Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing shrinkwrap from a plurality of bottles encased in the same and arranged in the form of a substantially rectangular package. The apparatus includes a base frame that has an upper support surface. Extending upwardly through the support surface is a first cutting assembly. Spaced from the first cutting assembly and also extending upwardly through the support surface is a second cutting assembly. A pusher is connected to the base frame and is adapted to move the package along the support surface over the first cutting assembly in order to effectuate a lengthwise cut in the bottom of the package. A second pusher is also secured to the base frame and is adapted to move the package across the support surface over the second cutting assembly in order to effectuate a widthwise cut in the bottom of the package. The shrinkwrap removing apparatus also includes a debagging station for removing the shrinkwrap from the plurality of bottles.

Abstract: A hand tool for quickly and effortlessly removing common forms of tablets and capsules individually from blister card and strip packaging is provided in a simplified form generally similar in overall appearance to a pliers-type hand tool. After positioning a desired pill-containing pocket of a blister package on the specially-configured lower jaw of the tool, the handles are squeezed together, pivoting the opposing jaw member downward against the top of the pill pocket and forcing the pill contained therein to move downwardly through an opening in the lower jaw, tearing the foil cover sheet of the package, whereupon the tablet will fall freely into a tablet-catching bucket member disposed beneath the lower jaw where the pill is maintained safely against inadvertent dropping or misplacing.

Abstract: A transfer system for transferring objects into a barrier isolator is provided. The transfer system includes a port opening located in a barrier wall to provide access to an isolated space. A port barrier film is sealingly located over the port opening, with the port barrier film having a first, decontaminated side which faces the isolated space and a second side which is exposed. A container adapted to hold the objects to be delivered through the port opening and into the isolated space is provided. A container barrier film is sealingly engaged to the container opening such that decontaminated objects sealed within the cavity in the container remain decontaminated. The container barrier film has a first, decontaminated side which faces the cavity and a second exposed side.

Abstract: A multiplicity of teeth are mounted to a beam in a comb structure, with the space between the teeth defining slots. The edges of the slots are lined with upstanding flanges which are sharpened to form cutting edges. The comb structure is arranged to be substantially parallel to an array of bag breaking bars. The bars interdigitate with the teeth and thus pass through the narrow openings between the teeth where the knife edges scrape the bars, thereby cutting free any material adhering to or impaled upon the bag breaking bars. Alternatively, an apparatus for cleaning a bag breaker has a pivotally mounted are having a fork which is aligned to receive a bar between the tines of the fork. The fork engages the base of the bar and then proceeds to slide up the bar as the forward motion of the bar causes the arm to pivot. In this way, material impaled upon a bar is slid or scraped upwardly towards the top of the bar.

Abstract: A device for emptying the contents of a bag into a hopper includes an arrangement for lifting the bag to a position higher than the top edge of the hopper, an arrangement for transporting the bag from an intermediate position in a frame to an unloading position including a retractable conveyor as the upper end of the bag is still engaged by the arrangement for lifting, an arrangement of cutters for cutting the lateral sides of the bag and the leading side of the bag to form a flap connected to the bag by the trailing side which flap will be opened by retracting the forward end of the retractable conveyor to allow the flap to open to discharge the contents as the bag is maintained by the arrangement for lifting over the hopper.

Abstract: Apparatus (90) is disclosed for opening a camera of a type including a front cover part (12) and a back cover part (14), each of the front cover part and the back cover part having a top wall (34, 42) and a bottom wall (36, 44) and first and second opposite end walls (38, 40; 46, 48); and a plurality of cooperating fastener pairs extending between the cover parts. There may be a first cooperating fastener pair (54, 60) extending between the top walls; a second cooperating fastener pair (56, 62) extending between the bottom walls; a third cooperating fastener pair (72, 74, 75) extending between the first end walls; and a fourth cooperating fastener pair (72, 74, 76) extending between the second end walls.

