Abstract: In a water jet processing method, when a nozzle adapted to emit water jet is moved relatively to a substrate to form a second cut line intersecting a first cut line, the relative travel speed of the nozzle is set to a second speed lower than a first normal speed by about ? to 1/20 at least in a section anteroposterior to the intersection. Delay-inclination of a front edge of the second cut line is eliminated as much as possible to thereby prevent the occurrence of an insufficient processing area.

Abstract: In a cutting-off method, when a workpiece is to be cut off by use of an endless band saw blade suspended between a driving wheel and a driven wheel, the workpiece is cut off by imparting to the driving wheel a forced oscillation so that a phase of an oscillation of the driving wheel along its rotational direction is substantially inverted with respect to a phase of an oscillation of the driven wheel along its rotational direction. In addition, pulses can be applied to a driving motor for rotationally driving the driving wheel in order to cause the driving wheel to oscillate along its rotational direction.

Abstract: Material webs (1), in particular printed products which are designed as two-ups or multiple-ups, are separated parallel to a conveyor direction (F) during an essentially continuous conveying, in that a waste strip is separated out of the material webs (1) in an alternating sequence of cutting steps. The material webs (1) in consecutive cutting steps, are cut in a shearing manner, and in an alternating manner on the one or the other side of the waste strip between essentially straight-lined cutting edges (3, 5) of the cutting knife (4) and the counter-knife (5). The cutting knives (4) are arranged around the periphery of a separating disk (2) rotating running in the same direction as the conveyor direction (F), wherein its cutting edges (3, 3?) lie in an alternating manner in the plane of the one and the other end-side of the separating disk (2). In each case, a stationary counter-knife (6) is aligned onto in each case one of the two end-sides of the separating disk (2).

Abstract: A power tool has a drive motor that drives a tool and an optical guiding device secured on the power tool in alignment relative to the work tool. The guiding device is arranged in a low-vibration arrangement on the power tool and is in particular secured on the power tool in a low-vibration area of the power tool. At least one section of the power tool vibrates in the form of a standing wave in at least one direction, wherein the low-vibration area where the guiding device is arranged is the area of a node of the standing wave.

Abstract: There is provided a counter-rotating spindle transmission. More specifically, in one embodiment, there is provided a punching machine comprising a tool bearing configured to mate with a punching tool, a rotary/lifting drive coupled to the tool bearing to move the tool bearing axially along a tool bearing lifting axis and to rotate the tool bearing about the lifting axis, the rotary/lifting drive comprising a first motor coupled to drive a first spindle transmission coupled to the tool bearing, a second motor coupled to drive a second spindle transmission coupled to the tool bearing, and a drive controller configured to independently and simultaneously drive both the first and second motors selectively in a common rotary sense and in a contra-rotary sense, to jointly move the tool bearing both axially and rotationally.

Abstract: A trimmer that is operable to cut at least one sheet includes a base having a support surface configured to support the at least one sheet and a rail extending across at least a portion of the base. A plane extends substantially perpendicularly from the support surface and through the rail. The trimmer also includes a cutting assembly slidably coupled to the rail and having a blade. The blade is tilted relative to the plane.

Abstract: A food product slicer knife includes a circular knife body with a peripheral cutting edge. A central opening passes through the knife body and includes a pair of diametrically opposed outwardly extending slots. The knife body also includes at least one set of diametrically opposed drive pin receiving openings spaced outwardly of the central opening and circumferentially offset from the diametrically opposed outwardly extending slots. A tool assembly is adapted to facilitate knife installation and removal and holds the knife when removed from a slicer. A food product slicer includes a knife mount hub adapted to cooperate with the knife to hold the knife on the slicer during operation.

Abstract: A fixed blade and a movable blade in which a cutting portion end face of the movable blade is orthogonal to a side surface of the movable blade, and the movable blade is brought into sliding contact with the fixed blade to cut a recording sheet. A cutout groove for forming a cutting residual portion in the recording sheet is formed in the cutting portion of the movable blade. A slant surface or a curved surface is formed at an intersection of the side surface of the movable blade, a cutting portion end face of the movable blade and the inner peripheral surface of the cutout groove.

Abstract: Saw blade (1) with evolutionary tooth profile and different pitch, characterized in that said triple-bevel blade is divided into sectors (2), themselves divided into portions (3), each portion (3) having a different pitch which increases progressively from portion (3) to portion (3), the depth of the teeth also varying over several portions.

