Abstract: The invention relates to a macroblister comprising a flat body, in which are introduced cavities for receiving individual medicament portions, wherein the cavities are filled with individual medicament portions and are sealed with a foil. According to the invention, said macroblister contains a number T of medicament portions, characterized in that T is at least 60 and the flat body has a dimension in the range of 200 mm×200 mm to 1200 mm×1200 mm.

Abstract: Hydraulic two-side rolling-cut shears, including: a front transport roller device, a rear transport roller device, a shear body, and a roller carrier. The front transport roller device includes a laser scriber, a magnetic alignment device, and a pinch roller device. The rear transport roller device includes a vertical guide roller. The laser scriber is disposed on the front end of the front transport roller device. The magnetic alignment device is disposed in the middle part of the front transport roller device. The pinch roller device is disposed on the rear end of the front transport roller device in front of the shear body. The roller carrier is disposed longitudinally in the middle of the shear body. The vertical guide roller is disposed on the rear transport roller device and behind the shear body.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns an interface for communicating with and for controlling the operation of an automatic hygienic sheet material dispenser. The interface includes a user sensor to detect the presence of a user within a sensing zone, at least one indicator for indicating the setting of an operational parameter, a main microcontroller, at least one additional sensor for adjusting a dispenser operational parameter or activating a dispenser function, and a protective cover including a graphical symbol or text. The at least one additional sensor, the at least one indicator, and the main microcontroller are located on a main printed circuit board located behind the protective cover and arranged such that the at least one graphical symbol or text overlaps with the at least one additional sensor or the at least one indicator. The main microcontroller is arranged to selectively operate the dispenser in a user setting or a maintenance setting.

Abstract: An anisotropic conductive film (ACF) cutting calibration system and method are disclosed, and the system includes: a cutter, configured to cut the ACF; an image acquisition device, configured to collect a cutting mark image of the ACF according to a predetermined period; a processing device, configured to compare the cutting mark image with a predetermined image, so as to determine an offset of a cutting mark in the cutting mark image with respect to a cutting mark in the predetermined image; and a drawing device, configured to draw the ACF and adjust a speed of drawing the ACF.

Abstract: A sheet product dispenser is provided. The sheet product dispenser includes a roll of sheet product, a dispensing arrangement, and a method of sensing the separation of a dispensed sheet product. A sensor is provided for detecting the movement of a movable member, such as a tear bar or paper guide. The sensor generates a signal in response to the movement of the movable member. A controller de-energizes a roller in said dispensing arrangement in response to said signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for dispensing a therapeutically effective amount of dosage containing a medicament including an instrument for inputting data from a user, analyzing the inputted data to determine an appropriate amount of medicament to be administered to the user, and a dispenser for sizing and dispensing a therapeutically effective amount of the medicament. The medicament may be in the form of a continuous roll of oral thin film including the medicament.

Abstract: In an assembly for filling medicine dispensers (11) with administering units (12/i) which are to be taken daily by patients, a deblistering apparatus (39) is provided for the separating, automatic removal of the medicines from the respective blister pack, the blister film (33) of which can be subjected to a notching or cutting pretreatment, only after which the medicine is removed. A transport device (18) is provided which supplies the medicine dispensers (11) to a feeding device, at which the individual medicines can be loaded into receiving compartments (14/1 to 14/4) of the medicine dispenser (11). The assembly comprises modules (17/i) which have in each case a blister shaft (62), a punching device and a feeding device and are arranged along the transport device (18) at spacings from one another which correspond to the spacing of the receiving compartments (14/i) of the dispensers (11/i) or to an integral multiple of said spacing.

Abstract: A method for automatically cutting a workpiece comprising the steps of moving a workpiece along its longitudinal axis, positioning a cutting blade by rotating the blade about a vertical axis, positioning the cutting blade by rotating about a bevel axis, and vertically moving the blade into cutting contact with the workpiece, thereby stab cutting the workpiece and creating a bevel cut. The method may also comprises moving the blade along a transverse axis. Further steps may include moving the cutting blade along a transverse axis simultaneous to moving the workpiece along it longitudinal axis, thereby creating a scarf cut.

