Abstract: Disclosed is a rotary vacuum arm bag or sheet transferring and stacking device and a stack-handling system enabling an indexing of counted bag stacks. The transferring device grasps and retains the bags adjacent margins transverse to the direction of web advance while at least a portion of the opposed margins parallel to such direction are spaced inwardly from the arms to define a slot or gap thru which stack-retaining fingers project contributing to remove a bag from a pair of arms and retaining the bag in a stack wherein respective margins overlie each other. Also disclosed is a stack-handling system having the ability to remove a completed stack from the stacking station and yet allow, if desired, continuous bag machine operation and, as a result, uninterrupted transfer of sheets or bags to the stacking stations.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rotary vacuum arm bag or sheet transferring and stacking device and a stack-handling system enabling an indexing of counted bag stacks. The transferring device grasps and retains the bags adjacent margins transverse to the direction of web advance while at least a portion of the opposed margins parallel to such direction are spaced inwardly from the arms to define a slot or gap thru which stack-retaining fingers project contributing to remove a bag from a pair of arms and retaining the bag in a stack wherein respective margins overlie each other. Also disclosed is a stack-handling system having the ability to remove a completed stack from the stacking station and yet allow, if desired, continuous bag machine operation and, as a result, uninterrupted transfer of sheets or bags to the stacking stations.

Abstract: A fabric component pickup apparatus or the like having first and second fabric gripping elements defining first and second opposed gripping lines in the plane of the face of the fabric component, the fabric gripping elements adapted for movement relative to each other essentially in the plane with simultaneous components of motion closing the distance between the gripping lines and displacing one gripping line laterally in the plane of the fabric at an angle to the closing motion. As the fabric lying between gripping lines is tensioned by the component of lateral displacement motion of the gripping elements, the fabric is simultaneously gathered by the component of closing motion. In one preferred embodiment, an air blast is directed through the porosity created by tensioning the fabric to impinge upon the underlying layer of fabric.

Abstract: A log debarker having a frame, a stator supported by the frame, a rotor journaled in the stator for rotation about a longitudinal axis of the rotor, a rotating mechanism for rotating the rotor about the longitudinal axis, a plurality of debarking tools attached to the rotor, and a feeding system for feeding logs axially through the rotor. The feeding system includes a plurality of log gripping rollers positioned for rolling contact with the log, and individual hydraulic motors are operatively connected to the log gripping roller for rotating the log gripping roller. Each of the hydraulic motors is adapted to rotate its log gripping roller at different and variable rotation speeds to accommodate logs of uneven surfaces. A hydraulic fluid supply system supplies each of the hydraulic motors with fluid so that the different and variable hydraulic fluid requirements of each of the hydraulic motors necessitated by uneven log surfaces are satisfied.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for automatically delivering sheet molding compound (SMC) to a compression press preparatory to molding. The SMC is laid on a buck to the mold-charging pattern. It is speared with a plurality of pins which are angled to support the SMC as it is transferred into the press. The pins are withdrawn from the SMC to drop it onto the bottom mold.

Abstract: In apparatus for stacking flat articles such as flattened bags, two spaced rotatable hubs carry radial transfer arms provided with suction nozzles. By perforations on one side of the articles, the latter are collected up to the desired stacking height on prongs provided at one side of endless conveying members of an intermittently operative conveyor. The other sides of the articles hang over the other side of the conveying members where the latter are provided with supporting frames or plates which project laterally beyond the conveyor and are mounted at their central region on two parallel pivot shafts which are secured to the coveying members, extend transversely thereto and are spaced apart sufficiently to enable them to pass over direction-changing drums or wheels of the conveying members.

