Abstract: Trim strip in a web slitter having upper and lower rotary slitting means cooperating at a severance point for trimming a strip from the edge portion of a travelling web is engaged on a cylindrical rotary trim biasing and guiding surface associated with the lower slitting means. The trim strip is retained in wrapping engagement on the rotary surface by pressure differential and thereby positively transported away from the severance point into a chute. At a point spaced from the severance point the trim strip is stripped from the rotary surface for onward movement in the chute.

Abstract: Apparatus for subdividing a web of wrapping material into sections of predetermined length has a reciprocable carriage for a pair of grippers which are pivotable into engagement with the web to thereby clamp the web against the carriage while the latter moves forwardly. This advances the web through a distance which approximates but is less than the distance necessary to advance the web by the length of a section. The grippers are thereupon disengaged from the web while the carriage continues to move forwardly, and the web is braked by one or more brushes so that two pawls whose pallets are biased against the web can catch up with a pair of marginal notches in the web. The pallets enter the respective marginal notches and complete the forward movement of the web. A mobile knife cooperates with a stationary knife to sever the web and to thus separate a section from the leader of the web while the carriage moves rearwardly.

Abstract: A web 26 of packaging material on which a plurality of cigarette wrapper blanks 10 are defined in oppositely rotated and laterally displaced pairs, is fed between a reciprocatable punch 38 and a fixed support 36 having cooperating cutting edges 39 and counter edges 40, respectively, whereby the downward movement of the punch severs a pair of blanks from the web. The continued downward movement of the punch separates the two blanks of the severed pair through the cooperation of a further cutting edge 45 on the punch and a counter edge 46 on a turntable 41 disposed beneath the fixed support. The turntable is then rotated 180.degree. to successively feed the separated blanks to a suction conveyor 47.

Abstract: Filter plugs of double unit length are fed sideways into successive flutes of a rotating drum which moves successive plugs past a rotary knife so that each plug yields two coaxial sections of unit length. Each flute contains two spaced apart mechanical stops at the opposite sides of the cutting plane and each flute has two suction ports which are overlapped by the corresponding stops. The ports draw streams of air which attract the respective sections immediately upon completion of the cutting step so that the sections move away from each other and against the respective stops. Plugs of a different second type are thereupon inserted into the gaps between successive coaxial sections. The cutting station is overlapped by a stationary shroud having an opening through which the knife extends with sufficient clearance to allow streams of atmospheric air to flow into that flute which is located at the cutting station and into the respective suction ports.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus for cutting blocks of e.g. cheese into portions for delivery to an automatic packaging machine comprises a platen 15 mounted on a hydraulic ram 16 which can be advanced in steps to force a block of cheese 14 located on the platen upward through fixed cutting wires mounted in a frame 17. After each advance of the platen a cutter 19 severs a layer of portions which are transferred to the packaging machine. Signals from a digital encoder 39 are supplied to a micro-processor which controls the steps in which the platen is advanced so that the block 14 is completely cut into portions none of which in thinner than a predetermined thickness whereby remnant waste is eliminated.

Abstract: Apparatus for marshalling glass sheets comprises a conveyor capable of conveying an array of sheets lying in a transverse sheet array across the conveyor to a sheet removal station, transverse conveying means extending transversely above the conveyor and transfer means operable to transfer a sheet or sheets from the conveyor to the transverse conveying means at the sheet removal station. The transfer means includes a plurality of selectively and separately operable transfer devices, such as lifting devices, extending in an array across the array of sheet positions, and control means for controlling simultaneous operation of selected transfer devices.

