Abstract: A device cuts vertically fed paper against a cutting edge by means of a carriage driven cutting wheel. There is a chute means downstream from the cutting edge and secured to a pivotable guideway bar, rotated by movement of the carriage during cutting operation. The paper is held against the cutting edge during cutting on one side by the chute means which tilts the paper to be cut toward a deposit tray and on the other side by a pivotable flap biased by a pressure roller mounted on the carriage. In the non-cutting mode, the flap and chute are substantially coextensive to help provide a gap-free pathway for paper being fed into the device.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for supporting the end portion of a workpiece blank which extends through and to the rear of power shear blades. The apparatus includes a table top and a frame supporting the table top. The front portion of the table top is supported for limited vertical displacement by rollers on opposite sides of the table engaged in horizontal track sections of vertically displaceable tracks interposed between the table top and the frame. The rear portion of the table top is separately supported by reciprocating rear table supports on opposite sides of the table top, the rear table supports being guided for vertical displacement in vertical ways provided on opposite sides of the frame. The table top is displaceable downwardly in response to downward movement of the movable shear blade, and is tiltable rearwardly after initial downward displacement by reason of the rear table supports being allowed greater downward displacement than the rollers supporting the front portion of the table top.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus for cutting a web into sheets comprises a web shear. A web stop is disposed downstream of the shear. A web feed is disposed upstream of the web shear. A web stiffening device is disposed between the web shear and the web stop for holding the web in a rigid flat plane whereby the web is repeatedly cut to the same desired length.

Abstract: A frame supports a hollow housing which mounts thereon a hot wire die support plate from the outer side of which projects a hot wire die. The housing is pivoted to the frame for movement between an operative position in which the die projects upward for cutting a cavity in a block of material that is moved over the support plate between limit-defining stop pins, and a discharge position in which the die projects downward for the gravity release of scrap material resulting from the cutting operation. The scrap material falls onto a hot wire scrap cutting grid extending across a scrap discharge opening below the housing, whereby the scrap material is reduced to small particles as it gravitates through the hot wire grid.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a sheet metal shears at a cutting station which station is provided with a lifting table 13 which is vertically adjustable, is used for cutting off small sections of sheet metal from a sheet and also is used for stacking these sections on a pallet 15. This lifting table extends through a cut-out side wall 5 for the shears and thus permits the shifting of an already piled-up stack 16 away from the shears, and then upwardly so that an adjacent stack 16a may be piled up neatly in spaced apart relation with stacks separated from each other by at least the thickness of the cut-out side wall. The continuing movement of the lifting table 13 after erecting the first stack 16 causes a small drop at the cut-off sections which are placed on the pallet 15, so that an orderly piled-up stack 16a develops. As the height of the stack increases the lifting table is gradually lowered until the predetermined height of the stack is reached.

Abstract: A plurality of frozen fish columns having a rectangular cross section are contained in a corresponding number of transversely aligned and laterally spaced tubes constituting a magazine. The lower ends of the columns rest on pushers which are slidable on a number of plastic anvils or blocks comprising part of a vertically adjustable table assembly. A single-edge blade is advanced and retracted at a 30.degree. angle through the lower ends of the frozen columns to sever portions therefrom having a thickness determined by the vertical adjustment of the table assembly. Pushers, which are synchronized with the blade movement, shove the severed portions from the cutting station beneath the lower ends of the tubes onto a conveyor. By controlling the speed of the conveyor the various severed portions, while still uniformly oriented, are transferred in an appropriately spaced end-to-end relationship to another location for processing.

Abstract: An Apparatus arranged behind the blades of a plate shear used for cutting sheet metal strips from a sheet metal plate to remove these strips from a sheet metal plate to remove these strips from the place behind the blades of the plate shear and to stack these strips on piles at a predetermined position behind the plate shear.

Abstract: Opposed parallel supporting rollers of a log receiving and turning assembly are rotated in order to rotate the log received thereon. The rollers are carried by a frame which is lifted or lowered, as desired, and a bar between the rollers is tiltable so as to lift selectively one end of the log or the other. By such an arrangement, the log is oriented so that a pair of dogs engage the log from opposite ends. These dogs are carried by an overhead carriage assemblies which ride on tracks and are movable with respect to each other by means of a hydraulic cylinder. One dog is rotatable by a motor through 90.degree. so as to orient the log. The carriage assemblies are movable in a longitudinal direction so that a pair of saws, driven by motors, will simultaneously cut the logs on opposite sides so as to deposit the boards, when cut from the log, on respective conveyors which carry the boards longitudinally away from the saws. The saws are adjustable laterally for different widths of log.