Abstract: An electrical rolled web dispenser includes a housing with a roll carrier disposed therein to rotationally support a roll of web material. An electrical feed mechanism is disposed in the housing to dispense measured sheets of the towel material. The feed mechanism is activated by a sensor that senses a changed parameter within or external to the housing resulting from a user grasping and pulling on a tail of the web material extending from a dispensing slot in the housing.

Abstract: An electromechanical roll towel dispenser includes a housing with a roll carrier disposed therein to rotationally support a roll of towel material. An electro-mechanical feed mechanism is disposed in the housing to dispense measured sheets of the towel material. The feed mechanism operates in a first mechanical operational mode wherein the towel sheets are dispensed by a user grasping and pulling on a tail of the towel material extending from the housing, and a second electrical operational mode wherein a measured length of a next sheet is automatically and electrically fed out of the housing to define the tail for the next user.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a sealing tape dispenser, includes a retracting tape guide which is mechanically linked to an access cover so as to be automatically retracted upon cover opening to allow larger tape rolls to be loaded and to enhance unobstructed access to the machine. In a second preferred embodiment, a sealing tape dispenser, includes a cutting blade lift and interlock mechanism as to assist in clearing tape jams by mechanically lifting the cutting blade to a raised position whereby unobstructed access is gained to the tape path and an interlock is disabled so as to prevent further tape dispenser operations while the cutting blade is in a raised position.

Abstract: A composer clipper apparatus that includes a composer for producing a composed ribbon of veneer from veneer pieces disposed edge-to-edge. A conveyor system transports the ribbon of veneer downstream from the composer. The ribbon of veneer is cut into sheets of predetermined length at a clipping station downstream from the composer. A sensor sensing a cut lead edge in the ribbon of veneer, and a coordinated tracking device, controls operation of the clipping station.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which is adapted to transfer an image on a roll sheet fed out of a roll body and transported through a transportation path to an image forming section. When a user opens a front door of the image forming apparatus and sets a new roll body around a feed reel thereof, the leading edge of a roll sheet fed out of the roll body is located at a predetermined position in the transportation path. When the user closes the front door upon completion of replacement of the roll body, the roll sheet is further fed out, and a leading edge portion of the roll sheet having a predetermined length from the leading edge thereof is cut off. The cut-off portion is discharged through the transportation path out of a main body of the image forming apparatus in the same manner as in an ordinary sheet transportation process.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting, from a continuously extending sinuously formed wire, a variably selected predetermined length thereof having a plurality of sinuously formed generally identical coils, which apparatus comprises a frame, a mechanism on said frame for severing the sinuously formed wire, a track on said frame for guiding travel of the sinuously formed wire to the wire severing mechanism, and a control connected to the wire severing mechanism and including a sensing circuit for generating countable electrical pulses in response to wire travel relative to the wire severing mechanism, and a counting circuit operable to receive the countable electrical pulses and, in response to receipt of a predetermined number thereof, to generate an actuating signal effective to cause action of the wire severing mechanism to sever the wire.

Abstract: An all-electric web feeding, cutting and sheet dispensing machine includes a bi-directional cutting knife on a reversible carriage driven by a reversible-rotation knife-drive shaft. The carriage includes a ball-bearing-wheeled linear actuator riding on the knife-drive shaft propelling the carriage along this shaft in cutting strokes in one or the other direction as this shaft is rotated in one or the other sense of rotation for cutting sheets off from a web of resilient packaging material. A combined knife-guard and clamp jaw (guard/clamp) holds the web and protects the moving knife from contact with foreign objects while the knife is traveling during each cutting stroke. At the end of each cutting stroke a cam on the knife carriage lifts the guard/clamp in readiness for feeding another length of web.