Abstract: A device for cutting a hole out of a moving web such as plastic film comprising a suction cup for pulling the film against a vacuum source, terminating in a knife edge contained within the suction cup to cut the hole out of the film.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method wherein bottom blanks for containers are severed from a web feed roll and subsequently transferred at a compatible speed and spacing to final forming mandrels on which finished containers are to be formed. The bottom blanks are tangentially transferred from a first transfer turret at a final velocity and spacing most desirable for cutting and minimizing scrap to a second transfer turret at a second velocity and spacing and thereafter tangentially transferred to the final forming mandrels. Subsequently, preprinted rectangular blanks of longitudinally stretch-oriented foam sheet material formed into cylinders are transferred onto the final forming mandrels. Thereafter, the bottom blanks the cylindrical blanks and the final forming mandrels are heated to shrink the cylindrical blanks so that they assume the shape of the final forming mandrels. The top curl on containers such as drinking cups and food tubs is formed after shrink forming.

Abstract: A continuous automotive felt die cutting press, cuts pattern out of a web passing through it. After exit of the web from the cutting press, the cut patterns and web are passed over a perforated roller that rotates about internally segmented zones having a plurality of removable solid and perforated sleeves. The roller is capable of transmitting a vacuum or a pressure through any one of its internally segmented zones with directional and force control being partially provided by the removable sleeve placement on the segmented roller. Base guides, which are adjustable, are located in the area between the perforated sleeves to provide a solid base for the cut patterns to rest upon during their vacuum separation from the web.

Abstract: The device for feeding filter plugs to a demand drum comprises, in combination, a gravity-feed hopper containing a supply of multiple length filter rods, the hopper being closed, in correspondence of its bottom end, by a rotating fluted drum wherein each flute of the drum is capable of housing a filter rod. The filter rods, thus removed from the hopper, are cut into three filter plugs, which are delivered, axially aligned, onto a horizontal conveyor belt subdivided into three tracks. As a continuation of the conveyor belt there is provided a horizontal fixed sliding surface onto which the articles slide in three rows, each leading article of the three rows being pushed by the subsequent ones, until the leading article reaches an abutment member, where it is firmly positioned. Also the sliding surface is subdivided into three tracks.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing, collecting and transporting platelike fins, including fin forming apparatus for simultaneously forming plural fins in adjacent side-by-side relationship from sheet material. The forming apparatus causes the fins to be discharged outwardly in the lengthwise direction thereof. Fin handling apparatus are positioned adjacent the forming apparatus for collecting and transporting the fins. The fin handling apparatus includes an endless conveyor having a substantially straight upper reach positioned adjacent the forming apparatus and movable substantially transverse to the direction of movement of the fins as discharged from the forming apparatus. A plurality of elongated fin collectors are fixed to the endless conveyor, being spaced a predetermined distance apart throughout the lengthwise direction of the conveyor, the predetermined distance being equal to the centerline-to-centerline distance between adjacent fins as discharged from the forming apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting cigar wrappers with a selected profile from a natural tobacco leaf, the apparatus comprises a vacuum supporting structure on a leaf receiving member. An arrangement is provided for selecting a cut position on the leaf and oriented with respect to the leaf receiving member and a cutting platen is provided including a leaf supporting surface and an arrangement for creating a vacuum on the surface to support a leaf. The platen is positioned in a known leaf receiving location and a transfer means is provided for transferring the leaf from the leaf receiving member to the leaf supporting surface of the cutting platen. The cutter having the desired profile is provided for cutting the profile from the leaf. The platen is then shifted from its leaf receiving position to a leaf cutting position with the support surface of the platen spaced from the wrapper cutter.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatus for separating portions of flat material cut-out from a web or sheet. First and second grippers respectively, which engage with first and second cut portions of flat material, are provided to travel along and define paths of motion for the first and second cut portions of flat material, which paths diverge from a point of separation. A feed conveyor is connected in front of the grippers and is synchronized with their drive.

Abstract: A device for automatically taking off elements drawn or formed on pieces carried by a moving support and for displacing and depositing the taken off elements on a take-up conveyor, wherein said device comprises at least one arm mounted to rotate on a shaft located between the support for the elements to be taken off and the take-up conveyor on which the taken off elements must be deposited, said arm bearing a taking off member, in principle a suction disc, mounted so as to be able to be oriented and displaced with respect to said shaft, means for driving said shaft in rotation, means for orienting and displacing the taking off member with respect to said shaft and means for controlling these latter drive means provided and arranged to ensure, in synchronism with the movements of the piece support and of the conveyor taking up the taken off elements, the taking off of all the elements formed on each piece and the deposit thereof in parallel and regular arrangement on said take-up conveyor.

