Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are used to provide ways of tire tread molding and retreading with a double tread rubber body having a unitary structure that comprises two treads in order to remove the need for buffing an oxide layer typically associated with tread molding and curing. Embodiments of the double tread molding and retreading methods also remove the need for cementing the cured tread to prevent future oxidation buildup. Once the double tread is cured and cooled, it is cut along the centerline with a double tread separation apparatus to expose a soft non-oxidized inner rubber. The cutting is much less energy intensive when compared to buffing with an expendable wire brush. There is no risk of spots of oxidized rubber being missed as is the case with buffing. There is little or no dust created.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for replacement of damages display shield (typically glass) covering a display screen on a device, typically a mobile phone. Mobile phones have an electronic display protected by a glass shield. Between the glass and the display is often a plastic polarizing or other intermediary sheet. Removal of a damage glass can be accomplished by cutting thru the polarizer with a moving wire or blade. This separates the glass from the sensitive display and allows replacement of the glass without damaging the more expensive display.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the decoating at least in part of blanks made of metal which are coated on one or both sides in regions, which have a main extension direction, wherein the regions to be decoated can extend in both a straight or curved manner in the main extension direction. The invention further relates to a device for the decoating at least in part of a coated blank in order to carry out the method according to the invention. A method is provided in which the blank is placed on a blank support of a press and during the closing movement of the press at least one scraping knife preferably completely removes the coating of the blank by scraping substantially perpendicular to the main extension direction of the region of the blank to be decoated.

Abstract: Methods of producing an analysis spreading layer for absorbing a liquid to be analyzed, by: supplying a porous membrane having a bottom, a top and a thickness D, the size of the pores of the membrane increasing over its thickness D; cutting the membrane at a predefined distance, the spreading layer being a sublayer with a thickness d less than the starting thickness D, the pores of the spreading layer having a fluid connection to one another in such a manner that it is permeable to a liquid. The membrane surface is formed by removing a sublayer of the membrane being the liquid outlet side of the spreading layer. The mean size of the pores on the liquid outlet side is at least 1 ?m.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing a surface layer from food products includes a product feed which feeds a product to be processed along a product conveying direction to a removal tool. The product is pressed with a component perpendicular to the product conveying direction toward an operative surface of the removal tool. The relative position between the product feed and the removal tool is adjustable by means of an adjustment apparatus, with a control unit associated with the adjustment apparatus designed to adjust the position of the removal tool relative to the product feed in dependence on the contour of the product.

Abstract: Methods of producing an analysis spreading layer for absorbing a liquid to be analyzed, by: supplying a porous membrane having a bottom, a top and a thickness D, the size of the pores of the membrane increasing over its thickness D; cutting the membrane at a predefined distance, the spreading layer being a sublayer with a thickness d less than the starting thickness D, the pores of the spreading layer having a fluid connection to one another in such a manner that it is permeable to a liquid. The membrane surface is formed by removing a sublayer of the membrane being the liquid outlet side of the spreading layer. The mean size of the pores on the liquid outlet side is at least 1 ?m.

