Abstract: There is provided a cutter or mold having at least one sidewall defining a cavity, wherein the cavity draft angle varies. In some embodiments, the cutter may also include a base, i.e., the cutter can be a mold. The cutter or mold exhibits better release properties of food products molded or cut therewith than conventional cutters or molds having no cavity draft angle, or a uniform cavity draft angle. Rotary cutting wheels, that in some embodiments may be ultrasonically activated, as well as systems incorporating the cutters or molds are also provided, as are methods of forming food products using the cutters or molds.

Abstract: There is provided a cutter or mold having at least one sidewall defining a cavity, wherein the cavity draft angle varies. In some embodiments, the cutter may also include a base, i.e., the cutter can be a mold. The cutter or mold exhibits better release properties of food products molded or cut therewith than conventional cutters or molds having no cavity draft angle, or a uniform cavity draft angle. Rotary cutting wheels, that in some embodiments may be ultrasonically activated, as well as systems incorporating the cutters or molds are also provided, as are methods of forming food products using the cutters or molds.

Abstract: The invention relates to the design of a food forming drum (2) which will be used for molding food in shaped products. The application field wherein the drum will operate is the field of human consumption and pet food and reaches from meat products (poultry, pork, beef, etc), meat replacement products, fish, dairy to potatoes and vegetables products. Particularly, the present invention relates to a food forming drum comprising an inner member (24) with an inner cylinder (16) and a multitude of ribs (17) extending in radial direction from the inner cylinder and with at least one porous member, made from a porous material with interconnecting pores, connected to the ribs and wherein a multitude of rows with product cavities, each row comprising one or a multitude of product cavities, are provided in the porous member(s). The present invention further relates to a method to produce such drums.

Abstract: A rotary tool ejection technology utilizing air to eject contents from the dies of a rotary cylinder. The dies include orifices positioned therein. The orifices are assembled with porous material. The orifices are capable of receiving air from an internal chamber and delivering it to the outer surface of a rotary cylinder. Air is supplied to the internal chamber by an internal shaft. The internal shaft contains a channel in fluid communication with outlets extending radially outward from the channel to locations on the outer surface of the shaft. The shaft is optionally assembled with a manifold having a conduit. The conduit is positioned for intermittent alignment with the orifices in the rotary cylinder as the rotary cylinder rotates relative to the manifold.

Abstract: Described herein are apparatuses and methods of creating fibers, such as microfibers and nanofibers. The methods discussed herein employ centrifugal forces to transform material into fibers. Apparatuses that may be used to create fibers are also described. To improve the formation of fibers, various devices and systems for controlling the micro-environment around the fiber producing device are described.

Abstract: A cutting tool for producing decorative cake components is provided. The cutting tool includes a roller including a plurality of cutters located on a radial outer surface thereof and two end portions located on opposite ends of the roller.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for creating blanks from pieces of dough, in particular triangular pieces of dough, from at least one web of dough, comprising a plurality of cutting tools which cut an edge of the pieces of dough as a result of a movement oriented against the at least one web of dough and comprising a conveyor belt device on which the at least one web of dough is conveyed. The cutting tools are arranged on a drum, which is driven in a rotating manner, via tool holders, said drum being superimposed with a vertical movement such that one or more cutting tools 1 which can be found circulating about the drum are moved parallel to the conveyor belt device as a result of the superimposed sequence of movements of the drum rotation and the vertical movement of the drum.