Abstract: A bag opening machine includes a trough and a feed screw that is rotatably mounted in the trough to advance bags that at least partially fit between the flight of the feed screw along the length of the trough. There are a pair of restrictions that the bags encounter that cause the bags to be ripped open as the part of a bag caught between the flight continues to advance while the part that is not within the flight is blocked from further advancement. The machine has a shear plate running the length of the trough which not only enhances longevity, but also provides a surface against which bags between the flight rub to be opened. Each of the restrictions is lined with another shear plate, and the leading faces of the restrictions are also reinforced against wear. An expansion chamber is located between the two restrictions. The restrictions completely surround the feed screw, which is mounted eccentrically in the opening defined by the feed screw.

Abstract: A dispensing system of the present invention includes a chute assembly and a rectangular container for dispensing of particulate material in the container. The chute assembly includes door and latch mechanisms which are opened to receive the rectangular container. Insertion of the rectangular container into the chute assembly automatically engages the latch mechanism, allowing the doors to open, which then engages a cutting subassembly of the chute assembly to open the container and expose the particulate contents for dispensing. The container includes an outer cardboard container, a cardboard insert having a wedge-shaped circumference at one end thereof, and a plasticized or foil liner. The container includes means for partially exposing the liner prior to insertion of the container into the chute assembly.

Abstract: A bag opener for opening bags containing recyclable materials includes a source of heat sufficient to melt the bags and an assembly that brings the bags into the vicinity of the source of heat to open the bags. In a preferred embodiment the source of heat includes a heated member and the assembly brings the bags into contact with the heated member to open the bags.

Abstract: A method of removing a required number of articles from a packing box which is accommodating a plurality of articles and having one open side. The method includes a step of setting the orientation of the packing box with the open side directed side-wise, a step of sucking surfaces of the required number of articles in the packing box with sucking pads through the open side of the packing box directed side-wise, and a step of removing from the packing box the necessary number of articles sucked by the sucking pads.

Abstract: An automatic bag opening device includes a housing having a bag intake opening for receiving a filled shipping bag. A bag assist plate forms a chute, allowing the bag to slide down and rest on a bag rest. A hollow penetrator penetrates the bag to hold it in place while a bottom of the bag is cut. The bag rest moves away from the bottom of the bag, allowing the contents of the bag to spill out. An air blast through the penetrator helps the bag empty. Additional air blasts hit and shake the bag, knocking the contents loose. A bag pusher pushes the empty bag into a set of rollers, folding the empty bag in half, and discharging the bag outside the housing. A dust collector within the housing collects loose dust, thereby enhancing safety and cleanliness of the workplace.

Abstract: A feeder and method are disclosed for individually dispensing surface-mount contacts in a strip of tab-connected contacts on a pick-and-place machine having a pick-up member and pick-up station actuator for actuating the feeder when the pick-and-place machine is ready for pick-up surface-mount contact oriented along a predetermined direction at the pick-up station. The strip of contacts are fed from a roll or spool and the end received within a guide, with the strip being advanced to position the end contact or connector to be mounted suspended beyond the guide. When the component is ready to be mounted, it is sheared or severed at a connecting tab from the strip to free it. The component is temporarily held in place while the freed component is moved towards the vacuum pick-up nozzle of the pick-and-place machine, and released at such time that the pick-up member of vacuum nozzle has sufficiently engaged the contact to enable it to pick up the contact and remove it from the pick-up station.

Abstract: In a method and a system for installing loose insulation, loose wool is transported, in compacted state and packed in e.g. filled bags (12), to the site where the insulation operation is to be performed and where loose wool (11) received from the bags is mechanically fluffed, and where the fluffed loose wool is transported by blowing it through a hose (15) to the location where it is to be placed; and the loose wool supplied through the hose (15) is spread on said location in the desired configuration. The novelty of the invention resides in that the bags (12) containing loose wool first are so arranged as to be able, successively and in a controlled manner, to discharge the compacted loose wool contained therein for automatic fluffing and onward blowing through the hose, whereupon from the location where the spreading of loose wool takes place, the discharge of compacted loose wool from the bags is remote-controlled in connection with the spreading, whereby the method can be carried out by a single operator.

