Abstract: A pruning shear device includes a hook formed on the upper portion of a handle for engaging with a tree limb. A bar has one end pivotally coupled to the handle and bar an oblong bole. A cutter blade is pivotally coupled to the handle and has a free end slidably engaged in the oblong hole of the bar. A lever has one end pivotally coupled to the handle and a link pivotally couples the middle portion of the lever to the bar for allowing the lever to rotate the bar and the cutter blade with less force.

Abstract: A rotary flail feeding device includes a rotary enclosure for a large diameter coil of flail, a central post with a small diameter flail winding surface located inside the enclosure and an annular opening in the external surface of the enclosure surrounding the post. When the device is rotated flail from the coil is wound around the small diameter flail winding surface and extends out through the annular opening and away from the device.

Abstract: A three-axis continuous, sensor device, such as a probe, includes a base structure and a stylus supporting member. The base structure and stylus supporting member are connected by three control arms that limit movement of the stylus supporting member relative to the base structure to movement along the three linear axes. Each control arm includes a pair of four-bar parallel linkages connected in series. Three sensor legs also are connected between the base structure and the stylus supporting member to sense movement of one with respect to the other.

Abstract: This invention discloses a digital length gauge having an accuracy of about 0.01 mm. The digital length gauge includes a metal tape having a series of uniformly sized and spaced holes positioned along a common center line of the tape. As the tape is extracted and retracted from the length gauge housing, the holes engage pins positioned on a sprocket such that the sprocket will rotate causing an optical encoder to rotate along the same axis. The optical encoder produces optical pulses to provide the desired accuracy. The length gauge further includes a braking mechanism, an indexing mechanism and a drive motor. The braking mechanism prevents the reel on which the tape is wound from rotating in its normal mode. A braking arm and motor switch are configured relative to each other such that the braking arm has to deactivate the braking mechanism prior to the motor switch activating the drive motor. An indexing arm enables the reel to be incremented when the braking mechanism is activated.

Abstract: A dryer arrangement for use in the production of a dried cast sheet, in particular reconstituted tobacco sheet, is formed of a plurality of steam plates in side-by-side arrangement providing a substantially flat surface. The plates are hollow and a heated fluid is fed to the interior thereof. A slurry of sheet forming material is cast at one end of the flat surface. The cast sheet material travels over the steam plates under momentum imparted thereto by the belt dryer, if used, and/or is transported for example by a heat conductive plastic belt driven over the upper surface of the steam plates to provide good heat transfer between the sheet material being dried and the flat surface of the steam plates.

Abstract: Control of temperature of the shelves in a freeze dryer compartment is achieved by circulating a cooled heat transfer fluid from a heat exchanger through a vacuum condenser independently of circulating the cooled heat transfer fluid either directly through the passageway chambers in the freeze dryer shelves, for cooling the shelves, or through a heater for heating the shelves. These circulations are effected by the selective control of electrically operated valves in fluid conduits automatically by a programmed computer.

Abstract: A paper making machine comprises a press followed by an adjoining drying section having a plurality of dryer groups. Each dryer group comprises only one row of dryer cylinders and one row of suction rolls then therebetween. The press section in each of the dryer groups has a respective variable web speed drive. A speed control device controls the drive such that a positive difference in speed is always present between the first dryer group and the press and also between the second dryer group and the first dryer group. Open draws may be defined between at least some of the dryer groups.

Abstract: A dryer basket for sneakers including a plurality of baskets. A plurality of mounting brackets are secured within a dryer drum of a dryer adjacent to tumblers of the dryer. The mounting brackets each are removably secured to the baskets whereby the baskets are removably secured within the dryer drum adjacent to the tumblers.

Abstract: A device (10) for drying rotary cut wood veneer comprises at least two conveyor loops (11) facing each other along an outbound path to define between them a conveyance passage for the rotary cut veneer. Along the outbound path are present drying means (18) acting on the conveyance passage. The two conveyance loops comprise conveyance chains (13) supporting transversely to the direction of conveyance a sequential jointed plurality of rigid elements (12) providing facing and essentially unbroken conveyance surfaces along said outbound path to delimit the conveyance passage.

