Abstract: This disclosure relates to a food processing machine for processing a sheet of gelatinous food material into a fibrous product. The machine includes a knife roller having a plurality of parallel annular disk-like blades, a counter roller having a cylindrical outer surface, and a nozzle for jetting a stream of a fluid from the sheet feeding side of the rollers. The jet of fluid flows between the annular blades of the rotating knife roller and prevents the food material from sticking to the blades.

Abstract: Food piece slices serially formed by the blade of a slicer are captured with a moving stream of liquid and carried in the moving stream of liquid during free-fall of the liquid under the influence of gravity to a moving conveyor belt where the slices are monolayered.

Abstract: Multi-bladed disc cutter for cutting into pellets thermoplastic material extruded from a die plate of an underwater pelletizer, wherein the blades of the cutter are integrally formed on the periphery of a backplate and radially project therefrom, the sidewalls of the blades being integrally connected by shroud members to provide added strength against bending and twisting of the blades under load. Perforations are provided in the shroud members and backplate to permit passage of water to cool and flush away the cut pellets. Additionally, integrally formed blades may be arranged in concentric circles inwardly of the periphery of the backplate. The integral of the disc cutters avoids weakening and misalignment of the blades, saves space and permits a greater number of cutting edges than is possible in disc cutters wherein the blades are fastened to a hole by bolts. Casting the cutter integrally with its blades permits off-line grinding for final alignment purposes.

Abstract: A power tool provided with a rotating blade wheel having skewed axial vanes which follow the cutting blades during rotation to create an air flow which is parallel to the axis of rotation. A shroud adjacent to the blade wheel which deflects the debris created by the cutting blade away from the radial movement of the blade wheel. The debris is exhausted through the side of the power tool housing such that the power tool may be mounted directly onto a continuous flat or level surface of a work bench.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cutting dark portions such as blemishes from articles such as potato stick. In order to detect the blemishes the articles are conveyed through an inspection station by a conveyor having a plurality of rollers arranged perpendicular to the direction of conveyor. The rollers are rotated thereby rotating the articles as they are conveyed through the inspection station so that each side of the articles may be inspected. The inspection station utilizes a raster scan television camera and output signals therefrom are used to actuate one of a plurality of cutting devices in order to sever from the articles those portions containing blemishes. The severed portions containing blemishes are thereafter separated from the remainder of the articles by either a screen or by air jets.

Abstract: A workpiece supporting table for panel saws which ensures that during the splitting-up and formatting of workpieces, chip-type sawing residues penetrating between the table and a workpiece placed on it cannot scratch a sensitive workpiece surface resting on the table when the workpiece is moved into a new cutting position, is described. To this end, the workpiece supporting table is in the form of a grooved table whose ridge-type elevations each comprise at least one air outlet channel which exits at their upper horizontal surface and is connected to a compressed air source. Chips penetrating between the workpiece and the ridge-type elevations during the sawing are carried along and pulled down from their upper surface by the air flow issuing from the elevations, once the workpiece is released for adjustment into a new cutting position on the workpiece supporting table.

Abstract: An improved DIP lead trimming apparatus including a base having an inclined upper surface which supports an input rail, an output rail, a singulator mechanism, an adaptable cutter assembly and stop assembly, and a DIP lifter assembly for lifting a trimmed DIP from a position above the cutter assembly to the output rail.

Abstract: An air ejector system for use in a horizontal or vertical stamping press which reciprocates the moving member of a die set to produce an annular product. Air is introduced through a central punch for shedding and ejecting a slug. Air is also introduced through an annular knockout for shedding and ejecting a coaxially produced product. A resilient member retains the knockout in a position rearwardly of the punch and button die during the forward punching stroke. Valving sequentially introduces the air through the punch and knockout at the appropriate points in the reciprocating stamping cycle.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for automatically or manually controlling the apparatus for trimming or cutting leads of electric devices of the type having an elongated body portion, and a plurality of leads extending from the opposite side edges of the body portion, more specifically for trimming leads of dual-in-line-devices (DIP devices) of a type used in conjunction with printed circuit boards (PCBs), wherein component dimensions and materials vary, and adjustments are provided to accomodate for different width and length sizes and more particularly to permit trimming of lead lengths to appropriate length for coaction with various PCBs.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for automatically or manually controlling the apparatus for trimming or cutting leads of electronic devices of the type having an elongated body portion, and a plurality of leads extending from the opposite side edges of the body portion, more specifically for trimming leads of dual-in-line-devices (DIP devices) of a type used in conjunction with printed circuit boards (PCBs), wherein component dimensions and materials vary, and adjustments are provided to accommodate for different width and length sizes and more particularly to permit trimming of lead lengths to appropriate length for coaction with various PCBs.

