Abstract: A thermoforming web cutting apparatus is provided with a frame with a guide post including a tapered outer surface with increasing cross-sectional dimension toward a closing position, a first support structure with a first cutting die, a second support structure with a second cutting die configured to scissor in intermeshing relation with the first cutting die, and a bushing having a tapered inner surface complementary and reverse to the tapered outer surface on the guide post and adjustable in cross-sectional dimension and configured to guide one of the first support structure and the second support structure for axial reciprocation along the guide post. A method is also provided.

Abstract: An adjustable mounting system is provided for a bag fastening system. The adjustable mounting system includes a conveyor table and a support assembly. The conveyor table has a frame. The support assembly is carried by the frame and is configured to support one or more components of a bag fastening system for adjustable positioning at selected elevational positions relative to the conveyor table. A method is also provided.

Abstract: A clip-separating machine is provided with a guide frame, a clipper, and a displacement structure. The guide frame is configured to support a strip of clips. The clipper has a pair of opposed cutting edges. One of the edges is supported for movement toward and away from another of the edges. The displacement structure is configured to move the one cutting edge toward the other cutting edge so as to cause co-action of the cutting edges to sever a terminal clip from a strip of clips. A method is also provided.

Abstract: An annular thermoplastic foam extrusion die assembly is provided which has an annular die, a plurality of die lip paddles, a lifting mechanism, and a guide member. The annular die has a first die body with a first die lip and a second die body with a second die lip. The second die body is positioned adjacent the first die body with the second die lip configured relative to the first die lip to form an annular groove therebetween. The first die body includes a trench having an undercut, sloped back wall. The first body has a circumferential groove opposite the back wall. The plurality of die lip paddles are spaced apart about the annular groove. Each die lip paddle has a tip and a heel. The tip is configured to be received for pivotal movement in the groove. The heel is configured to engage with the back wall as the heel is raised to drive the first die lip toward the second die lip to adjust a local position of the annular die gap formed therebetween.

Abstract: A strip of bag clips are provided having individual clips each with a bag neck access opening joining a bag neck confining aperture within the clip. The bag neck access opening extends in a transverse direction relative to the length of the strip. Adjacent clips are joined together on adjacent sides via a central or medial and contiguously formed bridge portion defined by laterally formed slots. In one case, the clips are formed from a frangible material. In another case, the clips are formed from a flexible or resilient material. In a further case, the clips are formed from a biodegradable material.

Abstract: A thermoformed article trim apparatus is provided for severing thermoformed articles with an accurately trimmed lip edge from a thermoformed web in which each article has diagonally opposing corner surfaces, comprising an article die; an article punch opposing the article die; an alignment fixture carried by the punch and having complementary exterior alignment corner surfaces configured to engage inclined interior corner surfaces of the article to maintain the article in alignment in longitudinal, lateral and angular directions; and a drive mechanism connected to at least one of the die and the punch and configured to move at least one of the punch and the die relative to each other a first distance to move the alignment fixture into the article with the exterior alignment corner surfaces of the article to accurately align the article in the longitudinal, lateral and angular directions and further configured to move a second distance to accurately trim the article from the web to generate an accurately forme

Abstract: A bag accumulating device is provided with a first drive mechanism and a second drive mechanism. The first drive mechanism is configured to advance an open-mouth portion of a bag at a first speed. The second drive mechanism is provided adjacent and downstream of the first drive mechanism. The second drive mechanism is configured to advance the open-mouth portion of the bag at a second speed that is less than the first speed so as to accumulate and foreshorten the open mouth portion of the bag. A method is also provided.

Abstract: A thermoforming trim press is provided with a frame, a punch plate, a die plate, and a bushing. The frame has a guide post including a tapered outer surface with increasing cross-sectional dimension toward a closing position. The punch plate has a male cutting die. The die plate has a female cutting die configured to scissor in intermeshing relation with the male cutting die. The bushing has a tapered inner surface complementary and reverse to the tapered outer surface of the guide post. The bushing is adjustable in cross-sectional dimension and is configured to guide one of the punch plate and the die plate for axial reciprocation along the guide post. A method is also provided.

Abstract: A web conveyor is provided having a frame, a pair of conveyor rails, and at least one sag rail. The pair of conveyor rails is carried by the frame in laterally spaced-apart relation. The pair of conveyor rails is configured to support and convey respective edges of a thermoformable web of plastic material. The at least one sag rail includes a friction-reducing material provided along at least a portion of a top edge of the sag rail. The sag rail is provided between the conveyor rails and extends longitudinally along a web travel path. The sag rail is configured to support a web of material intermediate the conveyor rails. A web support apparatus having one or more of friction-reducing material, local, raised portions, and a temperature regulator is also provided.

Abstract: An article stacking apparatus is provided having a barrel, a frame, a motor, and a drive mechanism. The frame is configured to support the barrel for rotation in a recumbent position. The drive mechanism couples together the frame and the motor to rotate the barrel to agitate cups within the barrel for stacking into accumulated configurations. A method is also provided.

Abstract: A comminuting device is provided having a support structure, a set of intermeshing scissor rolls, at least two entrance openings, and a bulkhead. The support structure has an enclosure. The set of intermeshing scissor rolls are rotatably carried by the support structure. The at least two entrance openings are provided in the enclosure. The bulkhead is interposed between a first one of the entrance openings and a second one of the entrance openings. The bulkhead provides a first entrance shoot and a second entrance shoot, with the bulkhead including a mouth portion configured to transfer scrap products between the first entrance shoot and the second entrance shoot.

Abstract: An article ejector is provided having kinematic linkages that drive ejector paddle assemblies in an article ejector mode, as well as a die cleaning mode where the kinematic linkages are driven via rotary motion in a continuous clockwise direction, in both modes, without having to impart changes in direction for the rotary drive mechanisms, and while maintaining maximum mechanical advantage of the kinematic linkages. A method is also provided.

Abstract: A two-step orthodontic process is described in which a first weave 35 and a subsequent second weave 40 of fine dental floss are applied to a selected group of tooth crowns to effect correction of maloccluded teeth in the group. In the first weave a strand 10 of dental floss is placed in a figure "8" pattern about crowns 16 in the group. The strand 10 of material is secured in a knotless configuration by wedging the material of the strand 10 against the contact points 30 between adjacent teeth. The figure "8" pattern serves to span lingual 25 and facial surfaces 24 of the crowns in the group and to exert corrective forces against the teeth, causing them to move into prescribed desired alignment. In the second weave 40, a strand is applied with at least one span 41 of the strand across facial surfaces of the crowns 16 within the group. The span 41 is used to exert forces tending to gather and contour the crowns in a finishing technique.