Abstract: A machine for processing envelopes includes a receiving assembly with a tray where envelopes are received and guided towards an envelope cutting assembly. A sensor determines the width of the envelope to align on of the two longitudinal cutting members. Another sensor detects the leading and railing edge of the envelope and with a circuit control the advancement of the envelope to cooperative positions that permit another cutter member to act transversally. The envelope is then passed to an unfolding assembly where the uppermost and lowermost sheets are loose and sandwich inbetween the contents. The uppermost sheet is pulled out to the display assembly that is hermetically closed. Subsequently, a transversally moving roller is used to lift the folds of the content, if any, and to affix the unfolded contents to protruding pins. The engagement with the protruding pins is slowly undone as the contents are pushed towards the display assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cutting open a case of product having a top and a bottom is provided. The case is placed on a conveyor and moved to a cutting apparatus. The top is cut open at the cutting apparatus. The case is moved to a lift apparatus. The top of the case is opened and the product is lifted from the bottom of the case. The case is then cut thereby separating the bottom of the case from the top of the case.

Abstract: The gripping device comprises in a single retaining frame a plurality of gripper units for gripping the bottles to be emptied, each of which units comprises, mating with the lateral profile of a bottle, a fixed member and a movable member, capable of fitting round a part of the outer surface of the bottle to be emptied, each of the gripper units having associated with it a device for piercing the bottle, equipped with a piercing member for the introduction of an expulsion gas and drainage of the contents of the bottle, and also an optical sensor for checking the presence of the bottle and checking whether there are contents therein.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cutting open a case of product having a top and a bottom is provided. The case is placed on a conveyor and moved to a cutting apparatus. The top is cut open at the cutting apparatus. The case is moved to a lift apparatus. The top of the case is opened and the product is lifted from the bottom of the case. The case is then cut thereby separating the bottom of the case from the top of the case.

Abstract: Fastener delivery apparatus for automatically selecting and delivering fasteners such as rivets to a setting tool. The fasteners are pre-loaded in a package and dispense via at least one fastener delivery tube that interconnects the setting tool to a fastener feeder device. The fastener feeder device releases selected fasteners from the package into the delivery tube. The fasteners are transportable individually or in groups in the tube from the feeder device to the tool. A transfer station attached to the tool or the delivery tube transfers a fastener from the delivery apparatus into the tool, the transfer station being moveable between a first position in which an exit of the transfer station is adjacent to the tool so that a delivered fastener may be inserted by the transfer station into the tool and a second position in which it is clear of the tool so as to permit the tool or a portion thereof to move towards a workpiece to insert a loaded fastener. The delivery tube has wear resistant elements.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for cutting the cover tape on a component carrier tape in order to allow component retrieval by an automated assembly system. More specifically, the cover tape is cut using a radiant energy beam that vaporizes the cover tape layer so as to partially expose the component below. The cover tape flap(s) created by the cutting operation may then be folded back so as to expose the component for retrieval at the pick-up location. Subsequent to the pick-up location, the carrier tape with the parted cover tape flap(s) attached thereto, are directed to a waste receptacle or similar disposal mechanism.

Abstract: A rotary deblistering apparatus is described. It comprises a rotatable drum having plurality of circumferential pack holding means each adapted to hold and retain a blister pack. The drum can rotate to locate the pack holding means at a plurality of peripheral work positions including a pack loading position, a pack deblistering position, and a pack detachment position. The blister packs can be loaded onto the drum through a loading means, preferably the loading means has a storage magazine able to supply a continuous number of packs to the drum. For a peelable pack, prior weakening or cutting of the backing of the pack may be necessary or desired. Such action could be carried out at the pack deblistering position. Alternatively, there is a prior weakening and/or cutting position around the drum.

Abstract: A system and method for unloading a viscous product from a bag constrained by a bin where movable scrapers are utilized to increase the amount of product evacuated from the bag, to prevent damage to the bag containing the product, and to ease removal of the pump after pumping is complete by breaking the vacuum created during pumping.

