Abstract: An all-electric web feeding, cutting and sheet dispensing machine includes a bi-directional cutting knife on a reversible carriage driven by a reversible-rotation knife-drive shaft. The carriage includes a ball-bearing-wheeled linear actuator riding on the knife-drive shaft propelling the carriage along this shaft in cutting strokes in one or the other direction as this shaft is rotated in one or the other sense of rotation for cutting sheets off from a web of resilient packaging material. A combined knife-guard and clamp jaw (guard/clamp) holds the web and protects the moving knife from contact with foreign objects while the knife is traveling during each cutting stroke. At the end of each cutting stroke a cam on the knife carriage lifts the guard/clamp in readiness for feeding another length of web.

Abstract: A web feeding, cutting and dispensing machine includes a pneumatic cylinder for moving a hot wire to cut measured-length sheets from web stock. A pneumatic clamp cylinder moves a clamp bar for momentarily clamping the web during cutting. Upon pressing a start button, a pneumatic control valve sequentially operates the respective cutting and clamping cylinders for quickly retracting the hot wire, while more slowly retracting the clamp. Conversely, after the next measured web length has advanced, this control valve again sequentially operates these two cylinders in reverse order for quickly clamping while slower cutting. This dual control by one valve is advantageously achieved (1) by throttling air flow in retracting the clamp cylinder relative to retracting the cut cylinder, and conversely (2) by throttling air flow in advancing the cut cylinder relative to advancing the clamp cylinder.

Abstract: A web of foam material is fed to a cutting station by upper and lower rollers drawing the web from a supply roll and along a low-friction table surface. A cutter station has a knife bar and blade, with a clamp bar coupled with the knife bar. The lower draw roller has its axle mounted in a pair of pivoted arms depressible by presser feet on a presser foot bar carried by the knife bar. When a desired length of web has been drawn past the cutter station, actuation of the knife bar lowers the blade toward a grooved anvil, while the presser feet swing the arms down to depress the lower roller away from the web to stop drawing it. Immediately after interrupting drawing action, the web is clamped by the clamp bar, and then immediately thereafter cutting occurs. The table has bridge-like fingers extending downstream through grooves in the movable lower feed roller. These fingers support the web when the lower roller is swung down.

Abstract: Fully automated method and apparatus are provided for labelling containers, including supplying and applying labels. A supply provides a web of preprinted labels which may be pre-perforated for easy separation. This web of labels is fed past a sensing device and an adhesive applicator. A clamp temporarily clamps the web in response to signals from the sensor during separation of the leading label from the web. The leading edge of each label is fed to a label-engaging station with the adhesive-coated surface facing the container to which it is to be applied. Conveyor means continually transport a sequence of individual containers to said station where the respective container contacts the adhesive-coated label end. Immediately, the container begins to be rolled in a labelling channel defined between a continuously revolving belt having a friction surface and an opposed stationary wall for wrapping the label firmly around the container rolling along this channel.

Abstract: A pneumatically operated stapling apparatus and method for driving a staple into a workpiece whenever the workpiece is moved into a stapling position between a staple driver and a backing member. The method and apparatus are particularly suited for stapling difficult to handle workpieces of the type including a panel and a sheet of flexible material to be mounted thereon, and the method and apparatus are able to advantageously use a pneumatic stapling gun of a known type having a staple driving mechanism controlled by a valve plunger positionable either to advance the staple driver toward the backing member, or to retract the staple driver.