Abstract: An automatic slicing apparatus reduces the likelihood of failure to make a sliced piece specimen even if continuously operated. The apparatus, on the basis of an exchange command signal, detaches a sample block attached to a cutting base and attaches a new sample block to the cutting base. The apparatus cuts a sliced piece of a predetermined thickness by moving a knife with respect to the sample block having been attached to the cutting base. The apparatus also observes the sliced piece having been cut and judges the sliced piece by comparing an observation data obtained by the observation means and a sample block cut face data. When the apparatus judges that the sliced piece is good, the apparatus transmits an exchange command signal.

Abstract: A gel extraction device comprising a hollow cutting member and a plunger ejector member. The hollow cutting member has a proximal tubular body terminating at one end in a circular rim having oppositely disposed spring engaging structures and a distal sloped transition portion ending in a rectangular receptacle and a tapered end portion with a sharp perimeter cutting edge. The plunger ejector member has a proximal cap atop and connected to a split stem portion having outer legs with shoulder stop extensions; an inner ribbon spring leg having a distal end inserted into a spring engaging structure in the assembled device; and a solid rectangular distal portion. In a second embodiment the split end portion is replaced by a stem having a plurality of lateral protrusions and a coiled spring is placed within the hollow cutting member tubular body. A third embodiment is a hybrid of the first two embodiments.

Abstract: An object is to provide an inspection sample making apparatus (30) that can simplify work for making an inspection sample (12) and can ensure inspection for seal condition. The inspection sample making apparatus (30) includes a preliminary-inspection-sample-making device (20) for peeling a predetermined fusion-bonded piece of a packaging container (10) off a wall of the packaging container (10) so as to make a preliminary inspection sample (20); and a cutting device for cutting the preliminary inspection sample (52) along a predetermined cutting line so as to make an inspection sample (12).

Abstract: An apparatus to collect a sample of material has a handle with a tubular sample sleeve extending from an end of the handle. The end of the sleeve distal from the handle forms a cutting edge circumscribing a circular sampling region. A plunger slides reciprocally within the tubular sample sleeve between a retracted position and an expulsion position. A user cuts a sample from a source material by engaging contact between the cutting edge of the tubular sample sleeve and the source material. The sample cut from the source is lodged within the tubular sample sleeve. Actuation of the plunger from the retracted position toward the expulsion position displacing the sample from the sleeve.

Abstract: A spot picker is comprised of a pipette and a disposable cutting tip. The pipette is comprised of a housing with a suction tube projecting from a lower end. An actuation button is positioned at the top end of the housing. The actuation button is connected to a piston inside the suction tube. A plunger attached to the piston has a lower end positioned outside the suction tube. The cutting tip is comprised of a hollow tube with an open proximal end attached to the suction tube. A compressible porous hydrophobic filter is securely but movably positioned within the hollow tube. The cutting tip cuts a gel spot when its open lower end is pushed into a sheet of gel. The plunger pushes the filter outward to discharge the gel spot from the cutting tip when the actuation button is fully depressed.

Abstract: A sheet vinyl flooring asbestos sampling method includes taking a sample of sheet vinyl flooring without dispensing airborne asbestos fibers. The process includes selecting and cleaning a floor sampling site for attaching a floor sampling template to guide the cutting of the flooring and to limit the liberation of asbestos fibers to the ambient air. A sampling container has an opening thereinto with a flat cutting surface adjacent the opening and a cap to fit over the opening so that the sample may be removed by pushing the cutting edge into the vinyl flooring to cut loose a sample which is pushed into the opening of the container. A cap is then placed over the opening of the container and the sampling container and sample is placed within a storage bag for delivery to a testing lab. The process also includes covering the sampling site with a seal having identification material thereon and also the placing of identification information in the storage bag.

