Abstract: A laser sighting apparatus for firearms having a laser module disposed in a cartridge-shaped housing with the same bore as the firearm. The laser module is adjustable so as to consistently produce a red dot on a target from a laser beam running through the bore of the firearm. The crosshairs of a conventional scope mounted on the firearm can be aligned with the red dot, and the laser module and housing removed from the firearm. A live round of ammunition, when discharged from the firearm, will now strike a target exactly at the point defined by the intersection of the crosshairs of the firearm's scope. A safety spring is provided which prevents destruction of the aperture if the firearm is accidently discharged with the laser module and housing still in the bore of the firearm.

Abstract: A blind device for use in concealing a user from view during the course of hunting or observing wild geese includes a shell goose decoy mounted on a support structure that supports the shell in an elevated, generally horizontal position above the ground to provide a substantially unobstructed space below the shell to accommodate and conceal at least a portion of the user's body, and enables the user to swing the shell with generally horizontal movement about a generally vertical offset pivot axis of the support between a covering position in which the shell overlies and conceals the user and a revealing position in which the shell is swung out of the way to one side of the user, providing the user with substantially unobstructed overhead viewing and freedom of movement.

Abstract: A fishing lure includes a tubular main body member having a longitudinal central axis. A cap is sealingly fixed to a rearward end of the main body member. A cylindrical guide tube is connected to the cap. A cylindrical inner tube is telescopingly engaged with the guide tube and extends forwardly out of the guide tube to terminate at a forward end. A cylindrical coil spring within the inner tube extends between the cap and inner tube forward end, which creates a jumping motion for the lure, when extended and then released.

Abstract: A saltwater fishing lure including a body comprised of a plurality of interconnected shell members. A plurality of legs are each coupled with intermediate members of the body. A feeler is coupled with a head of the body. A pair of hooks are secured to bottom ends of the head and a tail of the body.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing a fishing hook for the purpose of allowing the threading of a fishing line into an eyelet of a fishing hook including a container body having an interior volume suitable for receiving fishing hooks therein, a lid detachably connected to the container body for sealing an interior of the container body, and a fishing hook securing member attached to the lid for detachably receiving a hook portion of a fishing hook therein such that the eyelet portion of the fishing hook extends outwardly of the container body. A magnet is affixed within an interior of the lid. The fishing hook securing member includes a bolt member extending outwardly of the lid and a nut member threadedly connected to the bolt member. The fishing hook is secured between the nut member and a surface of the lid. The nut member includes a wingnut detachably secured to the bolt member and having arms extending radially outwardly of a central portion. At least one of the arms has a fishing line cutter formed thereon.

Abstract: A power drive moves a movable closure between an open position and a closed position with respect to a portal defining a passage through a barrier. The power drive can include an elongated drive member connected to the movable closure and a ball nut drive assembly for selectively moving the drive member longitudinally to position the movable closure between the open position and the closed position with respect to the passage through the barrier. The barrier can define at least a portion of a stationary structure or a vehicle, where the passage allows access within the structure or the vehicle. The movable closure can include a sliding door, hatch, window, or roof panel. The elongated drive member can be a flexible, wire wound push/pull cable having at least one wire member helically wound in uniformly spaced turns around a core of the push/pull cable to form a screw member capable of being driven by operable engagement with the recirculating ball nut drive assembly.

Abstract: A paving system comprising a support frame, porous material above the support frame and pavers above the porous material, suitable in certain configurations to have mirror image support frames suspendable at their inner points from the outer periphery, and fitting about a tree or other object.

Abstract: A bouquet design/display system includes a bouquet holder apparatus including a head configured to support flowers thereon and a handle extending downwardly from the head. The handle is formed to include an outer flange and a convex body portion which is curved to extend downwardly beyond a plane of the flange to facilitate gripping of the handle by a user. The bouquet design/delivery/display system also includes a stand for supporting the bouquet holder. The stand includes a base and a head portion located above the base. The head portion including a front wall and a rear wall. The front and rear walls of the head portion each are formed to include a slot therein for receiving the handle of the bouquet holder so that the handle extends between the front and rear walls of the head portion to support the bouquet holder in a horizontal orientation. The stand further includes a top surface extending transverse to the front and rear walls of the head portion.