Abstract: Press machine for producing mozzarellas having a substantially two-dimensional geometry, having a station for sorting preformed balls of mozzarella and obtained with a milk-based paste and a press station for shaping said preformed mozzarella balls in pieces of mozzarella having a substantially two-dimensional geometry, said press station having an alveolar plane defining at least one alveolar seat suitable for at least one of said preformed balls of mozzarella and coming from said sorting station, also having at least one pressing element that is mobile between a resting position, wherein said pressing element is located distant from said alveolar plane for arranging said preformed ball of mozzarella in said alveolar seat, and a pressing position, wherein said pressing element is located above said alveolar seat for pressing said preformed ball of mozzarella. Furthermore, a production process using the above press machine for producing mozzarella having a substantially two-dimensional geometry.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing thermoformed articles such as food packagings or parts thereof with a mechanical weakening between adjoining functional areas, which, for utilization by a user, can be at least partly separated at the mechanical weakening, in a thermoforming die having an upper die and a lower die, the mechanical weakening being introduced with a three-dimensional extension during the period of time during which the material to be formed is located in the thermoforming die, and a thermoforming die for implementing the process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an mass distribution device for supplying a mass of foodstuff starting material to one or more cavities of a mold drum for molding products from the mass, comprising a base member which extends partially around the outer cylindrical circumference of the drum and which has an introduction area through which the mass is the fed to the cavities. The invention further relates to a molding device and to a process for operating the inventive mass distribution device.

Abstract: Various embodiments related to three dimensional printers, and reinforced filaments, and their methods of use are described. In one embodiment, a void free reinforced filament is fed into an conduit nozzle. The reinforced filament includes a core, which may be continuous or semi-continuous, and a matrix material surrounding the core. The reinforced filament is heated to a temperature greater than a melting temperature of the matrix material and less than a melting temperature of the core prior to drag the filament from the conduit nozzle.

Abstract: A flash removing punch pin is provided with a rotating mechanism wherein a flange is formed on an upper end portion on an outer circumference side portion of a cutting edge portion, and a plurality of grooves are formed in the axis center direction to the side of a casting part from the flange. An inner portion is slidably inserted into an inner cover, and the inner portion and a processing portion are moved by a spring cylinder in a direction to be separated from each other. The spring cylinder is compressed when the punch pin is in proximity to the casting part, and then the flange of the punch pin contacts a flange portion of the casting part. When the inner portion slides into the inner cover, the processing portion rotates along the axis with the inner portion.

Abstract: A novel universal main feeder is described for cutting the large items into smaller items before they are fed into the feeder, hopper of the extruder. The sensor based control and the cutting device based resizing and quantity control enables a non-clog and smoother operation for recycling or waste management. The unique design of interchangeable cutting device enables the user to fit the pertinent cutting device blade, knives, shredders or hummer mills.

Abstract: A design transfer device comprising an elastic planar wall having a first side surface and a second side surface is disclosed herein. An elastic cutting blade is unitary with the elastic planar wall and extends directly from the first side surface of the elastic planar wall. The elastic cutting blade is continuous and is configured to cut a design from a moldable material. The elastic cutting blade has an inner side surface and an outer side surface with a cutting edge therebetween. The cutting edge is disposed at a substantially constant distance, from the first side surface of the elastic planar wall, throughout its perimeter. A method of using the design transfer device is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an implant for correcting vision impairment is disclosed. The implant is made from a donor corneal tissue sized and shaped to provide a predetermined refractive correction and reshaping of a cornea. The donor corneal tissue includes a posterior surface and an anterior surface. The posterior surface has a surface profile that is configured to generally correspond to a shape of an implantation site of the cornea.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for a gas filtration device including an array of parallel carbon nanotubes. The carbon nanotubes may extend between first and second substrates, and the ends of the carbon nanotubes may be embedded in the substrates and cut to expose openings at each end of the carbon nanotubes. The carbon nanotubes may be composed from a graphene membrane which may be perforated with a plurality of discrete pores of a selected size for enabling one or more molecules to pass through the pores. A fluid mixture including two or more molecules for filtering may be directed through the first openings of the array of nanotubes, and the fluid mixture may be filtered by enabling smaller molecules to pass through the discrete pores of the graphene membrane walls of the carbon nanotubes to produce in a filtrate fraction including the smaller molecules and a retentate fraction including larger molecules.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cutting or embossing tool for frozen confectionery products comprising at least two elements, each element comprising a void with an inner contour corresponding to the outer contour of the product to be cut or embossed. At least one of the elements comprises at least one knife or embosser with a blade or an embossing surface extending along the inner contour of the void. The tool can be used to cut lines or a line pattern shape into the surface of a frozen confectionery product, in particular in coating.