Abstract: A stringed musical instrument body is formed using injection molded high density polystyrene foam with a foaming agent. It is injection molded by itself or around a wooden core to make the body or to form two panels adhered together to sandwich a wooden core therebetween. The core provides good wood tone and the polystyrene with a foaming agent produces good sustain and a resonance of about twenty-eight seconds. A metal reinforced injection molded neck resists warping.

Abstract: In the case of a musical instrument, in particular a cajón, with a basic element, the side faces of which are configured as striking faces, provision is made for a striking face to be convexly and ergonomically curved.

Abstract: A drum is formed using a drum shell having openings at both ends thereof, across which drumheads are stretched under tension. At least one air hole is formed at a prescribed position of the exterior surface of the drum shell, allowing air flow to occur between the inside and the outside of the drum shell. At least one tone color change member, which is composed of cloth and rubber sheets, is attached to the interior wall of the drum shell in connection with the air hole; hence, the air hole is closed by the tone color change member. Thus, it is possible to appropriately change the tone color of drum sound without substantially changing the size of the drum, which can be designed similar to any types of conventionally known drums.

Abstract: An ensemble of acoustic steelpan musical instruments, being an innovation which significantly improves upon traditional acoustic steelpan prior art. Said improvements include an extension of note range across the assemblage of G-Pans, a substantial reduction in the number of steelpans required to effectively cover the steelpan musical range, the use of a compound design whereby individual component parts of the instrument, specifically the playing surface, chime, rear attachment, or skirt and the playing stick or mallet, are optimized for their specific function, the application of a variety of techniques for eliminating or reducing, non-musical sympathetic vibrations and the inclusion of a variety of mechanical and acoustic resonator designs, to enhance optimally, the sound projection of the aforementioned instrument.

Abstract: A cap for a musical wind instrument bell includes a flexible substantially circular disk shaped portion sized to span the mouth of the instrument bell and a flexible continuous side wall portion extends from the outer edge of the disk shaped portion. The disk shaped portion and the side wall portion together define a receptacle sized to receive and fit over the instrument bell. The disk shaped portion rests parallel to the mouth of the instrument bell. A fastener system is disposed on the side wall portion and is configured to decrease the opening of the receptacle over the tapering conical region of the instrument bell to releasably secure the cap to the instrument bell.

Abstract: The invention relates to a protective tuner cover for the tuning section of a stringed musical instrument, such as a guitar. The tuner cover is sized to enclose the instrument headstock, or a substantial portion thereof, and includes a section that encloses and protects the tuning keys and knobs of the musical instrument. When constructed as a unitary structure, the tuner cover can be slid onto the instrument headstock. When constructed from separable components, the tuning cover can be opened and closed over the headstock in a bivalve manner if hinged, or by appropriately spaced latching mechanisms if completely separable. The tuner cover can be constructed to enclose and protect one or two rows of tuning keys and knobs, depending on the type of musical instrument.

Abstract: A system is provided for indicating at least one selective region of a musical instrument. The musical instrument includes a main body portion, and an elongated neck portion extending from the main body portion. The elongated neck portion includes a plurality of spaced-apart boundaries configured to define a plurality of regions along the elongated neck portion. The system includes at least one physical indicator positioned along a back side of the elongated neck portion opposite to a front side, and further along the back side adjacent to at least one of the plurality of regions. The at least one physical indicator is configured to provide non-visual sensory confirmation of the position of the plurality of regions along the elongated neck portion.

Abstract: Music piece data composed of audio waveform data are stored in a memory. Analysis section analyzes the music piece data stored in the memory to determine sudden change points of sound condition in the music piece data. Display device displays individual phoneme component data, obtained by dividing the music piece data at the sudden change points, in a menu format having the phoneme component data arranged therein in order of their complexity. Through user's operation via an operation section, desired phoneme component data is selected from the menu displayed on the display device, and a time-axial position where the selected phoneme component data is to be positioned is designated. New music piece data set is created by each user-selected phoneme component data being positioned at a user-designated time-axial position.