Abstract: For a prehung door unit of door and door frame, a locking assembly lock together the prehung door units irreversably until after permanent final installation, a portion of the assembly is removable from the door's latch bore through the doors lockset bore. The assembly achieves its benefits by thus allowing factory "bench" final settings of accurate door mounting parameters of plumbing and leveling fixed relationships relative to its mounting frame. The fixed factor bench plumbing and leveling settings are maintained by the installed assembly before, during and subsequent to artisan mounting the fixed immobilized movement of the frame within a door jamb, precluding heretofore necessity of artisan time-consuming and costly plumbing and leveling a frame mounted door during installation of the frame and its door of heretofore prehung door units.

Abstract: Fuzzy cotton seed is coated to produce a flowable product which is more easily transported and handled and also may be planted by the same planting equipment that is used to plant other seeds, such as corn and beans. The coating process includes first wetting the seed with a solution of a guar derivative such as hydroxypropyl guar. Then the wetted seed is mixed with an excess of a dry powdered guar product, the excess powder screened off, and the coated seed dried.

Abstract: An improved plant container (10) having a protrusion (20) with plates (42) is disclosed. A typical protrusion is shaped like the frustum of a cone. It is situated centrally at the bottom of the container. This arrangement creates an annular soil receiving space whose vertical cross section is roughly W-shaped. The plates are thin imperforate members placed radially between the protrusion wall (22) and container wall (12) (i.e. in the notches of the `W`). This placement partitions the aforesaid space into open topped noncommunicating wedge shaped compartments (40).A plant grown in such a container obtains several benefits:1. The soil receiving space's shape causes soil to shed more excess water than does soil held in a conventional container.2. The plates prevent growing roots from becoming convoluted as is typical for plants grown in a conventional container.3. The compartments cause growing roots to form into lobes (80) which are easily spread out when transplanting.4.

Abstract: A storm shutter for use in high wind severe storms, such as hurricanes and cyclones, that will protect windows, doors, and sliding glass doors on the outside of a building, which can be permanently or temporarily mounted, and which allow for protection in extremely high winds while permitting the transmission of light into the building, while allowing occupants in the building to look out through the storm shutters at all times. The storm shutters can also provide protection from intruders and ultraviolet rays from the sun when in place. Each shutter includes a rigid peripheral frame with a U-shaped channel, a polycarbonate transparent sheet, and an expanded aluminum element mounted snugly in the peripheral frame.

Abstract: A window assembly has a latch assembly of enhanced strength. The latch assembly is mounted to the frame of the window assembly. A latch member is biased by a torsion spring towards a non-latching position, a latch-lock member is biased by a second torsion spring towards a non-locking position. The latch member engages a striker pin mounted to a base wall to secure the window in its normal, closed position. The latch-lock, latch member and striker pin are held together by the torsion springs and a series of detents on the latch-lock member and the latch member. A release bar is hingedly mounted to the latch assembly and moveable from a normal, closed, non-releasing position to an open, releasing position. Operation of the release bar forces a connection to actuate a trip lever, which in turn forces a latch-lock to rotate, sequentially disengaging the latch-lock detents from the latch member detents, thereby disengaging the latch member detent from the striker pin, allowing the window to open.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle door assembly includes a door window mechanism which is powered by an electric motor. The electric motor is located within the body of the vehicle and not within the door assembly to simplify the construction of the door assembly and allow for additional structure to support side impact loading. The drive motor and the door window mechanism include driving and driven fittings, respectively, which engage when the vehicle door is closed.

