Abstract: An apparatus for advancing positions of a web material has a first transporter at which the pieces are separated from a web, a clamp which transfers the pieces to the plane of a second transporter and a second transporter operating in this plane in a direction orthogonal to the displacement direction of the first transporter. The second transporter has at least one conveyor at least part of which is movable toward and away from the clamp and toward which the clamp can be moved so that the pieces are transferred to the conveyor and can be displaced by the latter with no spacing between them or with only a limited spacing between them.

Abstract: A steel blank can be removed from the space between a lower stationary die and an upper movable die by employing a belt conveyor in a cavity in the upper die. The frame for the conveyor belt mounts an array of permanent magnets that exert a magnetic pick-up force through the lower run of the belt into the steel blank. The conveyor frame is floatably suspended to follow the upper die, while being downwardly deflected by the action of a stripper pad carried by the upper die, such that the blank is dislodged from the upper die and then transported out of the space between the two dies.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to transporting signatures within a folding apparatus. Exemplary embodiments include at least one pair of cooperating cutting cylinders, each having at least one of a knife and an anvil. A conveying plane extends in substantially vertical direction. A right and a left conveyor assembly are assigned to the conveying plane. The cooperating cutting cylinders are integrated into the paths of conveying elements of the left and right conveyor assemblies, seizing a web of material prior to a cutting operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for the stack formation is described, by means of which a practically continuous individual stack formation is possible from a stream of slices produced by means of a cutting apparatus. For this purpose a partial stack is formed by means of a stack receiver, and is transferred for the further stack formation to a portioning band, so that, during the continuation of the stack formation on the portioning band, a return guidance of the stack receiver can take place into a position from which it can be shot anew into the stream of slices for the formation of a next partial stack.

Abstract: A cutting machine (A) simultaneously cuts an elongate workpiece (a) into one or more building products, wherein each product is of a predetermined length. The machine includes a frame or foundation (1), which supports an input or carry-in conveyor (2) for conveying the workpiece along a first path of travel. The machine further includes a plurality of cutting mechanisms (3), (5), (6), and (7) and a feed mechanism (12) supported on the frame. At least some of the cutting mechanisms are movably mounted on the frame for selectively adjusting the spacing between adjacent cutting mechanisms for cutting the workpiece into products of predetermined length or lengths. The feed mechanism receives the workpiece from the input conveyor and moves the workpiece along a second path of travel until the workpiece contacts the cutting mechanisms, thereby cutting the workpiece.

Abstract: Shingling of paperboard sheets cut from a web with a helical blade cutoff knife utilizes the downward deflection of the trailing edge of the cut sheet and simultaneous lifting of the leading edge of the web to position the sheets for shingling immediately downstream of the knife. A vacuum outfeed conveyor takes advantage of the initial downward deflection of the sheet caused by cutting to pull the trailing edge of the sheet onto the vacuum conveyor which is simultaneously slowed relative to the lead edge of the advancing web. In the preferred embodiment, vacuum is continuously applied and the conveyor is accelerated back to line speed as soon as the leading end of the web is pulled onto the vacuum conveyor.

Abstract: In a process for cutting a deformable body, e.g., a clay column, into individual shaped bodies by using at least one cutting wire, the body is first provided with notches about its periphery by a known notching device. During the subsequent cutting, the body is supported by support strips that engage in the notches on both sides of the cut edges. The body is thus not deformed during cutting, no undesirable cutting edges are left and the notch definition remains.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for providing positive control of a printable medium in a printing system such that high speed processing of the printable medium can be achieved without damage to the product (e.g., printed signatures). Exemplary embodiments are directed to a carrier system which contacts (e.g., grips) the printable medium from both sides to provide positive control over the printable medium as it is transported from one area of positive constraint (e.g., a folding mechanism of a folder device) to another area of positive constraint (e.g., transport tapes and/or a signature deceleration device located downstream of the cutting cylinders).

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a stacking machine which cuts a multiply rope into bundles, clamps the lead ends of the bundles against a conveyor which moves the bundles to stacking stations where the bundles are collected in stacks. Completed stacks are transferred to a takeaway conveyor.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system and method for cutting circuit board panels utilizing an in-line cutting mechanism. As the panel is transported into the cutting mechanism, adjustable rails are moved into position to properly guide the panel into the cutting head. The actual cutting operation is performed by transporting the panel between an upper cutting disk blade and a lower cutting disk blade. The distance between these two blades is adjustable and permits precision cutting of the panel with minimal stress to the circuit board and its components.

