Abstract: A portable timber mill comprising a main superstructure (3) and a platform mounted on the superstructure being comprised of at least one detachable bench (15) on which cutting and sorting operations are performed. Each bench has infeed means (9), cutting means (16) conveyor means (17), sorting and separation means (70, 71) whereby timber can be processed according to a time ordered processing sequence along a predetermined route on the said at least one bench until a predetermined size of timber is achieved. The superstructure is configured in the form of a transportable trailer.

Abstract: This application discloses a method and apparatus for converting thermoplastic web material, flat or tubular, to produce bags. A conventional bag machine produces web segments provided with a group of centrally located holes and each segment is transferred by a conventional rotary transfer device to one of a plurality of platforms which are sequentially located at a stacking station. The platforms are provided with upwardly projecting pins on which the web sections are stacked. After the accumulation of a desired number of web segments on the platform located at the stacking station, the loaded platform is indexed away from the stacking station to a perforating station and then to a cutting or cutting and blocking station to thereby produce two bag stacks, each of which are retained on the associated platform by the pins.

Abstract: The instant invention is particularly directed to a method and apparatus for automated handling of panels comprising a plurality of interconnected substrates in order to control and separate the circuit boards in a continuous processing line. One embodiment incorporates two shearing stations and a rotary transfer device therebetween in order to transfer a panel portion from the first station to the second station while controlling and rotating the panel for subsequent feed to the second station such that the panel portion is cut on a line of the substrate which is perpendicular to the original line of cut of the substrate. Throughout the handling of the panels and panel portions, sensing, gripping, and indexed feeding of the panels and panel portions are under the control of a programmable computer.

Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and method for cutting paper sheets into smaller sheet sections and collating the sheet sections. The apparatus includes a table having a longitudinal section, followed by a transverse section. Chains just below the table move a sheet stack longitudinally past a first blade which cuts the stack longitudinally, after which one of the stack portions is elevated above the other and placed on top of the other to combine the portions into a second stack. A second pair of chains moves the second stack in the transverse direction past a second blade which cuts the second stack transversely. One of the stack portions formed by the second cut is elevated above, then placed on top of, the other portion to form a further reduced sized third stack, which then is moved transversely to a third cutting station at which it is cut in the transverse direction. Again, one of the portions created by the third cut is elevated above and placed on the other portion to form a final stack of sheet sections.

Abstract: The instant invention is particularly directed to a method and apparatus for automated handling of panels comprising a plurality of interconnected substrates in order to control and separate the circuit boards in a continuous processing line. One embodiment incorporates two shearing stations and a rotary transfer device therebetween in order to transfer a panel portion from the first station to the second station while controlling and rotating the panel for subsequent feed to the second station such that the panel portion is cut on a line of the substrate which is perpendicular to the original line of cut of the substrate. Throughout the handling of the panels and panel portions, sensing, gripping, and indexed feeding of the panels and panel portions are under the control of a programmable computer.

Abstract: Method and apparatus by which bread loaves or the like are split in half, and thereafter turned mechanically through 180.degree. with respect to one another so that the heel and cut ends of both of the two half loaves are oriented in the same way. The half loaves are thereafter sliced and then packaged in separate packages but in the same orientation with respect to each package.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for cutting lumber into any desired length. The cutting is carried out so that the piece of lumber is transported longitudinally, by means of a transverse conveyor, against a stop in either of two counter-check chains, which stop is connected to a carriage. The carriage can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the piece of lumber along guides by means of a servocylinder, and the position of the carriage can be suitably adjusted with respect to a circular saw next to it.

Abstract: For use with a thermoforming press adapted to form individual articles in the body of a thermoplastic web which has a degree of inherent stiffness, a trimming station for trimming the formed articles from the web subsequent to their formation characterized by a web transport that comprises at least a pair of rotary advancing devices directly engaged with the web at spaced apart locations across the width of the web, a drive for periodically rotating the advancing devices to produce indexing movement to the trimming press and means to periodically release the drive engagement of the rotary advancing devices with the web to enable relaxation of stress developed in the thermoplastic web and to allow the interaction of the web with the guides to realign the web in the absence of constraint by the rotary advancing devices, and the method of operation thereof.

Abstract: A large rectangular plate is subdivided into small rectangular sections in a system wherein the plate is fed stepwise in a main direction through an upstream shear while the downstream end portion of the plate is seized immediately downstream of the shear with each advanced step. Between the advanced steps the end portions are sheared off and then displaced in the main direction to the upstream end of a conveyor where they are deposited one after the other. The conveyor displaces the sheared-off end portions until each one is positioned above a respective aligner spaced apart in the main direction. The conveyor lowers these sections onto the aligners and the aligners then align them perfectly perpendicular to the main direction. The aligned and sheared-off end portions are then pushed jointly in a transverse direction perpendicular to the main direction stepwise to a downstream shear while they are supported and pneumatically seized at their downstream ends immediately downstream of the downstream shear.

Abstract: Method for removing camber from strip preparatory to forming helical pipe is taught utilizing the steps of feeding the strip longitudinally along a directional line of feed, sensing lateral deviations of the strip relative to the directional line of feed, laterally moving and realigning the strip in response to lateral deviations, then severing both side edges of the strip on lines parallel with the directional line of feed.

Abstract: A system for cutting generally planar quadrilateral workpieces into a plurality of quadrilateral elements, at least a portion of which have both their length and width dimensions smaller than the overall length and width dimensions of the original workpiece wherein cuts extending completely across the workpiece parallel to one of the length and the width dimensions thereof are first effected by a first saw with the cut pieces being then conveyed to a third saw where cuts completely thereacross may be made in directions perpendicular to the one dimension. The remainder of the workpiece is conveyed to a second saw where cuts are made in directions parallel to the other of the length and width dimensions with the cut portions of the workpiece remainder being subsequently conveyed to the third saw for effecting cuts in the cut portions in directions parallel to the one dimension.

Abstract: A machine for cutting tenon ends on logs to be used as floor joists, the machine including transfer devices for depositing each log on a pair of conveyor belts, cut-off saws for cutting the log ends to a fixed length, sets of parallel and angled saws for cutting tenons on both ends of the log, and delivery devices for removing the sawed logs from the conveyors.

Abstract: An envelope opener comprising first, second and third shear stations for shearing three edges of an envelope in sequence one edge at a time. Each shear station sequentially aligns the envelope by contacting the edge to be sheared, shears the contacted edge, and then releases the envelope. A microcomputer monitors the advance of the envelope through and between the shear stations and causes the shear stations to cyclically align, shear and release the envelope. A peel back station downstream of the shear station peels back a panel of the envelope to expose the contents thereof. If an envelope is jammed at or between any of the stations, the microcomputer actuates a display to indicate a jam condition. The microcomputer also shuts off power to the opener to prevent damage to the envelope.

Abstract: A vent plate for supporting a finger having a rivet portion is disposed intermediate adjacent core laminations in a dynamoelectric machine. A plurality of finger members secured to the vent plate cooperate with the core laminations to define a ventilation duct for circulation of a cooling gas through the core. The vent plate has a plurality of slot openings arranged to receive the rivet portions of each finger. The vent plate slots are characterized by a bow-tie outline defined by intersecting planar and curved side surfaces which permits variable orientation of rivet portions through a predetermined angular range.