Abstract: The gripping means comprises in a single retaining frame a plurality of gripper units for gripping the bottles to be emptied, each of which units comprises, mating with the lateral profile of a bottle, a fixed member and a movable member, capable of fitting round a part of the outer surface of the bottle to be emptied, each of the gripper units having associated with it a device for piercing the bottle, equipped with means for the introduction of an expulsion gas and drainage of the contents of the bottle, and also an optical sensor for checking the presence of the bottle and checking whether there are contents therein.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for processing mail by severing an edge of each envelope in a stack of mail. The apparatus includes an input bin for receiving a stack of mail. An agitator confronting the stack of envelopes in the input bin reciprocally displaces the bottom envelope in the stack of mail to provide separation between the bottom envelope and the remaining envelopes in the stack. A feeder feeds the bottom envelope from the input bin to a transport that conveys the envelope along an envelope path. A cutter positioned along the envelope path severs one edge of the envelopes. The transport discharges the opened envelopes onto a return conveyor that conveys the opened envelopes to a stacking area where the opened envelopes are stacked.

Abstract: An unloader for discharging and feeding dry, granular type materials from bulk bags. Among the many improvements of the discharge apparatus is an open frame and offset discharge location. Other improvements include an I-Beam and frame design that keeps the hoist movement within the four corner posts of the frame. The unloader may be provided with vibrators, vibration isolators, or load cells to assist in the discharge function.

Abstract: A device for removing a pill from its package including a lower base portion having a generally rectangular configuration. The lower base portion has a top wall, a bottom wall, a front wall, a back wall, and opposed side walls. The front wall has an upper arm and a lower arm extending outwardly therefrom whereby the upper arm is contiguous with the top wall and the lower arm is contiguous with the bottom wall. The upper arm has an aperture therethrough. An upper arm portion is hingedly coupled with the lower base portion. The upper arm portion is comprised of an elongated central section, a downwardly turned back portion, and a forward head portion. The forward head portion has a downwardly extending protrusion secured thereto. The protrusion is aligned with the aperture in the upper arm of the lower base portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for efficient and clean handling of concrete admixtures that allows their incorporation into a concrete mixture in a pre-measured and controlled manner. The system provides a novel packaging system to be integrated into the admixture feed devices on a concrete batch mixing truck allowing transfer and incorporation of the admixture material to the concrete without additional handling by the operator. The present invention consists of a tubular package of heavy gauge cardboard or plastic material such as PVC with an easily removable light gauge cover on each end. The cover would be constructed of a material that could be easily displaced when installing the tube into the feeder section of the mixer. The tube is pre-loaded with any variety of clean pre-measured concrete admixtures.

Abstract: A device (10) for slitting sacks through the use of rotating blades or disks (12) comprises a housing (14) which accommodates at least one mechanically drivable shaft (16) on which blades or disks are mounted. The housing (14) has an inlet opening (18), through which the filled sacks are fed mechanically or under the action of gravity, and an outlet opening (20), through which the slit sacks and the material released from the sacks can be carried away under the action of gravity. Furthermore, a movable restraining apparatus (24) is driven by a drive assembly from a first position in which the restraining apparatus is in a covered state and prevents sacks from reaching the at least one cutting member to a second position in which the restaining apparatus is in a released state and allows sacks to reach the at least one cutting member.

Abstract: A pair of drawing members, separated by a prescribed distance, are rotated toward each other in contact with an end packaging material covering the ends of a web wrapped on a web roll. The drawing members are brought toward one another, creating an insertion section by gathering the end packaging and separating the end packaging from the web on the web roll. A cutting member is inserted into the insertion section. The web roll is then rotated, whereby the end packaging is cut and removed from an end of a web roll without damaging the web wrapped thereon. Similar drawing members and cutting members are preferably located at each end of an end packaging removal device, thereby simultaneously removing the end packaging material from both ends of the web roll. The resulting end packaging removal device saves time and labor involved in removing end packaging from a web roll.