Abstract: A vehicle door frame has at least three, preferably four frame members (2, 3, 4, 5, or 2', 3', 4', 5') made of hollow tubular stock having a uniform cross-section substantially along the entire length, either of each individual frame member or along the entire frame, that forms a closed frame if four frame members are provided. Thus, the individual frame members or an entire frame length can be cut from extruded or rolled tubular stock having a uniform closed cross-section along its entire length. Hinges, having sections connected to the door frame permit mounting the entire door through its frame to the vehicle body. The frame forms a carrier for a door outer skin (31) and a door inner cover (30) and other door components, e.g. hinges and a lock. The door frame also forms a guide cage for a window pane (29). At least one frame member has a uniform cross-section substantially along its entire length and at least that frame member is cut from closed rectangular hollow tubular stock having a cross-section.

Abstract: Location pins are fitted into a plurality of sets of reference holes so that an inner panel, a hinge panel and a belt-like reinforcement which make up an inner panel assembly of a door panel are positioned in all directions with respect to each other. In addition, the inner panel assembly and an outer panel are mutually positioned using location pins, so that the mutual positions of all of the components of a door panel are fixed with a high degree of accuracy to produce a door panel of a high quality. Fittings may then be accurately mounted across the components of the door panel. With this arrangement, a door of high quality is ensured with less labor and fewer positioning members.

Abstract: The choral riser is to be supported on a stage surface. The choral riser has a base that presents two spaced apart base supports, each of the base support having a first and a second spaced apart pivot point. A first step member has a step pivot point and a base pivot point that is operably pivotally coupled at the base pivot point to the base at the base first pivot point and has at least one step presented thereon. A second step member has a step pivot point and a link pivot point that is operably pivotally coupled at the step pivot point to the first step member at the first step member step pivot point and has a plurality of steps presented thereon. A bar link member is operably pivotally coupled at a first end pivot point to the second step member bar link pivot point. The bar link member is operably pivotally coupled at a second end pivot point to the base second pivot point.

Abstract: A workstation has a work surface with a front edge which a user faces in a front facing position at the workstation. A first inner side edge extends from one end of the front edge at a first angle to the front edge and on one side of the front facing position, and a second inner side edge extends from an opposite end of the front edge, at a second angle and on an opposite side of the front facing position. First and second outer bounding edges, have first ends connected to each other at an angle of about 70-110 degrees, each of the first and second outer edges having opposite second ends. A first outer side edge is connected between the second end of the first outer bounding edge and the first inner side edge and a second outer side edge is connected between the second end of the second outer bounding edge and the second inner side edge.

Abstract: A modified monopole tower is described, consisting primarily of a galvanized steel truncated pyramidal monopole capped by wireless electronic communications antennae and equipment. In the preferred embodiment, the simulated trunk containing the monopole exhibits protruding receptors which in turn support artificial palm fronds, and artificial pine boughs and branches. The artificial palm fronds, branches, and boughs are attached to the receptors primarily by mechanical and adhesive means. The modified monopole tower is designed to function optimally under all weather conditions, while imitating the landscape with attachment of indigenous tree components.

Abstract: An expandable room structure is provided having relatively movable room portions supported by telescopically sliding tubes, at least one of those tubes being movable also laterally to pivot as the room portion floors slide into the same horizontal plane when the room structure is moving into expanded positions. In retracted positions the room portion floors are vertically spaced to permit one room portion to nest within the other. A rack and pinion drive arrangement is provided to cause relative movement between the tubes. Selective lateral movement of one of the tubes is permitted by engagement with an adjustably inclined surface extending out of the other tube such that the laterally moving tube pivots about the pinion to a desired degree. A ramp surface is formed on the abutting edge of the floor of one room portion, and the abutting edge of the floor of the other room portion moves up and down that ramp portion when transitioning between expanded and retracted positions.

