Abstract: The present invention is a method for reducing the deformation along a cut contour edge (26) of a sheet (2) caused by the cutting process whereby sheet material (4) protrudes above the top surface of the sheet being cut. One group of embodiments (22, 50, 60) apply pressure to the deformation to flatten the protrusion (4). Another group of embodiments (70, 80) cut away ant material protruding above the top surface of the sheet. The deformation reduction mechanisms of both groups may be mechanically linked to the contour-cutting element or they may pass over the line of the contour cut independently.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pre-moistened towelettes, often referred to as wet wipes. The wet wipes of the present invention include at least one substantially continuously embossed portion, typically along two opposing edges. Such substantially continuous embossing is sufficient to permit tactile and visual recognition of the edge to enable a user to quickly and efficiently isolate and secure the wipe, especially when in a folded configuration or placed atop a subsequent wipe in a stacked configuration. The substantially continuous embossing also reduces the peel force required to remove one wet wipe from atop another. Remaining portions of the wipe may also be discontinuously embossed. The invention also includes methods of manufacturing such wipes.

Abstract: A multipurpose blind cutting machine is constructed to include a machine base, a first cutter unit and a second cutter unit mounted on the machine base and stacked with each other. The first cutter unit has a circular cutting blade and a cutter drive adapted to rotate the blade and to move the blade in a direction substantially perpendicular to the feeding direction of a blank blind to be cut. The second cutter unit has a locating molds having a plurality of positioning through holes for the positioning of parts of the blank blind to be cut, a cutting-off tool, and a cutter drive adapted to move the cutting-off tool in a direction substantially perpendicular to the feeding direction of the blank blind. A control unit is adapted to selectively control the operation of the first cutter unit and the second cutter unit.

Abstract: A cutting wheel assembly for cutting elongated articles includes a substantially cylindrical housing which defines a longitudinally disposed cavity and a substantially circular outer periphery. A plurality of cutting device support rings are rotatably mounted about the outer periphery of the cylindrical housing. A plurality of cutting devices are mounted for radial movement on each cutting device support ring, and disposed at angularly spaced increments about the cylindrical housing, and wherein each cutting device is radially moveable between a first retracted non-cutting position, and a second extended cutting position. A manifold and valve assembly is mounted in the longitudinally disposed cavity and proximate the cutting devices for selectively directing a pulse of fluid against individual cutting devices at a preselected angular position to urge the respective cutting devices substantially radially outwardly from the retracted non-cutting position to the extended cutting position.

Abstract: A plunger assembly is provided for gripping blanking material or blanking scrap during a blanking operation. The plunger assembly includes a base member; a pivoting gripper or plunger member, and a pair of connecting legs connecting the pivoting gripper member to the base member. The assembly is adapted to pivot with respect to at least one of the base member and the pivoting gripper member through a predetermined pivot angle range for changing a distance between the base member and the pivoting gripper member. By pivoting, a folding and unfolding of the plunger assembly can be effected during a blanking operation.

Abstract: The cutting apparatus according to the present invention is adapted to cut off with a pair of cutting members a part to be cut off of each lateral seal portion of series-connected packaged bags in which packaged bags containing a material sealed therein by heat sealing a packaging film are continuously formed, the cutting members being formed of a rotatably provided rotary blade, and a receiving blade provided so as to face the rotary blade, the receiving blade being provided with a transfer mechanism adapted to be moved forward and rearward synchronously with a rotation of the rotary blade. Therefore, the series-connected packaged bags can be transferred with the portions swollen due to a packed material of the bags not contacting the receiving blade. This enables the cutting apparatus to transfer the series-connected packaged bags stably without hurting the packaging film.

