Abstract: A winding method includes: attracting a sheet-like belt 8b onto a table 14 by multiple attracting means 15 lined up in a longitudinal direction of the sheet-like belt 8b; and winding the sheet-like belt 8b around a winding cylinder 50 by moving the winding cylinder 50 in the longitudinal direction of the sheet-like belt 8b while rotating the winding cylinder 50 above the sheet-like belt 8b and by cancelling attraction by the attracting means 15 one after another from attracting means 15 to which the winding cylinder 50 has moved.

Abstract: Gauge system, including methods and apparatus, for positioning workpieces according to entered and/or calculated target dimensions and processing the workpieces with a tool to generate products having the target dimensions.

Abstract: A sheet post-processing apparatus that performs a cutting process on a booklet formed by a bundle of center-folded sheets of paper includes: a conveying member that conveys the booklet; a leading edge stopper capable of reciprocating in a booklet conveying direction and used for setting a cutting position by abutting on a center-folded portion of the booklet; and a supporting member that supports the booklet when the cutting position of the booklet is to be set. When the booklet is being conveyed, the conveying member and the conveyed booklet are located in a contact position, and when the cutting position of the booklet is to be set, each of the conveying member and the conveyed booklet is located in one of separated positions, and the cutting position of the booklet is set by the leading edge stopper while the conveyed booklet is supported by the supporting member.

Abstract: An assembly for conveying glass sheets on machines for working sheets, comprising an assembly for feeding the sheets to be worked, which engages the longitudinal edges of the sheets and is arranged upstream of a frame for supporting at least one working head, and an assembly for removing the sheets, which engages the edges of the sheets and is arranged downstream of the frame for supporting a working head.

Abstract: An infeed apparatus for a sheet material article trimmer includes a pusher element for moving a sheet material article to be trimmed on a front table of the trimmer and into engagement with a backstop of the front table. The pusher element is moved by a driver which moves the pusher element at the same speed as the front table for a period of time with the pusher element in engagement with a back edge portion of the sheet material article and the backstop in engagement with a front edge portion of the sheet material article. The period of time is at least as long as the time required for a front clamp of the sheet material article trimmer to grip the sheet material article against the front table. A method is also provided.

Abstract: A three-side trimmer according to the present invention comprises a bound material feed unit (2) for feeding the bound material (1) one by one; a rotating table unit (3) for receiving the bound material (1) from the bound material feed unit (2) at a predetermined position and rotating the bound material at every predetermined angle in such a manner that the bound material is arranged at three positions of a top edge cutting position, a front edge cutting position and a bottom edge cutting position; a trimming unit (4) arranged for movement in a direction close to or away from the rotating table unit (3) between two positions of a cutting position at which the trimming unit (4) becomes close to the rotating table unit (3) so as to cut a top edge section (1a), a bottom edge section (1b) and a front edge section (1c) of the bound material (1), respectively, and a standby position at which the trimming unit (4) is away from the rotating table unit (3); trimming unit guide means (5) arranged between the rotating t

Abstract: A loaf end trimming station for a high speed food loaf slicing machine, includes a frame, a first knife and a second knife spaced apart along the frame and oriented in positions corresponding to a lead end trimming location and a trailing end trimming location of a food loaf. The trimming station includes a loaf cutting support for receiving the loaf, and a motive mechanism to move the loaf cutting support toward the knives to trim ends off of the loaf. The trimming station includes a loaf staging support, wherein the loaf cutting support deposits the loaves on the loaf staging support after being trimmed by the knives. The loaf staging support is tiltable between a staging position to collect trimmed loaves and a loading position to deliver trimmed loaves to the high speed food loaf slicing machine.