Abstract: A hand cart is adapted to lift an upright water bottle from a support surface of a first height, carry the bottle to a water dispenser of a second height, invert the bottle, and lower a mouth of the bottle into a receiving opening of the dispenser. A scissors/jackscrew mechanism pivotally connected between a pivot arm structure and an upright structure raises and lowers an outer portion of the pivot arm structure. A bottle holding mechanism pivotally connected to the outer portion of the pivot arm structure inverts the bottle. The bottle holding mechanism includes first and second bottle engaging pads pivotally connected to spaced first and second outer portions of the pivot arm structure, respectively, and engaging opposite sides of the bottle between circumferential ridges thereof. Velcro straps secure the bottle to the pads.

Abstract: An apparatus for charging a trash sorting device with the contents of trash bags has a feed apparatus of the trash bags connected to an inclined conveyor belt suitable for bearing and transporting trash bags, the upper end of which is located above the charging point of a conveyor which traverses the sorting area. Located above and near the upper end of the conveyor belt is a deflector rake which can be swiveled around an axle which traverses the conveyor belt, the tines of which rake when in the pick up position approach the conveyor belt at a downward angle in the direction opposite the direction of transport of the belt and can be moved from this pick up position opposite the direction of transport to a reject position above the conveyor belt. The deflector rake can be driven in a back-and-forth motion between the pick up position and the reject position.

Abstract: A multiplicity of teeth are mounted to a beam in a comb structure, with the space between the teeth defining slots. The edges of the slots are lined with upstanding flanges which are sharpened to form cutting edges. The comb structure is arranged to be substantially parallel to an array of bag breaking bars. The bars interdigitate with the teeth and thus pass through the narrow openings between the teeth where the knife edges scrape the bars, thereby cutting free any material adhering to or impaled upon the bag breaking bars. Alternatively, an apparatus for cleaning a bag breaker has a pivotally mounted are having a fork which is aligned to receive a bar between the tines of the fork. The fork engages the base of the bar and then proceeds to slide up the bar as the forward motion of the bar causes the arm to pivot. In this way, material impaled upon a bar is slid or scraped upwardly towards the top of the bar.

Abstract: A plurality of parallel chain loops have outwardly extending blades and travel in plastic channels over an inclined deck. The chains extend between shafts which rotate in opposite directions and are mounted to the shafts so that alternating chains move up the incline and the others move down. Refuse bags deposited on the deck are torn open by the blades. Small refuse objects fall between the chains and slide down the deck to be discharged, while larger objects are carried by the upwardly moving chains to the top of the deck. Refuse objects are thereby initially segregated by size.

Abstract: The invention is a device for expediting the cutting of boxes containing goods used in restocking shelves and the like. This device can either be free standing or operatively mounted on a stocking cart or dolly. In either case, a free-wheeling turntable is used to support the box being cut and a box positioner is disposed adjacent thereto to raise one edge of the box when the same is being cut. This positioner can then be lowered to allow the box to be rotated 90.degree. for the next cut, etc. thereby greatly expediting the cutting open of boxes. The box positioner for raising the box at least partially off of the turntable is mechanically activated by either a foot pedal in the free standing version or by a handle in the cart mounted version.

Abstract: Apparatus for transporting blank stacks (14) surrounded by a band (15). During the transport of the blank stacks (14) in the direction of their longitudinal extension, the band (15) surrounding the blank stack (14) in the transverse direction is severed on the underside (bottom wall 19) by a stationary severing knife (35). The blank stack (14), together with the severed band (15), is conveyed further to a point above a magazine shaft (13, 13a). Here, the band (15) is held by suckers (39) and is sucked off via a lateral suction channel (40).