Abstract: A stamping apparatus may be used to cut a dough product having a hole from a dough sheet. The stamping apparatus may have multiple cutting blades, depending from a platen, that are configured for cutting complementary open shapes, in phases, that together form a closed shape defining the dough product periphery. The stamping apparatus may also have a tubular cutting blade depending from the platen, configured to cut a closed shape defining the dough product hole, that is nested within one of the blades that is configured to cut an open shape. The tubular cutting blade may be retractable about a finger contained therewithin that remains in a fixed position in relation to the tubular cutting blade as the blade retracts. Air trapped within the tubular cutting blade, between the finger and a cutout dough piece that does not form part of the dough product, may become compressed during blade retraction. The compression may facilitate ejection of the cutout dough piece from the tubular cutting blade.

Abstract: An improved geode breaking method, system, and apparatus are disclosed. A geode can be broken or cut into at least two pieces, or grooved with a circumferential groove. The geode pieces can be reassembled and connected to each other using a bonding material that supports the joint formed between the reassembled pieces. The bonding layer can denote a joint guideline to assist in aligning a geode breaking tool for re-breaking the geode. A support layer can be added for additional strength, support, and geode crumbling prevention. The reassembled geode can be safely and easily re-broken without crumbling the exterior and interior surface of the geode. The geode's interior crystals or concentric lines can be safely appreciated within a piece or section of a reassembled and re-broken geode.

Abstract: A machine for deforming and cutting plastic strands of recycled plastic for use as a secondary reinforcement in concrete includes a multi-strand supply of recycled plastic and a mechanism for advancing the multi-strands into and through the machine. The advancing mechanism may be several sets of motor driven roller sets each of which is connected to a common motor by a belt. The machine includes three sets of deformation mechanisms, a heater for softening the deformed strands and a cutter powered by a separate motor for cutting the softened plastic strands.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for the direct production of polyester granulate from a highly viscous polyester melt with a polymerization degree of 132 to 165, as well as the granulates formed thereform. In the method, the highly viscous polyester melt is subjected to a pre-drying and drying/degassing after a hot cutting method. Hot cutting is implemented at water temperatures of 70° C. to 95° C. and with a liquid to solid ratio of 8 to 12:1.

Abstract: An apparatus including a cup attaching unit, includes: a lens support portion for supporting a lens on a reference axis extending in a vertical direction; a support arm to which an attaching portion to which the cup is attached is attached; a moving arm for support the support arm to be movable so that the attaching portion can be directed in a downward direction toward the lens support portion and in an upward direction or a forward direction; and a lever configured to be operated by the operation and rotate the support arm so as to direct the attaching portion in from the second direction to the first direction. The lever is provided at the support arm and lowers the attaching portion together with the moving arm after the attaching portion is directed in the downward direction.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a three-dimensional preform for a structural component made of a fiber composite material includes simultaneously laying a plurality of dry fibers on a workpiece carrier having a contour that corresponds to an intended three-dimensional shape of the perform and then fixing the fibers on an edge of the workpiece carrier. These steps are repeated in accordance with a predetermined fiber laying pattern until the three-dimensional perform has been completely formed. In addition, between each repetition, the fibers are cut beyond a segment of the fibers fixed on the edge of the workpiece carrier. After the three-dimensional preform has been completely formed, the three-dimensional preform is removed from the workpiece carrier and transferred to a subsequent manufacturing step. An apparatus configured to perform this method is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a food forming apparatus to produce patties with a form member which comprises moulds in which the patties are formed, whereas the form member is located adjacent to a pressure member and is at least partially made from a porous material.

Abstract: A cellular roller for portioning dough, is provided. The cellular roller comprises a plurality of impeller blades radially extending from a central axis of rotation and having a blade surface made of dough-repellent plastic, which impeller blades between one another define portioning chambers that are open on the outside, wherein each impeller blade at the open blade end thereof is provided with a reinforcement strip made of an abrasion-resistant material.