Abstract: A rubber footwear product and method of making such products is provided. The rubber footwear product includes a molded rubber midsole having an integrally formed raised rubber welt portion around its periphery. By molding in a compression mold, injection mold, or the like, the midsole and welt may be formed in a variety of designs and will be accurately formed in the desired size and shape. The molded midsole is made of substantially cured rubber, and is secured to an uncured rubber upper by applying an uncured rubber coating onto the midsole and then vulcanizing to form a unitary rubber footwear subassembly. To this subassembly may separately be secured a variety of compositionally different outsoles made of various materials, and having various colors, designs, and specific utilities. The outsole may be attached to the subassembly by vulcanization, by conventional shoemaking cementing processes using adhesive compositions, or by injection molding directly onto the molded midsole.

Abstract: A shoe heel insert, especially suitable for athletic shoe applications, providing for superior shock absorption and energy return characteristics to the wearer, as well as a high degree of stability. The unit which is referred to as the SPRING-AIR SYSTEM, will consist of a substantially heel shaped outer spring mechanism which also serves as the internal spring housing by way of a plurality of internally formed projections, and a plurality of vertically affixed compression springs retained by the said projections with the springs biasing the outer spring mechanism. The entire unit will be filled with a pressurized gas and hermetically sealed with a clear, durable polyurethane material which completely encapsulates the device while still allowing the inner springs to be visible. The assembled unit will be molded within the heel section of the mid-sole of an athletic shoe, or any suitable type shoe, during the shoes manufacturing process.

Abstract: A cleat assembly for athletic shoes to reduce injuries to athletes. The cleat assembly includes a base assembly and a cleat which is releasably coupled to the base assembly in response to a predetermined force extending substantially lateral to the longitudinal axis of the cleat for reducing injuries. The cleat can be either a rotational cleat or a stationary cleat. The base assembly can be integrally formed with the sole of the athletic shoe or formed as a separate element.

Abstract: A loader such as a front end loader is provided with dam shell type bucket having a blade section, and collecting section pivoted thereon. The collecting section has a separating section having a separating surface curved on an are centered on pivotal axis of the collecting section and positioned relative to the leading edge of the blade section so that it tends to wipe clean the separating surface as it passes thereby when the relevant bucket sections are relatively pivoted from a screening position to a closed position. When the clam shell is in the screening position, the separating section forms at least a portion of the bottom of the bucket. A sifting screen for sifting finer material may also be provided as a dam at the free end of the collecting section.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a signal indicative of loss or imminent loss of digging hardware normally arranged in operable association with an earth working implement.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a plough blade arrangement, advantageously in a snow-plough, which plough (1) is intended to be attached to a vehicle, advantageously a tractor or lorry. The plough blade arrangement includes a frame (2) consisting of a flat part removably attached to the plough (1), several blade plates (4) covering the desired working width, and attachment members for the blade plates (4) to the frame (2). The aforesaid attachment members consist of flexible members (3), which are arranged to permit the movement of the blade plates (4) essentially in only one direction in the direction of the surface of the frame (2) when the blade plate (4) strikes an obstacle or pit. In addition, the working width is divided into separate, independently flexible parts.

Abstract: A ground engaging tool for an earthworking machine comprises a ground engaging element with a cast-in-place metal matrix composite component. The ground engaging element comprises a metal base component and a metal matrix composite component. The metal matrix component is bonded to the metal base component. The metal matrix composite component consists of a preform having interconnecting porosity. The preform is formed from a material selected from one of ceramic, cermet, or mixtures thereof. The metal matrix composite component also consists of an infiltration metal. The preform is infiltrated by the infiltration metal and the infiltration metal is fusion bonded to the metal base component.

Abstract: A method and device for preventing the formation of scale in an electric appliance for producing steam, which appliance includes a reservoir for holding a quantity of water and a steam generation member for effecting a substantially instantaneous generation of steam; and a scale preventing device. Scale formation is prevented by heating water upstream of the reservoir to a temperature and for a time sufficient to precipitate minerals present in the water into a form which allows the precipitated minerals to be expelled from the appliance with steam generated by said steam generation member.

Abstract: A machine producible three dimensional greeting card formed from card stock automatically printed, die cut, gate folded and adhered to mechanically produce a card in a folded configuration which can be unfolded by an end user into three dimensions. In a preferred embodiment, the three dimensional greeting card includes four fold lines and five panels, with end panels adhered together, whereby the panels of the card in an unfolded configuration occupy four different planes. Areas of panels may be die cut to extend beyond fold lines into adjacent panels. Print images upon both sides of the panels may correspond to die cut patterns or profiles of peripheral and/or internal cuts. Corresponding front and back images may be printed on opposite sides of the card. The card is folded so that opposite end panels overlap and are adhered back to front whereby the card can be unfolded into a three dimensional configuration by the end user and stood upon edges of the panels for display.