Abstract: An apparatus for recovering pharmaceutical product from blister packs and a method for doing same is provided. Pharmaceutical product blister pack cards, which are unsuitable for sale, are straightened, if necessary, and stacked in a magazine. Individual blister cards are indexed from the magazine stack onto an operations chain conveyor at a loading station by a finger indexing subsystem. The chain conveyor carries the blister card to a cutting station where the back face of the card receives a peripheral cut at the location of each blister pocket and inside the wall of the pocket. The chain conveyor then carries the blister card to a punching station where each product on the card is forced through the back face of the card utilizing moving the respective cut section of the card back, thereby discharging the product into a collection bin. The emptied blister card is moved to a discharge region where it is separated from the chain conveyor.

Abstract: The bale opening machine is provided with a detection unit upstream of the bale opener for detecting the presence of foreign material at the surface of the fiber bale. In addition, an extraction unit is mounted adjacent the bale opener for removing the detected foreign material from a fiber bale. The extraction unit may include pairs of gripping jaws so as to mechanically remove the fiber material or may be constructed as a suction tube or tubes to pneumatically remove the foreign material. The detection and extraction unit may be mounted on a common side or on opposite sides of the bale opener.

Abstract: A rigid, box-like frame structure has a vertically movable subframe assembly mounted thereon. Attached to the subframe are a number of horizontally movable tined sleeves with connected sharpened tines. As the subframe assembly moves downwardly, the attached tines penetrate the refuse bags on a conveyor below. The tined sleeves are then moved outwardly by actuators, tearing open the bags and discharging the refuse within. The subframe assembly is then lifted upwardly and the tined sleeves are moved back inwardly to their original position to start the cycle again.

Abstract: A separation system tears apart trash bags in a manner that will ensure that the trash and recyclable material inside the bag will fall out onto a conveyer while at the same time maintaining the bag in substantially one piece. The bag is dropped onto two cylinders that rotate in opposite directions. The first cylinder hooks the container with a set of fins and then presents the bag to a second set of fins protruding from the second cylinder. The second set of fins have relatively dull tips that pull the bag apart allowing the contents inside the bag to drop down onto a conveyer. A set of steel fingers are attached between adjacent fins to prevent small bags from slipping though the system without first being broken. The fins automatically push the empty bags out of the system in substantially one piece.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for opening soft-cup packs of cigarettes. In progressive stages, the cellophane wrapper top and the pack closure strip are cut, the cellophane wrapper top piece is removed, the remaining cellophane is removed, the soft-cup is removed, and the foil bundle containing the cigarettes is raked open and the cigarettes removed. Various conveyors move the packs through the stages.

Abstract: A substantially enhanced and improved automated mail or envelope handling system is obtained by incorporating therein the envelope content separating or staggering system of this invention. By positioning separating means in the envelope content pathway which cooperate with the envelope contents to physically separate and/or longitudinally stagger one content element relative to the second content element, the staggered portion of the rear element is easily readable by the operator in addition to the readability of the forward element. In this way, the operator is able to initiate processing of the envelope contents without being required to physically remove and separate the elements before processing the information. In the preferred embodiment, vacuum means are employed to attract and hold one of the content elements for a pre-determined duration of time, while the other element continues to advance. In this way, the desired longitudinally separation is efficiently attained.