Abstract: An infeed apparatus for a sheet material article trimmer includes a pusher element for moving a sheet material article to be trimmed on a front table of the trimmer and into engagement with a backstop of the front table. The pusher element is moved by a driver which moves the pusher element at the same speed as the front table for a period of time with the pusher element in engagement with a back edge portion of the sheet material article and the backstop in engagement with a front edge portion of the sheet material article. The period of time is at least as long as the time required for the front clamp to move through a distance corresponding to the difference in thickness between the thinnest sheet material article and the thickest sheet material article to grip the sheet material article against the front table.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting a material having prevalently two-dimensional extension into appropriately shaped portions, in particular for cutting a fabric or the like into shaped portions for the manufacture of clothing items or other items, comprising a support frame (12), means (22) for supporting said material (16), means for supporting cutting means (20). Said cutting means (20) are movable relative to said material (16) according to trajectories suited for effecting longitudinal, transverse, or otherwise oriented cuts into said material (16).

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting a wafer sandwich into a plurality of rectangular pieces has a support surface defining a transport path extending longitudinally through a longitudinal-cutting station and a transverse-cutting station. A plurality of stationary and transversely spaced longitudinal blades extend across the path in the longitudinal-cutting station. The surface is formed in the transverse-cutting station with a plurality of transversely extending and longitudinally spaced slots. An abutment is displaceable immediately downstream of the transverse-cutting station between a blocking position in the path and a retracted position clear of the path. A plurality of transverse blades are displaceable transversely in the slots of the transverse-cutting station across the path.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cutting pattern pieces from a continuous marker are disclosed. According to the invention, pattern pieces comprising made to order garments are cut from successive bites of limp sheet material. Means are provided for creating the continuous marker, labeling the pattern pieces and cutting the pattern pieces for subsequent processing.

Abstract: A splitting apparatus includes a splitter member with a plurality of blades, and a splitting guide configured to anchor articles so that an article to be split is anchored on a splitting guide when the splitter member is moved across the splitting guide. The apparatus includes a gate which is controlled by a gate controller that selectively opens and closes the discharge aperture positioned adjacent the splitting guide so that the split article can be discharged from the splitting guide. A staging platform is provided adjacent the splitting guide for aligning the articles to be split with the splitting guide and a staging advancer is provided to move articles from the staging platform to the splitting guide, and to discharge the split articles after splitting.

Abstract: An apparatus for sequentially and automatically cutting a piece of dimension lumber at a number of predetermined angles to produce a building component, such as a rafter or truss web or chord, with composite or compound angles, is disclosed. The apparatus includes infeed and outfeed tables tiltable about a longitudinal axis and equipped with fences along which a workpiece moves longitudinally via moving devices. Clamps hold the workpiece at different positions relative to a cutting station during a cutting operation. A cutter, which for example includes a circular saw blade, is mounted for a positioning movement about a vertical axis at the cutting station, as well as for vertical movement to cut a workpiece at a predetermined composite or compound angle.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for manufacturing book blocks from various printed sheets composed of a plurality of quarto sheets which are inserted into one another, wherein the printed sheets are successively pulled fold first along a conveying path from a stack of printed sheets by a gripping unit of a feeder and are subsequently gathered with their flat sides placed against each other into book blocks. The gripping unit which grasps the printed sheets approximately at the fold thereof produces a deformation or injury which extends at least partially through the quarto sheets, so that the respective quarto sheets are secured relative to each other and displacements relative to each other are prevented.

Abstract: The invention provides an electronics board assembly apparatus which includes a base, a slide, an arm, a punch, a bracket, a roller member and at least a first engagement component. The slide is mounted to the base for sliding movement along the base. The arm extends upwardly firm the base and the punch is located on the arm in a position over the slide. The roller member is rotatable mounted to the bracket. Movement of the slide into a first position causes the roller member to come to rest in the engagement surface.

Abstract: A progressively feeding and machining apparatus has a die for placing a sheet material thereon, the die having a machining pattern for machining the sheet material, an upper punch base or a machining head movable toward and away from the die and having a plurality of punches for machining the sheet material in coaction with the die in a predetermined number of machining cycles according to the machining pattern, a feed mechanism for moving the die, with the sheet material placed thereon, and the punches relatively to each other to align a machining position on the sheet material with the punches each time the sheet material is machined by the die and the punches, a suction chamber communicating with the machining pattern, and a closure mechanism for isolating a machined region of the machining pattern from the suction chamber to maintain the suction chamber under a vacuum when the suction chamber is evacuated.

