Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for removing slugs from punch presses. A vacuum system is provided for the die portion of a punch press used to punch the upper flange of a beam. The vacuum system carries the slugs to a remote deposit location. A collection pan is provided for collecting slugs form a lower flange punch press and from a web punch press. A vacuum removal system carries the collected slugs from the pan to the remote deposit location.

Abstract: In a paper processing machine, the method and apparatus of this invention apply an opposite electrostatic charge to stacks and reams of paper to eliminate the repelling force from like charges on both sides of the individual sheets of the stack or ream to thereby temporarily bond them together. With the sheets thus temporarily bonded, the stacks and reams of paper can be easily transported between work stations without undesirable sliding of the sheets.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for receiving and rotating a strip of material toward a continuously moving surface, and then orienting the strip of material so that it is surfacely placed generally flat with the continuously moving surface.

Abstract: The corners of stacked sheet material, for example overlay material being employed in the formation of book covers, are simultaneously removed by a cutting appliance having plural knives. Stacks of the sheets of overlay material are delivered to the cutting appliance by carriers which move along a continuous path and, after the cutting operation, the carriers deliver the sheet material to the feed station of a downstream processing machine.

Abstract: A conveying device for transporting strip portions to be cut by a cutting device from a material strip in transverse direction of the material strip, which strip portions are then laid overlapping in the manner of roof-tiles onto a stacker, comprising:i) a first conveyor disposed adjacent the cutting device which transports the material strip for cutting and the cut strip portions at a first conveying speed V.sub.1 which is substantially equal to the supply speed V.sub.0 of the material strip; andii) a second conveyor preceding the stacker which transports the cut strip portions at a second conveying speed V.sub.2 which is greater than the first conveying speed V.sub.1and to a method for conveying strip portions cut from a material strip in transverse direction of the material strip, which strip portions are laid overlapping in the manner of roof-tiles on a stacker, comprising the steps of:i) conveying with a first conveyor the material strip for cutting and the cut strip portion at a first conveying speed V.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing an elongate web of sheets is provided, which includes structure for continuously feeding successive sheets of the web in a path of travel, structure for successively cutting the successive sheets from the web, and structure for successively deflecting the successive sheets out of the path of travel and into cutting relationship with the cutting structure.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus for slicing a food product such as a potato into helical strips such as curlicue potato fries. The potatoes are pumped with water by a centrifugal food pump to a tapered elastic tubular delivery tube. The tube expands as the potato progresses along the tube. The delivery tube allows the potato to be gently forced against a circular rotating cutting head assembly. The cutting head assembly cores the potato, scores concentric cuts and then slices the potato to produce helical cut segments.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a cutting system for vegetables, including potatoes, which includes a water system for moving the item to be cut along a tubular passageway and through a cutting mechanism. The system includes a water bypass arrangement which is controllable to provide a constant velocity so that the flow of product to the cutting knife is maintained at a desirable level. Alignment fingers may also be provided to prevent rotation of the uncut product and centering thereof as the cutting knife is approached. After the product is cut, the pieces pass into an outlet section where water from the bypass system may be injected to achieve, in the preferred embodiment, coil separation when the device is used for cutting helical strips of potatoes.

Abstract: An improved device for cutting a single or multiple-layer continuous web is equipped with a closed-loop, fan-driven air system to "push" air onto the leading edge of the continuous web and "pull" air from about the knife edges to capture the waste material produced by the removal of blank portions. Chambers in the knife roll assembly direct positive air pressure continually to the leading edge for reliably guiding the web into subsequent machinery. Additional chambers direct suction to the waste material at the cutting operation to restrain the waste material within the knife roll assembly for most of the rotation of the knife assembly and to transport waste material to a disposal system including a cowl, which is maintained at a substantially greater suction.

Abstract: In a printed web strip cutting machine, the cutting cylinder is divided diagonally by a formed septum into two isolated chambers. The cylinder is mounted on hollow shafts connected to an exhaust system. Each hollow shaft communicates with only one of the two chambers to draw a current of air into the chamber between the spaced cutting knives. The web support beneath the cylinder has vents to provide air jets to lift the severed strip into the air current between the knives.