Abstract: A facility for hot forging workpieces starting from bars (2), which includes a device (8) for heating the bars (2), a device (3) for longitudinally moving the bars, a shearing machine (9) cutting hot billets to a length l, and a stop (11) for setting the billet length and a device for holding the cut billet. A device is also provided for detecting the ends of the bars (2) and a device (10) for rejecting the billets which have a length shorter than l. The detection device includes at least one sensor (12) of the image of the adjoining or nonadjoining ends of the bars, which device is placed a distance L from the shearing machine (9), and a computer for determining the number n=L/l of billets starting from the detected end wherein the computer is connected, on the one hand, to the sensor and, on the other hand, to a device (5) for measuring the length L.sub.1 of the bars.

Abstract: A method of severing a continuous strip having transversely arranged perforations into separate segments including advancing said strip along a predetermined path; deforming a portion of said strip at said transversely arranged perforations; sensing the location of said perforations by causing contact between a sensor and said deformed portion; advancing the sensed perforations a predetermined distance to a location directly in line with a severing knife; and causing the knife to sever said deformed portion at said transversely arranged perforations to form a separate segment.

Abstract: A power-driven chopper for cutting up elongate material. The chopper includes a pair of feed rolls, each of which is motor-driven, delivering material to an anvil. A knife on a knife pivot arm is moved in an arc pass the knife to cut material. A motor actuates the knife pivot arm, and the motors for the feed rolls and the knife pivot arm are actuated in timed relation.

Abstract: An apparatus for laser recording of an image onto a selected length of photosensitive material has a loosening device positioned downstream from a feeding device for feeding the photosensitive material in a first direction so that the photosensitive material is loosened in a second direction to form a loop of a predetermined length selected by a user. In one aspect of the invention, the leading edge of the photosensitive material is held at a recording position. A cutting device is disposed between the loosening device and the feeding device and cuts off a photosensitive material sheet from the photosensitive material. An image to be reproduced is then recorded onto the photosensitive material sheet.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for quickly and accurately cutting conveyor belt modules is disclosed. A guide track supports and provides a path past a cutting location for the modules that are to be cut. The modules are stopped after a selected amount of width of the module to be cut has passed the cutting location. A cutting blade which has a length extending orthogonal to the direction of travel of the modules is aligned by a die which provides a guide for the cutting blade and also accurately positions the modules prior to cutting. The blade is moved or activated by a means such as a hydraulic damped pneumatic cylinder at a controlled speed so as to cut through the modules. A cylindrical shaped anvil is located substantially across the length of the module being cut such that it provides support to the modules along a line directly opposite the length of the blade as the blade cuts through the modules.

Abstract: A device for automatic separation of wire binding portions of random length and shape. From a delivery spool a wire strand is fed into a feed mechanism behind which is arranged a cutting mechanism. A sensor measures the length of the wire binding portion and consequently initiates the cutting process via a processor. A further sensor establishes the discharge of the separated wire binding portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for stacking and cutting rolls of paper, in particular end rolls from the newspaper industry. The apparatus includes a rack assembly for stacking and unrolling the end rolls, and a cutting assembly including a pair of cylindrical rollers, at least one cutting device for cutting the paper into predetermined lengths, and preferably at least one cutting device for cutting the paper into predetermined widths.

Abstract: In an apparatus for introducing a belt-shaped material to a cutting machine, stationary conveyors are laid vertically in such a manner as to form different angles with respect to the cutting machine and combined respectively, with lift conveyors which are also laid vertically to convey belt shaped materials to the cutting machine. The lift conveyors are moved vertically by lifting means unit a desired one of the lift conveyors comes to the belt-shaped material introducing position of the cutting machine.