Abstract: A method for removing wires from a bale of waste cardboard and paper material that is compacted in vertical layers with wires running at right angles to the layers and in vertical planes. A cutting blade is moved downwardly through the wires and bale of waste material to separate a forward portion of the bale of waste material from the remainder of the bale of waste material and from the cut wires. The cut wires are gathered ahead of and beneath the bale of waste material into a bundle with opposed pairs of hook blades moved toward one another to interdigitate in overlapping relation to grasp the bundle of wires in a wire-receiving recess. A rotating fork is inserted into the wire receiving recess to coil the cut wires and pull them free from the bale of waste material as the bale of waste material is moved forward. The recess is cleared by withdrawing the fork from the coil and pushing the coiled wire with a pushing finger clear of the recess.

Abstract: An apparatus for decurling food material, such as slices severed from a food material supply, while the slices are being moved toward a transfer member includes a constriction positioned in close proximity to the slicing station and in general alignment therewith. The constriction is defined by opposing upper and lower surfaces; the upper surface is a stationary surface while the lower surface is a moving surface. The lower moving surface utilizes a plurality of flexible bands rotating around at least one roller, which are disposed proximate to the food material supply. The flexible bands are driven around a guide member having an arcuate profile that matches the curvature movement that the food material supply takes. The bands which form the lower moving surface are driven at a speed equal to or greater than the speed at which the slicer operates.

Abstract: In an apparatus for the separating of curved sausages (2) from a sausages string (3) by means of a cutting device at a cutting place (31), the sausages string (3) is fed in an arc to the cutting place (31). In this connection, the arc is defined by at least one guide belt (8, 9) which rests at least partially against the sausage (2) or the sausages string (3).

Abstract: A dough processing machine includes a first conveyor having an inlet end and an outlet end. The first conveyor is disposed to convey dough along a dough travel path in a direction downwardly offset from a generally horizontal line. A cutter is disposed at the outlet end of the first conveyor to cut the dough. First and second, generally opposed, movable supports are disposed relative to the dough travel path to support the dough along the dough travel path.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a stacking machine which cuts a multiply rope into bundles, clamps the lead ends of the bundles against a conveyor which moves the bundles to stacking stations where the bundles are collected in stacks. Completed stacks are transferred to a takeaway conveyor.

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 device for removal of slips from a continuously transported slip web is composed of an advancement roll pair which continuously advances and holds the slip web. A blade cylinder pushes a respective lead end of a slip into an open gripper of a gripper cylinder. A device is arranged between the advancement roll pair and the blade cylinder and provides transverse perforated lines. A rotating tear-off segment cooperates with the blade cylinder. In order to enable a simple and rapid adaptation to different slip formats, the advancement speed of the advancement rolls, the transverse perforating device and the angle of action of the tear-off segment are correspondingly changed relative to the blade cylinder.

Abstract: The apparatus of the invention has a food receiving apparatus including a cutting device with a cylinder operated plunger. Also provided is a conveyor having a continuous belt for carrying a stack of tortillas or the like to the food receiving apparatus. A detector is provided for detecting the stack of tortillas or the like as it enters the food receiving apparatus. The detector actuates a control system which causes the cylinder to move the plunger toward the cutting device for compressing the tortillas against the cutting device for cutting the tortillas to the desired shape. The plunger then moves away from the food receiving apparatus.

Abstract: Collating apparatus cuts a strip of paper into two side-by-side streams of individual pages or sheets of paper. These streams of paper are transported on belts such that each sheet in one stream is next to and paired with a sheet in the other stream. Each pair of sheets is stacked by moving one of the sheets onto the other which the other sheets continues to be transported by belt. Each stacked pair of sheets can be stacked on each other.

Abstract: A sheet conveying device of the type including a supplying unit for supplying a plurality of sheets in side-by-side arrangement with respect to the sheet supplying direction, and a conveying unit for conveying the plurality of sheets being supplied from the supplying unit in a direction perpendicular to the sheet supplying direction to a desired working unit, in which, there is provided between the supplying unit and the conveying unit a selective conveying unit for selectively and independently conveying respective sheet to the desired working unit.

