Abstract: Power tools such as cutting saws with rotary powered blades are described. Also described are various accessories for tools used with cylindrical workpieces such as pipes are described. The accessories include a clamp and saw joint assembly, various quick connection assemblies between a saw and a clamping system, a plunge guide assembly, a latch plate assembly, an interlock switch, a blade guard system, and a chip management system or chip deflector. Also described are related methods of use.

Abstract: A cotton dispenser includes a spool configured to receive a cotton strand thereabout and that rotates when the cotton strand is unwound therefrom. The dispenser includes a feed assembly downstream from the spool configured to receive an end of the cotton strand and unwind it from the spool when actuated. A cutting assembly is downstream from the feed assembly and configured to receive the cotton strand from the feed assembly. The cutting assembly includes a blade movable from a retracted configuration not in contact with the cotton strand and an activated configuration that severs the received cotton strand. The cotton dispenser includes a discharge chute in operative communication with the cutting assembly for guiding severed cotton portions to an outlet opening. A first input switch is electrically configured to actuate the feeding assembly so long as the input button is depressed and to actuate the cutting assembly when released.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes a conveying unit for conveying a continuous medium, on which an image is recorded by an image recording unit, with a predetermined tension and speed, a cutting unit having a cut roller and an anvil roller, which are arranged to face each other in order to be able to cut the continuous medium and rotate with a predetermined rotation number, a leading unit having a pair of leading rollers that are arranged between the conveying unit and the cutting unit and nip and lead the continuous medium to the cutting unit, and a controlling unit for performing a control for temporarily suspending the pair of leading rollers, for leading the continuous medium to be cuttable into a short cut paper sheet shorter than a normal sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus for trimming a plurality of printed products includes at least one trimming station including a yoke, at least one blade positioned on the yoke and a trimming transport device arranged to transport the plurality of printed products inside the at least one trimming station. A feeding conveyor is arranged to feed the printed products to the trimming station. At least one driver is coupled to and operative to drive the yoke, the feeding conveyor, and the trimming transport device, respectively. A control unit is coupled to the at least driver and operative to control the adjustment of the phase position of the feeding conveyor relative to the yoke.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for automatically trimming a plurality of printed products in a trimming apparatus having at least one trimming station including at least one blade positioned on a moveable yoke. The plurality of printed products are supplied successively through a feeding conveyor to the trimming station. Each of the plurality of printed products is transported within the trimming station via a trimming transport device to a predetermined position for trimming. The phase position of the feeding conveyor is adjusted relative to the moveable yoke for each of the plurality of printed products according to the format width of the printed product extending in a conveying direction.

Abstract: A process is provided for minimizing waste during processing of a length of stock into one or more shorter usable segments, where in connection with the processing station upon which the length of stock is processed, the length of stock has a minimum handling length. The waste is minimized by mapping the remnant segment at a position other than the last segment at the trailing end of the length of stock. The last segment at a trailing end of the length of stock is alternatively defined as one of the usable segments having a length greater than the minimum handling length.

Abstract: A machine, for example machine for cutting discrete sheets of material from a web, which includes a web supply and a processing station such as a cutoff station, is provided with a variable index drive operating feed structure for moving the web intermittently a predetermined but adjustable distance. The web is advanced intermittently and at which the frequency that varies in direct relation to the continuous speed of an input drive motor. The amount at which the web is fed during each cycle of the intermittent motion is settable by an operator by varying a continuous dial of a variable index drive.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for precisely, easily and automatically setting and resetting stops on a cutting table. In particular, a hand manipulable pointer slideable along a scale may be moved a desired and equal distance to that desired of the stops, and the stops will automatically move that same distance and direction. The system is accomplished by operatively coupling the stops and the pointer system to a linear actuator. Also disclosed is an electromechanical braking system of superior quality for this apparatus.

