Abstract: The present invention provides a workpiece-transfer device that has functions for both loading and unloading workpieces, without requiring a workpiece-storage device to enable a function for replacing material and product workpieces with each other, and that requires only a simple configuration and low costs. A workpiece-transfer device loads a material workpiece W1 in a workpiece-machining device 1 and unloads a product workpiece W2 from the workpiece-machining device 1. A movement means with a rectangular coordinate system 30 is provided to move a traveling body 27 in a first direction along the direction in which the workpiece-machining device 1 and a workpiece-storage device 2 stand in a line (direction X) as well as in a second horizontal direction orthogonal to the first direction (direction Y). The traveling body 27 includes a gripping means 28 for gripping a material or product workpiece W1 and W2.

Abstract: A paper web is drawn into a printing and can be guided along a selected one of several paths. The paper web is weakened along a line of separation and is then held by a retaining system that can move the web in a conveying direction along a first path. The web is fed to a different conveying path and is separated ot torn along the line of separation. This line of separation or weakening is formed at an angle to the production direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a workpiece-transfer device that has functions for both loading and unloading workpieces, without requiring a workpiece-storage device to enable a function for replacing material and product workpieces with each other, and that requires only a simple configuration and low costs. A workpiece-transfer device loads a material workpiece W1 in a workpiece-machining device 1 and unloads a product workpiece W2 from the workpiece-machining device 1. A movement means with a rectangular coordinate system 30 is provided to move a traveling body 27 in a first direction along the direction in which the workpiece-machining device 1 and a workpiece-storage device 2 stand in a line (direction X) as well as in a second horizontal direction orthogonal to the first direction (direction Y). The traveling body 27 includes a gripping means 28 for gripping a material or product workpiece W1 and W2.

Abstract: Apparatus for scoring a cover to be applied to a bound stack of sheets to form a book. A base unit is provided having a surface for receiving the cover, an lower die holder disposed below the surface and an upper die holder disposed above the surface. A lower die is supported on an upper surface of the lower die holder and an upper die is supported on the lower surface of the upper die holder. An actuating structure such as a handle, is used to move the upper and lower die between an open position and a closed where the upper and lower die score the cover. The upper die holder is fabrication using a transparent material so that a user can view the upper die and underlying cover to facilitate proper alignment.

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 cutting machine for cutting long lengths of sheet material, roll material, or web material into predetermined or discrete lengths comprises a frame having a stationary blade extending transversely of the frame and a carriage movable transversely of the material to be cut having a movable blade thereon that cooperates with the stationary blade to cut material. The movable blade is mounted on the carriage so that it can be canted at an angle with respect to the stationary blade during transverse movement of the carriage in one direction and can be oppositely canted at an angle with respect to the stationary blade during movement of the carriage in the opposite direction. In one embodiment, a toggle mechanism is used to cant the movable blade. In a second embodiment, a fluid cylinder is used to cant the movable blade.

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: The invention relates to a novel design of a device for conveying small components, especially small electrical components, preferably SMDs, with at least one conveyor section which is formed by at least one first transport element and by at least one second transport element which each have a plurality of receiving areas for receiving and holding one component at a time, and which form a common transfer area on which each component is relayed from one receiving area of one transport element to the receiving area of the other transport element, the receiving areas of one transport element being formed on pipette-like vacuum chucks.

Abstract: Soft part cutting and mounting methods and soft part cutting and mounting apparatuses are capable of cutting and mounting without human intervention by using an automatic soft part apparatus. The apparatus which uses a sheet material continuously formed from a release sheet having at least a release layer on a surface and including continuously formed tack paper and a soft member having an adhesive layer temporarily adhered to the release layer to finally adhere to an article, and cuts the soft member with the adhesive layer into a predetermined shape. The sheet material is continuously intermittently fed by a sheet material convey unit so as to stop at a cutting position.

Abstract: A magnetic cutting assembly and waste removal system is provided for cutting a panel from an envelope blank or the like. The die holder has a magnetic outer surface and a plurality of surface orifices therein radially communicating with corresponding feed tubes for supplying vacuum or air to the surface and into the vicinity of the envelope blank. In order to maximize the number of orifices while minimizing the number of magnetic members, the magnetic members are disposed in a plurality of rows wherein each row contains alternating magnets and orifices and a row of orifices are disposed between each adjacent row of magnets, and the orifices are connected to corresponding feed tubes in a matrix.

