Abstract: A quartering pill splitter includes a bed having a recess formed within, the recess having a cross section which substantially conforms to the pill shape. A thin, cruciate cutting blade assembly is disposed below the pill bed, so that the pill, when inserted into the recess, rests on the cutting edges of the cruciate cutting blade assembly. A plunger, containing an upper compression member is moveable with respect to the cutting blade assembly and is forceably engaged against the pill disposed in the bed recess when the user strikes the cap of the plunger, thus cutting the pill into quarters in a single stroke. The cruciate cutting blade assembly contains a first blade and a second blade at a right angle relative to the first blade, and which is offset from the first blade a distance equal to the thickness of the first blade.

Abstract: A die assembly including a first die with a first die surface and a first cutting rib extending from the first die surface. The first cutting rib includes a first cutting surface parallel to the first die surface. The first cutting rib includes a leg extending from the first die surface to the first cutting surface at a first obtuse angle. A second die includes a second die surface and a second cutting rib extending from the second die surface. The second cutting rib includes a second cutting surface parallel to the second die surface. The second cutting surface is generally parallel to and defines a cutting overlap with the first cutting surface at a cross-section taken through the first and second dies in a cutting position. The cutting rib includes a leg extending from the second die surface to the second cutting surface at a second obtuse angle.

Abstract: A flush mounted presser assembly for a die cutting machine. The presser assembly includes a support member having an upper surface which defines a substantially horizontal plane, a presser movable vertically in a plane perpendicular to the horizontal plane of the support member between a first extended position spaced from the support member beneath the horizontal plane and a second retracted position also beneath the horizontal plane of the support member, and a mounting arrangement for mounting the presser to the support member wherein the mounting arrangement is disposed flush with or below the horizontal plane of the support member so that none of its components extend or project above the horizontal plane of the support member. The mounting arrangement comprises a base mounted on the support, a linkage assembly interconnecting the base and presser, and a spring for biasing the linkage assembly and presser toward its first extended position away from the support member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating glass panels that minimizes process failures and improves separation process consistency by utilizing a separation handle which applies the minimal pressure necessary to remove the edge portion from the glass panel. The glass panel is cut along the score line, which outlines the edge portions of the glass panel to be removed. The panel is placed upon the separating apparatus, which pumps nitrogen along the underside of the glass panel, causing the glass panel to float above the apparatus. Locating pins are inserted to position the panel on the stage. Once the glass panel is in place, a vacuum sucks the panel against the stage, holding the panel tightly against the stage. The separation handle is then inserted over the edge portion to be removed. A measured force is applied to the handle, with the force incrementally increased until the slow, controllable separation of the edge is achieved. This level of force is maintained until separation is complete.

Abstract: A device for parting a laminated substrate used for a liquid crystal cell is provided which is capable of obtaining, at a time of the parting, a parting line being vertical to a face on which a scribe line is formed, thus enabling prevention of a failure in the parting of the laminated substrate. To part the laminated substrate made of a first substrate and a second substrate into a plurality of substrates used for the liquid crystal cell, the scribe line is formed on one substrate out of the first substrate and second substrate along a boundary of the substrate used for the liquid crystal cell and multiple parting force is applied by timesharing to the other substrate out of the first and second substrates along the scribe line.

Abstract: A brittle material breaking apparatus using a lifting mechanism to lift/lower a carrier wherein the lifting mechanism is controlled to lift the carrier for holding the brittle material for breaking, and then to lower the carrier from the brittle material to a distance for enabling the brittle material to be shifted to a next scribe line for further breaking, preventing the occurrence of friction between the brittle material and the carrier and the production of static electricity and micro particles and, improving the breaking quality. The brittle material breaking apparatus further includes a stroke fine adjustment mechanism adapted to adjust the stroke of the breaking-cutter relative to the brittle material.

Abstract: A gaming machine is provided for playing several types of games. The winnings from one gave can be used to create credits in the machine for buying tickets in a different game from the same machine. A separator/drive module has a rotary helical separator member which spans multiple channels to separate tickets in any of the channels. A single drive source is the housing rotates the separate drives in each channel.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for fracturing, into a bearing cap and a connecting rod, an integral preform which defines a cylindrical aperture and two spaced-apart bolt seat shoulders. A guide member defines a first guideway along which moves a first slide member, the latter in turn defining a second guideway parallel to the first, along which a second slide member moves. A split mandrel has an upper part fixed with respect to the first slide member and a lower part fixed with respect to the guide member. The split mandrel halves define an internal tapered passageway for receiving a wedge capable of forcing the mandrel halves apart. Projections on the second slide member contact the bolt seat shoulders when the cylindrical aperture of the preform receives the split mandrel, and means are provided for urging the second slide member toward the mandrel.