Abstract: A single stroke punch apparatus includes positive removal by compressed air of workpiece slugs which adhere to the punch. A die plate has a series of bushing receiving features formed from two concentric diameters. The die plate has provision for introducing a flow of compressed air into each of the bushing receiving features. A support bushing is mounted in each of the bushing receiving features and has a surface for support of the workpiece which is elevated with respect to the die plate. A slug removal bushing is also mounted in the bushing receiving feature and is pressed into the wall of the support bushing opposite the workpiece supporting surface to form a seal. The wall of the bushing receiving feature, the support bushing, and the slug removal bushing define a passage for the compressed air such that the compressed air impinges upon the punch directly adjacent the end wall of the support bushing to positively remove the punch slug which is adhered to the punch.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for accumulating yarn from a continuous supply source to waste and apparatus for cutting the yarn initially and upon preparation for threading the yarn into a continuous process.

Abstract: A web of paper, cardboard, foil or textile material is pulled against and between two rotary knives which sever the web longitudinally and form a slot as well as dust. Such dust is removed by a pneumatic mechanism having one or more nozzles which discharge one or more streams of compressed ionized air against the upper side of the web in the region of the slot, and a suction chamber disposed beneath the path for the web, extending across the slot beneath the nozzle or nozzles, and having one or more suction ports which enable the chamber to collect the particles of dust. The port or ports further enable the chamber to collect those fragments of the web which adhere to the separated sections of the web in the region of the slot between such sections.

Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of emptying from a case a compressible load consisting of carton blanks, prongs penetrate through a preformed perforation in opposite side walls of the case and push the load away from those walls, an upper portion of the case is partially severed by knives along respective paths at those walls, other cuts are formed across the top wall along the other two side walls of the case, suction cups pull away that upper portion, the load is received between support fingers, the load and the lower portion of the case are turned through 180 degrees in a vertical plane, the inverted lower portion is removed from the load by suction cups, and a gripping head seizes the load and removes it from between the support fingers.

Abstract: A cutter blade assembly (10) having a plurality of strip knives (15) for cutting away peripheral segments (19) of a potato (17) in order to define a decorative geometric shape for the residual cross sectional core area (18) of the potato, for use in a hydraulic food cutting apparatus and decorative food cores manufactured by the process disclosed herein.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved feeding apparatus for transporting sheet material through a sheeting machine using an airstream. This feeding apparatus includes a modified pressure roll and an airstream that is circulated around the pressure roll, through passages in the surface of the pressure roll, and across the surface of the sheet material. The passage of the airstream over the sheet material creates a lifting force suspending the material above the interior surfaces of the machine to reduce or eliminate snags, snarls and blockages of the sheet material within the machine.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for mar free handling of sheet steel pieces and blanks die cut therefrom in a press, in which load and unload trolleys are used with vacuum pickup and transport of the sheet steel piece and blanks from respective locations at the front and rear of the press. A pusher slides the sheet steel pieces off a low friction platform at the front of the press and onto a non scuffing but smooth and soft bed liner, and the cut blank is raised with the die by an array of vacuum cups each partially recessed into the die board. A table is extendible from the rear of the press to be positioned beneath the die and receive the blank thereafter released from the die cavity. The table is retracted to allow pick-up therefrom by the unload trolley.

Abstract: A web-slitting machine has its blades mounted on cylinders shifted along a linear guide extending the full width of the web to be slit. The sliders carry tubes whose suction nozzles are disposed in the regions of the blades and which terminate in connecting heads having boat-shaped projections received between elastomeric sealing lips closing a slit of a suction box extending along the guide.