Abstract: A sound deadening wall assembly comprising a first wall panel attached to a first stud member, a second wall panel situated parallel to the first wall panel and attached to a second stud member, wherein the stud members abut each other with a resilient attachment material therebetween to secure the first and second stud members to each other. The stud members are of C-shape cross-section with the open end of the C-shape facing in opposite directions and abutting each other to create an overall S-shape when the stud members are joined together. Separable end and top members are also disclosed.

Abstract: A window insulating assembly for vehicles includes a hollow window structure having a compartment defined therein. A separation wall is mounted in the compartment, thereby defining the compartment into an overflow chamber and an operative chamber which are intercommunicated with each other at tops thereof. A tank is provided for receiving an insulating liquid therein. The tank includes a first end communicated to the operative chamber via an inlet conduit and a second end communicated to the overflow chamber via an overflow conduit. An outlet conduit is communicated between the tank and the operative chamber for emptying the operative chamber. A pump is used to feed the insulating liquid into the operative chamber to form an insulating layer for preventing sunlight from passing through the window structure.

Abstract: In a sheet-shaped solar module mounting structure, rail members include locking members to which the end portions of sheet-shaped solar batteries are locked, so that, in mounting the sheet-shaped solar batteries to a roof bed, it is unnecessary to nail the solar batteries to the roof bed with screws or the like.

Abstract: A tile for modular flooring assemblies includes a first, second and third pluralities of support ribs which are disposed to intersect and form an isogrid of equilateral support triangles within the tile. The equilateral support triangles provide more even dispersion of loads placed on the tile, and thereby reduce warping and other damage to the tile. Also disclosed is a novel structure for attaching such tiles.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a decorative slip-resistant cover system includes the step of impacting a softened polymer film with a plurality of beads such that a section of each bead protrudes from the softened polymer film. The softened polymer film is hardened. The sections of the beads are embedded into an upper layer of the cover system.

Abstract: Acoustical seating risers for indoor arenas are made of a plurality of pre-formed units of L-shaped cross-section. These L-shaped sections are mounted atop one another on a separate pre-formed foundation to provide a mounting platform for rows of seats and additional acoustical steps in the aisles. Each riser unit includes an integrally molded acoustical element having a slit and recessed chamber or a series of slits and recessed chambers designed to absorb low frequency sounds below 500 Hz, thus permitting balancing of the frequency response within that range. Riser units are assembled together in an overlapping fashion to form the sealed and slitted cavities and protect the recessed chamber or series of chambers from water or other contamination.

Abstract: The present invention provides a window screen having operators that secure the window screen relative to a window frame. A pair of single rail operators releasably secure the upper end of the screen relative to the upper end of the window frame. A pair of double rail operators releasably secure the lower end and sides of the screen relative to the lower end and sides of the window frame.

Abstract: A drainage system is disclosed for building framing systems comprising weep holes for draining water from an interior cavity to the exterior of the buildilng. The drainage system comprises a weep valve overlying a weep hole in a frame member which provides a passage for infiltrated water from a glass pocket to the exterior of the building while at the same time preventing air infiltration. The weep valve includes a membrane of an elastomeric or other suitable material having a slit formed therein which permits water to seep out. The slit seals sufficiently tightly that, when the framing system is under windload, airflow back through the weep hole is substantially eliminated. Since water infiltration is a result of air infiltration, water infiltration is thus also substantially eliminated.

Abstract: A vinyl door frame assembly for a frame door opening is provided with a plurality of metal jamb backing members for attachment to the unfinished door frame. A set of paired first and second vinyl jamb members are provided, wherein the vinyl jamb member first sections are attached to the metal jamb backing members by means of threaded screws, and the vinyl jamb members second section are slid against the vinyl jamb members first section and held in position by means of flat head screws interfitting within slots of the metal jamb backing members, and into snap fit engagement with the first section of vinyl jamb member to complete the assembly. In a second embodiment of the invention, the vinyl jamb member first section is screwed into the door frame member. The vinyl jamb member second section is then snapped into the first section.

