Abstract: Apparatus for cutting frozen food is supported on a table provided with a series of grasping members surrounding the food and resiliently urged inwardly so that when a vertically reciprocable cutting blade cuts the frozen food, the severed pieces of food are restored to their original positions so that a subsequent cut made in an angularly related position in the food will subdivide the food in equal portions. A series of press plates are mounted for vertical movement with the cutting blade to resiliently bear against the top of the food while being cut to prevent upward tilting of the pieces being severed.

Abstract: A stripper arrangement for a tool includes a stripper, a stripper shoe mounted on a lower side of a tool holder of a tool and having an opening for receiving the stripper so that the latter can be inserted into the opening by movement in a plane transverse to the axis of the tool, a retaining member displaceable between an operative position in which it engages and retains the stripper and an inoperative position in which it does not engage the stripper, and a spring urging the retaining member to the operative position. An auxiliary tool for replacing the stripper has an abutment face arranged to abut against a lower side of the stripper, and a projection extending toward the stripper and arranged to displace the retaining member to its inoperative position so as to disengage the retaining member from the stripper. The auxiliary tool may also clamp the stripper for removal or insertion of the latter.

Abstract: A punch assembly having a punch head adjustably connected to a punch drive. By manipulation of this adjustment and by measuring only the length of the punch unit from the punch head to the tip of the punch tip, the operator may guarantee that when the punch unit is placed within a punch guide in a nonpunching position, the punch tip will be properly recessed within the punch guide.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting plastic film having a serrated chromium plated cutting blade and a readily penetrable film back-up member, preferably balsa wood, aligned with the cutting blade. The back-up member has grooves formed therein by the penetrating action of the blade.

Abstract: A tool for cutting a textile cot from an associated mandrel is provided wherein such tool is particularly adapted to be attached to one of a cooperating pair of machine components which are relatively movable toward and away from each other and a mandrel with a cot to be cut supported on the other component whereupon the cot is cut axially along its length upon relatively moving the components toward each other.

Abstract: For use in combination with a die plate having through bores, matrix means for mounting to the die plate including die means for cooperation with tools of a die assembly to function therewith to work material fed therebetween, one end of said matrix means being constituted by a matrix segment the external dimension of which is greater than that of the through bores in the die plate, the matrix means also including a mounting segment dimensioned for a press fit within a through bore of the die plate, providing thereby that the outer peripheral portion of the matrix segment will seat on the die plate. The matrix means has a passage therethrough at least a defined portion of the length of which within the matrix segment has a uniform cross sectional area. The operating surface portion of said matrix means, provided by said matrix segment, positions outermost from the die plate to which it is applied to define a limited matrix surface displaced from the die plate.

Abstract: A punch guide and stripper is molded from plastics material to the exact configuration of the punch and is supported and reinforced by a rigid punch receiving member to engage a workpiece around the slug to be punched therefrom and strip the punch from the workpiece without bulging or damaging the workpiece. The plastics material is molded in situ around the active end or nose of the punch within a rigid metal punch guide at the punch exiting end of the guide to a height or thickness sufficiently to guide and laterally support the nose of the punch throughout its stroke. The surrounding rigid punch guide prevents lateral displacement or distortion of the plastics material and terminates either flush with or just short of the workpiece engaging face of the plastics material. The active end of the punch is of smaller diameter than the main body of the punch and may have any desired configuration with a shoulder extending from the reduced section to the full diameter of the punch.

Abstract: A device having one embodiment for severing a hypodermic needle at its hub and cannula with a single motion. The device has hub and cannula cutters that are joined at a slidable joint and pivoted at noncoaxial pivot points to provide increased mechanical advantage to the cannula cutter. In another preferred embodiment, the same type cutting mechanism has its cutters spaced so as to sever a hypodermic syringe barrel and a cannula of a needle attached to the syringe barrel in a single motion.

Abstract: A punch guide assembly having a removable stripper plate. The assembly includes clip tabs having stripper plate holding tabs formed on ends thereof for disposition through a hole provided in the punch guide and for reception within an appropriate recess in the stripper plate for retaining the stripper plate. The assembly also includes a grooved track disposed about the punch guide and a tool for insertion therein to urge the clip tabs outwardly of the punch guide, to facilitate insertion and removal of the stripper plate.