Abstract: Article breaking apparatus for mounting on an arm of a suitable vehicle, the apparatus having a pair of hydraulically operated jaws (12, 24), the first jaw (12) of the pair having first and second mutually perpendicular article supporting surfaces (14, 16) and the second jaw having an article engaging surface (26). The jaws (12, 14) are movable about a first pivot axis (22) between an article receiving position in which the first article supporting surface (14) and the article engaging surface (26) diverge away from the first pivot axis (22) and an article breaking position in which said surfaces (14, 26) diverge towards the first pivot axis (22). When an article (82) is located between the jaws (12, 24) and the jaws (12, 24) move from the receiving to the breaking position, the article (82) will be urged towards the second article supporting surface (16) and held there against until broken by the relative movement of the said surfaces (14, 26).

Abstract: A cutting device for breaking fragile materials is constructed to include a lifting mechanism adapted to move the cutter vertically, a rotary table adapted to control the cutting angle of the cutter on the workpiece, a feed mechanism adapted to control the federate of the cutter, and a rotary mechanism adapted to rotate the cutter for enabling the cutter to cut the workpiece with one of multiple cutting points thereof selectively.

Abstract: A trim hold down box apparatus is disclosed for assisting in the separation of trim cut from an edge of a sheet by a cutter prior to the sheet being transferred from a forming wire of a forming section to a press section of a paper making machine. The apparatus includes a frame which is adjustably secured to the former and is disposed downstream relative to the cutter. A box cradle is secured to the frame and a trim box is movably connected to the box cradle such that floating of the trim box with the forming wire is permitted. The arrangement is such that the forming wire is disposed between the trim and the trim box. A biasing arrangement extends between the trim box and the box cradle so that biasing of the trim box relative to the forming wire is permitted. The trim box has a first and a second end and the first end of the trim box is connected to a source of partial vacuum. The second end of the trim box cooperates with the forming wire and is disposed in a vicinity of the trim.

Abstract: This invention provides a music/light synchronous control mechanism, comprising an overhead platform on a music bell, wherein said overhead platform has the first gear set driven by the shaft of said music bell, the second gear set driven by the spur gear in a music tumbler, a control mechanism, and a light contact switch mechanism. With the mechanic structure, this invention can control music and light to start/end them synchronously.

Abstract: The present invention provides a peg for stringed instruments, which can reduce rotational errors of a worm gear due to a backlash caused during tuning of a string as low as possible. The peg is also possible to reduce the friction at each rotational portion, to prevent it from seizing up, to greatly reduce a work time required for wiping off a fluid lubricant, and to retain a stable performance for a long time.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tremolo block device installed to a body of a guitar to adjust tension of strings for trill. The tremolo block device includes an upper support combined to a lower surface of a bridge plate having a plurality of saddles, a lower support hinged with the upper support, a worm installed through the lower support, a worm gear engaged with the worm and inserted into the hinge axis, and a spring inserted into the hinge to rotate with the hinge and to elastically support a lower portion of the upper support. Thus, the bridge plate is stably supported, and the body is not broken due to stress concentration. Also, a rear height of the bridge plate can be easily adjusted as well as the tension of the strings.

Abstract: There is provided a drum head assembly. The drum head assembly has an outer member and an inner member. The outer member has an L-shaped step on its inside surface with posts extending outward from the base of the step. The depth of the inside edge of the outer member determines the amount of tension on the head. A die cut head or skin with holes punched to match the posts is inserted into the outer member. The inner member with holes that match the posts in the outer member is pressed onto the underside of the outer member. The pressure forces the inner member into the inside edge of the L-shaped inside surface of the outer member. There is also provided a method in which the die cut head or skin gets pulled at the same time, thus creating tension. While the assembly is still under pressure, a heated mandrel melts the post ends onto the inner member, thus holding the three components of the assembly in place.

Abstract: A one-piece retainer for a cymbal on a stand. The essence of the invention is a one-piece retainer secured to the cymbal rod. The unit employs a plastic, cylindrical sleeve to mount to a threaded cymbal rod, with spring fingers which are compressed as the cymbal is pushed onto the cymbal support. The spring fingers then release to their original position when the cymbal is fully in place, and act to prevent the cymbal from coming off the cymbal support.

