Abstract: Disclosed is a flex die punching apparatus for forming an aperture in at least one sheet of material. There is a flexible, extrudable platen which, upon exertion of a force against it, extrudes at least a portion of at least one sheet of material through an aperture of a die. The flexible, extrudable platen may have a punch feature, corresponding to the shape and position of the die aperture, which assists in the extruding of the flexible, extrudable platen through the die aperture and also in the formation of the aperture in the sheet of material. In another embodiment of the invention, there may be a second die wherein the at least one sheet of material is placed between the first and second dies to form the aperture in the sheet of material.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting an indefinite length suture strand to uniform lengths for subsequent threading and swaging to a surgical needle includes a drawing tower having at least one guide member defining a drawing axis parallel thereto. First and second gripping devices are provided to grip the indefinite length suture strand and draw it along the drawing axis; each gripping device mounted for reciprocal movement on at least one guide member. A retractable cutter for cutting the indefinite length suture strand is also provided for cutting the strand at a start position along the drawing axis. The indefinite length suture strand is fed to the drawing axis and drawn a predetermined distance beyond the location of the retractable cutter for positioning within a suture receiving opening formed in the surgical needle, while the second gripping device reciprocates to a start position along the drawing axis.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting an indefinite length suture to different lengths for subsequent threading and swaging to surgical needles includes a drawing tower having first and second guide members defining a drawing axis parallel thereto. First and second grippers are provided to grip the indefinite length suture and to alternately draw it along the drawing axis, with each gripper being mounted for reciprocal movement along a guide member. Each gripper alternately grips the suture and draws it a distance beyond the location of a cutter assembly while the other gripper reciprocates to a start position before the cutter assembly. A tipping assembly heats a predetermined small length of the suture to stiffen the suture thereat after subsequent cooling, in preparation for cutting the suture thereat and inserting a stiffened lead cut end of the suture into an end of a needle for swaging thereto.

Abstract: A punching machine includes a body frame having a table to support a workpiece. First and second work movement positioning apparatuses are mounted at both sides to move and position the workpiece in a direction of axis X. A work head is mounted on the body frame and has a ram and a tool. The work head moves on the body frame in a direction of axis Y, which is perpendicular to axis X. The first and second work movement positioning apparatuses are arranged in series in the direction of axis X. The workpiece is clamped by the first positioning apparatus, moved in the direction of axis X, punched, clamped by the second positioning apparatus, unclamped by the first positioning apparatus, and moved further in the direction of axis X.

Abstract: Disclosed is a flex die punching apparatus for forming an aperture in at least one sheet of material. There is a flexible, extrudable platen which, upon exertion of a force against it, extrudes at least a portion of at least one sheet of material through an aperture of a die. The flexible, extrudable platen may have a punch feature, corresponding to the shape and position of the die aperture, which assists in the extruding of the flexible, extrudable platen through the die aperture and also in the formation of the aperture in the sheet of material. In another embodiment of the invention, there may be a second die wherein the at least one sheet of material is placed between the first and second dies to form the aperture in the sheet of material.

Abstract: A device for preparing and opening a roll of a strip of supple material. A flat blade is provided and is inserted from one side of the roll to separate the top layer, which is to be cut, from the lower layers. When the top layer is cut, the cutting portion of the cutting blade comes to rest against the flat. A clamp holds the cut layer and a transferring device handle the cut top layer.

Abstract: A reseal is partially perforated by stretching the reseal membrane, establishing contact between one side of the membrane and an anvil, and by effecting partial penetration of the membrane with at least one cutting edge from the other side of the membrane to a predetermined distance from the anvil. Multiple partial perforations may be made with one or more cutting edges.

Abstract: Disclosed is a flex die punching apparatus for forming an aperture in at least one sheet of material. There is a flexible, extrudable platen which, upon exertion of a force against it, extrudes at least a portion of at least one sheet of material through an aperture of a die. The flexible, extrudable platen may have a punch feature, corresponding to the shape and position of the die aperture, which assists in the extruding of the flexible, extrudable platen through the die aperture and also in the formation of the aperture in the sheet of material. In another embodiment of the invention, there may be a second die wherein the at least one sheet of material is placed between the first and second dies to form the aperture in the sheet of material.

