Abstract: For separating glass sheets, especially sheets of wired glass, into separate sheet portions and stacking the sheet portions in spaced stacks, the sheets are cut to define the sheet portions, which are gripped by respective relatively movable groups of suction gripping devices. The cutting may be effected by scoring the glass sheet before it is gripped by the suction devices, and then snapping it either before or after gripping it with the suction devices. The sheets may be lifted from a roller delivery conveyor into engagement with the suction gripping devices by a series of transverse lifting tines. The groups of suction gripping devices are then moved apart to separate the cut sheet portions, and in the case of wired glass this also severs the wires.

Abstract: The specification discloses a system and process for producing discrete chilled products having preselected weights from a semi-fluid mixture. The semi-fluid mixture is pumped along a distribution path to an extruding manifold which extrudes a plurality of parallel continuous lengths of the mixture. The continuous lengths are directed through a chilling station in a parallel relationship in order to chill and firm the lengths such that the lengths maintain their extruded cross-sectional configuration. A cutter periodically severs the continuous lengths at predetermined intervals to provide a plurality of discrete products having predetermined weights. The pumping rate, rate of travel through the freezer and periodic severing of the continuous lengths may be selectively varied in order to maintain any desired weight of the discrete products.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing optical fiber ribbons featuring an optical fiber payout arrangement for directing a plurality of optical fibers into parallel paths in a predetermined plane of travel; a vacuum assisted fiber guide for accurately positioning the fibers into a precise, coplanar parallel array; means for bringing together the arrayed fibers and a ribbon-like supporting medium to form an optical fiber ribbon with outer segments of the supporting medium extending beyond the outermost fibers; cutting means for separating the outer segments of the supporting medium for the optical fiber ribbon; and means for advancing the outer segments to thereby advance both the ribbon-like supporting medium and optical fibers in unison through the manufacturing apparatus.

Abstract: A device and method for spreading apart and transferring rows of block-like articles such as bricks which have previously been cut including an exemplary apparatus comprising a roller table for receiving the row of blocks from the cutting area and a separating device designed to be raised between the rollers in the roller table for spreading the blocks apart in a predetermined manner, prior to transfer of the blocks onto a pallet. The invention accomplishes the separating and transfer of the items being handled, while such items continue to move in the machine direction, thereby increasing the per unit processing capacity while also reducing the space requirements of such machines.

Abstract: A method, and apparatus operating in accordance therewith, for processing logs prior to their being processed by a saw mill. The logs are cut to length and then sorted and stored according to their diameters and wood types. Undersized logs and other scrap or waste pieces are processed to be sold as material either for fuel or paper pulp.

Abstract: Apparatus for conveying filter-tipped cigarettes, comprises means for receiving two streams of such cigarettes with the filters of the two streams facing in opposite directions, means for conveying the two streams side by side while twisting the streams in opposite directions about longitudinal axes of the streams so that the cigarettes of the two respective streams are then parallel, with the filters all facing in the same direction, and means for merging the two streams.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing sheets of corrugated board from a moving web includes stationary upper and lower slitter devices for slitting the web longitudinally into a plurality of narrow webs and means for leading each of these narrow webs to a selected one of three cutoff devices located at different heights. The means for leading the narrow webs to the cutoff includes stationary director-support means and presettable automatic lead-in table elements that are selectively operable between three positions. The lead-in table elements are also operable as a group to a raised position wherein they are retracted so as to permit a workman to clear jams or otherwise service the apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus for manipulating filter rod sections in a filter cigarette making machine has a magazine for filter rod sections of six times unit length and a drum-shaped first conveyor which is formed with axially parallel flutes receiving filter rod sections from the magazine and serving to transport the removed sections past two rotary cutters which subdivide each section into three coaxial filter plugs of two times unit length. The filter plugs are introduced into discrete flutes of three coaxial disks which form a staggering conveyor and wherein the flutes of each disk are staggered circumferentially with respect to the flutes of the other disks. The groups of filter plugs are removed from successive flutes of the first conveyor by the inclined edge faces of arcuate shrouds which extend along the path of movement of filter plugs in the flutes of the disks and are located downstream of the transfer station between the two conveyors.

Abstract: There are passed through at least one portion of at least one rod-shaped article the electric field lines of a high-frequency electric field joining the electrodes of a measuring capacitor, and a density-dependent measurement signal is generated by detecting the effect upon the capacitance of the capacitor of the passage of the field lines through the article. There are passed through a reference dielectric medium the electric field lines of a high-frequency electric field joining the electrodes of a measuring capacitor, and a comparison signal is generated by detecting the effect of the reference dielectric medium upon the capacitance of the capacitor. The measurement signal and comparison signal are automatically compared to form a compensated density-dependent signal.