Abstract: A performance data editing system is actualized by a computer system (or electronic musical instrument) which is equipped with a display and a mouse. The system initially provides a score window containing various types of execution icon layers onto which execution icons (representing musical symbols such as bend-up/down, grace-up/down, dynamics, glissando, tremolo) are attached and arranged in conformity with a progression of a musical tune on a screen of the display. Each of the layers is independently controlled in response to various commands such as display-on, small-scale display, display-off and vertical rearrangement. The system allows a user (or music editor) to select desired execution icons from an icon select palette that provides lists of execution icons which are registered in advance. In addition, the system also allows the user to modify parameters of a specific icon which is selected from among the execution icons attached onto the score window.

Abstract: A karaoke device with built-in microphone includes a main body microphone, and converts an audio signal from the microphone into audio data by an A/D converter, and writes the audio data into a ring buffer by mixing with the data already stored in the ring buffer. If an echo mode is set, a delay time constant (CD) corresponding to the echo mode is determined, and on the basis thereof, a size of the ring buffer is set. The data is read from the ring buffer, and is inputted in a sound channel. If a voice effect mode is set, a reproduction frequency constant (CF) corresponding to the voice effect mode is determined, and based thereon, an inclement value of a read pointer of the ring buffer is determined, and then, the data is read from an address indicated by the read pointer. When the read pointer reaches the delay time constant, the relevant constant is subtracted from the read pointer value.

Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing an audio signal with regard to rhythm information of the audio signal by using an autocorrelation function comprises a filter bank for separating the audio signal into at least two sub-band signals. The sub-band signals are examined with regard to periodicities by an autocorrelation function, to obtain rhythm raw-information for the at least two sub-band signals. To reduce or eliminate the ambiguities of the autocorrelation function for periodical signals, the rhythm raw-information is postprocessed to obtain post-processed rhythm raw-information for the sub-band signal. The rhythm information of the audio signal is established based on the postprocessed rhythm raw-information.

Abstract: A method and device for audio streaming, wherein audio signals indicative of voice are encoded by a voice-specific encoder (such as AMR-WB) and embedded in a first bitstream, and audio signals indicative of instrumental sounds are encoded by a different encoder, such as an SP-MIDI synthesizer, and embedded in a second bitstream for transmission. In the decoder, a voice-specific decoder is used to reconstruct the voice signals based on the first bitstream, and a synthesizer-type decoder is used to reconstruct the instrumental sounds based on the second bitstream. The reconstructed voice signals and the reconstructed instrumental sounds are dynamically mixed for playback.

Abstract: This invention provides a signal processing and signal synthesis technique from a family of signal processing and signal synthesis techniques designed to readily interwork or be used individually in creating new forms of rich musical timbres. A real-time controllable mix of a plurality of multiple output frequency-reduced signals and the cross-products of these signals provides rich animated harmonically partitioned spectra. Mixing parameters may be recalled from stored program control or modulated in real-time by arbitrary control signals, including envelope generators, low-frequency oscillators, and those derived from an original input signal, and specifically including the amplitude of an original input signal. The real-time controllable mix may have multiple outputs and be subjected to further signal processing and multiple-channel amplification.

Abstract: A cursor movement controlling apparatus for an electronic musical apparatus comprises a display that displays a plurality of choices for controlling parameters of the electronic music apparatus, each of which is categorized into one of groups, and a cursor for selecting the choices, an instructor that instruct a movement of the displayed cursor, a movement storage device that stores a content of the movement of the cursor when the movement of the cursor within the group is instructed, and a cursor moving device that moves, when the movement of the cursor to other group is instructed, the cursor to the choice that is in the other group and corresponding to the content of the movement storage device.