Abstract: A continuous towel dispenser includes a sensor which detects the disruption of the radio frequency (RF) field below the dispenser's cabinet caused by movement of a user's hands in withdrawing unused towel from a towel from supply roller and provides a control signal to a towel dispensing motor coupled to a supply roller allowing the towel to be dispensed for a predetermined time period corresponding to a desingated towel length. At the same time, a control signal initiates downward displacement of a towel idler bar allowing a length of used towel to also be withdrawn from the cabinet. After a predetermined time interval, e.g., 5 seconds, a towel takeup cycle is automatically initiated by upward displacement of the idler bar followed by a reversal in the direction of rotation of the towel takeup roller. The towel takeup cycle continues for a designated time period or until a stall current in a towel takeup motor is detected indicating that all of the towel has been withdrawn into the cabinet.

Abstract: A roll supply having a pair of idler belts for supporting a supply roll of sheet material, stationary and movable knife blades, the latter having a V-shaped cutting edge, an eccentric for reciprocating the movable knife blade in one direction into cutting relation with the stationary knife blade, the movable knife blade having projections which rest on the stationary knife blade, a spring biasing the movable knife blade against the stationary knife blade, the movable knife blade being made of spring steel deformed into a slight V-shape relative to the stationary knife blade so that as the movable blade is reciprocated, the movable blade is displaced in a direction substantially normal to the direction of blade movement and a pair of cutting points are established which move together at the center, severing the sheet material, first and second roll pairs for advancing the sheet material to a cutting position, and control for actuating the roll pairs and the eccentric to cut the sheet length selected.

Abstract: A cutting machine includes a bright/dark color cylinder having a triangle bright area formed thereon as driven by a driving shaft synchronously driving a set of conveying rollers forwarding a strip of article to be cut and driving a pair of cutting knives, and a photo controller longitudinally moving above the bright/dark color cylinder to sense a light signal from the triangular bright area of the cylinder to run the rollers and the strip, and/or to shield the light signal from a dark color area on the cylinder to thereby stop the rollers and the strip adapted to be cut by the cutting knives, whereby upon the moving of the photo controller above the cylinder, a linear length of the triangle bright area on the cylinder periphery can be adjusted to thereby optionally adjust the cutting length of the strip article.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for cutting blind slats, including a conveying device for sequentially conveying a slat material and a cutting device turned on and off in synchronism with the conveyance of the slat material so as to form slats of a desired length, wherein the improvement is characterized by comprising: an input device having means for entering the length of a slat; a control device for converting the output signal of the input device to pulse signals corresponding to the slat length entered and outputting them; and a motor rotated on the basis of the pulse signals output from the control device so as to convey the slat material by predetermined lengths.

Abstract: A positioning device is disposed along a conveyor path of long towel cloth pulled out by a pull-out device. The positioning device stops the movement of the towel cloth while locking the boundary between a flat fabric section and a subsequent piled fabric section of the towel cloth. A cutting device is disposed downstream relative to the positioning device in the direction of movement of the towel cloth, and a size measuring device is disposed on the opposite upstream side. The positioning device and the cutting device are relatively movable to be spaced from and approached by each other. When the towel cloth is pulled out by the pull-out device, the length of the flat fabric section of the towel cloth is measured by the size measuring device. Based on the measured value, the spacing between the positioning device and the cutting device is adjusted to be equal to a half of the measured value.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting sheet material such as cloth as the material lies on a supporting surface having opposite sides comprising an elongated track adapted to extend across the supporting surface between the sides, the track having an operative surface over which the sheet material lies during cutting thereof, and a cutter operatively associated with the track for movement in opposite directions along the track for cutting the material.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing paper towels of predetermined length includes a case, a supply roll of a continuous paper web, a mechanism for advancing the paper web outside the case, a mechanism for at least partially cutting the paper web protruding from the case, and a motor for driving both mechanisms, the motor shaft being rotated in a first direction until a paper web of predetermined length is advanced outside the case and then reversed so that the paper advancement is stopped and the paper web is cut. A first unidirectional coupler is arranged between the motor and the advancing mechanism and a second unidirectional coupler is arranged between the motor and the cutting mechanism to selectively actuate either of the advancing or cutting mechanisms according to the rotational direction of the motor shaft. The length of the dispensed towel is an integral multiple of an elementary length and the number of elementary lengths by which the paper web is advanced before being cut is switch selectable.