Abstract: Provided are a device and a method for ripping gum of a conveyor belt in which the workload of workers and danger to the workers can be reduced, and gum around each of the steel cords can be cut off nearly completely and sufficiently uniformly, regardless of skill of workers, as well as, the work efficiency is more favorable than before. Provided is a device for ripping gum of a conveyor belt in which individual steel cords embedded in gum of a conveyor belt are separated between each other, and gum is stripped off around each of the steel cords after the separation. The device includes a V-shaped cutting blade having a shape such that the upper end and the lower end of the cutting blade are protruded with respect to the traveling direction of the conveyor belt for separating between the individual steel cords, and a cylindrical cutting blade for stripping gum off around each of the steel cords.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing sheets from the pseudostems of banana plants in the family Musaceae, each pseudostem having a longitudinal axis. The method includes the steps of feeding a pseudostem (14) into a workstation, supporting (62, 34) the pseudostem for rotation thereof about its longitudinal axis within the workstation, and contacting the rotating pseudostem along substantially its entire length with a fibre-separating device (38), whereby a continuous sheet of fibre (60) is removed from the pseudostem by the fibre-separating device during rotation. Raw paper may also be made by laminating two or more of these sheets together such that the direction of the generally parallel fibres in at least two adjacent sheets is not aligned and then curing the sheets to form raw paper.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a laminated substrate assembly comprises at least a substantially planar assembly, a cutting member housing assembly positioned on a first side of the substantially planar assembly, a cutting member receiving assembly positioned on a second side of the substantially planar assembly, substantially opposite from the first side of the planar assembly suitable for receiving an amount of the elongated cutting member. At least one of the cutting member housing assembly or the cutting member receiving assembly is configured to provide an amount of tension to the elongated cutting member as the elongated cutting member is released by the cutting member housing assembly or received by the cutting member receiving assembly, and the elongated cutting member is configured to remove an amount of adhesive from an adhesive layer of the laminated substrate assembly.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for cutting scrap tires along a cut line that is generally parallel with sidewalls of the scrap tires. A base frame supports a cutting blade that is positioned to cut through the tread of a scrap tire lying on its sidewall. A blade engagement arm may be provided to at least partially receive the cutting blade from a back side of the tread portion. A motive system is provided for incrementally moving the cutting apparatus about a circumferential portion of the scrap tire as it is being cut.

Abstract: Described is a device that is to used in conjunction with a chainsaw to keep the chainsaw kerf from closing, thereby greatly reducing the chance of having the chainsaw bar being pinched and bound. Also included is a limiting feature that keeps the chainsaw kerf spacer from being inserted too deeply into the chainsaw kerf, thereby contacting the chainsaw blades. Additionally, a handle is included to facilitate the extraction of the chainsaw kerf spacer from the chainsaw kerf after completing the cut. The kerf spacer can be installed with one hand and without the aid of tools.

Abstract: A cable stripper apparatus is disclosed for stripping insulation from an electric cable. The apparatus includes a framework and a driven wire feeder rotatably secured to the framework. A guide is provided for guiding the cable towards the wire feeder. The guide includes a movable spacer bar which extends towards the wire feeder. A cutter has a cutting edge which is disposed spaced and parallel to an axis of rotation of the wire feeder. The cutter is connected to the framework immediately adjacent to the wire feeder. The arrangement is such that when the cable is guided by the guide towards the wire feeder, the wire feeder, spacer bar and the cutter cooperate with each other for stripping the insulation from the cable. A cam is rotatably supported by the framework for moving the movable spacer bar relative to the framework to a required location of a plurality of locations of the movable spacer bar.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a mattress including providing a foam block, convoluting the foam to form a tongue extending longitudinally along the foam block, and removing at least a portion of the tongue, to thereby form a channel within the foam block.

Abstract: A cutting device hygienically cuts a lemon into wedges with a crosscut for hanging the wedges on glasses as served with beverages, such as ice-tea, or cocktails in restaurants or bars. Simple mechanism: the cam mechanism and the gear-rack assembly are driven by two separate manually operated handles that attach to the machine to achieve the slicing actions. Cutting a lemon into wedges with crosscuts is accomplished by simply placing the lemon into the center of the machine and adding pressure in sequence to the two handles by the operator.

Abstract: An apparatus for shaping a slab of compressible or cellular polymer material (80), such as polyurethane foam, shapes such slab by cutting portions of the material from one surface. A moving patterned platform (32), preferably an endless belt or a series of interconnected panels, is interposed between a compression roller (56) and a cooperating surface (18) and defines at least one recess (36) or at least one projection (320) or a combination of recesses and projections. When the slab is compressed between the compression roller and the platform, which is supported by the cooperating surface, a portion of the material fills the recess or recesses in the moving platform.