Abstract: Rotary knife apparatus used in connection with a pouch form, fill and seal machine capable of handling a substantially wide range of pouch sizes or variations in pouch fills. The apparatus includes major and minor knife hubs cantilevered on respective shafts and driven by a continuous backwrapped chain or timing belt. Rigid knife blades are mounted to interchangeable knife blocks on the major knife hub having varying radial dimensions to accommodate varying pouch chordal distances. The minor knife hub is laterally adjustable relative to the major knife hub along a fixed path to accommodate the substantial changeover.

Abstract: A slider of the punch carry out unit is moved in the X-axis direction adjacent a punching section of the punch press machine before or after a plate material is punched into a punched product by a punch press machine. At the same time, a gravity center and a shape of the punched product are calculated and recognized on the basis of the manufacturing data. On the basis of the obtained gravity center and the shape of the punched product, the gravity center of the punched product is moved under the lift arm by the X- and Y-axis locating mechanism. Vacuum pads located just over the punched product are selected or discriminated. Then, the lift arm is lowered and the punched product is held by actuating only the discriminated vacuum pads. During this lift motion, it is preferable to bend one end of the punched product slightly upward to easily separate the punched product from the remaining flat plate material.

Abstract: A cutter system for cutting a single ply or multiple plies of limp material, or a lay, into a plurality of parts includes a cutter table for supporting the lay with a cutter head for cutting the lay and a resealer apparatus for sealing the cuts made in the lay. The resealer apparatus includes a first resealer mechanism associated with one end of the cutter table and a second resealer mechanism adjustably attaching onto a cutter head beam and being moveable therewith. The second resealer mechanism includes a pair of adjustable sides that attach the second resealer mechanism to the cutter head beam and that support a resealer roll such that the adjustable sides can be adjusted to vary the distance between the resealer roll and the cutter table support surface and vary the proximity of the resealer roll to the cutter tool.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming an integral three-dimensional object from a plurality of individual laminations includes a cutting surface on which each of the laminations is individually deposited. A concentrated energy source cuts each of the plurality of laminations into a shape required for assembly of the laminations into the integral three-dimensional object. A transfer mechanism removes each of the cut laminations from the cutting surface and stacks each of the cut laminations on an assembly surface. The transfer mechanism includes a gripper face having a peripheral portion and a central portion. A mask is positioned on the gripper face. The mask has an apertured central portion corresponding to the cut lamination. A source of suction communicates with the gripper face and a valve mechanism selectively draws a suction on the gripper face peripheral portion, the gripper face central portion, both or neither.

Abstract: An automated sheet metal blanking apparatus includes a loading table having a conveyor horizontally moveable between a loading position wherein sheet metal pieces are loaded onto the conveyor and a destacking station wherein the conveyor transfers the sheet metal pieces onto the destacking station for subsequent processing. A qualifier receives and positions destacked sheet metal pieces. A steel rule die blanking press receives prepositioned sheet metal pieces from the qualifier. The lower die includes mechanical positioners for final positioning the sheet metal pieces. A feed manipulator including an elongated arm mounts a plurality of controllable vacuum pickups operable for transferring sheet metal pieces between the destacking station, qualifier and blanking press. The feed manipulator is moveable over the destacking station and qualifier and moveable in between the upper and lower dies.

Abstract: A rapping device is provided for forming a battery separator or the like by rapping from a flexible elastic band material. A rapping device for manufacturing works in a specified shape by rapping from an elastic band material comprises a conveying drum having a first suction unit and a second suction unit for conveying the band material while suction is applied, a die drum having a blade possessing a forming position for rapping and forming the works with a width coinciding with the width of the band material, and a cutting position for cutting between the adjacent works, disposed continuously on the outer circumference at every pitch equal to the length of each work, and a die drum driving device for rotating and driving the die drum in synchronization with the conveying speed of the band material.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing labels and for applying each of the labels to an end wall of a cigarette packet. The method includes separating the labels from a continuous web moving in a horizontal direction with the width of the web parallel to a vertical plane. Only one side of the web is provided with printed areas for a succession of the labels, and severance cuts are provided in the web to form the labels between the areas. Separation of the labels occurs at the cuts. After the labels are separated, they are continuously transported by a suction conveyor belt moving in a vertical plane substantially parallel to the vertical plane of the web. The labels are held separated from each other by negative pressure from the belt which acts on the printed side. Glue is applied to the print-free side of the labels on the belt by a phased and non-contact application of at least on row of successive glue spots extending along the longitudinal dimension of the label. Then the labels are applied to the packets.