Abstract: Structural steel measuring apparatus comprises a reversible powered roller conveyor for advancing the structural member in opposite directions relative to a work station and a carriage movable alongside the conveyor and releasably clamped to the end of the structural member by an electromagnet. The carriage mounts a TV camera which reads an elongate scale extending alongside the conveyor. The reading is displayed on a monitor at the work station. The structural steel member can be positioned accurately with respect to the work station by driving the powered conveyor in either direction with the carriage magnetically coupled to its end. After the desired operation is performed, the carriage is decoupled from the structural steel member which is then advanced away from the work station by the conveyor.

Abstract: An automatic drug tape dispensing and metering device and a roll of drug tape housed in a small portable dispenser unit. The dispenser contains a measurement device for carefully measuring the length of tape as it is dispensed from the dispenser. A counter monitors the remaining doses of drug tape remaining within the dispenser. A timer device may be provided to alert the patient that it is time for the medicament to be dispensed. As the lid of the dispenser unit is opened, the measured length of drug tape is severed from the roll by a cutter blade incorporated into the lid. The device permits a physician to accurately customize the dosage and administration of the medicament to be givne a patient by adjusting the tape length released for each single dose and selecting the time intervals between dosages.

Abstract: A device for aligning and cutting lengths of terrycloth along the woof thread comprises two aligning ledges capable of movement relative to one another that can be lowered into the pileless rows of the length of material. The aligning ledges are connected each with one of two diagonally opposite joints of a parallelogram frame. On the two intervening joints is mounted a cutting device that operates transverse to the direction of feed of the length of material with a cutting plane that is always located exactly in the middle between the two aligning ledges.

Abstract: A web of foam material is fed to a cutting station by upper and lower rollers drawing the web from a supply roll and along a low-friction table surface. A cutter station has a knife bar and blade, with a clamp bar coupled with the knife bar. The lower draw roller has its axle mounted in a pair of pivoted arms depressible by presser feet on a presser foot bar carried by the knife bar. When a desired length of web has been drawn past the cutter station, actuation of the knife bar lowers the blade toward a grooved anvil, while the presser feet swing the arms down to depress the lower roller away from the web to stop drawing it. Immediately after interrupting drawing action, the web is clamped by the clamp bar, and then immediately thereafter cutting occurs. The table has bridge-like fingers extending downstream through grooves in the movable lower feed roller. These fingers support the web when the lower roller is swung down.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing paper towels of predetermined length includes a housing, a supply roll of a continuous paper web, means for advancing the paper web outside the case, means for at least partially cutting the paper web protruding from the case, and a motor for driving both such means. The motor is an electric d.c. motor which is rotated in a first direction until a paper web of predetermined length is advanced outside the case. The rotation is then reversed so that the paper advancement is stopped and the paper web is out. A first unidirectional coupling means is arranged between the motor and the advancing means and a second unidirectional coupling means is arranged between the motor and the cutting means to selectively actuate either of the advancing or cutting means according to the rotational direction of the motor.

