Abstract: An automatic photographic paper cutter cuts photographic prints from a strip of photographic paper which bears cut indicia indicating the locations of desired paper cuts. An indicia sensor is positioned in fixed relationship with respect to the paer cutter knife assembly at a distance less than the shortest length of print to be cut. The paper cutter derives and stores a feed-after-sense signal, which represents the length the paper strip must be fed after a cut indicium is sensed in order for the strip to be cut at the desired cut location represented by that cut indicum. During automatic operation of the paper cutter, the photographic paper strip is advanced until a cut indicium is sensed, is advanced by an additional distance determined by the feed-after-sense signal, is stopped, and is cut at the desired cut location.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing slices of pitted cherries. It carries out successive orientation and slicing operations with direct introduction of a predetermined count of slices into containers (e.g., cans or jars). The desired count for each container can be adjusted to meet requirements.

Abstract: A saw, especially a circular metal saw, is equipped with a device for keeping open the gap cut by the saw blade. For this purpose two chucking members are arranged symmetrically to the right and left of the saw blade on one side of the workpiece and an abutment member is arranged on the opposite side of the workpiece and opposite the saw blade. Power drive means press the chucking members against the workpiece. The workpiece engaging elements of the chucking members may be pointed ridges or conical tips.

Abstract: A strip is composed of a plurality of successive groups of successive strip sections. The strip is provided with end-of-group indications coordinated with the ends of the respective groups of strip sections. The strip is transported backwards along a predetermined path so that each end-of-group marking precedes the first section of the respective group of sections. A detector located at a predetermined position along the transport path detects the end-of-group markings and generates corresponding end-of-order signals. The end-of-order signals are applied to a storage device. In response to each end-of-order signal, the storage device activates a separating device for separating one order from the next. However, the activation occurs only after the elapse of a time delay compensating for the backward transport of the strip.

Abstract: A device and method for spreading apart and transferring rows of block-like articles such as bricks which have previously been cut including an exemplary apparatus comprising a roller table for receiving the row of blocks from the cutting area and a separating device designed to be raised between the rollers in the roller table for spreading the blocks apart in a predetermined manner, prior to transfer of the blocks onto a pallet. The invention accomplishes the separating and transfer of the items being handled, while such items continue to move in the machine direction, thereby increasing the per unit processing capacity while also reducing the space requirements of such machines.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved apparatus for automatically cutting belt loops and removing splices from a loop string material. The apparatus has an input portion for directing loop string material into the apparatus and storing a quantity of the material with a dancer roller. The loop string leaves the input portion and is transported by first and second driven rollers. A splice sensor engages the string between the first and second spaced driven rollers. The splice sensor includes a foot with a reflective surface thereon and a transducer positioned to direct a light beam down to the reflective surface and sense the reflected light beam. The foot is positioned such that a splice moving with the loop string will cover the reflective surface and break the light beam, thereby allowing the apparatus to sense the presence of the splice. A measuring transducer is connected to one of the driven rollers and measures the amount of loop string advanced thereby.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically cutting wrappers or the like from metal sheets. A metal sheet is conveyed in the x-direction to a cutting position wherein a pair of cutting blade (i.e., shears) assemblies cut edge portions from the metal sheet to form a cut wrapper or the like having longitudinal edges. The cutting assemblies are movable in the y-dimension--transverse to the x-direction--and are also angularly movable. From the cutting position the cut wrapper is continuously conveyed to a notching position wherein notching assemblies also movable in the y-dimension may form notches in the longitudinal edges of the cut wrapper. At a further point in the x-direction, an edge deforming position may be provided including edge deforming apparatus that also is movable in the y-dimension. Flexible elongated members or the like support the metal sheet spaced from its conveyor during conveying to prevent damage to the conveyor by the cutting or notching assemblies.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for blanking products from pliable sheet material where the material to be cut is supported on a planar support member within the peripheral shape of the final product and after the blanking process has been completed a product-discharge roller is moved through an aperture in the supporting surface to lift the cut product clear of the cutting edge and discharge the product from the cutting apparatus. Additionally, the cutting edge has a portion which separates the cut product and its peripheral waste from incoming material and the peripheral waste is positively discharged from the apparatus by a conveyor arrangement located externally of the cutting edge which defines the products peripheral shape.

Abstract: Each customer order has the form of an image band segment comprised of one or more image sections bearing respective images. The customer order image band segments together form an elongated image band. The image band is provided with order marks of different types, each image section of one customer order being provided with an order mark of one type, and each image section of the next customer order being provided with an order mark of another type, so that the order mark type changes from one customer order to the next on the image band. The changes of order mark type are detected using a detecting arrangement which is operative for generating control signals in dependence upon such detection. The operation of an order-sorting arrangement is controlled by applying the control signals thereto.

Abstract: Method of severing a flexible reinforced elastomeric conduit supported on a plurality of elongated rigid mandrels is provided so that each mandrel has a length of conduit therearound which is approximately equal to the length of the mandrel.

Abstract: A novel method cutting textile material into garment-pattern shaped pieces using thin paper sheet pattern pieces utilizing magnetic objects to position and clamp the pattern pices to the textile. Further, a method of storing the cut textile is disclosed.