Abstract: An unwrapping apparatus unwraps a slide pack wrapped with a wrapping sheet to obtain a slide contained therein. As paired rollers forward the slide pack, a squeezing member squeezes the slide backward within an unsealed space in the slide pack to form a wide cut allowance at the front edge of the slide pack. After the slide reaches the rear end of the unsealed space, nip pressure applied to the slide pack by the paired rollers is reduced to further forward the slide pack to a predetermined position. At the predetermined position, a cutter partially cuts the cut allowance to form a slit thereon. Then, the slide pack is transferred back by the paired rollers under a raised nip pressure which is sufficient to squeeze the slide out from the slit. Accordingly, the slide will be gradually separated from the wrapping sheet.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for parting and peeling-back the cover tape on a carrier tape (consisting of a component tape with pockets therein and cover tape thereover) in order to expose the component for retrieval by an automated assembly system. More specifically, the cover tape is parted along one edge, or slit in the middle for wider component tapes. The cover tape flap(s) created by the parting operation are then retracted back away from the region above the component, whereby the component is exposed for retrieval at the pick-up location. Subsequent to the pick-up location the carrier tape, with the parted cover tape flap(s) still attached thereto, is directed to a waste receptacle or similar disposal mechanism, avoiding the need for a separate cover tape take-up reel.

Abstract: A box opening machine adapted to opening a pre-packaged box containing coin rolls and emptying the coin rolls into a coin roll cassette. The invention provides a platform with a box slicer. The box is pushed over a platform work surface whereby the box bottom is sliced opened. The sliced box is then slid over a loading hopper wherein the box contents are emptied. The coin rolls from the box are then channeled into a coin roll cassette. The empty box is discarded.

Abstract: A box opening machine adapted to opening a pre-packaged box containing coin rolls and emptying the coin rolls into a coin roll cassette. The invention provides a platform with a box slicer. The box is pushed over a platform work surface whereby the box bottom is sliced opened. The sliced box is then slid over a loading hopper wherein the box contents are emptied. The coin rolls from the box are then channeled into a coin roll cassette. The empty box is discarded.

Abstract: A device (10) for slitting sacks by means of rotating blades or disks (12) comprises a housing (14) which accommodates at least one mechanically drivable shaft (16) on which blades or disks are mounted. The housing (14) has an inlet opening (18), through which the filled sacks are fed mechanically or under the action of gravity, and an outlet opening (20), through which the slit sacks and the material released from the sacks can be carried away under the action of gravity. Furthermore, a movable restraining apparatus (24) is driven by a drive assembly from a first position in which the restraining apparatus is in a covered state and prevents sacks from reaching the at least one cutting member to a second position in which the restraining apparatus is in a released state and allows sacks to reach the at least one cutting member.

Abstract: An unwrapping apparatus unwraps a slide pack wrapped with a wrapping sheet to obtain a slide contained therein. As paired rollers forward the slide pack, a squeezing member squeezes the slide backward within an unsealed space in the slide pack to form a wide cut allowance at the front edge of the slide pack. After the slide reaches the rear end of the unsealed space, nip pressure applied to the slide pack by the paired rollers is reduced to further forward the slide pack to a predetermined position. At the predetermined position, a cutter partially cuts the cut allowance to form a slit thereon. Then, the slide pack is transferred back by the paired rollers under a raised nip pressure which is sufficient to squeeze the slide out from the slit. Accordingly, the slide will be gradually separated from the wrapping sheet.

Abstract: A method and device for feeding blanks on a packing machine, whereby a store, having a horizontal axis, feeds a succession of blanks to a pickup station from which the blanks are withdrawn one by one; and the blanks are fed to an input station of the store in groups, wherein the blanks are positioned on edge and gripped together by a band, which is only removed once the groups are packed together along the store.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for opening an outer wrapping (11) of a reel (10) of, in particular, packaging material For the provision of a reel (10) of, for example, packaging material, such as paper, tinfoil or the like, it is necessary to remove an outer wrapping (11). The latter usually consists of an outer wound layer of the material. To open the wrapping (11), a material strip, namely an opening strip (32) is torn out of the wrapping (11). For this purpose, a tear-off member, namely a tear-off band (35), is placed with strong adhesion against the outside of the reel (10), On account of the relative movement, the opening strip (32) is torn out of the wrapping (11).

