Abstract: A transport apparatus (C) for transporting products (X), supplied onto a lower transport path, successively to an upper transport path, and a loading apparatus for loading the products (X), which have been transported by the transport apparatus, into a receptacle (Y). The system includes a first transport mechanism (2) for transporting the products (X) towards a pick-up station (P2), a lifter mechanism (4) for holding the products (X), having been transported to the pick-up station (P2), and transferring the products (X) from the pick-up station (P2) towards a delivery station (P3) defined generally above the pick-up station (P2), and a second transport mechanism (5) for receiving the products (X), which have been transferred to the delivery station (P3) by the lifter mechanism (4), and transporting the products (X) towards a stand-by station (P4) defined above a loading station (P5) at which the bagged products are loaded into the receptacle (Y).

Abstract: Welding and cutting device, for film-wrapped packaging, includes two rotary shafts, both of which are fitted with radially projecting plates which, at their free ends, carry plates for cutting and welding the film, in which device each end of an actuating shaft with its respective welding and cutting plates is supported by the arm of a rocking lever which can pivot about a fulcrum integral with the structure of the machine, and the end of the other arm of the rocking lever is connected to components for positioning and for regulating a contrasting force, which components can be set while the machine is operating.

Abstract: The coiling apparatus for flexible planar articles (44), in particular printed products such as newspapers, magazines and parts thereof comprises a winding core (16), which is rotatably journalled in a frame (12) and drivable by a drive shaft (28), and a coiling band (24) which directs the flexible planar articles (44) essentially tangentially to the coiling core and is wound up onto the coiling core together with the planar articles. A drive train comprising a driving disc (38), a drive belt (40) and a drive belt disc (42) makes it possible to rotate the shaft (14) on which the winding core (16) is rotatably mounted from the same motor as drives the band reel (26). Between the winding core (16) and the rotary shaft (14) there is located a spiral spring (18) which is secured at its one end (20) to the winding core and at its other end (22) to the rotary shaft (14).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cold sealing a pharmaceutical unit dose package of pills while the package is seated upon a resilient sealing tray. The unit dose package has a plurality of blisters for holding the pills. The sealing tray has a plurality of outwardly-opening compartments open to its upper side, and the compartments are spaced for receipt of the blisters of the unit dose package.

Abstract: Sheets and rolls of sheets with labels having multiple choice blocks and information areas corresponding to the choice blocks. The sheets include a closure bonding material for securing the sheets around items to be wrapped. The labels are detachably connected to the sheets with an adhesive, a perforation or a tear line. Spots of closure bonding material may be placed on the labels to hold the labels in a wrapped position. The information areas typically include data which may be selected to describe the source, type and characteristics of the items to be wrapped in the sheets. The sheets may also include detachable sleeve areas for protecting wrapped items during shipping and handle areas which may be punched out of the sheets for grasping the wrapped items. The handle areas may also contain information similar to that on the detachable labels. Sheets having labels with choice blocks may also be used for forming flower pots or flower pot covers.

Abstract: A method of packaging a resiliently compressible article comprises the steps of inserting the article into a tube of deformable material such that excess material is provided at the ends of the tube. A first end of the tube is then sealed closed. Air is then evacuated from the tube through the second end thereby deforming the tube around the article and causing the article to compress. While a vacuum is maintained in the tube, the second end of the tube is sealed closed. A containment sleeve is fitted over the sealed tube to maintain the article in a compressed state. When the article is unpackaged, the containment sleeve is severed and the tube is allowed to expand in a gradual controlled fashion by the bleeding of air back into the tube.

Abstract: In a machine for packaging individual items such as 6-packs of beverages into a container, the containers are moved along a lower conveyor and the items are moved along an upper conveyor. A pusher bar pushes the items off the upper conveyor whereupon they drop by gravity into the containers. Shortly before the items begin to fall, the pusher bar rotates frictionally against the back of the item whereby that the falling speed of the back of the item as it leaves the upper conveyor is increased so that both the backside and the frontside of the item drop into the container with the sides vertically aligned.