Abstract: A filing system having at least one file folder for holding documents. The file folder has at least one V-shaped notch along the top of the file folder which is designed to provide a location for the placement of identifying data such as alphabetical index information, bar codes and magnetic strips.

Abstract: A display sign which can be folded in to a single compact assembly dimensioned to fit, when folded, can be inserted into a standard shipping carton. The design incorporates hinges which are attached between each foldable section, which hinges can be locked by screws to form a rigid unit. A vertically stabilized unit is provided by securing the vertical portion of the display to a base using removable braces between the base and the display and includes removable attachment structure between the base and the display to rigidly attach the display to the base. The lights are attached permanently by using hinges to join the various portions of the display and by passing the wires over the pivot portion of the hinge so that the wires will not become crimped, broken or detached.

Abstract: A three-dimension shadow box. It has a frontwardly lying sheet of transparent glass and a rearwardly lying mirror placed in a generally parallel orientation in a box structure. Graphic indicia is positioned on the frontwardly lying glass, and the graphic indicia has a first layer, having a first color and pattern, viewable only from the front, and a second layer, having a second color and pattern, viewable as the reflection off of the mirror. Two-dimensional visual indicia is placed adjacent to the mirror. The graphic indicia is viewable from the front of the frontwardly lying sheet of glass and a reflection of a rear side of the graphic indicia reflects off of the rearwardly lying mirror so as to appear as lying behind the two-dimensional visual indicia, giving the two-dimensional visual indicia the appearance of floating in the box structure.

Abstract: This invention relates to a combination locking device for controlling existing safety devices on firearms or work independently as a safety on firearms. It is operable to engage and disengage either the existing safety, or act independently to block the firing mechanisms of guns. The invention includes a lock member that will limit access to a firearm's firing mechaniam. The invention is a spring loaded assembly that is totally mechanical. It has an engageable structure that when activated will render a weapon useless. The assembly can be instantly disengaged enabling the authorized user of the firearm to operate the firing mechanism.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (10, 110 or 210) for cleaning the barrel (100) of a gun, is described. The apparatus includes a container (12, 112 or 212) and a cleaning rod (54). The container has end caps (30 and 32) which seal the container and form an inner chamber (12A, 112A or 212A). The top end cap has an opening for insertion of the cleaning rod. The end caps have holders (48) with recesses (48C) which hold the ends of the barrel in the container. The holders preferably have an opening in the bottom wall (48D) of the recess and orifices (52) around the sidewall. To use, the barrel of the gun is mounted in the bottom end cap inside the container and cleaning fluid (102) is poured into the container. The top end cap is sealed onto the container and the cleaning rod is inserted into the container and into the inside of the barrel.

Abstract: A floatable container apparatus for harvesting brine shrimp eggs is disclosed in one presently preferred embodiment of the present invention as including a buoyant container assembly having one or more ballast tanks to provide a means for raising and lowering the container in relation to the surface of the water. In addition, the container assembly comprises a collection reservoir having an internal periphery sufficient for collecting a mixture of water, brine shrimp eggs, and other debris. In operation, the container assembly may be partially submerged by introducing water into at least one ballast tank. Accordingly, a openable panel may be disposed in an open position to allow for the introduction of the floating mixture into the collection reservoir. Similarly, after a sufficient quantity of the mixture has been collected, the front panel of the container assembly may be disposed in a closed position which restricts additional fluid passage.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing substantially all of the soil from a section of grass sod by soaking the section of sod with water to loosen the soil and to remove an initial portion of the soil, then brushing the root and soil side of the grass sod to brush substantially all of the remaining soil off of the grass sod, and finally rinsing the sod to rinse off any remaining soil. The brush sweeping against the roots of the sod raises the root ends upwardly and scratches the roots, both of which stimulate the roots for improved growth into the recipient soil site.

Abstract: A flower pot support bracket, adapted for use in hanging a flower pot, is disclosed. The flower pot support bracket provides a central supporting rod having an upper hook that is carried by an elevated supporting structure. The rod extends through the potting soil, and out a centrally located drain hole in the bottom of the pot. Attached to the lower end of the rod is a support plate, which supports the bottom of the flower pot. Several versions of the support bracket are disclosed. In a first version of the invention, the supporting rod passes through a center hole in the support plate, and the two are welded together. In a second version of the invention, the center hole of the support plate and the end portion of the rod are threadedly connected. In a third version of the invention, an inch or so of the lower portion of the rod is bent at 90 degrees. The support plate provides an upwardly directed dimple adjacent to the center hole that partially encloses the bent end of the rod.