Abstract: A tool which dispenses a tablet from a blister type package, which package typically has a top blister portion and a bottom portion. The dispenser includes a first member having a flat surface for supporting the bottom portion of the blister package. This support surface has an opening therein which is larger than the table. A second member including a plunger for at least partially crushing the top portion and pushing the tablet through the bottom portion is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for recovering pharmaceutical product from blister packs and a method for doing same is provided. Pharmaceutical product blister pack cards, which are unsuitable for sale, are straightened, if necessary, and stacked in a magazine. Individual blister cards are indexed from the magazine stack onto an operations chain conveyor at a loading station by a finger indexing subsystem. The chain conveyor carries the blister card to a cutting station where the back face of the card receives a peripheral cut at the location of each blister pocket and inside the wall of the pocket. The chain conveyor then carries the blister card to a punching station where each product on the card is forced through the back face of the card utilizing moving the respective cut section of the card back, thereby discharging the product into a collection bin. The emptied blister card is moved to a discharge region where it is separated from the chain conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus for sequentially removing the top, puncturing the sides, simultaneously washing the interior and exterior of a drum and crushing the drum.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing flexible covers from bales, includes a conveyor for conveying each bale from a loading station through a cutting station wherein the cover is cut, a stripping station wherein the cover is stripped from the bale, and a discharge station wherein the stripped bale is discharged. The cutting station includes a front blade assembly mounted on a carriage driven vertically along the length of the front wall of the cover for vertically slitting the front wall while the bale is relatively stationary on the conveyor, and then for horizontally slitting one of the end walls of the cover as the bale is conveyed towards the stripping station. An end wall blade assembly horizontally slits the other end wall of the cover as the bale is conveyed towards the stripping station.

Abstract: A feeder and method are disclosed for individually dispensing surface-mount contacts in a strip of tab-connected contacts on a pick-and-place machine having a pick-up member and pick-up station actuator for actuating the feeder when the pick-and-place machine is ready for pick-up surface-mount contact oriented along a predetermined direction at the pick-up station. The strip of contacts are fed from a roll or spool and the end received within a guide, with the strip being advanced to position the end contact or connector to be mounted suspended beyond the guide. When the component is ready to be mounted, it is sheared or severed at a connecting tab from the strip to free it. The component is temporarily held in place while the freed component is moved towards the vacuum pick-up nozzle of the pick-and-place machine, and released at such time that the pick-up member of vacuum nozzle has sufficiently engaged the contact to enable it to pick up the contact and remove it from the pick-up station.

Abstract: A bag opener for tearing a hole in a bag of plastic or other perforable material where a pair of fingers next to each other are moved together in one direction to puncture the bag and then in transverse directions respectively away from each other to provide a tearing action on the bag.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for unwrapping an article (e.g., bread) wrapped in a package having a first end and a second end. The inventive apparatus includes a first mechanism for holding the first end of the package, a second mechanism for at least partially opening the second end of the package, and a third mechanism for removing the article from the package. In a specific implementation, package is supported on a conveyor, the retaining clip on the package is engaged by a guide and the package is moved into contact with a blade which cuts substantially through the package. The package is held by the guide while the article falls from the package due to the effect of gravity.

Abstract: Envelopes of different dimensions opened on three edges, namely one short edge and two long edges, are fed standing on one of the opened long edges to a removal device, in which both envelope sides (U and V) are deflected to the left and right by approximately 90.degree.. The envelope contents (Z) is conveyed linearly out of the removal device. The removal device is formed by two vertical suction cylinders (25, 26) positioned to the left and right alongside the envelope and which, under sensor control, engage the envelope sides, deflect them by approximately 90.degree. and consequently separate the sides from the envelope contents. The envelope is then ejected at one side, and the unopened short edge at the rear of the envelope assists the linear movement of the contents out of the apparatus. A third cutting or opening mechanism (23) for the lower long edge forms, together with the suction cylinders (25, 26) and the other rotated parts of the removal device, a compact constructional unit.

Abstract: A bag opening machine includes a trough and a feed screw that is rotatably mounted in the trough to advance bags that at least partially fit between the flight of the feed screw along the length of the trough. There are a pair of restrictions that the bags encounter that cause the bags to be ripped open. The machine has a shear plate running the length of the trough which provides a surface against which bags between the flight rub to be opened. The flight of the conveyor is provided with pins which project generally in a down stream direction and assist in ripping open bags. Each of the restrictions is lined with another shear plate. An expansion chamber is located between the two restrictions. The restrictions completely surround the feed screw, which is mounted eccentrically in the opening defined by the feed screw. A hinged lid over the expansion chamber helps prevent the build-up of excess material.