Abstract: A rotary packaging machine including a pair of cooperating stripper bars (17) which engage the bag material (15) prior to the sealing jaws (16) engaging the bag material (15). The stripper bars (17) have attached to them or formed integral therewith, bag shields (30). The bag shields (30) are arcuate so as to generally extend along an arcuate path having a fixed axis extending from the pivot axis (32) of the supporting lever (26) for the stripper bar (17).

Abstract: A bag maker bends an elongated bag-forming film into a tubular shape, moves it longitudinally along a path, seals its mutually overlapping side edges into a tubular shape, fills it with articles to be packaged and simultaneously seals it transversely with a transverse sealer to make individual filled bags. The transverse sealer has a pair of seal jaws opposite each other across the path of the film, each adapted to move in a D-shaped closed trajectory and inwardly towards each other to transversely seal the film over a seal area. A pair of shutters is disposed on the seal jaws so as to each move behind corresponding one of the seal jaws when moving downward. These shutters are biased inward towards each other and normally protrude inwardly from the inward-facing surfaces of the seal jaws so as to prevent articles intended for the next bag to be produced will not be caught between the seal jaws when transverse sealing is effected.

Abstract: A slip clutch and cutter blade apparatus for cane stalk harvesters provides a machine frame with a cutting mechanism in the form of cutter shafts powered by hydraulic motors. The cutter shafts have a plurality of knives thereon that pinch the cane therebetween as the shafts rotate to chop the cane wholestalks into billets. A flywheel is mounted on a flywheel shaft. A gearbox interfaces the flywheel and cutter blades. A flywheel clutch is used as a overload protection device for the chopper system. If overloading occurs, the flywheel slips and therefore limits the torque. The flywheel is placed on the bushing and clamped between the friction linings with the aid of the thrust plate, the cup springs, brake plate, brake plate cover, and bolts. The more the cup springs are compressed by the bolts; the higher the torque at which the flywheel slips.

Abstract: The invention provides a quick blade attachment structure For quickly but securely attaching and detaching one or a plurality of blades to and from a mower. A rotary member (3) of a mower (1) includes a blade holder (4) and a support member (5) coaxially attached to the blade holder (4) to allow pivotal movement of the support member (5). A pair of blades (23,23) are supported by ends (9a, 9a) of rimmed pins (9,9) projected from a lower surface (4a) of the blade holder (4). A wave washer (16) is interposed between the support member (5) and a cap (17). When the rotary member (3) is assembled by a clamp screw (18), pressing force of the wave washer (16) allows the support member (5) to be rotated integrally with the blade holder (4). The support member (5) further has a pair of grooves (12).

Abstract: An oscillating blower that includes an air discharge for cyclically impinging high velocity air onto and into the canopy of a fruit or nut tree thereby providing a novel method for shaking the limbs of a tree and create the same shaking action as a tree shaker by oscillating the blower at a selected proper frequency. The oscillating blower not only shakes the limbs to remove the nuts or fruit but also dislodges the nuts or fruits by blowing them off the supporting stems. The oscillating blower also removes residual fruit or nuts that were not harvested during the normal harvesting operation such as when a conventional tree shaker is used for dislodging the fruit or nuts from the tree. The residual fruit or nuts left on the tree by a tree shaker frequently become infested with worms or other pests that may infest the fruit or nut tree and adversely affect the crop produced during the next growing season.

Abstract: A pressing or pelletizing device for compacting vegetable materials, in particular grass blades, is disclosed for use with a harvester. In order to reduce the pressing forces required for the pelletizing process, the pressing channels are heated up to a temperature above 100 degrees C. It has been demonstrated that by heating the pressing channels, local overheating of the device, which could otherwise lead to malfunctions, can be avoided. The pelletizing device has two co-axial hollow cylinders in which the pressing channels are delimited by radial lands which alternatively engage the pressing channels of the other hollow cylinder. The hollow cylinders are heated by means of a liquid circuit guided through the lands and linked to a heat exchanger that utilizes lost heat from the internal combustion engine of the harvester.

