Abstract: A machine tool includes an elongate tool holder which is mounted by a pair of spring strips for pivotal movement on a mounting. One end of the tool holder carries the tool while the other end of the tool holder is moved by an actuator via a rod. Tool positioning signals are fed to the actuator in digital form and are converted to analogue form by a digital-to-analogue converter before being applied to the actuator. The tool holder is of light-weight and low inertia and can thus effect rapid changes of tool position, so exploiting to the full the high rates of positioning signal production of modern machine tool control systems.

Abstract: The device comprises a sectional carrier of closed cross section with a circular bed, a base and channels of distribution and return of oil. A guiding element comprising at least one guiding tube enclosing a bar stock to be machined and a push-piston is removably secured on the bed. The distribution channel communicates through radial openings with the guiding element for delivering to the latter oil under pressure which creates a hydrodynamic bearing supporting the bar stock when the latter is set into rotation by the head stock of the lathe. The sectional carrier has a great rigidity and stability which permits very high speeds of rotation of the bar stock to be machined. The return of oil by closed channels of the sectional carrier is protected against external contamination by impurities or dust.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of truncating a tube by having a knife act against a counter-knife which is positioned within the interior of the tube. The counter-knife is maintained in a desired position with respect to the knife by a magnetic apparatus.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for applying constant pressure to a plurality of anvil rollers for crush-scoring used in combination with crush-scoring cylinders having protrusions extending from the surface thereof. Each anvil roller is supported in a substantially frictionless manner and the constant pressure is supplied by a flexible diaphragm acting on a plunger which can move substantially without friction in a pneumatic cylinder.

Abstract: A draw tape bag is formed from a plastic web. An edge folding unit, a notching unit, a tape inserting unit, a heat sealing unit and a web folding unit form a compact continuous line in a rectangular path. The hem folder includes a L-shaped plate within the hem to receive a draw tape. The plate is pivotally mounted the tape within the hem. A wheel is rotatably and pivotally mounted for pulling the hem onto the plate. A single strap on a roll has a width equal to both tapes. The roll is driven and the strap passes over a knife to sever the strap from the tapes. A tension control roll is coupled to moving the strap and controls the strap feed to hold a constant tape tension. A folding board includes spaced edge channels in a V-shape for folding the flat web. An air layer is interposed between the web and the folding channels to provide a low friction movement.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for applying constant pressure to a plurality of anvil rollers for crush-scoring used in combination with crush-scoring cylinders having protrusions extending from the surface thereof. Each anvil roller is supported in a substantially frictionless manner and the constant pressure is supplied by a flexible diaphragm acting on a plunger which can move substantially without friction in a pneumatic cylinder.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for manufacturing draw tape bags from a web of plastic material are disclosed. The apparatus and methods relate to draw tape bags in which a hem seal, enclosing the draw tape, is formed in the bag without stopping the movement of the web through the hem sealing station.

Abstract: A buffing apparatus is provided for use in association with a case sealing arrangement, to buff lead and rear depending tape tails against a tape/carton combination. The buffing apparatus includes a single buffing member moved, by means of a motive mechanism, between paths and motion. The first path of motion is defined such that the buffing member is moved against a lead tape tail, and then is retracted so that a rear tape tail can pass thereover. The second path of motion is defined such that the buffing member is brought upwardly against the rear tape tail, to buff same into position, while returning the buffing member to the first extreme position. For preferred embodiments, the first and second paths of motion are identical, but opposite, to one another. In one embodiment, the paths of motion are defined by a cam track/follower arrangement. In a second embodiment, a link mechanism is described, which accomplishes a desired motion.

Abstract: An improved method for making promotional pieces wherein a high speed web-press operation results in mass-production of attractive pieces which include three or more interconnected pop-up panels which assume a three-dimensional shape when the outer folder is opened. The preferred method utilizes a plurality of longitudinal slitting and folding steps, together with the application of glue lines in strategic locations, and culminates in the transverse cutting of the continuous moving web to separate each blank in series from the next. A continuous web is preferably longitudinally slit into at least three continuous ribbons which are then manipulated and associated with one another to create an endless series of interconnected pop-up assemblies atop a ribbon consisting of two side-by-side basepieces. In an alternative method, only two ribbons are employed, and pieces having a false backbone are created.

Abstract: A workpiece positioner usable with a lathe having a headstock rotatable about a lathe axis has a base adjacent the lathe and defining an upright base axis offset from the lathe axis, a gripper support pivotal on the base about the base axis and defining a horizontal support axis, a positioner head pivotal on the support about the support axis, and a pair of grippers each including a respective pair of gripper jaws displaceable on the head transversely of the support axis.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a flexible tubing (S) from a single-ply or multi-ply web (B) as it is continuously advanced includes two size-defining metal plates (9, 10) which define the width of the flattened tubing and are substantially parallel to each other and are movably mounted in the machine frame (1, 2, 3) and have receiving end portions about which the web is deflected to raise edge portions of the web which are to be infolded to overlap each other. The plates are adjustable by a screw (34) or the like to control the distance between their receiving end portions. The plates are provided at their delivery end portions with straps (17) or the like for controlling the distance between the plates.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for continuous fabrication of bags from a longitudinally advanced multi-layer thermoplastic film web fed tangentially onto a rotating drum for carrying out transverse web seam welding and severing, the principal novel feature being provision of preliminary heating carried out across at least part of the width of web at which the final seam and sever is to take place. The preliminary heating step is advantageous where the thickness of film layers to be sealed and severed is not uniform across the width of the web or in which the uniform thickness of the film layers is such that seaming and severing in a single step requires an undesirably long time for continuous high speed production. The method can be adapted for production of bags of different widths.