Abstract: A device for handling articles such as meat logs which includes a main conveyor and means for moving the articles transversely and consecutively above and across the main conveyor to a predetermined position, and having automatic means operable when each article reaches the desired position over the main conveyor, for opening the device to allow the article to fall down on the main conveyor.

Abstract: A trimming saw arrangement comprises a root-cutting station, a trimming station, and a feed line for advancing timber, perpendicular to its longitudinal direction, through the stations and to a sorting station having a sorting conveyor. The stations include a plurality of cutting or trimming places arranged one after the other in the feed direction and a distribution flap and conveyor for distributing arriving timber to the respective places responsive to the amount of timber accumulated in a storage bin associated with each cutting or trimming place.

Abstract: An apparatus for the removal, accompanied by simultaneous turning, of cut-to-length hot strand sections from the delivery or run-out roller tables of a multistrand continuous casting installation for steel. The pivot shaft of pivotal levers, provided with receiver or take-up portions for the cut-to-length strand sections, is located below a cooling bed arranged laterally of the delivery or run-out roller tables, approximately at the center between the cooling bed and the roller table located furthest from such cooling bed. By virtue of the foregoing and due to the constructional configuration of the receiving portions or strand section-receivers and a slide or chute operatively associated with the roller table situated closest to the cooling bed, it is possible, with the aid of only one single pivot mechanism or device, to conjointly directly transfer a number of strand sections which are simultaneously turned through an angle of about 90.degree.

Abstract: Apparatus for successively receiving and transporting long cut lengths of wire from a wire cutting mechanism and stacking the cut lengths in a receiver, a pair of long looped belts being supported with confronting surface faces coacting to form a longitudinally moving V-trough having an inlet and coupled with the wire delivery end of the cutting mechanism. One of the belts is supported on a fixed frame structure, and the other belt is supported upon a pivoted frame structure, a power actuator being selectively energizable to swing the pivoted frame structure in a direction to separate the converging belts and form an elongate discharge opening along the bottom of the trough through which the delivered cut wire length in the trough may be discharged by gravity into a receiver, and thereafter swing the pivoted frame in an opposite direction to close the discharge opening.

Abstract: An improved fully mechanized sawmill is provided which is composed of structurally independent modules which are removably mounted on a platform composed of a plurality of side-by-side longerons supported horizontally on files of spaced-apart vertical piers and columns. The longerons provide horizontal stress support for the platform along the files of piers and columns perpendicularly to the cutting axis of the sawmill, and the modules mounted thereon provide horizontal stress support for the platform along the ranks of the piers and columns parallel to the cutting axis. In addition, improved mechanisms and techniques are provided for handling and selecting the sawlogs to be cut, for selecting and distributing the pieces cut therefrom according to shape and utility, and for stacking and handling the distributed pieces at preselected locations according to shape and utility.

Abstract: The shearing machine comprises a stationary apron and a moving apron carried by lateral upright members and provided with cutting blades, the moving apron being guided at both ends by means of roller devices adapted to cooperate with guide ramps mounted on bottom lateral extensions of the moving apron. The guiding devices are placed substantially at the level of the horizontal cutting plane while another guiding device is located in the bottom portion of the shearing machine. The extensions are adapted to receive and transmit the cutting power developed by jacks mounted on the stationary apron.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sheet cutting apparatus comprising a body; a lower blade provided with a cutting edge and supported on the body; an upper blade provided with a cutting edge and mounted on the body by connecting means so as to be scissorwise movable with respect to the lower blade; as well as support means supported adjacent to the cutting edge of the lower blade below the upper blade. The support means comprises a support plate mounted upon the support means by means of at least three pre-stressed springs fitted along the support means. The springs may be pre-stressed between support plate and support means by means of pull rods. The support means is preferably provided with a power unit for moving the support means upwards and downwards.

Abstract: A hold-down construction for a shear used for shearing workpieces from an elongated metal member including an elongated beam having first and second ends and a central portion therebetween, a hold-down assembly mounted on the central portion, a pivotal connection between the first end of the beam and the post of a shear, and a detachable connection between the second end of the beam and another post of the shear, to thereby permit the hold-down to be swung toward and away from a knife assembly mounted on the shear, and a connection between the hold-down assembly and the knife assembly for reinforcing the hold-down assembly against movement away from the elongated metal member during shearing thereof.