Abstract: A cotton picker row unit grid bar fabricated from a light extruded material has a hollow D-shaped cross section with a plant contacting wall of thickness substantially greater than the non-contacting walls for increased wearability and strength and reduced weight. An upright grid bar support with a compact U-shaped cross section includes opposed flanges connected by a rounded portion to reduce hairpinning of debris. Specially shaped apertures in the rounded portion support the ends of the grid bars in vertically spaced relationship, and grid bar posts cooperate with threaded screw members extending through the support to sandwich the grid bar ends between the flanges with a preselected clamping force.

Abstract: Machine for manufacturing uniform impedance communication cables for high frequency use includes a series of staggered double twisting units or heads each of which supports two reels wound with single wire elements or conductors, and a constant tension tape dispenser. The wire elements from the reels as well as the tape from the tape dispenser are simultaneously unwound and guided to the ends of the rotating bows of the twisting units at which points the individual wire elements or conductors are twisted about each other and the tape is applied to the twisted wire pair to fix and maintain the spatial integrity of the twisted wires relative to each other. Each twisting unit rotated at slightly different speeds to assure different lay lengths for each twisted pair. The twisted pairs are guided downstream by a capstan and all of the twisted and taped wire sets are secured to each other by a pre-twisting and taping operation before the composite cable is wound onto a rotating take-up unit.

Abstract: A magnetic bearing is disclosed for an open-end spinning rotor having a shaft supported in a wedge-like gap formed between at least one pair of support rollers. The bearing comprises a housing for receiving the shaft, a magnet disposed in the housing to extend radially relative to the shaft, and a magnet disposed on and radially extending from the shaft axially adjacent and at a spacing from the magnet in the bearing housing. The magnets have respective poles of the same magnetic orientation disposed to face and thereby repel one another. According to the invention, a coupling connects the shaft and the magnet disposed on the shaft, the coupling being releasable in response to an axial force exerted on the shaft.

Abstract: A combustor for supporting the catalytic combustion of gaseous carbonaceous fuel contains a catalyst zone in which is disposed a catalyst body comprising at least one catalyst member, a separator zone comprising a separator body and a downstream zone where homogeneous combustion occurs. The catalyst member contains a carrier and a catalyst material deposited thereon. The catalyst body may, optionally, contain additional catalyst members downstream of the at least one catalyst member. The separator body contains a carrier-type monolith containing ceramic fibers in a matrix. One of the optional additional catalyst members may also contain such a monolith on which the catalyst composition is disposed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for protecting gas turbines (two- and three-shaft) from damage or destruction during dangerous transients. In this situation, fuel flow must be reduced, as needed, to keep the exhaust gas temperature below a maximum limit, thereby avoiding damage to blading in the turbine's first-stage. The dynamic action of the temperature downstream of the combustion chamber may be estimated and then used to correct the temperature measured by thermocouples. For this approach, the turbine is instrumented with an inlet pressure transmitter and an outlet temperature transmitter. The method dynamically estimates temperatures downstream of the combustion chamber and reduces the fuel flow rate if the estimated temperature approaches the temperature limit. Existing thermocouple measurements (EGT) are used as well as the pressure of air exiting the compressor (CDP) upstream of the combustion chamber.

Abstract: An electrical power generation plant has a gas turbine subsystem free of a compressor. A compressor subsystem remote from the gas turbine subsystem has an inlet receiving air and an outlet furnishing compressed air. A compressed air line interlinks the outlets and gas turbine subsystem. An aspect or the invention includes combusting sufficient fuel having sulphur content with sufficient limestone to establish a ratio of Ca/S greater than 3.4.

Abstract: The power produced by a gas turbine system is augmented by a direct contact heat exchanger for contacting and cooling humid ambient air with cooler water for producing cooled ambient air and warmed water, and a precompressor device for compressing said cooled ambient air to produce pressurized air that is warmer than ambient air and has a lower relative humidity. An evaporative cooler, which is supplied with the warmed water, is provided for cooling said pressurized air to produce cooled pressurized air at about ambient air temperature and relative humidity, which is supplied to the main compressor.