Abstract: A simulated log cabin structure, corner assembly and method are provided having advantages over conventional simulated log cabin structures. The structure has (i) a substrate wall layer, preferably an insulative board layer, (ii) spaced apart horizontal outer board layers, (iii) a mortar layer adhered to the substrate wall between the board layers, and (iv) a corner assembly having interconnecting alternating blocks. The structure may be quickly constructed by a method comprising (a) attaching insulative board to the exterior of a building frame, (b) applying mortar to the insulative board, (c) attaching horizontal boards to the frame in a spaced apart fashion to permit the mortar to be visible between the boards. The structure also has a corner assembly having interconnecting notched blocks having interior curved abutment faces for restricting horizontal movement of the blocks.

Abstract: A constructional element for glazing with glass sheets (1) includes laminated safey glass using glass retaining elements (5, 6; 10) for at least one support plate (12) for glass panes provided with holes with tolerance compensation as well as fixing elements which act together with these.

Abstract: A raised access floor and method for modifying a raised access floor understructure construction uses a beam support bracket which allows additional support beams to be installed at any desired location within the mid-span of the adjacent stringer support beams of the respective quadrant sections within the raised access floor understructure. The bracket is capable of being mounted at any position along the length of a stringer support beam of a raised access floor quadrant section. This allows for great flexibility in available understructure modification schemes to allow appropriate modification for a wide variety of different sized obstructions installed within the raised access floor understructure.

Abstract: A handrail assembly and a handrail system incorporating the assembly. The handrail assembly includes a handrail which is a formed structure with an inner channel, and a mount structure accommodatable within the channel and having opposing substantially parallel members each having handrail engagement support members pliantly couplable with engagement support member acceptors within the channel. The handrail system incorporates the assembly and a base support structure extending from the mount structure. An expansive fill material can be introduced into the channel to substantially encapsulate the mount structure within the channel and provide protection from the environment. The handrail assembly provides a handrail structure and a mounting structure whereby the mounting structure is pliantly expandable and contractible to accommodate expansion non-compatibility of the mounting structure and the handrail structure due to temperature change.

Abstract: A structural, insulating, insect resistant, dimensionally stable composite wall panel for building construction comprising a regular tetragonal body of polymer foam having two opposing primary wall surfaces bounded on its sides by two parallel side walls and on its ends by two parallel end walls; and at least one light metal gauge hollow stud in the body, each light metal gauge stud extending at least from one end wall to the other end wall and parallel to the side walls of said body, the polymer foam extending into the center of the stud to secure the stud to the body, at least one side wall of each stud forming a portion of the same primary wall surface of said body.

Abstract: A system of light weight, high strength, thin masonry panels having one or more mateable seam hiding edges. The seam hiding edge may be serpentine or some other shape consistent with the masonry element chosen for the panel surface. The aforementioned thin masonry panels are used to construct patio or walkway surfaces as well as provide a decorative facing for walls, fireplaces, and the like. The thickness of the panels is limited to the range of 1 to 2 inches in order to assure a light weight for ease of construction. Each panel is a reinforced series of masonry elements such as stone or brick pavers bound together by a cement or mortar-like material. The claimed invention also includes an attachment plate for affixing the panels to other surfaces and structures.

Abstract: An inexpensive, lightweight, strong and durable casting that has a surface appearance simulating carved stone, and is especially adapted for use as a transition between a brick or stone wall and window and door openings. Further, it provides architectural detail to building constructions, especially as a surround for window and door openings. The casting is produced from a mixture of graded aggregates and a resin binder, combined in predetermined proportions to make a soupy mixture that is cast in a mold. The mold is vibrated to cause migration of air bubbles away from the surface of the molded product, and to cause realignment and orientation of the aggregate materials in a way to enhance the structure and surface density of the product. After the casting has set, it is removed from the mold and cured and the surface is sandblasted to erode away some of the resin binder and portions of the aggregate at the surface to produce an appearance that is an accurate simulation of carved stone.