Abstract: A device is provided for detection of metal in a moved strand of a highly viscous material such as a mass of chewing gum. A guide trough for the strand is provided, above which an electronic metal detector is disposed, whereby a drop knife is disposed above the guide trough, and a swing valve opens into the floor of the guide trough.

Abstract: A web severing device which includes a web transport means and a web lifting means so that a transported web is lifted away from the surface of the transport means for severing by a cutting means, thus, preventing damage which would occur on contact between the transport means and the cutting means.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting sheets of carpet into a number of rectangular swatches comprises a gang slitter including a plurality of disc cutting blades mounted on a single shaft for making a plurality of parallel cuts in the sheet of carpet moving through the blades, thus cutting the carpet into a plurality of long strips of predetermined width, and a cross cut blade which moves across the sheet of carpet to make a cut in the carpet perpendicular to the plurality of parallel cuts, thus cutting the long strips of carpet material into shorter rectangular swatches. The sheet of carpet material is automatically fed through the gang slitter and stopped for the cross cut, and the swatches are discharged from the apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus for subdividing a web of exposed and developed photographic paper into discrete prints has advancing rolls which move the web lengthwise in stepwise fashion to place successive frame lines into register with a severing device which is thereupon actuated to sever the web in order to separate the foremost print. Such print comes to rest on the wings of two turnable depositing devices which flank the path for the prints downstream of the severing device and are thereupon operated to rotate the wings in opposite directions so as to allow the print thereon to descend onto a composite stacking platform therebelow. The depositing devices have rotary hubs or plate-like orienting members which align the print on the wings with the prints of the stack therebelow.

Abstract: High speed tube cutting apparatus provides die means for the simultaneous cutting of a plurality of tube segments from a length of tubing. Preferred embodiments are capable of cutting the tube segments in extremely short lengths and with the ends thereof formed on a bias. The improvements of the invention eliminate waste and enable the shearing of the tube segments to be achieved in a single stroke of the included die means. A further feature of the invention apparatus is that it provides means for precisely realigning sheared tube segments with the tubing from which they have been cut to facilitate their ejection under the influence of the advancement of such tubing.

Abstract: A transfer device for billets or blooms of a multistrand continuous casting installation for metals, especially steel, with associated cutting stations, devices for removing the dummy bar out of the outfeed lines as well as for the storage thereof and a transverse transport device for the cut lengths of the hot strand. The devices for removal of the dummy bars out of the outfeed lines, the storage devices of which are arranged approximately parallel to the outfeed lines and the transverse transport device are dispositioned partially within the cutting paths of the hot strands.The method for operating such transfer device contemplates that after the cut lengths of the hot strands have reached their predetermined lowered position they are initially brought into a preparatory or waiting position between the related outfeed line and the transverse transport device.

Abstract: A revolving cross cutter for material in web form comprises two driven knife drums, a transfer table following same in the line of transport of the web and a transport mechanism following the transfer table. The transfer table is mounted for yielding movement in the line of transporting comprising two vertical parallel flat leaf springs which are adjustably biased.

Abstract: A versatile food preparing machine which includes various attachments for selectively processing many different kinds of foods. The machine is characterized by incorporating a bottomless hopper and a food support pad for restingly supporting the food at various levels as it protrudes downwardly from the hopper. An interchangeable reciprocatable food processable element, e.g., a knife or shredder/grater element, etc., workingly engages the food by cyclically moving between the hopper and the adjustable food support pad, e.g., whereby slices of various thicknesses may be made from certain kinds of foods. Ejector structure cyclically ejects particles of the processed food, e.g., slices of okra and the like, downwardly away from the food processable element. Particular structure is also included for collecting the ejected slices of food to facilitate subsequent storage thereof in a food freezer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device for automatically forming piles out of strips exiting from a machine on which the said strips are produced, comprising at the top, a pair of parallel rods placed downstream with respect to the said cutting device, and supported at their ends by corresponding brackets connected to the base frame, the said rods being provided centrally with a support member for sustaining the packs of strips in a horizontal position and able to rotate, in opposite directions, in order to release the pack of strips which, once freed, falls, suitably guided, on to a collection pallet placed on a driven conveyor, located downstream of the machine, which continues to operate until a number of vertical piles of strips have been formed on the pallet, after which the pallet is sent towards a discharge station.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed and claimed herein for cutting logs into predetermined lengths with primary use in a hardwood veneer plant. A log conveyor is provided, preferably in two sections, with a cutting station located therebetween. The cutting station is equipped with a pivotally operated chain saw or circular saw which cuts the logs as desired. A log clamp means is provided immediately adjacent the cutting station to engage the log on two sides, preferably top and bottom, with the diameter of the log being irrelevant within wide ranges. When a log is first clamped, the cutting saw passes to square off the forward end of same. Located downstream of the cutting station are a plurality of individually operated log stops that are located in the path of travel of the log moving along the conveyor. A particular stop, depending upon the length of log cut desired, is actuated to move into the path of log travel.

