Abstract: A package for shipping stacks of sheet steel has a bottom tray which has three upstanding side walls and is open at one end. An L-shaped end cap fits outside the tray and provides an end wall for engaging an end of a stack of steel sheets in the tray. A rectangular cover fits over the tray and end cap for closing the package. A vinyl liner inside the steel package for further protecting the steel sheets from corrosion. The tray is stiffened in a lengthwise direction by timbers inside the tray under the stack of sheets, and on the outside by crosswise timbers which also permit access by a forklift or crane. The package is held rigid by steel straps encompassing the package.

Abstract: The front of a new steel strip is welded to the tail of a strip being formed in a continuous pipe mill or the like at an improved splice station. The ends of the strips are sheared to match and are clamped on a carriage movable in the longitudinal direction of the strips. A pair of pinch rolls downstream from the carriage for holding the tail of the strip in the mill can be translated in a direction transverse to the strip for aligning the tail with the front of the new strip of metal. Movement of the pinch rolls and carriage bring the ends of the strips into alignment and abutment. An automatic welder on the carriage butt welds the seam between the ends of the strips. A milling cutter traverses across the welded seam for removing excess weld bead to prevent damage to rolls in the forming mill.