Abstract: Apparatus for dividing laminated glass consists of a device for dividing laminated glass, and a glass cutting table 30 with a cutting bridge 33 which can move along a support and on which a cutting head 38 for scratching plates of glass can move. The device for dividing laminated glass is located on one of the edges of glass cutting table 30 which run parallel to cutting bridge 33. On cutting bridge 33 of glass cutting table 30 there is stop 40 for orienting the laminated glass in the device for dividing laminated glass. Thus the amount of space required is reduced. The device for dividing laminated glass can also be made narrower or can have only one movable support 5 if a support 2 affixed to the frame is made integral with the bearing surface of glass cutting table 30. The glass cutting table is not used to divide the laminated glass: only its cutting bridge is used, and only as an adjustable support for the stop 40.

Abstract: A holddown bar assembly for a textile-centering and cutting machine through which a web is advanced in a direction has a lower bar underneath the goods and extending transversely of the direction a full width of the web and an upper support bar above the goods, extending the full width of the web, and provided with a vertical guide. A row extending the full width of the web of finger plates are vertically displaceable relative to each other on the guide directly above the lower bar so that the web can be pinched between the row of finger plates and the lower bar. A biasing unit is engaged between the upper support bar and the finger plates for urging the finger plates downward against the web.

Abstract: Bottom wrap/three-quarter wrap apparatus having an automatic web feeder for safely advancing a web fed from a supply roll to a main web feeder. The main feed rollers advance one length of the web and a cutter cuts the advanced length, completing one cycle of operation, after which the bottom wrap/three-quarter wrap apparatus is placed under control of a bundle feeder. The main feed roller pair are displaced from one another when the web passes between creasing rollers. When a predetermined length of web has been advanced to the creasing rollers a cutter cylinder moves a blade mounting plate in the cutting direction. A resilient clamping assembly arranged on the mounting plate momentarily clamps the web between the mounting plate and a web guide just prior to severing of the web by the blade, maintaining the web taut during cutting. The cutting blade is rapidly moved back to a position displaced from the web in preparation for a subsequent cutting operation.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting carpet mounted on a supporting surface into elongated strips includes a frame having forward and rearward ends, a handle extending from the frame for guiding and maneuvering the apparatus, a horizontally disposed drive roller, rotatable about a drive roller axis mounted between the forward and rearward frame ends for propelling the apparatus in a forward direction as the drive roller is rotated engaging a plurality of generally radially extending carpet engagement members for non-slippingly engaging the carpet between the drive roller and supporting surface, and a pair of knives spacedly mounted about the forward end of the apparatus for cutting the carpet into an elongated strip as the carpet stripping apparatus is propelled forward.

Abstract: An automatically controlled cutting machine for working on limp sheet material utilizes positive air pressure and vacuum to hold the material in place during a work operation. The level of the pressure is set or regulated with a pressure sensor to develop an appropriate holddown force and to minimize the disturbance to the material surrounding the work operation. The distribution of the airflow onto the sheet material for generating the pressure is also concentrated around the point of the work operation by an aperture plate.

Abstract: A gripping apparatus for reel material includes a reel support, a first clamping device and a second clamping device as well as a cutting device arranged between the clamping devices. The first clamping device is spring-mounted along two non-parallel axes so that the paper web can be evenly clamped and cut transversely to the web direction without twisting and formation of undulations.

Abstract: A circular saw with a spreading mechanism employing hydraulic cylinders for opening and closing a main vise about a workpiece to be crosscut by a saw blade, and a carrier vise for spreading and for advancing the workpiece for crosscutting, the tightening and loosening of the main vise about the workpiece, and the spreading by the carrier vise is controlled by a hydraulic sequencing circuit resulting in lower manufacturing cost of the saw.