Abstract: A wire cutting machine for consecutively severing predetermined wire lengths from a continuously fed wire of indefinite length, comprises a wire cutting device and a wire discharge device arranged downstream (as viewed in the direction of wire feed) of the wire cutting device. Th wire discharge device has a wire channel, the walls of which define an elongated channel space which is oriented in the direction of wire feed and within which the wire is advanced. In the channel wall a plurality of openings are provided which are arranged in the longitudinal direction at predetermined distances from one another. A wire length detecting arrangement is operatively connectible with the channel space through any selected one of the openings.

Abstract: A trim discharging device, for discharging the trim or scrap resulting from the trimming of the leading edge and of the trailing edge of a stack of panels fed to a cutting line on a panel support table, comprises two tiltable table portions, which by two adjacent edges define between them the cutting line. Each tiltable table portion is hinged along an axis which is parallel to the cutting line, and can be tilted so as to slope in the direction of a trim discharge zone, located below the cutting line.

Abstract: Sheet cutting means, preferably of the fluid jet nozzle type, is programmed for predetermined X-Y operation on a workpiece supported on a series of taut, unidirectional, spaced wires arranged substantially as a planar bed. As the nozzle is shifted in an X-Y plane parallel to and above the work, a drain cup is correspondingly moved beneath the wire bed to receive the spent pressure fluid for recirculation or other disposition. A transfer means comprised of uniformly spaced belts is movable heightwise between the wires to convey all cut parts and scrap, collectively in unchanged relation, to an unload station when the nozzle and cup are out of the way. Preferably a television screen displays for an attendant at the unloading zone of the machine a replica of the cut work as pre-programmed to facilitate his identification and disposition of the different cut-outs, for instance, shoe soles.

Abstract: An alignment and stacking arrangement for stampings manufactured in a continuous stamping operation by a stamping machine having a punch and associated punch matrix. At least one stacking channel is arranged in the punch matrix for receiving the stampings with an intermediate stack forming device being arranged at the stamping machine at a position below and independent of the punch matrix. The intermediate stack forming device may include at least one locking pawl for reducing the clearance of the stacking channel and/or a mandrel arranged in the stacking channel which is selectively engaged by a holding element during the formation of the intermediate stack. A stacking mandrel or stacking shaft is associated with the mandrel and is displaceable so as to permit a stack of stampings of a predetermined height to be carried away from the stamping machine by a conveyor arrangement.

Abstract: An alignment and stacking arrangement for stampings manufactured in a continuous stamping operation by a stamping machine having a punch and associated punch matrix. At least one stacking channel is arranged in the punch matrix for receiving the stampings with an intermediate stack forming device being associated with stacking channel. The intermediate stack forming device may include at least one locking pawl for reducing the clearance of the stacking channel and/or a mandrel arranged in the stacking channel which is selectively engaged by a holding element during the formation of the intermediate stack. A stacking mandrel or stacking shaft is associated with the mandrel and is displaceable so as to permit a stack of stampings of a predetermined height to be carried away from the stamping machine by a conveyor arrangement.

Abstract: An arrangement for transporting away strand pieces, in particular crop ends cut off in continuous casting plants with a cutting means has a conveying roller path following the cutting device a cut strand discharge apparatus comprised of a plurality of arms pivotable over at least part of their length from a horizontal pick-up position into a tilted dropping position, and a lifting table carrying at least one conveying roller. The lifting table is perpendicularly displaceable relative to the conveying-roller-path plane. An inclined sliding path extending transversely to the strand guide is formed when the lifting table has been lowered and the arms are pressed into the tilted position by the weight of the cut off strand piece.

