Abstract: A fluid valve for controlling fluid flow and/or vacuum to a plurality of ports and fluid lines in a rotating member has a rotary phase plate with a plurality of apertures therein which can be brought into fluid communication with selected ports and fluid lines in the rotating member by rotation of the rotary phase plate to one of at least two rotational positions with respect to the rotating member. Preferably, the fluid valve has at least a rotary union adapter coupling the rotary phase plate to a one-port rotary union or a roll adapter coupling the rotary phase plate to the rotating member. Most preferably, the fluid valve has both such adapters.

Abstract: Constant chip volume cutting system for machine tools, which includes at least one cut-off phase of a tube or round bar, in which the advancement speed of the cut-off unit, which is guided by a logic-control unit, is continuously and regularly adapted, to keep the volume of chip cut away and accumulated in each gap between the teeth of the blade constant, due to the fact that, when cutting a bar, the advancement speed will be higher at the beginning and at the end of the cut, and lower in the central part.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tool (1) for machine cutting of workpieces which has a ventilation hood (11) for removing the shavings which arise. The tool is characterized by the fact that the ventilation hood (11) includes a turbine (17).

Abstract: A suction assembly (10, 10′), which constitutes a portion of a cutting surface (11) of machines for cutting sheet materials (9), in which a blade working with reciprocating motion freely penetrates, comprises modular supporting elements (13), which are of small thickness and comb-shaped and are provided with a row of bristles (16) and a base (17), which is provided with engagement means (19, 21) for insertion of said elements (13) in a removable way and appropriately oriented on a bearing structure (14, 15) to form a mat of bristles, on which the sheet materials (9) rest, the said suction assembly (10, 10′) being provided with channels, connected to a suction system, consisting of a plurality of grooves (23) made on at least one side of the base (17) of the modular supporting elements (13).

Abstract: Apparatus includes a first member and a second member. The first member includes a first surface and the second member includes a driven member. The second member is movable relative to said first member between a first position and a second position, wherein the driven member is closer to the first surface in the second position than in the first position. The second member includes an inlet, an outlet, and an enclosed pathway between the inlet and the outlet. A collector is movably coupled to the second member at the inlet and communicates with the inlet.

Abstract: The device for removing front and end trimmings in a series of aligned rolls comprises: at least one continuous flexible suction conveyor (13); a suction system (3) associated with the conveyor so as to generate a suction through openings (13A) in the conveyor; a device for eliminating trimmings along a roll transfer path; a device receiving rolls from the conveyor. The receiver comprises at least two alternate paths for the rolls, which are arranged in sequence along the conveyor (13) and onto which the rolls may be alternately sorted.

Abstract: The invention is a device for automatically cutting small objects, primarily objects in the form of tablets and a method of tablet cutting. The device includes tablet guide, alignment and cutter apparatus. The tablet-guide moves a tablet to a cutting position. The alignment apparatus aligns the tablet for cutting at the cutting position. The cutting apparatus automatically cuts the fully aligned tablet into tablet portions having equal volume. The device may include vacuum apparatus for removing cut tablet particulates and may include ejector apparatus for ejecting cut tablet portions.

Abstract: An improved dust collector is proposed. The dust collector comprises an upper duct, and a flexible lower flap connected to the upper dust duct, wherein the lower flap is resilient. Preferably, the upper duct has a substantially U-shaped cross-section, whereas the bottom of the duct is open. The lower flap is disposed in the open portion of the inlet. Furthermore, the upper duct inlet and outlet may have corresponding centerlines, whereas the centerline of the upper duct outlet may be offset from the centerline of the upper duct inlet by a predetermined number of degrees, e.g., about 15°. In addition, the dust collector may further include a wire for maintaining the lower flap in an open position.

Abstract: The application relates to a device for quickly and precisely aligning and fixing foil blades on the body part of a blade roll. The rotary blade roll has a rotating shaft, at least one roll body part arranged with torsional strength on the rotating shaft, at least one foil blade supported by the roll body part, and a row of holding and positioning pins in the roll body part. Magnetic elements arranged in rows retain the foil blade flatly on the peripheral surface of the roll body part. The foil blade has a thin flexible magnetically permeable base plate and at least one sharp one-piece cutting edge of a predetermined cutting shape projecting from the base plate. The base plate has a leading edge, a trailing edge, two side edges opposing each other, and, in a front zone adjoining the leading edge, a plurality of slots aligned with the cutting edge.

