Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for applying constant pressure to a knife blade for crush-scoring, wherein the knife blade is supported in a substantially frictionless manner and the constant pressure is supplied by a flexible diaphragm acting on a plunger which can move substantially without friction in a pneumatic cylinder.

Abstract: A penetrant apparatus for controlling the depth that a penetrant device penetrates a material relative to its outer surface, where the cross-sectional thickness of the material is not susceptible to caliper-type measurement because its inner surface is inaccessible except by intrusive means, and a method for penetrating the material utilizing the apparatus. The apparatus comprises a penetrant device connected to and driven by driving apparatus, depth sensing apparatus, thickness sensing apparatus, and comparator apparatus. The depth sensing apparatus determines the depth of penetration of the penetrant device into the material while the thickness sensing apparatus determines the thickness of the material between its inner and outer surfaces.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved apparatus for scoring glass wherein a scoring wheel is rotatably mounted on an axle within a novel mounting bracket. The mounting bracket can be the extension of the handle of a manual glass scoring device or integrated within a cartridge for an automated or semi-automated glass scoring machine. One of the unique features of the improved apparatus of this invention resides in the spatial geometry of the clearance between the mounting bracket and the scoring wheel. The enhanced degree of clearance between these two components substantially reduces maintenance requirements and improves consistency of performance. This results in reduction in accumulation of glass chips between the wheel and the mounting bracket, thereby insuring continuous freedom of movement of the scoring wheel within the bracket even after extended periods of use. Such enhanced clearance also enables simple and precise lubrication of the axle which supports the scoring wheel.

Abstract: A molding head includes a cutter mounted to a cutting machine arbor. A follower assembly is also mounted on the arbor and is adapted to rotate adjacent to, and independently of, the cutter head. The follower assembly serves to control the depth of cut and to guide the molding cutter along any profile which is desired to be cut.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved apparatus for scoring glass wherein a scoring wheel is rotatably mounted on an axle within a novel mounting bracket. The mounting bracket can be the extension of the handle of a manual glass scoring device or integrated within a cartridge for an automated or semi-automated glass scoring machine. One of the unique features of the improved apparatus of this invention resides in the spatial geometry of the clearance between the mounting bracket and the scoring wheel. The enhanced degree of clearance between these two components substantially reduces maintenance requirements and improves consistency of performance. This results in reduction in accumulation of glass chips between the wheel and the mounting bracket, thereby insuring continuous freedom of movement of the scoring wheel within the bracket even after extended periods of use. Such enhanced clearance also enables simple and precise lubrication of the axle which supports the scoring wheel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in chemical milling operations to automatically cut a maskant material, such as a thin film of plastic, which has been applied to the workpiece. The cutting device of the invention is designed for use with a computer controlled apparatus embodying a rectilinear robot adapted to move the cutting device in first, second and third directions relative to the workpiece. The pressural engagement between the cutting blade of the device and the workpiece is continuously sensed and controlled. Additionally, the angle between the cutting blade and the maskant is controllably varied as the cutting device is moved by the rectilinear robot.

Abstract: A system for automatically cutting a pattern in a material wherein a cutting blade is rotatably mounted in a holder which is also rotatably mounted in a tube. The holder also has limited linear movement in each direction within the tube. The tube is mounted to computer controlled apparatus and is moved in the desired pattern over the material to cut the pattern in the material.

Abstract: A method of severing laminates (10) of the type having a metal layer (11) and a synthetic plastics layer (12). The method comprises forming a channel section indentation (13) in the laminate (10) along a line (14) on which the laminate (10) is to be severed, the indentation (13) being of such depth as to extend through the full thickness of the plastics layer (12) and through a part of the thickness of the metal layer (11), such that the plastics material along the line of the indentation (13) is substantially displaced laterally, and severing the laminate (10) along the line (14) of the indentation (13) in the metal layer (11). An apparatus for carrying out the method is disclosed as is the application of the method and apparatus to the production of container tops.

Abstract: A method of slitting selected plies of multiply paperboard blanks by compressing narrow portions against an anvil surface (preferably soft) and cutting one or more plies along the compressed portions. The apparatus includes a cutting rule (straight or annular) with compression rules on each side to compress the blanks simultaneously with the cutting. The method and apparatus may be used in conjunction with conventional flat-bed or rotary diecutting.