Abstract: Apparatus for moving lightweight articles, for instance thermoplastics cups, in which the articles are moved from one location by ejector pins which push the articles onto a conveyor for transfer to another location. The articles are held in a desired orientation as they are moved by the pins. Ideally, a passage extends through each pin to hold the articles thereto by vacuum which alternates with air pressure in the passage to force articles from the pin onto the conveyor when the pin is closest to the conveyor. The pins move along guide passages which assist in maintaining articles properly orientated and stabilizing plates are preferred adjacent the conveyor to stabilize articles during transfer onto the conveyor. The apparatus is useful in removing thermoformed cups from sheet and for this purpose a cutting device may cooperate with each ejector pin for cutting and then transferring cups.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a method of and apparatus for cutting a slab from a body of uncured light-weight concrete, resting on a support surface. The method comprises the step of moving the body of uncured light-weight concrete along a longitudinal axis of said support surface through a predetermined distance; cutting a slab from said body while supporting the front face of said slab, moving the slab away from said body along an extension of said longitudinal axis; and subsequently moving the slab along at least one arcuate movement path in a plane perpendicular to said support surface and parallel to said longitudinal axis. The apparatus for performing the methods includes a sequentially moveable work feed means, a wire cutter mechanism for cutting a slab from the face of the concrete and a carosel-like pneumatic suction device for holding and transporting the cut slab to subsequent spraying, shaping and stacking stations.

Abstract: An apparatus for deflashing a plastic article is disclosed. In operation, an operator places the article having flash in a nest which positions the article so that the flash is in a horizontal plane. A powered shuttle assembly picks the article up from the nest and places it upon an anvil. The anvil has striking edges which follow the line of juncture between the article and the flash. A punch apparatus is lowered onto the article and strikes the flash at the line of juncture disjoining the flash from the article. The power shuttle then removes the article without the flash to a discharge point. Optionally, at the discharge point, there may be provided an orientation assembly wich orients the deflashed article so that it may be placed upon a conveyor belt which carries the article to a collection point.

Abstract: Cellular lightweight concrete slabs are manufactured by cutting a still plastic block of cellular concrete mass resting on a first support horizontally into slices which are then moved over one by one to a second support and piled in reversed order thereon, at least one of the two broadsides of each body slice being subjected to a treatment before being covered by the next transferred slice. The treatment prevents the body slices from cementing together during the subsequent steam-hardening process and may also improve the quality of the slabs when hardened. An apparatus for each manufacture features a movable suction head for transferring the body slices as well as associated means for cutting and treating said slices.

Abstract: A crystal is sliced in a plane parallel to flat, opposed parallel end faces of the crystal. The end faces of the crystal are gripped by a pair of opposed, perforated platens of a pair of vacuum chambers, one of which is translatable relative to the other. A blade cuts the crystal through the desired plane. A spring biases one of the vacuum chambers away from the other vacuum chamber while both of the faces are gripped by the vacuum chambers and the blade is cleaving the crystal. Thereby, a sliced portion of the crystal gripped by one of the vacuum chambers is pulled away from the remainder of the crystal gripped by the second vacuum chamber when the crystal has been cleaved by the blade through the plane.

