Abstract: A skin packaging machine have a base, an inclined oven above the base, and a film frame pivoted to swing between the base and the inclined oven. The oven has transverse elongated heating elements closely spaced at the lower end and widely spaced at the upper end to provide uniform heat across the surface of the oven. The frame has a pneumatic system for swinging it between its upper and lower positions in order to minimize the possibility of injury.

Abstract: A machine in which a wrapping film extends across a path in which articles to be packaged are moved. The film is drawn from supply rolls above and below the path as an article or group of articles is moved along the path. The film is brought together and sealed behind the article or group of articles to form a tube, the tube is severed from the remaining film, and the remaining film is sealed together. The tube is then thermally shrunk. A cutting and sealing bar movable along a path inclined at an acute angle with the conveying path in part wraps the film about the article or group of articles, and severs and seals the film. An upright frame carries and guides the cutting and sealing bar and is adjustable about a pivot in the plane of the conveying path to vary the angle at which the cutting and sealing bar moves with respect to the conveying path. A film supply roll is carried by the frame so the path of the film from the supply roll relative to the frame is independent of the frame adjustment.

Abstract: A post assembly and method of capping a post, especially useful for pilings, e.g., as used for docks and the like. A covering over a post end is comprised of an outer cover and a semi-rigid, energy-absorptive, predominantly closed-cell body of foamed synthetic resin that adheres the cover. The cover is comprised of an end plate and a surrounding skirt. The skirt is formed of an extruded strip with a longitudinal groove that receives the periphery of the plate when the strip is wrapped about the plate. Ends of the strip abut each other and are sealed. Preferably the skirt terminates in an inwardly extending inclined flange that closely encircles the pole to form a beveled lower edge to the outer cover. The cover is resistant to abrasion, impact and ultraviolet deterioration. The foamed resin fills and seals all voids in the end of the post to prevent moisture from entering and deteriorating the post, and cushions and supports the cap to inhibit cracking or puncturing of the cap from impacts in use.

Abstract: A tubular plastic shell, with an overlapped longitudinal seam and longitudinally extending interior pockets that form exterior ribs, encircles a wooden pole or piling in an area to be protected. A foamed adhesive between the shell and pole fills and seals the surface of the pole beneath the shell, adheres the shell, and provides a supporting cushion for the shell that inhibits cracking or puncturing from impact. Longitudinally spaced ends of the shell beyond the pockets tightly encircle the pole to prevent escape of the adhesive as it forms during application. Ribs at the overlapped seam nest into pockets to retain the shell tightly about the pole during expansion of the adhesive. Where impact or abrasion are not anticipated, the shell can be used as a carrier and mold for forming an adherent foamed sealant layer or covering about a pole and then be removed.

Abstract: A post assembly and method of capping a post, especially useful for pilings, e.g., as used for docks and the like. A covering over a post end is comprised of a semi-rigid, energy-absorptive, predominantly closed-cell body of foamed synthetic resin with a smooth continuous covering adhered thereto. In a preferred embodiment the covering is a thermoformed cap of predetermined size and shape, cushioned and adhered to the post by the foamed resin, and resistant to abrasion, impact, and ultraviolet deterioration. The foamed resin fills and seals all voids in the end of the post to prevent moisture from entering and deteriorating the post, and cushions and supports the cap to inhibit cracking or puncturing of the cap from impacts in use. The shape of the cap may be selected to provide a convex contour, as for pilings in coastal areas to prevent roosting of birds, and may bear indicia or be of various colors.

Abstract: A package with a stretchable tear element for opening the package. In a preferred embodiment the tear element extends over a packaged article and beneath a covering plastic film formed over the article to secure the article to a supporting panel. The tear element is capable of stretching sufficiently, when the plastic film is drawn down in a softened condition over the product to form the package, so that the film can conform itself and the tear element substantially to the shape of the product and any tendency of the film to form a tent across an initial span of the tear element is minimized. The tear element further stretches, in part within the package, when one end is pulled back across the film so that a portion of the element moves past the film at the exit point, producing a slicing or sawing action, while at the same time it remains essentially anchored at the opposite end. The panel is preferably foldable to form a box.