Abstract: In, or for use in, a vehicle inner tube splicing machine, a tube end cutting assembly comprising a cutting knife supporting carriage which is mounted on a pair of spaced parallel guide shafts and is reciprocated by hydraulically powered means. The knife supporting carriage also has mounted thereon scrap removal means which co-acts with cutting knives to remove off-cuts from said tube ends.

Abstract: A sawing apparatus for sawing long lengths of material into shorter pieces having a predetermined length and discarding spoiled and short end pieces comprises a saw movable across a saw table formed in two parts which can be tilted independently of each other to tip sawn material into a receptacle. The downstream part has a nose piece projecting just beyond the saw to support the leading end of a length to be sawn. The apparatus also comprises exit and entry tables and a number of sensors for respectively detecting the leading and trailing ends of the lengths of material and for automatically initiating sequences of operations of releasable clamps for clamping the lengths of material, traversing movements of the saw, and the tiltable table parts.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling articles, in particular a tray for supporting long flexible material before, during, and after being automatically machine cut, automatically clearing the cut material from the machine such that the cut material is cleared in a "nontangling" manner, and the tray automatically returning to its starting position to support the next material to be cut.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for making sheets from reinforced elastomeric ribbon. The apparatus has a lead-in mechanism on which the ribbon is received for preliminary orientation. The apparatus also employs a transfer mechanism that incorporates a shuttle head which is supported by a primary carrier disposed over the assembly mechanism. The shuttle head is capable of being protracted from its normal position over the assembly mechanism to a position over the lead-in mechanism where it is also engaged by a stabilizing carrier which assures precise orientation of the shuttle head during its operative movements with respect to the lead-in mechanism. So stabilized the shuttle head: engages and grasps the ribbon presented by the lead-in mechanism; raises the ribbon off the lead-in mechanism; retracts to position the ribbon above the assembly mechanism; and, accurately deposits the ribbon on the assembly mechanism.

Abstract: A blanking die comprises a relatively thin die plate having a cutout into which the punch of the press, upon blanking operation, forces the material to be cut to form the required part blank. A holder of sturdy construction is provided onto which the thin die plate is removably mounted. Slidably positioned within the holder is a reciprocating support block which, upon blanking operation, underlies the thin die plate in order to reinforce it against the impact of the punch. After the blanking cycle, the support block is moved either to eject the part blank or to allow the latter to fall through an opening in the holder.

Abstract: A worktable for use in association with machine tools is illustrated which has a section including a side edge of the worktable hingedly connected to the table supporting member whereby the section is tiltable under power to automatically unload a workpiece from the table. The invention is shown in connection with a workpiece gripping and moving carriage which moves the workpiece relative to the machine tool and, after completion of machining, moves the workpiece to a position on the tip table section. Control members prevent actuation of the tip table until after the workpiece gripper has deposited the workpiece on the tip table clear of the machine tool and then withdrawn to a position fully out of contact with the workpiece.

Abstract: A press apparatus which comprises a press body formed of a bed and a ram, fitted with an upper die; an auxiliary bed disposed adjacent to the bed and designed to be rotated at a prescribed angle thereto; a rotation mechanism for rotating the auxiliary bed; a bolster reciprocating along both beds; a shifting mechanism for effecting the reciprocation of the bolster; a lock mechanism designed normally to keep both beds engaged with each other, thereby preventing the rotation of the auxiliary bed, when the bolster is shifted to that prescribed point on the auxiliary bed at which the rotation axes of both bolster and auxiliary bed are aligned with each other, to disengage both beds from each other, thereby allowing the rotation of the auxiliary bed and bolster for complete removal of a press-worked product, for example a trimmed product, or scrap (including runner refuse) attached to a lower die and a forwarding mechanism designed to send forth a press-worked product taken off by a product-pushing cylinder to the

Abstract: A food dicer with a hinged cutting cover and a slideout bottom.

Abstract: A transfer machine for cutting rolled sheet metal comprises a sheet loading arrangement, a feed mechanism for moving a sheet to the blades of guillotine shears, an arrangement for sorting and stacking cut-off blanks, and a program control system. The sheet loading arrangement comprises a receiving table which is fixedly mounted and located on the axis of the transfer machine, and a four-member linkwork with a sheet grip. The linkwork is constructed so as to provide for transferring a sheet from a stack onto the table of the feed mechanism along the axis of the machine, the sheet remaining parallel to the table of the feed mechanism during the transfer. Fitted on the table of the feed mechanism is a sensor responsive to the passage of the rearward sheet edge. This sensor provides for measuring the dimensions of blanks from the rearward sheet edge on the reverse stroke of the feed mechanism.

