Abstract: A transfer apparatus for a sheet material article trimmer includes a transfer element configured to grip the sheet material article and move the sheet material article in a transfer direction onto a side table of the sheet material article trimmer. A driver is provided, the driver being configured to move the transfer element at the same speed as the side table during period of time when the sheet material article is gripped by the transfer element and the side table is moving in the transfer direction.

Abstract: An apparatus (30) and method for ultrasonically energized slitting of a slab of confectionary material wherein a slitting tool (33a) incorporates a plurality of slitting knives (37a) spaced apart in accordance with the desired width of the product, which strips are further processed by transverse cutting and/or molding or other processing steps such as chocolate enrobing to provide improved confectionary products.

Abstract: A device for cutting a web of material, the web having a web velocity and moving in a web direction. The device includes a plurality of linearly movable cutting elements capable of moving in the same direction as the web direction for cutting the web into signatures, and a plurality of gripper elements interacting with the cutting elements. A method for cutting a web includes the steps of linearly moving a plurality of cutting elements within a signature formation area, the web also moving within the signature formation area, the cutting elements and the web moving in the same direction; cutting the web with the plurality of cutting elements so as to form signatures; gripping the signatures; and varying a length of the signatures by varying a spacing between cutting elements in the signature formation area.

Abstract: A method and device for diverting signatures is disclosed. A first cutting device partially cuts a web, while a second cutting device downstream of the first cutting device fully cuts the web so as to form a plurality of signatures. At least one first belt and at least one second belt hold the plurality of signatures, with the first belt having at least one first raised outer section and passing through at least part of the second cutting device, and with the second belt having at least one second raised outer section. The first and second raised outer sections interact to offset the plurality of signatures so as to define an alternating first stream and second stream of the plurality of signatures.

Abstract: A device for cutting a web of material, the web having a web velocity and moving in a web direction. The device includes a plurality of linearly movable cutting elements capable of moving in the same direction as the web direction for cutting the web into signatures, and a plurality of gripper elements interacting with the cutting elements. A method for cutting a web includes the steps of linearly moving a plurality of cutting elements within a signature formation area, the web also moving within the signature formation area, the cutting elements and the web moving in the same direction; cutting the web with the plurality of cutting elements so as to form signatures; gripping the signatures; and varying a length of the signatures by varying a spacing between cutting elements in the signature formation area.

Abstract: An apparatus (30) and method for ultrasonically energized slitting of a slab of confectionary material wherein a slitting tool (33a) incorporates a plurality of slitting knives (37a) spaced apart in accordance with the desired width of the product, which strips are further processed by transverse cutting and/or molding or other processing steps such as chocolate enrobing to provide improved confectionary products.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing grass sprigs from bulk sod, evenly distributing the grass sprigs on the ground to be planted, and thereafter planting the grass sprigs. The apparatus comprises a rigid frame member having a driven conveyor assembly, a bulk sod shredding assembly, and a planting assembly. The driven conveyor transports bulk sod to the shredder assembly at a rate proportional to the ground speed of the apparatus, thus providing the proper sprig output rate from the shredder. The shredding assembly utilizes a rotating shaft having a plurality of shredding members extending therefrom for shredding the bulk sod cooperatively with a shredder bar. The planting assembly comprises a sizable chute for guiding the sprigs from the shredder to the ground to be planted without clogging, a plurality of coulters for pressing the sprigs into the ground, and a plurality of press wheels for firming the soil planted subsequent to the coulters.

Abstract: A rotary die cutter for die-cutting blanks one after another has a blank feed unit, a pair of cylinders for die-cutting the blanks, and an endless member running synchronized with the cylinders. The blanks are gripped by grippers mounted at equal spacings on the endless member. The cylinders are adapted to allow the grippers to pass between the cylinders while gripping the blanks.

Abstract: An improved die cutter is proposed in which the blanks are supported for a certain amount of movement with respect to the blank gripper so as to be fed not clamped by the gripper but by engagement with the blade and the anvil during the die-cutting. This eliminates the problem resulting from the difference between the blank feed speed and the horizontal component of speed of the blade and the anvil.

Abstract: A pair of parallel conveyor belts 20, 21 are spaced apart less than the width of a web 11 of packaging material to be transported, but greater than the width of a package to be wrapped in blanks 10 severed from the web. Suction holes 24 in the inner edges of the belts hold the overlapping outer edges of the web. A transverse knife 27 slightly wider than the web passes through oblong cutouts 30, 31 in the inner edges of the belts to sever the blanks, which are subsequently U-wrapped around packages 13 individually pushed between the belts.

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: Apparatus for cutting a continuous .[.elements.]. .Iadd.element .Iaddend.of indeterminate length into predetermined lengths employs a pair of transversely spaced endless chains having a plurality of crossplates connected to and extending between the chains. Clamping means and cutting means are respectively mounted on the crossplates. A clamping cam is provided for actuating the clamping means and a cutting cam is provided for actuating the cutting means. The clamping means has a cam follower associated therewith which is cooperable with the clamping cam, and the cutting means has a cam follower associated therewith which is cooperable with the cutting cam.