Abstract: In a method of cutting and recovering a bundling body D or wrap for a bundle of articles, a bundling body sucking opening 42 is arranged in the vicinity of an article transferring position and so positioned as to maintain a constant distance to the side portion of an articles B in the condition where holding of the articles by the holding plates is released.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting and removing a sheet-bag-like package material from a packaged object which comprises a stack of can ends packaged in the package material. The apparatus comprises a feed unit for feeding the package object along a feeding path, a cutting unit for cutting open a slackened portion of the package material, a removing unit for removing the cut-open package material from the packaged object; and a pushing mechanism for pushing the packaged object toward a stationary stopper disposed at the removing unit. The pushing mechanism includes a movable presser member for pressing a trailing end of the packaged object, a cylinder actuator having a cylinder and a piston, and a spring. One of the cylinder and the piston is connected to the movable presser member and the other of the cylinder and the piston is connected to a stationary member fixedly provided at the removing unit through the spring.

Abstract: A bag opener for opening bags containing recyclable materials includes a source of heat sufficient to melt the bags and an assembly that brings the bags into the vicinity of the source of heat to open the bags. In a preferred embodiment the source of heat includes a heated member and the assembly brings the bags into contact with the heated member to open the bags.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing a bag in the form of a flexible film having an opening from about object on a planer surface includes first and second parallel cylindrical rollers movable between a first spaced-apart position and second mutually-contacting position, an apparatus for selectively moving the rollers between a first location pressing against the object and the second location a selected distance from the object, an apparatus for selectively positioning the rollers in the first and second positions, and an apparatus for rotating the rollers. Control apparatus may be provided to cause the rollers to be pressed against the object through the film while in the spaced-apart position, to move together to grip a fold of the bag between the rollers, to cause the rollers to rotate to draw the gripped fold of the film between the rollers, and to cause the rollers to be moved to a location a selected distance from the object.

Abstract: An opening device for opening bagged refuse to liberate the contents of the bag, in which garbage bags are transported along a conveyor, and a plurality of endless chains having tines attached thereto are operated above the conveyor. As bags pass under the endless chains, tines extending downwardly from the chains pierce the garbage bags. Adjacent chains are operated at different speeds, and the tines move at different speeds relative to the conveyor, tearing the bags, liberating the refuse.

Abstract: A sheet feed device incorporated in a copier, facsimile transceiver, printer or similar image forming apparatus and capable of automatically removing a wrapping from a sheet pack inserted in the apparatus and then feeding sheets one by one.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for debagging a stack of articles such as can ends and the like which are arranged in a facewise stacked condition in an elongate tubular bag. The method comprises the steps of engaging one end of the bag and then pulling the bag in an axial direction for removing it from the stack of articles while simultaneously retaining the articles in such a manner as to prevent axial movement thereof to a degree sufficient to disengage any of the articles from their facewise stacked condition in response to the axial movement of the bag. The invention also provides novel apparatus for carrying out this method.

Abstract: A substantially enhanced and improved automated mail or envelope handling system is obtained by incorporating therein the envelope content separating or staggering system of this invention. By positioning separating devices in the envelope content pathway which cooperate with the envelope contents to physically separate and/or longitudinally stagger one content element relative to the second content element, the staggered portion of the rear element is easily readable by the operator in addition to the readability of the forward element. In this way, the operator is able to initiate processing of the envelope contents without being required to physically remove and separate the elements before processing the information. In the preferred embodiment, vacuum devices are employed to attract and hold one of the content elements for a pre-determined duration of time, while the other element continues to advance. In this way, the desired longitudinally separation is efficiently attained.

