Abstract: A high density, single pass heat exchanger (26) is provided which is designed for drying products such as bakery wastes, alfalfa, peat moss, wood or similar fibrous products. The exchanger (26) has a series of circumferentially spaced, inwardly directed heat transfer sheet metal flights (48) presenting a central flight-free zone (74), together with a series of baffles (282-288) in axially spaced relationship along the length of the exchanger (26). A number of annular deflectors (294-298) are mounted within the exchanger (26) between adjacent baffles (282-288), such that the baffles (282-288) and associated deflectors (294-298) cooperate to cause the material being dried to follow an essentially serpentine, generally helical path (300). The exchanger (26) is capable of efficiently removing moisture from wet products by virtue of the fact that the diameter (R) of the exchanger (26) to the diameter (r) of the internal flight-free central zone (74) is from about 1.4-2.4.

Abstract: A sole dryer comprising two electric air blowers respectively controlled by two trigger switches to blow heated air currents for drying the soles of the legs placed on a cover thereof, and a plurality of supporting spring means to automatically push said cover back to its original position so as to disconnect said trigger switches after the removal of said legs from said cover.

Abstract: A pinching gate valve for isolating the inside of a vacuum chamber equipped with a slot for passageway of a continuous substrate web therethrough. The pinching gate valve contains three components: a base plate having two inclined first sealing surfaces surrounding a substrate slot; a pair of mating jaws mounted for reciprocal movement toward and away from each other, each of said jaws including an inclined, second sealing surface for mating engagement with one of the first sealing surfaces, and a flat clamping surface for engagement with a surface of the substrate web; and means for reciprocating the jaws from a first, open position, to a second, clamping position.

Abstract: A three-dimensional sculpture comprised of a product in the family of paper, the sculpture being comprised of a generally vertical background; a platform extending at an angle from the background; a plurality of characters attachable to at least the platform such the background, platform and characters form a three dimensional sculpture from front, side and angled views thereof.

Abstract: A C-shaped support for cable marking has a lengthwise straight or S-shaped slit and at least one of its ends has one or more oblique surfaces running counterclockwise or clockwise with respect to the longitudinal central axis and with respect to the position of the slit. Before its installation on the cable, the support is positioned so that the oblique surface can be rotated clockwise or counterclockwise to widen the slit which will then close again progressively.

Abstract: A paddle-fish landing net combination which includes a hollow paddle-shaped housing having a handle opening in an upper side thereof, and a net opening in its opposite, lower side. An elongated handle extends slidably through the handle opening and has an inner end inside the housing. A fish landing net is attached to the handle inner end and nests within the housing when the handle is fully extended upwardly from the housing. The fish landing net moves into an expanded, fish netting position outside the housing when the handle is slidingly pushed into the housing.

Abstract: An ice fishing assembly for retarding the freezing of an ice fishing hole. The ice fishing assembly generally includes a base portion which rests upon the surface of a frozen lake or stream and includes a hole within its center. A fishing device rests upon the upper surface of the base portion and may include a line extension piece extending through the hole and into the water beneath the surface of the ice for securing a fishing line thereto. Specifically, the base portion includes an outer shell portion that substantially covers the upper three quarters of an insulating material. The insulating material is designed with a foil backing material which remains exposed on the under surface of the base portion and directly contacts the ice surface over the hole. The insulating material is preferably composed of a modern insulating material which will not freeze to the surface of the ice.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a device which enables the retrieval of fishing lures from entanglement with submerged objects. It is a ringed device with a fissure located at a right angle from an aperture to which a twine is attached. This fissure allows attachment of the device to the fishing line, yet is constructed to prevent inadvertent disengagement with the fishing line. The device, at the aperture, is attached to a twine which is held on the water surface. The device descends the fishing line to the lure by attachment at the fissure. Upon engagement with the lure, the device is pulled from the water surface by the twine, thus effecting the lure retrieval.

Abstract: Fishing apparatus including electronic circuitry for providing blinking LEDs and audio noises wherein charging capacitors and miniature batteries power the apparatus.

Abstract: A device designed to be removably attached to a boat gunwale which both guides and supports a baited trot line for the capture of marine crustaceans (crabs) by a person at a catching station wielding a net. Attachment to the gunwale consists of two mounting arms which can be secured by a variety of means. A telescoping arm permits adjustment of the distance between the boat hull and the trot line. The arm has a horizontally disposed guide and support roller mounted in a bracket which is affixed to the telescoping part of the arm. As the boat moves parallel to the baited trot line, the trot line is carried over the roller. This causes the baited section to rise to the surface of the water allowing the person to capture (apprehend) the crab.