Abstract: There is provided a device for sawing logs to a predetermined length which includes a log lead-in support member, a log support frame, a log cutting station and a log collection deck. The log support frame includes a front end, a rear end, opposite sides and supports a conveyor. An upwardly inclined conveyor moves a log lengthwise through the support frame to the log cutting station which includes a stop gate section, a sawing section, and a debris discharge conveyor. The stop gate section is positioned between the conveyor and the sawing section to set the log for proper timing into the cutting station and to align the butts when a plurality of logs is cut at the same time. A cutting station positioned at the front end of said support frame comprising a housing and a chain saw having a cutting bar on said support frame pivotally mounted to rotate 360.degree.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to transporting signatures within a folding apparatus. Exemplary embodiments include at least one pair of cooperating cutting cylinders, each having at least one of a knife and an anvil. A conveying plane extends in substantially vertical direction. A right and a left conveyor assembly are assigned to the conveying plane. The cooperating cutting cylinders are integrated into the paths of conveying elements of the left and right conveyor assemblies, seizing a web of material prior to a cutting operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for trimming printed products which includes a drum with a plurality of radially displaced receiving compartments. The printed products which are to be trimmed rest, along their folded edges, against stops which form the base of the radial receiving compartments. The products are gripped by a displacement device and displaced radially outwards into a cutting position. In the cutting position, the printed products are clamped in the region of their side border located opposite the fold edge. When the clamped printed products run past a stationary cutter element, the printed products are trimmed on the side border. After completion of the cutting operation, the clamping of the printed products is released and the displacement device is moved by a further distance radially outwards. Consequently, the trimmed printed products are advanced into a removal position, in which they are gripped by grippers of a removal conveyor.

Abstract: The invention relates to an installation for automatically cutting sheet material, the installation comprising at least one cutting device and at least one device for stacking sheets for cutting. The cutting device comprises a bench, and a cutting head mounted on displacement means. From its feed end to its unloading end, the bench has a cutting zone beneath which a suction cutting conveyor is mounted together with an unloading conveyor. Turbine means for creating suction are disposed beneath the unloading conveyor, and the cutting head is mounted on the face of the displacement means that face toward the feed end of the bench.

Abstract: Shaped articles are cut from a web by correspondingly shaped cutters on a drum cooperating with an anvil drum. The web is engaged by conveyor bands which pass around the cutter and anvil drums and form a continuing conveying path for the web away from the drums. The conveyor bands are clear of the article shapes cut in the web which can thus be positively separated from the web by pusher means to be drawn away from the web by their own conveying means.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing wires from a bale of waste cardboard and paper material that is compacted in vertical layers with wires running at right angles to the layers and in vertical planes, sawing downwardly through the wires and bale to separate a forward portion of the bale from the remainder of the bale and from the cut wires, gathering the cut wires ahead of and beneath the bale into a bundle with opposed pairs of hook blades moved toward one another to interdigitate in overlapping relation, grasping the bundle in a wire-receiving recess with a rotating fork to coil the cut wires and pull them free from the bale, and clearing the recess by withdrawing the fork and pushing the coiled wire with a pushing finger clear of the recess.

Abstract: An apparatus for trimming multiple-sheet, folded printed products utilizing two processing drums adjacently arranged. The drums are each rotated about a horizontal axis by a drive mechanism. Each processing drum comprises radial compartments for receiving the printed products to be trimmed. Arranged on each end side of the first processing drum are two stationary cutting elements, one of which is in the operative position. The cutting element interacts with cutting elements which are fastened on the end side of the compartments on the compartment walls. In the first processing drum, the printed products are trimmed on their side borders running at right angles to the folding edge. Arranged on the circumferential edge of the second processing drum are stationary cutting elements with a cutting element in an operative position to interact with cutting elements which are assigned to the individual compartments and are arranged circumferentially in the compartments.