Abstract: A line storage and dispensing device having a spool housing and line passage. The line passage is configured so that friction is created between the line and the line channel. The friction is great enough to resist casual advance of the line through the line channel, substantially maintaining the angular position of the spool in the housing, reducing line unspooling, accidental retraction of the line into the housing or backlash of the line on the spool. The line passage is formed preferably in a resilient material that allows a compressive force to be selectively and manually applied against the line passage and the line. The compressive force is of a magnitude great enough to allow the line to be tensioned as it is pulled from the spool through the line passage, straightening the line and removing coil memory in the line as it is withdrawn from the spool.

Abstract: There are provided a mold for forming a golf ball, which allows a dimple formed near the equator of golf ball corresponding to the partition surface of upper and lower molds to be formed so as to have the same shape as that of a dimple formed in other regions, and a golf ball manufactured using this mold. The mold for forming a golf ball in accordance with the present invention includes at least two body parts, a cavity is formed within the mold by the joining of the at least two body parts, and in at least one of the body parts, a groove for forming a projecting land part which is ground after the formation of the golf ball is provided in a cavity wall surface adjacent to the whole circumference of a parting line formed by the joining.

Abstract: An aspect of the invention provides an image forming unit that includes: an image forming unit main body including an image carrier; a housing of the image forming unit main body, the housing having at least one opening having concave parts at edge parts facing each other in the opening; and a connection element suspended with fracture parts between the edge parts facing each other in the opening, the fracture parts located within the concave parts. At least a part of the connection element corresponding to the image carrier is removable at the fracture parts.

Abstract: A method for producing a ceramic honeycomb structure comprising the steps of machining end surfaces of an unsintered or sintered ceramic honeycomb structure, and ejecting a gas from a slit-like orifice moving relative to an opposing end surface without contact, thereby removing dust and/or cut pieces from end surface portions.

Abstract: Applicator head for reinforcement yarns (2) on a deposition surface (3), said head comprising: a cutting mechanism (8) for reinforcement yarns (2) upstream of an application zone (5), including at least one cutting unit (10) and one motor unit (11) for moving the cutter (10), first along a forward stroke (f1) to avow the cutting of the reinforcement yarns (2), and secondly along a return stroke (f2) in a reverse direction, to allow the release of the cutter (10) from the reinforcement yarns (2), and a redirection system (16) for the reinforcement yarns after cutting, at least up to the application zone (5), The cutting mechanism (8) powers the redirection system (16) with means designed to, firstly not feed the reinforcement yarns (2) in the forward stroke (f1) of the cutter (10) and, secondly, to feed the reinforcement yarns (2) at least up to the application area (5), during the return stroke (f2).

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for granulating hot cut, in particular thermoplastic resin material, the material strands melted by an extruder being knocked off into granule pellets in a granulating housing (1) by rotating knives (11) disposed on a shaft (9) driven by way of a motor (13), the granule pellets being picked up by a cooling medium flowing in the granulating housing (1), cooled and discharged out of the granulating housing (1), characterized in that a flow opening (17) establishing a continuous fluid connection between the inside of the granulating housing (1) and the outside environment is designed between the shaft (9) and the region of the granulating housing (1) in which the shaft (9) penetrates the granulating housing (1).

Abstract: A device and method for forming a groove pattern in a light-guiding plate for obtaining high luminance and decreasing processing time, thereby improving yield. The device has a tool unit including a tool guide and a head which is further provided with a heating plate disposed below the tool unit; a stamper disposed under the heating plate; and a plurality of cutting tools extending from a lower side of the stamper at fixed intervals, for forming a plurality of groove patterns in a surface of the light-guiding plate.

Abstract: Process for manufacturing a plastic hollow body, the process comprising the following steps: a) a tubular stream of molten plastic is extruded; b) this stream is taken up by means of a tensioning device; c) a transverse cut is made in this stream so as to create a parison having one free edge that is not taken up by the tensioning device; d) the parison is moved relative to the tensioning device so that the free edge of the parison is also taken up by the tensioning device; and e) at least one longitudinal cut is made in the parison over its entire length. Equipment suitable for implementing this process.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a polymer pellet is provided. The apparatus includes a conveying mechanism configured to convey a coated polymer, a supporting mechanism configured to support the coated polymer, a supporting plate having a deforming and cutting mechanism configured to deform and cut the coated polymer, a reciprocating mechanism configured to reciprocate the supporting plate upwardly and downwardly, and a collector configured to collect cut pellets. The reciprocating mechanism holds the supporting plate so that the deforming and cutting mechanism faces the coated polymer.

