tip may remain in continuous contact with a supported web surface during operation of a collating apparatus;
• a source of glue;
• conduit means for conveying glue from said source to said nozzle;
• valve means located on said conduit means;
• a return line extending from said valve means to said source of glue;
• and
• optical encoder means for detecting the movement of a selected web through a collating apparatus and control means responsive to said encoder means for opening said solenoid valve when said encoder means detects movement of a selected web, whereby glue flows from said source through said valve means to said nozzle, and for closing said solenoid valve when said encoder means detects cessation of movement of a selected web, whereby glue flows from said source through said valve means and through said return line back to said source.

For use in a collating apparatus of the type in which a plurality of rolls are mounted on spaced spindles and webs unwound therefrom are collected in overlapping relation, an improved glue application system comprising:

• at least one nozzle having a flexible body, a tip at one end for contacting a supported surface of a selected web at a glue application point and an opposite end for mounting to a rigid support, said body extending at an angle other than normal to the supported surface and being sufficiently flexible that said body is capable of flexing between said ends in response to variations in the distance between said application point and said opposite end;
• means mounting said nozzle body for biasing said one end into contact at said glue application point so that said tip may remain in continuous contact with a supported web surface during operation of a collating apparatus;
• said tip made of an abrasion resistant material selected from the group consisting of steel, nickel alloys, stainless steel, and brass;
• a source of glue;
• conduit means for conveying glue from said source to said nozzle;
• and
• means for controlling flow of glue through said conduit means and said nozzle.

In combination with a collating apparatus of the type in which a plurality of rolls are mounted on spaced spindles and webs unwound therefrom are collected in overlapping relation, and having means for guiding webs along predetermined paths and into overlapping relation, an improved glue application system comprising:

• at least one nozzle having a flexible body, a tip at one end which contacts a supported surface of a selected web at a glue application point at an angle other than normal to the supported surface, said nozzle being mounted on said collating apparatus at an opposite end thereof and being sufficiently flexible such that said body flexes in response to variations in the distance between said application point and said opposite end;
• means mounting said nozzle body for biasing said one end into contact at said glue application point so that said tip remains in contact with the supported surface during operation of said collating apparatus;
• a source of glue;
• conduit means for conveying glue from said source to said nozzle;
• and
• means for controlling the flow of glue through said conduit means and said nozzle.

For use in a collating apparatus of the type in which a plurality of rolls are mounted on spaced spindles and webs unwound therefrom are collected in overlapping relation, an improved glue application system comprising:

• at least one nozzle having a flexible body made of polyurethane, a tip at one end for contacting a supported surface of a selected web at a glue application point and an opposite end for mounting to a rigid support said body extending at an angle other than normal to the supported surface and being sufficiently flexible that said body is capable of flexing between said ends in response to variations in the distance between said application point and said opposite end;
• means mounting said nozzle body for biasing said one end into contact at said glue application point so that said tip may remain in continuous contact with a supported web surface during operation of a collating apparatus;
• a source of glue;
• conduit means for conveying glue from said source to said nozzle;
• and
• means for controlling flow of glue through said conduit means and said nozzle.