Abstract: A work transferring apparatus for a thermal cutting machine is used for processing a workpiece placed on a worktable moving freely along an X axis direction by means of a work head moving freely along a Y axis direction crossing the X axis direction. The apparatus includes a chain conveyor mounted at an upper portion of the worktable for transferring the workpiece in and out, a body having a plurality of roller conveyors for transferring the workpiece to the chain conveyor, and a separating mechanism mounted between the chain conveyor of the worktable and the roller conveyor of the body for separating the workpiece after it is processed into a product and scrap. The body is arranged in a vicinity of the worktable, and the workpiece is set freely on the roller conveyor of the body.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing wire comprising conveyor structure for displacing the wire endwise, the conveyor structure including first upper and lower endless conveyors engageable with opposite sides of the wire; and first upper and lower assemblies for carrying and controllably driving the conveyors; there being frame structure, including guide structure on which the assemblies are supported and guided for movement toward and away from one another; there being timing belts operatively connected with the assemblies to transmit drive to the conveyors via the assemblies, in different positions of the assemblies associated with the relative movement thereof. Wires of different diameters may be advanced by the conveyors while the same axis of wire travel is maintained.

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 high speed sheet feeder for use with utilization devices that process sheets comprises a source of sheets, that can include a web cutter and a transport unit having a surface along which the sheets travel in a downstream direction. The surface can include a pair of conveyors that act as sheet justifiers and have at downstream ends thereof wait stations that can comprise pairs of nip rollers. Sheets are halted at each wait station and simultaneously passed along the surface as a sheet request signal is received from the utilization device. The transport unit can further include a bump/turn module that receives sheets from the conveyors and passes them at a 90.degree. angle to their initial direction of travel into the utilization device via a port in the utilization device adapted to feed sheets upon request.

Abstract: A versatile high speed slicing machine moves first and second food loaves along parallel loaf paths into a slicing station where both loaves are sliced by a cyclically driven knife blade. There are independent loaf feed drives so that slices cut from one loaf may be thicker than slices from the other. The conveyor/transfer system onto which food loaves are deposited as cut includes a receiver located below the slicing station; a lift mechanism moves the receiver down during slicing so that slices always fall about the same distance after being cut. The receiver includes a horizontal conveyor that periodically discharges groups of food loaf slices onto a deceleration conveyor, from which the groups are fed onto a multi-belt scale conveyor. The scale conveyor is aligned with two receiver grids, each grid including plural grid elements interleaved one-for-one with the scale conveyor belts. In each machine cycle a group of food loaf slices is deposited on a grid and weighed.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing hosiery items, termed "top-to-top" method, and the related modified knitting and stitching machines. The method includes the following steps: knitting a first hosiery item starting from a top down to a toe; knitting at least one row of trim at the end of the toe; knitting a second hosiery item at the end of the row of trim starting from a second toe up to a second top; separating and stitching the first and second hosiery items initially joined by the trim row by means of a specifically modified stitching machine. The stitching machine includes two independent stitching units which are fed by a common conveyor which is provided with a cutter and with diverging traction means. Top-to-top knitting can be performed with appropriately modified mechanically-programmed machines or with electronically programmed machines.

Abstract: A side-by-side material feed system is provided for feeding two dissimilar strips of material. The material is fed along parallel feed paths by first and second drive mechanisms which move the material toward respective cutters. The operation of the feed mechanisms and the cutters is controlled by a programmable controller which permits each of the material strips to be fed and cut to form pieces of predetermined length which may be removed by an operator or conveyed to a subsequent station for further processing.

Abstract: A folder for a web-fed rotary printing press includes a cooperating pair of collection and cutting cylinders to sever a paper web into web segments. A belt conveyor system enwraps a portion of the surface of the collection cylinder just before an intake point of the paper ribbon between the collection cylinder and the cutting cylinder. This belt conveyor system prevents the newly created leading edge of the paper ribbon from springing back.

Abstract: Apparatus for trimming small booklet-like products transported by bands (16) between a position serving for front trimming and a position serving for foot and head trimming. The bands (16) include a pair of transport bands (18,20) guided about a respective main deflecting roll (24) at their ends facing an insertion region (22). A synchronously-drivable auxiliarytransport band (26) extends beyond the main transport bands (18,20) toward the insertion region (22) and is guided about an auxiliary deflection roll (28) at its end facing the insertion region (22). The diameter (d) of the auxiliary roll (28) is less than 1/3 the diameter (D) of the main deflection roll (24).