Abstract: A dual-chain sewing machine for aligning the edges and the corresponding seam tracks of pieces of a garment that have different curvatures and for sewing the pieces together along the seam tracks includes two flexible, elongated carriers, which move at approximately the same linear speed and which are mounted and arranged for motion around continuous paths. Each carrier has pins extending from it in a direction transverse to the direction of movement, with the pins of one carrier extending toward the pins of the other carrier. A first fabric piece is applied to the pins of the first carrier when a pin bearing portion of the first carrier is in a path segment corresponding to the seam track on the first fabric piece; a second fabric piece is applied to the pins of the second carrier when a pin bearing portion of the second carrier is in a path segment corresponding to the seam track on the second fabric piece.

Abstract: The invention relates to a conveyor device consisting of endless chains or the like, which are adapted to be driven and which are led over end rollers, while cross-bars extend between the chains, the cross-bars carrying teeth, the path which is followed by the cross-bars with the teeth including a conveying portion and an inactive portion which is positioned lower than the conveying portion. According to the invention the inactive portion of the path comprises a stretch, which extends partly towards the conveying portion and partly away from the conveying portion. The invention further relates to an apparatus for loosening and apportioning silage or the like material provided with a storage container, which comprises a carrier conveyor and a loosening conveyor, which loosening conveyor joins this carrier conveyor and is inclined upwardly. This loosening conveyor may be executed as the conveyor device described hereinabove.

Abstract: An automatic board transfer apparatus transfers, positions and delivers boards and comprises an arm which is reciprocable along guides for horizontally guiding the boards and which is vertically movable perpendicularly to the plane of the boards. A pusher and a pin are installed on the arm. The board is transferred in advance along the guides by the pusher and on the way a pin is inserted into the reference hole of the board to thereby transfer the board. Thus, variations in the position of the reference hole of the board caused by reversing the board and variations in board length are accommodated without adjustment, thus making continuous production possible.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in the lineal feeding of logs to saws or canters has a main conveyor with an endless chain which extends up to and beyond the cutting elements of such log processing equipment. A hold-down conveyor is vertically aligned with the main conveyor and there are spring flights on an endless chain of this hold-down conveyor. Opposing runs of the two conveyors are spaced apart to grip and hold a log between the runs so that, when drive is transmitted to the chains, the log is advanced endwise and is fed through the cutting elements allowing them to cut or chip along part of or the entire length of opposite sides of the log. The apparatus has the ability to maintain a log on a fixed track relative to the saw, canter or the like and this ensures the maximum possible yield of useful lumber.

Abstract: An improved feed roll for logs and the like has a plurality of radially extending trapezoidally shaped pyramids spaced circumferentially about the surface. In adjacent rows an offset may be provided and certain dimensional relationships are provided to yield increased traction with a reduction in tree surface damage.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for fitting and stacking bags onto wicket pins which makes it possible to efficiently carry out a sequence of procedures ranging from the production of the bag from a film to stacking of the bags onto the wicket pins and in which sealing and cutting of the film to produce the bag by a seal-knife and a sealing roller, clamping of the bag by intermittent conveyor means and fitting of a pair of holes at the lip of the bag onto the wicket pins by pushers are carried out at the time of stop of intermittent operation. The apparatus has a simplified construction and reduces power consumption.

Abstract: A characteristic feature of the proposed pickup conveyer, comprising drive shafts, a conveyer belt carrying support elements held thereto, spring-actuated double pickup fingers provided with a yoke-shaped interspring crosspiece and made fast on said support elements resides in the fact that said support element is shaped as a channel iron between the flanges of which the spring-actuated double pickup finger is mounted, said flanges having holes for a U-shaped holder to fit, one of the ends of said holder being recurvate towards the ends of the pickup fingers.

