Abstract: A method for programming programmable EPROM elements in programmable logic arrays. Multiple programming passes are made through the array, with the programming pulses decreasing in duration on each pass.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for laminating patches to a base web accurately, and as efficiently as possible, are provided. Two webs are fed at speeds which are related as the ratio of the width of each patch to the separation distance between patches, the patch web moving more slowly. Patches are cut from the patch web and transferred to the other web while being accelerated to the higher speed.

Abstract: A device for the cyclic rearrangement of a pile of sheets with a housing having a viewing window, from which housing a slider member can be withdrawn and reinserted, and with elements for removing a sheet from an inserted pile and transferring the same to the other end of the pile on each movement cycle of the slider member. When the slider member is inserted the pile is pressed against the viewing window by a pressing arrangement which comprises rails supported on leaf springs. The rails having integrally moulded function elements, such as anchoring projections, sheet stop members, blocking projections, spacer ribs and guide prongs.

Abstract: A method of attaching two containers wherein a releasable attachment insert is placed during assembly between the side walls and side flaps at each end of two containers faced toward each other, and the dual container structure formed thereby. The insert acts to securely attach the two containers such that they may easily be separated for later sale as independent units.

Abstract: A dual carton formed from two cartons each having at least one pair of opposed top flaps. One carton has an extended top flap which extends over the other carton when the cartons are positioned adjacent one another such that the extended top flap may be secured to the top flaps of the other carton to thereby join the two cartons to form a dual carton. The extended portion of the extended top flap is joined to the remainder of the extended top flap along a weakened line to facilitate later separation of the two joined cartons. The dual carton may be a cigarette carton of dimensions compatible with tax-stamping machinery and temporarily sealed in such a manner as to facilitate the opening and later resealing of the carton for tax-stamping purposes.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying powdered coating to a workpiece--particularly to electric motor armatures and stators--including features relating to handling and masking of workpieces before, during and after coating, is provided. A first feature of the invention is the inclusion of all coating steps--e.g., coating, cleaning and precuring--as modules in a single treatment station on the production line. The treatment station can also be enclosed in a single housing to contain excess powder from both the coating and cleaning processes, so that a single powder recovery system can be used to recover the excess powder from both processes. The invention also includes a handling system for removing the workpiece from the production line, inserting it into the treatment station and moving it past the various modules in the treatment station, withdrawing it from the treatment station, and returning it to the armature production line.

Abstract: A cigarette carton formed from a blank in which the front and rear long walls of the carton are joined along a side wall instead of along a top or bottom wall. The carton thus has two sets of closure flaps, one set along the top end and another set along the bottom end. At least one set of closure flaps is a set of lap flaps, which are easily opened by a tax-stamping machine and easily closed by a machine. Preferably the other set of closure flaps is a tuck-in flap which is easily openable and reclosable by a consumer. Also disclosed is a multiple unit carton formed by applying adhesive bearing carrier means across top and bottom walls of the adjoining cartons. The multiple unit carton may be separated by a retailer or consumer for purchase of the individual component cartons.

Abstract: An integrated voice messaging/interactive voice response system in which information given by a caller or known to a system database could be transferred among various application modules of the system is provided. The information is passed in the form of parameters in messages sent by one system module to another.

Abstract: A dual cigarette carton formed from two substantially identical single cigarette cartons. The two cartons are connected along their front walls, which face one another, with releasable adhesive, and along their bottom walls with a label such that the two cartons remain securely connected when in the dual carton configuration and hence can be processed for tax-stamping through standard machinery and distributed to the consumer as a dual unit. The cartons can readily be separated by the consumer for the sale of an individual carton.