Abstract: Flexible tubular film (10) is helically cut into a flat strip by unwinding the tubular film in flattened form by a tumbling unwinder (1), advancing the flat film tube to a tube expansion zone (17) in which the flat tube is expanded into a circular cylindrical tube and is passed axially over a hollow mandrel (14) slightly lower in external diameter than the diameter of the expanded tube to be cut by knife (18) helically while on the mandrel into a flat strip that is removed at an angle to the mandrel axis. The flat tube is longitudinally stretched by stretching rollers (107-112), which tumble with the tumbling unwinder. The apparatus further comprises stabilization means for stabilizing the orientation applied by the tumbling stretching rollers, applied to the helically cut film strip after it has been drawn from the mandrel.

Abstract: This sheet production apparatus comprises a vessel defining a channel configured to hold a melt. The melt is configured to flow from a first point to a second point of the channel. A cooling plate is disposed proximate the melt and is configured to form a sheet on the melt. A spillway is disposed at the second point of the channel. This spillway is configured to separate the sheet from the melt.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for generating foam shapes that float in air having a container, a gas source, an aeration nozzle for aerating a gas from the gas source, an outlet, and a separator for separating extruded foam into individualized foam shapes.

Abstract: Disclosed is an shape-forming shutter apparatus including a plurality of shutter pieces, each having an shaping surface and a sliding surface, which are arranged in a circle with the shaping surface of each shutter piece being slidably in sliding contact with the sliding surface of the neighboring separate shutter piece, and the shape-forming shutter apparatus being capable of dilating and contracting an opening part surrounded by the shaping surfaces respectively of the plurality of shutter pieces. The shape-forming shutter apparatus includes pressure contact biasing means for always keeping the shaping surface of each shutter piece and the sliding surface of the neighboring shutter piece slidably in pressure contact with each other. The pressure contact biasing means is a ring-shaped elastic member for biasing the shutter pieces equally in such a direction to close the opening part.

Abstract: A die casting tool (1) of a die casting machine, comprising a first mold (2) having a first and a second mold part (5, 6), which can be displaced in a linear manner to each other for closing and opening the mold and which form at least one casting chamber between each other, and including at least one casting runner (16), further comprising an additional, second mold (3) having a third and a fourth mold part (7, 8), which can be displaced in a linear manner to each other in a parallel manner to the mold parts (5, 6) of the first mold (2) for closing and opening the mold, and which form at least one further casting chamber between each other, wherein a mold part (5, 6) of the first mold (2) and a mold part (7, 8) of the second mold (3) are disposed back-to-back and receive between each other an intermediate element (4), which comprises the casting runner (16).

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for generating foam shapes that float in air having a container, a gas source, an aeration nozzle for aerating a gas from the gas source, an outlet, and a separator for separating extruded foam into individualized foam shapes.

Abstract: A device for through-cutting of an extruded ice mass, which has a first knife which is reciprocably arranged in a transverse first plane immediately after the outlet of the nozzle and arranged with a first length of stroke and a second knife which is reciprocably arranged in a plane which is parallel to the first plane and which is arranged immediately below the first knife with respect to the flow direction out of the nozzle, the second knife is arranged with a second stroke length which is smaller than the first stroke length, and a control for producing simultaneous reciprocation of the first and the second knife. Hereby, a shearing is achieved which is more precise and commonly applicable for manufacturing of ice cream portions by an automated production of ice cream products.

Abstract: A process for forming and trimming a part comprises providing a continuous web of polymeric material, thermoforming the continuous web of polymeric material into the desired part, providing a cutter arrangement comprising a blade, providing a platen assembly comprising a closed groove that generally corresponds to the outer shape of the blade and a vacuum system, wherein at least one of the cutter arrangement and the platen assembly is moveable with respect to the at least one other assembly, trimming the part of the continuous web of polymeric material from the remainder of the continuous web of polymeric material via the blade, and removing undesirable trim material formed during the trimming of the part via the vacuum system.