Abstract: Foreign object ingestion damage detection and accommodation system for a gas turbine engine system having a gas turbine engine with multiple rotating members, such as a twin spool configuration. System includes speed sensors for sensing the rotational speed of at least two rotating members. Sensors are coupled to a controller which detects damage by comparing the sensed speed of the second rotational member to an expected speed. Expected speed is determined from the sensed speed of the first rotating member using a known characteristic relationship between the the first and second rotating member speeds for the given gas turbine engine design. Thrust loss accommodation is triggered when damage is detected. Accommodation mode provides a synthesized primary thrust control feedback signal in lieu of the sensed signal for a damaged rotational member. Synthesized signal is derived from the sensed speed for the undamaged rotational member.

Abstract: Current state-of-the art injection methodologies for bipropellant engines ly on either impingement or turbulence to mix the fuel and oxidizer streams. The multiple impinging stream vortex injector combines both mixing schemes into a single injector. Both first stage mixing at point of impingement and second stage mixing or turbulent vortex mixing is accomplished by impinging momentum balanced, tangentially injected propellant streams onto one another. The impingement angles are calculated to yield a resultant stream vector that consists of only a tangential velocity component. The two stages of mixing results in increased engine performance and combustion efficiency.

Abstract: In an apparatus for detecting a saturation gas amount absorbed by a catalytic converter disposed in an exhaust system of an engine, an air-to-fuel ratio detecting device is disposed in a region of the engine exhaust system downstream of the catalytic converter for monitoring exhaust gas, which has passed through the catalytic converter, to detect an air-to-fuel ratio of an air-fuel mixture causing the exhaust gas. An air-to-fuel ratio changing device serves to change an air-to-fuel ratio of an air-fuel mixture fed to the engine by a correction quantity in a given direction, and serves to maintain changing the air-to-fuel ratio during a correction time.

Abstract: To restore the efficiency of a platinum catalyst used for engine exhaust purification that has temporarily deteriorated through oxidation, the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio, or an air-fuel ratio set to a richer value than the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio of the air-fuel mixture supplied to the engine, is applied. The engine running condition and a decrease of catalyst oxidation are detected, and a recovery treatment temperature depending on the degree of oxidation is set. An engine running condition range suited to performing recovery treatment is set based on this recovery treatment temperature. By determining whether or not the running condition is within this range and applying a recovery treatment air-fuel ratio, recovery treatment is performed only under conditions satisfying the recovery treatment temperature. Recovery treatment is therefore performed efficiently, while increase of fuel costs and worsening of exhaust gas composition due to recovery treatment at low temperature are kept to a minimum.

Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine for an automotive vehicle determines whether a catalytic converter arranged in the exhaust system of the engine is in a predetermined high temperature condition. When it is determined that the catalytic converter is in the predetermined high temperature condition, priority is given either to a decrease in the amount of intake air supplied to the engine or to an increase in the amount of fuel to be supplied to the engine, depending on operating conditions of the engine.

Abstract: A target engine revolution speed is calculated based on the throttle position of an engine such that the amount of change in the target engine revolution speed with respect to time is limited. According to the target engine revolution speed thus calculated, a target motor speed ratio, which is a target value for the ratio of the revolution speed of a motor in a hydrostatic transmission unit to the revolution speed of the engine, is set. With this target motor speed ratio, the angle of at least either of discharge controlling swash plates is adjusted.

Abstract: An axle driving apparatus of the present invention consists of a hydrostatic transmission for driving a vehicle. The transmission is so designed that a fan is disposed on a power input shaft so as to cool a housing as well as cooling tubing or an oil passage disposed between the fan and the upper surface of the housing. The housing of the axle driving apparatus is filled with lubricating oil, used on the gears and bearings of the power transmission from the hydrostatic transmission to the axles, and operating oil, used in the pump and motor of the hydrostatic transmission. The oil circulates within the tubing or the oil passage. Cooling the oil passing in the tubing or the oil passage prevents a deterioration in efficiency of the axle driving apparatus.

