Abstract: A connecting assembly for connecting a multitude of axially extending punches to a rotatable punch drive plate in a rotary press having a die plate supported for rotation in a given plane and forming a multitude of die cavities. Each of the multitude of punches is supported for axial reciprocating movement in an associated respective one of the die cavities, and the drive plate engages the punches and has a generally flat shape extending at an angle to said given plane, and rotation of the die plate and the drive plate reciprocates the punches in the die cavities. The connecting assembly connects each punch to the punch drive plate for limited swinging movement to maintain the punch axially aligned with the associated one of the die cavities as the die plate and the drive plate rotates.

Abstract: A press for compressing a food material includes a support frame, a die plate rotatably supported by the support frame and forming a multitude of die cavities for receiving the food material, and a food supply device conducting the food material to the die cavities from a source of the food material. The press further includes a first punch assembly rotatably supported the support frame, located on a first side of the die plate, and including a multitude of first punches for axial reciprocating movement; and a second punch assembly rotatably supported by the support frame, located on the second side of the die plate, and including a multitude of second punches supported for axial reciprocating. Each of the first and second punches is aligned with one of the die cavities of the die plate.

Abstract: A control assembly to control the rate at which a food material is conducted to die cavities of a rotary press. The control assembly includes a roller subassembly, a first roller rotatably supported by the roller support assembly, and a second roller rotatably supported by the roller support assembly and located adjacent the first roller. The first and second rollers form a feed gap therebetween to receive the food material, and the second roller is also supported for movement toward and away from the first roller. The control assembly further includes an adjusting subassembly connected to the roller support subassembly to move the second roller toward and away from the first roller to vary the size of the feed gap, and a roller drive subassembly connected to the first and second rollers to rotate those rollers to pull the food material through the feed gap and to direct the food material to the die plate.

Abstract: A support assembly for a rotatable punch drive plate in a rotary press having a die plate forming a multitude of die cavities and supported for rotation about a given axis, and a multitude of punches supported for axial reciprocating movement in the die cavities. The punch drive plate engages the punches, and rotation of the die plate and the drive plate reciprocates the punches to force a food material into the die cavities, to mold the food material therein into tablets and then to eject the tablets from the die cavities. The support assembly includes a multitude of support subassemblies spaced around and engaging the punch drive plate. These support subassemblies preferably both support the drive plate for rotation about the given axis and axially flex the drive plate toward and away from the die plate as the drive plate rotates about the given axis.

Abstract: Press with rotary die plate having plural cavities and punches cooperating therewith.Provided are means for sensing the amount of material in the die cavities and sensing means for sensing movement of the die plate.