Abstract: A method is disclosed for providing a measured quantity of extrudate material to a receiving means. The extrudate material exits through an outlet, and a cutting surface is positioned adjacent to the outlet. The extrudate material is severed by a cutting means having a flexible and resilient blade for severing the extrudate material into metered charges. The cutting blade contacts the cutting surface during each revolution and bends from a rest condition to a backwardly bent flexed condition. After severing a metered charge, the cutting blade is released from the cutting surface and snaps forwardly to the rest condition to propel the metered charge toward the receiving means at a velocity greater than the average tangential velocity per revolution of the cutting blade.

Abstract: A crown cleaning apparatus is provided for removing impurities from the interior and exterior surfaces of crowns. The apparatus is mounted at the terminal of a crown feed track and cleans the crowns by a high velocity spray of fluid. Several gas jets dry the crowns before the crowns exit the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for providing a measured quantity of extrudate material to a receiving means. The extrudate material exits through an outlet, and a cutting surface is positioned adjacent to the outlet. The extrudate material is severed by a cutting means having a flexible and resilient blade for severing the extrudate material into metered charges. The cutting blade contacts the cutting surface during each revolution and bends from a rest condition to a backwardly bent flexed condition. After severing a metered charge, the cutting blade is released from the cutting surface and snaps forwardly to the rest condition to propel the metered charge toward the receiving means at a velocity greater than the average tangential velocity per revolution of the cutting blade.