Abstract: An apparatus for folding agricultural storage bags (20) includes a frame (22) having an annular pad (70) mounted about the lateral periphery thereof. Pivotally mounted within and extending outwardly from the frame above the annular pad (70) are a plurality of upper arms (110). A plurality of lower arms (126) are similarly mounted below the annular pad (70) and are positioned between the upper arms (110). Mounted within the frame (22) above the upper arms (110) is a platform (26) for supporting a quantity of flexible tubular material. Mounted to the frame above the platform (26) is an advancing mechanism (50). The upper and lower arms (110 and 126) are actuated alternately to form the length of flexible tubular material into a plurality of folds each extending parallel to the annular pad (70).

Abstract: A glue head mounting bracket for glue applying folding machines is disclosed which holds a glue head for dispensing glue onto a sheet of paper that is to be folded and secured at the glue lines, which bracket permits the glue head to be placed at a predetermined location and the glue head swiveled out of the way for non-glue application. The bracket is of two piece fixed and demountable construction with the glue head carried in the demountable bracket piece, so that the glue head can be moved for cleaning and repair or replacement, and the glue head placed back into service without changing the location of the glue line.

Abstract: A sheet folding apparatus comprises a substantially planar surface for receiving and supporting a substantially rectangular extended sheet. The apparatus includes a first folder for folding the substantially rectangular extended sheet along a first diagonal axis thereof to form a once folded sheet defining a long base, a second folder for folding the two halves of the base of the once folded sheet towards each other and into parallel disposition with an axis transverse to the axis of the base to form a twice folded sheet, and a third folder for folding the two halves of the twice folded sheet along a second diagonal axis thereof to form a thrice folded sheet while simultaneously removing the sheet from the substantially planar surface.

Abstract: A tire changer has the feature of therefor restraining vehicle tire/rim assemblies which are caused to explode due to tire overinflation or tire bead failure for any reason. A tire and rim assembly hold down bar is pivotally attached to one side of the body of the tire changer and is secured in position immediately overlying the tire/rim assembly on the tire changer by engaging a tongue in a buckle assembly mounted on the bar. The tongue is attached to the end of a web belt which is secured to the other side of the body of the tire changer. Engagement of the tongue in the buckle also actuates an enabling valve in a conduit for transmitting tire inflation air from a pressure source to the tire. Inflation air may then be provided at will to the tire by actuation of an inflation valve located in the air conduit between the pressure source and the tire.

Abstract: An apparatus for reforming an end shell includes a stationary tooling assembly having a reform punch for engaging an interior surface of the central wall portion of the end shell. A reciprocating tooling assembly includes spring-loaded pressure pad complimentary to the reform punch for engagin the exterior surface of the central wall portion. A reform ring, mounted circumferentially about the pressure pad, includes an annular nose for fully engaging and supporting the exterior surface of the frustoconical wall portion of the end shell. At the bottom of the reforming stroke, the central wall portion is simultaneously supported by the reform punch and the pressure pad.

Abstract: A folding apparatus in which an intermediate span of a signature at the folding station is buckled by a pair of oppositely driven signature feeding surfaces into the nip of a pair of converging signature folding and feeding surfaces which fold the signature and feed it from the folding station.

Abstract: A press for forming cans from a metallic sheet includes a first work station having a blanking and drawing punch for cutting a blank from the sheet and drawing a cup from the blank. A second work station includes a redrawing punch for redrawing the cup to a smaller diameter to form a can. The redrawing punch travels through an opening formed in the sheet when the blank is cut from the sheet and acts in concert with the blanking and drawing punch. When the redrawing operation is complete, the redrawing punch reciprocates out of the opening in the sheet, as does the blanking and drawing punch, so that the sheet can advance to the next station. Other subsequent work stations act in concert with the blanking and drawing punch and redrawing punch by passing through openings formed in the sheet when a blank is punched at the first work station.

Abstract: A press for converting ends for cans and the like is provided with a conveyor extending sideways through the press to carry shells for processing into can ends along an end converting path. Upper and lower conversion tooling is located along the end converting path at the top and bottom of the conveyor, defining a plurality of stations on opposite sides of the center of the tooling for working progressively on shells moved by the conveyor along the end converting path. First and second tab tooling, auxiliary to the main tooling means, is located on opposite sides of the conveyor extending transversely thereof and defining a tab forming path which bridges the end converting path. Opening tabs are formed from a strip of metal stock fed through the tab tooling and the strip with completed tabs is guided in a loop from the tab tooling back to a staking and attachment station on the end converting path for removal from the strip and attachment to the shells.