Abstract: A method for shaping a slab of polyurethane foam (80) cuts portions of the foam material from one surface. A moving patterned platform (32) is interposed in a gap formed between a compression roller (56) and a drive roller (18) and defines at least one recess (36). The slab is introduced into the gap and foam material is compressed into the recess. At least a portion of the compressed material within the recess is then cut from the surface of the slab by a blade (76) just as the slab emerges from the gap to produce a profile-cut surface with a shaped portion corresponding to the shape of the recess in the patterned platform.

Abstract: A cake-layer cutting apparatus for allowing a user to slice layers of cake accurately and evenly. The cake-layer cutting apparatus includes a frame, which includes a first support, a second support and a handle portion that extends between the first support and the second support. The frame is designed to be passed over and along side the cake. The first support includes a first support slot that extends vertically through the first support. The second support includes a second support slot that extends vertically through the second support. A plurality of wires extend between the supports for cutting the cake as the cake is passed between the supports.

Abstract: A bagel or bun slicing apparatus includes a frame mounted to a vertically adjustable stand and base. The frame defines a vertical channel which houses a reciprocating blade and rollers for transporting the bagel or bun through the channel and across the blade. The rollers are rotated by an electric motor which also reciprocates the blade. The rollers and/or a guide plate may be laterally adjustable to allow for bagels or buns of varying widths.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously shaping a compressible or cellular polymer material, such as polyurethane foam, by cutting portions of the material from a surface of a slab of the material includes a compression roller, a support surface, a blade and a moving patterned platform interposed between the compression roller and the support surface. The moving patterned platform, preferably an endless belt or a series of interconnected panels, defines at least one recess, and may define a pattern of recesses of complex or simple shapes and at various depths. When the slab of cellular polymer material is compressed between the compression roller and the support surface, a portion of the material fills the recess or recesses in the moving patterned belt. The blade then transversely cuts from the surface of the slab a portion of the material within the recesses in the platform just as the slab emerges from between the compression roller and the support surface.

Abstract: A method for shaping a slab of compressible or cellular polymer material, such as polyurethane foam, by cutting portions of the material from one surface uses a compression roller, a support surface, a blade and a moving patterned platform interposed between the compression roller and the support surface. The moving patterned platform, preferably an endless belt or a series of interconnected panels, defines at least one recess, and may define a pattern of recesses of complex or simple shapes and at various depths. When the slab of cellular polymer material is compressed between the compression roller and the support surface, a portion of the material fills the recess or recesses in the moving patterned belt. At least a portion of the compressed material within the recesses is then cut from the surface of the slab by the blade just as the slab emerges from between the compression roller and the support surface.

Abstract: A cable stripper apparatus is disclosed for stripping insulation from electric cable. The apparatus includes a framework and a drive secured to the framework. A wire feeder is rotatably secured to the framework and is rotatably driven by the drive. A guide is provided for guiding the cable towards the wire feeder. Also, a cutter is connected to the framework adjacent to the feeder. The arrangement is such that when the cable is guided by the guide towards the wire feeder, the wire feeder and the cutter cooperate with each other for stripping the insulation from the cable.

Abstract: A machine for rotary cutting of continuous synthetic foam sheets while compressed between two rollers has a roller drive featuring individually adjustable roller speed to allow use of rollers of dissimilar diameter, such as a large diameter pattern roller and a small diameter compression roller. The roller drive may be selectively engaged for driving each roller with a separate drive motor or both rollers with a single motor through a gear train, allowing conversion of the machine to conventional foam convoluting using similar sized rollers.

Abstract: Apparatus for continuously shaping a compressible or cellular polymer material, such as polyurethane foam, by cutting portions of the material from a surface of one or more slabs of material (180) includes two compression rollers (146, 146a), two moving patterned platforms (132, 132a) interposed between the compression rollers, and one or more cutting blades (76) for transversely cutting the slab or slabs just as the cellular material emerges from between the compression rollers. At least one of the moving patterned platforms, preferably an endless belt, defines a recess or pattern of recesses. When a single slab or multiple slabs of material are fed and compressed between the compression rollers, a portion of the material from one side of the slab or slabs fills the recess or recesses in one of the moving patterned belts. The blade then transversely cuts the cellular material.