Abstract: The present invention provides a glass scriber assembly having a base, a support attached to the base and wherein the support includes an upper surface adapted to support a pane of glass. An elongated arm is pivotally mounted to the base so that one end of the arm is positioned over the support surface. A conventional glass scriber is detachably secured to the end of the arm so that the scriber engages a pane of glass on the support surface. Simultaneously, a compression spring in between the other end of the arm and the base urges the scriber against the glass pane. A roller is rotatably mounted to the support and abuts against the bottom of the glass pane on the support surface so that, upon manually rotating the roller, the roller moves the glass pane under the glass scriber.

Abstract: Die cutting apparatus for making labels and the like wherein a web comprising a layer of pressure sensitive label material on a layer of backing material is fed forward between a pair of cooperating die and anvil rolls, the die roll being adapted to cut through the layer of pressure sensitive label material without cutting through the backing layer to form individual pressure sensitive labels on the backing layer. The die and anvil rolls are rotatable about axes lying in different vertical planes which are skewed with respect to one another for making the cutting action of the die roll a progressive slicing cut across the web.

Abstract: A knife assembly for composite tape laying machines is disclosed which has a knife movable to a fixed distance from a tape support platen so that the knife, which is transversable across the platen will completely sever a composite tape but not a paper backing tape. A floating presser foot serves to hold the reeled tape snuggly against the platen while cutting is taking place, and the float relative to the knife will accommodate variations in composite tape thickness.

Abstract: A method of making signs in multiple colors employs an automatically controlled sign making machine and a multi-ply layup of sign material in which the different plies have different colors. The sign making machine has a cutting tool that is moved in the cutting relationship with the layup to cut sign characters defined in the machine memory. The cutting tool is adjustable in depth of cut into the layup so that signs having characters and background of different colors can be prepared.

Abstract: An optical fiber cleaving device having a movable scoring element mounted between a movable arm and a fiber support member. The scoring element is responsive to the movement of the movable arm to move relative to both the movable arm and the fiber support member. This relative movement permits regulation of the force at which the scoring element scores the fiber supported on the support member. Such regulation provides for a more precise depth of score reducing adverse effects thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting glass wherein a scoring element is pivotally connected to the upper arm of a substantially U-shaped member. The lower arm of such member is clamped to a housing and may be rotated with respect thereto such that the upper arm and thus the scoring element may be moved to various positions overlying the top surface of the supporting table for the sheet of glass or other material. A roller or wheel that projects slightly above the supporting surface and which may be motor driven is used to frictionally guide the sheet beneath the scoring element. In order to apply the necessary pressure between the scoring element and the sheet, a force or jacking mechanism is supported between the upper and lower arm so as to force the arms apart to a spread position. Thereafter the scoring element is positioned against the glass surface and the jacking element released such that the arms move together by inherent spring tension so as to apply the desired predetermined force upon the glass sheet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved apparatus for manufacturing scored reverse buckling rupture disks. The scores on the disks radiate outwardly from central portions thereof toward the peripheries thereof and have known depths and depth variances.