Abstract: A dispenser apparatus having a guiding plate (59) and a cylindrical extension (74) with a groove (75), the cylindrical extension preferably being coupled to a cover (22) for enabling backwards movement of a disposable strip (34) in the apparatus prior to the separation of a disposable zone (Z1 to Z9) of the strip. The strip can be moved forward step-by-step, after it has been inserted into the apparatus, via a sliding button (23) which acts on a cursor (35) to which the strip (34) can be coupled and which can circulate into a passage (29) provided in the case (20) of the apparatus. The apparatus is particularly applicable to dispensing devices for objects such as medical tablets, and to blood sugar level measuring devices.

Abstract: A metallic tape cutting device is disclosed, including a driving device, a driving force transmitting device for a crank member in a crank motion and a fork member in a fluctuating motion by receiving rotational power from the driving device. A tape transferring device pressurizes a tape material through a link member which receives force from the crank member, at the same time forces the tape material to transfer to the state of pressurization. A tape cutting device receives force from the fork member and cuts the tape material transferred by an ascending and descending motion.

Abstract: A device for dispensing a bandage material has a container for accommodating a supply of bandage material, a mechanism for advancing the bandage material from the container so as to expose a desired portion of the bandage material outside of the container, a mechanism for cutting the exposed piece of the bandage material, and including a cutting element movable between an initial position before cutting the piece of the bandage material and a final position after the piece of the bandage material has been cut off during which movement from the initial position to the final position the piece of the bandage material is being cut, and a structure for preventing advancement of the bandage material by the advancing mechanism when the cutting element is in the final position.

Abstract: A splicing tape feeding device is disclosed which is adapted for supplying a splicing tape for joining a magnetic tape to a leader tape. The splicing tape feeding device includes a stationary base member and a movable member displaceable relative to the base member. The base member and the movable member have splicing tape transport paths with a lateral width not less than that of the splicing tape. Parallel flanges are formed on opposite sides of each of the tape transport paths and prevent a lateral displacement of the splicing tape. Engageable mating portions are formed on the base member and the movable member to eliminate a distance in the feeding direction of the splicing tape between the base member and the movable member.

Abstract: The disclosure describes an apparatus to move, individually and at a controlled rate, sawlogs and tree stems from a first multiple feeding station to a second station situated at a higher level than that of the first station; it comprises a frame, a set of fixed plates and a set of movable plates, both in parallel vertical planes. A system of levers is connected to the set of movable plates so as to serve as support and to supply it with a trajectory defining an arc of a circle. A rotary motor, a drive lever and a link cooperate to provide this trajectory with a sinusoidal-type acceleration.

Abstract: A cutting device has a transportation railway for guiding a pile of sheets, a cutter positioned along the transportation railway for cutting a pile of sheets delivered thereto into a plurality of smaller sheets; a first pusher movable along the railway by an operating device from a primary delivery starting position to a primary delivery completion position and engageable with a pile of sheets to be cut for intermittently moving a part of the length of the pile of sheets in the direction of the railway past the cutter where the pile of sheets is cut into piles of smaller sheets. Upon the first pusher reaching the primary delivery completion position, it is retracted to the primary delivery starting position for engagement with a succeeding pile of sheets for moving the succeeding pile of sheets toward the cutter.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for cutting stacked, sheet-like material, having a table surface which has a working zone, above which a cutting blade and a press beam are located, an entry zone behind the working zone for receiving the material to be cut and an exit zone in front of the working zone for receiving the cut material, a feed device for the material to be cut, which feed device has teeth which engage grooves of the press beam when the feed device is in its foremost position, and also a side stop for aligning the material to be cut by means of a pressing slide movable in the area of the working zone in the direction of the line of cut, where the feed device extends essentially over the entire width of the table surface, and the pressing slide is effective solely in the area of the working zone formed between the cutting plane and the foremost position of the feed device, thus allowing alignment of the material to be cut in direct proximity to the cutting plane.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for advancing the leading edge of a corrugated web for positioning the web for a secondary operation, such as a cutting operation to cut a discrete sheet from the web. The web has a plurality of alternating peaks and valleys. The apparatus comprises an endless loop conveyor including a plurality of spaced support bars for contacting the valleys of the web. At least one vacuum source holds the web against the support bars. A motor and a distributed control system repeatedly advance the conveyor and the leading edge of the web from the entrance end to the exit end of the conveyor. A rotary encoder and a sensor sense the presence of a support bar near the position for applying the cutting operation. The vacuum source is de-activated, and at least one pressure source is activated to remove the cut sheet from the support bars.