Abstract: A needle roller arrangement includes several needle rollers arranged in a freely rotatable manner in a rotary frame on a circular line which is concentric to its rotational axis. One of the needle rollers interacts with a brush roller for perforating a material web passing through the arrangement. In order to be able to lift the needle roller interacting with the brush roller away and replace it while requiring less energy, each roller is arranged inside the rotary frame such that it can be lifted off of the brush roller. The needle roller interacting with the brush roller is respectively provided with an arrangement for removal from the brush roller and application to the brush roller.

Abstract: A paper trimmer includes a base and a plate pivotally attached to the base. A carrier is slidably attached to the plate in an elongated slot. A blade assembly includes a blade secured to a blade holder. The blade assembly is received in a cavity formed in the carrier such that a cutting edge of the blade extends below the plate and is received within a channel formed in a cutting region of the base when the plate is disposed over the cutting region. A paper is cut by translation of the carrier along the slot of the plate.

Abstract: A slitting machine for cutting rolled material is disclosed which is maintained in position through use of a support frame. A support cylinder is unmovably connected to the support frame at one end. An expansion rod is centered within the support cylinder with one end extending through the frame and affixed to a lever. A rigid sleeve, preferably having a slick surface, is over the support cylinder. A motor is incorporated with a receiving channel receive the support cylinder is attached to the support frame. A flexible expansion ring is placed in contact with the motor, to allow it to revolve with the motor. A bearing and washer, with diameters greater than than the base leg of the rigid sleeve are placed between the connector affixed to the expansion rod and the support cylinder. The lever is equipped with a gear which, when the lever is placed in a locked position, shortens the distance between the connector and the support frame. A cutting device is movable horizontally along a blade support rod.

Abstract: An expanded paper cylinder formed from a spiral is disclosed as a void fill. A delivery system is provided for manual and automatic delivery of the expanded paper from a continuous, unextended wound roll of an extendible sheet material. The cushioning material formed by the expander can be used as a expanded sheet around an article or as void fill, or can be formed into spiral cylinders for use as void fill. The manual dispensing system includes a support member supporting a rotatable feed roll. A restraining restraining device slows the free delivery of the wound feed roll of unextended sheet material, so that the sheet material expands while it is being drawn, under tension from the feed roll. An automatic system uses expander rollers to expand the slit paper and can be coordinated with apparatus which cuts and forms the spiral cylinders.

Abstract: A tire debeading machine having a unique pair of hooks on a single shaft, clamp devices to close the hooks both to hold the bead in place within the hook and to press the bead into the hook to hold one end if the circular bead breaks. A divided die for the removal of matter from the bead provides an expedient way of cleaning the die if it becomes jammed. Further features include a cage to contain the tire both during the debeading process and as the process is finishing to control elastic reaction to the sudden removal of pressure, and a lift adapted to position tire casings of various sizes for contact by the hooks.

Abstract: An apparatus for precision cutting of fiber tow is provided which includes a structure for securing a taut length of fiber tow between two points, a movable cutter, and a structure for guiding a cutting edge of the cutter substantially perpendicularly against the taut length of fiber tow at a predetermined point between the two points. A method of using the apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting a non-metallic magnetic component from a strip of non-metallic magnetic material useable on a rotor or the like includes a pair of blocks placeable in juxtaposed position to form a support frame having a predetermined length. Each of the strip of non-metallic magnetic material is placed on the support frame and secured by, for example, wedges to each of the blocks. The block is moved by, for example, a cam to extend the length of the support frame so that the length of a strip of non-metallic magnetic material placed on the support frame and secured to the blocks may be stretch to a desired length and cut.

Abstract: A strip of resilient material is clamped uniformly across the width of the material at a first position by vertically spaced clamps which are separated to stretch a section of the material beyond the elastic limit. The stretched section of material is released and transported on a horizontal conveyor to a second position where the stretched section is cut by a cutter providing edges of reduced thickness which are suitable for overlapping other stretched edges of reduced thickness for splicing.