Abstract: In an apparatus for the removal floor coverings from a floor which apparatus comprises a support structure including a separating blade with a cutting edge arranged so as to be moved below the floor covering for separating the floor covering from the floor, a redirecting roller is rotatably supported on the support structure and the floor covering separated from the floor is moved past the redirecting roller and pressed into firm engagement therewith by a pressure roller mounted on the support structure adjacent the redirecting roller. Means or provided for driving the redirecting roller and the pressure roller thereby advancing the apparatus and moving the separating blade between the floor covering and the floor for separating the floor covering from the floor.

Abstract: A wire-cutting apparatus 10 used in the manufacture of bricks. The apparatus includes a pair of spaced generally parallel coextensive beams 13 and 14 between which cutting wires 15 pass. Associated with each wire 15 are groove-forming blades 27 and 28.

Abstract: A method of separating a pipe (1) from an elongate flexible element (2) used to pull the pipe (1) from the ground comprises drawing the flexible element (2) past or through separating means which splits the pipe (1) along its length as it passes to thereby strip the pipe (1) from the flexible clement (2).

Abstract: For removing a polarizer from a liquid crystal display automatically, a device for removing a polarizer of liquid crystal display includes a holder, a separator, a first moving member, a damper and a second moving member. The holder fixes liquid crystal display. The separator separating an edge of a polarizer from the panel by inserting between the polarizer and the panel. The first moving member moves the separator. The clamping member holds the edge of the polarizer separated from the panel. The second moving member moves the first moving member and the separator together to separate the polarizer from the panel. The fixing member may include a vacuum adsorber, and it has an adsorption plate provided on the surface of which liquid crystal display is laid. The separator has a sharp edge to be easily inserted between the panel and the polarizer. The first moving member and the second moving member include a hydraulic cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder, a servomotor and a ball screw system.

Abstract: Methods for continuously shaping a compressible or cellular polymer material such as polyurethane foam, by cutting portions of the material from a surface of one or more slabs of material (180) include (a) compressing one or more slabs of cellular material between a pair of compression rollers (146, 146a) and two moving patterned platforms (132, 132a) interposed between the compression rollers, and (b) transversely cutting the slab or slabs with a blade or blades (76) just as the cellular material emerges from between the compression rollers. At least one of the moving patterned platforms, preferably an endless belt, defines a recess or pattern of recesses. When a single slab or multiple slabs of material are fed and compressed between the compression rollers, a portion of the material from one side of the slab or slabs fills the recess or recesses in one of the moving patterned belts. The blade then transversely cuts the cellular material.

Abstract: An apparatus for slicing a food product includes a housing having a food product inlet and a food product outlet and a food product path defined therebetween. A reciprocating cutter is positioned within the housing along the food product path between the food product inlet and the food product outlet. A pusher element is provided for pushing a food product along the food product path against the reciprocating cutter whereby the cutter slices the food product.

Abstract: A method for shaping a slab of compressible or cellular polymer material, such as polyurethane foam, by cutting portions of the material from one surface uses a compression roller, a support surface, a blade and a moving patterned platform interposed between the compression roller and the support surface. The moving patterned platform, preferably an endless belt or a series of interconnected panels, defines at least one recess, and may define a pattern of recesses of complex or simple shapes and at various depths. When the slab of cellular polymer material is compressed between the compression roller and the support surface, a portion of the material fills the recess or recesses in the moving patterned belt. At least a portion of the compressed material within the recesses is then cut from the surface of the slab by the blade just as the slab emerges from between the compression roller and the support surface.

Abstract: Apparatus for continuously shaping a compressible or cellular polymer material, such as polyurethane foam, by cutting portions of the material from a surface of one or more slabs of material (180) includes two compression rollers (146, 146a), two moving patterned platforms (132, 132a) interposed between the compression rollers, and one or more cutting blades (76) for transversely cutting the slab or slabs just as the cellular material emerges from between the compression rollers. At least one of the moving patterned platforms, preferably an endless belt, defines a recess or pattern of recesses. When a single slab or multiple slabs of material are fed and compressed between the compression rollers, a portion of the material from one side of the slab or slabs fills the recess or recesses in one of the moving patterned belts. The blade then transversely cuts the cellular material.