Abstract: A brittle material rotating and aligning mechanism including a bearing, a rotary table, and a driving mechanismU, and installed in the worktable of a brittle material scribing and breaking apparatus; carries brittle material, for example, a semiconductor wafer for scribing and breaking into individual dies. The driving mechanism uses a flexible transmission member to rotate the rotary table for low installation cost, no requirement for a precision adjustment during installation, and, preventing the occurrence of back lash or the production of particles due to friction between the transmission member and the driving wheel of the driving mechanism, or between the transmission member and the rotary table.

Abstract: An article breaking apparatus for being mounted on an arm of a vehicle, and including a first member having a first jaw on a first end thereof and a mounting attachment on a second end remote from the first jaw for permitting the apparatus to be mounted onto the vehicle arm. The first jaw includes an article-supporting surface. A second member is pivotally mounted for movement about a first pivot axis, the second member including a second jaw having an article-engaging surface cooperable with the article-supporting surface of the first jaw and defining an article receiving opening therebetween. The second jaw is movable about the first pivot axis relative to the first jaw between an article receiving position in which the article-supporting surface of the first jaw and the article-engaging surface of the second jaw diverge away from the first pivot axis and an article breaking position in which the article-supporting and article-engaging surfaces diverge toward the first pivot axis.

Abstract: The dispenser dispenses tickets such as instant-winner lottery tickets from a strip in which the individual tickets are delineated by perforation lines. The dispenser includes a separator to tear the tickets apart before issuing them from the machine. The mechanism is simplified by using a separator member and transport drive structures which span a plurality of different channels or bins of a multi-channel dispenser. This provides a very compact, simple, secure and low-cost mechanism which is used both in stand-alone ticket vending machines, and in counter-top attended dispensers.

Abstract: A cover for fracturing the neck of a glass ampoule or vial of the type having a glass body, a glass top and a glass neck joining the body to the top and dispensing fluid therefrom. The cover has a first portion with a hollow interior sized to sealingly receive and resiliently capture the body portion of the ampoule. The device has a second portion including a first hollow interior section sized to engage and capture the top of the ampoule. The second portion of the device has a second section in the form of a pouring spout in fluid communication with the ampoule neck and includes an opening for dispensing the liquid contents of the ampoule which opening is covered by a filter. A resiliently expandable portion connects the first and second portions. The expandable portion is in a contracted position before the neck of the glass ampoule is broken and expands upon breaking the neck thereby moving the top of the ampoule away from the ampoule body.

Abstract: A jogger is provided for aligning carton blanks die cut from a sheet supported on inner grid mounted to an outer frame for a lower blanking tool of a carton die cutting machine. The jogger includes a plate member defining inner and outer faces. The plate member having a recess formed therein and a bore extending between the inner face and the outer face along an axis at an acute angle to the outer face. A jogger element is positioned within the recess and is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. A fastening element extends through the bore through the plate member and is receivable in a corresponding slot in the outer frame to interconnect the plate member to the outer frame.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for fracture-separating a workpiece which comprises one or more ring-shaped workpiece sections that are aligned axially one behind the other. The method comprises the following steps: fixing the workpiece for the fracture-separation process; axially introducing at least one expansion device into at least one borehole which is formed in each ring-shaped workpiece section; creating at least one fracture notch in at least one borehole during and/or after the axial introduction of the expansion device; and expanding the expansion device for fracture-separating at least one ring-shaped workpiece section. The invention also relates to a device which is suitable for carrying out said method.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for splitting a substrate apart, the substrate comprising two adjoining wafers defining between them a cleavage plane, the apparatus being characterized in that it comprises:

Abstract: A lottery ticket machine includes a base frame, a face panel fixedly fastened to the base frame at a front side, the face panel having a transversely extended ticket slot, a rack fastened to the base frame to hold a serrated plate behind the ticket slot of the face panel, a locating plate fixedly fastened to one lateral side of the base frame, a transverse rod fastened to the locating plate and suspended above the base frame, a pressure plate pivoted to the base frame and adapted to hold down a continuous sheet of lottery tickets being passed from the transverse rod to the ticket slot of the face panel, a control circuit assembly installed in the base frame and controlled to transfer a continuous sheet of lottery tickets from a ticket reel at the transverse rod toward the ticket slot of the face panel, the serrated plate having a serrated edge of substantially M-shaped profile extended along one long side thereof and suspended above the topmost edge of the rack and two protruded portions integral with the ser

Abstract: A method for cutting a liquid crystal display panel is disclosed in the present invention. The method includes forming a first scribing line on surfaces of first and second mother substrates using first and second wheels, cutting the first and second mother substrates along the first scribing line, forming a second scribing line on the second mother substrate using the second wheel, and removing a dummy region from the second mother substrate by cutting the second mother substrate along the second scribing line.

