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 panel sawing machine comprises a horizontal table (5) on which a movable device (6) pushes a stack of panels (3a) in a forward direction (F) or reverse direction (F1) to feed a sawing device (or to a device for rotating the stack) which divides the panel up into two or more smaller boards. The pusher (6) is equipped with two or more pickup elements (16) that hold the rear edge of the stack in position during positioning and/or sawing operations. The pickup elements (16) are mounted on the movable device (6) in such a way that they can run in guides (15, 15a, 15b) in the following three directions, respectively: horizontal at right angles to, and horizontal parallel to, the forward direction (F) or the reverse direction (F1), and vertical.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting an indefinite length suture to different lengths for subsequent threading and swaging to surgical needles includes a drawing tower having first and second guide members defining a drawing axis parallel thereto. First and second grippers are provided to grip the indefinite length suture and to alternately draw it along the drawing axis, with each gripper being mounted for reciprocal movement along a guide member. Each gripper alternately grips the suture and draws it a distance beyond the location of a cutter assembly while the other gripper reciprocates to a start position before the cutter assembly. A tipping assembly heats a predetermined small length of the suture to stiffen the suture thereat after subsequent cooling, in preparation for cutting the suture thereat and inserting a stiffened lead cut end of the suture into an end of a needle for swaging thereto.

Abstract: A method of cutting a fed sheet-material into a cut segment and a remaining portion by engaging a movable cutting edge with a fixed cutting edge is disclosed, wherein the remaining portion after being cut off is fed in a spacing with a predetermined amount of insertion between the fixed and movable cutting edges. The top of remaining portion can therefore be prevented from being curled down forward in the moving direction of the movable and fixed cutting edges. An apparatus for cutting a fed sheet-material into a cut segment and a remaining portion by engaging a movable cutting edge with a fixed cutting edge is also disclosed, wherein a plate member incorporated therein hinders the movement of the top of remaining portion after being cut off together with the movable cutting edge. Hence, the top of remaining portion can be prevented from being turned up by the movable cutting edge.

Abstract: A method of cutting a fed sheet-material into a cut segment and a remaining portion by engaging a movable cutting edge with a fixed cutting edge is disclosed, wherein the remaining portion after being cut off is fed in a spacing with a predetermined amount of insertion between the fixed and movable cutting edges. The top of remaining portion can therefore be prevented from being curled down forward in the moving direction of the movable and fixed cutting edges. An apparatus for cutting a fed sheet-material into a cut segment and a remaining portion by engaging a movable cutting edge with a fixed cutting edge is also disclosed, wherein a plate member incorporated therein hinders the movement of the top of remaining portion after being cut off together with the movable cutting edge. Hence, the top of remaining portion can be prevented from being turned up by the movable cutting edge.

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: Apparatus for automatic coil feed of a sheet metal stock strip in progressive dies for punch press die operations which adjust the length of stock strip being intermittently fed to the punch press die while the press is operating. The apparatus comprises feed apparatus for feeding a predetermined length of stock strip to the punch press die which feed apparatus normally operates at a preset feed length. There is a control for maintaining the correct feed length of the stock strip being intermittently fed into the punch press die and includes a correction arrangement operable to mementarily change the preset feed length to supply a correcting length of stock strip to the punch press die. There are two longitudinal arrays of registration openings in the stock strip.

Abstract: The instant invention is particularly directed to a method and apparatus for automated handling of panels comprising a plurality of interconnected substrates in order to control and separate the circuit boards in a continuous processing line. One embodiment incorporates two shearing stations and a rotary transfer device therebetween in order to transfer a panel portion from the first station to the second station while controlling and rotating the panel for subsequent feed to the second station such that the panel portion is cut on a line of the substrate which is perpendicular to the original line of cut of the substrate. Throughout the handling of the panels and panel portions, sensing, gripping, and indexed feeding of the panels and panel portions are under the control of a programmable computer.