Abstract: A binding cord for a motor for an electric vehicle includes a braided round cord of eight or more strands using a multifilament strand made of synthetic fibers having a melting point or a decomposition temperature at 280° C. or more. The binding cord has oil resistance at high temperatures of 50% or more, the oil resistance at high temperatures being represented by the following formula: oil resistance at high temperatures (%)=(T′/T)×100. Here, T denotes a tensile strength of the binding cord before treatment and T′ denotes a tensile strength of the binding cord after the treatment. The tensile strength is measured in accordance with JIS L1013-8.5.1, and the treatment is carried out in such a manner that the entire binding cord is put into a closed container containing a mixture of 5 weight % of water and 95 weight % of automatic transmission fluid, followed by heating the container so that a temperature of the mixture is maintained at 150° C. for 1,000 hours.

Abstract: A braiding apparatus for braiding the perforated braid with constant intervals of perforation forms a first braid section to braid one strand with a plurality of yarns, sequential braid section to braid a certain length of braid with two strands and another sequential braid section to braid a final strand with the previous strands. The braiding apparatus equips a carrier guide plate (10) which has a pair of core yarn holes (12, 12′), two tracks of carrier contours (14, 14′) and a plurality of coupling holes (13, 13′), a base plate (40) disposed underneath the carrier guide plate (10), a plurality of carriers (20), feed gears (30) rotatably mounted on the base plate (40), feed discs (31) which are fixed on top of feed gear shafts (32), a pair of carrier contour changers (50, 50′), actuators (42, 42′) mounted underneath the base plate (40) for repetitively crossing and separating operations.

Abstract: A cooler for one or a plurality of metal tubes with a cooler housing having intake vents, a powered turbine, at least one exhaust holes and metal tube supports. The one or a plurality of metal tubes received by metal tube supports and positioned to receive coolant flow from the turbine.

Abstract: A method of preparing a protective material is shown. In one aspect the method includes the steps of providing a powder mixture of solid particles having a size in the range of colloidal up to 100 &mgr;m. The particles have a ceramic or mineral composition. Then a liquid is provided to form an external phase of a suspension when mixed with the powder, to yield a solids volume concentrating greater then 0.5. The solid powder liquid mixture forms a thixotropic-dilatant liquid material. The rheological curve of the TDLM is adjusted to suit the application, resulting in thixotropic properties at low strain rates and dilatant properties at higher strain rates to yield a material that solidifies upon impact. The rheological curve is adjusted by one or more of additives, material composition and gravity mixing. In another aspect protective articles made from TDLM are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates mainly to a reaction device for a pneumatic brake booster with modifiable boost and to a brake booster comprising such a device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydraulic dampening system which has particular utility with power tools. The hydraulic dampening system includes a cylinder and a piston positioned within and movable through a stroke. The piston has a retract face which forms a first chamber with a first end wall of the cylinder and a face opposed to the retract face which forms a second chamber with a second end wall of the cylinder. The hydraulic dampening system also includes at least one port and/or at least one gap for dampening movement of the piston during its stroke.

Abstract: Disclosed is a piston positioning system for positioning a piston within a cylinder of a pneumatic circuit. The system comprises a piston position indicator for sensing an actual piston position, a controller for generating an output signal in response to the piston position signal, a pneumatic valving device for regulating the flow of pneumatic fluid and a solenoid valve configured to energize the pneumatic valving device. The pneumatic valving device comprises a four-way valve, a servo valve coupled to a stepper motor, and a two-way valve. The reversible stepper motor is incrementally rotatable over a desired angle of rotation in proportion to the magnitude of the output signal for linearly translating the servo valve such that the flow of pneumatic fluid maybe manipulated into and out of first and second ends of the cylinder to control the piston position therewithin.

Abstract: A support structure carrying a thrust load of a compressor has a swash plate which contributes to a compressing operation by rotating according to rotation of a rotating shaft which is rotatably supported by a housing. The swash plate is rotatably supported with respect to the housing, and the support structure includes a thrust needle roller bearing having double-row needle rollers. The support structure carrying a thrust load of a compressor and the thrust needle roller bearing are thus obtained, with an improvement in inflow and outflow of a lubricating oil, a reduction of the differential slip of the needle rollers, and an improvement in strength durability.

