Abstract: A stack of disk-like articles or can ends are transferred in an elongated tubular paper bag supported between opposing shoes, and the bag is removed from the stack by pulling the bag longitudinally or upwardly after a slitting knife blade moves or pivots from a retracted position to an extended position to pierce the bag and to slit the bag progressively and longitudinally. A stream or jet of air is directed against the end or top article in the stack to prevent the articles from moving with the bag or being flipped over in response to pulling the bag from the stack. Preferably, the air jet is directed from an air supply tube attached to the knife blade for movement with the blade between the retracted position and the extended position. The knife blade is shaped like a hawk beak and has a pointed tip and an arcuate knife edge.

Abstract: A stack of disk-like articles or can ends are transferred in an elongated tubular paper bag supported between opposing shoes, and the bag is removed from the stack by pulling the bag longitudinally or upwardly after a slitting knife blade moves or pivots from a retracted position to an extended position to pierce the bag and to slit the bag progressively and longitudinally. A stream or jet of air is directed against the end or top article in the stack to prevent the articles from moving with the bag or being flipped over in response to pulling the bag from the stack. Preferably, the air jet is directed from an air supply tube attached to the knife blade for movement with the blade between the retracted position and the extended position. The knife blade is shaped like a hawk beak and has a pointed tip and an arcuate knife edge.

Abstract: A diverter valve housing has two outlets and one inlet for receiving a flow of air conveying a continuous strip of material, and a diverter duct or tube is pivotally supported within the housing on a pivot axis adjacent the inlet. The diverter tube has an outlet end portion supporting a pair of inclined cutting blades which cooperate with a cutting blade supported by the housing between the outlets for alternately and quickly chopping or cutting the strip of material when the outlet end portion of the diverter tube pivots between the two outlets of the housing. Sealing members connect the diverter tube to the housing and form stops for the diverter tube. A fluid cylinder is pivotally connected to the housing and has a piston rod pivotally connected to the diverter tube for rapidly pivoting the diverter tube between the two outlets.

Abstract: A continuous supply of scrap material from a papermaking or converting process is transferred by a venturi inducer system including a housing surrounding a tubular intake duct which defines with the housing an annular air chamber connected to receive pressurized air from a motor driven blower. The housing has a tapered or frusto-conical portion connected to a tapered material outlet duct and which cooperates with the inner end of the intake duct to define an annular nozzle opening. Long adjustable bolts connect the intake duct to the housing outboard of the housing and provide for externally adjusting the intake duct axially for precisely selecting the area of the nozzle opening to optimize the air flow through the nozzle opening for pulling and transferring the material while minimizing the electrical power required to operate the blower motor.

Abstract: A continuous supply of scrap material from a papermaking or converting process is transferred by a venturi inducer system including a housing surrounding a tubular intake duct which defines with the housing an annular air chamber connected to receive pressurized air from a motor driven blower. The housing has a tapered or frusto-conical portion connected to a tapered material outlet duct and which cooperates with the inner end of the intake duct to define an annular nozzle opening. Long adjustable bolts connect the intake duct to the housing outboard of the housing and provide for externally adjusting the intake duct axially for precisely selecting the area of the nozzle opening to optimize the air flow through the nozzle opening for pulling and transferring the material while minimizing the electrical power required to operate the blower motor.

Abstract: A web of pressure sensitive adhesive label material is releasably attached to a paper carrier web, and the combined webs are continuously fed through a label printer and die cutter, and a scrap lattice web of the label material is continuously separated from the carrier web. The lattice web with adhesive on one side is directed into a curling and pneumatic conveyor apparatus. The apparatus includes a condensing member or curling cone with a converging wall having a rough low friction inner surface which curls, folds and collapses the scrapped lattice web into a rope-like mass or body which is pulled by suction air flowing inwardly through an air inlet surrounding the body. The suction air pulls the body into the center portion of a pneumatic conveyor duct to provide for conveying the rope-like body for a substantial distance to a remotely located waste receptacle.