Abstract: The machine and method employ a moving fluid, either a gas or liquid that is moved through a three-dimensional cavity of a form covered in part with a filter material. The filler material is introduced to the fluid stream and is deposited in the three-dimensional cavity of the form as the moving fluid is filtered from the stream by the filter material.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for forming a panel comprising a mesh support and a transfer plate comprising at least one surface comprising a plurality of pores having an average pore diameter of about 1200 microns or less. The invention further provides a method comprising (i) forming an aqueous composition comprising a fiber material, (ii) depositing the composition onto a movable mesh support to form an entangled fiber material containing water; (iii) removing at least a portion of the water from the entangled fiber material, and (iv) transferring the entangled fiber material from the movable mesh support by passing it over a transfer plate, wherein the transfer plate comprises at least one surface comprising a plurality of pores having an average pore diameter of about 1200 microns or less.

Abstract: A small-parts feed and conveying device includes a movable section in which trains having a plurality of through holes are arranged along a direction of conveying the small parts, a parts drawing means for drawing the small parts to parts-conveying surface and holding them by reducing the pressure of an air opposite thereto, a conveying path cover in which open faces of spaces for conveying the parts slidably come into contact with the parts-conveying surface, and a parts mixing means for blowing a pressurized air to the small parts from nozzles in the conveying path cover and mixing them. The through holes may be arranged so as to form a plurality of parallel trains. The movable section may be a rotor or a belt.

Abstract: A paper web is drawn into a printing and can be guided along a selected one of several paths. The paper web is weakened along a line of separation and is then held by a retaining system that can move the web in a conveying direction along a first path. The web is fed to a different conveying path and is separated ot torn along the line of separation. This line of separation or weakening is formed at an angle to the production direction.

Abstract: An aerodynamic forming hood is provided for supplying a substantially uniform distribution of fibers in a downward laminar airstream for the deposition of the fibers on one or more forming surfaces. The hood is formed by a rectangular housing having opposed elongated downwardly diverging side walls and short downwardly diverging end walls. The housing has a smaller rectangular open top end through which a supply of fibers is released in an airstream which enters into the housing. The forming surfaces are disposed at a larger bottom forming end of the housing. The side walls and end walls in the top part of the hood are provided with elongated horizontal apertures.

Abstract: A stream which advances along the underside of the elongated lower reach of an endless air-permeable belt conveyor carries a surplus of fibrous material and is relieved of the surplus by a trimming device which is mounted downstream of one or more nozzles serving to direct compressed air at a variable rate against successive increments of the stream and to thus loosen the stream to a greater or lesser extent, at least in a region immediately adjacent the underside of the lower reach of the conveyor. The upper side of the lower reach of the conveyor is adjacent a suction chamber which attracts the stream to the conveyor. The action of suction upon the stream in the region of the nozzle. or nozzles can be weakened or elminated by the nozzle or nozzles or by a discrete barrier.

Abstract: An airlock for the continuously feeding through of a material while obstructing the free flow of a gas is provided. The airlock comprises a first continuous belt having a plurality of nonporous flaps projecting out from it. Each flap has a free edge located outwardly from the belt. A second belt runs parallel to the first and has elements to seal against the free edges of the flaps of the first belt. A motor moves the belts so that their transport sides move together. Particulates are transported in the chambers formed by belts and flaps while the flow of air between and past the belts is inhibited.

Abstract: Apparatus for transporting articles, such as cylindrical containers, between differing elevations by initially moving the articles on an upper surface of a first plenum by air pressure. The articles are then transferred to a moving belt supported on an upper surface of a second plenum and held on said belt by vacuum. A transfer means is provided at the overlap of the first and second plenums to enhance the transfer of the articles between plenum sections.

Abstract: Apparatus for transferring articles, e.g. thermoformed plastic cups along a conveyor and then removing them from the conveyor. To overcome problems of interference between closely positioned cups on the conveyor when removing them, a device is provided to accelerate cups in succession as they approach their position for removal from the device. This acceleration increases the distance between cups and permits sufficient time for their individual removal. In a practical apparatus, the accelerating device is an air nozzle to apply pressurized air along the conveyor and push along the cups.