Abstract: This system comprises a compacted bag, in particular under vacuum, having an appendage into which a spacer device is inserted (2) which forms a pocket (140) separating two facing flexible partition sections from each other (120,121) of which one (121) is adapted to be applied when placed under vacuum against a set of heatable blades with closed outline linked to each other (51, 61) the interior blade (61) being carried by a mobile part (6) of which the end is able to penetrate into the cut pocket (140) with a view to the inflation of the bag with air brought by a channel (600′) through a sterilizing filter (8).

Abstract: Disclosed is an assembly for splitting open contents-filled garbage bags selected from bags filled with yard waste and bags filled with cans and bottles. The assembly is composed of a flighted conveyor that conveys the filled garbage bags into a confined bag splitter assembly. The bag splitter assembly has sidewalls to confine filled garbage bags therein and has an overhead array of blade assemblies laterally spaced across the conveyor for confronting filled garbage bags conveyed by said conveyor into the bag splitter assembly. The blade assemblies are composed of a pivotally mounted blade holder disposed above the conveyor and carry horizontally-disposed canard-like blades having a forward point for confronting the filled garbage bags. The blades are disposed substantially continuously laterally across the width of the bag splitter assembly. For garbage bags filled with cans and bottles, the blades have a forward tip carry pointed elongate elements for puncturing the bags.

Abstract: In a method for emptying drums which are filled with solids and the lids of which have already been removed, the drum base is separated from the drum and the solids are forced out of the drum with the aid of a pressing body. An apparatus for emptying drums filled with solids has a cutting ring for removing the drum base. For the purpose of emptying the drum freed from the drum base and the rum lid, the apparatus has a pressing body which is in the form of a ram and, driven by hydraulic cylinders, can be displaced along the longitudinal axis in the direction of the cutting ring. A stop supports the drum against force acting in the direction of displacement while the solids are being forced out of the drum by the ram.

Abstract: An attachment for securement to a forklift and for use in severing the bands surrounding fiber bales is described. The attachment includes a blade and a coupling device for releasably securing the blade to the arm of a conventional forklift. The arms of the forklift can then be pressed toward each other in the manner in which they are used to grip a bale, such that the blades sever the bands surrounding the bale. The blades are desirably V-shaped, and one can be provided on each of the forklift arms. The attachment can be used to sever the bands of one fiber bale at a time, or can be used to simultaneously sever the bands surrounding two adjacent fiber bales.

Abstract: In order to ensure the prompt processing of payments of bills with personal checks while using automatic mail opening equipment, a return envelope assembly includes a front panel and a rear panel each having a top edge, a bottom edge, and a pair of side edges. The front and rear panels are integral along their bottom edges about a bottom fold line about which they may be folded so as to have their inner surfaces lie in confronting relation after the envelope is formed from a one piece blank. A side flap is integral with each of the side edges of the front panel about respective side fold lines which are structured such that the side flaps may be folded inwardly to lie between the confronting inner surfaces of the front and rear panels. The side flaps are secured to the inner surface of the rear panel using an adhesive and a closure flap is provided to seal an opening defined by the top edges of the front and rear panels.

Abstract: A carrier container having sides, ends and a bottom defining an open face holding chamber, is provided for loading a stack of tiers loaded on a pallet into the holding chamber. The stack of tiers comprises a plurality of tier sheets, each supporting a plurality of products aligned in groups on each tier. The tier sheets are disposed vertically, defining a stack. The stack is positioned on and secured to the pallet. Loading of the stack of tiers and pallet into the holding chamber is accomplished with the holding chamber in a vertical orientation. After loading the stack of tiers and pallet into the holding chamber the carrier container is rotated from a vertical orientation to a horizontal orientation, securing the stack of tiers and pallet in the holding chamber. Each of the tier sheets is removed from the stack destroying the stack and displacing the products from the stack, the products retained in the holding chamber.