Abstract: A dual carton formed from two substantially identical single cartons adhered to one another with adhesive which remains tacky after the cartons are separated. Each carton has a top and tuck-in flap, and the flaps of the two joined cartons are overlapped to seal the dual carton. The tuck-in portion of the flap of one carton is adhered to the top portion of the flap of the other carton with similar adhesive as used to join the cartons. After the cartons are separated, the cartons may be individually sealed by reusing the adhesive on the wall of one carton and on the tuck-in portion of the flap of the other carton to adhere the tuck-in portion of the flaps of the cartons to the outside of the wall opposite the wall from which the flaps extend. The dual carton may be a cigarette carton of dimensions compatible with tax-stamping machinery and temporarily sealed in such a manner as to facilitate the opening and later resealing of the carton for tax-stamping purposes.

Abstract: A carton having a tuck-in flap extending from each wall which travels substantially parallel to the path of travel through a tax-stamping machine. At least one tuck-in flap is provided with a tapered tuck-in portion which is positioned and dimensioned so that the hold-down guide positioned to hold down the shorter of a pair of lap flaps of a conventional cigarette carton will hold down the tuck-in flap having the taper as if it were a short lap flap. Moreover, the longer portion of the tapered tuck-in flap is properly held down as well, without being snagged by the hold-down guide. An additional extension panel may be provided along the free edge of the tuck-in portion of either or both tuck-in flaps. The tuck-in portion may be folded under the top closure portion of the tuck-in flap, and the additional extension panel tucked between the cigarette packs in the carton and the wall from which the folded tuck-in flap extends.

Abstract: A dual carton formed from two substantially identical individual cartons secured together along their top flaps such that the means for securing the cartons is not readily apparent to a consumer. An additional means for securing the individual cartons together is provided across the bottom walls of the individual cartons. A dual cigarette carton of dimensions compatible with tax-stamping machinery is also shown.

Abstract: A fluid driven linear motor with a piston (4) in a cylinder (5) is supplied with driving fluid under the control of a sliding valve device (8) having a slide (9) being moved between its terminal positions and being retained therein by means of the driving fluid. A pilot rod (22) connected to the piston (4) controls the supply of driving fluid to the respective sides of the slide (9). The pilot rod (22) is slidingly received in a cavity (12) in the slide and has sections (23-25) of reduced diameter which act as valves in certain positions.

Abstract: The device is made up of a cylindrical rotary disk (32), part of the cylindrical outside surface (32b) of which intercepts a surplus portion of the stream of tobacco and separates it from the main stream. The surplus portion is eliminated and recycled without damaging the tobacco fibers. The device is intended to be disposed before trimming and compression apparatus which prepares a rod of tobacco in order to regulate the thickness of the rod before segments thereof are compressed. Thus, each compressed segment will have the same density of tobacco.

Abstract: The claw (2) is made up of a front part (3), moved vertically by a jack (31) and comprising a horizontal pressing plate (30) and a rear pressing plate (34), and a rear part (4) moved horizontally via another jack (46) and comprising a lower pressing plate (40) suspended by a pivot pin (42) from a stirrup-piece (41), a further jack (47 l) acting upon the rearward end (40A) of the lower pressing plate in order to raise and lower the front end (40B) thereof. When the rear pressing plate is lowered opposite a stack of blanks to be grasped, a slight depression (52) is created, whereby it is then possible to slip the front end of the lower pressing plate under the stack in order grasp it by raising the lower pressing plate and pressing the stack against the upper pressing plate. The claw is intended to be integrated in a depalletizer feeding a packing machine, particularly a machine making packs in the tobacco industry, especially packs of cigarettes.

Abstract: A cylindrical seizing element (3), made up of a fixed tubular part (32) comprising a cylindrical sector-shaped aperture (30) having a series of teeth (34) and of a movable inside part (31) also having a series of teeth (36) interposed between the first series of teeth, seizes the ends of turns of paper previously severed on a fresh reel of paper and brings the strip of paper unwinding from this fresh reel opposite a strip unwinding from an expiring reel. A splicing device comprising two rollers which are pressed against one another, one on each side of the two strips of paper, creates a splice through perforation of the two strips in an arrangement ensuring the strength of the splice. The method and apparatus are designed especially for integration in a single piece of equipment and for reliably joining two strips of paper intended to encircle cigarette filters.