Abstract: In the rotary punching of a moving material web, the punched out waste material has to be removed so as not to interfere with the course of the punching. This can be done with a vacuum and internal ducts in the female roll, but this method cannot be used at high working speeds because of centrifugal force. Instead of this in accordance with the invention, the die hole of the female roll is provided with pistons that are maneuvered to and fro in rhythm with the rotation of the roll. As a result, the punching waste is retained for only a short while after the punching, and then is ejected and carried away via an external suction arrangement.

Abstract: A system for slitting a parent web to form grooved rolls including movable shear slitters and a Coanda nozzle device for removing trim segments from the shear slitters.

Abstract: A cutter, such as a wire cutting element is moved in a D-shaped path which includes a substantially straight downward path to cut a slice off of the end of an advancing log of dough, such as cookie dough. The cutter returns with a curvilinear motion including a horizontally forward motion beginning at the bottom of the downward motion to disengage the cutter from the advancing log and to move the cutter sufficiently forward to ensure that the cutter does not engage the advancing end of the log during upward movement. At the end of the upward movement the cutter returns with rearward horizontal movement to the path of downward movement. The severed slice is discharged with the aid of air jets from the end of a conveyor where it drops onto a second conveyor for advancement to subsequent processing stations such as an oven.

Abstract: A practice for recovering the contents of filled pharmaceutical capsules wherein the capsules are supported and a cutting blade cuts the supported capsules to allow egress of the capsule contents.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting holes and notches in thermoplastic film by using heated steel rule dies. The dies are set into a heated die block, and scrap passes through the die, and through a hole in the heated die block so pieces of scrap fuse together as they pass through the block. The die block is fixed, and a movable platen urges the film down against the heated dies. A stripper is biased up to strip the film from the dies after cutting, and is resiliently movable down to allow cutting. Air can be directed through the stripper to blow the film up, off the stripper, to prevent melting when the film motion stops. Use of two dies accurately spaced can cut wicket holes and provide accurate cutting to assure proper operation in a bagging machine.

Abstract: An improved interposer punch apparatus including a plurality of elongated punch elements, a head slidably supporting the punch elements, means to urge the punch elements in an extended position, a stripper plate, and a base for supporting a substrate to be punched with apertures for receiving the lower ends of the punch elements, the imrovement being a means in said base for forcibly displacing slugs of material punched from a substrate from the ends of the punch elements following a punching operation.

Abstract: A filter rod making machine discharges several parallel filter rods which move lengthwise and are severed at regular intervals to yield files of axially aligned filter rod sections. Such sections are transported axially to a first transfer station where they enter discrete flutes in the concave upper side of one of several rotary platforms which orbit about the axis of a rotary carrier and are rotated relative to the carrier by crank drives so that the orientation of their flutes remains unchanged. The flutes of a platform which arrives at the first station receive discrete filter rod sections from each of the files so that each platform accumulates a group of parallel sections which are transported to a second station for transfer into successive peripheral flutes of a rotary drum-shaped removing conveyor.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming thin pieces of dough material are disclosed. Dough, e.g. masa, used in preparing chip-type food products, can be formed into a sheet, the sheet cut into the desired shaped pieces and the pieces removed from the sheeting and cutting operations and delivered for further processing and frying prior to packaging. The dough is delivered in bulk to a nip between two rolls where it is formed into a sheet as the dough passes between the rolls. Downstream of the nip the sheet is removed from one roll and adheres to the second roll which is engaged by a cutter. The removal is insured by the application of gas pressure from within the first roll. The resulting cut pieces of dough are removed from the second roll by the application of gas pressure from within the roll, and the cut pieces are thereby delivered to a take-away conveyor for passage to further processing and frying operations.

Abstract: A continuous automotive felt die cutting press, cuts pattern out of a web passing through it. After exit of the web from the cutting press, the cut patterns and web are passed over a perforated roller that rotates about internally segmented zones having a plurality of removable solid and perforated sleeves. The roller is capable of transmitting a vacuum or a pressure through any one of its internally segmented zones with directional and force control being partially provided by the removable sleeve placement on the segmented roller. Base guides, which are adjustable, are located in the area between the perforated sleeves to provide a solid base for the cut patterns to rest upon during their vacuum separation from the web.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method wherein bottom blanks for containers are severed from a web feed roll and subsequently transferred at a compatible speed and spacing to final forming mandrels on which finished containers are to be formed. The bottom blanks are tangentially transferred from a first transfer turret at a final velocity and spacing most desirable for cutting and minimizing scrap to a second transfer turret at a second velocity and spacing and thereafter tangentially transferred to the final forming mandrels. Subsequently, preprinted rectangular blanks of longitudinally stretch-oriented foam sheet material formed into cylinders are transferred onto the final forming mandrels. Thereafter, the bottom blanks the cylindrical blanks and the final forming mandrels are heated to shrink the cylindrical blanks so that they assume the shape of the final forming mandrels. The top curl on containers such as drinking cups and food tubs is formed after shrink forming.