Abstract: An ending apparatus for positioning elongate objects comprising, in combination, object singulating equipment for separating a plurality of elongate objects in an inlet area into single objects while moving the objects in a first direction to an outlet area, and object support rollers intermediate the inlet and outlet area for supporting a separated, single elongate object. The object support rollers are adapted to move the elongate object in a second direction toward a reference surface independently of the object's movement in the first direction on the singulating device. The reference surface stops movement of the elongate object to establish a pre-determined position for the elongate object. Establishing the position of the object permits more efficient handling during further processing.

Abstract: A shuttle head which can be translated along a longitudinal axis between an assembly table and a lead-in table, wherein the shuttle head has a vacuum pick-up for picking up a ribbon of uncured elastomeric material. The shuttle head includes a pick-up plate having a plurality of apertures communicating with the source of vacuum. A cutting knife is provided on the edge of the assembly table for cutting the strip of ribbon, and the assembly table and cutting knife can be adjusted angularly with respect to the lead-in table. The pick-up plate has an inverted V-shaped edge at the leading end of the shuttle head immediately adjacent the cutting knife, such as to allow a variety of angular displacements of the assembly table relative to the lead-in table without having to change the pick-up plate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to apparatus for cutting irradiated fuel elements when in the horizontal position. A fuel element is placed on a support and presents a cross-section for cutting. The fuel element may be displaced along its longitudinal axis. In the immediate proximity of the cutting section, the fuel element is compressed by at least one side clamp, and between two cuts the side clamp(s) is/are unclamped, the fuel element is then advanced by a desired length, and the side clamp(s) is/are reclamped. The end pieces cut off by end piece cutters fall into a fixed end piece removal apparatus. The rods are cut up inside a cavity in such a manner as to confine the cut-off lengths therein, the cavity being provided with a bottom opening enabling the cut-off lengths to be removed and directed towards a fixed rod-removal apparatus. In a preferred embodiment, the end pieces are cut off against the front face of the carriage which carries the rod-cutting blade.

Abstract: A process for feeding fibres towards the fixed and mobile knives of a fibre cutter, such as a flock cutter, is provided which includes preparing a mattress of fibres aligned in a direction which is substantially perpendicular to the vertical plane of the knife so that the mattress of fibres takes the form of a band. The band is conveyed in a step-by-step manner towards the knives while supporting the band adjacent the fixed knife so that its lower face and its lateral side faces are supported by planer support surfaces having a dimension significant in relation to the length of sections of fibres being cut. The step-by-step conveying is effected by bringing the band to a temporary standstill in relation to the support surfaces as the fibres are advanced towards the cutter.

Abstract: A device for automatic separation of wire binding portions of random length and shape. From a delivery spool a wire strand is fed into a feed mechanism behind which is arranged a cutting mechanism. A sensor measures the length of the wire binding portion and consequently initiates the cutting process via a processor. A further sensor establishes the discharge of the separated wire binding portion.