Abstract: A rotary knife apparatus for depositing filled pouches in preselected count stacks along a travelling product conveyor. The rotary knife apparatus includes a rotating disc valve intermediate negative and positive pressure sources on one side and a rotary knife hub on the other side. The rotating disc valve includes a plurality of arcuate slots and apertures which communicate with the negative and positive pressure sources and axial ports in the knife hub such that the knife hub holds and expels the filled pouches along defined segments of rotation of the knife hub. The rotating disc valve has a dynamically variable rotational speed relative to a rotational speed of the knife hub for changing a predetermined number of different angular drop-off points during a period of rotation of the knife hub to correspondingly change the preselected count of pouches in a stack.

Abstract: A razor blade construction is manufactured of a thin element of blade stock forming the cutting edge portion which is welded or otherwise attached to a more rigid support member. A plurality of support members are produced from a coil of flat sheet material by a cutting and forming process, each of the supports being retained at its edge to an adjacent support to provide a coil of blade supports. The coil of supports is then fed into a device for severing each support from the coil and registering it with a blade element for attachment thereto.

Abstract: A device for removing blanks which have been cut into a sheet of paper or cardboard and are separated from each other by intermediate strips and are surrounded by a crosswise frontal and a crosswise back strip and two lengthwise side strips. The device includes a lower tool having a grid having apertures corresponding to the size and shape of each of the blanks with bars for supporting the intermediate strips, the lengthwise side strips and front and back crosswise strips, and an upper tool having pushing elements of a shape similar to the blank for pushing the blanks through the apertures of the lower tool and also having pressing devices for holding the intermediate and side strips against the respective bars of the lower tool during the step of separating.

Abstract: Knives (28, 30, 122) are held in tangential, resilient (106, 108) or fixed (132, 136) contact with a surface of an air bar (12-20) or air table (142); so that a web (26) moving on a cushion of air (46) over the air bar or table is cleanly slit into webs (32, 34, 36) of smaller width.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a modular block for the formation of suction surfaces in machines for the cutting of fabrics with a free blade with alternating movement. The block includes a first base element having structure for its installation and a second complete element having a plurality of bristles perpendicular to it. The two elements are superimposed and are attached firmly to one another. The two elements combined define lateral openings in the direction at right angles to the base of the bristles and are able to be connected to a suction apparatus for the formation of the vacuum among the bristles.

Abstract: A machine and method of using same for cutting soft sheet material, such as textile fabric, which includes a cutting table having a support surface with openings distributed thereover. An endless conveyor of relatively high air permeability overlays and is movable relative to the support surface for moving sheet material. An endless micro-porous support belt having a relatively low air permeability overlays the conveyor for corresponding movement therewith. A vacuum source is connected to the cutting table and cooperates with the micro-porous support belt to retain the sheet material thereon in a relatively fixed position during transporting and cutting thereof and to retain the micro-porous support belt in engagement with the conveyor for uniform movement therewith. A cutting tool is supported on a cutting table for cutting the sheet material. The cutting tool has a washer positioned adjacent the cutting wheel to limit the penetration of the cutting wheel in the micro-porous support belt.

Abstract: A variable dwell cycloidal indexing device for converting a uniform rotational motion into intermittent rotational motion with greater than one predetermined dwell point. The device includes an input shaft having an axis of rotation with a stub shaft extending eccentrically from a distal end of the input shaft. A planetary gear is rotatably mounted on the stub shaft. There is an internal gear rotatably supported on the input shaft and mounted coaxially therewith with the planetary gear intermeshing with said internal gear. A crank pin projects from the planetary gear at a position eccentric to the axis of rotation of the planetary gear. The motion of the crank pin during rotation of the input shaft is defined by allowing the crank pin to oscillate in a slide slot at a fixed location, or by attaching the crank pin to a pivoting link which is, in turn, attached to a fixed point. In either case, rotation of the planetary gear about its own axis is limited.

Abstract: In order to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of forming a groove in a board, an apparatus and method are disclosed. The apparatus includes a station for feeding the board from a supply of boards, a table for supporting the board upon receipt from the feeding station, a cutter for forming the groove while the board is supported by the table, and a station for removing the board after the groove has been formed. It is among the unique aspects of the disclosure that the table is moved relative to the cutter such that a grooved board can be removed from the table with the material defining the groove having been separated therefrom just after another board on the table has been grooved. The method includes the steps of feeding the board from a supply of boards at a feeding station, supporting the board after the board has been fed from the feeding station, forming the groove in the board while the board is being supported, and removing the board after forming the groove at a removing station.

