A food article slicing machine includes a food article loading apparatus with a lift tray assembly for moving food articles from a staging position to an elevated position at a beginning of a food article feed path, a food article feed apparatus disposed over the food article loading apparatus having an upper conveyor assembly with an independently driven endless conveyor belt used in cooperation with a food article gripper for moving the food articles along the food article feed path, a food article stop gate that forms part of the food article feed path and opens to drop food article end portions, and a slicing station at an end of the food article feed path with a knife for slicing the food articles.

An example system includes a cutting tool and a device configured to remotely control the cutting tool. In response to receiving information indicative of actuation of a first user interface item, the device sends a first signal to the cutting tool so as to request enabling the cutting tool to be operated remotely. The cutting tool sends a second signal to the device indicating that remote operation of the cutting tool has been enabled. The cutting tool receives information indicating that the trigger has been activated, and sends a third signal to the device indicating that the cutting tool is ready to perform a cutting operation. The device receives information indicative of actuation of a second user interface item, and responsively, sends a fourth signal to the cutting tool so as to cause the cutting tool to perform the cutting operation.

An example system includes a cutting tool and a device configured to remotely control the cutting tool. In response to receiving information indicative of actuation of a first user interface item, the device sends a first signal to the cutting tool so as to request enabling the cutting tool to be operated remotely. The cutting tool sends a second signal to the device indicating that remote operation of the cutting tool has been enabled. The cutting tool receives information indicating that the trigger has been activated, and sends a third signal to the device indicating that the cutting tool is ready to perform a cutting operation. The device receives information indicative of actuation of a second user interface item, and responsively, sends a fourth signal to the cutting tool so as to cause the cutting tool to perform the cutting operation.

A converting machine is used to convert sheet material into packaging templates for assembly into boxes or other packaging. The converting machine includes a converting assembly that performs transverse conversion functions and longitudinal conversion functions on the sheet material to create the packaging templates. A fanfold crease sensing mechanism detects the presence and location of fanfold creases in the sheet material. Based on the location of the fanfold creases, the fanfold creases are either cut out of the sheet material, or the sheet material is cut to adjust the position of the fanfold crease in a packaging template.

In order to be able to reduce the number of required drive units in a multi-track slicing machine, in particular a multi-track slicer, for slicing a plurality of calibers simultaneously into slices, according to the invention second driven product guides for the, in particular all, tracks can only be driven together and have a freewheel unit acting in the feeding direction of the calibers.

A safety cutting tool includes an electrically conductive cutting member, an electric motor for actuating the cutting member, a gripping handle electrically insulated from the cutting tool, a cutting trigger control that can be actuated by the hand of the user gripping the gripping handle, the cutting trigger control being electrically insulated from the cutting tool, an emergency stop device sensitive to a user coming into contact with the cutting member. The emergency stop device is controlled by a comparator comparing an impedance of a first electric circuit comprising the cutting tool and a second electric circuit used as a reference, the first and second circuits having manual contact electrodes provided on at least one of the gripping handle of the tool and the cutting trigger control. A method for controlling such a tool is also disclosed. The tool and method are is-applicable to electric secateurs and shears.

Methods are disclosed for training an installer to cut a film without damaging an underlying substrate. The methods include the steps of applying a stretchable surface-protection film to an electrically-conductive substrate provided with at least one irregularity; and cutting the surface protection film with an electrically-conductive knife which, when in contact with the electrically- conductive substrate, causes one or more notifications to occur. Also disclosed are devices that may be used in carrying out the methods of the invention.

A conduit cutting assembly is comprised of a conduit cutting surface, a drive shaft, a top shield and a bottom guide. The conduit cutting assembly is inserted into a rotary device which provides a torque to rotate the conduit cutting assembly. The shield glides along the top surface of the conduit preventing deeper penetration of the cutting surface and deflecting dust as conduit is cut. The guide is positioned on the internal side of the conduit and prevents the cutting surface from contacting encased wiring. The distance between the bottom surface of the shield and the top surface of the guide is closely aligned to the conduit wall thickness. Conduit cutting assemblies can be customized for conduit material and conduit wall thickness. The conduit cutting assembly safely cuts through conduit without damaging encased wiring, limits incidental contact with the cutting surface, and limits contact with dust generated through the cutting procedure.

A conduit cutting assembly is comprised of a conduit cutting surface, a drive shaft, a top shield and a bottom guide. The conduit cutting assembly is inserted into a rotary device which provides a torque to rotate the conduit cutting assembly. The shield glides along the top surface of the conduit preventing deeper penetration of the cutting surface and deflecting dust as conduit is cut. The guide is positioned on the internal side of the conduit and prevents the cutting surface from contacting encased wiring. The distance between the bottom surface of the shield and the top surface of the guide is closely aligned to the conduit wall thickness. Conduit cutting assemblies can be customized for conduit material and conduit wall thickness. The conduit cutting assembly safely cuts through conduit without damaging encased wiring, limits incidental contact with the cutting surface, and limits contact with dust generated through the cutting procedure.

A whetting device for a slicer has a whetstone for sharpening a circular blade of the slicer; a hone for deburring the blade; a handle for moving the whetstone or hone toward the blade; a mount fastenable to a stop plate of the slicer, having an insertion apparatus for form-fittingly insertion into the stop plate, a U-shaped plate receptacle which has a gap for introducing the stop plate into the gap when the whetting device is pushed onto the stop plate; a receptacle for engaging around an end of the blade guard ring when the stop plate is a predetermined distance from the circular in the direction of rotation of the blade, and not to engage when shorter than that distance between; and a frame covering a cutting edge of the circular blade and for pivoting the whetting device into a working position.