Abstract: A fully automatic device is provided for handling components-containing tubes and for feeding the components contained in these tubes into the input rail or "accumulator" of the loading area of a component processing equipment. Another fully automatic device which is very similar in structure to the above device is also provided for recovering the components from the output rail of the unloading area of the component processing equipment, and reinserting such components into their tubes. Both of these devices have a column holder mounted on a frame for receiving and holding a column of tubes stacked one above the other. A rotatable barrel having a conical shape and a horizontal axis supports a set of tube catching assemblies.

Abstract: A device for carrying electronic components of various sizes and lengths from a loading area to an unloading area. The device has an endless loop conveyor having a continuously moving element extending longitudinally between the loading area and the unloading area. It also has a plurality of gripping element for gripping the electronic components, which are opened at the loading and unloading areas over a predetermined distance for enabling engagement of at least one electronic component and gripping thereof at the loading area, and disengagement of the electronic component and release thereof at the unloading area. The gripping elements are attached to the continuously moving element and have a pair of elongated legs pivotably connected together in a plane transversal to the continuous moving element and having opposite lower ends. A spring is operatively associated with the legs for urging the lower ends of the legs together.

Abstract: A removable and replaceable cover assembly for use on an anvil roll in a rotary die cutter in combination with a die roll equipped with non-serrated cutting blades consists essentially of inner and outer tubular layers of elastomeric material of different degrees of hardness, the outer layer being substantially harder than the inner layer. Since this tubular cover must be mounted on an anvil roll by relative endwise movement, the cover is disclosed in combination with a rotary die cutter having special provision for temporary removal, recovering and remounting of the anvil roll.

Abstract: A replaceable cover for the cylindrical anvil of a rotary die cutter includes a blanket body of elastically deformable material, a sheet metal liner for the blanket body, and a latch assembly for securing the ends of the cover together in a slot in the face of the anvil roll. This latch assembly includes a channel bar having one side welded to one end of the blanket liner so that the open side of the channel faces the other end of the assembly for interlocking cooperation with a latch member integrally formed on the blanket body. The interior of the channel is filled with the material of the blanket body, and special provision is also made to provide a metal-reinforced supporting surface for the circumferentially interfitting parts of the latch assembly.

Abstract: A rotary die cutter system minimizes the amount of scrap between successive blanks cut from web material by holding the web against backward movement at a position spaced upstream from the nip defined by the die and anvil cylinders, retracting the cut leading end of the web through a predetermined distance by means of a fluid pressure cylinder in response to release of the web by the cut-off knife at the trailing edge of the die on the die cylinder such that on the next cycle, the leading edge of the die will engage the web at a position spaced so close to the retracted leading end of the web that contiguous portions of a single blank can be cut from the web during successive revolutions of the die cylinder.

Abstract: A rotary die cutter system the amount of scrap between successive blanks cut from web material by holding the web against backward movement at a position spaced upstream from the nip defined by the die and anvil cylinders, retracting the cut leading end of the web through a predetermined distance in response to release of the web by the cut-off knife at the trailing edge of the die on the die cylinder such that on the next cycle, the leading edge of the die will engage the web at a position spaced close to the leading end of the web.