Abstract: A system for synchronizing work stations of a blister-packing machine with an advancing of a blister strip comprises three video cameras predisposed upstream of work stations having devices for operating on the advancing blister strip, respectively. Acquiring with the video cameras an image of a distinctive element present in the advancing blister strip. A processor and a computer program compare and calculate differences between the image with the distinctive element and a reference element inserted in the image. The processor and computer program intervene on the operating devices of the stations and/or on the advancement of the blister strip to make corrections so the operating devices of the work stations are in register with the advancement of the blister strip.

Abstract: The quantity of material remaining in a 3D printing system may be effectively measured through the use of a strain gauge. The strain gauge may be mounted on a support member such as a cantilevered support that holds the weight of a material dispenser. As the material is consumed, the strain gauge may measure the reduction in deformation of the cantilevered support, thereby indicating to a control system and/or a user the quantity of material used. Full and/or empty material dispenser measurements may be taken to provide reference points that indicate how close the material dispenser is to being full and/or empty. The material dispenser may be mounted in a variety of locations relative to the 3D printer, including on a side and on top. A top-mounted material dispenser may be received within a bearing that permits the material dispenser to rotate, allowing the material to unwind during consumption.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system (1) for conveying a strip of material (20) along a production line, and a production line provided with such a system, the system (1) comprising: a bearing means (10) for the strip of material (20); at least one chain (11) provided with means (111) for driving the strip of material (20); at least one return wheel (12) for the chain (11) to position the chain (11) facing the strip of material (20); characterized in that the return wheel (12) also forms a counter-bearing means for the chain (11) to press said chain against the bearing means (10), so that the means (111) of driving the strip of material can penetrate into the strip of material (20).

Abstract: A filament drive mechanism comprising a rotatable component comprising a central hole defined at least in part by an internally-threaded surface, and is configured to receive a filament strand through the central hole to engage the internally-threaded surface with the filament strand. The filament drive mechanism further comprises at least one rotation mechanism configured to rotate the rotatable component, thereby allowing the engaged internally-threaded surface to drive the filament strand through the central hole of the rotatable component.

Abstract: A device for transporting film (5), in particular unperforated film (5) without slippage, in particular intermittently, powered by at least one electric motor (8), having at least one element such as a needle point (2) mechanically engage film (5) by entering it and transporting film (5) from a start position to a stop position. An element such as a pressure plate (7) may be used in one embodiment to hold the film steady during exposure and a movable element (7) may act on the film to hold it during exposure. At least one mark may be exposed on film (5) to aid in picture registration. At least one roller (31) controls the length of loops of film (5) before and after the aperture. The roller (31) may transport the film (5) by friction, or, in another embodiment the roller (31) may have radially mounted needles (2) which penetrate film (5) to hold film (5) while transporting it.

Abstract: A web handling apparatus for delivering thin web materials comprises a support frame; a pair of laterally spaced-apart and substantially longitudinally extending frame rails carried by the support frame and positioned to support a web of material delivered therebetween. It also includes a support rail affixed outwardly of each frame rail adjacent an exit end, the support rails configured to support the pair of frame rails from the support frame wherein unobstructed access between the frame rails is provided from the exit end. In addition, it includes an adjustment mechanism positioned to adjust relative positioning of the pair of frame rails in spaced-apart relation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for maintaining the edge of a moving web on a web handling apparatus at a desired operating path. The operating path of a web edge is monitored with respect to a first desired edge path. The web is secured for movement along an intended path of travel. The web edge is maintained at the first desired edge path. The web edge is monitored with respect to a second desired edge path as it is maintained on the first desired edge path. The web is automatically maintained along the second desired edge path.