Abstract: In the dicing machine, a parallel adjustment process between a cut-line of a blade and cut-line images displayed on a monitor can be easily performed. In the dicing machine, at least one of the first and second cut-line images displayed on the monitor is electronically moved by an image moving device so as to arrange the first and second cut-line images in the same straight line on the monitor. Thus, in the dicing machine of the present invention, the parallel adjustment can be easily performed as compared with the conventional dicing machine in which the parallel adjustment is mechanically performed by moving an imaging device.

Abstract: The dispenser dispenses tickets from a strip where tickets are delineated by perforation lines. The dispenser includes a separator to tear the tickets apart before issuing them from the machine. The separator preferably is rotary and has a dull helical blade to tear the tickets apart along the perforation line. Preferably, a bar code reader is provided for reading codes on tickets in order to initialize the dispenser control system, to account for ticket sales, and to verify the sale of winning tickets. A game is provided where a jackpot is built up using the detection of each ticket sold. The mechanism is simplified by using a separator member and transport drive structures that span a plurality of different channels or bins of a multi-channel dispenser. This provides a very compact, simple, secure and low-cost mechanism that is used both in stand-alone ticket vending machines, and in counter-top attended dispensers.

Abstract: A tablet cutting apparatus of the present invention comprises a conveyor 20 for conveying a tablet in a horizontal transport direction; a cutter 22, disposed above the conveyor 20, for cutting a notch in the tablet disposed on the conveyor 20; a divider roller 23, disposed downstream of the cutter 22 above the conveyor 20, for dividing the tablet into two halves along the notch formed by the cutter 22; and a collecting chamber or box 47, 54 for collecting halves of the tablets that have been divided by the divider roller 23. Thus, after notching the tablet by the cutter 22, the tablet is divided into two by the divider roller 23, whereby the tablet is precisely split into halves and collected into the collecting chamber or box 47, 54.

Abstract: A method, product cracker, and nest are used with a derelict product having a shell covering a core. The shell has opposed front and rear faces and a sidewall having at least one pair of diagonally opposed corner-edges extending transversely between the faces, and is separable along the sidewall into a pair of covers. In the method, the front and rear faces of the product are placed in alignment with a first axis and the pair of diagonally opposed corner-edges are placed in alignment with a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The shell is directly supported near one corner-edge of the pair of diagonally opposed corner-edges and is impacted at the other corner-edge with sufficient force to separate the covers. The alignments are maintained during the impacting. The covers and core are collected and the core is sorted out.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for separating a pane (11) of a brittle material from a moving ribbon (13) of the material without contact between the newly-formed leading edge of the ribbon and the newly-formed trailing edge of the pane. The apparatus includes a pane engaging assembly (15), a transporter (29), and a connector assembly (31) which together ensure that the pane (11) and the sheet (13) do not contact each other once separation occurs. In this way, edge chipping and the resulting occurrence of surface defects on the separated pane are decreased.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for fracture-separating a workpiece which comprises one or more ring-shaped workpiece sections that are aligned axially one behind the other. The method comprises the following steps: fixing the workpiece for the fracture-spectrum process; axially introducing at least one expansion device into at least one borehole which is formed in each ring-shaped workpiece section; creating at least one fracture notch in at least one borehole during and/or after the axial introduction of the expansion device; and expanding the expansion device for fracture-separating at least one ring-shaped workpiece section. The invention also relates to a device which is suitable for carrying out said method.

Abstract: A device for cleaving optical fibers is provided. The device includes a housing assembly having an opening therein for receiving an optical fiber to be cleaved, and housing bending and cutting members which are reciprocally moveable in a direction transversally and substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of an optical fiber inserted into and through the opening into the housing. The housing assembly optionally has a removeably connected receptacle for receiving the cut ends of a plurality of cleaved fibers.

