Abstract: A method and machine adapted to removed baked waffles from a succession of waffle irons on a feed conveyor, trim the waffles so removed into a regular peripheral configuration, and transfer those waffles in succession onto a transfer conveyor. The feed conveyor is adapted to convey a series of successive waffle irons, with baked waffles thereon, from an oven to a transfer location. A vacuum head of novel structure is provided at the transfer location to move cyclically in a machine direction of the feed conveyor between an upstream and a downstream location, the vacuum head being raised and lowered during that limited motion path to pick up waffles by vacuum from successive waffle irons without stopping the conveyor. The vacuum head is also movable in the cross machine direction of the feed conveyor between the feed conveyor and a transfer conveyor.

Abstract: A film severing method and apparatus is provided in which a film having first and second edges is engaged by film holding devices and the film is severed in a transverse path between such holding devices while the film is held on either side thereby, such severing including:Cutting the film at the first edge by moving a severing device into the film at a position spaced from the first edge and thereafter moving it in a first direction toward and through such first edge to form a partial cut andCompleting the severing of the film by moving another severing device in a second direction into the partial cut and thereafter through the film toward and through the second edge whereby to sever the film.