Abstract: A machine simultaneously cuts a paper web into sheets and adjacent strips. A substantially stationary knife having a blade extending substantially transverse to the direction of movement of the web cooperates with knives on a knife-supporting cylinder. The cylinder is mounted for powered rotation about an axis, and has a substantially circular peripheral surface and at least one chord face formed in the peripheral surface. First and second movable blades are mounted to the chord face. The cylinder is solid and the movable knives enhance the bending resistance of the cylinder. The knife edges of the movable knives are circumferentially spaced from each other in the direction of rotation of the cylinder about its axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying and cutting sheet material has an endless conveyor belt trained over rotatable end units. The endless belt defines an upper run for supporting the sheet material, a lower run spaced below the upper run, and two arcuate end sections, each extending between the upper and lower runs. A first gap is formed in the conveyor belt between one end of the upper run and the adjacent end section, and a second gap is formed in the belt between the other end of the upper run and the adjacent end section. A cutting unit is supported over the upper run for cutting the sheet material, and a vacuum is introduced in the upper run for creating a vacuum bed to hold the sheet material against the supporting surface during a cutting operation. Two end sealing assemblies are mounted between the upper and lower run, and each is located adjacent to a respective gap in the conveyor.

Abstract: A ceramic green sheet for a laminated ceramic capacitor is formed on an upper surface of a carrier film and carried onto a surface plate while maintaining adhesion between the carrier film and the ceramic green sheet. Thereafter a cutting line having a closed outline is defined in the ceramic green sheet and a sheet cut enclosed by the cutting line is taken out by a pickup apparatus having a punching edge in its periphery and provided with a suction head in a portion enclosed by the punching edge.

Abstract: A rotary knife apparatus for depositing filled pouches in preselected count stacks along a travelling product conveyor. The rotary knife apparatus includes a rotating disc valve intermediate negative and positive pressure sources on one side and a rotary knife hub on the other side. The rotating disc valve includes a plurality of arcuate slots and apertures which communicate with the negative and positive pressure sources and axial ports in the knife hub such that the knife hub holds and expels the filled pouches along defined segments of rotation of the knife hub. The rotating disc valve has a dynamically variable rotational speed relative to a rotational speed of the knife hub for changing a predetermined number of different angular drop-off points during a period of rotation of the knife hub to correspondingly change the preselected count of pouches in a stack.

Abstract: A rotary cutting assembly is provided for cutting a panel from an envelope blank or the like. The die holder has an outer surface and a plurality of surface orifices radially communicating with corresponding feed tubes for supplying vacuum or air to the surface and into the vicinity of the envelope blank. A novel air delivery assembly is provided for delivering vacuum and/or air to the die holder comprising a stationary plate disposed at least at one end of the die holder and defining a groove member for selectively supplying vacuum and/or air so that when rotation of die holder aligns the longitudinal feed tubes with the groove member a supply of vacuum or air is selectively supplied at the surface orifices of the die holder. Another embodiment of the die holder may have an outer surface having a extending along the longitudinal axis for detachably receiving the leading end of the cutting die and a plurality of magnetic members disposed in the die holder surface for attracting the cutting die.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display device, in which predetermined portions of two glass plates bonded to each other with a sealing member interposed therebetween and constituting the display device, can be cut without turning over the bonded two glass plates and without breaking necessary portions thereof. In the method of manufacturing the liquid crystal display device, first, an upper one of the bonded two glass plates is half cut from its upper surface with a blade, and unnecessary portions of the upper glass plate are removed by the use of a vacuum suction head. Thereafter, predetermined portions of exposed portions of a lower one of the bonded two glass plates are fully cut with the blade. In accordance with it, it is not necessary to turn over the the bonded two glass plates-to cut it into a plurality of units, and, therefore, a cutting process can be performed automatically.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for nondestructively removing a cut segment of predetermined shape from a limp material sheet workpiece and transporting the cut workpiece segment to a staging area for further processing. The cut segment is picked up by a picker which may comprise an array of carding strips, each strip having a plurality of needle-like elements, arranged such that each strip can be displaced relative to its adjacent strips and the needle-like elements of each strip are angularly offset with respect to the needle-like elements of the adjacent strips. Such removal and transporting having is accomplished without distorting the shape of the cut segment.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a label onto a small, cylindrical article, such as a dry cell battery, is disclosed. A rotatable label transport drum has a central, horizontal axis. A label is fed to the drum surface, retained thereto as the drum rotates, and moved with the rotating drum into an article wrapping position defined at the upper area of the drum. An article delivery system, such as a star transfer wheel, delivers the articles sequentially onto the drum surface. The delivery system is spaced outward from the drum surface to clear the trailing edge of the label which is outwardly positioned from the drum surface. An attractive force is imparted on the article in a direction so as to aid smooth delivery of the article onto the drum surface and the label moving therewith.