Abstract: In an apparatus for manufacturing filmstrips having a variable length and a variable number of perforations from a long strip of continuous film, a die set device is provided with a plurality of punch holders aligned adjacent to one another in a film transporting direction. At least one of the punch holders are selectively actuated to make a designated number of equally spaced perforations at a time. A film length adjusting device is provided for adjusting the length of the continuous film extending between the die set device and a cutter in accordance with a unit length which is determined for each variable length of the filmstrip, such that the cutter and the punch holder or punch holders are actuated in synchronism with each other while the continuous film stops after each transport by the unit length. A pair of feed rollers are disposed between the cutter and a suction drum for transporting the film toward the cutter. The feed rollers have diameters less than that of the suction drum.

Abstract: A groove stamping machine stamps the required grooves successively into a disk-shaped blank particularly for manufacturing stator and rotor plates for electric machines. The groove stamping machine has a stationary bench which, on the end side, carries a spacing apparatus for receiving the blank. A stamping device disposed on the bench is adjustable with respect to the spacing apparatus. The distance between the spacing apparatus and the stamping device can be adjusted by a ball thread spindle which acts between the spacing apparatus and the stamping device. The fixing of an adjusted distance takes place by the blocking of the ball thread spindle, preferably by way of a disk brake. The stamping device is disposed via a combined roller slide bearing on the bench which permits a low-friction displacement of the stamping device which also supporting the latter in a stiff manner.

Abstract: A device for cutting cheese, vegetables, sausage and like products, into slices, comprising a supporting surface for the product to be cut and a knife, wherein adjacent an end edge of the supporting surface a stop plate for the product to be cut is arranged, extending transversely to the supporting surface, which stop plate is coupled with an upwardly and downwardly movable knife holder comprising an elongate knife, which knife holder is situated near the upper edge of the stop plate, while the distance between the stop plate and the knife in a direction transverse to the stop plate defines the thickness of the slices to be cut, and an electric motor is provided for effecting the up and down movement of the knife holder.

Abstract: A powered bread slicer capable of slicing successive loaves of bread to selected different slice thicknesses. A rotating circular bread slicing knife is mounted on a pivotal, reciprocal arm for shifting the knife from a retracted position through slicing positions between and transverse to an infeed table and an out feed table, and return to the retracted position. The slice thickness is selected, as for standard one-half inch thickness, deli one-quarter to three-eighths inch thickness, garlic or French bread up to one inch thickness, or otherwise. A variable stepper motor incrementally advances a loaf pusher one step at a time, the dimension of the step being of the selected slice thickness dimensional. The distance by the travelled loaf pusher to reach the end of its travel is monitored to determine whether the bread heal is thick enough to slice once more. This decision is a function of the selected slice thickness dimension.

Abstract: A powered bread slicer capable of slicing successive loaves of bread to selected different slice thicknesses. A rotating circular bread slicing knife is mounted on a pivotal, reciprocal arm for shifting the knife from a retracted position through slicing positions between and transverse to an infeed table and an outfeed table, and return to the retracted position. The slice thickness is selected, as for standard one-half inch thickness, deli one-quarter to three-eighths inch thickness, garlic or French bread up to one inch thickness, or otherwise. A variable stepper motor incrementally advances a loaf pusher one step at a time, the dimension of the step being of the selected slice thickness dimension. The distance by the travelled loaf pusher to reach the end of its travel is monitored to determine whether the bread heal is thick enough to slice once more. This decision is a function of the selected slice thickness dimension.

Abstract: An autotaper for use in dispensing, cutting and locating tape.

Abstract: A component lead cutting apparatus for tape-fed radial lead electrical components is disclosed. The taped components are driven through the machine by a rotary index wheel, with the cutting station element adjacent the wheel periphery. Clamping and cutting die elements are placed at the cutting station, and are actuated by a pneumatic cylinder to clamp and cut the lead components. The apparatus includes adjustment elements readily accessible from the top of the machine to raise or lower the index wheel and thereby adjust for different lead cut lengths, and to position the wheel to accommodate different tape sprocket opening configurations. The machine has a compact, narrow footprint, so that the machine is space-efficient.