Abstract: A supporting assembly providing lateral support for the nib of a punch in a power press having a stripper plate to prevent breaking of the punch when punching thick workpieces. The bushing which conducts the nib of the punch through the stripper plate has a coaxial annular recess in its underside. An annular insert of resilient polymeric material, preferably polyurethane plastic, completely fills the recess and presents an inwardly-directed collar surface substantially aligned with the opening in the bushing. The insert is dimensioned to project downwardly a short distance beyond the punch bushing to provide an exposed striking surface for engaging the workpiece as the ram descends. The reaction force of the springs on the stripper plate is sufficient to volumetrically deform the insert causing the inwardly directed collar surface to crowd against the nib of the punch, thereby providing enhanced lateral support for the punch as the punch penetrates the workpiece.

Abstract: A punch assembly including a punch member having first and second ends, a punching end on the first end of the punch member, an adjustable head on the second end of the punch member, a shoulder on the punch member intermediate the first and second ends, a punch retainer member including a shoulder engaging portion adjacent the shoulder for effectively engaging the shoulder, a stripper spring between the punch retainer member and the adjustable head, retainer shims between the shoulder engaging portion and the shoulder, and a counterbore in the punch retainer member for receiving the retainer shims, the counterbore being of a diameter which is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the retainer shims. By the use of the retainer shims, the distance between a reference point on the retainer member and the end of the punch may be maintained the same even after sharpening, with the adjustable head being adjustable to maintain the overall length of the punch assembly the same after sharpening.

Abstract: A tool assembly in which the tool retainers are provided with spring loaded plungers which snap into place in detents provided in the tools and are then locked in the detents by set screws engaging the shanks of the plungers. This prevents inadvertent displacement of the tools, particularly punches, from their retainers, especially displacement due to jarring or vibration during manufacturing of the tool assembly. The retainers are attached to their respective shoes by bolts having tool engageable sockets in both their leading ends and their heads. This facilitates manufacture of the tool assemblies while permitting replacement of the tool retainers without removing the shoes from the press in which they are mounted. Additionally, a stripper plate may be mounted by means of bolts having tool engageable sockets in either end to permit the plate to be removed from the press without removing the shoe to which the stripper plate is attached.

Abstract: A punching device for use in a fixed frame adapted to support punch means in alignment with a ram. An assembly of a punch, a guide and stripper plate and a stripping spring is removable as a unit. The assembly of this invention is characterized by means by which the assembly is retained together when removed from the frame of the punching machine. The assembly includes a quick release guide, a clip ring spring support retainer and a replaceable stripper plate.

Abstract: A press-head comprising a plurality of punches and stripping members, wherein at least one of the punches may be directly connected to the head of the press for the machining operation, while the other punches and the stripping members abut via an elastic means on said head so that, on either side of the active punch in the process of machining, when the head is descending, at least one punch is used as stripping member selectively with a stripping member or a punch used as stripping member.

Abstract: A piece of film is prepared for photographic exposure with a film font so as to produce a duplicate font. The piece of film is initially cut to a proper size and placed between a first supporting platen and a cover plate which is adapted to fit snugly against the film. Hole punches fixed to the bottom of an overlying second platen are moved down and through the film. The film and the original film font are then impaled on a register pin which holds them rigidly together for photographic exposure.

Abstract: A Punch and Stripper Assembly for use in a punch press includes a punch with a shoulder at an intermediate portion thereof, a head threaded onto an end of the punch for being engaged by the ram of the press, a compression spring engaging the head, a washer engaging the opposite end of the spring, a retainer acting between the punch shoulder and the washer, and a stripper sleeve for acting between the workpiece and the retainer, whereby the position of the head on the punch provides a preload to maximize spring life, as well as to control the effective height of the assembly with respect to the ram. With this assembly, no special tooling is needed to assemble it. The retainer can be inverted to alter the retractive position of the punch shoulder.

Abstract: A high speed punching apparatus for cutting parts out of generally flat stock with said apparatus including means for selectively adjusting the tool stripping force to accommodate different materials, means for avoiding possible cutting of an overlaying template, means for minimizing friction between the punching tool and associated die button, means for minimizing hangup of burrs on the work piece in the die button and also a punching tool having means for minimizing friction and for expelling chips cut from the workpiece.

Abstract: A punching device includes a fixed frame adapted to support punch means in alignment with a ram. An assembly of the punch, a guide and stripping sleeve and a stripping spring is removable as a unit and such assembly includes means by which such assembly is retained together, especially during handling away from the frame of the punching device. To this end, the punch has a radial opening, such as a circumferential groove, in which there is disposed a friction member, such as of plastic, which has an interference fit with the interior of the stripping sleeve.