Abstract: While a player is fingering a music tune on a piano, an electronic assistant system monitors the keys to see whether or not the player starts to produce tones through a particular playing technique such as repetition; when the electronic assistant system finds particular key movements unique to the particular playing technique in an early stage, the electronic assistant system decides that the player intends to produce the tone through the particular playing technique, and forces the key to travel on a reference key trajectory in the later stage, whereby the player learns the particular playing technique.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a haptic feedback signal correlated to a music signal and providing the haptic feedback signal to a musical instrument. The music signal can created by the musical instrument or from a file, e.g., a MIDI file. A processor can generate the haptic feedback signal using a look-up table in which the music signal is mapped to a corresponding haptic feedback signal or can compute the corresponding haptic feedback signal based on the parameters of the music signal. The processor provides the haptic feedback signal to an actuator for causing a haptic effect at the musical instrument in response to receiving the haptic feedback signal. The haptic feedback signal can be applied to an input member, such as a key on a keyboard or a string on a guitar, or to the housing of the musical instrument, such as the neck of a guitar.

Abstract: A sound generator including a plurality of synthesis generators each configured to generate a sound from a note, and a dynamic voice allocation circuit configured to select a new note to be supplied to the plurality of synthesis generators depending on a priority that is associated with the new note and the generated sounds and the volumes of the generated sounds.

Abstract: The present invention refers to equipment, for the recharging firearm cartridges, having four modules that can operate jointly or separately. The equipment includes a calibrating press, that calibrates and removes a deflagrated fuse of the case through the movement of the piston tool ports and a washing turbine having a rotating nucleus that moves angularly between 90 and ?90 degrees to facilitate loading, washing and discharging of the cases. The equipment also includes a fuse press for fuse assembly in the case, with automatic rejection of the defective cases through pneumatic auxiliary cylinders of high sensitivity. The press includes a case feeder system; a rotating disk; and a reservoir feeder of fuses. The press also includes a dosage press for the assembly and packing of the cartridges, with movements synchronized vertically, circular and lineal, with main cylinder and commanded by panel provided with commands for control of the gunpowder dosage.

Abstract: A load balancing pneumatic manipulator comprising an inflatable reservoir for establishing via an amplifier a pressure within a lift cylinder that is sufficient to balance the weight of an object being lifted. The reservoir is inflated and deflated by inflation and deflation valves, respectively, that may be operated from an operator control center proximal an end effector of the manipulator. The valves may be actuated via pushbuttons or actuated in a mutually exclusively fashion via a neutrally biased reciprocating actuator. The manipulator advantageously allows loads of different weights to be lifted in a semi-automatic fashion with operator involvement to select the load balancing pressure. The manipulator further comprises an air release system that closes a blocking valve in the event of release of the object being lifted and optionally in the event of a loss of air supply pressure.

Abstract: In a swash-plate type hydrostatic piston engine, a drive unit (10) and a swash plate (17) are received by a pot-shaped housing (1b). According to the invention, the pot-shaped housing (1b) is configured such that it is able to receive drive units (10a, 10b) of at least two rated quantities of a specific product series of the hydrostatic piston engine.

Abstract: An actuator having two or more interconnected movement components, wherein the movement components are designed as linear actuators with substantially coaxial longitudinal axes or longitudinal axes that are parallel to each other and that are interconnected in longitudinal direction such that their linear movements are superimposed on one another, and such that at least one of the linear actuators can be stopped at one or several predetermined positions.

Abstract: A bent axis pump wherein the coupling between a cylinder body and a connecting pin of a back body takes place by the interposition of a bush suitable for guiding the rotation of the cylinder body limiting the friction between the cylinder body and the pin. The pin life is considerably extended.

Abstract: The invention relates to a connecting plate and to a method for producing connecting plates of hydrostatic machines. The connecting plate is cut to length from a previously produced extruded profile to give connecting plate blanks and is then finished.

Abstract: A piston made of a nitride-forming base alloy for a reciprocating internal combustion engine is disclosed. The piston includes a piston upper part having a plurality of peripheral piston ring grooves, each piston ring groove having two groove flanks, one of the piston ring grooves being closest to a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine than the remaining piston ring grooves, the groove flanks of at least the one of the piston ring grooves being hardened using a boundary layer, the piston upper part including an external surface which includes the hardened groove flanks, and a wear and correction protection layer coating at least the external surface, the wear and correction protection layer includes a nitration layer. The nitration layer is generated by converting the nitride-forming base alloy by one of plasma nitration and plasma nitro-carburization in at least one of a nitrogen atmosphere and a nitrogen-carbon atmosphere.