Abstract: A fishing jig has a hook and a body rigidly secured to the hook. The hook has an elongate longitudinal shank, an upturned curved tail end with a forward facing point, and an upright front shank section that extends up to a generally oval shape as seen in plan, and has a convex upper surface and a completely concave lower surface bounded by a flat plan perimeter. The body extends forward of the front shank section and to the eye. The hook longitudinal shank is embedded in the body above the concave lower surface and above the plan perimeter. The jig has a much improved "action" during both ascent and descent for enticing fish to bite. A new asthetic design is embodied in the jig.

Abstract: A fishing weight having a body with a central through bore large enough to receive a fishing line therein along a central axis and a radial slot extending from the bore outwardly to the outer surface of the body, and a resilient, slightly compressible insert of substantially the same size as the slot and adapted to be manually pushed therein, the insert having a small tab extending rearwardly from the body and adapted to be a catch for a fingernail when prying the insert out of the slot.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to co-acting male and female fishing line connectors. The female member is an elongate body having an internal cavity. It is sized and shaped to receive internally a sphere. The sphere permits quick insertion or removal. The sphere is affixed to an elongate link which is apply clamped and positioned at an axial passage through the body, and further includes a second sphere on the link, the two spheres serving as clamps to hold and position the connective link at a desired location on the female member. The male member thus comprises the two spheres and connective link. Quick connection and disconnection is achieved, and axial pulling is handled readily by the equipment with rotation.

Abstract: A fishing leader holder, to be used independently or in combination with a fishing tackle box, wherein the fishing tackle holder is fitted and removably attached to an inside surface of the cover portion of the tackle box. The fishing leader holder includes at least one back panel having looping means designed to hold the folded center of the fishing leader wire, and hooking means designed to securely and separately hold the hook ends and the swivel ends of a plurality of fishing leaders, thereby holding the plurality of fishing leaders in a secure, orderly, and untangled arrangement.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new, useful and humane foot-snare trap for trapping of fur-bearing animals. More particularly the invention relates to a unique snare trap design which utilizes a vertically oriented coiled spring which, when triggered, releases vertically to cause constriction of the snare about the leg of the animal in the trap. The vertical arrangement of the coiled spring leads to an upward release of the snare which provides a means to minimize the loss of snared animals while also minimizing the discomfort or injury to the animal and damage to the animal pelt by the recoil spring action.

Abstract: A crab trap is formed with a torroidal ring mounting a plurality of snare loops at spaced intervals thereabout extending exteriorly of the ring, including bait securement structure medially thereof in the form of a bait mounting rod or alternatively of a bait basket.

Abstract: A mosquito catcher includes at least a fluorescent lamp installed on a cantilever secured above a fan, a mosquito-attracting agent placed on the catcher for luring the mosquito flying to the lamp so as to suck the mosquitoes by the fan impeller into a cone-shaped net secured under the fan impeller for killing the mosquitoes, which spirally impact against the net and are then killed and collected in a collector secured on a lower portion of the net, thereby catching mosquitoes in a safer and more efficient way.

Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of collecting and disposing of earwigs is disclosed. The earwig collector of the present invention provides snug relatively dark passageways for earwigs to collect in. The apparatus is typically made of wood, preferably cedar, in order to be more attractive to earwigs. Earwigs are removed from the passageways of the apparatus by separating the first and second body portions from one another thus exposing the earwigs that have collected in the passageways and knocking the first and second body portions against one another to jolt the earwigs therefrom. The earwigs preferably fall into a container of soapy water and drown.

Abstract: An elongated landscape edging strip formed of flexible material comprises an upstanding retainer portion intermediate and integral with a thin gauge, readily deformable mowing strip and a thin gauge, readily deformable anchoring strip. The mowing strip and anchoring strip are both secured in conformity to the ground contour along the edge of a mowed area to separate the mowed area from an unmowed area. In a preferred embodiment, the retainer portion has a channel-shaped cross section.

Abstract: A Christmas tree irrigation and fluid monitoring system for supplying water to a conventional tree stand. A water reservoir is equipped with a translucent column through which the fluid level in the system can be monitored on a continuous basis. A tamper resistant mesh covers the top of the reservoir. The reservoir is covered with a lid forming a water tight seal. The lid is equipped with an aperture allowing air to enter reservoir while preventing from spilling if upset. The reservoir is connected to the tree stand with a conduit. The conduit is attached to the tree or the stand. The end of the conduit in the stand is fitted with a crush-resistant collar.