Abstract: A machine with an open upstanding frame has a central space within which a stack of tires are placed. A hydraulic ram mounted on top of the frame, when retracted, supports a press platen slidable on vertical frame posts above the stack and a knife platen spaced above the press platen. Four tire-slitting knives project downwardly from the knife platen in alignment with slots in the press platen. When the ram extends, the knife and press platens move downwardly until the press platen engages the stack. Thereafter continued extension of the ram causes compression springs between the platens to contract so that the knife platen continues downwardly until it engages the press platen and the knives pass through the slots of the press platen into cutting engagement with the stack. Thereafter the knife and press platens continue downwardly together simultaneously compressing and slitting the stack.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a die set in which the punch holder is guided for reciprocating movement towards and away from the die shoe by two-part leader pins, with the upper leader pin portions fixed to the punch holder and the lower leader pin portions fixed to the die shoe. Tapered surfaces on the upper leader pin portions are received in ball bearing cages located within sleeves on the lower leader pin portions to guide the movement of the punch holder. The tapered leader pin portions press the bearing balls into the sleeve to provide a tight shearing fit with no tolerance which minimizes deflection of the punch holder to provide more accurate punching.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for canning elongated, limp materials such as string beans or asparagus that includes a means for cutting the beans while in the can and means for adjusting the liquid in the head space of a can to a uniform and desired level. The improved process averts a separate clamping and cutting step formerly required in canning processes.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a stripper insert, and to a method of making and using the insert in a sheet punching apparatus. The stripper insert is comprised of a plastic component inserted within a cup-shaped metallic retainer plate. The retainer plate includes a base for engaging and stabilizing sheet material during a punching operation, with a flange peripherally circumscribing the base and extending generally perpendicular thereto. The plastic component also includes a base which is peripherally received by the retainer plate flange. In one embodiment, an axial bore is formed through the base of both the plastic component and the retainer plate by a reciprocal punching tool while the component parts of stripper insert are secured in position on the sheet punching apparatus. In a second embodiment, the retainer plate includes a previously formed opening, and an axial bore is formed in only the plastic component by the punching tool.

Abstract: Novel nesting apparatus for aligning separable die set halves of the type having demountable die insert means and utilized in punch press machines which novel apparatus is operable upon cyclic engagement of the die set halves to effect nestable reception of projecting means on one die set half within mating means on the other die set half. The novel nesting apparatus assures accurate alignment of the respective punch and die means during the positioning, clamping, and punching of variously shaped workpieces introduced therein. No auxiliary alignment means is required.

Abstract: An apparatus for punching holes in thin sheet stock includes an improved clamping arrangement which holds the sheet stock firmly during the punching operation in the regions surrounding the hole to be cut as well as in the slug region which is to be cut from the sheet.

Abstract: A punching device includes a C-frame on which a punch and stripping assembly is upwardly urged by a stripping spring, there being a horizontal retainer pin extending through one of two slots in such assembly and carried in a selected one of a plurality of holes in the frame for selecting the pinch point clearance, namely the clearance between the stripping sleeve and the die.

Abstract: Tooling for use in a punching device, the tooling being a punch and stripping guide assembly, comprises a stripper sleeve guiding a punch having a threaded end encircled by a stripping spring which is preloaded by a threaded punch head secured thereto, the threaded end and the threaded head having hexagonal axial openings in which a locking rod of corresponding cross-section is disposed.

Abstract: A punching device includes a fixed frame adapted to support punch means in alignment with a ram. An assembly of the punch, a guide and stripping sleeve and a stripping spring is removable as a unit, and such assembly includes means by which such assembly is retained together, especially during handling away from the frame of the punching device. To this end, the sleeve has a circumferential groove in which there is a radial aperture, and a retainer member is disposed in the groove and has a portion that projects radially through the radial aperture into an elongated recess in the punch body.

Abstract: A Punch and Stripper Assembly for use in a punch press includes a punch with a shoulder at an intermediate portion thereof, a head threaded onto an end of the punch for being engaged by the ram of the press, a compression spring engaging the head, a washer engaging the opposite end of the spring, a retainer acting between the punch shoulder and the washer, and a stripper sleeve for acting between the workpiece and the retainer, whereby the position of the head on the punch provides a preload to maximize spring life, as well as to control the effective height of the assembly with respect to the ram. With this assembly, no special tooling is needed to assemble it. The retainer can be inverted to alter the retractive position of the punch shoulder. .Iadd.