Abstract: An indicator device includes a support member formed by two coupled flat panels made of metal or synthetic material, a plurality of holes formed in the exposed panel according to the pattern of Braille writing according to the characters to be represented; the holes are engaged by pins made of synthetic material which is resistant to abrasion and to rubbing-induced wear, so that their dome-shaped rounded ends protrude from the exposed panel.

Abstract: A display device including a plaque, a hanger secured to a rear face of the plaque for hanging the plaque on a vertical surface such that the rear face of the plaque is substantially parallel with the vertical surface, a support assembly secured to a front face of the plaque, and memorabilia held by the support assembly, wherein the support is adapted to hold the memorabilia in an upright position with respect to the vertical surface.

Abstract: The present invention is a safety device that prevents a weapon from being fired. The invention consists of a hollow cylindrical block and an ejector. The hollow cylindrical block is manually placed in a weapon's firing chamber thus preventing the engaging of a live shell. The chamber block is removed from the firing chamber of a weapon by manually inserting the ejector into and through the firearm chamber block allowing the ejector to engage the backside of the chamber block skirt. There is a raised rim on the ejector cap that allows the weapon's bolt to engage and extract the ejector and firearm safety apparatus as one unit.

Abstract: A rifled weapon tube (1), from which spin-stabilized projectiles (8) with driving bands (9) are fired. In order to reduce manifestations of wear on a driving band (9), it is known to stabilize a spin angle (&dgr;) occurring during the firing or to cut deeper rifling grooves (3) into an inside wall (2) of the weapon tube (1). Both options can be realized only within limits as the compatibility between weapon tube (1) and projectile (8) must be ensured. The invention provides for another option of reducing the wear on the driving band (9). Increasing the number of rifling grooves (3) on the tube inside wall (2) reduces the frictional stress that occurs on the driving band (9). This new type of design for the rifling groove flanks (5), formed between a groove bottom (7) of rifling groove (3) and a lands (4) between the rifling grooves (3), reduces the total wear volume on the driving band (9). In this case, the rifling flanks (5) extend nearly perpendicular to the rifling groove bottom (7).

Abstract: Waterfowl decoy apparatus includes a decoy housing, a pair of decoy wing members rotatably connected to the decoy housing and an elongated stand supporting the housing to position the decoy housing over the surface of a body of water. The apparatus may be readily converted between wind powered operation and motor powered operation.

Abstract: A fishing reel holder that is suited for fishing generally and is particularly well suited for ice fishing includes a planar supporting base and a reel-supporting arm. The reel-supporting arm includes an attached end and a free end. At least one receptacle is provided on the base for holding the attached end of the reel-supporting arm. An arm holder extends upwardly from the base for contacting an intermediate portion of the arm to support the arm at an oblique angle with respect to the base. A reel for holding fishing line is rotatably supported on the free end of the arm. By raising or lowering of the arm holder, the angle between the reel-supporting arm and the base can be changed. In one form, the reel is operatively associated with a mechanical or electrical alarm. A removable seat cushion is attached to the top of the base when the base is supported on an object such as a pail. Within the base below the cushion is a tackle box for holding fishing lures and other articles.

Abstract: An artificial fishing lure of resilient, flexible material created in an initially curved configuration, which lure, when attached to a line and pulled through the water, essentially duplicates the swimming motion of an eel, snake, or lizard. This novel lure has a body portion and a flexible, elongate, relatively thin dorsal fin integral with the body portion and extending longitudinally for substantially the entire length of the body portion. One embodiment of my novel lure has a body portion of alternating large and relatively small sections, with each of the relatively small sections having major and minor dimensions, and with the major dimension of each of the relatively small sections being perpendicular to the plane of the relatively thin fin.

Abstract: A diving fishing weight is for receiving a length of fishing line with a first end connected to a fish catching device and a second end connected to a rod and reel assembly. The fishing weight includes a dive-inducing member constructed to dive through water, and dive-stop structure in communication with the dive-inducing member and the fishing line, and being actuable by a force exerted along the fishing line to stop the fishing weight from diving. The dive-inducing member includes a body that has a front region oriented generally toward the fish catching device, a rear region oriented generally toward the rod and reel assembly, opposed sides and an upper surface. The dive-stop structure includes a passage defined by the body that extends through at least a portion of the body, with the passage having a first end proximate the front region of the body and a second end on the upper surface.