Abstract: An improved device for collecting excess water from suspended plant pots is described. A pan has a vertical post disposed in the center thereof, said post having on its top end a horizontal, keyed member with radially extending teeth. A lock ring, having a central opening corresponding to the keyed member, is attached to a spacer that is in turn connected to the bottom of a suspended plant pot. The keyed member may pass through the lock ring when the teeth are properly aligned. The pan may be attached to a pot by inserting the keyed member into the lock ring and then rotating the pan.

Abstract: A jack shaft garage door operator for opening and closing a movable garage door has a drive containing an electric motor. A rotatable jack shaft is connected to the drive unit to be driven thereby. A pull-up cable drum is connected to and driven by the jack shaft. A pull-up cable extends from the drum about which it is wound and connects to a bottom part of the garage door to raise the door. A pivoting arm is mounted near the jack shaft and provides tension to the cable. A shaft lock hub mounted on the jack shaft is engaged and locked by the arm if the tension in the cable drops. A stop is mounted on the garage door for engagement by the movable arm in the event that the door is opened without the cable being drawn in the cable drum.

Abstract: An arrangement for simultaneously sealing a door window pane (12) and the roof area (35) on a door of a motor vehicle, having a single-piece profile (A) of elastomer material with a fastening section (1) which slips on to the door flange (10), a sealing section (3) for the door window pane (12) and a sealing element (2) for the area between the upper edge of the door and the roof (35). For the purpose of providing a complete solution for the supply and mounting of this arrangement as a single piece, provision is made, according to the invention, that the entire outer face of the U-shaped fastening section (1), which slips on to a projecting door flange (10), is covered by an aluminium strip (3) which has two webs (16, 17) which project vertically inwards and run parallel to the projecting door flange (10) and clip into two parallel outwardly open slots (18, 19) in the arms (5, 6) of the U-shaped fastening section (1).

Abstract: A refrigerator door includes walls forming therebetween a space that is filled with foam insulation. A door-locking device is mounted in the space and is covered by a shield which shields the door-locking device from the foam when the foam is being injected into the space. The shield includes a mounting edge facing one of the walls and forming a slight gap therewith into which the foam can travel. The edge includes a channel which forms an enlargement in the gap that ensures that the incoming foam hardens before reaching the interior of the shield and damaging the door-locking device.

Abstract: A support structure for architectural systems is suggested which comprises a plurality of supports (2) standing on a base and serving to bear a load. The supports (2) are constituted by air-tight hollow bodies (6) which possesses a wall of flexible material and are charged with compressed air in order to have a rigid form.

Abstract: A compact training room or apparatus serving also as a bed room wherein required training can be performed, immediately prior to sleeping, simply and effectively on a bed for sleeping and yet a particularly large space is not required. The training room serving also as a bed room, comprises a sleeping bed, a housing including a floor plate, a plurality of wall plates and a ceiling plate and defining a space in which the sleeping bed is accommodated, and a plurality of training machines located in the space such that a user can selectively use the training machines in order to train the user itself while lying on the sleeping bed with the face turned upwardly or seated on the sleeping bed.

Abstract: A presentation system is built up from individual presentation devices, which are in each case formed by a plate element, which is fixed to at least one and preferably two parallel section rails. The section rails are L-shaped and engage with their forwardly directed horizontal legs through a correspondingly shaped horizontal slit in the plate element. In this position they are screwed to the plate element. The profile section leg projecting forwards through the slit is used for fitting holders, fastenings, etc. The plate elements are interconnected at the ends of the section rails, e.g. by threaded bolts passing through bushes. A universal arrangement is possible.

Abstract: A business recovery system includes an array of modular work stations, a central communications center, modular cables, and a trellis structure for establishing a data and power link between the work stations and communications center. The trellis structure is used for channelling cables from the communications center overhead to conduits, or pods, located at each group. The pods are fastened to walls of cubicles housing the work stations. A series of modular jacks on the conduit are used to connect localized data and power links to each work station, thus providing a direct data and power link between the work stations and the communications center.