Abstract: A device for tearing and ripping bags comprising a plurality of driven, endless rotary support elements supporting tearing and ripping elements, wherein the rotary support elements are disposed sequentially along the axis of rotation. A plurality of covering and/or stripping elements is in each case disposed at least at one of the neighboring rotary support elements and the covering and/or stripping elements overlap at least in part a sequentially neighboring rotary support element. The covering and/or stripping elements on a rotary support element are aligned with the tangential motion advance direction in order to improve the device for preventing that long, tear-resistant pieces end up in the slot between the rotary support elements and bring the ripping device to a standstill based on a winding-up long tear-resistant pieces. For this purpose, the covering and/or stripping elements are disposed at a distance relative to each other.

Abstract: A refuse bag opener that includes a material metering cylinder and a knife cylinder mounted therein and driven by a suitable power mechanism to rotate in opposite directions to feed bagged refuse therebetween. The metering cylinder and the knife cylinder are disposed in vertical spaced relation with the knife cylinder being the lowermost of the two. The hopper receives the bagged material and by way of a sloping lower wall directs the bagged material towards the knife cylinder. The lower sloped wall has a belt conveyor for direct feeding of the bagged material to the lower cylinder which by virtue of its rotation cuts the bag. The bagged refuse passes between the metering cylinder and the knife cylinder at a relatively even rate. A conveyor feeds the material from a supply source to the hopper and an outfeed conveyor delivers the emptied bags and contents of the bags to a suitable sorting location.

Abstract: The present invention broadly is directed to enhancements to various bag splitting apparatuses. One such improvement for splitting open garbage bags containing stacked paper includes a row of pivotally-mounted blades mounted for rotation away from the filled bags and having a serrated lower edge with downwardly-projecting teeth that confront the bags being conveyed through said assembly, followed by a row of pivotally-mounted blades mounted for rotation away from the bags and having a serrated lower edge with teeth projecting into and confronting the bags being conveyed through the assembly. The corresponding method for splitting open bags containing stacked paper forms another aspect of the present invention.

Abstract: An automatic bulk vending machine is described including specific details as to various aspects of accurate volumetric dispensing, the separation of small broken pieces or fines from the dispensed product, and the easy and sanitary loading of such a machine. Further details as to how to provide a highly flexible selection process are provided. An automatic bulk vending machine according to the present invention may include a touch-screen for providing a visually entertaining and instructive display to guide a customer through the product selection process. Products to be selected may be stored in bins and volumetrically dispensed by a dispenser to a blending and holding pan. From this pan, they are then directed through a dispenser tube including a fines separator and collector to a dispensing cup. Bulk refill containers are also disclosed. Unlike an ordinary vending machine, the customer can choose the blend of product to be purchased.

Abstract: A trash conveyor has thin upstanding right triangular teeth mounted parallel to their direction of motion. A pivoting deck is positioned over the conveyor and has fixed isosceles-triangular teeth which interdigitate with the teeth on the conveyor. The deck is angled upwardly towards trash infeed end of the conveyor. The deck is suspended by four pivot arms arranged in a rectangular pattern which allow the deck to pivot up and in the direction of the motion of the conveyor. Rows of teeth attached to the deck are offset from previous rows so that the spaces between the teeth on the deck and the teeth on the conveyor varies as the teeth on the conveyor move under the deck. A blade cleaner and conveyor is located beneath the trash conveyor which removes plastic bags from the teeth of the trash conveyor and rolls them into compact shapes to facilitate disposal for recycling.

Abstract: A film feed apparatus in which cartridge panels capable of carrying a plurality of films in cartridges are used to store films and feed them continuously into a photoprinter. The film feed apparatus includes a cartridge storage unit, a panel mover, a cartridge separator, a cartridge conveyor, a panel storage unit. Cartridge panels are sent to a specific cartridge separating station, where separating arms are inserted in openings formed in each panel to separate cartridges from the panel and drop them through an opening. The cartridges separated from the panel are sent on a conveyor belt onto another conveyor belt and fed in a single file. The empty panels are stacked in the panel storage unit by a panel stacker.

Abstract: A machine agitates and rips scrap metal containers such as scrap aluminum cans to expose their interiors and shake out sand, dirt, and other material in the cans. Alternatively, the containers may comprise shell casings which the machine deforms by thrashing. The machine has an enclosure in which a rotatable shaft is supported. A plurality of blade sets are mounted on the shaft within the enclosure to rotate the shaft. The blade sets are distributed along the shaft and interleaved with a plurality of angled, stationary vanes that are mounted to an inside surface of the enclosure. These parts cooperate when the shaft is rotated by propelling containers on a helical path on which the blade sets batter, thrash, and rip the containers, throwing them against the vanes and the sides of the enclosure. As cans are battered and agitated by the blades, their contents are emptied and the cans are ultimately propelled to a collection point.

