Abstract: A transfer machine to move a footwear upper assembly (or the like) between stations in a footwear (or the like) processing system which transfer machine includes an end effector having a mechanism to grasp the footwear upper assembly. A base serves as a reference in an X-Y-Z coordinate system with respect to which positions of the footwear upper assembly are known during movement of the footwear upper assembly within the footwear processing system. An interconnecting mechanism connects the end effector to the base and provides seven degrees of freedom to the mechanism to grasp with respect to said base; three translational degrees of freedom along the X-Y-Z axes of the transfer machine, a pivotal degree of freedom with respect to the base about the Y-axis, a tilting degree of freedom about the X-axis, a pivotal degree of freedom about the Z-axis, and a further pivotal degree of freedom about the Y-axis.

Abstract: A machine to form an end of a unit of a box from a flat box blank that includes two sides, a bottom, and, at each end, an end flap supporting a cantilevered sealing tab, and two side tabs supported by the two sides. A planar movable table receives the box blank and a planar folding table receives the end flap and the sealing tab. A pair of side guides secures the two sides of the box blank and guide the box blank in its rearward travel. An end flap folding mechanism serves to fold the two side tabs attached to the box sides inward through ninety degrees to a position essentially parallel to the fold line. An adhesive applicator applies an adhesive ribbon in a predetermined pattern to the sealing tab and, sometimes, to the end flap.

Abstract: A side and heel lasting machine that serves to adhere the upstanding unwiped side and heel margin of a shoe upper assembly, which assembly includes a last with an insole on the last bottom and an upper draped about the last. The toe portion of the upper assembly has previously been wiped to the periphery region of the assembly insole. A pair of pincers, one disposed at each side of the upper of the assembly, grasps the upstanding unwiped margin and draws it upwardly, inwardly and forwardly (i.e., towards the toe thereof) to fit it snugly about the last. Lasting pads are employed to keep the unwiped margin in position during application of adhesive from nozzles that are spring loaded to press outwardly and track the upstanding unwiped margin when adhesive is applied in the region between the insole and the margin. The upstanding side and heel margin is then wiped onto the insole.

Abstract: A frying unit for continuously frying potato chips and other snack foods such as corn chips and sweet potato chips is disclosed. The unit is compact, may be easily cleaned and serviced, and automatically controlled at an external control station. The unit consists of an elongated frying kettle covered by a hood and having, optionally, a slicer at an entrance end. A product delivery conveyor is disposed at an exit end. Twin paddle wheels are provided within the kettle for breaking up the sliced product as it enters an oil bath therein. Downstream of the paddle wheels a submersion conveyor is provided having depending flytes mutually spaced therealong for conveying the product through the oil bath to the delivery conveyor at the exit end. The entire product conveyor system, paddle wheels and conveyors may be pivoted upwardly as a unit, out of the kettle, by a linear actuator mounted on the external side thereof. A flexible drive coupling is provided to facilitate this pivotal movement.