Abstract: An apparatus for processing wire comprising conveyor structure for displacing the wire endwise, the conveyor structure including first upper and lower endless conveyors engageable with opposite sides of the wire; and first upper and lower assemblies for carrying and controllably driving the conveyors; there being frame structure, including guide structure on which the assemblies are supported and guided for movement toward and away from one another; there being timing belts operatively connected with the assemblies to transmit drive to the conveyors via the assemblies, in different positions of the assemblies associated with the relative movement thereof. Wires of different diameters may be advanced by the conveyors while the same axis of wire travel is maintained.

Abstract: In a work table apparatus for a plate material processing machine, a group of work supporting belts each extending in a work feed direction and divided in the direction perpendicular to the work feed direction are arranged so as to form a work table surface separated into front and rear support portions on both sides of a plate material processing section, and the work supporting belts are driven in the work feed direction in synchronism with the movement of the plate material to be processed. Therefore, no relative displacement is produced between the work support portions of the work supporting belts and the plate material to be processed. Thus, punched products of small size can be supported securely without damaging the microjoint portions of the processed products, scratching the plate material, and producing sound noise.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the efficient production of heart wood centered small dimensioned, square timber comprising a log feed system for the storage and dispensing of individual logs to the production facility; a log centering system wherein the log is centrally aligned with multiple saw blades and clamped into position; a log transport system comprising a movable carriage which transports the clamped log through the blades; and a separation system wherein the finished timber is separated from the side cuts and positioned ready for easy stacking. The log is first cut longitudinally and perpendicularly along two sides. A rotating means located within the centering system turns the log onto one of its two sawn sides and the log is again passed through the blades and cut longitudinally and perpendicularly, thus forming a timber with a square cross section and the heart wood centered therein.

Abstract: A stamping and forming machine is disclosed having two operating modules, each of which has a unique scrap removal system. The machine includes a punch assembly and a mating die assembly that reciprocate horizontally toward and away from each other for performing stamping and forming operations. The die assembly includes a die plate having openings for mating with punches in the punch assembly, a die backup plate having scrap receiving openings, and a ram for effecting the reciprocating motion. An adapter is disposed between the die backup plate and the ram and is carried thereby. Horizontally disposed openings are formed in the adapter in corresponding alignment with the scrap receiving openings. Vertically disposed openings are formed in the bottom surface of the adapter and extend upwardly to intersect the horizontal openings. A conveyer is arranged vertically under these vertically disposed openings and leads to a position outside of the machine.

Abstract: Machine for continuously cutting open bags of deep frozen plasma including a feed table, a cutting area adjacent the feed table and a collection area. The cutting area has a cutting nozzle for cutting the deep frozen bags of plasma on a longitudinal median portion of the bag. The cutting nozzle emits a cutting jet of water under very high pressure. A conveyor made up of two endless belts continuously travels the deep frozen bags of plasma one after another under the cutting nozzle. The conveyor includes the two side-by-side endless belts mounted around horizontal rollers at opposite ends of a chassis. The belts have a small gap between them which is located vertically in relation to the cutting nozzle.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing sections of cotton candy, and synchronously presenting them to the packaging machinery. The apparatus includes an extruder for melting and extruding sugar. The resulting sugar strands are moved onto a belt conveyor, forming a continuous bundle. A cutting blade is slidable, by an actuator, in a direction transverse to the belt conveyor, for cutting the bundle into sections of predetermined length. A paddle conveyor is positioned to receive the cut sections from the first conveyor. A control switch, activated by the passage of the paddles, is provided for controlling the actuation of the cutting blade. The switch is movable to various positions with respect to the paddle conveyor. The position of the switch with respect to the paddle conveyor determines the position of the sections on the paddle conveyor, thus aiding in the synchronization of the cut sections with the packaging machine.