Abstract: A peripherally defined, truncated conic plant pot provides two releasably interconnected portions that are maintained in interconnected relationship by a cup-like bottom element. The interconnected pot portions each define substantially diametrical halves of the pot and are joined by an overlapping seam which has complementary nubbin and indentation structures to aid releasable fastening. The adjacent surfaces of the pot and fastening cup have complementary nubbin and indentation fasteners communicating therebetween to aid releasable fastening and positional maintenance of these elements. The pot structure is particularly adapted for formation by injection molding from plastic materials.

Abstract: A precision clamp scissors sharpening system which consists of a fittably adjustable clamping device attached by means of a support bar to a spring-loaded pin level and adjustable bar to a sliding bar on top of a housing unit wherein is situated a means for regulating the velocity of the rotation of a circular sharpening disc which performs the function of sharpening scissor and/or other blade edges held in the clamp device by means of adjustable pieces which set the blade edge at a degree setting desired by the user and which clamp device may be extended for use with large circular sharpening discs or replaced with one designed for the sharpening of cuticle nippers and/or the inside parts of other blades.

Abstract: A lens polisher intended to polish a glass lens is provided with a spindle assembly having a spindle body, a housing secured to the spindle body, a load cell for monitoring the pressure applied to the lens, and a rotary head rotatably mounted on the housing. The spindle assembly further has an electric magnet secured to the load cell, at least one plate spring resiliently carried by the rotary head, a permanent magnet secured to the plate spring so as to be opposed to and spaced from the electric magnet, and an abrasive tool secured to the plate spring to polish the lens. A control unit is electrically coupled with the electric magnet and the load cell to control the voltage applied to the electric magnet in response to a signal sent from the load cell.

Abstract: A control apparatus for controlling the amount of grinding of a belt material in a grinding machine wherein, for example, in the production process of making belts, a cylindrical belt material is ground on its back to finish its thickness to a standard dimension. The controlling apparatus is provided with a feed apparatus for feeding either the grinding member or the work to be ground to force it into contact with the other, a cam apparatus for regulating the feed stepwise up to the preset maximum feed position, and a thickness presetting means for presetting the final thickness of the work to be ground in the maximum feed position of the grinding member controlled by said cam apparatus. The control apparatus is capable of grinding reliably a work to be ground to a preset thickness, and the finishing thickness of the work to be ground can be altered with ease.

Abstract: A portable grinder (10) has a motor-driven drive shaft (15) and a quick-acting chucking device for a grinding tool (43), which comprises a spindle (20), coaxial with the drive shaft (15), which is braced against the drive shaft (15) by a spring (24) in the axial direction and can be displaced in the axial direction relative to the drive shaft (15) by means of a clamping lever (32). One external free end of the spindle (20) retains the grinding tool (43), which in a released position--with the free end of the spindle (20) extended and the spring (24) tensioned--can be removed from the free end, and in a tightened position--with the free end of the spindle (20) retracted and the spring (24) partly relaxed--is non-rotatably joined to the drive shaft. The free end is configured as a bayonet end (40) which extends though the grinding tool (43). An attachment collet (41) with a bayonet opening can be placed from outside onto the bayonet end (40).

Abstract: A rotary sander comprising a cylindrical rotary drum carrying a plurality of brushes, a concentric inner retaining sleeve carrying a plurality of sanding units, and a circular top cover and bottom cover. The periphery of the rotary drum has a set of elongate receiving channels formed thereon in which the spines of the brushes are slidingly retained. Similarly, the sanding units have elongate holders that are retained within respective retaining grooves formed around the periphery of the retaining sleeve. Each of the sanding units has a pair of sandpaper sheets attached thereto with an external portion of the sheets passing through a corresponding pair of adjacent slots formed around the periphery of the drum. The slots are interposed between the receiving channels thereon so that an external portion of each sheet of sandpaper within the drum is disposed between a pair of adjacent brushes.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting and shaping a material is disclosed which includes securing means for securing an adaptor having a lens blank or a semi finished lens is fixed thereto to apparatus for working. The securing means comprises a generally cylindrical housing having first and second ends and a throughbore, the first end having a plurality of axial slots defining a plurality of finger-like members which can act as a collet. A piston is disposed within the throughbore and is axially movable therein, the piston being connected to a sleeve member which is mounted so that it surrounds the plurality of finger-like members. The securing means further comprises means for moving the piston relative to the housing and means for defining a sealed fluid chamber between the piston and the piston moving means.