Abstract: An apparatus 1 for widening a foam sheet S obtained immediately after heating and foaming a foam sheet which has not been yet widened, while the foam sheet S is continuously received or supplied. The sheet widening apparatus 1 comprises: a pair of chains 2 constructed in the form of endless chains composed of links 22 having pin parts 21 and a driving device 3 meshing with these chains 2 and driving the chains 2 along such loci as to widen the space between the chains 2 from sheet receiving start points to sheet receiving end points. A method for widening a foam sheet by the sheet widening apparatus 1 comprises the steps of piercing both the side parts of the foam sheet S with the pins 21 at the sheet receiving start points; widening the space of width between the pins 21 along gently curved loci by drying the chains 2 while the pins 21 penetrating the foam sheet; and receiving the foam sheet S from the sheet receiving start points to the sheet receiving end points while the foam sheet is widened.

Abstract: A railway vehicle wheel flange lubrication system includes a body mounted integrated supply/drive unit, a gapless delivery hose of low friction, e.g. thermoplastic, material and a truck mounted holder bracket. The supply/drive unit has a box enclosing a lubrication strand dispensing reel, a gearmotor drive unit, a control panel with operating circuitry and a lube out signal. The gearmotor drive uses a preferably nylon housing with an enclosed, preferably arcuate, passage in which a toothed sprocket driven by a stalled gearmotor penetrates and drives a lubricant strand. The bracket is configured for sturdy mounting on an axle bearing adapter to maintain the hose end against the associated wheel flange.

Abstract: A web transport apparatus that will not cause the web to break by exerting external forces in different ways on two lateral sides. The transport apparatus includes a group of pins that are studded on flat plates connected together to form a chain on either side of a web so that it is transported in multiple stages as it is retained on two lateral sides. An annular member supports the web from the inside by pins in each of the reversing sections that rotate to reverse the direction of web transport, with the piercing end of each pin facing either inward or outward. The annular member has a central shaft located at the center of the locus of rotation of the flat plates and has an outside diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the locus of rotation of the web. Preferably, the annular members rotate at the same speed as the web.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding a sewing machine with a textile fabric with opposite side hems. The sewing machine has a needle assembly and a bobbin assembly which are vertically aligned with each other to sew a textile fabric placed at a position between the needle and bobbin assemblies. The feeding apparatus is designed to set and withdraw the fabric into and from said position.

Abstract: A device for feeding and cutting a strip of labels, on which strip the labels are joined integral with one another along lines at least a center portion of which consists of a slit. The labels are fed successively in two stages towards a cutting position; in the first of which stages, the label, is fed forward by means of a feeding device 051570752which, positively engaging the rear edge of the label, brings it into the vicinity of the cutting position; and in the second of which stages, the cutting position of the label is regulated by means of a conveyor roller which engages the uncut label by means of suction and feeds it forward so as to cause the front edge of the following label to be brought into "gentle" impact with stop elements on a fixed cutting blade.

Abstract: In the manufacture of a package used to hold liquids, wherein the package has a perforated or punched-out rip-out opening or a point at which a drinking straw can be inserted, wherein a cardboard web is coated on one or both sides, printed and processed into packages, the improvement which comprises advancing the web past a station prior to coating, and at such station punching or perforating the web at predetermined intervals at predetermined points while simultaneously applying to or impressing into the web register marks, whereby such register marks serve to ensure proper location of the subsequently applied print relative to the punched or perforated points. This differs from prior processes in that it involves perforating the cardboard web prior to both coating and printing, and thus is a simpler process resulting in a superior product.

Abstract: Paper drive apparatus for multi-ply unglued paper wherein a centrally disposed pin wheel member is rotatable in contact with a backup member the latter having a central groove or slot into which the pins of the pin wheel member are rotatably receivable. Unglued, multi-ply paper is fed into the nip between the pin wheel member and the bifurcated backup roller across a demountable, flexible paper guide, the latter ensuring the proper angle of entry of the unglued paper with respect to the nip between the pin wheel and backup roller.