Abstract: A belt skiving apparatus and method in which a free-standing blade-carrying carriage is employed which does not require a guiding base. The carriage has a pair of rollers defining a nip into which a belt end to be skived is passed. The rollers press together about the belt end to securely grip the belt. One of the rollers is toothed to provide a non-slip engagement with the surface of the belt and at least one of the rollers is driven, preferably manually, through a crank arm. Rotation of the rollers advances the carriage relative to the belt to advance the carriage across the width of the belt. As the carriage is advanced, the belt is passed through the rollers and through a cutting blade disposed adjacent the rollers. As the carriage is advanced along the width of the belt, the blade slices a thin strip of the upper portion of the belt adjacent its upper face from the remainder of the belt. The thin strip that is removed is the portion of the belt that was punctured by the teeth of the driving roller.

Abstract: A foam contouring machine has first and second rollers mounted to a machine frame for rotation about mutually parallel axes. The first and second rollers have different diameters and define between them a nip. A cutting edge is mounted for cutting foam material drawn through the nip by rotation of the rollers. Each roller has a drive motor, and a controller is connected to each drive motor for independently controlling the speed of rotation of the rollers, the controller equalizing the speed of surface rotation of the rollers for rollers of different diameters. The first roller may be a pattern roller and the second roller may be a backup or compression roller. The machine also has a drive coupling assembly, which has selectable first and second modes of operation for converting operation of the machine between a foam surfacing and a foam profiling operation. The first mode independently couples each of the motors to a corresponding one of the rollers.

Abstract: An automatic protective bagel slicing system for automatically slicing food, such as bagels or rolls, into symmetric halves within an enclosed drawer for precluding injury to a user. The inventive device includes an encasement having an interior cavity, a drawer slidably projecting into the encasement, a loop blade rotatably connected mesial a motor and a pulley traverse to the drawer's line of motion, and a slot within the drawer to receive the blade. An outer track is secured to a bottom surface of the drawer and an inner track is secured to a bottom surface of the interior cavity for slidably engaging the outer track. The food to be sliced is positioned within the drawer and the drawer is pushed into the encasement where the blade cuts the food into symmetrical halves.

Abstract: An automatic bagel slicer includes a transport mechanism with spring loaded clamping panels for securely holding a bagel in a cutting attitude with respect to a horizontally disposed reciprocating cutting edge. A detent plate, that is mounted for limited vertical movement on the transport mechanism, has a contour that controls the opening and closing of the clamping panels in a coordinated manner as the transport mechanism is driven up and down. The sliced bagel is automatically released when the transport mechanism is at the lower part of its travel. The cutting edge is always concealed, thus precluding any danger to the user.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for reducing the thickness of (or skiving) regions of sheet material workpieces, e.g. shoe upper components, involves feeding a workpiece 14 to a band knife (4) and, in advance of said knife, applying pressure to the workpiece 14, using a row of pressure-applying elements (18) to deform a region of the workpiece in relation to the cutting plane (20) of the knife. By controlling the elements (18) to operate in successive sequences of combinations, regions of the workpiece (14) are successively skived as the workpiece (14) passes the knife (4). The operation of the elements (18) is controlled by a computer (CPU), having a memory in which workpiece information data, relating to certain workpiece parameters, as well as in accordance with shape, positional and orientational data is stored. Such data may be generated using optical recognition workpiece means (100,120,140,160).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating a first flexible lamina of predetermined thickness from a second lamina to which the first lamina is adhered along an edge (e.g., a pouch for use in an identification card). The apparatus includes a channel having a thickness not substantially greater than the combined thickness of the laminae, an impeller for impelling the laminae together through the channel and out of the outlet end, a cutter adjacent the outlet of the channel positioned to contact the edge at which the two laminae are adhered adjacent the line of adhesion between the laminae, thus separating the laminae, and a wedge adjacent the cutter so that as the first and second laminae are separated by the cutter and impelled past the wedge, the two laminae pass on opposed sides of the wedge, thereby increasing the separation between the laminae.