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: The invention relates to a method at the cross-cutting of tree stems to pre-determined timber lengths. According to the invention, an impulse is triggered when the nominal timber length has been attained, which impulse stops the advance movement and braking is effected while the braking energy is accumulated all the way to the stop of the stem after the stem has moved through a certain distance beyond the nominal length. The accumulated braking energy then is released for moving the stem back to substantially the nominal length, whereafter the cross-cutting is carried out. At an apparatus for carrying out the method according to the invention, the feeding wheels (2) of the stem (1) are driven by hydraulic motors (7) having a pressure conduit (5) and a return conduit (6) in common. The return conduit is connected to a pressure accumulator (9). A stop valve (8) is laid-in in each conduit (5,6).

Abstract: For use with a thermoforming press adapted to form individual articles in the body of a thermoplastic web which has a degree of inherent stiffness, a trimming station for trimming the formed articles from the web subsequent to their formation characterized by a web transport that comprises at least a pair of rotary advancing devices directly engaged with the web at spaced apart locations across the width of the web, a drive for periodically rotating the advancing devices to produce indexing movement to the trimming press and means to periodically release the drive engagement of the rotary advancing devices with the web to enable relaxation of stress developed in the thermoplastic web and to allow the interaction of the web with the guides to realign the web in the absence of constraint by the rotary advancing devices, and the method of operation thereof.

Abstract: A selected length of a strip of material is intermittently fed past a cutting position having cutting means. The cutting means is activated only after a selected number greater than one of the selected lengths of the strip of material has been intermittently fed past the cutting position. The selected number of the selected length of the strip is variable so as to cut the same number of the selected length of the strip each time or to cut a varying number of the selected length of the strip in a sequential pattern. The selected length, which is fed during each intermittent feeding, also is variable.

Abstract: An improved multi-stroke control system for a pneumatically operated feeder for punch presses and the like; such system including means to charge and discharge a pneumatic capacitance. The pneumatic capacitance is adapted to be charged in response to the initiation of a first operative cycle of the feeder and to be discharged in response to the completion of said first cycle; said discharge being adapted to initiate a second operative cycle of said feeder. Once triggered the feeder may execute a number of successive operative cycles, the particular number being dependent on the effective volume of said pneumatic capacitance.

Abstract: A pneumatically operated feeder for punch presses and the like and having a feed slide that is adapted to be moved automatically through successive feed and index strokes. Instead of using a limit switch type device for sensing for the physical presence of the feed slide when the latter has reached the end of an operative stroke thereof, an improved control means is provided to identify the completion of such an operative stroke and to thereby cause said feed slide automatically to initiate its next operative stroke. When pressure fluid is applied to the main fluid motor of the feeder in order to produce say an index stroke of the feed slide the effective fluid pressure in said motor will not normally reach line pressure until after completion of said index stroke.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring out a desired length of electric cable and transporting it to a work station comprises means for supplying the cable along a supply path through a guiding structure which includes a retractable guide element arranged under automatic control to be retracted when the end portion of the cable reaches the downstream end of the supply path so that during further cable supplying, the cable forms a loop which may hang downwardly with the leading end of the cable retained at or adjacent the downstream end of the supply path. When the desired length of cable has been formed into a loop, the cable is severed from the supply, and with gripping means holding the respective ends of the cable, a lateral displacement device is operated to convey the cable to a work station, at the same time bringing further gripping means into position ready for the next cycle of operation. At the work station any desired operation such as insulation stripping may be effected. .

Abstract: A panel cutting machine having a table with an endless belt conveyor and a pair of rollers mounted thereon for advancing a fabric to be cut to a desired length across and beyond a line of cut of a cross-cutter and along the table toward a sensor located a preselected distance from the line of cut. The sensor, which may be the usual microswitch or a photo-electric sensor switch, responds to the arrival of the leading edge of the fabric to activate a roller revolution counter to count a predetermined number of further revolutions and fractions thereof of one of the rollers, corresponding to a further distance of advance of the leading edge of the fabric beyond the sensor. Upon completion of the count, the counter activates a control circuit to stop the rollers and conveyor and start a cross-cutter to cut the fabric along the cutting line to form a panel of the desired length.

Abstract: A strip cutting apparatus such as a photographic paper cutter senses position of the blade which cuts segments from the strip. The strip is driven in a reverse direction by a predetermined number of steps after the blade has cut the strip and before the blade is retracted. This back step motion or reverse motion eliminates the occurrence of interference between the forward edge of the strip and the blade as the blade is retracted. Damage to the forward edge of the strip caused by interference with the retracting blade is thereby avoided.

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.