Abstract: A reciprocating piston mechanism for an air-conditioning compressor in a motor vehicle has a housing, a rotary driven shaft, a shaft seal assembly with a gliding ring seal, at least one radial shaft bearing, and at least one axial shaft bearing.

Abstract: A piston rod-less linear drive has an elongated housing containing a guide slide moving in the longitudinal direction. The connection between the entraining member and the guide slide is with the interposition of an abutment unit attached to the guide slide, such abutment unit furthermore serving to limit the path of movement of the guide slide.

Abstract: An oil pressure cylinder has an adjusting ring. The adjusting ring is prolonged and is formed by two parts which are buckled with one another. An elastic element is used to buckle the adjusting ring. A spring is embedded at a slot of the adjusting ring so as to tightly seal the adjusting ring. The sealing washer in the steel tube has a plane shape and has a convex ring. An outer side of the convex ring is enclosed by an elastic wearing compensating spring; a connecting portion of the selecting seat with the adjusting ring is formed as a plane for matching the plane sealing washer. The adjusting ring is formed integrally, the adjusting ring has an opening, the opening has two parallel long sides and two parallel short sides, four corners of the opening are cambered; in interior of the adjusting ring has a plurality of blocks.

Abstract: An engine piston (10) has a crown portion (12) generated about a longitudinal piston axis (14) and, extending axially from the crown, a pair of gudgeon pin bosses (26, 28) defining a pin axis (30) and spaced apart at opposite sides of an orthogonal thrust axis (40). A circumferentially discontinuous skirt defines lateral thrust and non-thrust bearing regions (34, 36), respectively, centered on the thrust axis, each joined by convexly bowed reinforcement ribs (62, 64, 66, 68) to the bosses. The bearing region (36) on the nun-thrust side of the piston is circumferentially shorter than thrust region (34), reducing piston mass to one side of the piston, and the reinforcement ribs are offset in pin axis direction where thy intersect the bosses. Mass reducing recesses (106, 108) are formed in the underside of the crown between the unskirted periphery (37), reinforcement ribs and bosses, the offset ribs (66, 68) permitting the recesses to extend further as at (110) and permit greater reduction in mass.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for removing hydrocarbons from an exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine. The method of the present invention comprises contacting the exhaust gas with a water-removing composition and then contacting the exhaust gas at a position downstream from the water-removing composition with a hydrocarbon-removing material to remove at least some of the hydrocarbons from the exhaust gas. The hydrocarbon-removing material use in the present invention has a sufficiently low Si to Al atom ratio that less than 50% of the low molecular hydrocarbons desorb from the hydrocarbon-removing composition at a temperature of 250° C.

Abstract: Oil entrained in purge air from a vehicle air dryer is directed through a purge air cleaner to remove the oil before discharge of the purge air to the environment. An absorbent material, preferably hydrophobic, is enclosed in the purge air cleaner, which may be safely disposed. Alternatively, oil can be extracted from the absorbent media and thereby recycled. By providing a spin-on type canister, the absorbent media can be easily replaced and serviced.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions, processes and devices for use in HVAC systems to provide air freshening scent to air circulating in the system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a filter candle for a precoated filter for filtering and/or stabilizing fluids, especially beer, the filter candle comprising a tubular filter body that is formed from a spirally wound wire, with gaps being provided between the wire windings as fluid passages.

Abstract: The coffee maker comprises a chamber acting as a boiler to receive a determined quantity of water; a chamber for the final collection of the beverage produced; and, for containing the ground coffee, a filter device connecting together the two chambers and comprising a tube which dips into the water contained in the boiler. A baffle is provided to sealedly close the boiler, with the exception of a through hole for sealedly receiving the filter device. The filter device comprises an enclosure closed or closable to form a filter capsule intended to contain the ground coffee and closed or closable independently of whether the coffee maker is assembled. The walls of the capsule are liquid-permeable in a region which communicates with the tube and in at least one other region which communicates with the collection chamber.