Abstract: A hydrostatic radial piston engine with two rotors that are supported on an axle so that they can rotate easily thereon. The rotors have a plurality of radial bores with displacement elements (pistons with slide ring) therein, sliding on the inside of a piston ring. The bores are connected via control slits with transport channels (high-pressure/low-pressure) that open on a side on the rotors for the purpose of controlling the transport of the pressure medium. The two rotors can be rotated easily on the axle which mounted on an intermediate bottom. The intermediate bottom is disposed between the rotors. Check plates are disposed on the ends of the axle which take up the axial forces produced by the pressure medium in the control slits of the rotors. The piston rings are supported in the intermediate bottom by a common connecting shaft.

Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine can include a fuel molecular weight sensor to determine an actual and a desired Excess Air Ratio for an air/fuel mixture supplied to the engine. To prevent engine overload, the control system limits the amount of fuel delivered to the engine based on the amount of air available to the engine. High pressure exhaust gas can drive an air compressor which pressurizes inlet air. A exhaust bypass valve controls the amount of power delivered to the compressor, and the pressure and amount of inlet air delivered to the engine. Independent control of the main fuel flow and pilot fuel flow allows the control system to maintain a desired air/fuel ratio in the main combustion chamber and in the precombustion chamber.

Abstract: A fuel injector includes outer and inner coaxial shells spaced radially apart to define a flow channel therebetween having an inlet and an outlet. A strut extends radially outwardly from the inner and outer shells at leading edges thereof and is fixedly joined thereto. An annular lobed mixer is disposed coaxially in the channel and includes a leading edge, a trailing edge spaced from the channel outlet to define a mixing nozzle, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart lobes increasing in radial height from the leading to trailing edges of the mixer. The lobes defines with the outer and inner shells corresponding pluralities of outer and inner chutes for separately channeling respective portions of inlet air. The fuel is injected into the lobed mixer forming a fuel and air mixture in the mixing nozzle for discharge through the channel outlet into a combustor.

Abstract: A refrigeration system having a vapor compression cycle utilizing a liquid over-feeding operation with an integrated accumulator-expander-heat exchanger. Hot, high-pressure liquid refrigerant from the condenser passes through one or more lengths of capillary tubing substantially immersed in a pool liquid refrigerant in the accumulator-expander-heat exchanger for simultaneously sub-cooling and expanding the liquid refrigerant while vaporizing liquid refrigerant from the pool for the return thereof to the compressor as saturated vapor. The sub-cooling of the expanded liquid provides for the flow of liquid refrigerant into the evaporator for liquid over-feeding the evaporator and thereby increasing the efficiency of the evaporation cycle.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a fine spray mist to cool a localized area by evaporative cooling. The apparatus consists of a pressurizable tank, a valve for activating the release of fluid from the pressurizable tank, and a spray nozzle or a plurality of spray nozzles coupled to the valve by a quick connect coupler.

Abstract: A high latent cooling control assembly for a compression-expansion air conditioning system employs a subcooler coil disposed in the leaving air side of the indoor air evaporator coil. A liquid line branch supplies condensed liquid refrigerant from the condenser to the subcooler coil, and a flow restrictor, which can be a TXV, drops the sub-cooled liquid pressure before the refrigerant reaches the expansion device associated with the evaporator coil. A bypass line connects the condenser to the expansion device, and has a liquid line solenoid valve that is humidistat actuated. When dehumidification is called for, the solenoid is closed and refrigerant flows through the subcooler coil. When the humidistat is satisfied, the solenoid opens and the refrigerant path bypasses the subcooler coil. The high latent subcooler assembly can be field-installed or retrofitted onto an existing air conditioner.

Abstract: An air conditioning unit comprising a refrigeration assembly, an air handling assembly, and a control assembly. The refrigeration assembly includes a generally rectangular base pan having upturned edges and a floor having a raised section, the base pan having a condenser, an evaporator, and a compressor mounted to an upper surface thereof. The air handling assembly includes a bulkhead having adjacent side wall portions, a scroll, a motor having an output shaft, a motor mount bracket for engaging the base pan of the refrigeration assembly, a fan, and a blower engaging the output shaft of the motor, a fan shroud and struts for mounting the shroud to the bulkhead and an air plenum assembly. The control assembly includes a control housing and a control panel.

