Abstract: A cutter for cutting, in stages, irradiated bundles of nuclear fuel rods, pecially from pressurized-water or boiling-water reactors. The cutter includes a feed channel associated with transverse and longitudinal feed devices for the rod bundle. A cutter housing is arranged at the mouth of the channel. A cutter carriage can be moved at right angles to the feed channel and is provided with a cutter blade; a fixed counter-blade cooperates with this cutter blade; a rod bundle clamping mechanism is located ahead of the cutting plane and is provided with two alternately actuatable clamping jaws. The cutter carriages, the cutting blade, the counter-blade, and the two clamping jaws can be removed and replaced. The transporting, clamping, and cutting devices are respectively provided with their own drive unit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for feeding elongated products, such as feeding large sausage chubs or loafs to a slicer, which apparatus includes a transport for engaging such elongated products during the feed mode. At the end of the feeding mode, the transport is disengaged from its feed mechanism and is rapidly retracted by a drive assembly to a location for re-engagement with the transport feed assembly. The transport drive assembly may include dual drive members such as ball screws and ball screw nuts which are synchronized such that as one ball screw nut moves toward the front of the apparatus, the other moves toward the rear of the apparatus.

Abstract: A machine for removing book bindings from books so that the paper comprising the pages of the book can be recycled is provided. The machine includes a front and a rear deck, a pusher, a machine frame which extends above the decks and the pusher and a knife assembly (which includes a knife blade) swingably attached to the machine frame and having an up and a down position. The pusher slides back and forth between in and out positions. A book is placed on the front deck and the pusher slides to its in position, positioning the book under the knife assembly. When the book is properly positioned, the knife assembly swings from the up to the down position, cutting off the binding of the book. In some embodiments the invention includes a table frame upon which the front and rear decks are slidably mounted on railings supported by the table frame and have respective in and out positions.

Abstract: The invention concerns a three-knife cutting machine, in which dogs on a conveying chain in machine tempo transport the material to be cut from a magazine and into a transfer station, in which pushers moveable in the direction of transport take over the material to be cut and transport it up against stops in the cutting station, in which besides two back stops two stops for the head and foot sides of the delivered cutting material are provided, whereby the stops are moveable in machine tempo back into the transfer station and again into the cutting station and, for transport of the cut material from the cutting station, further stops are located before the first stops in the direction of transport and capable of moving together with the latter, the further stops being located at such a distance from the first stops that the further stops assume a carrying position in the cutting station for the cut material which is lying there when the first stops are located in the transfer station, and whereby all stops ca

Abstract: A feed assembly is engageable with feed holes spaced along the length of a taped supply of electrical components in order to index the taped components to a pick-up station and aid in transfer of the components from the tape to a turret-type vacuum head at the pick-up station. Cyclical actuation of the feed assembly actuates a cutter for that portion of the tape which has been emptied of the components.

Abstract: A device for feeding labels in a strip to a utilizer machine, the device being modifiable to permit the supply of labels stacked in a magazine; the modifications comprise the elimination of a fixed cutting blade and its replacement by a fixed magazine for the labels and an extractor device for extracting these from the magazine; the extractor device is mounted on a reciprocating slide carrying means for incrementally advancing the said strip.

Abstract: Back-splitting apparatus for use in the production of books such as account books, notebooks, textbooks and the like for separating a block of stacked sheets of paper, bound together at one side by gluing and constituting a plurality of books, into individual books. A plurality of projection pieces are provided at one sides of the final sheets of the respective books of the block. A suction member is disposed at the position faced with one of the projection pieces, and a pawl member is disposed movably to the lower portion of the suction member. The block of stacked sheets of paper is separated into individual books accurately by advancing a back-splitting cutter knife into the back surface side of the projection piece interposed between the suction member and the pawl member. Thus, this apparatus can effectively separate a block of stacked sheets of paper made of thick and extremely thin sheets.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for trimming boards, wherein a first stage, a first mechanism initially fixes and cuts two positioning short end cuts for each board. These positioning short end cuts are then used for advancing the board into the corresponding cutting plane of a second mechanism for trimming the board. As a result, it is possible to take into account the natural growth of a tree (all trees become thinner towards the top) and produce the minimum of trimmed waste. Because the natural growth of a tree to a conical shape, the positioning end cuts of a board will frequently define two non-parallel cutting lines for the edges of the board. The trimming in the second mechanism can be performed by different tools, e.g. by saws or one or more milling cutters. If a milling cutter is used, the boards can also be positioned in such a way that the sloping edges of the board resulting from the substantially circular cross-section of a tree can be taken into account. i.e.