Abstract: A portion package for making an aromatic beverage includes a dish-shaped lower part having a bottom presenting a bottom surface, and a circumferential side wall extending from the bottom and including an outwardly extending edge at an upper end thereof. The lower part comprises a material having filtering capabilities. The circumferential side wall includes at least two oppositely located side walls converging in a wedge-shaped manner. The edge extends parallel to the bottom surface. A lid lies on the edge of the lower part and is bonded thereto.

Abstract: A barbecue cooking tool component configured so as to be capable of attaching to or detaching from a handle implement. The component includes a clasping mechanism for holding the component between spaced apart rods of a longer handle. In one embodiment, the base component has spaced apart rods which are closer to each other that the spaced apart rods of the handle implement. The spaced apart rods of the base component also have connecting rods on one side and one or more clasping rods on the other side which fit, respectfully, between, over and under hand expanded spaced apart rods of the longer handle implement and attach thereto when the handle's spaced apart rods are released under spring tension to their non-tensioned position. The attachable/detachable base component becomes a component when its parts are augmented and\or added to, to form useful attachable grilling accessories which can be detached for exchangeability on a multipurpose handle, and for easier storage, transportation and cleaning.

Abstract: An apparatus assembly for forming a layered dessert in a predetermined layered dome forming a hemispheric shape including a first mold having a dome shaped bowl with a closed semi-spherical end and an open end, and a ring shaped planar support base secured to said closed end of bowl body. A second mold comprises a circular pan with a flat bottom surface and a curved outer side extending upward from the bottom surface with the area formed by a plane across the top of the curved outer side, the inner surface curved side and the bottom surface forming a section of a sphere. A lip is formed on both molds extending outward from the open end.

Abstract: An assembly for forming multiple individual compound desserts in a predetermined dome shape including a first base sheet having a plurality of dome shaped bowls extending therefrom, each bowl formed with a closed semi-spherical end and an open end, and a second top sheet which seats on said first base sheet with a plurality of dome shaped bowls of a smaller diameter mounted in the chamber respective chambers formed in the first mold bowl and fasteners holding the sheets together to prevent separation caused by the expansion of the baking batter of the dessert.

Abstract: Provided is a manually operable nut cracking device having a frame, a fixed jaw and a movable jaw mounted to the frame in opposed relationship to define between them a nut holding station. The movable jaw is biassed away from the fixed jaw member. The device also has a lever arm pivotally connected by its proximal end with a pivot shaft to the upper part of the frame such that its distal end forms an operating handle movable from a fully inoperative position whereat the jaws are at their fullest extent away from each other to a fully operative positive whereat the jaws are at their fullest extent closer to one another. The pivot shaft is positioned adjacent to the movable jaw and a wedge shaped cam is formed at the proximal end of the lever arm.

Abstract: A method for the failsafe monitoring of the rotational movement of a shaft comprises a first step of picking up a characteristic pulse train with a number of pulses following one another at successive times, the time interval between the pulses is dependent on the rotational movement. A second step determines a monitoring time period and a third step monitors whether an expected pulse of the pulse train occurs within the monitoring time period. Finally, there is a fourth step of generating a control signal when the expected pulse does not occur within the monitoring time period. The mounting time period is repeatedly adapted to the time interval of the pulses during monitoring.

Abstract: An elastic member is disposed on a load supporting device such as cushion pins and wear plates, which are placed between at least a work and a die cushion pad and transfer a load applied to the work to the die cushion pad, to support the load. The load supporting device is disposed in two or more on the die cushion pad to realize equalization of the load applied to a die cushion. Thus, use of a conventional large-scale hydraulic circuit is eliminated, and the device can be simplified. And, the press machine can be produced at a low cost.