Abstract: A high optical quality corner is produced on a cleaved crystal which may include a stripe or surface optical waveguide by making a fracture initiation mark along only a portion of the surface intercept of the desired cleavage plane with a first of two major surfaces of the crystal and then tensioning the first major surface of the crystal to fracture the crystal along the desired cleavage plane beginning at the fracture initiation mark. This produces a high optical quality corner along a portion of the intersection of the newly cleaved surface with the major surface of the crystal. This high optical quality corner is located where no fracture initiation mark was made and enables the crystal to be used in as-cleaved form for end-fire coupling between its waveguide and an external waveguide such as an optical fiber.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus and a method for cutting a series of spaced-apart continuous linear slits in a sheet of flexible plastics material, for example in the manufacture of an adjustable width window blind. In one embodiment the apparatus includes a feed roller for feeding sheeting to be slit to a support means, a plurality of slitting blades movable in a direction transverse to the direction of travel of the sheeting and means for controlling the blades so that they cut to a depth less than the thickness of the material. In a second embodiment the blades are stationary and are adapted to cut in the direction of travel of the material. The blades may be mounted on leaf springs biased towards the material to be cut, means being provided for controlling the biasing force. Alternatively, a stop may be provided to control the depth of cut of the blades.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting printing plates, comprises a cutting press with relatively movable platens one of which carries a form cutting tool for severing or partially severing from a processed sheet of flexible material a central image-bearing portion for use as a printing plate. Retractable registration and holding means engage registration targets on said sheet so as to locate the sheet in registry with the form cutting tool and to hold the sheet in position at least until it is held by the pressure of the cutting tool thereon.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for controlling and quickly releasing pressure of a tool on a workpiece. In a preferred and specific embodiment, the apparatus is employed to hold a glass cutter and to control the pressure of a cutting wheel of the cutter on a workpiece. The apparatus includes means forming a flat supporting surface for the workpiece with a mounting stand affixed to the surface-forming means. An elongate tool-supporting arm is affixed to the stand and extends over the surface and has a tool clamp at the outer end for holding a commercially-available glass cutting tool, with the cutting end extending downwardly. The elongate supporting arm is pivotally connected to the stand and an adjusting member extends between the stand and the supporting arm and engages the supporting arm between the pivotal connection and the tool clamp. This can be adjusted by the operator to infinitely control the pressure of the tool on the workpiece supported on the flat surface.

Abstract: An envelope opener device is provided characterized in that the envelope, which is automatically fed, is slit through only a single face of the envelope whereby no portion of the envelope is severed entirely, thus minimizing the possibility of loss of the contents. A further characterizing feature resides in a unique device for adjusting the cutting depth to achieve a precisely desired cutting effect, the depth adjustment means being actuatable for the slitting of envelopes of thinner stock, such as air mail envelopes. The device is resistant to feeding an envelope which is so disposed that the envelope contents are in registry with the cutting mechanism, thereby minimizing the possability of damaging the contents.

Abstract: Improved creasing machine, particularly for use in industry of cardboard articles and packages, comprising a sliding creasing roller and a fixed or stationary counter-roller, wherein the creasing roller is driven by the pistons of pneumatic, hydraulic or fluid-dynamic cylinders having the same axis of translation but different stroke.

Abstract: An automatically controlled cutting machine for cutting sheet material employs a cutting wheel and a hard, smooth and continuous surface of ferromagnetic material on which the sheet material is spread for cutting. To prevent shifting during cutting, the material is releasably attached to the support surface by adhesives, freezing, electrostatics and other securing means. The cutting wheel is forced downwardly against the hard support surface by an electromagnet mounted on the cutting wheel support to insure severing of the sheet material.

Abstract: A cutting head for a glass cutting machine includes a cylinder, a piston movable in the cylinder in one direction to a cutting plane under control of compressed air from a source communicated to the cylinder to act on an upper face and move the piston in opposition to a bias force, a rod attached to and movable with the piston and a cutting wheel carried at the end of the rod for cutting a glass sheet from a glass blank. A port is formed through the wall of the cylinder and means connected to the port responsive to a rapid rise in pressure function rapidly to isolate the cylinder from the source of compressed air and to vent the cylinder. During a cutting operation, the piston seals the port. If the cutting wheel should move beyond the extremes of the glass blank or for any reason move further in the one direction, following movement of the piston shall open the port and the cutting wheel will rapidly retract to and beyond the cutting plane without damage to the cutting wheel.

Abstract: A precision hand-held pipe cutting tool is provided utilizing an elongated body which is hand-gripped and contains an axially aligned motor, and a rotating saw blade parallel and adjacent to an angularly adjustable dial with a variety of depth limiting notches in the circumference thereof such that a pipe may be cut all, or part way, through, or provided with an annular channel. The tool also incorporates an integral reamer which de-burrs the interior edge of the cut pipe.