Abstract: A refrigerated icebox employs a cabinet that is internally corrugated to provide a multiplicity of lengthwise channels for air flow within the enclosure defined. The cabinet has a top wall that is provided with an opening to accommodate a drop-in refrigeration unit, and it is, in the main, integrally formed as a single piece.

Abstract: A LiBr aqueous solution apparatus of the horizontal suction type freezer, comprising a main injection pipe for guiding a LiBr aqueous solution contained therein and the main injection pipe being connected to a regenerator, a sub-injection pipe coupled to one end of a lower portion of the main injection pipe, an injection blade rotatably connected to a circumferential portion of the sub-injection pipe, a plurality of injection holes alternatively formed at one side of an opposite surface, and, through holes formed with a center portion of the injection blade.

Abstract: The earring assembly is manufactured at low cost, which enables conventional pierced earrings to be reused, is diversified in ornamental effect and has its user be completely free from a so-called metal allergy. In the assembly: a post 10 is fabricated from titanium, titanium alloys, or ceramics; an insertion hole 50 is formed in a front-end portion 11 of the post 10, the hole 50 extending in a direction of its longitudinal axis Z; an insertion axle 60 corresponding to the insertion hole 50 is formed in a holder 30; and, the insertion axle 60 of the holder 30 is inserted into the hole 50 of the post 10 and fixed thereto with the use of an adhesive, whereby the holder 30 is integrated into the post 10.

Abstract: A ring which includes a ring base having a top open chamber and a plurality of bottom through holes and a circular bottom band, a cap loosely coupled to the ring base, and a circuit device mounted inside the top open chamber of the ring base, the circuit device including a sound producing circuit, a light producing circuit, a battery power supply circuit, and a switch, the switch being switched on to trigger the sound producing circuit and the light producing circuit to produce sound and light for a predetermined length of time each time when the cap is depressed.

Abstract: A jewelry piece includes a mounting for precious stones, the mounting being multi-pointed, star-shaped. The star-shaped mounting defines a plurality of N compartments, and in each compartment there is mounted a respective precious stone. The precious stones substantially fill the entire star-shaped mounting. The appearance is of an integral, single stone which is star-shaped.

Abstract: A device and method for locking a computer access port. In a preferred embodiment, a locking device prevents removal of devices and media installed in a computer access port, but permits air circulation, visual access, and limited physical access. The locking device has an elongated member with an L-shaped engaging portion at one end and a barrel lock mechanism at the other end.

Abstract: A locking mechanism includes a lock cylinder cam urging a split link between which a drive pin engages a generally horizontal slot in an actuator member limited to rectilinear movement with a horizontal pin riding in a vertical slot and engaged in a radial slot in a swinging lock bolt. The split link posts ride in ninety degree arcuate slots with straight horizontal and vertical escape sections at the ends of the slots. Sliding brackets hold a choice of lock cylinders including the slim line types.

Abstract: An improvement in a bicycle lock extends the ability of an existing bicycle lock of the type having a U-shaped shackle to secure a bicycle to a post, against theft, by slipping a generally U-shaped essentially rigid link over a leg of the U-shaped shackle of the existing bicycle lock, subsequent to locating the rear wheel of the bicycle in the link, so that upon locking the bicycle frame and front wheel of the bicycle to the post with the U-shaped shackle, the existing bicycle lock also secures the rear wheel of the bicycle against theft.

Abstract: A magnetically coded lock assembly has a lock having a housing formed with a key slot, a latch element movable in the housing between a locked and an unlocked position, and at least one magnet wheel in the housing rotatable adjacent the slot about a wheel axis. This magnet wheel is provided with a magnet, operatively engageable with the latch element, and displaceable between a blocking position preventing the latch element from moving from the locked to the unlocked position and a freeing position not blocking such movement of the latch element. A key has a body fittable in the slot and formed with at least one seat and a respective magnet-carrying disk rotatable in the seat about a disk axis through a plurality of angularly offset positions. Each disk is closely juxtaposed with a respective one of the wheels when the key body is fitted in the slot.