Abstract: Tublar workpieces are formed with perforations of desired size and/or shape by repeatedly piercing selected portions of the workpieces by needles, pins or analogous piercing tools. The tools can be stationary while the workpieces roll therealong, or the workpieces can rotate while coming into repeated engagement with one or more sets of orbiting tools. The frequency and the number of penetrations of tools into selected portions of the workpieces are selected with a view to heat the tools as a result of frictional engagement with the material of the workpieces, i.e., as a result of repeated penetration into and extraction from selected portions of a rotating or rotating and rolling and/or axially moving workpiece. This enhances the making of predictable perforations in tubular workpieces, especially workpieces which consist of a synthetic thermoplastic material, such as bobbins for the storage of textile yarns.

Abstract: A machine is described for handling die-cut carton blanks as they emerge from the die-cutter. The die cut web is separated into sheets of blanks and projected sequentially onto a conveyor. The conveyor is operated at a speed which is less than that at which the sheets are projected onto the conveyor so that the distance between the sequential die cut is closed up, the sheets being maintained in contact with the conveyor by air pressure.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the removal of areas of material punched out from a material in sheet form by projecting, closed punching edges on the circumferential surface of at least one rotating punching cylinder by means of compressed air, which is fed into the punching cylinder and led out from the punching cylinder through outlet openings lying within the closed punching edges, wherein the compressed air from an opening in a side face of a member at least partially embracing the punching cylinder in a guided manner is fed to inlet openings assigned to the outlet openings, which inlet openings are located in a side face of the punching cylinder closely adjacent to the side face of the member.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for punching a hole in sheet material is provided using pressurized fluid as the female die together with a modified male punch. The slug of material to be sheared from the material is during and after shearing continuously held against the face of the punch by the difference in pressure between the fluid and the punch face. In addition the area adjacent the perimeter of the hole may be deformed and drawn away from the die block face as the punch advances through the material. As the punch is withdrawn, the slug remains held against the punch face. The mechanical force withdrawing the punch together with the fluid pressure bearing on the slug and deformed area forces the slug and deformed area of material toward the die block face, inelastically retracting the deformed area. The deformed area may be fully retracted to a substantially flat form or partially retracted to a countersunk form.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for high-speed waterjet cutting of moving extensible thermoplastic film at a selvage portion thereof wherein the film is supported during cutting by a solid support surface, the waterjet is captured in the course of cutting in an open passage within the support and the open passage is bounded by the support surface such that good quality cutting of the film is effected.

Abstract: A cutter blade assembly 10 for the production of a decorative food core 18 for use with hydraulic food cutting apparatus has a frame constructed from a series of sequential rings 11, 12 and 13 which together define a longitudinal passageway. A plurality of strip knives 15 are arranged therein to define various segments of the longitudinal passageway and are connected to rings 11, 12 and 13 by inserting the end tabs of strip knives 15 into notches 14. Rings 11, 12 and 13 are then bolted together by the use of bolts passing through holes 16.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for making a repetitive arc cut in a continuous manner in a continuous supply of sheeting possessing edges, which involves providing a moving sheeting across a cutting area and passing through the area an arc-directed omnidirectional cutting means at and across an edge, in the general direction of the sheeting, to puncture a portion of the moving sheeting, maintaining the arc directed velocity of the omnidirectional cutting device at a rate greater than that of the directional velocity of the sheeting such that the puncture is enlarged to a lineal cut. The most favorable application of the invention involves the use of waterjet cutting to cut holes, especially primarily round holes, in multi-wall plastic constructions.

Abstract: In a hydraulic food cutting apparatus having mixing tank 13, food pump 14, converging tube segment 11 for accelerating and aligning food product to be cut, deceleration loop 18 and separating means 20 a method and means for reducing turbulent flow of cut food product 19 and carrier fluid which is either a converging cutter blade assembly 10, having the same angle of convergence and serving as an extension of converging tube segment 11, or in the event a standard in line cutter blade assembly 21 is used, then a second converging tube segment 22 attached to the discharge of the in line cutter blade assembly 21 for reaccelerating the carrier fluid and cut food product 19 as it exits the cutter blade assembly 21, in order to induce improved laminar flow of the carrier fluid and to reduce tumbling of the cut food product 19.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monolayering sliced wafer-like articles such as fruit or vegetable slices to enhance further product processing. The apparatus includes a slice catcher in cooperative relationship with a centrifugal slicer such that discharged product slices impinge onto the slice catcher inner surface and are captured by a flow of liquid passing over the slice catcher inner surface. The slices are controllably separated, conveyed and deposited in monolayered fashion on a conveyor for subsequent processing.