Abstract: A plate positioning apparatus for use with a punch machine having a number one workpiece stopper that moves left and right along the direction of the X axis and a number two workpiece stopper that moves to and fro along the direction of the Y axis perpendicular to the X axis, each workpiece stopper having its own motor. The number one workpiece stopper moving left and right relative to the punch along the direction of the X axis structured with a corner cutout on its inner leading edge so as to allow the punch to pass through. The number two workpiece stopper moves to and fro relative to the punch along the direction of the Y axis structured with a cutout section in the middle of its leading edge so as to allow the punch to pass through, the two cutout openings meeting at the forwardmost point of intersection to allow the punch to pass through.

Abstract: Gas burners; particularly, apparatus for punching holes or ports in gas burner tubing. The apparatus includes a base and superposed frame, a press head with punch, which is reciprocally mounted in the upper part of the frame and a rotatably driven eccentric shaft which engages, so as to reciprocate the press head. As the press head reciprocates, the punch engages the receiving end of a gas burner tubing which is supported in a tube collar positioned within the lower part of the frame. The trailing end of the tubing is supported upon a tube arbor which is advanced incrementally towards the tube collar, as the punch is reciprocated. The apparatus is characterized by its capability of rapid punching of a longitudinally aligned series of ports in a gas burner tubing, with precise adjustment of port size and distance between ports.

Abstract: A trim press is provided with a remotely controlled adjustment by means of which the end limit of the feeding stroke of the feeding mechanism may be precisely adjusted relative to the die of the trim press while the machine is in operation. Oscillating and reciprocating members of the prior art trim presses are replaced by continuously rotating members to enable a higher rate of operation.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for automatically mounting reversal film in slide frames, the edge of the film being notched at predetermined intervals, the notches are utilized for feeding the film through the framing apparatus which comprises a pivoted notch-engaging pawl on a reciprocatable carriage and two electrically parallel switches acting independently on a clutch of driving means for the carriage. One of the switches is mounted on the carriage and is operable by the pawl and the other is operable by a rotary cam plate.

Abstract: A gel slicer consisting of a support with a gel guide trough and a feed screw journalled parallel to the trough. A feed plunger assembly is threadedly engaged on the feed screw and has a plunger portion slidably engaged in the trough. The feed screw is intermittently driven by a power shaft via selectable identical-diameter gear discs with different-length tooth configuration for varying the increment of feed of the gel per revolution of the power shaft. The gear discs have smooth peripheral portions providing dwell periods of the feed screw. A pivoted transverse cutting blade is spring-biased toward cutting position over the trough and is held elevated by a follower lug engaging a cam on the power shaft, the cam having a blade-release notch. The cam is synchronized to release the cutting blade during the dwell period of the feed screw. Thus, the thickness of the slice depends on the amount of teeth on that gear disc which is selected to drive the feed screw.

Abstract: Apparatus for subdividing a web of wrapping material into sections of predetermined length has a reciprocable carriage for a pair of grippers which are pivotable into engagement with the web to thereby clamp the web against the carriage while the latter moves forwardly. This advances the web through a distance which approximates but is less than the distance necessary to advance the web by the length of a section. The grippers are thereupon disengaged from the web while the carriage continues to move forwardly, and the web is braked by one or more brushes so that two pawls whose pallets are biased against the web can catch up with a pair of marginal notches in the web. The pallets enter the respective marginal notches and complete the forward movement of the web. A mobile knife cooperates with a stationary knife to sever the web and to thus separate a section from the leader of the web while the carriage moves rearwardly.