Abstract: A method and a machine for producing plate components (1) from a sheet of metal (2) which is moved through a press (13) for at least a first cutting operation to be performed to separate the plate components from the sheet of metal and a second cutting operation to separate scrap (27), said press being open with a space (32) allowing free insertion of the metal sheet. According to the invention the metal sheet is displaced by means of a feeding device (11) between the metal working operations, following a predetermined coordinate pattern and being machined in consecutive y-sections (24, 26) each y-section (24) being fully machined in x-direction before the immediately following y-section (26) is brought into position for machining, the metal sheet being machined within surface areas (33), each of which has a length in x-direction of at most 30 cm, and is larger than the plate component so that a peripheral, unbroken scrap portion (27) remains after the first cutting operation.

Abstract: A metal stamping die for a punch press is provided that has a programmable logic microcontroller fixed directly to the die body of the stamping die. The programmable logic microcontroller is encased in epoxy resin to protect it from contaminants and to protect it from vibration which will occur as the punch press operates to stamp metal parts. Sensing devices on the stamping die are electrically connected through passages in the stamping die to the programmable logic microcontroller. An annunciator panel is positioned on the programmable logic microcontroller and has light emitting diodes to indicate the type of malfunction in the die which causes the punch press to stop when a malfunction occurs.

Abstract: A method of forming a drawn and redrawn and ironed container having a contoured sidewall. A cup is blanked and formed from stock in conventional fashion. A profiled bottom may be formed in the cup during the redraw step. The cup is ironed using at least one ironing ring and an ironing punch having at least one recessed area for shaping the interior sidewall of the cup. When the cup is ironed, areas of extra material are formed on the interior of the sidewall where the recessed areas of the ironing punch were present. These areas of extra material are shaped during a spin forming step that creates the contoured sidewall of the can.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for forming a flange on a tube. The method of the present invention includes the steps of: (a) placing a tube having a tube axis extending longitudinally therethrough on a support device for supporting the tube, the tube having an edge defining an opening, the support device having a predetermined flange shape surface adjacent the edge; (b) positioning a tip having a tip axis extending longitudinally therethrough adjacent the edge, the tip having a substantially hyperbolioidal shape, the tip axis being at a predetermined angle with respect to the tube axis, the tip rotating along the tube and tip axes; (c) inserting the rotating tip in the opening of the tube; and (d) engaging the edge with the tip to cause the edge to contact the predetermined flange shape surface to form a flange on the tube.

Abstract: A levelling machine for levelling or flattening sheet metal or strip includes upper and lower levelling rolls which are arranged offset relative to each other and which are supported over their length by back-up rolls which, in turn, are supported and arranged in roll stands. The levelling machine further includes intermediate rolls for driving the levelling rolls.

Abstract: In a six high rolling mill comprising each pair of upper and lower work rolls, intermediate rolls and backup rolls, at least the intermediate rolls of the work and intermediate rolls being adapted for shifting in axial directions thereof, each of the intermediate rolls has a barrel length longer than that of the backup roll such that barrel ends of the intermediate roll extend beyond barrel ends of the-backup roll at maximum and minimum shifted positions of the intermediate roll, thereby providing a six high rolling mill having a high mill rigidity.

Abstract: A sidewinder draw machine (16) has a capstan (20) that is selectively engageable with a frame (26) for rotation with the capstan (20). The frame (26) is mounted on a turntable which is rotatably mounted on a platform (30). The platform has a lower tier (34) mounted on a base (36) for pivotable motion between a horizontal and vertical position. The platform also has an upper tier (32) that is both pivotable and slidable with respect to the lower tier (34) such that the frame can be reoriented to provide ease in unloading a coil bundle (90) formed thereon.