Abstract: A method of accurately punching holes into a moving web of a thermoplastic film material, and more particularly, punching holes into the web through the intermediary of a rotary serrated tube punch. The invention relates to accurately punching holes into an advancing web of thermoplastic film material utilizing a novel rotary serrated tube punch. The film web is continuously advanced over at least a portion of the circumferential surface of a rotatable anvil roll, and tensioned against the anvil roll surface through the use of suitable tensioning devices, such as tension rollers arranged upstream and downstream of the anvil roll. At least one opening is formed in the circumferential surface of the anvil roll which is smaller than the size of the hole which is desired to be punched into the film web through the use of the inventive rotary tube punching arrangement. An annular groove extends about the hole in the surface of the anvil roll, forming a land between the hole and the groove.

Abstract: In a double longitudinal cutter, a suction device (18) is provided for removing edge strips produced at the time of longitudinal cutting, which is located in the region of the double longitudinal cutter arranged between an upper web and a lower web and is provided with bent suction nozzles (19,20,21,22,23,24) by which the edge strips can be removed by suction after being guided over the lower cutter of the pairs of circular cutters provided for longitudinal cutting. The suction above the lower cutters (11,12) allows a removal of the edge strips in the narrowest space, while maintaining satisfactory quality of the longitudinal cut.

Abstract: In an apparatus and method for selectively determining the orientation of dough pieces, dough pieces are made to fall from an upper conveyor passing around a curved end portion formed at the downstream end thereof. The falling dough pieces hit a bar positioned underneath the curved end portion and land on a lower conveyor positioned under the bar with the orientation reversed or unchanged depending upon whether the dough piece rides on the forward or the rearward side of the bar.

Abstract: A method of accurately punching holes into a moving web of a thermoplastic film material, and more particularly, punching holes into the web through the intermediary of a rotary serrated tube punch. The invention relates to accurately punching holes into an advancing web of thermoplastic film material utilizing a novel rotary serrated tube punch. The film web is continuously advanced over at least a portion of the circumferential surface of a rotatable anvil roll, and tensioned against the anvil roll surface through the use of suitable tensioning devices, such as tension rollers arranged upstream and downstream of the anvil roll. At least one opening is formed in the circumferential surface of the anvil roll which is slightly larger than the size of the hole which is desired to be punched into the film web through the use of the inventive rotary tube punching arrangement.

Abstract: Windows are cut into envelopes and bags, in a machine with a feed device ing transport rollers for cut-out envelope blanks or for a web, a cutting roller, a tool cooperating with the cutting roller and at least one suction roller for further transport, are arranged in a window cutting station of the machine. The envelope material is moved along a straight line tangentially to the point of cutting out the windows and is then further conveyed in the peripheral direction of the cutting roller. The blanks with the windows cut therein and the cut-out waste are separately grasped by suction and removed.

Abstract: A method of accurately punching holes into a moving web of a thermoplastic film material, and more particularly, punching holes into the web through the intermediary of a rotary serrated tube punch. The invention relates to accurately punching holes into an advancing web of thermoplastic film material utilizing a novel rotary serrated tube punch. The film web is continuously advanced over at least a portion of the circumferential surface of a rotatable anvil roll, and tensioned against the anvil roll surface through the use of suitable tensioning devices, such as tension rollers arranged upstream and downstream of the anvil roll. At least one opening is formed in the circumferential surface of the anvil roll which is slightly larger than the size of the hole which is desired to be punched into the film web through the use of the inventive rotary tube punching arrangement.