Abstract: A system for facilitating sampling of a multilayer preform includes a cutting tool and a work holder for holding a multilayer preform in a fixed position with respect to the work holder. The work holder is preferably constructed and arranged so as to define first and second tool guides for guiding a pair of spaced, parallel cutting tools in order to providing cut a precise longitudinally oriented sample from the multilayer preform while it is clamped in place by the work holder. A method of sampling a multilayer preform is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus and method for extracting a sample from a strip of material. The apparatus comprises a roller having a periphery surface, a cutting wheel having a cutting die extending from its periphery, and wherein the material strip advances between the roller and the cutting wheel. During advancement of the material strip, the cutting wheel rotates in coordinated relation and into a position wherein the cutting die engages the material strip and rotates through engagement with the periphery surface of the roller, thereby extracting a sample from the material strip.

Abstract: A sampling tool is used to collect a sample from the surface of an insulator in a high voltage installation during live line conditions. The sampling tool comprises a sampling head mounted to one end of a hot stick. Sampling cartridges are interchangeably mountable to a pivoted block on the sampling head. The block is biased by a spring to urge the cartridge into contact with the surface of the insulator when a trigger on the sampling head comes into contact with the insulator. One cartridge includes a planing blade for collecting a sliver of material from the insulator surface. An alternative cartridge has a swab and an abrasive pad interchangeably insertable thereon for collecting a material sample from the insulator surface.

Abstract: A machine provides in situ cutting of a specimen of elastomeric propellant rom a rocket motor wherein an undetached plug is formed by an annular opening cut through the motor casing and into the propellant. The machine has a length of resilient wire secured at its ends to a rod for forming a loop mounted on the rod. The rod is inserted into the opening at one side of the plug with the loop around the plug. The rod is then rotated to wind the wire onto the rod so as to contract the loop and sever the plug. A tray is pivotally mounted on the rod between the rod and the plug with the wire passing through slots in the tray. The tray is inserted into the opening beside the specimen so as to prevent engagement of the rod with the specimen during cutting and to receive the detached specimen for removal from the motor. The rod and tray extend from an assembly having an air motor rotating the rod through reduction gearing and through an overrunning clutch which drives in the loop contracting direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cutting apparatus for cutting out at least one strip from a roll with rolled up sheet like material. The apparatus is equipped with finger means which lift out a suitable distance from the roll the layer from which the strip will be cut out. A cutting tool means is placed near each finger means in order to cut through the material. Each cutting tool means is a motordriven, rotating blade driven with a peripheral speed which is considerably higher than the speed with which the cutting apparatus is moved along the roll, or an oscillating knife or the like. During the cutting out operation the cut out strip is rolled up on a rotating roll core means with a torque-adapted rotation. A strip-tensioning arrangement distributes the tensile forces from the rotating roll core means to the strip at the middle of the width of the strip and is placed at the middle of the width of the strip between the cutting tool means and the roll core means.

Abstract: A pair of openings are formed using an EDM technique. A pair of clamps are inserted into the openings and moved toward each other until such time as the inboard edges of the two openings are engaged. A pair of EDM cutters are used to cut a pair of slots which extend from one opening to the other. Upon completion of these slots, the sample, which remains clamped between the two clamps, is withdrawn and lowered back down the conduit to a remote collection point.

Abstract: A modified Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), which can machine and image the surface of a sample with nanometer precision in all three orthogonal directions by varying the depth-of-cut of the sample. A multi-repetitive sensor system is provided as is a radially halved quartered electrode to substantially maintain parallelism or substantial parallelism.

Abstract: Obtaining an early indication of the quality of meat such as defective meat comprising the steps of taking a sample of muscle tissue, disrupting and incubating the sample in order to activate and progress the conversion of glycogen to lactic acid so that the conversion proceeds at a rapid rate by comparison to normal conversion rate in muscle tissue processed and stored normally in meat processing operations and providing an indication of the pH to determine if in range that indicates the meat is defective. A sampling tool (111) usable to sample a muscle tissue having a conical tool head (112) with a leading point (121) to aid insertion into an animal and rearwardly facing cutting edge (123) that takes a sample of tissue when the tool is being withdrawn. A sample removing means (127) having a front convex surface (128) able to force the sample out of a concave base (120) of the tool head (112).