Abstract: Dual bladed apparatus for cleaving optical fibers is provided. The apparatus includes a housing having an opening therein for receiving an optical fiber, with or without insulation thereon and whether or not contained within a ferrule, the apparatus having dual, opposing, cooperatively operable cutting means reciprocally moveable transversely to the fiber, which cutters are positioned in adjacent proximity to the exit of the opening. On insertion of a fiber through the opening and upon actuation of the cutters, the fiber is cleaved. Fibers having diameters up to 3 millimeters can be cleaved, and angled cleaves are achievable.

Abstract: A method, product cracker, and nest are used with a derelict product having a shell covering a core. The shell has opposed front and rear faces and a sidewall having at least one pair of diagonally opposed corner-edges extending transversely between the faces, and is separable along the sidewall into a pair of covers. In the method, the front and rear faces of the product are placed in alignment with a first axis and the pair of diagonally opposed corner-edges are placed in alignment with a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The shell is directly supported near one corner-edge of the pair of diagonally opposed corner-edges and is impacted at the other corner-edge with sufficient force to separate the covers. The alignments are maintained during the impacting. The covers and core are collected and the core is sorted out.

Abstract: A jogger is provided for aligning carton blanks die cut from a sheet supported on inner grid mounted to an outer frame for a lower blanking tool of a carton die cutting machine. The jogger includes a plate member defining inner and outer faces. The plate member having a recess formed therein and a bore extending between the inner face and the outer face along an axis at an acute angle to the outer face. A jogger element is positioned within the recess and is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. A fastening element extends through the bore through the plate member and is receivable in a corresponding slot in the outer frame to interconnect the plate member to the outer frame.

Abstract: An improvement in a bundle breaker having first and second adjacent but longitudinally spaced upper and lower clamping surfaces for breaking progressively a bundle of sheets along a weakened plane from a log. The improvement includes first and second compliance structures positioned between the first and second upper and lower clamping surfaces. The first and second compliance structures include a device for detecting the height of the log and a variation setting device for reducing the distance between the upper and lower clamping surface a selected increment after detecting the height of the log. The compliance structures preferably include fluid pressurized structures which not only detect the height of the highest log when a plurality of logs in side by side relation are broken simultaneously but also apply even pressures to all of the logs and bundles during clamping and breaking even though one or more may have different heights.

Abstract: A cutter, preferably a cheese cutter, for cutting food into consumer-size chunks. The cutter comprises a feed conveyor, slab drive apparatus for driving a slab along the feed conveyor, and a cutting harp adjacent the discharge end of the feed conveyor. The cutting harp has cutting devices which make cuts extending across an opening. A slab discharged from the conveyor passes through the central opening, and the cutting devices cut the food product in the direction of advance of the slab. Transverse harp drive apparatus drives the harp transverse to the direction of advance of the slab, severing chunks of product from the slab. A take-away conveyor takes the severed chunks away from the cutting harp, to a weighing device which weighs the chunks. A controller receives weights from the weighing device, and sends adjustment instructions to the slab drive apparatus to adjust subsequent weights of product cut from such slabs.

Abstract: A PCB scrap edge removal tool comprising scrap removal jaws formed of two matching opposing pieces of metal having cut-outs in a castellated fashion. The jaws have a gap between them for receiving a PCB work piece to be finished. Metal dowels for PCB positioning span the gap. A PCB is positioned in the gap and rocked back and forth to break off the scrap edge pieces. The cut-outs in the scrap removal jaws correspond to portions of the PCB edge that are not to be removed. These portions move freely in the cut-outs as the PCB is rocked back and forth.

Abstract: A family of pill splitters is formed from a standard, substantially cylindrical lower body which contains a distinct bed for each one of a number of different complex pill shapes, and an upper body, integrally affixed to the lower body, which contains a pair of linear plunger guides slots. Each bed contains a recess having a cross section which substantially conforms to the pill shape, and the bed thickness is proportional to the thickness of the pill to be split. A long, thin cutting blade is affixed in proximity to the bed, and a bed support is formed in the lower body. A plunger with plunger guides slidingly engages the plunger guide slots. Each bed contains alignment tabs which engage the plunger guide slots to align the bed relative to the cutting blade.