Abstract: A three-piece oil ring and a combination of the three-piece oil ring and a piston, those capable of realizing improved sealing property and reduction in lubrication oil consumption with avoiding generation of sticking even at low tension and thin width of the ring. The three-piece oil ring includes a spacer expander 10 and two side rails. The spacer expander has a radially inner end portion provided with seating tabs 13 protruding in an axial direction and having radially outer inclined surfaces for urging inner peripheral surfaces of the first and second side rails. The spacer expander has a radially outer end portion provided with side rail support portions 14 projecting in the axial direction for supporting axial end faces of the first and second side rails. A seating tab angle of the outer inclined surface relative to an axis is in a range of 10 to 20 degrees, and a ratio of 2X/Y is in a range of from 0.04 to 0.

Abstract: Carbon capture is effected by mechanical means, producing out of flue gas a concentrated, cleaned, and cooled stream of carbon dioxide. This is a new method of carbon capture which avoids the limitations of known cryogenic, membrane, or chemical capture methods. A mechanically assisted turbulent flue gas scrubber comprises counter-rotating coaxial centrifugal impellers and a shrouding tank for receiving the flow from between the impellers. Feed is at the axis of rotation. Axial extraction of nitrogen and water vapor is driven by an axial pump and by back pressure from the tank while radially outward flow of carbon dioxide and scrubbing targets is driven by the impellers. Scrubbing of the concentrated targets is in high turbulence during a long residence time. Tiny centrifugation effects of innumerable turbulent eddy vortices in a shear layer between the impellers and in the tank are integrated by the forcing regime of the impellers and the axial pump.

Abstract: A process for separating carbon dioxide from a compressed, dried and cooled carbon dioxide containing fluid comprises separating the fluid into at least a carbon dioxide enriched stream, and a carbon dioxide depleted stream, expanding at least part of the carbon dioxide lean stream in an expander, compressing a process stream wherein the power for the compression step is at least in part provided by the power generated by the expander.

Abstract: The process and the device are used to produce a pressurized gaseous product by low-temperature separation of air in a distillation system, which has at least one high-pressure column (7) and one low-pressure column (8). A process air stream is compressed in a main air compressor. At least a part of the compressed process air stream (1) is introduced (6) into the high-pressure column (7). A first air stream (10, 13, 14, 17, 18), which is formed at least by a part of the process air stream (1), is compressed to a high air pressure (11, 15), which is at least 1 bar above the operating pressure of the high-pressure column (7). A liquid product stream (21, 47) is removed from the distillation system, brought (48, 51) to an elevated pressure in the liquid state, and evaporated or pseudo-evaporated with the first air stream (17) under this elevated pressure by indirect heat exchange (4), and finally drawn off as a gaseous product stream (50, 53).

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for separating and purifying a landfill gas stream. In one embodiment, the method includes a step of collecting a crude landfill gas stream which includes at least methane, carbon dioxide, oxygen, and nitrogen gases. The method also includes a step of separating the crude landfill gas stream into at least an intermediate landfill gas stream and a first waste gas stream using a membrane separation unit, wherein the intermediate landfill gas stream is enriched in methane and depleted in carbon dioxide relative to the crude landfill gas stream. The method further includes a step of separating the intermediate landfill gas stream into at least a final landfill gas stream and a second waste gas stream using a pressure swing adsorption separation unit, wherein the final landfill gas stream is enriched in methane and depleted in carbon dioxide, oxygen, and nitrogen relative to the intermediate landfill gas stream. In some embodiments.

Abstract: A process for separating carbon dioxide from a fluid containing carbon dioxide, NO2, and at least one of oxygen, argon, and nitrogen comprises the steps of separating at least part of the fluid into a carbon dioxide enriched stream, a carbon dioxide depleted stream comprising CO2 and at least one of oxygen, argon, and nitrogen and a NO2 enriched stream and recycling said NO2 enriched stream upstream of the separation step.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of removing acid gases, notably carbonyl sulfide, contained in gaseous effluents, comprising: an acid gas absorption stage by contacting the gaseous effluent with an aqueous solution comprising 2-[2-amino-1-(aminomethyl)ethoxy]ethanol, and possibly another alkanolamine and an organic compound, and at least one aqueous solution regeneration stage. The method can comprise a second aqueous solution regeneration stage. The regeneration stages are carried out by expansion and/or thermal regeneration.

