Abstract: A sugar cane planting machine for eliminating the excessive manual labor previously required to plant sugar cane stalks. The uncut stalks are loaded in the rear of a tractor-pulled cart at the bottom of which is positioned a conveyor-like belt for moving the cane towards the front of the cart. Slideably attached on a transversely positioned guide member of a pivotable frame at the front of the cart is a combination cross-cutting and kicker-chain assembly which moves laterally across the width of the cart under hydraulic controls. Said assemblies include a downwardly extending chain saw which is followed by at least one vertically disposed kicker-chain, both preferably under the control of a common motor. Below the kicker-chain assembly is positioned a trough or hopper having an opening formed along the bottom thereof.

Abstract: The present apparatus is constructed for separating previously punched out workpieces from the surrounding waste material, for example, punched-out carton shapes. Preferably, the workpieces are arranged in a stack supported on a worktable. Power driven break-out tool means are located for up and down movement, as well as for lateral back and forth movement above the worktable. If desired, power driven push out means are arranged below the worktable with a push rail extending through a respective channel in the worktable. The break-out tool means and the push rail are arranged to be effective on a stack of workpieces on opposite sides and at opposite ends. The break-out tool and/or the push rail apply a levering action to the workpieces to break any lands or bridges which prior to such levering action connect the workpiece proper to the surrounding waste material.

Abstract: A plurality of transversely adjustable rotary stripping wheels of general disc-like configuration for use in a stripping machine for removing automatically the waste material from die cut blanks. The outer periphery of the stripping wheel is knurled to enhance frictional engagement between the wheel and the waste material during the stripping operation. A plurality of half-rounds are milled or otherwise provided in spaced locations about the periphery of the stripping wheel to provide a positive gripping action upon the leading edge of the die cut waste to urge the leading edge downwardly during the stripping operation.

Abstract: Adhering scrap is trimmed from a punched cardboard blank by apparatus in which driven surface portions of two conveyors in a common plane define successive, spaced-apart parts of a path of travel for the blank. A roller rotatable between the conveyors has a resilient surface layer to which the path is tangential. A carrier is trained over two pulley assemblies of which one is separated from the roller by the path of the blank, and the carrier is guided by the second pulley assembly so that a portion of the carrier is spacedly parallel to the common plane. Ejectors on the carrier project into the path of the blank, displace adhering scrap and remain in the opening of the blank thus formed until the scrap is securely separated from the blank.

Abstract: Sheets of paperboard or the like are gripped along one end by a plurality of grippers and are drawn by the grippers along a predetermined path for processing. An array of stripper tools mounted at the end of the path strips the body of the sheet free from a waste strip which remains gripped by the grippers. The waste strip is carried away from the stripper tools by the grippers and is subsequently released at another station. The stripper blades are driven by a reciprocating drive mechanism which includes a reciprocating slide, a spring urging the slide in one direction, a rotating arcuate cam flange which periodically blocks movement of the slide and periodically frees it for movement, and another rotating cam which reciprocates the slide through one cycle each time it is free to move.

Abstract: A device designed for stripping waste from a sheet, which has been die cut by means of a platen press. The device includes two lateral frames, a fixed upper part or plate in which stripping tools are fixed, a lower movable supporting plate with apertures, which have the outline corresponding to the outlines of the waste to be removed, means for conveying a sheet between the upper and lower plates which means consist of gripper bars fitted between two endless chains running within the lateral frame members, and means for raising a portion of the means for conveying during the movement of the lower movable supporting plate.

Abstract: An apparatus for breaking out or separating scrap pieces from a continuously moving sheet of material, such as paper or cardboard, having a die-cut or punched pattern therein is disclosed. The apparatus includes a pair of counter-rotating cylinder elements between which the sheet moves. One of such cylindrical elements carries at least one tool assembly having a radially displaceable tool element. The cylindrical elements are further mounted at a distance from each other less than the combined radii thereof, including the tool element, and preferably with the tool carrying cylindrical element displaced toward the direction of advancement of the sheet during separation. The radially displaceable tool element cooperates with the remaining cylindrical element to grip scrap pieces on both sides thereof and effect a gripped displacement laterally of the remainder of the sheet to separate the scrap pieces.

Abstract: An apparatus for breaking out, stripping or separating scrap pieces from a continuously moving sheet of material such as paper or cardboard having a die-cut or punched pattern therein is disclosed. The apparatus includes a pair of counter-rotating cylinder elements between which the sheet moves. At least one of such cylindrical elements, and preferably both, carry tool assemblies which are cam actuated and guided to cause the tool assemblies to move radially of the cylinders and grippingly engage or grasp even small scrap pieces. The tool assemblies further move such pieces, while firmly gripped, in a direction, usually downwardly, causing separation from the remainder of the sheet of material. The cylindrical elements and tool assemblies are formed for selective adjustment of the location of the tool assemblies over the width of the sheet and around the periphery of the cylinders.