Abstract: A process for preparing tubular coupons formed of a pair of tube lengths butt-welded together with a full depth circumferential weld includes partially diagonally cutting the coupon sample through its transverse dimension so as to leave a thin bending strip along one wall of the coupon about which the coupon is bent for inspection of the internal surface of the weld area. Two procedures are described, both of which leave the interior surface of the weld exposed adjacent the diagonal cutting line through the coupon. The procedure facilitates bending open the cut coupon for internal inspection of the weld area. A jig fixture for holding the coupon during cutting by a band saw blade is described.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for removing a wall portion from a wall of a tubular member. The wall portion has a distal end portion and a proximal end portion. The wall portion is connected to the wall of the tubular member by a pair of ligatures, which remain after use of a suitable cutting tool. The ligatures are aligned and disposed on either side of the wall portion to define a pivot axis. The apparatus has a probe body insertable into the tubular member, which probe body includes an expandable bladder for pushing the distal end portion of the wall portion in order to pivot the wall portion about the ligatures (i.e., about the pivot axis) as the bladder expands. As the wall portion pivots, the distal end portion of the wall portion rotates outwardly from the wall of the tubular member as the proximal end portion of the wall portion rotates inwardly into the tubular member. After the wall portion pivots, a cup-shaped retainer is moved upwardly to surround the proximal end portion of the wall portion.

Abstract: A system including a cutting tool is provided for cutting a round strand m a soft, rubber-based material. The cutting tool comprises a tube having an inner and an outer surface which form a sharp leading edge. The tool further comprises a blade which fixedly attaches to the outer surface of the cutting tube. The blade has a wedge-shaped leading edge and a circular-shaped arc on its bottom end for receiving the tube. A handle for the blade attaches to the top end of the blade. The system for cutting a round strand from a soft, rubber-based material also includes an arbor support arm, a vacuum chuck plate, and a horizontal milling machine having a numerical control. The arbor support arm connects to the handle of the cutting tool. The arbor support arm in turn connects to the horizontal milling machine. The vacuum chuck plate also connects to the horizontal milling machine at a table. The vacuum chuck plate has a cylindrical pin which extracts any round strands stuck in the cutting tube.

Abstract: A variable depth core sampler apparatus comprising a first circular hole saw member, having longitudinal sections that collapses to form a point and capture a sample, and a second circular hole saw member residing inside said first hole saw member to support the longitudinal sections of said first hole saw member and prevent them from collapsing to form a point. The second hole saw member may be raised and lowered inside said first hole saw member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus which is able to form a desired number of wells in gelatinous media, as for example agar-based media contained in dishes or plates such as the normal microbiological culture dishes or plates.

Abstract: A method of providing uniform thickness of a synthetic resin film upon molding of the synthetic resin film with a die having a plurality of heating elements arranged adjacent a die lip of the die. The thickness of a film molded by the die is measured by cutting a sample of the molded film in a direction perpendicular to the direction of drawing of the film, and measuring the thickness of the sample in the direction of cutting with a film thickness measuring device. The measured values are then fed to an arithmetic unit. At the arithmetic unit, a corresponding relationship is calculated, based on the measured film thickness values, between a one-sided material portion of the film and the plurality of heating elements, and amounts of heat to be generated by the corresponding heating elements are individually controlled in accordance with the relationship.

Abstract: A method of preparing specimens of composite material for destructive testing is disclosed. A panel from which the specimens are to be cut is cut from a sheet of composite material. The panel is cut from the sheet by first cutting the sheet along a line to form an alignment edge. The alignment edge is placed against a fence and the panel is cut with a first saw blade to a predetermined width and length. A first set of pads is placed on a fitting, the pads being spaced apart by a predetermined distance by a plurality of pins extending from the fitting. The panel is placed on top of the pads. A second set of pads is placed on top of the panel. The fitting is clamped to a table. The table moves into the path of a second saw blade which cuts the panel in a first direction. The fitting is rotated and the table is moved into the path of the second saw blade again to cut the specimens. The smoothness of the surface cut by the second saw blade is significantly smoother than the smoothness of the first saw blade.

