Abstract: A method for improved tuning of servo motors used to drive guillotine cutters on a high speed inserter machine. The tuning coefficient is continuously varied during the blade's cutting cycle. In a first step of the tuning process, a plurality of discrete positions in the blade cycle are selected for analysis of the optimal tuning coefficients. For these discrete positions, tuning coefficients are determined. After the tuning coefficients have been determined for the discrete locations in the blade cycle, the coefficients for the remainder of the blade cycle are determined through interpolation. In a preferred embodiment, linear interpolation is used. A digital filter then applies the measured and interpolated coefficients to the amplifier that controls the motor. In the preferred embodiment, the step of selecting the discrete positions includes selecting 90 degrees, 180 degrees, 270 degrees, and 360 degrees in a guillotine blade cycle.

Abstract: A forming machine includes a first transmission mechanism connected to a cutting mechanism and a conveying clamp mechanism, a drive mechanism for driving the first transmission mechanism; and a second transmission mechanism driven by the drive mechanism for driving a feeding mechanism. The second transmission mechanism includes a driven wheel driven by the drive mechanism, a first swing member connected to the feeding mechanism and confronting the driven wheel, an eccentric pin projecting axially from the driven wheel and connected slidably to the first swing member. The eccentric pin slides relative to the first swing member while rotating along with the driven wheel so that the first swing member is swung to and fro in a cycle motion and completes one cycle for each revolution of the eccentric pin.

Abstract: A slip cutting system sheets an infeed web into discrete articles and merges the articles to a carrier web. The slip cutting system comprises a continuously rotating cutting die having knife blades and packings consecutively around a peripheral surface. The packings cooperate with the knife blades to define a circumferential space between each packing and an associated knife blade. When a packing is at a nip with an anvil roller, the infeed web is drawn in a downstream direction. When a circumferential space is at the nip, the infeed web halts downstream motion. When a knife blade is at the nip, the knife blade sheets the infeed web. An insert station cooperates with the cutting die to longitudinally space the articles as they merge to and are propelled downstream by the carrier web. At a subsequent station, the composite web is cut to manufacture individual products.

Abstract: A device for trimming multiple streams of printed products including a first trimming unit for trimming at least one side of a first stream of printed products, and a second trimming unit for trimming at least one side of a second stream of printed products, the first stream and the second stream having a similar direction. Also disclosed is a method for trimming multiple streams of printed products comprising moving a first stream of printed products in a first direction, trimming at least one side of the first stream, moving a second stream of printed products separate from the first stream in a direction similar to the first direction, and trimming at least one side of the second stream.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing a high-quality polycrystalline semiconductor ingot with excellent crystallographic properties are disclosed. The interior of an airtight vessel is kept in an inert atmosphere for semiconductors. A raw semiconductor material is charged in a crucible, and the raw semiconductor material is heated by an induction heating coil so as to be melted. Then the bottom of the crucible is deprived of heat for causing the raw semiconductor material to solidify, thereby producing a polycrystalline semiconductor. The semiconductor crystal grows in one direction from the bottom to the top of the crucible while the heat emission is changed in accordance with a predetermined relationship for keeping the solidification rate of the raw semiconductor material constant.

Abstract: A meat slicing apparatus is disclosed, wherein the apparatus is capable of high-speed slicing of meat having large skeletal bones therein. The apparatus has a blade composed of a steel alloy that is approximately 5 to 10 times greater in compression strength than typical steel. The blade has an involute shape for withstanding the stresses incurred when slicing through bones having compression near that of steel, e.g., pork loin bones. The meat slicer includes a mechanism for securing a position of a meat section to be sliced so that the meat section stays in place during a slicing process, thereby reducing the risk of misalignment of the meat section with the blade. Thus, without such misalignments, there is a reduction in blade failures, shattered bones, bone fragments, and bone dust. Also, the securing mechanism reciprocates between securing the meat section for slicing and releasing it sufficiently for indexing toward the blade between slicing operations.