Abstract: A flexible web which is caused to run through a cross cutter to be severed at regular intervals in order to yield a series of discrete sections is engaged by a pair of holders which attract the web by suction immediately behind the severing plane when the cutter severs the web. The holders advance with the web and thereafter with the freshly formed section to prevent changes in orientation of the sections on their way to a removing station where they are expelled from the path of the web by block-shaped commodities which are draped into the respective sections. The surfaces of the holders are small and the length of each holder is a minute fraction of the length of a section, as considered in the longitudinal direction of the web. The holders are mounted on endless toothed belt or chain conveyors which advance the holders along an endless path having an elongated reach extending adjacent to the path of movement of the web and its sections toward, past and beyond the severing station.

Abstract: To facilitate the lifting of slab-like pieces of material separated from a block of material by substantially horizontal cuts, with the aid of a movable suction device acting upon the upper surface of an upper slab-like piece of material, a pressurized gaseous medium is caused to act in the region of the cut between the upper piece of material and the underlying slab-like piece of material or residual part of the block of material, either prior to and/or while lifting said upper piece. The pressurized medium is supplied into a least one cavity which has an open side and is formed in a movable cover means arranged along a substantially vertical side of the block subsequent to moving the cover means to a position in which it is sealingly connected to and each open cavity side thereof is covered by a portion of said block side, which portion extends along and reaches above and below said region of the cut.

Abstract: A modification to a reel type staple cutter that includes a housing surrounding the cutter reel. The housing has a cam slot sized to permit passage of a single tow but to prevent passage of a knot tieing together two ends of tow. As the cutter turns the knot slides along the outside of the slot reaching the top of the housing. The knot remains on top of the housing until the ends of the knot are cut. Means are provided to remove the knot.

Abstract: An automatic cutting and dedusting apparatus for piled or fleecy worksheets comprises an automatic cutting apparatus, a means for applying an electric field to the worksheets to statically charge them, and a dedusting machine including means for agitating and moving air adjacent cut pattern pieces to remove pile fiber portions which were previously cut and thereby disconnected from said worksheets.

Abstract: In the rotary punching of a moving material web, the punched out waste material has to be removed so as not to interfere with the course of the punching. This can be done with a vacuum and internal ducts in the female roll, but this method cannot be used at high working speeds because of centrifugal force. Instead of this in accordance with the invention, the die hole of the female roll is provided with pistons that are maneuvered to and fro in rhythm with the rotation of the roll. As a result, the punching waste is retained for only a short while after the punching, and then is ejected and carried away via an external suction arrangement.

Abstract: A system for slitting a parent web to form grooved rolls including movable shear slitters and a Coanda nozzle device for removing trim segments from the shear slitters.

Abstract: A practice for recovering the contents of filled pharmaceutical capsules wherein the capsules are supported and a cutting blade cuts the supported capsules to allow egress of the capsule contents.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of crosscutting a web and stacking the resultant sheets which comprises continuously feeding said web toward a cutter, decelerating the feed of said web at the cutting point for the duration of the cutting operation, while continuing the feed toward said cutter at the same rate whereby a back-up occurs in the feed direction, cutting said web, causing the new head end of the web so formed upon said cutting to overlap the tail end of the resultant cut sheet on the conveying path, conveying said sheet to a sheet stack, after said cut sheet is moved onward to said sheet stack at normal conveying speed increasing the conveying speed of the web toward said cutter until the web portion which has backed up ahead of the cutting point has been stretched taut and caused to overlap the tail end of the cut sheet.

Abstract: A centering device is provided for centering a potato with respect to a propelling hydraulic fluid flow stream which carries the potato into cutting engagement with knife elements of a cutting assembly positioned along the flow stream. The device comprises an elongated tube at the upstream end of the cutting assembly shaped to define a linear flow path of generally circular cross-section and oriented for continuously accelerating the hydraulic fluid. This acceleration results in the fluid having a slightly higher velocity than the potato throughout the length of the tube to create, when the potato is displaced from a centered position, fluid velocity and pressure differentials on opposite sides of the potato tending to return the potato to the centered position.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously cutting thin trim strips from a moving printed web so as to form uniform web products and removing the trim strips from the cutting area is provided, for in-line operation with a web press. The gapping of the web is effected by a cutting cylinder with a hollow bore, which carries at least two pairs of spaced cutting knives that act against a stationary shear blade. The space between each pair of blades connects with the cylinder bore, which in turn is connected to a low-pressure source. As a printed web is fed to the cutting cylinder, the spaced knives cut trim strips in the web and these strips are removed through the space and the cylinder bore by air flow caused by the low-pressure source. The circumferential speed of the knives acting on the web is greater than the speed of the web itself, this reducing any bubbling of the web, and the width of the space between knives is greater than the width of the trim strip.