Abstract: A dual-end cutting machine for trimming assembled blinds has fixed spacing between a pair of trimming units, which are adapted from conventional power miter saws. The blind assembly is clamped to a carriage that is movable on tracks between the trimming units, and adjustable stops are supported at opposite ends of the machine. The adjustable stops also have actuators for movement between an advanced position for positioning the blinds for cutting, and a retracted position that facilitates evacuation of scraps and chips from respective collector boxes wherein cutting takes place to a vacuum holding tank. A method for trimming includes clamping the blinds to the carriage with components aligned against one stop member, trimming that end of the blinds, moving the carriage to abut the blinds against the other stop, and trimming the other end of the blinds.

Abstract: An improved dust collector for a power tool is employed. The dust collector includes a main body and a first nozzle portion connected to the main body, wherein the first nozzle portion is disposable on the power tool so that, when the main body receives saw dust, a substantial portion of the saw dust travels through the first nozzle portion. Preferably, the main body has a wide front inlet and a rear portion narrower than the front inlet. The main body may also have top, bottom and side walls connecting the front inlet to the rear portion. The first nozzle portion is preferably connected to the bottom wall. A second nozzle portion may also be connected to the rear portion of the main body.

Abstract: A storage and dust port device combines a body having a hollow interior and a vacuum port for vacuuming up dust particles and chips with a device for storing tool bits. The dust collection portion and the storage portion may be part of the same body or may be connected together by various means. A lid may also be provided to protect the stored tools from dust. The storage and dust port device may include a means to secure it to the work table so that the device may be used as a guide or fulcrum so as to minimize the kickback of the work piece as a result of the machining operation.

Abstract: One side of an access panel is trimmed while an opposite side of the panel is secured in an opening between skin sheets on the underside of an aircraft wing. The trimming apparatus includes a frame secured to one of the skin sheets with a rail extending along an edge of the opening and a trim saw assembly slideable along the rail. The frame can be secured in position by several vacuum cups, and can include index flanges engageable against an edge of the opening for precise positioning of the rail and the trim saw assembly carried thereby.

Abstract: A miter box has a housing with support within the housing for supporting a motor. The motor drives a cutter. The motor is pivotably disposed with respect to a vertical plane through the housing and is disposed at a desired angular relationship. The motor may be manually moved by the support. A fence is pivotally mounted on the top of housing at a selected angle to correspond with a desired miter cut. A workpiece is held against the fence on the top of the housing at a selected angular relationship to the cutting means. The workpiece may be miter cut and bevel cut simultaneously. The device may also be used as a scroll saw.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for providing cut pieces from a first moving web and associating the cut pieces with a second, faster-moving carrier web. A vacuum roll is provided and cooperates with an adjacent cutter roll to enable transverse cuts to be made in the first web material. A vacuum manifold is provided and contacts the end wall surface of the vacuum roll to provide vacuum to apertures provided in the outer periphery of the vacuum roll. The vacuum roll and the vacuum manifold have spiral-like ports and slots to provide communication between a source of vacuum and the periphery of the vacuum roll at predetermined points in the path of rotation of the vacuum roll.

Abstract: A movable water jet edge trimmer has an integral trim chute attached to a cutting support plate for the trimmer. The support plate has a cutting aperture and a series of suction apertures located inboard of the outside edge of the travelling web for supporting the web against the support plate as a water jet passes out through the cutting aperture away from the support plate and through the web. The support plate has a curved surface located downstream and outboard of the cutting aperture which curves into a trim chute opening of a trim chute. Negative pressure is applied from the trim chute to the trim chute opening to draw any strip of material cut from the edge of the web over the curved surface and into the trim chute.

Abstract: A water jet web slitting apparatus slits a web at a plurality of locations across the web into webs of smaller width in a winder. The water jet web slitting apparatus utilizes a water jet cutter to slit the web. The water jet cutter has a support plate with a pattern of suction apertures located surrounding the cutting aperture of the water jet cutter through which negative pressure is applied to hold the web against the support plate adjacent the water jet cutting apparatus and to prevent the web from fluttering or moving relative to the support plate notwithstanding whether the web is travelling or temporarily at a stopped position. This permits for the water jet to be run continuously without having to be turned off and restarted when the web travel is temporarily stopped and started again because the continually running jet does not re-wet the surface of the web or the edges cut into the web.

Abstract: A dust collector for a power tool, such as a scroll saw, wherein the saw may include a base, a table supported by the base and a blade passing through a slot in the table. The dust collector may include a container defining an accumulation chamber and having an inlet port for collecting dust from the blade, a notch for receiving an assembly attached to the base and a locking device for removably attaching the container to the base. The dust collector may further include an outlet port for connecting a vacuum hose. The scroll saw may also include a removable storage drawer.