Abstract: A dispenser apparatus having a guiding plate (59) and a cylindrical extension (74) with a groove (75), the cylindrical extension preferably being coupled to a cover (22) for enabling backwards movement of a disposable strip (34) in the apparatus prior to the separation of a disposable zone (Z1 to Z9) of the strip. The strip can be moved forward step-by-step, after it has been inserted into the apparatus, via a sliding button (23) which acts on a cursor (35) to which the strip (34) can be coupled and which can circulate into a passage (29) provided in the case (20) of the apparatus. The apparatus is particularly applicable to dispensing devices for objects such as medical tablets, and to blood sugar level measuring devices.

Abstract: A roll type stock feed apparatus having one feed roll rotatably mounted on a stationary frame structure, and a second feed roll mounted on a movable roll carrier and yieldably urged into a stock engaging condition. An electro-responsive servomotor is drivingly connected to at least one of the feed rolls for driving the feed rolls through a preselected feed cycle. An elongated ram position sensor is slidably mounted on the stationary frame structure for lengthwise reciprocation along an upright path and is yieldably urged upwardly relative to the frame structure to a preset raised position on the frame structure. A cam on the ram position sensor member engages a cam follower on the movable roll carrier and is operative in response to movement of the sensor member downwardly from the preset raised position to move the roll carrier and the second stock feed roll to a stock release condition.

Abstract: A metallic tape cutting device is disclosed, including a driving device, a driving force transmitting device for a crank member in a crank motion and a fork member in a fluctuating motion by receiving rotational power from the driving device. A tape transferring device pressurizes a tape material through a link member which receives force from the crank member, at the same time forces the tape material to transfer to the state of pressurization. A tape cutting device receives force from the fork member and cuts the tape material transferred by an ascending and descending motion.

Abstract: A cushioning conversion machine for converting sheet-like material into a cushioning dunnage product. The machine includes a forming assembly which forms the sheet-like stock material into a three-dimensional strip of dunnage, a feed assembly which feeds the stock material to the forming assembly, and a cutting assembly which cuts the strip of dunnage into sections of a desired length. An operating assembly includes a handle member which when moved to a first position activates the feed assembly and which when moved to a second position activates the cutting assembly.

Abstract: A novel dunnage-creating machine and methodology characterized by various features including, inter alia, a modular construction, easier access to interior components, and a low cost cutting assembly. The machine comprises front and rear units having separate housings. The housing of the rear unit includes an outer shell having a converging chute surrounding a shaping member over which sheet-like stock material is drawn to form the stock material into a three-dimensional shape. The front unit includes in the housing thereof a feed mechanism for drawing the stock material over the shaping member and stitching the shaped material to form a strip of dunnage product. The front unit also includes a manual cutting mechanism for cutting the strip to form cut pieces, which manual cutting mechanism includes a readily replaceable blade assembly.

Abstract: A therapeutic warmer composed of a non-ventilative envelope and a film-coated bag disposed within the envelope wherein the film-coated bag includes a plurality of needle apertures disposed therein and further includes an exothermic composition and a mugwart powder whereby when the envelope is broken, and the contents are kneaded, heat is generated for warming the bag to use in warming and treating regions of the human body; a punching apparatus for adjustably forming the needle apertures so as to correspond with demand of the user; and also a method for manufacturing a punched fabric of the warming bag.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for repeatedly cutting extruded rubber and plastic material (M) at preselected locations along a length thereof including, a frame (11), a drive shaft (35) mounted on the frame, a drive member (25) effecting a selected speed of rotation of the drive shaft, feed rolls (110) intermittently driven by the drive shaft for controllably advancing the extruded material, and a cutting element (B) reciprocally driven by the drive shaft for repeatedly cutting the extruded material advanced by the feed rolls at the preselected locations.

Abstract: A sheet member is transported over a knife anvil by a feed conveyor movable from a first position adjacent the knife anvil to a second position overlapping the knife anvil. The feed conveyor has a moving belt which is driven in a forward direction for transporting the sheet member over the anvil and to a takeaway conveyor. The belt is driven in an opposite direction to pull the cut leading edge of the sheet material away from the end of the feed conveyor after cutting of the sheet material and during movement of the feed conveyor to the overlapping position over the anvil. A rotary knife is moved along the knife anvil and is mounted for rocking of the knife in a direction opposite to the direction of travel of the knife to provide a positive shear point.