Abstract: A machine is described for cutting large diameter wound logs of paper or similar web material such as toilet tissue and the like into relatively small discs for use specially in institutional dispensers. The machine includes a cradle and transport means for inserting a large diameter log of paper into a gripper which holds the log securely and stationary while a band saw cuts the discs of paper from the log. The gripper includes a ring through which the log passes, said ring including a plurality of radially movable plungers which support and retain the log within the ring while the band saw is cutting a disc from the log. The mechanism also includes an automatic guide and sharpening station for maintaining the sharpness of the band saw and, furthermore, includes a support and discharge mechanism for removing the discs of paper from the gripper.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for producing mat packets from panels of an adhesive material which adhesive material is covered with release layers. The panel of adhesive material is advanced sequentially through a feed device, a clamping device, a release layer removing device and a cutting device. The leading edge of the panel, with the release layers removed, extends freely beyond the clamping device toward the cutting device. The panel is advanced in increments corresponding to the length of the mat strip to be produced, and, when the panels are clamped by the clamping device, the panels with release layers removed are cut into mat strips, which are deposited on a transporting device in stacks of several on top of one another to form a mat packet.

Abstract: A push feed system for feeding articles from one position to another, and particularly for feeding pieces to be cut to a jump saw, includes a computer-controlled drive means having a stepper motor connected to drive a double sided toothed belt in engagement with a toothed rack, whereby operation of the belt causes relative movement between the belt and the rack, and a push bar connected to be driven by the drive means. The double sided toothed belt ensures transmission of a large amount of power without slippage, and the computer is programmed to correct for minor differences between a selected cut length and a measured cut length as might be caused, for example, by the dimension of material removed by the saw. A shock absorber is positioned between the push bar and the drive means to absorb impacts between the push bar and stationary pieces.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for trimming articles molded on a plastic sheet and successively fed from a forming machine. A carriage receives the article to be held thereunder by vacuum and is moved in a trimming zone, where a pair of longitudinal cutter devices, each having a stationary blade and an angularly movable blade, are horizontally moved together from respective retreated positions for longitudinal cutting. Then, a front transverse cutter device having similar pair of blades is raised up from a retreated position for transverse cutting and then a rear transverse cutter device is similarly operated.

Abstract: In the loading of pallets (10) with cartons (11) arranged in layers (carton layer 14), intermediate layers (24) consisting of paper or the like frequently have to be introduced between the carton layers (14). The pallets (10) are loaded by a palletizer (13) which is known for these purposes and which has a pivotable and multiply bendable cantilever arm (19). The intermediate layers (24) are laid onto the carton layers (14) by this cantilever arm (19) with a suction holder (23). At the same time, portions of a continuous web of material (25) running off from a reel (26) are drawn onto the completed carton layer (14) and then severed to the correct size from the web of material (25).

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a movable frame reciprocatingly movable longitudinally of a tubular knitted fabric, a fixed press bed member spaced apart from the frame in the direction of transport of the fabric, at least one pair of upper and lower fabric feed rollers mounted on the frame and stoppably drivable in the transport direction, a tenter core member reciprocatingly movable with the frame for tentering the fabric as fitted therearound and having one end held by the feed rollers and the other end extending toward the press bed member, and a holding member for releasably pressing the fabric as tentered by the core member against the press bed member. The holding member is provided on the fabric facing side thereof with the cutter blade of a press cutter and elastic pieces.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises axially aligned punches 1 and 2 which are operated to cooperate with dies 3 and 4 to trim the flanged ends of a tubular article. The dies are formed in two halves which are opened to allow an article to be positioned at the work station and are then closed around the ends of the article. The punches, dies, and an article delivering mechanism are driven in timed relation from a motor 5.

Abstract: A film transport mechanism for extracting film from one or more cassettes, and for slicing a sheet of the film and storing the sheet at a temporary storage apparatus until the sheet is to be loaded. The mechanism includes a film guide which moves between two positions to alter the path length of film passing over it. As film is extracted the film exerted a force on the film guide causing the film guide to move. When the film is cut the force of the film guide disappears enabling the film guide to return to its relaxed position into the path of the film so as to increase the path length and thereby retract the film passing over the film guide.