Abstract: A machine for slicing bakery products such as rolls and buns. Buns that are arranged in clusters having at least four buns each have their two outside buns sliced from the outer edges and the interior buns sliced from a location between them. A vertical disk with a dull edge is arranged to engage the weak line between the two interior buns to create a break from the bottom that provides access for the shaft of the slicing blade to pass through the bun cluster without disfiguring the buns. The disks and the slicing blades for the interior buns are carried on a lower slicing mechanism which underlies the conveyor system for the buns. The lower slicing mechanism can be slid out to one side of the machine for servicing. The disks can be lowered to an inoperative position by an actuating linkage, and the lower slicing blades are automatically released when the disks are lowered.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a first flexible lamina of predetermined thickness from a second lamina to which the first lamina is adhered along an edge (e.g., a pouch for use in an identification card) includes a channel having a thickness not substantially greater than the combined thickness of the laminae, an impeller for impelling the laminae together through the channel and out of the outlet end, a cutter adjacent the outlet of the channel positioned to contact the edge at which the two laminae are adhered adjacent the line of adhesion between the laminae, thus separating the laminae, and a wedge adjacent the cutter so that as the first and second laminae are separated by the cutter and impelled past the wedge, the two laminae pass on opposed sides of the wedge, thereby increasing the separation between the laminae.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved double plush knife bearing mechanism for moving a carriage that holds a circular knife along a dove-tail track. The dove-tail track is a trapezoid having a parallel top and bottom portion with the width of the bottom portion exceeding the width of the top portion. Interconnecting the top and bottom portion are both a first outer side portion and a second outer side portion. The angle between the top portion and the first outer side portion is a first angle and the angle between the top portion and the second outer side portion is a second angle. The carriage has a bearing mechanism having a first bearing portion with a first component that is positioned adjacent to the top portion of the dove-tail track.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus for slicing bakery products. Two circular cutting blades powered by respective motors are relatively positionable toward and away from each other in a cutting station. One cutting blade may be shifted to remove it from the cutting station when making cuts using only the other blade.

Abstract: A roll slicing machine includes an endless conveyor belt moving in a first horizontal direction and having rolls thereon, a pressure applying arrangement spaced above the conveyor which can engage the tops of the rolls, and a roll slicing knife provided vertically between the conveyor and the pressure applying arrangement. The pressure applying arrangement includes an endless belt movably supported by two spaced rollers, and a pair of rollers rotatable about horizontal axes are movably supported above the lower reach of the belt and biased downwardly into engagement with the lower reach of the belt. The rollers engage the belt at locations which are approximately aligned with each other in the direction of movement of the belt portion and are approximately adjacent each other in a direction transverse to the belt portion.

Abstract: Forming apparatus (10) embodying the concepts of the present invention has a base (12). A carriage (14) is supported on the base (12) so as to be translatable along a translational direction (16). A cradle (46) is mounted on the carriage (14) for rotation about a rotational axis (48). The cradle (46) is adapted to support a block (B) of material. A cutting member (92) is adapted to engage the block (B) of material upon translation of the carriage (14) along the translational direction (16). A rotational rate selector (70) selectively controls the range through which the cradle (46) rotates in response to translation of the carriage (14). The method embodying the present invention thus utilizes the following steps. The block (B) to be contoured is mounted on a cradle (46) having a translational direction (16) and a rotational axis (48).