Abstract: Electrophotographic apparatus of the kind utilizing a flexible photoconductor film or web including a support and photoconductive layer sandwiching a conducting layer comprises a grounding member having an incising edge. The grounding member is electrically coupled to a reference potential and urged into a predetermined cutting position to incise the photoconductive layer and to effect contact of the conductive layer as film is moved therepast along the operative path of the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for scoring a glass sheet includes a scoring wheel rotatably mounted to one end of a shaft mounted in a rod end ball joint and a spring acting on the other end of the shaft to urge the wheel toward a sheet movement path under a predetermined force. The glass sheet is advanced along the path under the scoring wheel to urge the scoring wheel against the biasing action of the spring. The axis of the scoring wheel is aligned in a plane normal and transverse to the movement path by the motion of the glass sheet as it advances under the scoring wheel.

Abstract: A glass scoring head has pressure rollers which engage the glass on either side of the scoring wheel to compensate for variations of flatness in the glass, and the scoring wheel is pendulously supported so that it can score in one and an opposite direction without moving the head on the associated bridge structure. The means for so supporting the scoring wheel also includes novel means for rotating the pendulum support itself to permit scoring in mutually perpendicular directions, both of which directions are also reversible as a result of the pendulous mount.

Abstract: A glass scoring head which compensates for variation in the flatness of the glass to provide a score of uniform depth as it traverses the glass has an outer body adapted to be mounted in four possible positions to a bridge or the like to score glass in four different directions. This support body defines an air cylinder with an elongated annular piston means movably mounted therein. A pair of pressure rollers are journalled on the lower end of the piston means to bear on the glass with a force proportional to the air pressure in this cylinder. An elongated support tube is slidably mounted inside the annular piston means, and a second air cylinder urges the tube downwardly to supplement a spring acting between the second air cylinder piston and the tube.

Abstract: The paper cutting and perforated line forming device of a printer including a slide plate pivoted to the machine frame of the printer for reciprocal movement. The paper cutting and perforrated line forming device comprises a spring-loaded paper cutting lever device pivoted to the printer machine frame and connected to the printer cutting device for moving the cutting device to the operative position when rocked against the spring load, a slide plate connection lever connected to the paper cutting lever device for rocking the lever device by the movement of the slide plate in one direction, a slide plate connection lever operation member to be operated by an electromagnetic device, a switching lever movable into and out of the operation path of at least one of the paper cutting device and paper cutting lever device.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for precisely locating and quickly producing intermittent, uniform score lines in a surface of a moving sheet of material by first moving a pair of axially aligned gauge wheels into contact with the sheet material and then alternately moving a scoring tool positioned therebetween, into and out of scoring engagement with the surface of the moving sheet. The gauge wheels are mounted on the movable end of a pivotally mounted arm for movement, by a diaphragm motor, along a path lying in a plane extending normal to and longitudinally of the sheet material. The scoring tool is mounted on the arm for movement independent thereof by a double acting motor, and into and out of scoring contact with the sheet material. Also, the scoring tool is provided with an adjusting device for extending it relative to the gauge wheels and an abutment is provided to limit its movement away from the sheet material.

Abstract: A glass scoring device includes a scoring head assembly and a carriage each pivotally mounted about an axis. The carriage has a pair of spaced wheels biased toward a glass ribbon and a support member. The support member biases a cutting force against the scoring head assembly to score a glass ribbon. Irregularities in the glass ribbon thickness and/or eccentric conveyor rolls oscillates the carriage and scoring head assembly about the axis. Oscillatory movement of the carriage scoring head assembly cooperate to maintain a constant cutting force on the scoring head assembly.

Abstract: A glass scoring device includes a scoring head assembly and a carriage each pivotally mounted about an axis. The carriage has a pair of spaced wheels biased toward a glass ribbon and a support member. The support member biases a cutting force against the scoring head assembly to score the glass ribbon. Irregularities in the glass ribbon thickness and/or eccentric conveyor rolls oscillate the carriage and scoring head assembly about the axis. Oscillatory movement of the carriage and scoring head assembly cooperate to maintain a constant cutting force on the scoring head assembly.

Abstract: A die-cutter assembly including a die-cutting roll and an anvil roll between which a web of material is passed for die-cutting of labels. Spacing between the rolls is controlled by a pair of bearings at each end of one of the rolls, each pair including an inner bearing in which the roll is journaled and an outer bearing which is in rolling contact with the die-cutting roll. A rotatable eccentric spacer between the inner and outer bearings provides an adjustment of the spacing between the axis of the cutting roll and the axis of the anvil roll.