Abstract: A modification to a reel type staple cutter that includes a compartmentalized assembly located below the cutter reel, each compartment forms an isolated cutting zone which reduces the opportunity for falling tufts of cut staple to mix and intermingle to form clumps which are difficult to open. The curved top plate of each compartment provides a downward force vector which assists gravitational forces and injected air to overcome centrifugal and adhesive forces tending to prevent staple from falling. Plates and baffles attached to a stationary shell located beneath the cutter reel split the cut fibers into discrete tufts despite the cohesive nature of the product and promote flow down and from each compartment.

Abstract: A trim guide device for slitter-scorers in which a corrugated board sheet transferred on guide tables is slit by rotary elements disposed above and below the corrugated board sheet, to be thereafter scored by similar rotary elements, comprising air ejection means disposed under the lower surface of those portion of said guide tables which are on the upstream side with respect to the flow of the corrugated board sheet of said rotary elements, and adapted to eject air toward the downstream side of the flow of the corrugated board sheet. The trims at both ends of the corrugated board sheet which has been subjected to slitting by means of said rotary elements are correctly guided by currents of air ejected from the air ejection means into the trim chute disposed on the downstream side of the guide table.

Abstract: The invention provides a process and apparatus for producing fabric-reinforced, thin concrete panels suitable as a backer board for construction materials such as ceramic tile, slate and thin brick. A process is described whereby the components of the panel are deposited on a web of disposable carrier/release material such as polyethylene coated paper while moving on a conveyer belt to form a continuous strip, the strip is cut into panels and the wet, uncured panels are stacked by means of an air-float stacking unit, then subsequently cured.

Abstract: An earth and sand conveyor system comprising a hopper adapted to receive dumped earth and sand, a trough connected to the hopper, a screw conveyor rotatably mounted within the hopper and the trough, a consolidating pipe connected to the trough, a molding pipe connected to the consolidating pipe, a conveyor pipe connected to the molding pipe, a first nozzle formed in the wall of the molding pipe, a second nozzle formed in the wall of the conveyor pipe, an air compressor connected to the first and second nozzles, and a directional control valve disposed between the air compressor and the first and second nozzles for alternately supplying the compressed air to the first and second nozzles.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing, collecting and transporting platelike fins, including fin forming apparatus for simultaneously forming plural fins in adjacent side-by-side relationship from sheet material. The forming apparatus causes the fins to be discharged outwardly in the lengthwise direction thereof. Fin handling apparatus are positioned adjacent the forming apparatus for collecting and transporting the fins. The fin handling apparatus includes an endless conveyor having a substantially straight upper reach positioned adjacent the forming apparatus and movable substantially transverse to the direction of movement of the fins as discharged from the forming apparatus. A plurality of elongated fin collectors are fixed to the endless conveyor, being spaced a predetermined distance apart throughout the lengthwise direction of the conveyor, the predetermined distance being equal to the centerline-to-centerline distance between adjacent fins as discharged from the forming apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for slitting paper having a plurality of pairs of cutting elements disposed transversely with respect to the direction of movement of the web and a pair of arcuate support boards extending about one row of slitter elements to a point closely adjacent the overlap of the slitter elements to provide an arcuate path of travel for the web as it passes through the cutting area. The arcuate support boards are mounted for rotation about transverse axes to facilitate rotation of the boards away from the cutting elements and thus provide access to such cutting elements for adjustment and maintenance.

Abstract: A bearing-block body member in which a die-cutting roll is journaled includes an adjusting cap seated in it through which a bore extends axially of the roll. An axial chamber is provided in the roll, and a stationary air manifold extends into the chamber, permitting relative rotation between the roll and the manifold. An air tube having an axial portion and a transverse portion has its axial portion extending through the bore in the adjusting cap to couple with the manifold so as to hold it in rotational position but permit axial withdrawal. Fluid communication is provided between the air tube and the manifold, and corresponding ports in the manifold and apertures in the die register periodically to permit air to flow from the air tube through the manifold, the ports, and the apertures to the outer surface of the roll. As a result of this arrangement, air can be supplied transversely of the axis of the roll, but ready removal of the roll and the manifold is afforded.

Abstract: A modification to a reel type staple cutter wherein a hollow drive shaft for the reel communicates with internal passageways in the top plate of the cutter reel. Holes are formed through the top plate at locations between adjacent cutter blade assemblies. Air fed through the shaft is continuously jetted through the holes against advancing wads of cut staple to strip off staple.

Abstract: An apparatus for the high-speed transverse severing of equi-sized sheets from a running web utilizing interacting blades carried by power-driven counter-rotating shafts, with vacuum retention of the web on one shaft of the apparatus as carrier over substantially from the point of web input to the apparatus to at least the point of web severance.