Abstract: A punch for a pattern card for textile machines, for instance shedding machines or automatic knitting machines, having a step-by-step transport device and a centering device for pin wheels arranged on a shaft, for the transport of the pattern card. In order to increase the punching output and reduce the noise level, the step-by-step transport device comprises a stepping motor, and a coupling is arranged between the stepping motor and the shaft, and a centering wheel, which cooperates with a lever which simultaneously actuates the coupling, is fastened on the shaft.

Abstract: A motion picture printing machine is equipped with separate printing modules for the picture track and the sound track. Each module can be removed from the machine. It is therefore possible to use one set of printing modules for printing one size of film, and then to change to a different set of printing modules for printing a different size of film.More specifically, the machine has a vertical frame member with drive and control mechanisms that are supported on its rear side, while the removable printing modules are attached to its front side. Each printing module includes at least one driven sprocket that is carried on a sprocket drive shaft. The sprocket drive shaft is aligned concentric with, but not directly attached to, a driven shaft that is rotatably supported on the rear side of the frame member. The two plates of a friction clutch are carried on the adjacent ends of these two shafts. A means for activating the clutch is a permanent part of the machine carried on the rear side of the frame member.

Abstract: Each corrugating roll on a single facer machine is separately driven at substantially the same speed without the corrugating rolls being geared directly together and without transmitting driving torque through mating flutes on the rolls whereby the rolls may corrugate a web passing therebetween with minimal tension of the web.

Abstract: A label arranging device for use in a label printing machine: a layered label strip having spaced feed perforations is moved forward by engagement of the perforations with feed pins formed on a feed wheel; the label strip is imprinted on a platen by the type faces of a printing head; the label arranging device includes an arranging member having an arranging surface on its bottom; the feed lips that were formed at the feed perforations by the feed pins are depressed and flattened by the arranging surface of the arranging member.

Abstract: A packaging machine for fabricating individual bag-like containers from a continuous web of polyethylene or like material comprising a frame having a substantially elongated configuration on which is mounted a plurality of work stations at least partially defining a flow path along which the web travels as it is being fabricated. A web carrier means in the form of one or more carrier belts supportingly engages said web by finger means to penetrate a predetermined portion of the web by virtue of the finger means being oriented to extend outwardly relative to the interior of the web. A drive assembly is interconnected in driving relation to the carrier means and serves to feed the web along said flow path and to a fill assembly whereby the web material passes into and out of said fill assembly in a predetermined manner to allow for an open orientation or configuration at the fill station to permit filling.

Abstract: A rope pulling device which is compact in size which includes a housing adapted to be fixed to an exterior object. A rope is to be physically placed between a pair of cog wheels which are biased into continuous contact with the rope surface. Each of the cog wheels are operatively driven by separate driven gears with each driven gear being rotatably mounted on a plate. Each of the plates are interconnected to move together to mirror image angular positions through a cam means. Each of the plates are also pivotally mounted upon the housing. A handle means is rotationally mounted upon the housing and is operatively connected to drive a drive gear which, in turn, is operatively connected to drive each of the driven gears in the same direction of rotation at the same angular velocity. Upon operation of the handle means, the driven gears are rotated simultaneously which causes linear movement of a rope placed therebetween with respect to the housing.

Abstract: A fastener feed assembly for a tool such as a power screwdriver having a drive member such as a rotatable bit includes a base fixed to the tool and a nose assembly slidably related to the base. The nose assembly includes a workpiece engaging surface, and when the tool is moved toward the workpiece during a fastener driving operation, the base moves toward the nose assembly. A return spring separates the base and nose assembly when the tool is withdrawn away from the workpiece. A strip of fasteners is fed from a magazine along a feed path through the nose assembly with sequential fasteners located in a drive position. Normally the drive member is spaced from a fastener in the drive position. During movement of the tool toward the workpiece in a driving operation, the drive member moves into engagement with a fastener in the drive position, and then continues to move in order to drive the fastener into the workpiece. A pawl is engageable with the strip in order to advance the strip along the feed path.