Abstract: Cellular lightweight concrete slabs are manufactured by cutting horizontally through a block of still plastic cellular concrete mass resting on a support. At each cut a single slice is separated from the lowermost portion of the block or the remainder thereof. After each completed cut the upper remainder of the block is elevated by means of a suction head, in order to expose the recently cut surfaces for a treatment, and then again deposited on top of the slice or slices already resting on the support. Rotary roller means are provided for contributing in the surface treatment.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for producing discrete blanks from a web of foil or the like lis provided, in which the foil or the like are given continuous constrained guidance during the phase between separation of the web until transfer to a packet or packing machine. Severance from the web is carried out in at least one initial cut, followed by a main cut, during continuous constrained guidance.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus for severing portions of identical length from a strip. This cutting apparatus comprises a feed means which is coupled to a drive means and which is adapted to feed the strip to a pair of advancing rolls located between the feed means and a cutting element. One of these advancing rolls is coupled to the drive means and is provided with a cam surface having a larger radius than the remaining roll surface. This cam surface, together with the other advancing roll, is adapted to engage the strip to move the strip forward towards a pair of receiving rolls through a distance determined by said cam surface. The central axes of the receiving rolls lie in a plane that is parallel to the plane through the central axes of the advancing rolls.

Abstract: In a wrapper rolling machine for the manufacture of cigars etc. and comprising a wrapper cutting out unit, means are provided to hold one half of a tobacco leaf while cutting is performed in its other half, and to deliver the first half, together with any scraps appending thereto, in a plane condition and a desired orientation for the subsequent cutting out of one or more wrappers from said first half.

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: Apparatus for cutting and removing layers of photoresist overlaying tooling holes in a printed wire board blank. A lower cutter is mounted on a base so that its cutting edge projects above the upper surface of the base a distance substantially equal to the thickness of a layer of photoresist. A cutter head is mounted on the base for movement parallel to the upper surface of the base. An upper cutter is mounted on the cutter head for movement by a cutter actuator to cause the upper and lower cutters to sever segments of layers of photoresist overlaying a tooling hole of a PWB blank positioned between them. Each cutter is provided with a plunger movable within their respective cutters. The upper surface of the lower plunger, when the lower plunger is retracted, projects above the lower cutting edge of the lower cutter; and the upper plunger is biased downwardly so that its bottom surface projects below the cutting edges of the upper cutter.

Abstract: A device for positioning a metal sheet on a transfer conveyor comprises a support surface for the sheet, guides extending parallel to the conveyor, a carriage slidably supported on the guides, sheet gripping clamps supported on the carriage, reference stops for the longitudinal and transverse positioning of the sheet relative to the conveyor feed direction, jacks for moving the gripping clamps between a position in which they pick up the sheet on the support surface and a position in which they abut against the transverse reference stops, and drive means for the carriage.

Abstract: In apparatus for producing two-piece foil wrappers for wrapping bundles of cigarettes, a web of foil is cut alternately by two cylindrical cutters operating against fixed blades. A suction roller receives each successive newly cut end of the foil before the next cutter operates. Each resulting pair of foil wrapper pieces is then transferred to a suction drum having a sector arcuately movable thereon to produce an overlap in the wrapper pieces.

Abstract: Strips of uncured glass wool, facing material, and backing material are intermittently fed from supply rolls into a multi-cavity molding press, and then into a trim press where molded tiles are severed from each other. A multi-cavity vacuum head transfers the tiles into stacks on a conveyor. When each stack has a certain number of tiles, the conveyor moves the stacks to a packaging station.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting the bottom disc used in the manufacture of disposable drinking containers. A web of foam plastic container bottom material is fed through a rotary cutting die. Discs of foam plastic material are then sequentially positioned so that they can be affixed to container sidewalls which are moving in seriatim fashion past the cutting apparatus. The direction of movement of the web of foam plastic material through the cutting apparatus is periodically reversed so that the maximum number bottom discs can be cut from the web of material. The method of moving the web of material in an intermittent flow plus the movement of the severed discs is also set forth in detail.

Abstract: Cellular lightweight concrete slabs are manufactured by cutting horizontally through a block of still plastic cellular concrete mass resting on a support. At each cut a single slice is separated from the lowermost portion of the block or the remainder thereof. After each completed cut the upper remainder of the block is elevated by means of a suction head, in order to expose the recently cut surfaces for a treatment, and then again deposited on top of the slice or slices already resting on the support. Rotary roller means are provided for contributing in the surface treatment.