Abstract: In the present invention STRESS-FREE CHEMO-MECHANICAL POLISHING AGENT FOR II-VI COMPOUND SEMICONDUCTOR SINGLE CRYSTALS AND METHOD OF POLISHING, a II-VI compound semiconductor single crystal wafer is polished smooth to within 50 angstroms by using a mixture of water, colloidal silica and bleach including sodium hypochlorite applied under time and pressure control to achieve chemo-mechanical polishing. Many such compound crystals are not susceptible to polishing by prior art methods.

Abstract: A backing pad be used in a holding jig for holding a semiconductor wafer in the step of mirror polishing comprises a hydrophobic foam, possessed rigidity such that the difference between the thickness T.sub.1, thereof under a load of 300 gf/cm.sup.2 and the thickness, T.sub.2, thereof under a load of 1,800 gf/cm.sup.2 (T.sub.1 -T.sub.2) is in the range of from 1 to 100 .mu.m, and has holes formed therein in a diameter in the range of 10 to 30 .mu.m through the wafer-holding surface thereof.The polishing of a semiconductor is effected by a method which comprises preparing a finished backing pad by the precision surface machining operation, setting the semiconductor wafer on a wafer holding jig having a template containing at least one wafer-positioning hole fixed on a carrier plate in such a manner that the backing pad enters the positioning hole, and polishing the semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: A polishing apparatus for polishing optical components and mechanical parts requiring a high surface precision, such as lenses and mirrors, by pressing a running tape to such component.

Abstract: A device particularly suited for sharpening broadhead arrows and having sharpening surfaces which are curved in the direction the broadhead travels as it is sharpened. In a preferred embodiment, the sharpener comprises two sharpening surfaces to sharpen broadhead arrows and a third cylindrical sharpening surface which can be used to sharpen other discrete cutting elements. Each broadhead sharpening surface is formed as two sections which are curved about an axis perpendicular to the direction of travel of the arrow blades so that only one line of contact is formed between a blade and its respective sharpening section, resulting in even sharpening along all the points on a blade.

Abstract: A lap used for the grinding, fining and polishing of glass and plastic lenses is constructed of a one-piece injection-molded reinforced polymer body. The front surface of the lap is curved and adapted to receive an abrasive pad. The rear of the lap has a skeletal rib structure of projecting interconnected ribs. Polymers suitable for forming the lap include various crystalline polymers and copolymers having adequate chemical resistance, strength, rigidity and thermal resistance.

Abstract: A replacement window frame assembly includes bottom, sectioned-top, and first and second side cap members for placement over an existing window frame in a building from which the windows and intermediate support members have been removed. The cap members are made from a uniform aluminum extrusion which has a front lip to extend over the outside of the existing frame, and a lower depending lip, designed to rest on the window sill, or abut against the side and top of the frame opening in which the original frame is placed. The cap members are placed over the existing window frame to form a flat mounting surface for the installation of a replacement window. The entire replacement may be effected from the outside of the building, and is accomplished without destroying or damaging any of the interior or exterior finishes of the building.

Abstract: A pole support system for a carport and the like includes an anchor member for the carport having an earth piercing bottom end for being pounded into the ground with a base ring positioned on the surface of the hard top and a spacer ring interposed between the base disc and stop collar at the top end of the anchor. A pole support has the second stop collar above its first lower end which telescopically engages the open top end of the anchor member. The upper end of the pole support has two spaced parallel flanges which are secured to a saddle member that is affixed to a beam at a variety of adjusted pivoted positions. Alternatively the top of the pole support can be mounted to two support plates which are horizontally disposed and can be adjusted along two horizontal axes and secured to each other at the desired position.

Abstract: A wall frame structure consisting of wall plates and wall studs, which are formed of metal sheet, with the wall plate being provided with projections to engage the stud to aid in securing the stud in position, and the stud being reinforced by transversely extending ribs and reinforced apertures. A reinforcing bracket surrounds the stud and aids in securing the stud to the wall plate. There is further provided reinforcing clips which extend between the flanges of the stud to inhibit transverse movement of the flanges relative to each other, under loading.