Abstract: A protective barrier for a stairway includes a yieldable core and a cover that encloses the core. A plurality of flaps extend from the cover. A plurality of fasteners extend through the flaps and secure the cover and the core to the stairway. Each flap may have a reinforcement layer placed therein. Eyelets may be spaced along the flap to receive the fasteners therein. When the protective barrier is mounted, the barrier may extend above the riser to which the protective barrier is mounted.

Abstract: A demountable overhead utility cover unit is provided for use in a building room having a generally open plan for the purpose of transitioning between ceilings of different heights. The units are assembled in an end-to-end fashion and may be disassembled to take to a new location. Each unit comprises a horizontal header having hanging brackets on a top surface, a vertical support structure attached to the header and depending therefrom, a horizontal trough attached to the bottom of the vertical support structure and adapted to abut a top surface of the wall panels of a demountable movable wall system, and a plurality of cover panels attached to the support structure and positioned between the header and trough. Each of the cover panels has a horizontally elongated front elevational shape and the panels are detachably attached to the vertical support structure.

Abstract: A system for connecting wall panels in abutting edgewise relation, wherein abutting edges of the panels are formed with semi-circular recesses in them, includes pairs of spaced slots formed in the corners defining transverse semi-circular edges of the panel frames. Two connectors are provided having conical recesses for engaging the edges of the slots. The connectors are each fastened by a screw to an end of an elongate bar which fits within the recesses of the corners. When the connectors are fastened tightly to the bar, the engagement of the conical recesses with the corner edges draws the panels tightly together. By this system, the panels may be connected either in-line or at an angle of between 90 and 180 degrees, without the need for any special corner hardware.

Abstract: A rectilinear composite building panel having a pair of opposed faces, and a pair of opposed sides, the panel comprising a pair of spaced-apart rigid face sheets (56), a rigid insulating material (58) sandwiched between, and adhering to, the face sheets, connecting means (60) connecting the face sheets together to resist relative movement between the face sheets in the plane of the panel and out of the plane of the panel; the opposed sides (66,70) each have a profiled shape for mating with a correspondingly profiled side of an adjacent panel; each side (66,70) has means (72,74) for securing, or being secured to, a side of an adjacent panel of the same general construction. The panels can be easily assembled together to form a fire-resistant multi-story building.

Abstract: A door assembled from a plurality of discrete lengths of door section, the door sections being identical in appearance to the door sections of an adjacent sectional door. The length of each discrete length of door section is selectively predetermined in order to produce the door with the correct width. A body of foam is placed in each discrete length of door section for insulative and structural support purposes. One or more blocks of wood can be included at preselected locations inside the door for mounting purposes. A unitary backing sheet is affixed to the back surface of the door to provide the door with a monocoque construction while the peripheral edges of the door are enclosed in a U-shaped channel member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wall board suitable for fixing to two profiles (1) extending vertically along the edges of the wall board (5), wherein the wall board is adapted for gripping by the profiles in form-fitting manner. As a result of this step no use need be made of fixing means which grip directly onto the wall board itself, so that damage of the wall board itself is avoided, and the boards with the profiles are completely re-usable. It is even possible to arrange finishes on the boards before assembly. According to a preferred embodiment the gripping means are formed on at least a first edge of the wall board (5) by noses (12) arranged on the profile, wherein a groove for the profile extends partially between the nose and the wall board.

Abstract: An extruded roof tile (30) has an upper surface (11), which is contoured to give the appearance of a profiled tile and which is, for example, provided by projections (32, 34) extending between the upper and lower edges (13) and (14a) respectively of the tile, and an under surface (12) having a shape which is other than a contoured shape which generally follows that of the upper surface (11) of the tile (30). For example, the under surface (12) may have a shape which corresponds to that of a flat tile.

Abstract: A truss assembly (10) for supporting lights (30) is described. The assembly includes a truss frame (12) with individual units (16) within which is mounted electric lights. The truss frame has end plates (34) at each end (12B) and rotatable plates (52) mounted onto each end plate by bushings (58) which are fixably mounted within the rotatable plates. Locking assemblies (64) extend through the rotating plates and into indexing holes (50) in the end plates. Support receivers (70) are attached to the rotatable plates and mount on top of support stands (74) in order to keep the truss assembly in an elevated position. In a second embodiment, the truss frames are joined together to form a longer truss assembly. Several truss assemblies are connected together by forked support stands 78 at the corners to create a truss system 80 which encloses an arena 86. The fixed bushings within the rotatable plates enable the truss frame with the electric lights to be rotated into various positions.