Abstract: A block of material such as a clay is fed onto a support comprising spaced apart supports, and a cutting frame, having tensioned cutting wires, is moved in a substantially vertical plane through the block and between the supports so that the cutting wires cut completely through the block without interruption of the cutting motion. The cutting wires lie in a plane extending at an acute angle to the plane of feed of the block. The cut block is then removed from the support. Feeding of the block onto the support and removal of the cut block from the supports occurs in a single plane and are effected substantially simultaneously by means of a pushing device. The method and apparatus of this invention is particularly applicable to the cutting of individual clay batches into a number of individual brick mouldings. An advantage of a preferred embodiment of this invention is that cut portions can be produced without marking of the cutting surfaces and/or the cutting edges of the cut portions.

Abstract: There is provided a compact and simple dispenser for dispensing envelopes each containing a predetermined number of paper sheets such as bank notes and being positively guided by perforations formed at the marginal side or sides of the envelopes. A series of envelopes is housed and stocked in a container unit of the dispenser while being folded one on another to form a train of envelopes which are cut off along the folded lines and then dispensed individually under the control of the central control center. The dispenser of the invention comprises the container unit which has a lock, and a dispensing unit having a cavity for receiving the container unit and a locking device for releasingly locking the lock of the container unit until a signal instructing disassembly of the container unit from the dispensing unit is received.

Abstract: A continuous cold cut slicing system utilizing a slicing machine having a conveyor which feeds a loaf into engagement with a series of drums located on each side of the slicing machine channel; the drums are driven by a variable speed motor with the rotation of the drums providing a feed mechanism of the product to the slicing blade. A gripper assembly is provided which rides on a guide shaft adjacent the channel with the movement of the gripper in the channel constantly being monitored by an encoder and clutch arrangement connected thereto. As the gripper approaches the knife, the encoder and clutch arrangement provide for a drag on the gripper thereby controlling the feed of the product compensating for pull on the knife. Also, since the encoder and clutch arrangement are constantly monitoring the position of the gripper the exact location of the tail end of the loaf being sliced is readily determinable so that a profile compensation control system may be effectively incorporated into the system.

Abstract: A continuous cold cut slicing system utilizing a slicing machine having a conveyor which feeds a loaf into engagement with a series of drums located on each side of the slicing machine channel; said drums are driven by a variable speed motor with the rotation of the drums providing a feed mechanism of the product to the slicing blade. A gripper assembly is provided which rides on guide shafts adjacent said channel with the movement of the gripper in the channel constantly being monitored by an encoder connected thereto and positive drive is supplied to the gripper towards the blade by a clutch means in conjunction with a rack and pinion arrangement. The positive drive may be synchronized with the feed of the drums. As the gripper approaches the knife, the drag may be placed on the gripper thereby compensating for pull of the blade.

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 continuous strip (16) of metal with boxed discrete capacitors (10) assembled thereon is cyclically advanced to move a leading section of the strip into a positioned chamber (48) of a multi-chamber magazine (46). After a predetermined number of advancements of the strip, a cutter (76,83) is operated to sever the strip and then an auxiliary feed device (107-118) is rendered effective to advance the trailing extremity of the severed strip into the magazine chamber. Immediately thereafter the magazine is indexed to position another chamber to receive a subsequently advanced section of the strip. Upon loading of a magazine with a strip and assembled capacitors in each chamber, facilities (127-142) are rendered effective to advance a new magazine into position to receive additional sections of the strip with the assembled capacitors.

Abstract: A punching apparatus, particularly a device for longitudinally advancing, while punching, a series of longitudinally aligned ports in cylindrical tubing of the type used in gas burners. The apparatus is distinguished by its employment of a single drive system for advancing and punching, together with adjustments for varying the height of the tubing, the depth of the punched port, and the longitudinal spacing between ports.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for feeding grid stock through a punch and die arrangement so that the spaced apart slots are equally spaced during the progression of the grid stock. The feed mechanism for strip stock comprises reciprocating punch means, die means associated with said reciprocating punch means to cooperate to punch out a group of spaced-apart slots in said strip stock, supporting means associated with said punch and die means to support said strip stock during its advance, a pair of members slidably mounted to said supporting means to operate on adjacent groups of spaced-apart slots in said strip stock to positively feed said stock away from said punch and die means, and means timed in respect to the reciprocation of said punch and die means and operative thereby, while said die means is raised from said punch means, to impart feeding movements to said feed stock.

