Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a method of and apparatus for cutting a slab from a body of uncured light-weight concrete, resting on a support surface. The method comprises the step of moving the body of uncured light-weight concrete along a longitudinal axis of said support surface through a predetermined distance; cutting a slab from said body while supporting the front face of said slab, moving the slab away from said body along an extension of said longitudinal axis; and subsequently moving the slab along at least one arcuate movement path in a plane perpendicular to said support surface and parallel to said longitudinal axis. The apparatus for performing the methods includes a sequentially moveable work feed means, a wire cutter mechanism for cutting a slab from the face of the concrete and a carosel-like pneumatic suction device for holding and transporting the cut slab to subsequent spraying, shaping and stacking stations.

Abstract: The invention relates to automatic lines for cross cutting of coiled strips and is used to best advantage for cross cutting of coiled strips into plates intended for the manufacture of transformers.The automatic line of this invention comprises guillotine shears which are pivoted in the horizontal plane and intended to cut plates off a strip; non-pivoted guillotine shears intended to cut off sharp angles of said plates, said non-pivoted shears being mounted on a slider which is movable along the automatic line's axis in order to fix the non-pivoted shears at a desired distance from the pivoted shears in order to simultaneously cut off sharp angles and cut out plates; and a strip feeding mechanism being provided with only one pair of rollers driven by means of a reduction gear driven by a step electrohydraulic drive which feeds the strip, as well as accelerates, brakes and, if necessary, reverses the strip's motion to ensure a prescribed plate length.

Abstract: Sheet slitting and punching apparatus for cutting a large elongate sheet of paperboard or similar material into a plurality of rectangular cards of uniform size and punching holes in each of the individual cards. A large sheet is fed along a conveying means having two tandemly arranged feed sections separated from each other by a transverse and a longitudinal slitting station. Both feed sections of the conveyor are driven from a common drive means, however, the upstream or infeed section is driven at a conveying speed substantially slower than that of the downstream or outfeed section. Transversely spaced slitters form longitudinally extending slits in the sheet as it is fed along the conveying means. When the feeding end of the sheet reaches a predetermined location near the upstream end of the outfeed conveyor, it engages a sensing element which immediately stops the conveyor drive.

Abstract: A length of face sealing valve stock is formed into individual face sealing valves and applied to end closures of pressurized dispensers. The stock advances in steps by a feed dog in vent slots in the tape. The tape is held against advancement by an index dog at all other times. Lost motion in the feed dog drive accommodates the drive to tape arrest and permits shutdown and startup at a known, predetermined position in a cycle. A head carries a punch and shear blade which form vent slots and cut the tape to valve length during the time that the tape is stopped. Tape is sheared to valve length at an index wheel which holds the tape by vacuum during shear and successive 90.degree. transports for solvent activation of adhesive and transfer from the wheel by bonding the activated adhesive to an end closure. A proximator forces an end closure into contact with a valve during transfer.

Abstract: This invention provides an improved method and an improved apparatus for cutting bitumen cakes or like products from a sheet of the product previously cast in a flat-bottomed basin, during the cooling of the sheet. The cakes are cut out of strips previously cut out of said sheet. A transverse girder mounted on wheels span the basin, and suspended from the girder is a carriage supporting a pivoted heated cutter. As the cutter moves in the cutting direction it cuts a transverse strip of product and carries along a trolley provided with a wedge member adapted at the same time to raise the cut strip. The carriage also comprises a pusher arm whereby, during the return stroke of said carriage, said pusher arm can drive the fully cut strip towards another cutter of the guillotine type which cuts the cakes out of the strip. During the strip cutting step, the carriage also carries along a belt so as to insert the same under the strip as it is cut by said first cutter.

Abstract: The provision in a conventional punch press of a cyclicly-operable transfer mechanism which is adapted to be bolted to the stationary die shoe of the press in between successive forming stations and has associated with it a pair of blank-gripping jaws which travel generally in web line fashion between first and second stations for blank-transferring purposes while at the same time rotating so that each blank is reversed from end to end upon completion of the transfer operation. During the transfer, the jaws swing or revolve in a circular path about a vertical axis so that directional reversal of the jaws accounts for a major portion of the blank displacement.

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: Longitudinal shear for rolled sheet metal, particularly heavy plate, which operates perpendicular to the plane of the sheet, whereby the sheet can be gradually divided into two parallel strips by the action of successive partial cuts of a certain length; the sheet is made to move forwardly intermittently by means of drivers located before and after the shears and at least during each cutting stroke kept from shifting by the action of at least one pair of holding rollers located across the cut line.

Abstract: Battery grid plate castings are trimmed in a two-step operation. Each plate moves flat along a horizontal or inclined path against a first stop bar. One of two trim blades on a reciprocating upper die block then shears flashing from the leading end of the plate during a downward stroke of the die. Then the stop bar raises during the upward stroke of the die, and the plate moves forwardly against a second stop. Upon the next downward die stroke the second trim blade shears flashing from the trailing edge of the plate. During the next upward stroke, the fully trimmed plate moves forwardly onto a stacking device. As the leading end of one plate is trimmed at the first trim station, the trailing end of a preceding plate is trimmed at the second trim station. The second stop is easily moved to different stop positions along the path of travel of the plates to change the distance between such stop and the second trim blade and thereby enable trimming plates of different lengths without changing dies.

Abstract: Apparatus for slitting large metal sheets of substantial length and width is provided. The apparatus includes a slitting machine of the throatless type guided on a track to provide precise slitting of the sheet. The apparatus includes a long hold-down clamp mounted adjacent the slitter and the track. A supporting table is located on the side of the hold-down clamp opposite the slitter and the track and is provided with measuring heads which enable the sheet which is to be slit to first be cut to a precise, given length. Two measuring heads are provided, one of which causes the sheet to slow down and the second which actuates a shear. A lower supporting table is located on the side of the slitter opposite the clamp and both tables are provided with gauge heads for accurately positioning the sheet prior to being clamped and slit. Preferably, a double slit is made along the desired line to substantially avoid distortion of the metal sheet along the slit.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding objects to a transport mechanism and transport and delivery mechanisms for the objects, and, in particular, apparatus for feeding books to, transporting them through the cutting stations of and delivering them from a two-station, three-knife book trimmer. The feed mechanism includes a hopper for holding books, a prestripper for stripping a book from the hopper and moving it part way to the front knife cutting station and pushers, which continue to feed the book to the first cutting station, with means coordinating the prestrippers and pushers. The transport mechanism includes a plurality of displaceable, e.g. upper transport belts and a plurality of belts in opposition to the displaceable ones, e.g. lower transport belts, which clamp the book, respectively, from above and below. While clamping the book, the transport belts travel with it to the side knife cutting station, halt for side knife trimming, and then move the book beyond the second station to the delivery mechanism.