Abstract: A liquid separator for a respiratory gas sample analyzer includes a closed container having a liquid trap filter chamber integral with the container. The liquid trap filter chamber includes an inlet compartment and an outlet compartment. The inlet compartment is interposed between a sample inlet port and a sample outlet port and includes a gas permeable, liquid impermeable filter element for separating liquid from a gas sample, the liquid separated from the gas sample passing to a collection chamber. The outlet compartment includes a further gas permeable, liquid impermeable trap filter element which is interposed between the collection chamber and a low pressure port, for preventing the flow of liquid through the output compartment to the low pressure port.

Abstract: A beverage making device comprising a brewing chamber for enclosing a pad (6) containing a substance from which the beverage is to be brewed. The brewing chamber is formed by an upper part with one or more openings (5) for supplying water to the brewing chamber and by a lower part (8) with an outflow opening (16) through which the brewed beverage can leave the brewing chamber. Beverage receiving means (10,11) are present below said lower part (8). One or more further openings (22) are present between the brewing chamber and the beverage receiving means (10,11), and means for closing said one or more further openings (22) during the brewing process are present.

Abstract: A coffee machine has a flow sensor located upstream of the boiler or thermal block for the purpose of sensing changes in flow rate in a system for automating dose control.

Abstract: Equipment for the preparation of a hot beverage comprising a boiler capable of containing a liquid component of the beverage, for example water, a collection container and means defining a delivery path for the liquid component from the boiler to the collection container. The equipment also comprises valve means located along the delivery path for the liquid component comprising a plug which can move between a position in which the delivery path is closed and one in which it is open and means to immobilise the plug in the open position. These means are arranged in such a way that they can be activated and deactivated by a force exerted in the direction of movement of the plug.

Abstract: A fryer pot for a deep fryer having a pair of opposed sidewalls, a pair of opposed end walls and a bottom wall. Each of the pair of opposed sidewalls has three successive vertical portions. Wherein each of the three successive vertical portions of each of the pair of opposed sidewalls is inboard of a preceding vertical portion to thereby taper the fryer pot towards the bottom wall. A fryer pot for a deep fryer having a pair of opposed endwalls and a pair of opposed sidewalls and a bottom wall. Each of the pair of opposed endwalls has a first vertical portion and a second vertical portion that are each connected by an angled offset portion to decrease a volume of the fryer pot.

Abstract: Frying vessel for a deep fryer apparatus, the frying vessel is closed with a bottom part from the bottom and with side wall from the side, a substantially horizontally formed electric heating element which is immersed in the frying oil and is in direct contact with the same is placed within the vessel, and at the bottom part of the vessel an outlet is provided. The bottom part of the vessel comprises a downwardly narrowing funneled portion, and the outlet is formed in the funneled portion.

Abstract: Cooking accessory (1) especially for use in a steam cooking device, said cooking accessory (1) comprising a cooking receptacle and a zone for the passage of steam (6). Specifically according to the invention, the cooking accessory (1) is reversible, and the cooking accessory (1) has in an inverted position a cooking zone (12) adjacent to a juice collecting zone (10), the cooking zone (12) and the juice collecting zone (10) having no through-flow passages.

Abstract: A food processing system includes a food processing chamber for processing a food product, such as meat products such as hot dogs, sausages, poultry, fish, and other food items. A high speed serial to parallel loading station delivery system is provided. The food product is loaded onto a conveyor in the processing chamber having a plurality of two-piece food product cradles having openings receiving the food product at the loading station and discharging the food product at the unloading station and having gaps between food product carriers distally oppositely spaced from the openings and defining food product cavities therebetween, the width of the openings varying during traversal of the conveyor through the chamber from the loading to the unloading stations.

Abstract: A bale banding machine having an overhead press head that translates in the vertical direction relative to the band guide track and the bale being banded. The band is directed through a stationary band feeding guide assembly into a band receiving guide assembly mounted on the translating press head assembly. The stationary band feeding guide assembly defines an enclosed channel, at the end of which is provided a feed guide pivoting member that is biased in a closed position until the press heads lowers, upon which event a follower cam in the feed guide pivoting member reacts to a cam wedge on the descending press head, causing the feed guide pivoting member to pivot away from the band extending between the stationary band feeding guide assembly and the translating band receiving guide assembly. Simultaneously, the head guide pivoting member is caused to pivot upward from the band.

