Abstract: A punching station for a web includes a web transport system that operates to advance the web in a first direction at a first rate. A clamp intermittently grips a portion of the web to advance the portion in the first direction at a second rate. A punch is coupled to the clamp such that the punch moves in the first direction together with the clamp. A punch block cooperates with the punch. The punch block is coupled to the clamp such that the punch block moves in the first direction in unison with the clamp. A punch actuator causes the punch to penetrate the web and then to be withdrawn from the web while the web is gripped by the clamp.

Abstract: An improved fluid level verification apparatus for use on liquid filled containers and configured to reduce inherent mechanical stresses on the inspection tube and resist leakage due to environmental, chemical, thermal or mechanical expansion cycles by using a protective shield member to encase the inspection sight member, and, also, a method for permanently sealing the fluid level detection apparatus.

Abstract: A device for cutting out an article from a long tape and adhering the article to an adhesive tape comprising: a cutting roll having blade molds on the roll surface for cutting out an article by holding and pressing a long tape between the roll and an adhering roll; the adhering roll having anvils of which shapes correspond to those of the mold blades of the cutting roll and cylinders each having a shaft capable of piston action having suction mouth protrudable from the roll surface wherein the cylinder is disposed in each anvil shape; and a transfer device for an adhesive tape to which the articles are adhered, wherein the shaft is contained in the cylinder before sucking the article and when reaching predetermined position on the adhesive tape to which the article is adhered the cylinder adheres the article to the adhesive tape in protruding state while sucking the article.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system for the continuous separation of strings of material, subdivided into individual string subsections or pockets by transverse perforations, especially in the context of the production of tea filter bags, incorporating a continuously rotating wheel (1) and, beside the wheel (1), grippers (3) which are tiltable relative to the wheel (1) and serve to grasp the longitudinal sides of a string subsection to be separated from the string at a predefined point near the perforation, said string subsection permitting separation by means of the relative movement between the grippers (3) and the wheel (1).

Abstract: Rotary knife apparatus used in connection with a pouch form, fill and seal machine capable of handling a substantially wide range of pouch sizes or variations in pouch fills. The apparatus includes major and minor knife hubs cantilevered on respective shafts and driven by a continuous backwrapped chain or timing belt. Rigid knife blades are mounted to interchangeable knife blocks on the major knife hub having varying radial dimensions to accommodate varying pouch chordal distances. The minor knife hub is laterally adjustable relative to the major knife hub along a fixed path to accommodate the substantial changeover.

Abstract: A device with contratrotating knives for severing filter cigarette uniting bands from webs for filter cigarette assemblies in automatic filter tipping mahines, in which the knives are carried by drums in arrays with their cutting edges meeting with tangential contact at successive points. The cutting edges of one series of knives are carried at a higher peripheral speed than that of the other series by a support drum. The path of the cutting edges with a higher peripheral speed develops in a plane of the tangential point between the knives of both series such that their lowermost and uppermost sections respectively, are distant from the axis of rotation by equal radii, but greater than that of at least one of their intermediate points coincident with the tangential point.

Abstract: For transporting and guiding delicate packaging material in conjunction with a packaging machine for producing individual blanks, a conveyor band 15 is subdivided by deflection into two portions 24, 25 is used. In the region between these conveying portions the sheet 12 or blank 10 is transported on a roller 26 acting as an intermediate conveyor. The severing cut is made here, without the continuous guidance of the sheet and blank being interrupted.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cutting continuous funicular material such as tow bands of fibrous material of glass, synthetics, metal, or staple spun threads of any generic type is disclosed wherein two relatively movable closely spaced members are provided with a plurality of knives affixed to the surface of at least one of the members. The material is fed between the rotors and trapped and cut by the knives in a scissors-like manner. In a preferred embodiment, the members are both rotors mounted concentrically each with a plurality of knives. After cutting, the cut staple is flung outwardly from the rotors by centrifugal force.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling articles (such as web stacks) wherein a series of articles is advanced along a first lineal path and gripped therein, thereafter directed about an arcuate quadrant to a second path perpendicular to the first path and while still being gripped, and thereafter translated, while still being gripped, into a third path parallel to the second path, the handling in the first, second, and third paths occurring while a dimension of the article remains parallel to the direction of travel of the first path.

Abstract: Punching apparatus, preferably for metal strip, comprises at least two pairs of shafts rotatably mounted in a framework wherein the pairs are spaced apart along a feed path and the shafts of each pair are spaced apart one on each side of this path. Each shaft carries an eccentric with the eccentrics on the same side of the feedpath being similarly orientated and the eccentrics of each pair of shafts being orientated 180.degree. apart. A beam is mounted on each side of the feedpath on the corresponding eccentrics and parallel to the path and at least one punch is mounted on one beam extending towards the other beam which carries a complementary die. Means are included for holding and moving a metal strip along the feed path and also for rotating the shafts in unison but such that the shafts on opposite sides of the feedpath rotate in opposite directions.