Abstract: A system for removing trim from sheet dough including a belt defined by an upper edge, lower edge, an interior surface, and an exterior surface, wherein a plurality of brushes extend from the lower edge of the belt at an orientation substantially perpendicular to the lower edge, an idler sprocket in communication with the interior surface of the belt, and a motor configured to rotate the belt about the idler sprocket.

Abstract: A cutter includes a contacting surface, a stopping surface. The cutter defines a cutting hole through the contacting surface and the stopping surface, forming a cutting chin on the stopping surface. A molding assembly is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for forming a compacted powder slug coated with a film. The powder, e.g. of a medicament, is compacted and enrobed to produce compacted powder slugs by preferably mechanically compacting a powder and forming a film of a material, preferably hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose, by vacuum or pressure differential, about the surface of the powder thus compacted.

Abstract: A pellet mill includes a die carrying material to be extruded into pellets. The die rotates to bring the material toward rollers within the die. The rollers push the material through extrusion holes in the die. The rollers are mounted on and rotate about support shafts that are held stationary within the die. Sealing devices at the ends of the rollers prevent foreign material from interfering with bearings between the rollers and the support shafts. Each of the sealing devices include one or more sealing elements. The sealing elements may include a pair of mating grooves and protrusions.

Abstract: An improved forming wire is described. A forming wire in a first embodiment comprises a base comprising a structure with a bore therethrough, a first support arm and a second support arm, each said arm projecting normally from said base, each said arm having a proximal tip connected to said base and a distal tip remote from said base, a bending loop having an arcuate shape and extending from the distal tip of the first support arm to the distal tip of the second support arm, an inner arm having a helical shape and extending from the distal tip of the first support arm to the base; and an outer arm having a helical shape and extending from the distal tip of the second support arm to a point above the base, thereby defining a space between the base and the outer arm. In other embodiments, the forming wire has a single support arm. In some embodiments, the forming wire is made of poly-tetrafluoroethylene tubing over stainless steel rods.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) and method for producing embossed paper or laminated metallic foil sheets (55) comprising means for feeding an elongate strip (20) of paper or laminated metallic foil, a pair of matched embossing rollers (5, 10) disposed to receive such a strip from the feeding means, and means for receiving such a strip from the embossing rollers after being embossed thereby, and for cutting such strip into sheets. The rollers have a plurality of embossing sectors (75) arranged on the surface thereof. At least one of the sectors imparts a first embossing, and at least another of the sectors imparts an alternate embossing different in appearance from the first embossing. The sectors are dimensioned similarly to the foil sheets. At least one group of the sheets carry the first embossing while at least another group of the sheets carry the alternate embossing.

Abstract: A method of continuously feeding film pieces for the molding process includes a film preparation task, a film drawing task, a film cutting task and a film feeding task. The film preparation task includes preparing a roll of film and drawing the film out and fixing a head end thereof at a first position. The film drawing task includes holding the film and drawing the film along a film feeding direction to have the head end to a second position. The film cutting task includes cutting the film off to have a film piece,. The film feeding task includes holding the film piece and moving the film piece to a third position. The film preparation task, the film drawing task and film cutting task are repeated in sequence for continuously feeding film pieces for the molding process.

Abstract: Disclosed is an shape-forming shutter apparatus including a plurality of shutter pieces, each having an shaping surface and a sliding surface, which are arranged in a circle with the shaping surface of each shutter piece being slidably in sliding contact with the sliding surface of the neighboring separate shutter piece, and the shape-forming shutter apparatus being capable of dilating and contracting an opening part surrounded by the shaping surfaces respectively of the plurality of shutter pieces. The shape-forming shutter apparatus includes pressure contact biasing means for always keeping the shaping surface of each shutter piece and the sliding surface of the neighboring shutter piece slidably in pressure contact with each other. The pressure contact biasing means is a ring-shaped elastic member for biasing the shutter pieces equally in such a direction to close the opening part.