Abstract: The suction hood (20) can be moved in over the suction table (4) which can retain cloth during cutting by a laser. The suction surface of the hood opens simultaneously as the suction action of the table is reversed such that cut out portions of cloth are lifted and sucked against the suction surface of the hood. The hood (20) carries capturing means (50,51) at its forward edge for pulling fresh cloth in over the table (4) from a store (1), when said hood is moved away from the table (4), the fresh cloth being supported on an air cushion above the table (4), whereafter the suction surface of the hood (20) is closed off such portions of cloth are deposited on the deposition table (36).

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for applying mainly a thin rubber sheet, such as an inner liner or insulation, onto a tire making drum, which is used in a series of raw tire making processes. The apparatus can realize a proper applying of the sheet in such a manner that the rubber sheet, not previously cut to a specified length although it is longer than the circumference of the drum, is pressed at the foremost end onto the tire making drum, is applied thereto in a length corresponding to about one circumference of the drum through rotary control thereof, is thereafter cut automatically to the specified length, and is subsequently applied at the rear end of the cut sheet onto the drum.

Abstract: An apparatus for advancing a predetermined length of strip material from a supply roll to a delivery point. In addition to strip pull-off mechanism (15) cooperating with a one-way means (20, 22) to pull-off the desired strip length from the supply roll (10), the apparatus has a gripper (26) reciprocating in synchronism and in push-pull connection with the pull-off mechanism, the gripper gripping and advancing the strip end. The strip (11) also passes a strip brake (20, 21) and a photocell (19) which on detection of a suitable mark causes the brake to be actuated to stop the strip and the gripper to be actuated so that it releases the strip. As the moving parts have a very small inertia, the braking may be effected almost instantaneously and with great precision.

Abstract: A device is provided for feeding a continuous fabric web to a machine for sewing women's pantyhose. The continuous fabric web is formed into a gusset for the pantyhose by various devices including a motor controlled by a photoelectric device for feeding the fabric web from a spool of fabric web. A carriage alternately moves in a horizontal direction and has several web pulling jaws to pull the web into place. A tampon pincer projects from the plane of operation to hold the fabric web tight. Thereafter, a pair of co-acting blades cuts and trims the web and the pantyhose material. The pantyhose material and formed gusset are held taut until they can be sewn together.

Abstract: A common intermittent drive mechanism intermittently rotates a feed roller and a cutter rotor. An intervening gear and the radii of the feed roller and the cutter rotor differentiate the circumferential speed of the roller and the rotor to provide a slip between a continuous strip-like dispenser sheet fed by the feed roller and the cutter rotor surface. A suction means in the cutter rotor surface holds the dispenser sheet while allowing the slip thereof. When the movement of the cutter rotor is interrupted, a cutter is actuated and separates the individual articles from the remaining dispenser sheet. While the separated article is carried by the moving surface of the cutter rotor for a distance greater than the pitch of the article wrapped in the dispenser sheet, another single article is moved into the position for separation, and this procedure is repeated.

Abstract: In a shearing device for cutting plates, such as sheet metal plates, a pl feeding apparatus includes a carriage mounted for movement above and between a plate feeder and the shearing device. A rotatable carrier is mounted on the carriage for lifting and holding plates. The rotatable carrier can be turned through 360.degree.. A plurality of vacuum suction members are positioned on the carrier for holding the plates.