Abstract: Control apparatus for a length determining machine having a length determining assembly and a removal assembly, the control apparatus comprising a length control portion controlling the operation of the length determining assembly of the length determining machine, a removal control portion controlling the operation of the removal assembly of the length determining machine, and an interlock portion to prevent the operation of the length control portion during the operation of the removal control portion.

Abstract: A sheet metal shears for metal sheets and plates with a highly sensitive surface comprises: a sheet metal infeed platen with a lower blade secured to the edge thereof extending transversely to the direction of sheet advance; a sheet stop disposed in spaced relation from the lower blade in the direction of sheet advance; a movable top blade which in cooperation with the lower blade cuts sheet metal strips from the metal sheet which is advanced over the lower blade up to the sheet stop; and a support means for the sheet metal strips including a movable table which may be extended to support said strips prior to and during the cutting operation in a support plane which is a continuation of the surface of the sheet metal infeed platen and which may be retracted to enable the cut metal strips to fall vertically after they are cut from the sheet.

Abstract: A knife ram operated sliding work support attachment for a metal cutting shears.

Abstract: A cutter mechanism for cutting the ends off bar stock or the like wherein the bar stock is moved incrementally into a cutting station with reciprocating cutters for cutting a piece off the end with said piece in the cutting station, a vertical support below the piece in the cutting station movable laterally between a support position beneath the cutting station and a release position laterally away from the station, a stop member against which the piece engages in the cutting station with the stop member movable laterally between a stop position engaging the piece means including a pivotal arm wherein the point of connection between the vertical support and the arm is adjustable so as to be able to independently control the lateral movement of the support relative to the stop member while the support and the stop member move simultaneously with the arm.

Abstract: A method and means for portion-control, hand-slicing of boneless meat roasts without using hands or eyes to control the thicknesses of the slices.

Abstract: A blanking die comprises a relatively thin die plate having a cutout into which the punch of the press, upon blanking operation, forces the material to be cut to form the required part blank. A holder of sturdy construction is provided onto which the thin die plate is removably mounted. Slidably positioned within the holder is a reciprocating support block which, upon blanking operation, underlies the thin die plate in order to reinforce it against the impact of the punch. After the blanking cycle, the support block is moved either to eject the part blank or to allow the latter to fall through an opening in the holder.

Abstract: A mat of filamentary material is loaded onto a transport tray formed with an array of holes having a predetermined inside diameter. The transport tray is displaced between an upper and lower platen of a press. The upper press platen is provided with an array of downwardly extending pins having an outside diameter much smaller than the inside diameter of the holes in the transport tray, each pin being alignable with a respective transport-tray hole. The lower press platen is formed with an array of upstanding tubular nipples having an outside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the transport-tray hole and an inside diameter corresponding to the diameter of the pin. Each nipple is arrayed beneath a respective hole in the transport tray and therefore beneath a respective pin so that as the upper platen descends the pin punches a hole in the mat using the nipple as a die. The upper end of each nipples lies in the plane of the upper surface of the transport tray.

Abstract: A support plate is permanently fixed on the table of the press, which plate has mounted on the top thereof rollers, lateral guides and an abutment. Sets of tools are used, each of them comprising an upper tool and a lower tool. They are connected together by guiding columns and safety upright, so as to have always a constant total height. When being installed the sets of tools are located, or removed by moving the bed-plate of the lower tool on the rollers of the support plate. After placing and locating the tools, the bed-plate of the lower tool is clamped on the support plate and the bed-plate of the upper tool is clamped on the slide member of the press. After removal of the safety upright, the press is then ready to operate.

Abstract: Large sheets of rigid cookie wafers carried by a first conveyor are longitudinally divided by a saw. The resulting small sheets are laterally spaced and each is fed between positioning guides onto a pair of edge support members positioned over a second conveyor extending at right angles to the first conveyor. Each support member is mounted on a pair of arms extending upwardly from a rotatable shaft passing beneath the second conveyor. The pair of shafts carrying each pair of edge support members are rotated simultaneously in opposite directions by a cam driven lever arrangement to separate the support members allowing the sheet supported thereby to drop upon the seond conveyor. Separate cams control each pair of shafts and the two sheets are dropped in sequence to provide an uninterrupted flow of evenly spaced sheets on the second conveyor.