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: An adhesive tape delivering, cutting, and supplying device which includes a tape delivering member, a tape transferring member from a roll tape to a tape to be cut, a cutting member, and a tape supply member for attaching the tape to a rotary ring, whereby the tape can be prevented from sticking the tape to a conveyor belt or from being rolled thereinto.

Abstract: A stock feed and cutter system for forging machines and the like in which stationary grippers and linearly movable grippers alternately grip rod or wire stock. The movable grippers reciprocate toward and away from the stationary grippers and operate to feed the stock without slippage a precise distance into a cutter. A stock gage is therefore not required and an optimum cutter structure can be provided even for very short workpieces. After each feed operation, the cutter shears a workpiece from the end of the stock, which is subsequently formed to a desired shape. A running adjustment is provided for the reciprocating grippers so that the machine operator can adjust the length of the workpiece produced while the machine is running. A short blank detector independently measures the length of stock being fed and is connected to cause rejection of such short blank. The grippers operate without slippage and, in cooperation with the cutter, produce very uniform workpieces.

Abstract: A control method for shearing bars in a bar steel line provided on the final end side of a bar steel production line so as to shear collectively and simultaneously to desired lengths a plurality of bars obtained by dividing a bar steel blank and arranged in parallel with each other, which comprises the steps of obtaining a minimum number of times for shearing the plurality of bars in a minimum time, shifting the order of different shearing lengths in each of the plurality of bars so as to minimize the time required for shearing on the basis of the minimum number of times shearing is performed, and shearing the plurality of bars simultaneously to the different equal-length bar steels in the minimum number of shearings and the minimum shearing required time.

Abstract: A sanitary napkin dispenser and more specifically a dispenser capable of supplying sanitary napkins at a site of use from a continuous web wound into a spiral roll with the length characteristics of the napkin being varied depending upon the requirements of a user. The sanitary napkin supplied may be multi-layered and provided with a moisture proof outer layer which may also be provided with arrangements for securing the napkin to a sanitary belt or to the interior surface of panties, pantyhose or similar garments thereby enabling a person to obtain a required sanitary napkin at a site of use rather than being required to transport a supply of sanitary napkins for use as may be required while traveling, working and the like.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cutting tubular band stock to produce an elastic band and unbonding the abutting edges of the band is disclosed. The apparatus includes a guillotine-type movable blade which cuts transversely across the tubular stock and band engaging surface proximate the blade which is formed to engage the cut band and shift opposite sides of the stock in a direction along the cut to break any bonds formed during the cutting process. The shifting apparatus is provided by a pair of fingers which engage one side of the band and cooperate with an arcuate surface engaging the opposite side of the band to shift two portions of the band next to the ends thereof toward the middle of the band and thereby effect breaking of the bonds. A reversible blade and reversible shear plate, as well as a lubricating structure and assembly for adjusting the band with which is cut also are disclosed.

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 two cycle cutter assembly for severing the end of a multiconnector flexible cable. The assembly employs an air cylinder to supply a down stroke to a guillotine carbide upper blade as a prescribed length of cable is presented between the upper blade and a fixed lower blade.

Abstract: A stepping motor is used to feed sheet stock to a blank making assembly in a container making process. A translator provides necessary pulses to the stepping motor and is controlled by a counter which is provided with a pulse train indicative of the number of pulses provided the stepping motor. The contents of the counter compensate for the number of pulses necessary to stop the motor which will be produced by the translator. Alternatively, a print registration indicia may be sensed to initiate deceleration of the stepping motor. The indicia is offset a predetermined distance from a point of proper registration in order to compensate for the distance necessary to decelerate the stepping motor.