Abstract: A leader for fly fishing which has a high knot strength and a high tensile tenacity, is free from the formation of a shape-unstable portion (constriction) having a smaller diameter than an average thread diameter of the tippet section and the occurrence of melt fracture at a connecting portion between the tapered section and the tippet section, and shows an excellent natural drift property, can be produced by using a vinylidene fluoride-based resin having an inherent viscosity of 1.0 to 1.7 dl/g.

Abstract: An in-ground flower holder is provided with a body having a top opening defined by a planar or flanged area and a lower opening passage through which water may flow. An insert is located within the interior of the body, the insert having a gripping area which allows access to the insert by a user when the flower holder is embedded within the ground. A base of the insert is used to carry flowers placed within the body. A bottom surface of a base of the insert carries a plug member which is adapted to substantially a similar size as an opening formed as a funnel in the bottom of the body. When in one holding position, the plug and funnel form a watertight seal thereby holding any water within the interior. When the insert is moved to another position, the watertight seal is broken and a passage for water out of the interior is provided. A lock maintains the insert within the interior of the body. Additionally, the upper surface of the body or of the lock is configured such that indicia may be placed thereon.

Abstract: A method of blocking passage of a user through a passageway comprising a turnstile with a housing; a drive and a locking element in which a barrier arm is set in motion following verification of the access authorization of a user wishing to pass, rotating the barrier arm from its blocking position into a position out of line of passage. The advance of the user is then detected by a downstream sensor, in particular an opto-electronic sensor, which causes the barrier arm to rotate further in the same direction into the blocking position.

Abstract: A door assembly which includes a door frame defining an opening and a door. The door includes a first rectangular panel which is rotatably mounted to the door frame and moveable between an open and a closed position. A second panel is connected to and rotatable with the first panel and is disposed generally parallel to, or co-planar with the first panel and moveable thereto in plane of the panels so as to be moveable between a retracted position where the second panel is generally laterally adjacent to the first panel, to an extended position where the second panel is spaced from the first panel in the direction of the plane of the panels. The door assembly is operative to cover the opening defined by the door frame by movement of the first panel from its open to its closed position and movement of the second panel from its retracted to its extended position.

Abstract: One end of a connection wire is connected to a rear vehicle door which can be popped up by an urging force from a user. An apparatus for maintaining the position of the upwardly swinging rear door once it is opened at a desired angle includes a pulley for receiving the other end of the connection wire wound around it. A power spring urges the pulley in a connection wire-winding direction. A one-way clutch includes a rotatable outer ring with an input shaft at the center thereof. The input shaft is connected to the pulley. The input shaft is also connected to the outer ring through multiple rollers interposed between the outer ring and the input shaft so that the pulley is allowed to rotate in the connection wire-winding direction. In maintaining the upwardly swinging rear door at a desired angle once it is opened, a solenoid is energized to move a stopper into an engaging groove on the periphery of the outer ring. When the stopper engages the engaging groove, the rotation of the outer ring is restricted.

Abstract: A sash/cam channel member is extruded from a plastic (e.g., thermoplastic) material and includes the same cross section whether the member is used in a sash-type application or a cam-type application. In one embodiment, the sash/cam channel member includes a channel formed therein for receiving a coupling member, which is attached to a moveable arm of the assembly, and a pair of opposing fork members. The windowpane is received between the pair of opposing fork members to produce a frictionally fit therebetween. The inner surfaces of the channel have a low friction layer (coating) formed thereon so that the coupling member slidingly travels within the channel is a near frictionless manner. Similarly, the inner surfaces of the pair of fork members have a high friction layer (coating) disposed thereon for increased gripping and coupling of the windowpane.

Abstract: An installation aid is provided for maintaining a door closed in a door frame during transportation and installation of a door assembly in a building. The installation aid can be used with both interior and exterior doors. The installation aid is a two piece assembly including a first portion which is received in the door and a second portion which is received on the back side of the strike jamb of the door assembly. The first portion has a head, a stem extending from the head, and a threaded shaft at an end of the stem. The second portion includes a washer and an internally threaded boss extending from the washer. The first portion shaft and second portion boss threadedly engage each other to hold the two pieces together, and hence to hold the door in position in the door frame during shipping and installation of the door.

Abstract: The invention concerns a motor vehicle door with a door body, an inner door panel, and a window lifter disposed in the door body, which lifter includes a guide rail, on which a carrier for a window pane is displaceably disposed. According to the invention, at least one functional element which is not part of the regulating mechanism of the window lifter is connected to both the guide rail and the door body.