Abstract: A dust or chip collection and diversion system is provided for a device having a cutting tool for performing a working operation on a workpiece. The position and orientation of the dust-receiving or dust-collecting opening remains constant with respect to the cutting tool regardless of the position or configuration of the device, the device having a movable blade or other cutting tool, thus greatly enhancing the dust collection effectiveness in any of a number of operational configurations. Such position and orientation of the dust-receiving opening is also independent of the movement or position of any adjustable or movable guard or workpiece-supporting fence.

Abstract: Apparatus includes a first member and a second member. The first member includes a first surface and the second member includes a driven member. The second member is movable relative to said first member between a first position and a second position, wherein the driven member is closer to the first surface in the second position than in the first position. The second member includes an inlet, an outlet, and an enclosed pathway between the inlet and the outlet. A collector is movably coupled to the second member at the inlet and communicates with the inlet.

Abstract: A dust or chip collection and diversion system is provided for a device having a cutting tool for performing a working operation on a workpiece. The position and orientation of the dust-receiving or dust-collecting opening remains constant with respect to the cutting tool regardless of the position or configuration of the device, the device having a movable blade or other cutting tool, thus greatly enhancing the dust collection effectiveness in any of a number of operational configurations. Such position and orientation of the dust-receiving opening is also independent of the movement or position of any adjustable or movable guard or workpiece-supporting fence.

Abstract: The application relates to a device for quickly and precisely aligning and fixing foil blades on the body part of a blade roll. The rotary blade roll has a rotating shaft, at least one roll body part arranged with torsional strength on the rotating shaft, at least one foil blade supported by the roll body part, and a row of holding and positioning pins in the roll body part. Magnetic elements arranged in rows retain the foil blade flatly on the peripheral surface of the roll body part. The foil blade has a thin flexible magnetically permeable base plate and at least one sharp one-piece cutting edge of a predetermined cutting shape projecting from the base plate. The base plate has a leading edge, a trailing edge, two side edges opposing each other, and, in a front zone adjoining the leading edge, a plurality of slots aligned with the cutting edge.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a processing center for automatic food treatment without human intervention throughout the process. Various food products like vegetables or fruits are placed within the storage compartments of the apparatus and, depending on apriori preprogrammed parameters, are automatically cut in 3 dimensions. The desired 3D cut is obtained by the following cutting steps: 1. Slicing of the product. 2. Horizontal cutting of sliced product. 3. Vertical cutting of sliced product. Various possibilities are established by the above process so as to allow preparation of ready made salads with predetermined size of cut components like onion, cucumber, tomato, radish, banana, apple, orange, melon, etc. The apparatus is equipped with motion converting mechanisms, multimode control and with approppiate computerized control means.

Abstract: Scrap cuttings are separated from a panel that was punched or cut from a sheet of material by providing a transport device (22) that attracts a sheet of material (10), supported by a platen (15) of a machining device (16), that was punched or cut via the attractive force of a first attraction surface (28). Subsequently, the transport device (22) is moved toward a second attraction surface (39) of a cutting separator (18) until the sheet of material (10) is lying on top of the second attraction surface (39); and the attractive force exerted in this position by the second attraction surface (39) is greater in the area of the cuttings (14) than the attractive force exerted by the first attraction surface (28), and the attractive force exerted by the second attraction surface (39) in the area of the panel (12) is smaller than the attractive force exerted by the first attraction surface (28).

Abstract: A cutting device for tooling sandwich plates has as its cutting tool a cutting chain (5) with cutting elements in the form of chain links (27, 28, 29) and a chain guide as the guide mechanism, wherein the chain links (27, 28, 29), lying one behind the other in their direction of movement (23), can swivel relative to one another on a swivel axis running transverse to their plane of movement and are moved by means of the chain guide in the plane of movement sometimes in a straight line, sometimes in a curve. The chain links (27, 28, 29) also have several cutting teeth (34) lying one behind the other in their direction of movement (23), which project radially on the cutting chain (5) and have cutting edges (335), which run transverse to the plane of movement of the chain links (27, 28, 29), wherein the perpendicular projections of the cutting edges (35) are arranged in the plane of movement at least partially along a line curved radially to the outside.