Abstract: A trim press is provided with a remotely controlled adjustment by means of which the end limit of the feeding stroke of the feeding mechanism may be precisely adjusted relative to the die of the trim press while the machine is in operation. Oscillating and reciprocating members of the prior art trim presses are replaced by continuously rotating members to enable a higher rate of operation.

Abstract: A method particularly applicable to the slicing of friable meat products with a rotaty cutting blade comprises feeding the product forwardly when it is not in contact with the cutting blade, and arresting the feeding when the slicing is taking place, and apparatus therefor. Provision is made to make the first slice of a stack somewhat thicker than the remaining slices in order to act as a carrier for the stack.

Abstract: A label machine for forming individual labels from an endless tape strip. The machine includes a novel label removal device which uses compressed air to insure removal of each label to a collection station after it is cut from the endless strip, thereby preventing hang-up of labels at the machine's cutter assembly. The machine also includes a novel tape feed mechanism that provides accurate label length control, thereby preventing waste of tape. These mechanisms are preferably used in combination with a printer head, the novel tape feed and label removal mechanisms cooperating to prevent printing errors between leading and trailing labels cut from the endless tape strip.

Abstract: A label machine for forming individual labels from an endless tape strip. The machine includes a novel label removal device which uses compressed air to insure removal of each label to a collection station after it is cut from the endless strip, thereby preventing hang-up of labels at the machine's cutter assembly. The machine also includes a novel tape feed mechanism that provides accurate label length control, thereby preventing waste of tape. These mechanisms are preferably used in combination with a printer head, the novel tape feed and label removal mechanisms cooperating to prevent printing errors between leading and trailing labels cut from the endless tape strip.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a roll paper cutting arrangement for use in mechanical equipment employing a roll of paper to be cut into predetermined length for use, and including cutter which is caused to function by switching members sequentially actuated in a predetermined relation with the feeding amount of the paper drawn from the roll at a predetermined transportation speed, with the cut length of the paper being made variable through selective use of the switching members. The cutting arrangement is provided with memory component to be actuated by the functioning of the selected switching members for maintaining predetermined memory state, and signal producing component for generating cutter actuation signal following the functioning of the memory component.

Abstract: The device for cutting a web into sections according to cutting marks provided on the web comprises an advancing roller for advancing the web along a predetermined track, an electrooptical scanning device for reading respective cutting marks on the web and for generating corresponding output signals, a cutting mechanism arranged on the track behind the advancing roller and monitored by the scanning, a tension equalizing and loop forming device arranged on the track before the advancing roller and the scanning device to loop resiliently a portion of the web, an elliptical gear driving system for driving the advancing roller; and a magnetic coupling arranged between the driving system and the advancing roller to stop the feeding of the web in response to the output signals from the scanning device and to resume the feeding after the cutting mechanism has severed the marked web portion.

Abstract: Method of producing a group of wires, W.sub.1, W.sub.2, W.sub.3 . . . W.sub.n, which have predetermined lengths L.sub.1, L.sub.2, L.sub.3 . . . L.sub.n respectively comprises the steps of guiding the wires from substantially endless sources of wire and locating the leading ends of the wires on a feed roll in parallel side-by-side relationship with each wire disposed between the feed roll and a separate associated pressure roll. The pressure rolls are normally spaced from the feed roll so that they are in a non-feeding position but they can be selectively moved towards the feed roll into a feeding position. The feed roll is started during each of a plurality of wire feeding cycles and during each cycle, at least one of the wires is fed by selectively moving the associated feed roll to its feeding position.

Abstract: The present invention is a strip feed control which is particularly useful in photographic systems such as film and paper cutters, film notchers, and printers. The photographic strip material is fed by a predetermined feed length during each operating cycle. The operator of the system visually monitors the position of the strip with respect to a reference position or indicator along the feed path and provides adjustment signal through an operator control knob. The strip position is moved in accordance with the desired adjustments, and the predetermined feed length for the next operating cycle is derived from the predetermined feed length of the just completed operating cycle, together with any adjustment in the strip position which was made by the operator.