Abstract: An automatically controlled cutting machine for cutting sheet material employs a cutting wheel and a hard, smooth and continuous surface on which the sheet material is spread for cutting. To prevent shifting during cutting, the material is releasably attached to the support surface by adhesives, freezing, electrostatics and other securing means. The cutting wheel is forced downwardly against the hard support surface by a number of means to insure severing of the sheet material and may be ultrasonically vibrated to facilitate the severing process.

Abstract: Dome-shaped shoulder pad discs are placed in face-to-face overlying relationship and loaded in segmented carriers of a surface conveyor system. Each carrier moves its shoulder pad discs to a first station where the material is cut between the segments of the carrier and formed into a leading stack of shoulder pads, a following stack of shoulder pads, and an intermediate stack of waste material. The carrier is moved to a second station where the intermediate stack of waste material is pushed downwardly between the segments of the carrier and ejected. The leading segment of the carrier is moved to a third station where the leading stack of shoulder pads is picked from the leading segment of the carrier and moved to a stacker, and then the following segment of the carrier is moved to the third station where its stack of shoulder pads is picked from the following segment of the carrier and moved to the stacker. The stacker forms the shoulder pads in a vertical stack.

Abstract: A method and device for forming openings in a gelatinous substance in a Petri dish in which the Petri dish (6) is lifted towards punch tools (19) until the tools have penetrated the gelatinous substance and are on or near the base of the dish. The dish is then moved with a low amplitude motion perpendicular to the penetration direction, i.e. horizontally to loosen a pellet of the gelatinous substance within each punch tool from the base (6a) of the dish, and finally the dish is lowered to withdraw the punch tools (19) from the dish while suction applied to a compartment (4) communicating with the interior of each tool extracts the punched pellet and clears the tool for a subsequent penetration in the same or a different dish (6).

Abstract: Apparatus for dividing a fibrous mineral blanket comprising means for slitting the blanket into batts, a suction chamber having one or more narrow openings adapted for contact with the side edges of the batts, and a vacuum pipe extending into the chamber for educting air and airborne particles from the chamber and the side edges of the batts, where the vacuum pipe has its eduction opening positioned near the bottom of the chamber.

Abstract: Trim strip in a web slitter having upper and lower rotary slitting means cooperating at a severance point for trimming a strip from the edge portion of a travelling web is engaged on a cylindrical rotary trim biasing and guiding surface associated with the lower slitting means. The trim strip is retained in wrapping engagement on the rotary surface by pressure differential and thereby positively transported away from the severance point into a chute. At a point spaced from the severance point the trim strip is stripped from the rotary surface for onward movement in the chute.

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 cut-off machine for removing a label sewn to a workpiece. The machine includes a label chamber sized to received the label through an access slot in one wall of that chamber. The access slot is defined by a reciprocable cutter bar and an anvil, the cutter bar and anvil presenting abutment faces which cooperate with the workpiece to allow positioning of the label's stitch line closely adjacent the cutter bar's cutting edge when the label is inserted into the label chamber. Operation of the cutter bar is controlled by the machine's operator. A vacuum source connected with the label chamber establishes a continuous vacuum in the chamber, the vacuum source cooperating to draw the label initially into the chamber through the access slot and to aid in locating the label stitch line initially adjacent the cutter bar's cutting edge, and the vacuum source also cooperating to remove the label from the label chamber after it has been cut off from the workpiece by the cutter bar.