Abstract: A method for parting a laminated substrate used for a liquid crystal cell and a parting device are provided which are capable of obtaining, at a time of the parting, a parting line being vertical to a face on which a scribe line is formed, thus enabling prevention of a failure in the parting of the laminated substrate. To part the laminated substrate made of a first substrate and a second substrate into a plurality of substrates used for the liquid crystal cell, the scribe line is formed on one substrate out of the first substrate and second substrate along a boundary of the substrate used for the liquid crystal cell and multiple parting force is applied by timesharing to the other substrate out of the first and second substrates along the scribe line.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for fracture-separating a workpiece comprising several ring-shaped workpiece sections which are aligned axially one behind the other. The device comprises at least one expansion device which can be introduced axially into a borehole, formed in each ring-shaped workpiece section and has at least one expansion element that can be expanded in at least two axial expansion areas which lie at a distance from each other in the axial direction. The expansion device is provided with an integrated expansion control device which interacts with the expansion element for controlling a variable position and/or a variable expansion distance and/or a variable expansion period and/or a variable expansion sequence of at least the two expansion areas.

Abstract: An apparatus for separation of a pre-form into a bearing cap and a connecting rod by fracturing the pre-form along a predetermined fracture line. The apparatus includes a split mandrel defining upper and lower parts sitting within a cylindrical aperture of the pre-form and defining an internal passageway within which a wedge moves to separate the mandrel halves. Separation of the mandrel halves by the wedge member causes fracture separation of the pre-form into a bearing cap and connecting rod. A bottom portion of the mandrel is adjustable in relation to the wedge member to provide for proper alignment of the wedge and mandrel during fracture separation of the connecting rod.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for separating a pane (11) of a brittle material from a moving ribbon (13) of the material without contact between the newly-formed leading edge of the ribbon and the newly-formed trailing edge of the pane. The apparatus includes a pane engaging assembly (15), a transporter (29), and a connector assembly (31) which together ensure that the pane (11) and the sheet (13) do not contact each other once separation occurs. In this way, edge chipping and the resulting occurrence of surface defects on the separated pane are decreased.

Abstract: A method for cutting a liquid crystal display panel is disclosed in the present invention. The method includes forming a first scribing line on surfaces of first and second mother substrates using first and second wheels, cutting the first and second mother substrates along the first scribing line, forming a second scribing line on the second mother substrate using the second wheel, and removing a dummy region from the second mother substrate by cutting the second mother substrate along the second scribing line.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting liquid crystal display panels and a cutting method using the same are disclosed in the present invention. The apparatus includes a first scribing unit sequentially forming a plurality of first scribing lines on surfaces of first and second mother substrates having unit liquid crystal display panels and cutting the first and second mother substrates along the first scribing lines, a first turning unit turning the cut first and second mother substrates by 90°, and at least two second scribing units sequentially forming a plurality of second scribing lines on the surfaces of the first and second mother substrates and cutting the first and second mother substrates along the second scribing lines.

Abstract: A manually operable tablet splitting device, including a base and a cover, pivotally attached to the base, and movable between a tablet loading position and a tablet splitting position. The cover includes a blade for splitting a tablet into two substantially equal portions. A disposable tray, having a tablet-receiving cavity, is installable in the base to fix the tablet in position for splitting and to retain the split portions. The base includes an inclined platform having upwardly projecting receptacle locators for holding the tray in place.

Abstract: A device for drawing off and cutting a tape from a supply roll, a tubular core piece of the roll rotatably accommodating a bearing and guiding bracket which is formed from an elastically deformable curved piece and, at its free end, the curved bracket accommodating pins which are arranged transversely and pivotably mount two arms which are arranged parallel to each other and extend along the side surfaces of the roll, the free ends of the arms arranged parallel to each other being connected to each other via a transverse rib, and a cutting blade projecting from the plane of the transverse rib and, furthermore, holding wings which are aligned in the unwind direction of the tape and on which the free end of the tape rests being arranged at the front side of the parallel arms.

Abstract: A device for breaking and dividing an enlarged bearing portion of a connecting rod into a main body portion and a bearing cap portion includes a split mold which is insertable into an aperture in the enlarged bearing portion. A pressing mechanism includes pressure caps engaging dramatically opposite points on the outer surface of the enlarged bearing portion at locations where the beating portion is to be broken and divided when a wedge is forced into the split mold.

Abstract: A tool is provided that has a grasper adapted to selectively grasp a tearable medium, a conveyer adapted to selectively move the grasper along an axis to move the tearable medium against a tear-off edge to sever the tearable medium, and a controller adapted to transmit a first signal for instructing the conveyer to move the grasper and a second signal for instructing the grasper to grasp the tearable medium.