Abstract: There is disclosed a cutting press adapted for the cutting of paper, such as discarded paper money. The cutting device is mounted in a support having the shape of a case with open side walls, a feeding conveyor passing through the case forwarding the paper to be cut to the press.

Abstract: Automatic power shearing apparatus and method for trimming sheet material into finished blanks comprising blade means, x and y axis feeding means and sheet feeding means including a first power driven means for moving the sheet in x and y directions and a second means responsive to a control acting to move the sheet in preselected directions by a constant counter balance against the first power driven means.

Abstract: A device for feeding a ribbon of sausage support loops into a clip attachment apparatus is attached to the clip attachment apparatus and includes a body member with a guide track for directing the ribbon of loops from a storage reel to the clip apparatus. A reciprocating piston operated drive pin engages the ribbon to incrementally drive the ribbon forward into position for attachment of a single loop to a sausage casing. A knife separates the single loop from the ribbon upon attachment of the loop to the sausage casing by the clip apparatus. Subsequently, the drive pin is disengaged from the ribbon and is reversibly driven into position for re-engagement and further advancement of the ribbon. The movement of the drive pin and knife is controlled by a cam track in the body member.

Abstract: Apparatus for severing electrical contacts from a carrier strip and loading the severed contacts into a hand tool which can then be used to insert the contacts individually into an apertured circuit element such as a printed circuit board.

Abstract: A trim press for severing cup-shaped articles from a sheet of thermoplastic material in which the articles have been integrally formed as by a vacuum forming operation. A horizontally reciprocable punch is driven to sever articles positioned in a stationary die by a linkage arranged to drive the punch at a relatively slow speed during the severing operation to achieve a smooth shearing separation of the relatively soft thermoplastic material. The sheet is fed into the die in step-by-step movement through vertical sheet guides fixedly mounted in a treadle which is reciprocated with the punch at a proportionate speed. A flexible sheet guide connected between the guides in the treadle and a fixed point on the machine frame flexes to accommodate reciprocation of the treadle while continuously guiding the sheet to the guides on the treadle. Feed fingers mounted on the treadle advance the sheet to the die in step-by-step movement synchronized with the stroke of the punch.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for feeding signatures from a saddle to a trimmer mechanism includes a transfer apparatus which moves each signature in turn from the saddle onto a conveyor assembly at a delivery station. The conveyor assembly includes a plurality of chains having pusher fingers which engage the trailing edges of the signatures. The pusher fingers move the signatures into the trimmer mechanism. The pusher fingers on the conveyor assembly are registered relative to a stop in the trimmer mechanism to at least partially register the signatures before they enter the trimmer mechanism. The transfer assembly, which moves the signatures from the saddle to the conveyor assembly, is effective to positively grip each signature in turn by applying a clamping force to opposite sides of the signature. These clamping forces are continuously applied to the signature from the time it leaves the saddle until it is deposited on the conveyor assembly where it is engaged by the pusher fingers.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for distributing products by packaging them in individual containers connected together to form a strip, and cutting each individual product unit from the strip which is fed stepwise to being each terminal product unit into a cutting position during each distributing cycle. The apparatus comprises a coin box, a cutting mechanism arranged to separate the terminal product unit from the strip when a token or coin is inserted into the coin box, and a feed mechanism arranged to cause advancing of the strip by one step when the cutting mechanism returns to a rest position.

Abstract: A vending machine for vending goods or services of the type requiring the insertion of coins or tokens of a certain value in order to obtain the goods or services. A ticket dispensing apparatus is associated with the machine whereby a ticket will be dispensed by the machine in addition to the vending of the goods or services. The ticket will be redeemable by the user of the machine for something of value in addition to the goods or services received. Feeding means are employed for dispensing the tickets at a ticket delivery position, the feeding means being operable by the actuating means of the machine. These actuating means are operable only upon the insertion of coins or tokens of sufficient value and, therefore, the tickets are dispensed only upon insertion of sufficient coins or tokens.