Abstract: A device is capable of collecting dust and drawing dust and is provided with a machine tool mounted thereon and externally connected with an extension tube. The device comprises a fixation seat for mounting the machine tool which has a first opening, and a second opening; a vacuum cleaner mounted in the interior of the fixation seat; a first window disposed slidably at the first opening of the fixation seat; a second window disposed slidably at the second opening of the fixation seat. By controlling the first window to remain open and the second window to remain close, the vacuum cleaner removes the dust produced by the machine tool. On the contrary, by controlling the first window to remain close and the second window to remain open, the second opening removes dust in other areas via the extension tube.

Abstract: A device for removing paper from a damaged paper roll. The device comprising a rotatable platform to support and rotate the paper roll about a central axis. Additionally, the device comprises a circular saw blade attached to a movable arm attached to a track adjacent to the paper roll. The arm is advanceable toward to the central axis of the paper roll such that as the roll is rotated, the saw blade will cut into the roll to thereby remove paper therefrom. The operation of the device can be automated by a controller and sensors such that a single operator can use the device.

Abstract: An arrangement for repeatedly feeding fiber bundles with random fiber direction from a magazine roll of fiber thread, for example in the production of flock preforms for products made of thermosetting resin. The arrangement comprises feed devices for feeding the fiber threads from the magazine roll and cutting device for cutting the fibers into the desired lengths. The feed devices include at least a first and a second pair of driven feed rollers placed in sequence, which feed rollers form nips for the fiber threads. A pneumatically driven fiber-ejecting device is placed downstream of the cutting devices. The fiber ejection device includes an oblong tube sleeve with air flow channels for directing turbulent air flow.

Abstract: A wood planning machine includes a rotatable cutting member mounted to a machine frame and driven by a motor. A drive transmission member transmits the rotating force of the cutting member to a drive shaft to operate a blowing member when the motor is actuated. A shaving collecting member is disposed above and in the vicinity of the cutting member for collecting wood shavings during a wood planing operation. The shaving collecting member is further turnable relative to the machine frame between open and closed positions.

Abstract: A transportable circular table saw having an exterior housing (1) with a tabletop (4) forming a workpiece support surface (3) that is irreversibly arranged in the exterior housing (1), and a saw unit (7) arranged underneath the tabletop (4) with a drive motor and a circular saw blade (10) protruding into the tabletop (4) from below through a saw slot (9), with the exterior housing (1) in plan view being approximately square in shape. The sawing unit (7) is slidable relative to the tabletop (4) in a pulling direction, as a result of which the circular saw blade (10) moves in the saw slot (9) in the pulling direction, and in relation to an axis of a mitre cut in the pulling direction, preferably being able to be inclined to at least one side. The tabletop (4) forms the workpiece support surface (3) and the saw slot (9), is rotatably held in the exterior housing (1) on an axis perpendicular to the workpiece support surface (3), in particular in a surrounding top (14) of the exterior housing (1).

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for trimming a blow molding (12) includes a rotary trimming assembly (16) rotatively mounted and driven on a trimmer head (14). The trimming assembly (16) includes a tube (18) of a rotary member (46) aligned with the blow molding such that operation of an actuating mechanism (20) provides cam actuated movement of a knife holder (48) to perform the trimming which allows the trimmed off blow molding portion to move through the tube (18) away from the trimmed blow molding in preparation for the next trimming cycle. A vacuum source (36) draws a vacuum within a conduit (34) connected to the tube (18) to provide the movement of the trimmed off blow molding portion away from the trimmer head.

Abstract: A pusher/cutter drum arrangement for use in the tobacco-processing industry for longitudinal-axial positioning and cutting of rod-shaped objects includes a rotating trough drum containing receiving troughs for receiving, respectively, the rod-shaped objects in a staggered formation. Alignment contacts extend in the receiving troughs and are adapted for aligning the rod-shaped objects with one another in a transverse direction. A rotating cutting means extends through the receiving troughs for making a transverse cut of the aligned rod-shaped objects.

Abstract: A trimming apparatus according to the present invention has a trim punch that provides a route for continuous air flow to prevent trimmed gate scraps from clogging the apparatus. The trim punch can have a groove or a through hole for providing the continuous air flow from outside into an outlet, through which trimmed gate scraps are discharged. This continuous air flow prevents the trimmed gate scraps from remaining inside the outlet and adhering to the trim punch. Therefore, clogging of the trimmed gate scraps in the apparatus is prevented.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system for the continuous separation of strings of material, subdivided into individual string subsections or pockets by transverse perforations, especially in the context of the production of tea filter bags, incorporating a continuously rotating wheel (1) and, beside the wheel (1), grippers (3) which are tiltable relative to the wheel (1) and serve to grasp the longitudinal sides of a string subsection to be separated from the string at a predefined point near the perforation, said string subsection permitting separation by means of the relative movement between the grippers (3) and the wheel (1).