Abstract: A connecting rod fracture machine is disclosed which mateably inserts a half-split type mandrel into an opening of a large end portion of a connecting rod to expand the opening. The machine comprises first and second support members (31), (32) for supporting the connecting rod horizontally, the support members being arranged movably apart from each other on the base of a pallet (24) for placing the connecting rod (1) thereon. Moreover, the machine includes a half-split type mandrel (36), vertically provided on these support members, comprising mandrel half portions (37), (38) with each outer peripheral surface thereof being in contact with the inner surface of the opening. The machine also comprises a wedge (53) for separating the mandrel half portions uniformly apart from each other, the wedge having tapered surfaces in contact with opposite edge surfaces of the mandrel half portions.

Abstract: An apparatus for splitting solid and hollow masonry materials is provided. The apparatus includes changeable support tables and upper splitting blades to accommodate various types of masonry materials. A hydraulic ram is operated via a foot pedal to increase the pressure in the ram to raise a lower cutting blade and spring-loaded support table to exert upward and downward pressure on the material, coming it to clearly split. The upper blade is height-adjustable and the support table can be fixed in a lowered position to facilitate the splitting process by eliminating overly repetitive operation of the hydraulic ram.

Abstract: A glass window pane breaking device comprises a suction pad for attaching the device to the window, in use, a striker rod with a breaker tip, a trigger pawl engagable with the striker rod and a remotely operable trigger which is biased normally to prevent movement of the trigger pawl and thus to retain its engagement with the striker rod when this is held against the force of charged energy storage means urging the breaker tip in a direction to break the window pane, in use. A switch is also provided to ‘arm’ the device or place it in a ‘safe’ mode.

Abstract: A tablet cutter including a tablet supporting assembly and a tablet cutting assembly secured to the tablets supporting assembly and which includes a blade holder which is movable by the action of a cam follower on an axially extending arm of the blade holder to provide accurate and safe cutting of tablets in which the tablet cutter can accommodate a wide variety of shapes and sizes of tablets.

Abstract: A method for forming an apertured web which may be used as a topsheet on a disposable absorbent article, such as a diaper. The web (240) is fed in as machine direction through a first nip (250) formed by a pair of rollers one of the rollers having a smooth outer surface and the other roller having an outer surface with a plurality of projections extending from it's outer surface. At least one of the rollers of the first nip (250) is heated. The first nip (250) apertures the web with a plurality of apertures each having a fused perimeter. The web (240) is then cooled to solidify the fused perimeter of the apertures. The web (240) is then fed through a second nip (280) formed by a pair of rollers to break the solidified fused perimeter of the apertures. One of the rollers of the second nip (280) has an outer surface with a plurality of grooves.

Abstract: A frame (10) carries two fixtures (16, 20), of which at least one (20) is movable, and which have respective crescents (18, 22) adapted to be brought together to form a circular profile engageable with the big end of a connecting rod and separable by opening means for fracturing the big end of the connecting rod.

Abstract: An optical fiber cutting device is proposed which can perform cutting of optical fibers on the principle of stress rupture stably under predetermined conditions, and which eliminates damage to the blade or the cut end face due to failure or excessive movement. When a wire of an optical fiber stopped by a ferrule-holding portion is gripped by a chuck of a fiber-holding portion and a lever is pulled in this state, tension corresponding to the amount of relative movement of the lever is applied to the optical fiber. Further, this relative movement is converted to the motion of a cutting blade table by a motion-converting mechanism to control the position of a blade. While no tension is applied to the optical fiber, the fiber-holding portion moves following the movement of the lever.

Abstract: A method for separating a brittle material is provided. First, a brittle material, having a first surface and a second surface, is provided. Then, a reference line is scribed on a predetermined position of the first surface of the brittle material along a first direction by laser. Finally, a soft-breaker is provided, and the soft-breaker separates the brittle material along a second direction by strikes the second surface of the brittle material. Thus, the quality of the brittle material, separated based on the method of this invention, is maintained at a certain level so that the processes subsequent to the separation process are reduced.

Abstract: A pill splitting device is provided. The device may be comprised of a first portion hingeably coupled to a second portion. The lower portion includes a storage area and a pill holding region. The upper portion includes a cutting member located such that when the upper and lower portions are placed in a closed position, a pill within the pill holding region is split. In one aspect of the device, one or more surfaces of the pill holding region are coated with an elastomer, the elastomer enhancing the pill holding aspects of the device. In another aspect of the device, one or more surfaces of the pill holding region are grooved or ridged, the grooves or ridges enhancing the pill holding aspects of the device. In another aspect of the device, the upper, the lower, or both the upper and lower portions of the device are fabricated from transparent or semi-transparent material, thus allowing a user to monitor the pill cutting process and to potentially avoid situations in which the pill moves prior to being cut.