Abstract: An advancing system for heat exchangers having a helically wound spine fin material on the outer wall of a base tube member. The advancing system includes a member movable between a resetting and advancing stroke. The member has a passageway that is adapted to receive the spine fin heat exchanger. The internal walls of the passageway being designed and dimensioned to cause the spine fin tubing to move during the advancing stroke while allowing the tube to remain stationary during the resetting stroke.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the invention provides tube cutting apparatus including, a head structure mounting cutter means defining a cutting station for a length of tubular material, an elongate rod-like structure for mounting the tubular material, tube engaging means for advancement of said tubular material along said rod-like structure to said cutting station, support means for said rod-like structure including a portion of table-like form, means for an initially free pivotal connection of said table-like support portion to said head structure and a pedestal type support for the opposite end of said table-like support portion including means for a lateral adjustment thereof about said pivot means to effect a precise alignment of said rod-like structure with said cutting station.

Abstract: A ribbon consisting of a series of interconnected labels is transported, first continuously and thereupon intermittently, along an elongated path toward a severing station where a movable knife separates successive foremost labels and the separated labels are engaged by pivotable suction heads which move the respective labels sideways into a different path for transport to a packing or other processing machine. That portion of the ribbon path which is located immediately ahead of the severing station extends along an arc of 180.degree., and the mechanism for intermittently transporting the ribbon has two pivotable deforming jaws which cooperate to deform the ribbon between successive labels whereupon a shoulder of one of the jaws engages the deformed portion and pushes the ribbon toward the severing station.

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.

Abstract: A key cutting apparatus for cutting a series of longitudinally spaced notches in the blade of a key blank according to specifications set forth in key manufacturer's code books. The apparatus includes a cutter mounted on a base, a carriage assembly movably mounted on the base for controllable movement toward and away from the cutter; the carriage assembly includes a sub-carriage adapted for controllable independent movement in a direction perpendicular to the carriage assembly movement. A key blank clamping assembly secured to the sub-carriage holds the key blank for the cutting operation and cooperates with positioning means which effects proper positioning of the key blank to permit cutting of the first notch at a code book specified distance from a reference point which is generally the key blank shoulder. The remaining notches are equidistantly spaced from each other along the remaining portion of the key blank blade. A variable spacing control assembly allows selection of this spacing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cutting stuffed sausage casing into individual lengths in the area of a linkage is described. Chilled casing which is stuffed with sausage meat and linked at predetermined points is guided through the apparatus, a forked blade is positioned over a first linkage and the casing is advanced towards a cutting zone. The forked blade is pivotally mounted on a carriage assembly which is slidably moveable along the direction of the chilled casing. The casing is cut in the area of the linkage by cooperation of a cutting blade with the forked blade in the cutting zone. The carriage assembly is then withdrawn from the cutting zone and the forked blade pivoted forward and upward out of the way of the casing. The forked blade is drawn over the surface of the casing until a second linkage is contacted.

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: A sheet feeder for feeding sheets accurately in correct orientation, especially to a press for blanking pieces from the sheet, has an intermittent sheet-advancing action in which not only the movement of the sheet, but also its orientation with respect to the path of travel and its transverse position, are determined solely by pusher dogs without any need for side guides. The pusher dogs fit in recesses in the rear edge of the sheet in such a way that the transverse position of the sheet is determined accurately by an abrupt discontinuity of the recess or recesses engaging a pusher dog.

Abstract: An apparatus or system for the aligning and severing of fabric webs which have a thickness differing in the longitudinal direction, for example a terry cloth fabric with napless lanes extending crosswise to the longitudinal direction and lanes which have a nap arranged in an alternate pattern comprises aligning means which cooperate with the boundary areas between adjacent lanes of the fabric web and which extend crosswise to the web pull off direction. A cutting device is arranged crosswise to the web pull off direction at a location after the aligning means and braking means in the form of individually adjustable brake elements which extend across the width of the fabric are arranged between the aligning means and the reel supply of the fabric material.