Abstract: A method of treating a cover tape of a carrier tape including an accommodating tape having, at a predetermined pocket pitch, a plurality of pockets accommodating a plurality of electric components, respectively, and the cover tape fixed to the accommodating tape to close respective openings of the pockets, the method including the steps of peeling a portion of the cover tape from the accommodating tape, and feeding the peeled portion of the cover tape in a lengthwise direction thereof, cutting off a free end portion of the fed portion of the cover tape, into a cuff-off piece of the cover tape, and sucking the cut-off piece of the cover tape with an ambient air into a suction passage, and thereby carrying away the cut-off piece.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cutting pattern pieces from a continuous marker are disclosed. According to the invention, pattern pieces comprising made to order garments are cut from successive bites of limp sheet material. Means are provided for creating the continuous marker, labeling the pattern pieces and cutting the pattern pieces for subsequent processing.

Abstract: A wood planing machine includes a base, a cutter carriage, a motor housing mounted on the cutter carriage and having a vent port, a motor disposed in the motor housing, a rotary cutter mounted on the cutter carriage, a shaft extending from the rotary cutter and driven by the motor, a blower mounted on the cutter carriage and having a fan driven by the shaft, a sawdust-guiding member mounted on the cutter carriage and having a box and a rear spout extending from the box to the rotary cutter to define a sawdust passageway, an air duct in fluid communication with the vent port of the motor housing and the box, a first conduit in fluid communication with the blower housing and the box, a second conduit in fluid communication with the blower housing, and a sawdust collector in fluid communication with the second conduit.

Abstract: An improved chip capturing device for a planer comprising a chip director hood attached to a wood planer housing and a tubular shaped chip transporter. A first aperture of generally oval shape is embodied within the chip transporter and positioned on a first end of the transporter while a second aperture of generally oval shape and of greater circumference than the first aperture is embodied and positioned on a second end of the transporter. A third aperture to facilitate the introduction of wood shavings and chips to the tubular shaped chip transporter is positioned generally between the first and second apertures, reflects a generally rectangular shape, and extends downwardly generally perpendicular to the chip capture hood.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting fabric includes at least one fabric wind-off device (1, 1′) for one fabric bolt (7), a conveyor belt (5) for conveying the unwound fabric, and a cutting device (3) which cuts a piece of fabric to a given shape from the length of fabric deposited on the conveyor belt (5). Said conveyor belt (5) extends without interruption from at least that point where the fabric is deposited by the wind-off device (1, 1′) to the working area of the said cutting device (3). The wind-off device (1, 1′) places the length of fabric directly onto the conveyor belt (5) or onto one of more lengths of fabric already deposited on the said conveyor belt. An apparatus control automatically feeds the unwound fabric to the cutting device and directs the cutting of the unwound fabric by the cutting device.

Abstract: Method and arrangement for removing dust in connection with the sheet cutter of a pulp drying machine or equivalent in which a pulp web is slit in a slitter unit into longitudinal component webs. The longitudinal component webs are further cut in a cutter unit in the cross direction into sheets. Dust formed in connection with the slitter unit and/or the cutter unit in the sheet cutter is removed by at least two dust removing devices placed in the vicinity of the slitter unit and/or the cutter unit.

Abstract: A punched slug removal system for punching a slug from a workpiece and removing the punched slug. The system includes a punch having a reciprocating travel path with a transition point where the punch changes direction. A die plate has an aperture into which a die bushing may be disposed. The die bushing provides support for the workpiece and has an opening through which the punch and a slug pass. A manifold supports the die plate and (if present) the die bushing and has a distribution channel and an orifice which direct a gas flow onto a slug attached to the punch in a direction perpendicular to the reciprocating travel path of the punch to remove the slug from the punch. The distribution channel is tapered to increase the velocity of the gas flow. The orifice is positioned at the top of the manifold adjacent the transition point of the reciprocating travel path of the punch.

Abstract: Laminated elements, which may be constituted, for example, by labels to be applied to articles while in movement, are formed from a strip provided by a feeding device. The strip moves forward onto a reception unit, passing through a cutting zone. The individual laminated elements are formed by causing the cutting unit to come into action when the length of the strip paid out by the feeding unit is equal to the desired length of the labels. The cutting unit preferably includes a revolving knife and a counterknife, where the latter consists of a non-driven roller supported in a cradle that is lubricated and exerts an elastic force against the cutting unit. Preferably, the reception unit realizes the step of applying the individual laminated elements to their respective articles.