Abstract: A device for aligning material webs which in a longitudinal direction have alternating regions of differing thickness, has a top and a bottom aligning rail, which are disposed substantially at right angles to the material web and opposite one another with slight clearance. The top aligning rail has a row of aligning elements which are disposed in a longitudinal direction of the aligning rail. They are supported so as to be movable substantially at right angles to the plane of the material web and may be brought to rest on the bottom aligning rail with the material web for alignment lying in between. The aligning elements are supported in a substantially freely movable manner in the top aligning rail such that they may be brought under the action of gravity to rest on the material web. The aligning elements after being brought to rest on the material web are releasably fixable in the top aligning rail.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for forming and gripping a beginning of a web of a replacement roll. At least one suction ledge is placed on an outer layer of the roll in a position in which the suction ledge extends parallel to the axis of the roll. The outer layer is raised by the suction ledge so that the outer layer is tensioned. The tensioned outer layer is cut parallel to and on the waste paper side of the suction ledge. Finally, the web beginning is lifted off by the suction ledge.

Abstract: A perforating device for punching pores in shrink-wrap film as the film moves along a film path is described. A biasing apparatus is used to bias the film towards a tension-creating apparatus and a microperforator apparatus so that pores can be punched in the film. An embodiment of the invention uses microperforator pin wheels, having a plurality of conically-shaped pins, and gripper wheels connected to a microperforator shaft. A rotary brush is connected to a rotary brush shaft. Shrink-wrap film is threaded between the microperforator shaft and the rotary brush shaft, and then pulled by an operator to wrap a package. The rotary brush biases the film towards the microperforator pin wheels and the gripper wheels, so that the pins on the micoperforator pin wheels puncture the film as it is being pulled. The rotary brush shaft can be adjusted to permit film to be threaded, and to control the size of the pores to be punched into the film.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for perforating a plastic film fleader section connecting together a plurality of plastic film bags and forming a pack of saddle bags. The saddle bags are carried on a block with the header on the block and the bags draped thereover. The block is in sliding engagement with a track and is selectively moved in position in the apparatus. A pair of pivotally connected arms are selectively pivotally moved in contact with the plastic film bags pulling the bags generally away from the header and causing the header to become taut. A pair of perforation blades are forced toward the carrying block and through the header simultaneously creating two perforation lines, one line on each side of the header.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting a crimped fiber bundle accurately at a high speed in compliance with the high-speed capacity of a crimping machine has a rotor including bisymmetrical finger disks, hook-shaped fingers extending from peripheries of the finger disks, and clamping disks which rotate at a uniform speed at the back of the finger disks. The fingers cross each other at one location in the apparatus adjacent the peripheries of the finger disks to form an interlocking area, which defines an inlet for the fiber bundle. Downstream of the interlocking area in the rotating direction of the rotor is formed a hooking area where the fiber bundle is pulled into a zigzag configuration. Finally, the fiber bundle assuming the zigzag configuration is cut.

Abstract: Apparatus for mechanically removing circumferentially complete labels from cylindrical external surfaces of successive containers, such as bottles, which are transported in upright or horizontal position past a removing station has a mechanical or pneumatic device which withdraws a portion of the label from the external surface of a container at the removing station. This establishes a clearance for a distancing element at the leading end of a knife which is moved axially of the external surface at the removing station to sever the label from one marginal portion all the way to the other marginal portion of the label. The thus split labels are attracted by an evacuating conveyor as soon as the respective containers advance beyond the removing station.

Abstract: A slit forming apparatus consists essentially of a rotary blade assembly, a rotary backing roller, and pressing projections. The rotary blade assembly contacts with or abuts against a strip-shaped material travelling over the rotary backing roller and then penetrates said material to form slits in it. The backing roller has banks for holding the strip-shaped material pressed by the rotary blade assembly, and also has grooves for receiving the blades of the rotary blade assembly when they penetrate the strip-shaped material. The pressing projections provided at opposite side ends of the assembly prevent the undersired movement of said material in the lateral or longitudinal direction. With this apparatus, substantially defect-free satisfactory slits are formed in the strip-shaped material.