Abstract: A novel dough feeding, cutting and depositing apparatus is provided herein. It includes a pivotally-mounted feed tray. Means are provided on the feed tray for gripping a continuous dough sheet and for advancing it forwardly along the feed tray to the downstream end of the feed tray. Means are provided for cutting a discrete sheet of dough from a continuous dough sheet overlapping the end of the feed tray, and for depositing such discrete sheet of dough on a sheet of dough tray station. Means are provided for moving the upstream end of the feed tray upwardly to its maximum "up" position for the duration of the time the continuous dough sheet is being advanced forwardly along the feed tray. Means are provided for moving the upstream end of the feed tray downwardly to its maximum "down" position for the duration of the time the means for cutting is effecting the cutting of the continuous dough sheet into a discrete sheet of dough.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing recyclable materials from bags. The apparatus includes a conveyor having tines which engage and assist the conveyor in transporting the bags of materials to a discharge bin. A cutting element cooperates with the conveyor to open the bags allowing the materials to be emptied from the bags at one end of the conveyor into the bin where the materials are subsequently discharged onto compost piles. The bags are then removed from the tines and transferred into a mechanism where they are bundled for disposal or recycling.

Abstract: A hydraulically actuated tire cutter includes a first conveyor belt which loads a tire into a tire cutting position between a fixed plate, a moving plate and a plurality of adjustable bars. Twelve corresponding pairs of gripping jaws project from the fixed and moving plate. The gripping jaws have a saw tooth edge. Each pair of gripping jaws of the fixed and moving plate are in registration with one another to compress the tire until one of the tire's beads essentially touches the other. Twelve blades attached to a blade plate are hydraulically actuated to pass through a passage in the moving plate and the fixed plate to radially cut the tire. After the tire has been cut, a second conveyor belt removes the pieces of tire from the bottom portion of the tire cutter.

Abstract: A roller knife cutter includes a first knife shaft pair for severing a ferromagnetic metal sheet into sheet metal strips forwarded in a first direction of advance; and a plurality of substantially coplanar plates arranged downstream of the first knife shaft pair in a series in the first direction of advance. The plates are separated from one another by a clearance. The cutter further has an endless belt having an upper run moving in a second direction of advance and positioned in the clearance and extending parallel therewith. The upper run has a lowered position in which a top surface of the upper run is at a level below the top surfaces of the plates and a lifted position in which the top surface of the upper run is substantially coplanar with the top surfaces of the plates; and a plurality of individually height-adjustable magnet units arranged in a series underneath the upper run parallel to the second direction of advance.

Abstract: Apparatus for cross cutting and/or perforating of a web. The apparatus performs two consecutive partial cuts and, provides for positive guidance of a partially cut web. This is accomplished by first and second cutting blade rollers, arranged with one common counter cylinder and guided by groups of belts passing through breaks in the blades. The breaks of the two blades are laterally offset relative to each other, and the belts are pressed against the counter cylinder to convey the web. This eliminates the need for one counter cylinder and one pair of pull rollers, it decreases the danger of web tear and eliminates the web stretching and the accompanying offset of the two partial cuts.

Abstract: An apparatus for decurling food material, such as slices severed from a food material supply , while the slices are being moved toward a transfer member includes a constriction positioned in close proximity to the slicing station and in general alignment therewith. The constriction is defined by opposing upper and lower surfaces; the upper surface is a stationary surface while the lower surface is a moving surface. The lower moving surface utilizes a plurality of flexible bands rotating around two driven rollers, which are disposed proximate to the food material supply. The bands which form the lower moving surface are driven at a speed equal to or greater than the speed at which the slicer operates.

Abstract: In a paper processing machine, the method and apparatus of this invention apply an opposite electrostatic charge to stacks and reams of paper to eliminate the repelling force from like charges on both sides of the individual sheets of the stack or ream to thereby temporarily bond them together. With the sheets thus temporarily bonded, the stacks and reams of paper can be easily transported between work stations without undesirable sliding of the sheets.

Abstract: An arrangement in a press feed line for picking up and conveying metal blanks at generally the same rate of speed they exit speed from the press, and automatically stacking them on a stacker. The stacker car has a rotatable base supporting a pallet, which in turn supports the stacked blanks, and is designed for side-shifting and raising and lowering of the base, in the stacking station, thereby allowing the desired positioning of the stacked blanks on the pallet and the pallet on the base. Automated adjustable devices which conform to the configuration of the blank neatly stack the blanks and variations to the arrangement allow more than one blank to be removed from different sources in the press, thereby permitting more than one stack to be made simultaneously.