Abstract: A rotary die cutter for cutting a series of irregular-shaped blanks from a continuous web. The rotary die cutter includes a male die cylinder that has a series of die cavities formed along its outer circumference. Each of the die cavities includes a surrounding cutting edge that defines the shape of the blank to be cut. The male die cylinder is pressed into engagement with either an anvil cylinder or a female die cylinder to form either crush-cutting or shear-cutting nips therebetween. The continuous web is fed into the cutting nip such that the cutting edges of the die cavities contact the web to cut the blanks from the web. A plurality of vacuum ports positioned in the die cavities along the outer circumference of the male die cylinder are connected to a source of vacuum contained in the male die cylinder to remove the die-cut blanks from the web. The die-cut blanks are vacuum-transferred to a stacking unit, while the scrap web is continuously discarded by air-conveying removal.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting an indefinite length suture strand to uniform lengths for subsequent threading and swaging to a surgical needle includes a drawing tower having at least one guide member defining a drawing axis parallel thereto. First and second gripping devices are provided to grip the indefinite length suture strand and draw it along the drawing axis; each gripping device mounted for reciprocal movement on at least one guide member. A retractable cutter for cutting the indefinite length suture strand is also provided for cutting the strand at a start position along the drawing axis. The indefinite length suture strand is fed to the drawing axis and drawn a predetermined distance beyond the location of the retractable cutter for positioning within a suture receiving opening formed in the surgical needle, while the second gripping device reciprocates to a start position along the drawing axis.

Abstract: A cigarette manufacturing machine having a shaving device for shaving at least one bead of tobacco, wherein two superimposed, mutually contacting disks with respective serrated outer edges are rotated about a common axis at different peripheral speeds to shave the bead of tobacco fed against the disks.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating cut portions from a sheet material such as paper or cardboard, and method thereof. The separation process is performed by using an air suction force to separate (from a sheet) a cut blanking portion and a rim portion having predetermined shapes. In one aspect, an apparatus comprises a pair of dispensers which receive a sheet therebetween between a pair of dispensers, approaches the pair of dispensers each other, absorbs a blanking portion with a first dispenser and a rim portion with a second dispenser, detaches the first and second dispensers each other, moves the first or second dispenser at a predetermined position, and releases the blanking portion and rim portion from the first and second dispensers, respectively. Thereby, the blanking portion and the rim portion can be readily separated and piled uniformly.

Abstract: A weld sample cutter has a rotating saw blade and a vice. The vice has jaws which will retain a cylindrical work piece so that it can be cut either longitudinally or transversely by the blade. The vice is movable along a slide plate so that the work piece held in the vice can be moved toward or away from the saw blade.

Abstract: A trimming apparatus according to the present invention has a trim punch that provides a route for continuous air flow to prevent trimmed gate scraps from clogging the apparatus. The trim punch can have a groove or a through hole for providing the continuous air flow from outside into an outlet, through which trimmed gate scraps are discharged. This continuous air flow prevents the trimmed gate scraps from remaining inside the outlet and adhering to the trim punch. Therefore, clogging of the trimmed gate scraps in the apparatus is prevented.

Abstract: A hole cutter adapted for cutting holes through the sidewalls of medical catheters is fashioned from a hollow tube having a distal cutting end, a proximal ejection end and a lumen of smaller diameter near the cutting end. Slugs formed at the cutting end are extracted by suction applied to the ejection end, and are captured by a filter.

Abstract: A rotary die cutter for cutting a series of irregular-shaped blanks from a continuous web. The rotary die cutter includes a male die cylinder that has a series of die cavities formed along its outer circumference. Each of the die cavities includes a surrounding cutting edge that defines the shape of the blank to be cut. The male die cylinder is pressed into engagement with either an anvil cylinder or a female die cylinder to form either crush-cutting or shear-cutting nips therebetween. The continuous web is fed into the cutting nip such that the cutting edges of the die cavities contact the web to cut the blanks from the web. A plurality of vacuum ports positioned in the die cavities along the outer circumference of the male die cylinder are connected to a source of vacuum contained in the male die cylinder to remove the die-cut blanks from the web. The die-cut blanks are vacuum-transferred to a stacking unit, while the scrap web is continuously discarded by air-conveying removal.