Abstract: A hydraulic power device usable to power a compactor ram of a waste compactor is provided. The hydraulic power device includes a pump assembly having first and second pumps for providing pressurized hydraulic fluid to at least one hydraulic cylinder and piston assembly associated with the compactor ram. A battery is provided for storing energy and for providing energy to the pump assembly. A solar panel converts solar energy and charges the battery. A pump control unit simultaneously operates the pumps when an operating pressure of the pump assembly is less than a predetermined threshold and operates only the first pump when the operating pressure of the pump assembly is greater than the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A wringing device for expelling materials from a flexible container. In at least one embodiment, the wringing device may be used to expel fluids from a flexible container contained within an intermediate bulk container (IBC). The wringing device may be formed from a support frame and a carriage movably coupled to the support frame for supporting components of the wringing device, The wringing device may include a nip shaft coupled to the carriage and a movable nip shaft movably coupled to the carriage proximate to the nip shaft. The movable nip shaft may be biased toward the nip shaft with a biasing device. The wringing device may include one or more drive devices for driving a take-up shaft, a wringing device transport system, or the carriage, or any combination thereof. The wringing device may also include a transport vehicle for transporting the wringing device between different intermediate bulk containers.

Abstract: A method of orienting a sheet in a sheet punching and embossing machine and a sheet punching and embossing machine includes at least one processing station, a machine control system and a sheet transport system including circulating gripper carts with gripper bridges on which grippers are secured. The sheet is gripped and moved through the machine by the grippers. The sheet transport system includes circulating chains. The gripper carts include travel carts which are connected to the sheet transport system, and the gripper carts stop at a respective processing station to process the sheet. The gripper bridge of a gripper cart is connected by spring elements to the travel carts, and the gripper bridge includes a contact surface which can be brought into contact with at least one driven adjustment element of a respective processing station to orient the sheet in the processing station and to lower the gripper bridge into the processing stations.

Abstract: Disclosed is a disk label printer that includes a slot-in type optical disk driving mechanism and a printing mechanism integrated with each other, has a small size, and prints a high-quality image on the label surface of an optical disk. The disclosed disk label printer includes: a case that has a slot through which an optical disk is inserted or ejected formed therein; an optical disk driving mechanism that is provided in the case and writes and/or reads signals to and/or from the optical disk mounted to a disk mounting portion; and a printing mechanism that is provided in the case and includes a thermal head printing a desired image on a label surface of the optical disk. The printing mechanism is provided on a transfer path of the optical disk toward the optical disk driving mechanism between the slot an optical disk driving mechanism.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a machine for aligning at least two flexographic printing plates on at least one printing cylinder. The method comprises the steps of capturing an image relating to a first plate, capturing the image relating to a portion of a second plate, reprocessing the image captured from the first plate so as to obtain a portion thereof corresponding to the image relating to the portion of the second plate, concurrently displaying said reprocessed image and the image captured from the second plate and aligning said two images.

Abstract: In the case of a blanket holding rail for the releasable attachment of a blanket (12) on a printing mechanism roll comprising two holding limbs (13a and 13b) having an elongated configuration, and joined together by way of a back portion (14) and between which the blanket (12) may be clamped and be so fixed by means of additional securing means that the blanket (12) is secured to avoid its being pulled out athwart the longitudinal direction of the rail, the additional securing means are constituted by a claw means (16), which digs into the material of the blanket on clamping the blanket (12) in position.

Abstract: A method for feeding a photopolymerised elastomeric printing plate, subsequent to exposure and washing out thereof, along a path through a rinsing station, comprises: optionally providing a plate assembly comprising the plate and, supporting the plate, a carrier having a pair of opposed peripheral regions each extending laterally beyond respective opposed lateral edge regions of the plate, providing, transversely of the path, at least one pair of driven rollers (8, 13) defining a nip therebetween through which the plate can pass so as to be forwarded along the path by frictional engagement of the plate or plate assembly with each of the driven rollers within the nip, at least one of which rollers is profiled so as (a) to allow contact of the profiled roller with the opposed lateral edge regions of the plate or, when provided, corresponding opposed peripheral regions of the plate assembly, thereby to allow the said frictional engagement, but (b) to allow freedom from contact of the plate with the or each profi