Abstract: In an uncoiled web feed line including a shear, continuous feed and measuring pinch rolls, a pit for accommodating a loop portion of an uncoiled web, intermittent feed pinch rolls and a metal mold arranged in succession, there is provided a novel method for cutting an uncoiled web at its midway position by a shear such that when the production by the metal mold is continued for the uncoiled web forward of the cut position, just one lot of a desired number of products can be produced without being associated with an excessive waste web.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cutting predetermined lengths of panels from a continuous strip of flexible material and for forming the lengths of panel members to have a preselected panel profile. The strip is reel fed to a first strip driving station which drives the strip through a shearing station, over a hump table, to a second strip driving station and through a strip forming station. In sequence, the second strip driving station brakes the leading portion of the strip to effect a strip hump over the hump table, which is detected by a protoelectric sensor for hump height and signals the first strip driving station to vary its feed rate to maintain the hump; the second driving station is then signaled to commence driving the lead portion of the strip to the strip forming station.

Abstract: A controller and method are provided for controlling pneumatic presses, and similar machines. The controller comprises a gauge to measure increments of stock length passing through the press, a length recorder to set the desired piece length, and a length comparator which compares the readout of the gauge with the preset recorder piece length, and when equal, generates a stroke initiate signal. The stroke initiate signal opens an air valve portion of the pneumatic press to communicate pressurized air with the power side of an air actuated ram, which in turn converges the press platens to perform the desired press function, such as punching holes, notching, cutoff, or the like. The controller also includes a timer to measure time beginning from the stroke initiate signal, a time recorder to set the time the air valve is to remain open, and a time comparator which compares the readout of the timer with the preset valve open time, and when equal, generates a stroke halt signal.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for automatically cutting apart successive articles, such as terry towels, from a continuous length of material, in which such articles are separated therein by portions extending transversely across the material and of less thickness than the articles, so that each cut article has an equal amount of thinner portion remaining on each cut edge for subsequent hemming or the like. The apparatus includes devices for automatically aligning and positioning the thinner separating portion of the material relative to a cutting device so that the cutting device will cut the articles apart generally through the center of the thinner separating portion of the material.

Abstract: A recording paper feeding apparatus for use in a recording machine such as a facsimile machine includes a predetermined paper travelling path along which a recording head, a platen roller, a cutter and a paper discharging roller are disposed. In one form of the present invention, a first detector for detecting presence and absence of the recording paper is disposed upstream of the recording head and a second detector for detecting presence and absence of the recording paper is disposed downstream of the cutter. And, signal sound is produced when both of the detectors detect presence of the paper, indicating that the paper is properly loaded. In another form, a switch is provided and if at least one of the detectors is detecting absence of the paper when the switch is actuated, alarm sound is produced, indicating that the paper is not properly loaded.

Abstract: Machine intended for cutting out transversely, along a straight or broken, oblique or right-angled cutting line, a band material adapted to be fed parallel to its length.This machine has in combination, a device to unwind the band at constant linear speed from a reel and a second device to, firstly, advance the unwound band at constant linear speed from a fixed plane support which extends at least from the second device into proximity of the cutting system, and secondly, permit an edge of the band to be applied against a lateral edge guide. Use of this machine includes cutting of pieces from flexible compound material.

Abstract: In an automatic wire cutting machine a stepper motor driven knurled roller is positioned between two wire guide channels to drive a wire toward a cutting station. The length of wire to be cut is set in a length counter. Drive cycles, during which the wire is driven a predetermined distance, are counted in the length counter. Then, the stepping motor is disabled and cutting blade is energized. This system prevents operation of the cutting blade solenoid at less than an acceptable duty cycle with short lengths of wire. Due to the particular displacement of the wire with each step of the stepping motor, the system is readily converted from English to metric units.

Abstract: A machine for measuring and cutting predetermined lengths of electric cable such as armored (BX) or insulated cable which is supplied from a coil or reel to a "caterpillar" feed assembly and then to a cutting assembly, the feeding and cutting being synchronized and controlled to effect the cutting, automatically, of a predetermined number of pieces cut to predetermined uniform lengths, the controls including means for measuring the fed cable and for counting the number of pieces.