Abstract: A paper knife is mounted at its opposite ends on a pair of arcuate arms pivotally attached to the knife table. The knife is operated by a fluid cylinder which extends from the table to the knife. This way all of the operating apparatus is positioned beneath and not above the table, thereby providing a low profile so that the operator may reach over the knife. Various mechanical details enable quick paper sets and closer cuts.

Abstract: A machine for attaching terminals to electrical conductors is disclosed wherein the bed and ram of an applicator are relatively movable together and apart and each carries a cooperating one of a pair of crimping dies to crimp a terminal onto a conductor when the ram and bed are moved together. A terminal feeding device supplies terminals to be crimped by the dies seriatim and in synchronism with relative movement between the ram and bed and a unidirectional coupling such as a chain connects the terminal feeding device to the ram so that the feeding device is actuated to supply a terminal when the ram retracts from the bed. A spring biasing device opposes operation of the unidirectional coupling to restore the feeding device for subsequent actuation. The cooperating dies and terminal feeding device are independently removably attached to the machine allowing independent replacement to accommodate specific conductor-terminal combinations.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting elongate members of arbitrary length, for example, cants or boards, into shorter sections of predetermined like or unlike lengths, so that each material length is utilized to the maximum with the least possible waste, is provided with a plurality of abutments which may be guided in and out of the direction of travel of the material to determine the length of the different shorter sections. The material to be cut is measured longitudinally while it is advanced towards the cutting element by means of an automatic measuring device which transmits pulses via a programming device which determines the lengths into which various material lengths are to be cut in order to give the least possible waste. The programming device controls the abutments which determine the length of feed of the material in the direction towards the cutting element.

Abstract: A machine for indexing groups of nestable die trimmed articles in a stack of such articles by causing a misregistration of a sheet of preformed articles during a die trimming operation. Such indexing can aid in separating said stack into said groups.

Abstract: A slitting machine is disclosed which feeds corrugated pipe through the machine intermittently and between the periods of pipe feeding when the pipe is stationary a plurality of angularly spaced saw sets are moved radially inward toward the machine axis and the pipe to cut slots through the wall thereof, and then withdrawn whereupon the cycle repeats. The pipe is fed through the machine by endless transporters equal in number to the saw sets and uniformly disposed angularly with respect to each other, the saw sets and the axis. The transporters have projections which fit into the corrugations of the pipe for a driving connection therewith. A saw set is located angularly between each pair of transporters so that a pair of the latter are roughly opposite to a saw set for an even number of sets or directly opposite a transporter for an odd number of sets.

Abstract: Slit registry apparatus and method for registry of flexible, generally planar stock as for stencilling thereon, involving formation of periodic transverse slits and adjacent edges in the stock, at least one of the edges and the adjacent stock zone or area being offset from the plane of the stock for engagement of this offset edge by a registration surface.

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: The invention relates to a slicing machine having a hydraulic feed means, a piston pump synchronized with the rotation of the knife so that for each revolution of the knife a measured amount of fluid is supplied by the pump to the feed means thereby determining the increment of movement and thus, the slice thickness. The stroke length of the piston pump may be varied to change the slice thickness.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cutting compressed oriented fibers held in position by a peripheral sleeve and transporting the fibers from the cutting zone by means of a vacuum belt that contacts the ends of the fibers.

Abstract: A charging box for a scrap metal shear is provided with a top opening where a compressed block of scrap metal may be loaded. A first ram is provided to the rear of the scrap metal block so that it may be pushed forward for a short distance in the charging box. A second ram is provided whose rear most position is behind the forward most position of the first ram means. After the first ram is retracted the second ram means is brought into position behind the block of scrap to continue movement of the scrap block into the shear. The two rams are so arranged that while the second ram is feeding a block of scrap metal into the shear a second block may be loaded into the charging box and moved forward by the first ram until the first ram has reached its forward most position where the block of scrap may then be engaged by the second ram when it is returned from feeding the first block of scrap into the shear.

Abstract: An axial lead component dispensing apparatus having a simultaneously adjustable pair of guide plates, advancing mechanism and lead severing mechanism mounted on a support. Two racks and a pinion actuate and synchronize the simultaneous lateral adjustment of the guide plates.