Abstract: A wall anchor having a first inclined plane secured to a second inclined plane by a connector. The connector is resilient to allow the inclined planes to move relative to one another. The inclined planes are oriented opposite one another, in a manner which increases their combined height as the inclined planes slide in a first direction relative to one another, and which decreases their combined height as the inclined planes slide in a second direction relative to one another. A retainer is secured to the first inclined plane and is used to insert the inclined planes into a hole in a wall. After the inclined planes have been inserted, the retainer is withdrawn slightly, which causes the inclined planes to slide relative to one another and increase their combined height to wedge the inclined planes against an interior surface of the hole. In this manner, a retainer may be securely and manually anchored to a wall.

Abstract: An anchoring device for housing/building construction has at least one anchoring member with a shaft and a first and a second end. The anchoring track to which the first end is form-fittingly connected has an inner and an outer surface. The second end has a fastening element for anchoring the device in a substrate such as concrete. At least the shaft is made of a pipe section. The anchoring track has an opening with an inner edge. The first end of the shaft penetrates the opening whereby the first end has at least one appendage formed at the free end penetrating through the opening, whereby the at least one appendage engages the opening from behind.

Abstract: The invention provides a number of embodiments of slidable brackets adapted for mounting building panels, especially roof members mounted to structural members in a manner to permit limited uni-axial or bi-axial movement. A preferred embodiment has a channel shaped base member and a channel shaped slider member. The base member is adapted to be secured to an existing roof or to a building frame component. The slider member is formed to slidingly straddle and slide on the base member. For uni-axial motion, the slider member has a single pair of longitudinal slots formed in each of its sides through which a bolt or the like passes and which also passes through a mating bolt hole in the side of the base member. For bi-axial motion, a pair of slots is formed in an attached beam whose axis extends in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the longitudinal slots in the slider member.

Abstract: A protection system comprises a protective wall rail, such as a handrail or a guardrail, which is made of an extruded thermoplastic sheet and which is thermoformably bonded to a decorative vinyl film. The vinyl film has a decorative pattern on one of its surfaces. The protective wall rail is mounted to a wall forming part of a building by a suitable bracket and retainer. If the protective wall rail is a guardrail, then it may be used for protecting the wall from being damaged by a movable object. If the protective wall rail is a handrail, then it may be used for securing the movement of an human through the building. The protective wall rail advantageously exhibits improved aesthetic quality and improved durability.

Abstract: A stress reducing device for reducing or eliminating stress cracks in concrete slabs caused by shrinkage stresses at re-entrant corners of the concrete slab and method of use is provided. The stress reducing device is provided with a body member having a first and second leg, each leg having a first and second surface, the first surface of each leg defining an angle in the body member substantially corresponding to the angle of the re-entrant corner in a stem wall and the second surface of the first and second legs cooperating to define an arcuate concrete engaging surface for reducing concentration of stresses in the concrete slab adjacent the re-entrant corner.

Abstract: A longitudinal sealer for a bag maker-packaging machine is controlled such that when an abnormal condition is detected and the operation of the machine is stopped temporarily and then restarted after the abnormal condition is removed, the mechanism for moving the film and the heater for heating edge parts of the film to seal them together are deactivated and reactivated, but not both at the same time. Deactivation of the heater is delayed after that of the mechanism for moving the fill and/or reactivation of the movement of the film is delayed after that of the heater such that the film is certain to be longitudinally well sealed in spite of the interruption of the sealing operation.

Abstract: A device for loading storage containersfor elongated articles, particularly tobacco products, wherein a feedbox for the articles presents an output window facing a horizontal platefor supporting an orderly mass of articles; the output window is defined by the side by side output openings of a number of side by side channels for respective columns of articles; the horizontal plate is movable vertically along a storage container positioned with its input opening facing the output window, and presents side by side seats on top for respective articles; each output opening faces a rib separating two respective adjacent seats on the horizontal plate;and the channels are all inclined to the same side in relation to the plate.

Abstract: Citrus fruit packing machine, consisting of a framework structure, in front of which corresponding endless conveyors converge at an angle, respectively holding the citrus fruits and the boxes that are going to contain them; a first head, mounted on said framework structure and with means for guided motion in relation thereto on a vertical plane; a second head, mounted on said first head and with means for linear motion in relation to the former on a horizontal plane and possessing set of cups for taking shipments of citrus fruits from their endless conveyor and depositing them in orderly fashion in the corresponding box, without the possibility that citrus fruits of the same shipment might rub against each other by direct contact.