Abstract: Trim eliminator for log saw and method in connection with the rewinding of webs into logs and rolls or toilet tissue and toweling wherein two independently adjustable suspensions systems are employed for each log/roll lane so as to suspend rolls over a cull area but not the trim annuli generated from cutting the log ends.

Abstract: A device for manufacturing uniform sheets from paper panels having a cutter roller which has, at its circumference, at least one pair of blades which interact with a stationary counter blade. Each blade is individually adjustable and is fastened to a mounting surface of a prismatic recess wherein the mounting surface extends parallel to the rotation axis of the cutter roller. Each blade is adjustable by way of a feeding member which acts perpendicularly on the blade for radial adjustment of the blade.

Abstract: A cap opening machine for a film seal cap, includes a hollow punch with a depressurizable space defined in a hollow portion thereof; a pressure regulating device for regulating pressure in the depressurizable space; and a punching-action causing mechanism for moving the punch and the cap relative to each other, whereby a punched-out piece, punched out by the punch, is processed by the action of a differential pressure between atmospheric pressure and the pressure in the depressurizable space. With the design, this cap opening machine can eliminate manual work of an operator that may cause infection, hardly contaminates the contents of containers, and shows high performance.

Abstract: A device for the controlled removal of pieces of waste material is provided. The device has a non-rotatable cylinder shaft having an outer surface; a cylinder jacket having an inner surface and an outer surface and having at least one through-hole extending between the inner surface and the outer surface of the cylinder jacket, the cylinder jacket rotatable around the cylinder shaft; and sealing strips between the outer surface of the cylinder shaft and the inner surface of the cylinder jacket. The outer surface of the cylinder shaft, the inner surface of the cylinder jacket and the sealing means define a pressure chamber and a vacuum chamber, so that upon rotation of the cylinder jacket around the cylinder sleeve the at through-holes alternately connect with the pressure chamber and the vacuum chamber. The waste pieces are created when a pair of knives disposed on the outer surface of the cylinder jacket cut a moving web.

Abstract: A paper tail ripper having a pair of rotatably mounted knives, air motors which counter-rotate the knives and a deflector which deflects the paper tail toward the knives. The knives traverse closely spaced overlapping circles as they counter-rotate. The deflector sweeps the paper tail onto a transfer mechanism, which transfers the paper tail away from the ripper, so that the tail may be threaded through a calender stack, etc. The ripper is pivotally mounted on the transfer mechanism for movement between storage and operating positions.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying a sleeve of heat-shrink material (a "band") to a container comprises a rotary drum having a plurality of upstanding heads. A web of banding material is intermittently advanced and lengths cut off, each cut length being held by fingers in the path of a gripper head mounted on the rotary drum. Each head has forward-facing vacuum port through which air is drawn on a timed basis, so that a band 30 will be picked-up and held by one side face as the gripper head passes the fingers. The resilience of the banding material allows the band partially to open out as it is transferred by the gripper head. The rotation of the drum is synchronized to advancement of the containers, so that a held band is rolled on to the top of a container, the container serving to assist in the opening-out of the band, whereat the band is released by the gripper head.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring multiple individual slices of a food product material from a food material supply source which includes a plurality of food product supply sources to a support substrate without substantially altering the predesignated pattern includes a rotating hollow drum disposed on and rotating around a stationary inner core member. The rotating member is disposed between a slicing blade in substrate, negative air pressure is applied to the rotating transfer member to cause individual material slices to adhere to the outer surface of the transfer member in the same pattern in which they are slices from the food supply and to leave the outer surface of the transfer member in the same pattern thereby permitting, in effect, the "printing" of alternating layers of food slices on the substrate. The apparatus has particular utility in the production of premade food set ups having a plurality of alternating layers.