Abstract: A drawing device for towel cloth for successively drawing out and cutting off a towel material of long size as long as a sheet of towel from the rest of the towel material at the plain woven portion thereof, the towel material of long size having plain woven portions and pile fabric portions alternately and continuously arranged at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction thereof. The drawing device comprises a feed roller disposed perpendicular to the drawing direction of the towel cloth on the drawing side thereof relative to the cutting unit and capable of feeding back the cut end portion of the cut towel cloth on the drawing side to the side of the towel material relative to the cutting unit and a thickness detector disposed in the same way as the feed roller orthogonally to the drawing direction of the towel cloth having an aperture-adjustable slit for stopping the pile fabric portion of the fed back towel cloth thereby.

Abstract: A method for providing edge-side tracks of holes in a printing belt for a rotary printing machine with at least one counter pressure cylinder and at least two printing belt cylinders around which the continuous printing belt carrying printing forms or printing pictures is led, with one printing belt cylinder being provided with radial ring of pins in the region of each of its ends, wherein the pins mesh with holes of the edge-side tracks of holes of the printing belt. The printing belt is stretched with a tension corresponding to the tension with which the printing belt is led around the printing belt cylinders in printing operation. Said state of tension is maintained during the punching of the tracks of holes such that the punched holes maintain their circular shape even in the stretched state of the printing belt in a printing machine and that the distance of the spacing of the holes of the tracks of holes exactly corresponds to the spacing of the pins of the radial rings of pins.

Abstract: A dispenser for a quantity of a retraction cord where the cord is impregnated with a medicinal substance. The outer free end of the cord is conducted through an outlet hole formed within a cover which closes the access opening into the internal chamber of the housing where the cord stored. A lid is mounted on the cover with this lid including a cutting blade. This lid is movable between an open and a closed position and when in the open position the free outer end of the cord can be pulled from the dispenser a desired amount. As the lid is closed, the cutting blade severs the cord permitting the severed strand of the cord to be utilized. The remaining cord within the dispenser is closed to the ambient thereby keeping the stored cord in the dispenser from contamination.

Abstract: A film dispenser having a housing with side and bottom walls, a film roll receptacle and a ledge located forwardly of the receptacle. A heating wire is mounted transverse to the direction of movement of film from the film roll when mounted in the film roll receptacle. A power supply is coupled to the output lines in series with said heating wire. A switch is mounted on the housing in series with the power supply and the heating wire and is operative upon closing to permit the passage of electrical current through the wire. An elongated channel piece is pivotally mounted such that the pivot point is movable to a limited extent and, in response to pulling up film from the film roll, the movement of the channel piece causes the switch to close and at the same time pinches the film against the housing. Upon being released, the channel piece causes the opening of the switch and removes substantially all of the pinching effect.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for fabricating a perforated film comprising the steps of pinching a film material, (3) between a cutter roll (1) with cutting edges (12) and a backing roll (2) to press the cutting edges (12) to the film material (3) and driving, to rotate least one of the cutter roll (1) and the backing roll (2), to form holes such as slits in a film material. The apparatus is decelerated by a stop command signal of an apparatus, detecting the speed of the apparatus attaining a predetermined small speed, generating an advance stop signal when the apparatus is approaching a stop a condition, and displacing the backing roll (2) so that the cutter roll is separated from the backing roll.

Abstract: A cutting device for a sewing system having a work table, and a material clamp on the work table for transporting sewing material to a cutting point. The cutting device includes two wedge-shaped knives arranged at the cutting point, for producing gusset cuts in the material, and an elongated opening in the work table for allowing the wedge-shaped knives to pass through the work table to cut the material. The cutting device further includes a clamping device for clamping the material at the cutting point so as to increase the tension in the material and thereby increase the controllability of the location at which the wedge-shaped knives make the gusset cuts. Preferably the camping device which includes two transversely movable clamp halves tightens the sewing material transverse to the direction of transport of the sewing material. Further, a slide plate attached to the surface of the work table includes shoulders or tensioning beads for tensioning the material.

