Abstract: An edible decoration is laser kiss cut from an edible decorating sheet by optically sensing at least one printed edible design on the edible decorating sheet relative to a laser cutting tool coordinate system and driving a laser along a circuit of cutting locations defined in the laser cutting tool coordinate system. The laser beam forms a separation channel by laser ablation of at least a portion of the edible decorating sheet at the cutting locations while leaving intact the non-adhesive releasable backing upon which the edible decorating sheet rests.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system for transporting work pieces from one location to another. The system uses either magnetic force or vacuum, or both, to lift and retain the work pieces against the moving overhead conveyor belt. The system can interrupt the magnetic force and/or the vacuum to release the work pieces from against the moving overhead conveyor belt at a desired transport location.

Abstract: A temporary storage system (1) of belt type for lightweight hollow bodies (C), said system being particularly suitable for use with empty plastic containers (C) and of the type comprising a storage buffer vessel (2) provided with a feed entry opening (3) in its upper part and a discharge exit (4) in its lower part, said exit (4) being situated above conveyor means (5) for removal from the buffer vessel (2), said system comprising at least one movable storage belt (6a, 6b, 6c) positioned substantially horizontally in the interior of said buffer vessel (2), said storage belt (6a, 6b, 6c) being arranged to receive a falling plurality of desired volumes (D) of said hollow bodies (C), while advancing during the fall of said hollow bodies (C) by a distance sufficient to maintain said volumes (D) separate, said volumes (D) being made to advance towards the discharge exit (4) and allowed to fall onto the removal conveyor means (5) when said stored hollow bodies (C) are required to be withdrawn.

Abstract: A method for controlling a wrapping machine for printed products that includes determining the size of an incoming gap in a printed product stream and controlling a speed of the wrapping machine as a function of the size of the incoming gap. The controlling step includes intentionally leaving, in the printed product stream in the wrapper machine, at least a single product gap corresponding to the incoming gap so as to create at least one empty bag. A newspaper finishing machine and controller are also provided.

Abstract: An aligning apparatus for aligning food product chips having a generally curved shape includes a longitudinally extending rib positioned with respect to a chip transport surface. As chips are transported along the transport surface, they straddle the aligning rib with respective opposed side edges thereof supported on the transport surface. Engagement with the aligning rib causes the chips to become generally aligned with the aligning rib and thus, with each other.

Abstract: Flat objects, conveyed in succession, are deposited on a slower forwarding conveyor in shingle formation so that a decelerating unit settles from the top on the deposited objects. To guarantee a flawless deposit of the workpieces in shingle formation, the decelerating unit comprises a group of bands or belts, which rotate parallel to each other over deflecting rolls and which are driven at the same speed as the forwarding conveyor and which are forced against the self-forming workpiece shingle, by means of the wheels or rolls, mounted on swivelable levers.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for stacking and loading disc-like objects into receptacles is provided. The apparatus includes a lane combining conveyor which receives multiple lanes of product and combines one or more of the outer lanes into the remaining lanes. A stack former is provided for forming individual stacks of patties which are side supported onto rails. The rails can be pivoted down to divert patties for clearing jams. After the product is formed on the stack formers, a stack transfer mechanism transfers the stacks of products formed on the stack forming rails to the matrix former. Matrix former receives individual rows of multiple stacks from the stack transfer mechanism. A stripper mechanism is used to ensure that the stacks are not scrambled during this transfer. Once the matrix former is filled with product, a case rollover mechanism is rotated to the matrix former.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for feeding flat objects overlapping in slats, particularly metal sheets, at least to a front edge stopper of a processing machine, particularly a tin printing machine or a tin-plate varnishing machine, with a first conveyor on which the objects lie.

Abstract: A paper handling system includes first and second inclined conveyors. The first inclined conveyor operates at a first speed and has an output end. The second inclined conveyor operates at a second speed and is operably positioned to receive paper output from the first inclined conveyor. The second speed is greater than the first speed. The inclined conveyors are preferably inclined at an angle in the range from 15° to 35°. By transporting the paper up the inclined conveyors, upper layers of paper are allowed to slide down over lower layers of paper thereby creating a thinner stream of paper.