Abstract: A method of taking soil samples consisting of the steps of; cutting at least one slit trench along a path transverse to bands of fertilizer in the soil; and taking a thoroughly intermixed sample from the cuttings. The samples are taken using a chain saw with a soil sampling attachment. The soil sampling attachment consists of a container with an open mouth having a slot across the mouth. A blade of a chain saw is disposed in the slot. Upon activation of the chain saw soil cuttings drop from the blade through the mouth to accumulate in the container. A bracket secures the container to the chain saw.

Abstract: A method and a device for collecting a quantoback analysis sample in hot state from a preferred position of a continuously cast steel piece are disclosed. According to this invention, a dish like recess is cut on the surface of cast steel piece while leaving a center column, then the root of left center column is root cut and taken out as sample. A cutting device and a way for accessing the cutting device are presented for operating this process.

Abstract: A cutting device for rubber samples produces constant-volume samples of rubber. The samples are suitable for testing, such as curemeter or rheometer testing, and their constant volume eliminates erratic test results caused by samples which are too large or too small. The device features a sizing mechanism which works in conjunction with a cutter, so as to ensure constant volume samples.

Abstract: A remotely controlled apparatus for extracting samples of solid hazardous terial from such items as solid propellant rocket motors. The device is pneumatically operated from a high pressure gas supply and includes a cutter assembly which extracts the sample. The cutter assembly is movable to different positions for successive sampling operations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for automatically cutting and retrieving for inspection a sample length of coiled material from an inner tab region of a wound coil using a machine having a motorized roller apparatus supporting and driving the wound coil. A machining arm including a cutter is introduced within the wound coil for cutting a given radial thickness of the coiled material in the inner tab region. The machining arm is withdrawn, and a specimen extraction arm having substantially "C"-shaped elements is introduced within the wound coil. The "C"-shaped elements may each have a pointed limb, which in use serves to pry out the sample length of coiled material in the inner tab region, and break the sample length loose from the wound coil in the region of the cut provided by the cutter. The extraction arm is withdrawn when the retrieving elements bring the sample length of coiled material out for inspection.

Abstract: A device for taking a sample from an uninterruptedly traveling web (6) comprises a loop accumulator, a drum (11) near the web with suction bars (10) for temporarily retaining the web and for cutting the web twice at spaced locations. The device further comprises glueing bar (16) for rejoining both cut-off edges of the web (6).

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting out strips from a web wound to the shape of a cylindrical roll, includes a carrier, at least two spaced-apart cutting members mounted on the carrier for cutting out the strips between each other, a rotatable core for winding up a web strip cut out by the cutting members, contact members mounted on the carrier for exerting a pressure against an outermost web layer so as to firmly hold the layer in place when moving the apparatus axially along the cylindrical surface of the roll, and a resilient mechanism for providing a relative resilient mobility between the cutting members and the contact members toward or away from the outermost web layer, so as to permit the application of the apparatus against the cylindrical surface of rolls irrespective of varying diameters thereof.

Abstract: A remotely operable device for cutting sample pieces from the walls of an irradiated component while the component is submerged in a pool of water to shield the operator from radiation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cutting elastomeric material into volumetric elastomer samples is disclosed. These volumetric samples may be reproduced at identical mass for precision testing purposes. The volumetric samples are reproducible for such precision purposes by the use of a volumetric adjustment mechanism which determines the volume of the cavity into which elastomeric material is compressed before cutting. The apparatus also has a moving cutting mechanism with a contoured cutting area, which in combination with the volumetric adjustment apparatus, removes deleterious air bubbles and other deformities prior to cutting the elastomeric material. The volumetric adjustment apparatus is housed within a die apparatus, which has a damping mechanism to permit complete manipulation of the elastomer prior to cutting the elastomer into the volumetric plug. After the cutting of the plug has occurred, the ejection apparatus pushes the volumetric plug from the cavity whereupon another cycle is begun.

Abstract: A template device adapted to take a core of meat from a carefully controlled portion of a meat carcass including a template adapted to control the location and direction of the coring, and a coring tool adapted to be guided by the template to cut the core from the carcass.