Abstract: A sheet dispenser for dispensing thin film such as collagen film for wrapping food. The dispenser consists of a cabinet in which a row of collagen film is supported on rollers and the film is pulled off the roll by driven rollers. When a predetermined length has been pulled off the roll it is severed by a hot wire system in which the hot wire is located between rollers and supported in a tension head controlled by spring. A cutter bar supported on pivoted arms moves across so as to press the film against the hot wire during the cutting action.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for cutting hose includes structure which allows a portion of the hose that is proximate the trailing side of a cutting blade to be angularly displaced during cutting while a portion of the hose proximate the leading side of the cutting blade is not angularly displaced. A method for cutting hose includes the step of angularly displacing a portion of the hose that is proximate the trailing side of a cutting blade during cutting while a portion of the hose proximate the leading side of the cutting blade is not angularly displaced.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting at least one end of a surgical suture is described. The apparatus comprises a first pair of feed rollers which advance the surgical suture through a hole (or opening) in a cutting assembly. The first pair of feed rollers is driven by a stepper motor. A second pair of friction rollers take up the slack (i.e., provide tension) to the surgical suture beyond the cutting assembly. The second pair of friction rollers is driven by an electric or stepper motor. The cutting assembly comprises an anvil plate in which the hole is positioned, and a razor blade which is placed in a movable bracket against the anvil plate. The cutting edge of the razor blade is driven by a spring across the hole and cuts the surgical suture. The spring is activated (and can be reactivated for repetitive steps) by an electric motor.

Abstract: A cut edge position correcting apparatus is used for correcting a direction and a wave-like contour of a cut edge of a belt-shaped member cut by a cutter unit. The cut edge position correcting apparatus includes a support base for supporting a belt-shaped member, a bending member arranged extendible above and retractable into the support base for bending the cut edge portion upwardly, and a restraining member rotatable in a horizontal plane for uriging the belt-shaped member over its entire width against the support base. The apparatus further includes a lifting unit for raising and lowering the restraining member, clamp pawls for clamping the cut edge portioned, a plurality of slide plates arranged aligned with each other in a lengthwise direction of the restraining member to hold the cut edge portion over their entire widths in cooperation with the clamp pawls, and a driving unit for independently moving said slide plates relative to the restraining member.

Abstract: An arrangement for cutting thin-walled reinforced closed bands of rubber into rectangular belts having the same width is suggested wherein the closed band is tensioned between two rollers. By deflecting one of the two rollers, the closed band experiences a force component parallel to the roller fixed in position which drives the closed band against a stop. With this arrangement of the stop on the end facing toward the cutting device even thin-walled closed bands can be cut into rectangular belts with a uniformity in width not attained previously.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method for slicing a cylindrical elastic body, for example, a slab or broad belt prior to being cut into belts or rings of a certain width, by a two-shaft system, and its apparatus. The apparatus includes a) a drive shaft, of which the top end thereof can be released from its support, of which the root end thereof is connected to its drive unit, the drive shaft having a radially projecting part at the root end; b) a freely rotatable shaft extending in parallel with and at a constant distance from the drive shaft in a horizontal plane, of which the top end can be released from it support and can be tilted in vertical direction, and c) a cutting unit which has a cutter positioned perpendicular to the axial direction of the drive shaft, and which can move towards the drive shaft and can travel in the axial direction of the drive shaft.

Abstract: Apparatus for severing sheet material which includes pairs of upper and lower jaws which may be moved towards each other to grip and tension sheet material disposed between the jaws. An elongated severing blade is arranged between one of the pairs of jaws, the latter normally being biased to a position where they conceal the blade but being movable against the bias when engaged by the other jaws to expose the severing blade for severing of the tensioned sheet material.

Abstract: By means of a bracket located above the turntable the twisting of the textile article threaded through this bracket can be scanned and measured by a feeler means. Upon the twisting the bracket will rotate by a certain angle. If a preset angle of rotation is exceeded, the feeler sends a control signal to the control apparatus. This control apparatus controls the relationship circumferential speed feeding cylinders to rotational speed turntable. By means of such controlling an extremely fine regulating can be made, which may be necessary, for instance, due to the slip between the tubular textile article and the feeding cylinders. The upper edge of the textile article being cut is scanned by means of at least one scanner. The location of the scanning is preferably between the final feeding cylinder (seen in direction of movement of the textile article) and the cutting tools of the cutting apparatus.