Abstract: A simplified drop celing room conversion is accomplished without, in any manner, disturbing the original ceiling of an office or room by providing integral, generally angle-shaped, longitudinally-extending structural members that are to be securely and fully mounted in an endwise-aligned relation on and about walls of the room at a desired lower ceiling height and, in such a manner as to fully and exclusively serve to support and carry a so-called drop ceiling. Each member has a horizontally-outwardly-extending upper shelf part for fully supporting and carrying cross-extending rail members that define open spaces therebetween with the sidewall-mounted supporting structural members, and which with the supporting members, are adapted to tilt-in receive dry wall ceiling panels in the spaces therebetween.

Abstract: A door leaf or casing frame for windows, doors or the like and a process preparing the same. The door leaf or casing frame is assembled by joining hollow sections (3-6; 7-10) and T-pieces with the use of a binder; the hollow sections are particularly of Duroplastic with longitudinally extending reinforcing fibers. A joint plate is disposed in the connecting joints or mitre joints (15, 15a) of the frame corners, said plate having through channels for the binder, T-pieces being integrated with the joint plate. In the production of the frame a glue or adhesive composition is sprayed through the channels of the joint plates into the gap in the area of the corresponding corner.

Abstract: An extruded, thermoplastic baseboard elastomeric molding strip having opposed generally flat front and rear surfaces is provided with a plurality of closely vertically, spaced horizontal, parallel ribs projecting outwardly of the flat front surface over the full surface area thereof. The strip is formed of front and rear surface layers of thermoplastic material of the same durometer hardness with the front surface layer forming at least the tips of the front surface ribs being of a low density thermoplastic material and the balance of the strip being of high density thermoplastic material. The front and rear surface layers may be of contrasting colors. The rear surface of the strip is preferably formed with concave grooves separated by a multiplicity of fine, vertically spaced horizontal, parallel rearwardly projecting ribs with a rear, center rib between adjacent fine ribs, of a larger diameter than adjacent fine ribs separating the rear surface grooves.

Abstract: A structural assembly comprises a bar joist having ano utward flange along its base. Expanded metal lath is held in position agains the bars and above the flange by attachment clips. The attachment clips each comprise a U-shaped base which pinches the flange, a stem to hold the lath in place and a perpendicular end point which pokes through an opening in the lath to stabilize the clip. Finally, a thick layer of cementitious material adheres to the lath in the area of the bars and flange.

Abstract: A dual containment, free-standing, earthquake resistant, above-ground, flammable liquid storage vault is made by first pouring a reinforced concrete outer tank having a flat bottom, for stability, and side walls. The inner surface of the concrete outer tank is covered with an epoxy resin, the epoxy resin acting as an outer liquid barrier to provide secondary containment. A layer of gravel is placed on the epoxy resin covering the bottom of the outer tank. A primary containment steel inner tank is then placed in the outer tank with a space between the walls of the inner and outer tanks. That space is then filled with concrete when a concrete cap is poured covering the inner tank. Leaks from the inner tank are monitored at the gravel layer. The concrete outer tank has integrally formed skids extending from its lower surface for ease of movement and for visual inspection beneath the vault for leaks.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flooring system that can be quickly, accurately and easily installed in various sorts of buildings, including temporary structures, pre-fabricated buildings or permanent structures such as factories, homes or offices. The flooring system broadly consists of individual panel assemblies that may be cooperatively interengaged. The periphery of each panel is bound by frame members having two spaced generally parallel flanges and a generally perpendicular web extending therebetween. On one side of the web, between the upper and lower flanges, the frame members include a track for receiving a key block. The key block comprises a generally rectangular base with a key tongue extending therefrom. The base is slidably received in the track of one frame member and the tongue is received in the track of an adjacent frame member. The frame members may be miter cut to a desired length and the corners fastened together by a corner fastener.

Abstract: A watertight, durable, and attractive edge construction for furniture is provided that is especially designed for ease of installation while maintaining the aesthetic appeal of the furniture edge. The edge construction hereof provides for the snapable insertion of a side molding into the exposed sidewall of a furniture panel, and, through the provisions of designed-in recesses, allows for the expansion of the furniture and side molding material and for the dispersion of the bonding medium used to bond the panel and molding together. The invention is particularly adaptable for use in the construction of countertops or other furniture made from sheets of synthetic resin laminate bonded to support decking.