Abstract: An arrangement in sawing machines or like processing machines for the forward feeding and infeeding of work pieces, such as logs in particular, to the machine, comprising a stationary saw table which extends parallel to the desired feed line for the workpiece, at least up to the sawing machine, and at least two, individually drivable, endless feed chains which extend in vertical planes parallel with the feed line beneath the saw table. Each of the feed chains is provided with at least one dogging means which moves in a groove in the saw table. The groove is parallel with the feed line and common to all dogging means. The dogging means projects up out of the groove, above the surface of the saw table, in a manner to enable the dogging means to act on the rear end surface of a work piece resting on the saw table, for feeding said workpiece up to and into the sawing machine.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating and individually transporting flexible sheets from a stack to at least one processing unit wherein one stack edge is compressed and the topmost sheet is picked-up by pick-up heads at its edge situated at the compressed stack edge, the engaged edge is lifted from the stack, and the lifted edge is gripped by horizontally moving removal elements which remove the partially lifted sheet from under the pick-up heads and carry it away in a horizontal direction at least beyond the pick-up zone whereby the sheet is progressively turned and rolled off the stack and transported to a registering mechanism where the sheet is oriented in a predetermined position for feeding to the processing unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing, collecting and transporting platelike fins, including fin forming apparatus for simultaneously forming plural fins in adjacent side-by-side relationship from sheet material. The forming apparatus causes the fins to be discharged outwardly in the lengthwise direction thereof. Fin handling are positioned adjacent the forming apparatus for collecting and transporting the fins. The fin handling apparatus includes an endless conveyor having a substantially straight upper reach positioned adjacent the forming apparatus and movable substantially transverse to the direction of movement of the fins as discharged from the forming apparatus. A plurality of elongated fin collectors are fixed to the endless conveyor, being spaced a predetermined distance apart throughout the lengthwise direction of the conveyor, the predetermined distance being equal to the centerline-to-centerline distance between adjacent fins as discharged from the forming apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of automatically opening and emptying bags. The apparatus includes a bag outlet, a bag inlet, and a bag contents collection hopper. The housing has a cutting zone, a bag emptying zone, and a bag ejection zone to cut through opposite sides of the bags as the bags are transported lying generally horizontally. A conveyor is disposed within the housing for transporting the bags between the inlet and outlet. The conveyor includes a track member and a carrier member. Elongated piercing members are mounted on the carrier member to positively engage the bags along opposite lateral edges thereof. A ramp member is provided on the track member to tilt the opposite lateral edges of the bag upward and toward each other as the carrier member rides thereon.

Abstract: A vertically adjustable conveyor to load hay bales onto a bale wagon. The chain conveyor with cleats to catch the bales is held to the bale wagon frame by bolts which pierce slots on the conveyor support. Adjustment of the distance of the extension of the cleats through the support table on which the bales move is accomplished by moving the slots relative to the bolts.

Abstract: Wicketing pins on wicketer which receives bags from a plastic bag-making machine are infinitely adjustable so that the tips of the pins can be accurately positioned to properly receive the bags.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing, collecting and transporting platelike fins, including fin forming means for simultaneously forming plural fins in adjacent side-by-side relationship from sheet material. The forming means causes the fins to be discharged outwardly in the lengthwise direction thereof. Fin handling means are positioned adjacent the forming means for collecting and transporting the fins. The fin handling means includes an endless conveyor having a substantially straight upper reach positioned adjacent the forming means and movable substantially transverse to the direction of movement of the fins as discharged from the forming means.A plurality of elongated fin collectors are fixed to the endless conveyor, being spaced a predetermined distance apart throughout the lengthwise direction of the conveyor, said predetermined distance being equal to the centerline-to-centerline distance between adjacent fins as discharged from the forming means.

Abstract: An automatic pick-up and release mechanism including a curved surface having an axis of curvature; a rotatable shaft having an axis parallel with and eccentric to the axis of curvature; at least one pick-up element extending radially from and fixed to rotate with the shaft; each element extending beyond the curved surface in an area of the curved surface which is closer to the shaft axis and short of the curved surface in an area farther from the shaft axis; and a slot, corresponding to each of the elements in the curved surface, extending circumferentially about the axis of curvature for accommodating motion of its associated element.

Abstract: A process and apparatus adapted to automate the conversion of a continuous sheet of flexible plastic film into ported bags. The apparatus includes means for maintaining the film sheet in proper alignment during the various processing steps and functions in a manner which reduces environmental particulate contamination of the bags to a minimum.