Abstract: A transfer apparatus for rod-shaped articles, such as cigarettes, comprising a housing rotatably mounted to a fixed main shaft with a plurality of cooperating crank arms and article holders rotatably mounted to the housing by crank arm shafts and holder shafts. The crank arms and article holders are rotated in response to rotation of the housing by means of a plurality of endless toothed belts cooperating between toothed pulleys on the main shaft and the crank arm shafts and a plurality of endless toothed belts cooperating between toothed pulleys on the main shaft and on the holder shafts.

Abstract: An automated cutter bed employs a sealer which is mechanically coupled to a tool carriage and moves with it along a first coordinate direction. A first roller is connected with a second roller disposed at the take-off end of the table by an air impermeable sheet which is tensioned between the two rollers by a resilient member housed within each of the rollers causing a preload to be exerted on the air impermeable sheet material. The first roller moves between ends of the table paying out a length of the air impermeable material. As the carriage moves to the cutter datum, equalization is effected by the preloads given in each of the first and second rollers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic sheet cutting apparatus which cuts off a sheet like a knit or a woven fabric into a predetermined shape and more particularly to a vacuum air leakage preventive device combined with an automatic sheet cutting apparatus so that a vacuum air can be prevented from leaking through a clearance between a bottom surface of one of those brush-mounting bases aligned in parallel with a pair of endless chains and a top surface of the main body of the automatic sheet cutting apparatus. The vacuum leakage preventive device includes a shielding member on a movable arm which is movable into place relative to the main body and the brush-mounting bases to prevent a break in a vacuum which pulls the material to be cut onto the main body relative to a cutter.

Abstract: A laminate placed on a supporting belt is covered with an air-impermeable sheet, then compressed by sucking air from sucking mechanisms, and the laminate is cut by a cutter which is supported at two locations. A belt retaining mechanism comprises a number of belt support plates for supporting a belt, support posts extending downwardly therefrom, and receiving plates supported by a receiving plate retaining mechanism disposed on longitudinal beams. A travel body and cam plates are operatively connected, and the support posts are supported on the receiving plates at a location other than a cam groove of each cam plate to stabilize the belt support plates. The receiving plates are separated within a movable recess of the belt, so that the support plates are raised by the cam groove.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for receiving and rotating a strip of material toward a continuously moving surface, and then orienting the strip of material so that it is surfacely placed generally flat with the continuously moving surface.

Abstract: A pouch form, fill seal apparatus includes a cutter having a plurality of radially extending knives and package guides which are simultaneously adjustable independently of the knives to accommodate a wider range of pouch chord variations due to pouch size or product fills.

Abstract: A conveying device for transporting strip portions to be cut by a cutting device from a material strip in transverse direction of the material strip, which strip portions are then laid overlapping in the manner of roof-tiles onto a stacker, comprising:i) a first conveyor disposed adjacent the cutting device which transports the material strip for cutting and the cut strip portions at a first conveying speed V.sub.1 which is substantially equal to the supply speed V.sub.0 of the material strip; andii) a second conveyor preceding the stacker which transports the cut strip portions at a second conveying speed V.sub.2 which is greater than the first conveying speed V.sub.1and to a method for conveying strip portions cut from a material strip in transverse direction of the material strip, which strip portions are laid overlapping in the manner of roof-tiles on a stacker, comprising the steps of:i) conveying with a first conveyor the material strip for cutting and the cut strip portion at a first conveying speed V.

Abstract: In a conveyor apparatus for supporting and advancing sheet material, such as fabric to be cut by a cutter head, the conveying element is an endless belt made of elongated supporting members having their length dimensions extending transversely of the path of belt movement. The supporting members include coengagable parts, such as tongues and grooves extending along the length of the members, which coengage one another when the supporting members are in the upper run of the conveyor to prevent vertical movement of the supporting members relative to one another and to thereby maintain the supporting surface defined by the upper run in a smooth and flat condition.

Abstract: In a device for cutting strip material as used in automatic wrapping machines, including transverse and longitudinal cutters by use of which the continuous strip is divided up into individual wrappers, the two cutters operate in conjunction with a reaction element serving additionally to support, retain and convey the strip in such a way that the material remains in a correct feed and cut position at least during its passage through the device. To advantage, a single reaction element can be utilized with the two cutters, and in the event that these are conventional, the first with a straight transverse blade and the second with a circumferential blade, the reaction surface is provided by a cylindrical roller.