Abstract: The invention disclosed relates to cutters for automatically cutting strips of material such as wire rope, electrical cable, or any other desired cylindrical, linear material. The apparatus proposed is best suited for cutting wire rope having a diameter of from 1/4 inch to about 1 inch. The cutting apparatus includes a controlled turntable upon which a roll of wire rope is mounted, the wire rope is directed through the tubular guide into two oppositely disposed rollers which are adjusted to size for feeding the wire to a cutter. Adjacent the cutter a V-groove platform is provided in which the wire rope lays during cutting. The V-groove is formed by adjacent doorsections that pivot to permit the cut piece to fall through the opened doors to a container below the table. The apparatus is provided with a suitable electrical circuit for operating the cutter motor, the grip roller, the turntable and controls for movement of the cutter and opening the V-groove doors.

Abstract: A stack of strips of feed stock are placed on an adjustable height table. The strips are positioned on the table by arms which align the stack to the centerline of punching dies in a punch press. A pneumatic actuated head uses vacuum cups to raise the end of the top strip and insert it into in-feed rolls. The drive means for the in-feed rolls also drive an encoder which signals roll movement as the rolls incrementally feed the stock into the punch press. Drive means for the feed stock switches to the out-feed rolls once the blanked out stock reaches those rolls, and when the end of the strip passes through the punch press, a control unit is signaled and a new strip is fed into the system.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for cutting and holding a piece of wire cord. The apparatus comprises a conveyor which includes a plurality of plates for movement in a first direction and a plurality of holding blocks wherein each of the holding blocks is mounted on a corresponding one of the plates. Each of the holding blocks has a fixed portion and a slidable holder portion, the slidable holder portion being slidable relative to the fixed portion. An advancing device advances the cord a predetermined length in a direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a cutter is positioned downstream of the advancing device for cutting the wire cord into cut portions of the predetermined length.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically severing individual towels from a length of material comprising a plurality of terry towels. The method includes the steps of measuring slightly less than the supposed length of a towel, then activating a sensor that detects the edge of a cutting space by the change in thickness of the material. The sensor causes feeding of the material to stop with a cut-line at a cutting blade. The first edge of the material is held while a second sensor located the same edge at the opposite side of the material, and the cutting blade is moved with the sensor. The material is stretched to straighten the cut-line, and the cutting blade is caused to cut the material. The apparatus includes feed rolls to move the material, and an encoder measures the length. A roller at one edge of the material detects the change in thickness at one edge, and similar rollers detect the change in thickness at the opposite edge.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for producing and dispensing place mats from a roll of sheet material including curved guide member cooperating with said apparatus to receive said place mats and to curl upwardly the side edge portions thereof permitting said place mat to extend outwardly from said apparatus in cantilever fashion to facilitate handling of said place mat as by positioning it on a tray or the like. When the place mat is removed, the apparatus automatically produces another one extending out of the apparatus for easy handling.

Abstract: A system and method for shearing pieces from bars, characterized by the normal positioning of a bar zone heating element such as an induction heating coil at one or a multiple of piece lengths in front of the bar shear. A bar feed incrementally longitudinally advances a bar one piece length at timed intervals through the heating coil to the bar shear, whereby localized areas or zones of the bar are heated at one piece length intervals. The heat received from the heating coil at each zone soaks into the bar to raise its core temperature as each zone is advanced from the heating coil toward the bar shear. After each incremental advance of the bar, a piece is sheared from the end of the bar at the then presented heated zone.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting sheet molding compound in which the compound is sandwiched between two liner sheets and fed from a letoff roll onto a conveyor. The compound is conveyed past longitudinal slitters and a transverse cutting knife which cut the compound into rectangular segments of preselected size. Before a sheet reaches the area of the cutting operation, the upper liner is removed. At the area of the transverse cutting, the lower liner is diverted from the sheet compound to pass under an anvil against which the transverse cutting mechanism operates. The lower liner is then passed upwardly to return to a position underneath the sheet compound in order to support the sheet compound on the liner as it passes along the conveyor where it is picked off by the operator.