Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a sheet folding system is provided. The sheet folding system includes a first wall, a second wall coupled to the first wall, a third wall and a fourth wall coupled to the third wall. The walls are configurable in a first configuration in which a chamber adapted to receive a sheet is formed at least partly by the walls. The walls are also configurable in a second configuration in which the first and second walls are substantially coplanar, the third and fourth walls are substantially coplanar and the chamber is substantially collapsed. The sheet folding system can include a fastening device adapted to hold at least a portion of the sheet substantially in a desired position relative to the first wall. The sheet folding system can include a position indicator. The sheet can be a sheet of paper.

Abstract: A continuous press for pressing glued press charges is provided. The press includes first and second generally parallel press platens, a driver for driving the press platens through a working stretch at a predetermined rate of travel, and a system for maintaining a predetermined spacing between the press platens to compress and unify the press charges disposed between the first and second press platens. The system is designed to travel through the working stretch of the press, with the press platens, at the predetermined rate of travel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing liquid from particles of compressible material includes feeding particles to two opposing press surfaces that are separated by a distance that decreases along a feeding direction wherein at least one of the press surfaces is formed of a number of parallel transfer elements and wherein each transfer element is connected to a corresponding pressing actuator. The sum of a surface area of each transfer element forms a total press surface area for one of the press surfaces. The transfer elements are reciprocated in a forward and backward motion along the conveying direction such that a total press surface area includes at any particular time a forward moving surface area that is larger than any backward moving surface area.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying variable pressure to selected areas of a bonding assembly jig to shape a face plate to conform to the contours of contoured heads and hold the face plate in place for welding comprises two inverted U-shaped support frames including two spaced apart elongated vertical support members each having a bottom end and a top end, an elongated horizontal top beam extending between and connecting the top ends of the vertical support members, a track extending between and adjustably fastened to the horizontal top beam, and at least one hydraulic press slidably suspended from the track and adapted to apply pressure to a bonding assembly jig. The support frames are provided with wheels and one of the support frames has vertical support members spaced at a distance less that of the other support frame. This arrangement allows the tracks of each frame to be positioned proximate to each other above a bonding assembly jig.

Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus for pressing a stack of signatures including a first pressing member mounted on a bracket upwardly and downwardly movable by drive means for pressing the stack of signatures over an intermediate upper surface area thereof, a pivotally movable second pressing member connected at its one end to each end of the first pressing member for pressing the signature stack over the remaining upper surface area at each end thereof, an arm for pivotally moving the second pressing member and air cylinder-plunger means for driving the arm, the apparatus being characterized in that the cylinder-plunger means is disposed above the first pressing member and attached to the bracket, the plunger of the cylinder-plunger means being directed downward and having a lateral support member, the arm having one end pivoted to the support member and the other end to a base portion of the second pressing member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for immobilizing and packing radioactive "ashes" in a mineral matrix, said method consisting in adjusting the coefficient of expansion of said ashes, molding around said ashes a porcelain in the raw state and taking the whole in one operation to form a hermetically sealed block.

Abstract: A compactor-strapper comprising spaced forward and rearward fixed jaws, forward and rearward moveable jaws, hingedly attached independent actuators for said forward and rearward jaws, said jaws having removeable and replaceable insert members providing cavities forming a work reception chamber, and a strapping machine having a strap applying portion arranged around a strapping space defined by said cavities and between said forward and rearward jaws, and pneumatic circuitry with automatic cycling, controlling said jaws, said strapper, and a bundle ejector, resultant from a single manual control motion.