Abstract: Plastic packaging material on a wrapped load is disposed of by applying a stream of air to a selected region of the packaging material on the load at a sufficient temperature, volume, and velocity and causing to weaken and the packaging material to be separated in the selected region, separating the plastic packaging material along the selected region and removing the plastic packaging material from the load. The invention may further include winding up the severed packaging material, and forming a rolled bale of packaging material removed from several loads.

Abstract: An opening part cuts a periphery of a package which contains a bundle of PS (photosensitive) plates. Then, a lifter separates a top piece of the package from the bundle of the PS plates, and a cartridge body, which has been transferred by the lifter, is put on the bundle of the PS plates from which the top piece of the package has been separated. An inverter inverts the top and bottom faces of the bundle of the PS plates covered with the cartridge body, and then, the lifter separates the bottom piece of the package from the bundle of the PS plates. A cartridge lid, which is transferred by the lifter, is put on the bundle of the PS plates from which the bottom piece of the package has been separated.

Abstract: A system for automatically opening cartons and removing packages therefrom includes a centrifugal orientation bowl for orientating closed or unopened cartons in a position to be fed to a slitting apparatus. The slitting apparatus includes a pair of cutters therein to cut opposed portions of the cartons thereby opening the cartons. A carton breaker is utilized downstream from the slitting apparatus to break the cartons open thereby loosening the packages therefrom. The opened cartons are fed to a rotating drum separator wherein the packages within the cartons are separated from the cartons and the emptied cartons are removed from the rotating drum separator in one location and the packages separated from the cartons are removed at another location.

Abstract: A transfer system for transferring objects into a barrier isolator is provided. The barrier isolator includes a barrier wall to maintain a decontaminated environment in an isolated space. The transfer system includes a port opening located in the barrier wall. A first port barrier film is sealingly located over the port opening. A container is provided which includes an interior cavity which contains a second, replacement port barrier film and which is adapted to further receive and hold decontaminated objects to be delivered through the port opening and into the isolated space. A container barrier film is sealingly connected to the container to seal the second, replacement port barrier film and the decontaminated objects within the cavity in a decontaminated state. The container barrier film has a first, decontaminated side which faces the cavity, and a second exposed side, positionable adjacent to the port barrier film.

Abstract: A pipelined system for removing the contents of sealed coin-collection boxes, wherein each box requires a set of different operations to be performed in seriatim to remove the box contents. The operations include removing a seal, opening a box lid, removing the box contents, resetting the lid and resealing the box. The pipelined system comprises a rotary surface for supporting a plurality of the boxes at spaced locations. Stationary surfaces mount a plurality of box-processing units, including pneumatic actuators and processing tools, at spaced stations to form a pipeline. The processing units each perform a different one of the processing operations during each processing cycle. A motor assembly pivots the rotary surface for stepwise positioning the boxes at different ones of the stations. A control system, including computer and pneumatic systems, causes the box-processing units to perform the different processing operations simultaneously on all boxes in the pipeline.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bale feeder for breaking down large cylindrical bales of hay and like animal feeds and spreading it in rows for feeding. The bale feeder comprises a feeder body, a bale lifting means for lifting and positioning a bale within the feeder body, and a bale opening means providing superior dust and mold removal characteristics. The bale feeder is usually towed over the ground behind a vehicle. The bale feeder also includes anti-binding means for reducing the problem of cut twine and hay getting into and binding the cutting means and feed mechanisms.