Abstract: An improved carton sealing sticker and cutter, comprising a closed housing body including all elements, a cutter device which can press blade to extend out during tape delivery to cut it off, a safety device which controls blade not to extend out while tape is not delivered for use, a guide plate guiding tape delivery and positioning it and a tape sleeve ring having brake function engaged to the housing body. All elements are connected in the closed housing body. The end part of tape roll 23 sleeving tape sleeve ring is drawn out to stick to guide plate and extends appropriately long. Blade 24 of cutter device may extend out for cutting only in use state; safety device in ordinary time controls blade not to extend out to ensure safety.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for use in the manufacture of a tension-mask color cathode ray tube provides for mechanically severing a waste portion from the useful portion of an in-process foil mask secured to mask-support means extending from a faceplate. The apparatus comprises means for support mask-servering means adjacent ot the mask outside the mask support means, and means for translating the mask-severing means into engagement with the mask to sever the mask from the mask support means adjacent all points along the mask-support means.

Abstract: A device at machines for continuous separation of at least one strip (49) from a hose-formed material web (14). The device (19) incorporates at least two lead rollers (16, 18) at least one (18) of which being tiltable relative to the other, thus that the end portion of the material web, which is thread on the guide rollers at rotation of the guide rollers, is imparted a continuous, axial feeding motion towards a severing device (50). The tiltable lead roller (18) is supported at one free end of an axially displaceable and in different displacement positions arrestable rod (20), the free end of which is pivotably to a limited extent on one hand about a shaft (31) mainly parallel with the rod and on the other hand about an axis (44) mainly perpendicular to the rod. This (20) is equipped with means (33, 43) for arresting its free end in different angular positions.

Abstract: The instant invention is an improvement on a method of making wire coils comprising the steps of rolling a length of wire having a leading end and a trailing end and displacing the wire in a longitudinal travel direction and coiling the wire into succeeding overlapping loops and depositing same onto an upstream conveyor. The loops are transferred from the upstream conveyor to a downstream conveyor and are deposited from the downstream conveyor onto a centering device to form a coil thereon. The downstream conveyor is driven to move the loops at a generally constant slow transport speed but the upstream conveyor is driven to move the loops at a substantially faster transport speed when loops of a portion of the wire having one of the ends are being deposited on the upstream conveyor. Otherwise the upstream conveyor is driven at the same slow speed as the downstream conveyor so that the loops of the end portion will be spaced more in the travel direction than the other loops of the wire.

Abstract: A system for handling a flexible thin wall tubular extrudate of an elastomeric material of the type used as a body ply element for the manufacture of tires, and for cutting-off a predetermined length sleeve of the extrudate and delivering the sleeve to a discharge station. A pair of grippers is movably mounted on carriage assemblies which move the grippers horizontally and transversely with respect to the axis of the extrudate. The leading gripper provides tension to the extrudate and pulls it along a production axis. The trailing gripper engages the extrudate and moves in unison with the extrudate and the leading gripper along the production axis. The grippers completely circumferentially envelop the length of sleeve to be cut from the extrudate and retain the shape of the extrudate by applying a vacuum thereto. A cutting mechanism having a fixed motor driven blade and a pair of similar pivotally mounted blades moves vertically down into contact with the extrudate between the pair of grippers.

Abstract: A side trimmer shear for metallic strip and the like travelling along a pass line including gear housings on opposite sides of the strip as it passes along the pass line. Means are provided for varying the angular positions of the gear housings with respect to the pass line. Upper and lower shear knives are carried on the gear housings for engaging and trimming the edges of the strip; while a rigid shaft extends between the gear housings. Gearing is carried within the gear housings for driving the shear knives; while a gear mounted on splines on the drive shaft is provided with gear teeth with curved side walls which permit angular variation of the positions of the gear housings with respect to the rigid drive shaft. The apparatus also includes chopper rolls carried on the gear housings which are driven by a similar rigid drive shaft and a gear provided with curved side walls.