Abstract: A numerically controlled nibbling machine in which the feed distance of a workpiece is limited by a release time during which a work tool is disengaged from the workpiece according to a predetermined number of strokes of the work tool per unit of time. The nibbling machine includes drive means for the work tool, means for controlling the feed rate of the workpiece with respect to the work tool, means for determining the release time in a single stroke of the work tool for every number of strokes of the tool per unit of time, and means for automatically determining minimum acceleration and deceleration of the workpiece required for travelling the feed distance and for forming a desired feed rate value for the workpiece from the release time and the feed distance of the workpiece. The improvement of the invention comprises the means for determining the release time further comprising switch means disposed in the path of the work tool for generating a stop command signal for the drive means for the work tool.

Abstract: A film advancement system for use in a photographic film cutter includes a movable cursor which indicates, by its position, a desired feed length. A cursor position sensor senses the position of the movable cursor with respect to a reference position and provides a feed length signal indicative of the feed length desired. The film is advanced by a distance determined by the feed length signal.

Abstract: A stamping or nibbling machine, comprises a workpiece support or means for engaging the workpiece at a spaced location from a punch which reciprocates upwardly and downwardly in respect to a die in order to effect the stamping or nibbling of the workpiece. The support is mounted on a transverse bar which is pivotable about a transverse guide and the guide is carried on a carriage which is pivotable about a longitudinal guide. The workpiece is fed by holding the bar and the carriage against pivotal movement and driving them in the respective longitudinal direction when the punch is lifted off the workpiece. The rate of this feed may be controlled in timed relationship to the movement of the punch so that the feed takes place when the punch is off the workpiece and in a speed of feed which is determined in accordance with the torque acting on the transverse bar and the carriage when they are released for pivotal movement and sensed by associated torque meters.

Abstract: A driven disk having a units of length scale about the circumference is mounted on an axis parallel with the axis of a freely rotatable pressure roller mounted on a spring biased lever which in one position urges the pressure roller toward the disk such that strand material can be engaged by cooperating circumferential grooves in the disk and roller and advanced on rotation of the disk. A guide for the strand material, tangential to the disk, is disposed on opposite sides of the pressure roller with the output end forming a counterblade for a cut-off blade on the end of the lever which also has a cam surface which cooperates with a roller on the underside of the disk for moving the lever and pressure roller away from the disk and the cut-off blade to the strand material cut-off position.

Abstract: High speed wire feeding means comprises a wire feed roll and a pressure roll, the wire feed roll being driven by a printed circuit motor under the influence of control means which maintains a high and constant level of acceleration and deceleration at the beginning and end of the feeding cycle. One embodiment has a single driven feed roll and a plurality of side-by-side pressure rolls for feeding a plurality of wires. This apparatus is capable of producing a bundle of wires having varying lengths in a minimum amount of time.

Abstract: A device for cutting lengths of tubing from a longer tube utilizes an external pair of cutting dies and an internal pair of punches. An eccentric relative motion ("shimmy") of the cutting dies results in the desired cutting of the tube. The punches are inserted into the tube from the end of the tube from which the length of tubing is to be cut. A restraining arrangement prevents the punches from moving farther along the tube than is desired, while a punch positioning mechanism prevents movement of the punches toward the open end of the tube. Thus, the internal punches are accurately positioned with respect to the external cutting dies. A centering arrangement is utilized to insure coaxiality of the punches.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling cut-off of paper from a web thereof fed through a blue print machine or the like, includes a main shaft driven by the drive structure of such machine, a threaded sleeve is mounted on said main shaft and is resiliently restrained against rotation. A plier-like pair of jaws is received in the threads of said sleeve for displacing said sleeve axially when it is clutched to said main shaft by an electromagnetic clutch. Holes are provided in said sleeve which are detected optically to operate in the generation of a control signal to effect cutting of said web.