Abstract: In order to rapidly and automatically separate especially worn floor coverings (12) of raised floor panels (10), preferably three separating apparatuses (17) are incorporated with motor powered cutting blades (18) in a device (13) which beneath the separating apparatuses (17) has a carriage (29) with holders (31) for the raised floor panel (10) which is to be treated. The carriage (29) can be moved by motor back and forth transverse to the cutting blades (18) of the separating apparatuses (17) or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device (13). The separating apparatuses (17) are in turn fixed pivotally around a horizontal axis (19) on a base plate (21). Base plates (21), while being provided with springs and thus shock-absorbing, are in turn fixed on a transverse, portal-like frame part (15) movable to a limited extend in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the device (13).

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and to a device for producing a coherent web from long slivers which are produced by breaking-up the raw material fed and are then compacted to give a web which is subsequently glued and then pressed together with other webs to give blocks or the like. The raw material used is sticks or slabs which are split parallel to the fibers by vertically oscillating cutting motions, to give long slivers which are then compacted by ramming to give a web.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus for cutting a layer from a substrate length of rubber material such as used conveyor belting comprises a cutting station having a table with an upper surface to receive the material and a knife to cut the material. The cutting apparatus further comprises conveying rollers to convey the substrate length of material along the upper surface of the table and through the knife. The knife has a knife edge disposed in a plane generally parallel to and in spaced relation with the upper surface of the table to confront the material for cutting. The knife edge is arranged to extend in a transverse direction to the intended direction of passage of the material through the knife and is adapted to reciprocate in the transverse direction within the plane in conjunction with the conveyance of material through the knife to successively cut the layer from the material.

Abstract: An apparatus for making tapered plastic shingles including a conveyor for moving a block of plastic shingle material along a linear path and at least one heated wire extending transversely across the path to cut the block into two or more tapered shingle slabs. The shingle slabs are thereafter cut to form shingles or slotted to resemble individual shingles of desired widths. One end of the wire is adapted to be adjusted vertically to selectively vary the acute angle of the wire relative to the horizontal plane to thus vary shingle taper. A mechanism is also provided for continuously reciprocating the wire vertically to impart a textured surface to opposed, cut surfaces of the shingle slabs.

Abstract: A machine to slice baked goods such as bagels is provided which achieves a uniform and reproducible slice thickness. The machine comprises a housing, a vertical shaft, at least one spiral cutter, and at least one hold-down mechanism. The hold-down mechanism consists of a double-armed lever wherein one arm forms a pressure plate and another arm is attached to a tension spring with the ends of the pressure plate and other arm connected by means of a pivot shaft. Within the cutting area there is located a stop for positioning the baked goods to be sliced. Other features of the machine include a disc attached to the vertical shaft and to which the spiral cutters are secured. An intermediate plate may be positioned between the disc and cutter to adjust the height of the cutter edge. A passage for removing cut slices is located in the cutting area leading to a chute emptying the slices into a hopper.

Abstract: A foam board insulation shaping system and method for hot wire shaping insulation board to fit roof contours, wherein a frame mounts a transversely disposed, generally horizontal, linear wire and conveying rolls move the foam board along a longitudinal pathway past the wire, which melts the plastic as the board moves. Wire clamps secure the ends of the wire and are mounted for vertical movement, one of the wire clamps being also mounted for transverse movement relative to the frame. Yieldable mechanism associated with one of the clamps provides for expansion of the wire linearly with heating, while maintaining it under tension. A motor drives the clamps to move them vertically in unison at a predetermined speed with relation to the speed of the board. A series of transversely spaced, generally U-shaped hot wires are provided for forming grooves in the upper surface of boards, and means are provided for electrically energizing the linear wire and the U-shaped wires.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting foam or the like products into predetermined patterns under electronic computer control and employing an apparatus that includes a frame, a table disposed in the frame and for receiving the product that is to be cut, and a carriage carrying at least one hot wire and preferably four hot wires. The carriage is disposed over the table and is suitably supported from the frame. There is provided associated with the carriage, both a first drive means for controllably driving the carriage in a first x direction and second means for controllably driving the carriage in a second Y direction. Control means are provided for controlling the first and second drive means to control product cutting along a predetermined path which in the disclosed embodiment is a diagonal path to provide final foam pieces cut in a pyramidal array configuration.