Abstract: A device and method for cutting lumber pieces into shavings. The device includes a hopper sized to hold the lumber pieces that are to be cut into the shavings, and a carriage that is positioned below the hopper. The carriage includes a support platform to support the lumber pieces that are in the hopper, and cutterheads spaced apart along the support platform. The carriage is movable relative to the hopper to move the cutterheads back and forth along the lumber pieces during the cutting. An arrestor maintains the lumber pieces in position relative to the hopper when the carriage is moving in one direction to prevent and/or reduce the lumber pieces from moving and thus not being completely cut by the carriage.

Abstract: A device and method for cutting lumber pieces into shavings. The device includes a hopper sized to hold the lumber pieces that are to be cut into the shavings, and a carriage that is positioned below the hopper. The carriage includes a support platform to support the lumber pieces that are in the hopper, and cutterheads spaced apart along the support platform. The carriage is movable relative to the hopper to move the cutterheads back and forth along the lumber pieces during the cutting. An arrestor maintains the lumber pieces in position relative to the hopper when the carriage is moving in one direction to prevent and/or reduce the lumber pieces from moving and thus not being completely cut by the carriage.

Abstract: An adjustable arbor for maintaining one or more cutting elements which includes a shaft, one or more runners associated with the shaft and runner displacing pistons aligned with the runners and selectively displacing them to engage the cutting elements and secure those elements to the shaft. The runner displacing pistons are activated by pressurized fluid passing through channels communicating with the pistons and are relaxed when the fluid source is deactivated. The runners are urged radially upwardly against a cutting element holding ring when activated and are withdrawn when deactivated so that the cutting elements can be rearranged on the shaft.

Abstract: A bagging machine for inserting semi-compressible articles into preformed bags having a product loading arm vertically and horizontally mounted to the bag loading surface of a frame that can be programmed to move downwardly to engage a plurality of articles to be bagged and move them horizontally into an opened bag for subsequent removal to a remote location. A suction device engages a bag to positively open the bag to receive the compressed articles. A hold-down device also functions to direct the packaged articles downwardly and into a position for movement to a remote location. The bagging machine can be joined with a compactor and programmed to automatically receive compacted pluralities of articles for subsequent bagging. The compactor and bagging machine become fully automatic when a displacing device is associated with the compactor to move the compressed articles to the bag loading surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for delivering pieces of lumber to a machining device having a longitudinal machining path and operating at a predetermined longitudinal speed. The infeed system comprises feed belt conveyors for carrying pieces of lumber simultaneously in directions both parallel with and perpendicular to the longitudinal machining path and a guide belt conveyor for receiving the pieces of lumber from the feed belt conveyors and moving the pieces of lumber substantially along the longitudinal machining path for receipt by the machining device. The speed of the guide conveyor is at least as great as the speed of the machining device. In addition, the placement of the lumber on the feed conveyor is preferably controlled such that individual pieces of lumber successively contact the guide conveyor. Accordingly, pieces of lumber do not overlap and any gaps between the individual pieces of lumber are minimized to promote efficient operation of the machining device and to minimize damage to the lumber.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming wood shavings from wood stock includes a rotatable cutting roll for engaging and cutting wood shavings from a wood stock advanced by a feed mechanism along a predetermined path of travel to the roll. A rotatable roll of the feed mechanism has peripheral teeth that engage the wood stock and control its advancement along the path of travel. The teeth are inclined rearwardly relative to the direction of rotation of the roll so that the teeth have a negative rake angle. An anvil is positioned adjacent the end of the path of travel and closely adjacent the cutting roll for restricting advancement past the cutting roll of pieces of wood stock other than the shavings.