Abstract: A detection system for detecting a dangerous condition for an operator using a power tool of the type which has an exposed blade relative to a work surface and a protection system for minimizing, if not eliminating the possibility of a user being injured by contacting the blade. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, a proximity detection system is capable of detecting the presence of a user near the blade of a table saw and a protection system that can either retract the blade below the work surface of the table saw or terminate the drive torque to the blade which can result in rapid stopping of the saw blade by a work piece that is being cut.

Abstract: A tool is provided for notching an end of a pipe. A punch is provided with a first cutting edge opposite a second cutting edge. The punch is coupled to a punch holder which is configured to move vertically relative to a collar supported upon a base. A pipe support provides a preferred form of die to hold the pipe adjacent the punch. The pipe support includes a first edge, second edge, third edge and fourth edge which can be selectively presented for supporting the end of the pipe adjacent the punch. The first cutting edge and second cutting edge of the punch can be selectively provided for cutting the notch in the pipe. The punch and pipe support are preferably both reorientable to select various different edges for supporting and cutting the pipe.

Abstract: A tax stamp perforator and notcher applies a diagonal line of spaced apart perforations on a tax stamp for subsequent application to a cigarette pack. The stamp is glued or otherwise applied to the cigarette pack normally across the back of the pack and one of the sides thereof. When the cigarette pack is opened the tax stamp is torn along the line of perforations. In order to facilitate rapid application of tax stamps to a production line of cigarette packs, notches in the form of lines of increased densification are applied to each stamp in the area where the stamp is bent around the side of the cigarette pack. These lines of increased densification are arranged parallel to the edge of the cigarette pack, and preferably one of the lines lies along the edge of the cigarette pack to thereby reduce the ability of the tax stamp to spring back away from the pack when glued to the pack. This feature enables the stamps to be applied to the packs at high production rates.

Abstract: A system for cutting sheet material. The system has a first roller with at least one cutting element thereon with the first roller rotatable around a first axis and the second roller having at least one receptacle thereon and rotatable around a second axis. The first and second rollers are relatively positioned so that as the first and second rollers rotate around the first and second axes, the one cutting element aligns with and projects into the one receptacle to thereby cause cutting out of a discrete portion of a sheet material between the first and second rollers. A servo drive is provided for at least one of a) rotating the first roller around the first axis and b) rotating the second roller around the second axis.

Abstract: A cutting head is provided also with a notching blade to enable it to cut a length shorter than the blade width of a round blade. In order to eliminate the need for compressed air supplying equipment and simplify the mechanism thereby to make it compact and light weight, an angular displacement servo motor is used as a common drive source for causing angular displacement of the round blade and angular displacement of the notching blade. A cam motor causes a round blade cam and a notching blade cam to make angular displacement thereby to selectively cause the round blade and the notching blade to work on sheet material placed on a cutting table an cut it.

Abstract: A knife assembly for punching slots on cardboard sheets to allow the subsequent forming of boxes and containers. The knife assembly is substantially a flat arc section with an outer and an inner edge. The outer edge is substantially flat to permit sharp punched edges of the slot. The arc section has two ends and adjacent to one of the ends there is a sharpened section intended to produce a slit termination on the slots punched. The slit can have any desired dimensions including the entire outer edge.

Abstract: A machine for making plastic bags, such as trash or garbage bags, includes a rotary sealing drum of variable diameter, the drum including one or more sealing bars for cross-sealing a flattened plastic film tube passing through the machine. A blanket tensioning system surrounds the drum and is adjustable to compensate for different drum diameters. The sealed film passes over a chill roll after leaving the drum-blanket assembly and is drawn over folding boards by pull rolls. The sealed and folded film is then perforated by a fly knife and is preferably also cut on the sides to produce a connected series of bags which may easily be separated from one another to make the bags suitable for easy dispensing packages. A variator assembly may also be provided to insure a proper skirt length between the cut-perforation and the bag seal.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus includes a cutting tool in the form of a cutting wheel which rolls along a cutting path in cutting engagement with sheet material spread over a support surface. A second cutting tool is mounted adjacent the cutting wheel for notching the material along the path. The apparatus also includes actuator for moving the notching tool toward and away from the support surface to effect a notch. With the cutting tools mounted adjacent one another, a notch may be effected in the material as the cutting wheel moves along a cutting path.