Abstract: A protective headgear for a firefighter comprising a firefighting hood constructed from an aramid knit material, including a front opening for exposure of the firefighters face; an SCBA mask shaped to engage the firefighter's face; a fastening system for attaching the SCBA mask to the firefighting hood along the perimeter of the mask such that the front opening of the hood is positioned within the perimeter of the mask, assuring that at least the firefighter's mouth will be within the mask when worn; and a retainer attached to opposite sides of the mask and adapted to extend around the back of the firefighter's head such that the strap holds the mask snugly against the firefighter's face. Preferably, the fastening system attaches the mask to the firefighting hood at a plurality of points along the perimeter of the mask, such that when the hood and face mask system is donned by the firefighter, there is no skin exposed between the hood and the mask.

Abstract: Collapsed sleeve type article containers are withdrawn in sequence from a hopper by suction cup means which then holds each carton at a loading station for an interval of time during which a plurality of articles are inserted through an open end of each container sleeve. Minor end closing flaps of the loaded container are moved into closed positions while the container is held stationary at the loading station. Thereafter the loaded container is moved out of the loading station and its major end flaps are closed and secured in closed position.