Abstract: A compactor system (10) for compacting loose refuse or solids at a transfer station that provided consolidation of waste and transfer to specialised vehicles which take the compacted waste on to a final disposal site. The compactor system comprises a refuse receiving volume or compartment (16) for receipt or filling of loose refuse (25), a compacting device (11) to provide a vertical compacting force by ram operated movable base (19) and/or top (20) walls acting on the refuse within the volume (16) to form a compacted refuse load, and a compacted load transfer device (12) having a ram operated movable vertical surface (22) to move the load horizontally and into a refuse transport means or vehicle (15) via the end (13) closed with a movable end surface (21). The top wall (20) can be pivotally opened upwards to allow refuse to be tipped into the volume (16) along the entire length.

Abstract: A double action oil hydraulic press is provided having a main cylinder for actuating a slide and a lower part forming cylinder for actuating a lower part forming unit, wherein the operations of the cylinders are controlled through the combined control of the rotation of an oil hydraulic pump of a power unit and servo valves whereby the amount of operation oil that must be used is reduced.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a goods-wrapping apparatus for wrapping a particular article of a plurality of articles, includes: a goods storing section operable to store the plurality of articles; a goods carrying in/out section operable to carry in the articles into the goods storing section and carry out the article from the goods storing section; a printer operable to print a printing content associated with the particular article onto a printing medium based on the particular article; and a wrapping section operable to wrap the particular article carried out from the goods carrying in/out section with the printing medium onto which the printing content associated with the particular article has been printed.

Abstract: A pellet-shaped article inspection unit is structured for use with a conveyer mechanism having a plurality of carrier bars, each carrier bar being structured to convey a plurality of pellet-shaped articles along a predetermined path. The article inspection unit includes a first camera unit positioned adjacent a first side of the conveyer mechanism. The first camera unit is configured to sense a first predetermined characteristic, e.g., laser holes, of the plurality of pellet-shaped articles. A removal mechanism, downstream from the first camera unit, is structured to remove or maintain at least a selected one of the plurality of pellet-shaped articles from at least a selected one of the plurality of carrier bars depending on whether the first predetermined characteristic is sensed by the first camera unit. A laser unit may be provided to create unique holes in the pellet-shaped articles, e.g., those by a larger exposed surface to improve time-release characteristics of the pellet-shaped articles.

Abstract: A manual ink applicator for use in screen printing which uses a squeegee that is mounted on a pair of pivoting links. The links in turn are mounted on a pair of shuttle blocks. The pivoting links raise the squeegee from the screen surface when the shuttle blocks make contact with the top and bottom ends of the screen frame or adjustable stops mounted to the sides of the screen frame, and the operator continues in the same direction as the squeegee was moving just prior to the blocks making said contact. The operator then changes the direction of movement of the squeegee. There is a handle and a brace attached to the shaft. The user places his or her arm through the brace and grasps the handle. By applying the force to the squeegee through the handle, brace and shaft, the force to the squeegee is substantially greater than if just applied to the squeegee by the user's hands. This minimizes user fatigue and allows a greater and more uniform force to be applied to the squeegee than by previous manual devices.

Abstract: Devices for turning sheets in a rotary printing machine are described. The devices have a storage drum for handling sheets, which are each held by a holding device, and a turning drum is disposed downstream of the storage drum and has a holding device for engaging a rear edge of the sheet to be turned. An operation of detaching the sheet to be turned from the storage drum and carrying it along by the turning drum leads to the formation of a pressure reduction in an area formed between the sheet to be turned, the storage drum and the turning drum. The pressure reduction is compensated for by supplying ambient air, blast air and/or compressed air. The turning device has a channel and/or a passage orifice connected to an inner chamber of the turning drum. Via the channel and/or passage orifice air can be sucked and/or blown into the reduced-pressure area.