Abstract: A mechanism is provided in a battery grid casting machine for receiving grids one at a time from a grid trimming die and for arranging them in a horizontally stacked arrangement on a pair of pivoted rails. After a predetermined number of grids have accumulated on the rails, the rails are pivoted from a horizontal to a vertical position to deposit the grids as a vertical stack on an intermittently moving conveyor.

Abstract: A punch apparatus is provided to punch holes in an article by the use of a die punch. The die punch is forced through the article to be punched. A cleaning device is extended into engagement with the die punch when the die punch is in a position penetrating the article. This enables a cleaning of the die punch. The cleaning device is then retracted so that the article can be detached from said die punch.

Abstract: Continuously connected fastener attachment stock formed by elongated plastic side members with cross coupling links. One of the side member has successively connected cross bars with each cross bar connected to one of the cross links. The other side member has successively connected head pieces with each head piece connected to one of the cross links. The stock is proportioned to be fed as an entity to a position within a machine where individual fasteners are sparated from the stock, with each separate fastener including a head piece, a cross bar, and coupling link interconnecting the head piece with the cross bar. Each cross bar is configured for feeding through the bore of a slotted hollow needle.

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

Abstract: Sod is removed from the field in standard width strips and the strips are cut into equal length sections. Excess moisture, when present, is removed from the sod prior to delivering the sod sections to an apparatus which removes excess soil from the bottom of the sod to reduce weight and form a product of uniform thickness. The sod sections are then delivered soil side up to a scoring and trimming apparatus which trims each section to an accurate length and scores the sod partly through the root structure longitudinally and transversely to form a plurality of equally-sized rectangular plugs in each sod section which can be easily separated by a user. Prior to the second scoring operation, pairs of sod sections are placed on moisture-absorbing trays and following the second scoring, plural layers of processed sod sections and intervening trays are placed in superposed relation in a shipping carton having a moisture-impermeable liner.

Abstract: A method for cutting lithium metal into a plurality of pieces, and a device for accomplishing the method, are disclosed, comprising the steps of positioning a quantity of lithium metal at a predetermined position between an anvil means and a cutting means which are positioned in operating relationship with each other. A thin flexible film, preferably a plastic, is interposed between the blade and the lithium such that when the blade is forced against the anvil with sufficient force to cut the lithium, the film prevents contact of the blade with the lithium. Indexing of the lithium and the film after each cut permits repetitive cutting to provide a plurality of pieces from the lithium metal stock.

Abstract: A rotary turret numerically controlled punch press is provided with a discharge station at 90.degree. from a punching station. A part is clamped in the turret, separated from a larger workpiece and then rotated with the turret to the discharge station. A transfer arm is slaved to the NC punch press and engages the part at an exact attitude and position relative to a reference point on the part and transfers the part to a rotary chuck. The part is placed in the chuck at an exact attitude and with the reference point at the axis of rotation of the chuck.Four rotary chucks are provided on a rotary turret contouring apparatus. The turret is rotated 90.degree. to position the part at a cutting station.A band saw is provided with rotary guides for changing the angle of the saw. While the part is rotated and linearly translated toward and away from the saw by the contouring apparatus, the saw cuts a peripheral shape on the path with the blade changing its angular attitude where necessary.

Abstract: A method of preventing double-sheet feeding within copiers or printing machines and the like comprising the steps of (1) cutting the paper in an inclined direction and then (2) arranging the inclined ends of the paper at right angles to each other to thereby separate the sheets.

Abstract: This invention relates to a log handling system for use in processing logs to be used in the paper pulp industry and in saw mill operations. More particularly, this invention includes a series of operable cutting means for cutting a log into a plurality of predetermined lengths. A log feeding means is operatively associated with the log cutting means for moving a log past the cutting means to effect the cutting operations. The log feeding means includes a ramp portion detailed for feeding logs by gravity to the log feeding means. The ramp portion includes a selectively movable section detailed for movement between a ramp log feeding position and an elevated position which will allow a log to be dropped onto a first conveying means for conveying selected logs away from the plurality of cutting means. The first conveyor means includes an operative stop means for stopping the selected logs at a predetermined location along the conveying route.

Abstract: Fabric cutting apparatus for accurately cutting over-cut pattern pieces, including a pair of band knives spaced apart a distance equal to the width of the pattern pieces, and a plurality of clamp members which hold a stack of the over-cut pattern pieces while a continuous conveying means carries the clamp members between the band knives for cutting.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for cutting and handling filaments which controls the vertical, lateral and axial movement of the filament during and after cutting to maintain filament in alignment while removing cut filament from the path of incoming filament. In accordance with the present invention filament is fed into an annular chamber formed by a rotary drum and an annular shroud in the direction of its longitudinal axis, and cut into lengths with a knife mounted on the forward end of the rotary drum as the knife is rotated through the incoming filament. During and after cutting, erratic vertical, axial and lateral movement of cut filament is confined by the walls of the chamber, by an adjustable stop within the chamber downstream of the knife positioned at the desired filament length, and by picking means mounted on the length of the drum within the chamber which closely follow the knife and contact the filament immediately after it has been cut.

Abstract: This method and apparatus starts with a lot of distinctively numbered documents consisting of a plurality of stacks of sheets, each sheet bearing multiple reproductions of the document. The documents in corresponding locations of successive sheets in the stack are in consecutive numerical order. In each sheet, the documents are arranged by rows and columns in an arbitrary, nonconsecutive numerical order in which successive members of the order bear numbers separated by a fixed difference. The method involves separating the stacks of documents into a plurality of piles, each pile having its documents in consecutive numerical order, but with the corresponding documents in successive piles separated by said fixed difference. The piles from successive stacks are deposited on successive ones of a plurality of tributary conveyors, all of which deliver their piles to a main conveyor.

Abstract: An endless elastic band is severed either from a flat partially slit strip or a tube of resilient material while the interior of the resultant band is being engaged by tensioning fingers which can be manipulated to deliver the band in at least partially expanded condition.

Abstract: A wire feeding unit and an associated wire length measuring unit advance supply wire through a cutting zone and at the same time the advanced supply wire is guided by a wire transfer system across transversely spaced endless conveyor chains of a wire propelling conveyor. The feeding unit is automatically stopped when it has advanced a measured length of the supply wire and the transfer system tensions the advanced supply wire while it is held against lengthwise displacement by the stopped feeding unit. The wire transfer system then engages the stopped and tensioned wire length with gripping jaws on the conveyor chains, the gripping jaws are closed, and the supply wire is severed in the cutting zone. Tensioning of the advanced supply wire prevents it from sagging between the transversely spaced conveyor gripping jaws and thereby avoids undesirable length variations of the cut off portion of the supply wire.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing staple fibers of a predetermined length from a substantially endless tow of fibers. The tow of fibers is fed onto needles carried in rows on a carrier under tension. The carrier is rotated past a cutting area and a depositing area. As the rows of needles pass the cutting area the tow of fibers is raised away from the surface of the carrier to enable cutting of the fibers by a cutter blade. The cut fibers are held by the needles until such reach the depositing area wherein the particular row of needles is retracted to deposit the cut fibers on a receiving means.