Abstract: Apparatus for mechanically removing circumferentially complete labels from cylindrical external surfaces of successive containers, such as bottles, which are transported in upright or horizontal position past a removing station has a mechanical or pneumatic device which withdraws a portion of the label from the external surface of a container at the removing station. This establishes a clearance for a distancing element at the leading end of a knife which is moved axially of the external surface at the removing station to sever the label from one marginal portion all the way to the other marginal portion of the label. The thus split labels are attracted by an evacuating conveyor as soon as the respective containers advance beyond the removing station.

Abstract: The machine comprises a support structure including a vertical upright, a cross member which can move vertically along the upright, two horizontal arms, one end of each being articulated to the cross member and the other end having a rotatable gripping device for gripping a bale, motor means and associated control devices for moving the cross member, for moving the arms apart and towards each other and for rotating their gripping devices, and a cutting device for cutting the wrapper of a bale which is gripped and rotated by the gripping devices of said arms.

Abstract: A remotely operable drum punch for puncturing a drum or container containing hazardous waste, chemicals, or acid consists of a drive which drives a punch head and self-admixing arms for securing the drum punch to the drum. The drive is remotely operable to drive both the self-affixing arms and the punch head so that the drum punch may be secured to the drum from afar. The punch head includes a collar, which may be movable, to form a seal with the top of the drum. The punch head also includes bores to allow the sampling, testing and exhausting of the drum's contents or to introduce agents, such as neutralizing or foaming or gelling agents, into the drum to neutralize or solidify the drum's contents. Inert gases can also be introduced into the drum.

Abstract: An apparatus for opening plastic bags containing recyclable materials includes a feed conveyor for transporting the plastic bags from a receiving area to a sorting area, and a plurality of bag opener units positioned along the feed conveyor. Each of the bag opener units includes a flexible line connected to a rotating head. Free ends of the whirling lines shred and open the plastic bags as they are rotated by the rotating heads and as the plastic bags are transported along the feed conveyor.

Abstract: A trash bag opener and removal apparatus has a feed conveyor, a housing assembly and a discharge conveyor for opening and removing plastic and paper bags filled with material and discharging the material at a chute end of the discharge conveyor. The bags are routed by the feed conveyor into the housing assembly, which has a separate input conveyor, a slicer assembly, a slitter assembly, a bag stripper assembly and first and second paddle wheels. The input conveyor is located proximate to the feed conveyor and travels faster than the feed conveyor to upset the bags and ensure that the bag bottoms are exposed for the slicer assembly. The slicer assembly has a rotating, cylindrical drum with three serrated blades along its length and oscillates to tear the bags open. The paddle wheels retard and assist in moving the bags and refuse from the slicer assembly to the slitter assembly, which has rotating notched disk blades to rip the bags open, and then to the discharge conveyor.

Abstract: Devices and method are disclosed for opening, e.g. by puncturing, sealed containers of materials, e.g. drums filled with toxic or hazardous substances. In one aspect a support cradle supports one or more containers and is movable to dump their contents into a discharge hopper. In one aspect containers are punctured or opened by movable spears or cutters which are movable to open the containers, preferably with personnel spaced apart from or remote from the apparatus during operation. A variety of spray devices or nozzles may be used to create fogs or protective fluid sheets or films over or about various parts of the apparatus to inhibit unwanted dispersion of material in the containers.

Abstract: The device for opening and emptying filled food cans comprises a conveyor path. Food cans are gripped in the conveyor path using semi-cylindrical clamping elements. In addition the cans are clamped on the end walls. Placed in the conveyor path is a knife for cutting through the can. Using the clamping elements on the end walls the can halves are turned over and emptied. The can halves are subsequently ejected into a reservoir.

Abstract: A machine for slitting filled bags, incorporates saw and displacement structure to cause relative movement between the saw and a bag to be slit, the saw comprising a blade in which a cutting section of the blade is located orthogonally with respect to the direction of relative movement such that the cutting section penetrates a leading end of the bag and, during continued relative movement, cuts through both the bag contents and the bag sides, towards the trailing end of the bag.