Abstract: A converter mechanism for producing generally low density pad-like cushioning dunnage product in continuous strip form from flexible sheet-like stock material such as, for instance, paper, with an electrically energizable cutter mounted on the converter mechanism, for cutting the produced dunnage product into selected lengths. The cutter includes a pivotably movable blade member adapted for engaging the produced strip of dunnage product and severing it to selected length, together with an electrically energizable motor unit coupled to the cutter blade member for actuating the latter pursuant to control of the mechanism operator.

Abstract: A machine for cutting coarse sod into relatively small plugs for ready packaging and subsequent transplanting, comprising an endless conveyor belt upon which comparatively large rectangular sections of sod can be deposited, so that the sections of sod can be moved intermittently toward a sod cutting device. The sod cutting device preferably is of the single pass cutter type, utilizing a plurality of elongate, closely grouped blades designed to periodically move in unison downwardly into contact with sod to be cut, with such downward cutting movements being immediately followed by an upward movement, thus to permit an advance of the section of sod without interference. I coordinate the movements of the sod cutting device with the belt advance, such that forward movement of a section of sod is in each instance prevented until the cutting blades are clear of the section of sod being cut.

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: A pair of interlocked slide fastener stringers having a plurality of sliders respectively on their longitudinally spaced chains of coupling elements fed over a guide table as the sliders are sensed one at a time by a feeler lever pivotally mounted on the guide table. A stop lever pivotable with respect to the guide table has a stop finger that projects into one of element-free spaces between the chains in response to the pivotal movement of the feeler lever due to engagement thereof with the slider. The stop finger, while not actuated, is withdrawn out of the way, and thus does not interfere with the sliders moving with the slide fastener stringers.

Abstract: A machine for cutting a continuous material of elongate length into predetermined lengths comprises conveying means and cutting means operatively associated therewith, the conveying means being rotatable by an angular amount corresponding to the length of a piston of pneumatic ram, and the cutting means being actuated after a preselectable integral number of steps of movement of the conveying means. The operation of the machine is remotely controlled by a pneumatic circuit arrangement.

Abstract: Feeding apparatus for feeding material for a predetermined distance past a predetermined point on a feed-path comprises a pair of feed rollers, one of which is coupled to a stepping motor. A sensing means in the form of a light beam is provided on the feeding path at the predetermined point and when the material being fed intersects and interrupts this light beam, a control means for the stepping motor commences to count pulses transmitted to the motor. After a number of pulses have been counted which causes the motor to feed the material precisely to the predetermined location, the motor is stopped. The control means also has means for actuating a further apparatus (such as a crimping press) which performs an operation on the material. This control means is effective to delay energization of the crimping press is the press is not in a state of readiness for performing the crimping operation.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the invention provides tube cutting apparatus including, a head structure mounting cutter means defining a cutting station for a length of tubular material, an elongate rod-like structure for mounting the tubular material, tube engaging means for advancement of said tubular material along said rod-like structure to said cutting station, support means for said rod-like structure including a portion of table-like form, means for an initially free pivotal connection of said table-like support portion to said head structure and a pedestal type support for the opposite end of said table-like support portion including means for a lateral adjustment thereof about said pivot means to effect a precise alignment of said rod-like structure with said cutting station.

Abstract: A machine for perforating corrugated tubing at accurately spaced locations includes a double chain conveyor which positively engages the tubing and is driven intermittently to advance the tubing in steps of equal length. Upon completion of each step a pair of clamping members are actuated to engage the tubing, the clamping faces of the members being shaped so as to locate the tubing positively while it is stationary. When the tubing is so located, accurately positioned sets of cutters are brought into operation so as to cut slots or holes in the tubing at the desired locations. Upon completion of the cutting stroke, the clamping members are automatically released and the conveyor advances the tubing by another step. The sequence of operations in each cycle is controlled by limit switches responsive to the positions of the conveyor, the clamping means and the cutters. The cutters may be rotary saws or rotary drills.