Abstract: The invention involves a structural interlocking joint system for structural panels used in building construction. A skeleton is formed of interlocking ribs which engage panel skins which are grooved in a pattern to receive the edges of the interlocked ribs. The grooves of each panel skin are formed with their edges angled away from the groove to provide both a wider opening for insertion of the rib skeleton into the grooves, and to provide, after such joining insertion, a reservoir for any excess glue forced out by the joining process. Along the longitudinal edges of the ribs is formed a uniform channel which provides a defined reservoir for glue of substantially even width and depth between the edge of each rib and the bottom of the corresponding groove within the skin. Thus, in the insertion of a rib within a groove, the glue is directed into a substantially uniform strip within the rib edge channel, maximizing strength and minimizing localized glue overflow.

Abstract: Improved compact insulation panel is provided which is comprised of two adjacent metal sheets spaced close together with a plurality of spherical, or other discretely shaped, glass or ceramic beads optimally positioned between the sheets to provide support and maintain the spacing between the metal sheets when the gases therebetween are evacuated to form a vacuum. These spherical glass beads provide the maximum support while minimizing thermal conductance. In its preferred embodiment; these two metal sheets are textured with ribs or concave protrusions in conjunction with the glass beads to maximize the structural integrity of the panels while increasing the spacing between beads, thereby reducing the number of beads and the number of thermal conduction paths.

Abstract: An orientation and loading device for vials, and in particular syringe vials (A), which are disposed with their axis substantially vertical. The vials are fed by a feeder (1) to an endless conveyor (5) comprising a plurality of orientable cells (6), each of which removably receives a fed vial. In an assigned position (R) of the conveyor (5) the cells (6) and hence the vials received therein lie substantially horizontal above a container (7) provided with several cavities (8) for receiving the vials and intended to form part of the package in which the vials are sold. When in this horizontal position, a release means (9) operates to release the vials (A) from the cells (6) and cause them to fall into the underlying container (7), for example a thermoformed container.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a positioning means and a press-sealing means. The positioning means includes a jig, a base and an elevating apparatus. The jig includes a plate-like element and a placement hole formed therethrough. It holds an upper portion of a container and adjusts the proper position of the container. The base holds a plurality of jigs and rotates by regular angular amounts, varying each jig's position with respect to a container. The elevating apparatus moves the base between a top position, where the jig holds a container and its top surface touches the undersurface of a pair of rails, and a lowest position, where its upper surface is positioned below the undersurface of the container. The base may include a polygonally-cylindrically shaped block, each surface thereof is flat and holds a jig, a framework that secures the block horizontally by a horizontal axis, and a rotating element that rotates the block by regular angular amounts.

Abstract: An improved packaging machine having a positive retention mandrel device and positive discharge pusher means for transporting semi-rigid containers from one conveyor to a second conveyor. A broad size latitude conveyor providing accurate positioning of such containers for transfer from said conveyor to a second conveyor. A system for utilizing a draped unfettered leaflet for telescopic introduction into a box by employing an inverted semi-rigid bottle as the insertion mechanism with the leaflet ending up in embracing relation to the bottle cover.

Abstract: A rotary capping machine is disclosed for application of screw-on closure caps to bottles, jars, or other containers. The machine includes a guiding mechanism which insures that a cap is held in a proper position on a transfer mechanism of the machine. Capping head assemblies of this machine each include a magnetic pickup arrangement, with a friction tip provided for contact with the closure caps.

Abstract: The apparatus for applying closures to containers having a neck which is inclined with respect to a vertical axis of the containers comprises: a first conveyer and a second conveyer for transferring the containers in succession. A closure application conveyor receives containers from the first conveyor and transfers them to the second conveyer. The closure application conveyor is provided with a plurality of clamps for gripping the containers arriving from the first conveyer, and is provided with a plurality of closure application heads whose respective lines of action are inclined with respect to a vertical axis. Actuation devices are provided which rotate the clamps in both directions about the vertical axes of the related containers in order to align the axes of the necks with the lines of action of the respective closure application heads.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of sorting and bundling flowers, comprising hanging the flowers separately in individual flower supporting members circulating in a first closed path; as they are traversing the path, designating the flowers as to at least one characteristic, such as stem length; depending on the designated characteristic, transferring the flowers to second flower supporting members circulating in a second path; grouping the flowers into groups of a limited number of flowers; and collecting and bundling a series of groups into a bunch. The individual flower supporting members are moved adjacent a transfer point from a transport position into a transfer position in a tract substantially perpendicular to the first path, while during transfer the second flower supporting members are held stationary and oriented in the direction of movement of the individual flower supporting members. The invention further relates to apparatus for applying this method.