Abstract: A composite roofing system in which a layer of polystyrene or polyurethane foam insulation board is encased in layers of lightweight insulating concrete and the surface of the foam insulation board is roughened to strengthen the interfacial bond with the surrounding layers of concrete and provide increased resistance to wind uplift, seismic activity, and degradation of the roofing system caused by vertical loads. Moisture which might otherwise become entrapped in the roofing system by the impermeable insulation board is ventilated out of the system by a combination of openings through the insulation board which permit the migration of moisture between the layers of concrete, and a plurality of lateral slots cut in the insulation board to permit further migration of moisture out of the system.

Abstract: A building block (10) of the type which can be used to construct a structure made up of a number of identical such blocks disposed side to side. The blocks are usually square although triangular blocks may be used in conjunction therewith. The preferred form of the square block is provided with four flat sides including parallel first (14) and second (18) sides and parallel third (16) and fourth (12) sides. Two flanges (42, 40) extend along the respective first and third sides, projecting outwardly therefrom. Two recesses (60, 49) shaped complementarily to the flanges extend along the respective second and fourth sides, projecting inwardly therefrom. The first flange intersects the second flange adjacent the junction between the first side and the third side. At their opposite ends the flanges comprise triangular portions (54, 66) which span the respective recesses and are provided with indentations in their outer faces which are aligned with the recesses.

Abstract: A building block with integral hand hold and a method for making same. As with standard prior art masonry blocks, the building block of the present invention includes a central transverse web which provides structural rigidity to the block and divides the interior space of the block into two substantially equal sized areas. However, the building block of the present invention includes a cut-out completely through the central transverse web which facilitates placement of a mason's fingers therein in order to grasp and lift the block. A preferred method for making the blocks includes the use of a mold which allows the transverse web to be formed with the rest of the block, with the central cut-out then being punched out of the transverse web prior to kiln drying the block.

Abstract: The present invention provides a transformable linked structure, a deployable diagonal structure, a plane stowage-type deployable truss and a line stowage-type deployable truss with high rigidity and reliability constituted by the above-described transformable linked structure and the above-described deployable diagonal structure, and also provides a plane/line stowage truss structure extremely approximated to a spherical surface using the two types of deployable trusses. The present invention discloses a module linked structure for linking deployable trusses securely and a holding/releasing mechanism for realizing reliable holding and release. Further, the present invention provides a modular deployable antenna with high precision even if it is large-sized which is realized by spreading mesh on the plane/line stowage truss structure.

Abstract: A centering sleeve and overflow ring assembly adapted to facilitate proper installation in a hole drilled in masonry of a stud for fastening a fixture or other object to the masonry. Deposited in the hole is a charge of a flowable bonding agent which when cured then anchors in place the stud inserted in the hole. The ring is preferably formed of a flat, tearable material and is seated on the masonry in registration with the hole. The sleeve which is snugly nested in the upper end of the hole includes inwardly-directed centering means that engage the stud inserted in the hole to maintain the stud centered therein while providing a flow passage between the stud and the sleeve. When the inserted stud plunges into the charge of bonding agent, the agent then rises in the hole and passes through the flow passage in the sleeve to overflow onto the ring. After the overflow accumulated on the ring cures and hardens, it can then be discarded by tearing off the ring.

Abstract: An antenna support for mounting one or more antenna on a support structure such as a tower. The antenna support includes a framework mountable to the structure, and an antenna mounting support assembly coupled to the framework. The antenna mounting support assembly is configured to mount the antenna in a fashion to be adjustable in a multitude of directions relative to the support structure, such that the mounted antenna may be tuned by an installer by adjustments in these directions.