Abstract: A mechanism for die-cutting a laminated strip includes a roll stand having an annular carrier band mounted for rotation about a vertical axis. A plurality of roll mounting assemblies are mounted for discharging strip material onto the carrier band to form a laminated strip. Each roll mounting assembly includes a pivotally mounted roll support which includes a frictional carrier so that the weight of the roll produces frictional forces for pivoting the roll into engagement with the carrier band. A feed assembly transports the laminated strip from the carrier band to a horizontally oriented conveyor belt disposed below a die-cutter driven for vertical reciprocatory movement by a first eccentrically mounted crank arm. The conveyor belt pulleys are disposed on a carrier which is mounted for horizontal reciprocating movement below the die-cutter. The connecting rod is coupled to the carrier reciprocating assembly and to a second eccentric mounted on the first eccentric.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting patterns from successive contiguous segments of an elongated layup of sheet material has a zoned vacuum table which includes an endless bristle mat conveyor, for shifting a layup along the table to position a segment of the layup in the cutting zone of the table and for holding the layup segment in the cutting zone, and a carriage assembly, which moves a cutting mechanism relative to the table and in cutting engagement with the segment to cut patterns from the segment in response to signals from a programmable controller. A rotary encoder mounted on the carriage assembly has a pinion which engages a rack carried by the conveyor to detect movement of the carriage assembly relative to the conveyor when the carriage assembly returns to its starting position after completing its cutting cycle.

Abstract: An oscillating canopy is employed in the feeding of an elongate sheet of synthetic plastic material having articles, such as cups, for example, formed in the sheet, to a die which trims the articles from the sheet. The canopy has a downwardly concave curved upper portion upon which the sheet is supported by a series of rollers. The canopy is driven in forward and return strokes in pivotal movement about an axis located at a radial distance from the curved upper portion which is a greater distance from the discharge end of the curved upper portion than from the sheet receiving end so that tension is maintained on the sheet during the feeding stroke. The sheet-supporting rollers are mounted for rotation in one direction only, this direction being that in which the rollers can roll relative to the sheet on the return stroke of the canopy.

Abstract: A machine for cutting a continuous material of elongate length into predetermined lengths comprises conveying means and cutting means operatively associated therewith, the conveying means being rotatable by an angular amount corresponding to the length of a piston of pneumatic ram, and the cutting means being actuated after a preselectable integral number of steps of movement of the conveying means. The operation of the machine is remotely controlled by a pneumatic circuit arrangement.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting wrapper for cigars from a ribbon, comprising a frame including a guide for a conveyor, a conveyor belt parallel to said guide passed over rollers in the frame, a blade cooperating with cutter means and corresponding with the contour of a wrapper, a conveyor movable over the guide and being at some distance above the conveyor belt and parallel thereto, a support means for a roller of tobacco ribbon, a suction head spaced a little from the conveyor belt, which is located directly behind the support means for the roller of tobacco ribbon, outside the track of travel of the conveyor, means for moving the conveyor over the guide and pneumatic means connected to the drive of the conveyor to govern the control functions of the apparatus.

Abstract: A method for automatically controlling the operation of a rod-working apparatus of the type including a rod-feeding unit which feeds towards a cyclically operating work tool a certain length of rod per work cycle of the tool. There are selected a minimum and a maximum distance through which a rod to be fed towards the work tool is to be permitted to advance per work cycle of the tool. A rod is fed towards and into the range of operation of the tool. The actual distance advanced by the rod during a work cycle of the tool is determined. It is also determined whether the actual distance of advancement falls within the range defined between the preselected minimum and maximum distances. When the actual distance falls outside such range, operation of the rod-feeding unit is terminated.

Abstract: The strips to be fed to a cutting line are positioned side by side on a supporting table. Above the table there is arranged a structure which is movable transversally with respect to the feeding direction of the strips. On the underside of the structure there are provided two pusher carriers, in the form of elongated bars carrying a plurality of pushers intended to engage the strips on the table. Each pusher carrier is movable, independently with respect to the other one, towards and away from the cutting line. The pusher carriers can be moved transversally with respect to the feeding direction, so that each one of the pusher carriers can selectively engage a predetermined number of strips. Thereafter, the pusher carriers are moved towards the cutting line independently the one from the other, with consequent variations of the amount of feed of the strips, which will eventually result into obtaining panels of different sizes from the different strips.