An automatic sampling system (100) and an automated sampling method take samples of a rubber strip after shaping and while scrolling in a predetermined direction.

A roof pipe flashing with a raised boot and elongated opposite extensions extending therefrom which roof pipe flashing is used to cover and weatherproof an existing but damaged roof pipe flashing on the pitched roof of a building. The roof pipe flashing can be made manually by cutting or tearing along pre-marked lines on the flat base of a roof pipe flashing.

A roof pipe flashing with a raised boot and elongated opposite extensions extending therefrom which roof pipe flashing is used to cover and weatherproof an existing but damaged roof pipe flashing on the pitched roof of a building. The roof pipe flashing can be made manually by cutting or tearing along pre-marked lines on the flat base of a roof pipe flashing.

A strand of connected elastics is disclosed. The strand includes a series of elastic bands and a series of connecting portions that connect the series of elastic bands to each other. The connecting portions may have configurations that enable them to broken when separation and use of an elastic from an end of the strand is desired. Methods for manufacturing and using strands of connected elastics are also disclosed.

Systems and methods for downsizing tires are disclosed. An automated downsizing apparatus comprises a cradle, mandrel table, cutting apparatus, and a control unit. A tire mounted on the cradle may be received by the movable and rotatable mandrel table, and positioned for engagement with the cutting apparatus. A user may customize a cutting configuration to be executed by the control unit. The control unit positions the mandrel table and cutting apparatus to remove portions from the tire, according to the cutting configuration. During operation, one or more system parameters may be monitored to determine compliance with the selected configuration, and the automated execution may be manually overridden.

Method and apparatus for measuring a protrusion length of a protrusion portion on each side of sheet after cutting even when there is variation in positions of cords embedded in the sheet, apparatus with imaging unit that images cross-sectional profile in width direction of sheet including protrusion portions, and generates waveform data from imaging of cross-sectional profile, detect maximum height-positions of crests and of troughs of waveform data, set, based on waveform data, a maximum height-position of crest closest to width end of sheet as maximum height-position of end crest, set a position corresponding to an edge of protrusion portion of sheet, located on more width end side than maximum height-position of end crest, as minimum height-position of a terminal trough, detect distance in width direction of sheet between maximum height-position of end crest and of the terminal trough, and measure protrusion length of protrusion portion based on detected distance.

Method and apparatus for measuring a protrusion length of a protrusion portion on each side of sheet after cutting even when there is variation in positions of cords embedded in the sheet, apparatus with imaging unit that images cross-sectional profile in width direction of sheet including protrusion portions, and generates waveform data from imaging of cross-sectional profile, detect maximum height-positions of crests and of troughs of waveform data, set, based on waveform data, a maximum height-position of crest closest to width end of sheet as maximum height-position of end crest, set a position corresponding to an edge of protrusion portion of sheet, located on more width end side than maximum height-position of end crest, as minimum height-position of a terminal trough, detect distance in width direction of sheet between maximum height-position of end crest and of the terminal trough, and measure protrusion length of protrusion portion based on detected distance.

An assembly for cutting foam, nonwoven, rubber, and composite products has a guide having a longitudinally extending guide edge formed with a longitudinally extending and outwardly open groove. A longitudinally extending row of cutting elements extends along the guide edge, and element each has an entrainment dog projecting inward into the groove, a support riding on the guide edge and having sides each formed with a pair of longitudinally spaced and outwardly open recesses, a base outward of the support, and a wedge-section cutting tooth forming a cutting edge outside the base and having a pair of longitudinally extending flanks converging at the cutting edge. Coupling links extend between and have ends set in the recesses of adjacent cutting elements. Pivot pins extend through the ends of the links and through the supports at the bases. The base is of a maximum width greater than a width of the assembly at the pins.

A first connecting portion (31) and a second connecting portion (33) slide over a first guide link (17) and a second guide link (19), respectively, when an operation point (OP) of a reciprocating linear motion mechanism (38) moves from an initiating position to a terminating position. A second acute angle (θ2) formed between the second guide link (19) and a supporting surface (15) is greater than a first acute angle (θ1) formed between the first guide link (17) and the supporting surface (15).

An apparatus and method suitable for performing cutting operations on a product to yield a reduced-size product, for example, slicing, strip-cutting, dicing, shredding, and/or granulating a food product. The apparatus includes a casing, an impeller adapted for rotation within the casing about an axis thereof, and knives that perform, in sequence, slicing, strip-cutting and crosscutting on a product to produce reduced-size products. The apparatus is capable of performing a method by which a product is introduced into the impeller and the impeller is rotated to slice the product with a slicing knife and produce therefrom slices having peaks and valleys on opposite surfaces thereof and a cross-sectional shape that periodically varies in thickness. Strips are then produced from each of the slices by forming parallel cuts, each coinciding with a peak of each slice so that each strip has a width substantially identical to a wavelength of the slice.