Abstract: Laminate covered stair nosing is affixed with sheet metal prongs, extending at right angles from the top surface of a sheet metal fastener, on the leading edge of a stair step. The sheet metal fastener has a U shaped flange extending beyond the leading edge of the tread. The laminate covered stair nosing has a planar top surface and a planar bottom surface. Prongs on the sheet metal fastener are forced into the planar bottom surface for affixing the stair nosing on the tread. The stair nosing has a U-shaped leading edge. The U-shaped leading edge extends beyond the leading edge of the tread. The U-shaped flange on the sheet metal fastener is interlocked with a channel in the U-shaped leading edge for supporting the stair nosing on the tread. A shoulder on the stair nosing abuts with the front surface of laminate flooring on the riser for retaining laminate flooring installed over a pad on the riser of the stair step.

Abstract: A first story log house material is adhered to a base with a coach bolt and succeeding log materials after a second story are piled up in turn with clamping bolts. A coach bolt or a clamping bolt has a height corresponding with one long thickness and is equipped with a nut portion and a wahser. This method of assembling log walls for the log house eliminates the accumulated shrinkage for the log wall during the drying period. Thus, by the present invention, it is now not necessary to prepare some large size of a side adjusting device and also to reserve some large settling space, both of which are unavoidable in prior art.

Abstract: A lumber straightening apparatus includes generally a force application section and a lumber engaging section. In a preferred application, the lumber engaging section is inserted over a stud being secured as part of a stud wall. Force is applied to the force application section to cause a first end of the stud to rotate relative to a second end of the stud. After rotation and upon positioning the first end in proper alignment and orientation relative to a cross piece, the first end is secured to a cross piece in a parallel and square manner relative to the cross piece.

Abstract: A garage door insulation system includes a garage door having a major surface, an insulation layer of mineral fiber insulating material having a major surface, and an asphalt layer positioned between the major surfaces of the garage door and the insulation layer. The asphalt layer provides sound damping for the garage door. Preferably the asphalt layer acts as an adhesive to bond the insulation layer to the garage door. In a preferred embodiment, the major surface of the garage door is contoured, and the asphalt layer and insulation layer are deformable to the contour of the garage door.

Abstract: A drug packaging device having a shutter provided in a guide path which can prevent drugs from rebounding from the shutter once they land on the shutter so that they can settle on the shutter as quickly as possible. The shutter is made up of a plate-shaped body made from a soft, flexible silicone resin, and a Teflon resin coating layer formed on the body. Such a shutter can absorb shocks when drugs land on the shutter and prevent them from rebounding when they land on the shutter. Thus, drugs stabilize quickly after they land on the shutter.

Abstract: Article distribution apparatus comprises means defining a zone through which a plurality of articles can move from a first location to a second location. Distribution means extend between the first and second locations to divide the zone into first and second lanes. The distribution means is movable laterally across the zone to vary the capacity of the first and second lanes of the articles.

Abstract: An automatic packaging machine is adapted to insert a plurality of layers of product into a carton. In a preferred embodiment, the product is carried in an X-Y tray which is able to expand or to contract in width and to raise or lower, thereby giving two dimensional geometrical adjustments. A first layer of product is loaded into the X-Y tray. Then the tray is lowered and a second layer is placed over the first layer. The process is repeated for any number of layers. Thereafter, the stack of layers is pushed into a carton.

Abstract: A sealing condition monitoring apparatus detects in a real-time manner a defect in of sealing due to entry of foreign matter or due to a defect or malfunction of components of a sealing apparatus. There are provided a counter bar disposed at the forward end of a counter jaw for sealing a packaging container into which a liquid food is charged, and a sealing bar disposed at the forward end of a heat sealing jaw to face the counter bar. A packaging material is held between the sealing bar and the counter bar, and a pressing force is applied thereto for sealing. A sheet-shaped pressure sensor is provided on the surface of the counter bar for detecting the pressing force applied to the packaging material at each detection point. Also, there is provided a controller which compares data of the pressing force detected by the sheet-shaped pressure sensor and master data which are previously set to correspond to a pressing force for obtaining proper sealing conditions.