Abstract: A machine agitates and rips scrap aluminum cans to expose their interiors and shake out sand, dirt, and other material in the cans. The machine has an enclosure in which a rotatable shaft is supported. A plurality of blade sets are mounted on the shaft within the enclosure to rotate the shaft. The blade sets are distributed along the shaft and interleaved with a plurality of angled, stationary vanes that are mounted to an inside surface of the enclosure. These parts cooperate when the shaft is rotated by propelling scrap cans on a helical path on which the blade sets batter and rip the cans, throwing them against the vanes and the sides of the enclosure. As the cans are battered and agitated by the blades, their contents are emptied and the cans are ultimately propelled to a collection point.

Abstract: Method of transferring articles (1) contained in a closed transfer pocket (4) into an enclosure, wherein a part S of the wall of the closed transfer pocket (4) is stuck onto a part of the enclosure, there is cut out in the said part S, and from the inside of the enclosure, an opening of sufficient area to allow the passage of the said articles (1), the periphery of the opening of the transfer pocket (4) remaining stuck to the enclosure, and a corresponding opening (13) is made in the enclosure and the said articles (1) are then transferred into the enclosure through the said openings, pocket and enclosure for sterile transfer in particular.

Abstract: An apparatus for severing a fiber bale tie surrounding a fiber bale includes a bale advancing device for moving the fiber bale in an advancing direction along a travel path; a tie cutter for severing the tie; a bale position determining device for emitting a signal when the bale has reached a predetermined location along the travel path; and a device for moving the tie cutter transversely to the conveying direction from a remote position spaced from the bale into engagement with a bale surface when the bale has reached the predetermined location to effect severance of the tie as relative movement between the bale and said tie cutter takes place.

Abstract: A dispenser for wrapped packages each containing an article and having an edge. The dispenser includes a housing defining a package receiving chamber, the housing including (i) a wall with an outer surface and an inner surface, (ii) a first end longitudinally spaced from a second end and (iii) a first opening defined at the second end for removal of the packages. A biasing member is secured to the housing and positioned within the package receiving chamber. The biasing member is adapted to urge the packages in a first longitudinal direction toward the second end. An aligning member is secured to the housing and positioned adjacent the first opening, and a cutting member having a cutting edge is secured to the housing.

Abstract: An ampule dispenser having a carrier for transporting plastic ampules arranged side by side and series-connected together in a strip in a longitudinal direction, a guide plate provided over a delivery end of the carrier for holding down the strip of series-connected plastic ampules, receiver for receiving the plastic ampule at the head of the strip fed from the delivery end of the carrier, and an ampule separator for separating the ampule at the head of the strip along a separating line provided between adjacent ones of the ampules.

Abstract: A bag breaking apparatus has an apron feeder type conveyor with an apron constructed of over-lapping pans. Thin upstanding triangular teeth are mounted to each pan parallel to the direction of motion of the conveyor. Bags of trash are supplied to the conveyor and progress to an outfeed end. A roll is positioned over the conveyor near the outfeed end. The roll is driven about the axis of the roll. Triangular teeth mounted to the roll interdigitate with the teeth on the conveyor thus rending the bags which pass between the roll and the conveyor. The roll can be raised and lowered to accommodate bags of different sizes and is pivotable to swing upwardly when faced with oversize or excessive amounts of trash and thereby allow the material causing the jam to pass under the roll and off the outfeed end of the conveyor.

Abstract: A process and a device for severing wrappings (11) in each case surrounding a stack (10) of blanks and for removing the wrappings (11).To guarantee that they are held together better, stacks (10) of blanks are surrounded by a strip-shaped wrapping (11). In the region of a wrappings station (19), these are severed by a horizontally movable knife (23). The knife (23) enters into the upper area of an upright limb (12) of the wrapping (11), between upper blanks of the stack (10) of blanks, and is moved along a guide rail (25) whilst severing the wrapping (11). The latter is subsequently drawn away downward by a drawing force.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for opening sheet-like material, such as packaging paper, around a cylindrical object, which device comprises a support for the object as well as a carrier which is movable relative to the support over a predetermined path length and provided with at least a pair of wheels. The rotation shafts of the wheels enclose an angle, such that during the movement of the carrier the wheel peripheries exert a force on the sheet-like material directed towards each other in order to pull the sheet-like material more tightly around the object and to form a buckle or standing fold. The carrier is also provided with a cutting member which is situated behind the pair of wheels in the direction of movement.