Assembling method for assembling first and second components

Apparatus for assembling first components with spaced-apart second components which are provided on a flexible web, comprising means for conveying a series of first components along a first path through an assembling station, including means for maintaining the first components in a first predetermined orientation at least at said station;

• means for advancing a series of second components along a second path through the assembling station so that each second component at said station is aligned with a first component, including means for transporting the web along a first portion of said second path and means for keeping the second components in a second predetermined orientation at least at said station, said means for keeping the second components in said second orientation comprising a conveyor defining a second portion of said second path and having sockets for advancing discrete second components from the web in said first portion toward and at said station;
• and means for connecting each second component with the aligned first component at said station, including means for effecting a movement of each second component and the aligned first component relative to each other.

Apparatus for assembling first components with second components, comprising means for conveying a series of first components along a first path through an assembling station, including receptacles for discrete first components and means for maintaining the first components in a first predetermined orientation at least at said station;

• means for advancing a series of second components along a second path through the assembling station so that each second component at said station is aligned with a first component, including means for keeping the second components in a second predetermined orientation at least at said station, said keeping means including an endless belt conveyor having sockets for discrete second components and each receptacle at said station confronting one of said sockets;
• and means for connecting each second component with the aligned first component at said station, including means for effecting a movement of each second component and the aligned first component relative to each other.

Apparatus for assembling first components with second components of the type having a predetermined first contour, comprising means for conveying a series of first components along a first path through an assembling station, including means for maintaining the first components in a first predetermined orientation at least at said station;

• means for advancing a series of second components along a second path through the assembling station so that each second component at said station is aligned with a first component, including means for keeping the second components in a second predetermined orientation at least at said station;
• and means for connecting each second component with the aligned first component at said station, including means for effecting a movement of each second component and the aligned first component relative to each other, said movement effecting means including at least one plunger for second components, said plunger having a second contour which is substantially complementary to said predetermined contour and abuts the contour of a second component during relative movement of such second component and the aligned first component.

Apparatus for assembling first components with second components, comprising means for conveying a series of first components along a first path through an assembling station, including means for maintaining the first components in a first predetermined orientation at least at said station;

• means for advancing a series of second components along a second path through the assembling station so that each second component at said station is aligned with a first component, including means for keeping the second components in a second predetermined orientation at least at said station;
• means for converting a strip into a carrier of spaced apart second components and for supplying the carrier said advancing means;
• and means for connecting each second component with the aligned first component at said station, including means for effecting a movement of each second component and the aligned first component relative to each other.

Apparatus for assembling first components with second components which are provided on a flexible web, comprising means for conveying a series of first components along a first path through an assembling station, including means for maintaining the first components in a first predetermined orientation at least at said station;

• means for advancing a series of second components along a second path through the assembling station so that each second component at said station is aligned with a first component;
• a magazine for a supply of convoluted web, said advancing means including a conveyor defining at least a portion of said second path, means for transporting the web from said magazine to said conveyor, and means for keeping the second components in a second predetermined orientation at least at said station;
• and means for connecting each second component with the aligned first component at said station, including means for effecting a movement of each second component and the aligned first component relative to each other.

Apparatus for assembling first components with second components, comprising means for conveying a series of first components along a first path through an assembling station, including means for maintaining the first components in a first predetermined orientation at least at said station, said maintaining means comprising receptacles for first components;

• means for advancing a series of second components along a second path through the assembling station so that each second component at said station is aligned with a first component, including means for keeping the second components in a second predetermined orientation at least at said station, said keeping means comprising sockets for second components and each of said receptacles being aligned with one of said sockets during travel through said assembling station;
• and means for connecting each second component with the aligned first component at said station, including means for effecting a movement of each second component and the aligned first component relative to each other.

A method of assembling first and second components, comprising the steps of conveying a series of first components through an assembling station and imparting to the first components a first predetermined orientation not later than at said station;

• advancing a series of second components to said station so that each second component at said station is aligned with and is adjacent a first component and imparting to the second components a second predetermined orientation not later than at said station, including positioning the series of second components on a web-shaped carrier, moving the carrier and transferring the concond components from the carrier onto a circulating conveyor;
• and connecting each second component with the aligned first component at said station, including imparting a predetermined movement to each second component and the aligned first component relative to each other.