Abstract: A machine for the manufacture of objects of sheet shape being removed from the output end of said machine by means of a taking-off device. Said device is connected with a feeding device for said objects. The feeding device is arranged to perform a reciprocating movement and the taking-off device is arranged to follow the same in its motion.

Abstract: A ribbon consisting of a series of interconnected labels is transported, first continuously and thereupon intermittently, along an elongated path toward a severing station where a movable knife separates successive foremost labels and the separated labels are engaged by pivotable suction heads which move the respective labels sideways into a different path for transport to a packing or other processing machine. That portion of the ribbon path which is located immediately ahead of the severing station extends along an arc of 180.degree., and the mechanism for intermittently transporting the ribbon has two pivotable deforming jaws which cooperate to deform the ribbon between successive labels whereupon a shoulder of one of the jaws engages the deformed portion and pushes the ribbon toward the severing station.

Abstract: A stack of glass blanks is moved on a support into position beneath a head carrying a cutting tool. The uppermost blank is scored by the cutting tool under quidance of a templet and the tool withdrawn. Pick-up means, advantageously with suction cups, removes the scored blank laterally from the stack and the stack and cutting head are brought closer together by a distance equal to the thickness of a blank, preferably by raising the stack support. The next blank is then scored and the operation repeated until all the blanks in the stack have been scored and removed, whereupon a new stack is brought into position. Means are provided for centering the stack with respect to the cutting head, and centering means adjacent the top of the stack centers the uppermost blank with respect to the cutting head, advantageously by jack means positioned on the sides of the stack.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing flat strip material including cutting apparatus for cutting the material and to strip portions and stacking apparatus having air cushion means for stacking the strip portions one on top of the other. An accelerating anchoring roller, having vacuum or magnet devices therein for attracting the sheet portions thereto are provided for the exclusive transfer of the strip portions from the position were cut in the cutting apparatus in positions at the inlet of the stacking apparatus where the air cushion takes over the conveyance and stacking of the strip portions.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing understrips for cigarette packets of the hinge lid type. A web of the reel-wound cardboard material is dragged along an infeed track, intermittently, by rolls which operate in conjunction with counter rollers and make on the web, parallel with its forward motion, two rows of indentations, punctuated with notches. A cutting device is placed transversely to the infeed track. It consists of a reciprocally movable knife and a stationary knife, and operates in a phase relationship with the web feeding, indenting and notching roll and counter rollers, such that all understrips, detached from the continuous web, are identical. The movable knife has means for holding the understrip detached from the continuous web and for thereby presenting the understrip to apparatus for additionally shaping it and transferring it.

Abstract: A device for shaping and transferring the understrip for a packet of the hinge lid type. The device comprises an oscillating and axially moving arm for transferring blanks for understrips, one at a time, from an area of production thereof toward and into an understrip shaping and receiving station and onto a conveyor belonging to the wrapping line and provided with a plurality of compartments which halt in succession in the shaping and receiving station. While the transfer takes place the understrips are U-shaped, and additionally shaped to make them ready for use on the wrapping line.

Abstract: Apparatus in which gold tape is to be servered and placed on selected parts of support members of supports for semiconductor devices has means to feed the tape to severing means including a reciprocatable dog to engage the tape. The dog may pierce or indent the tape, or may frictionally engage the tape.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cutting compressed oriented fibers held in position by a peripheral sleeve and transporting the fibers from the cutting zone by means of a vacuum belt that contacts the ends of the fibers.

Abstract: Apparatus for severing sections from a web of material advanced by a feed roller comprises helical cutting blades on cylinders interconnected by helical gears. The feed roller can be coupled to and uncoupled from a drive by a dog clutch and the cutting cylinders are positively connected to the drive. Means are provided for axially displacing one of the cutting cylinders when the feed roller is being uncoupled from the drive, whereby to separate the cutting blades, and for returning the cylinder to bring the blades back into cutting relationship when the feed roller is being coupled to the drive.