Abstract: A furniture system is particularly adapted to support group activities in open plans, and the like. A plurality of columns support an overhead framework on the floor of a building in a freestanding fashion at a predetermined elevation, generally above average user height. A plurality of individual panels are provided, wherein each panel is constructed to permit easy, manual, bodily translation of the same by an adult user. A hanger arrangement is associated with the overhead framework, and cooperates with connectors on the panels to detachably suspend the panels at various locations along the overhead framework. The panels are manually reconfigurable between many different arrangements to efficiently and effectively support different group activities. Preferably, the panels are capable of providing a partitioning function to visually divide at least a portion of the workspace, and/or a display function to facilitate group communications.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed, insulated, fiberglass and/or polymeric burial vault. The burial vault may include inner and outer layers with an insulation material there between. Additionally, an anchor or other device may be utilized to hold the burial vault in the ground.

Abstract: A system and method is described by which the structural integrity of a building or other structure can be increased and made more resistant to earthquake damage. A structural member may be incorporated into a building structure. At least a portion of the structural member is made of a material that undergoes a shape or phase transformation in response to energy applied. This member can alter the natural frequency of the building structure from a first natural frequency to a second natural frequency when the material undergoes the transformation to make destructive resonance less likely to occur.

Abstract: A door construction for a magnetically shielded room including a door having interior and exterior sections corresponding to the interior and exterior shells of the magnetically shielded room which provides electric and magnetic continuity between the interior and exterior sections of a door and the interior and exterior shells when the door is in the closed position.

Abstract: A vehicle shelter comprising a head frame, a head curtain attached to the head frame, a side frame, and a side curtain attached to the side frame. The head frame includes a head subframe having a first raked channel adapted to be mounted to a loading dock wall, a plurality of cross channels attached (e.g., clinched) to and extending outward from said first raked channel, and a second raked channel attached (e.g., clinched) to said cross channels. The head frame further includes a head panel attached to an upper surface of said head subframe to form a barrier to the elements, and a head curtain mounted to the head frame. The side frame includes a side subframe having a first long channel adapted to be mounted to a loading dock wall, a plurality of cross channels attached (e.g., clinched) to and extending outward from said first long channel, and a second long channel attached (e.g., clinched) to said cross channels.

Abstract: A dock seal for sealing the interface between a vehicle and a loading dock, including a resilient member and a flexible material embedded in the resilient member. The dock seal can be made by applying a liquid material over the resilient member and curing the liquid material to form a flexible coating. The liquid material can be applied by spraying, pouring, dipping or brushing. A puncture-resistant material can be positioned adjacent the resilient member before curing the liquid material. In one embodiment, the resilient member is attached to a dock seal frame and mounted to the loading dock.

Abstract: A cupola roof having cupola roof panels with snap-fit edges preferably includes four roof panels. In a first embodiment, there are four combination cupola roof panels. Each combination cupola roof panel has a female snap-fit edge on one side and a male snap-fit edge on the other side. In a second embodiment their are two male cupola roof panels and two female cupola roof panels. The male cupola roof panel has a male snap-fit edge disposed on each side thereof. The female cupola roof panel has a female snap-fit edge disposed on each side thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides an exterior wall frame construction for excluding rain, the construction having a frame and a water stop. The frame has a head, a sill, and two jambs. The two jambs are each connected to the head and the sill for holding a door or a window. The water stop is located at the head of the frame. The water stop has a top surface, a front sidewall, a rear sidewall, and a pair of end caps. The front sidewall extends upwardly from the top surface to form a barrier against water leaking over the frame from the exterior of the structure. The front sidewall has at least one weep hole located adjacent to the top surface, the weep hole being a conduit through the front sidewall allowing water to drain from the water stop to the outside of the building. The top surface is preferably slanted downward from the rear sidewall to the front sidewall, so that any water leaking onto the top surface runs down to the front sidewall and out the weep hole.

Abstract: A one-piece rubber or elastomeric block has a relatively hard or rigid base portion and a relatively soft or compliant ledge portion. The base prevents a windshield from sliding downward as it is being bonded to a window frame of a vehicle and the ledge serves as a compliant cushion which prevents the weight of the windshield from extruding a soft bead of urethane or other sealer from between the windshield and the frame. The elastomeric block sits within a channel of a vehicle window frame. A windshield is mounted upon the vehicle window frame, resting upon the elastomeric block and attached to the frame via the bead of urethane.

Abstract: The present invention is a prestressing system for wood elements and structures and a method from prestressing wood beams. In its most basic form, the system for prestressing structures comprises a plurality of members arranged in a predetermined configuration, at least one non-metallic prestressing tendon, having a material stiffness less than that of steel, disposed in such a manner as to fasten together the members, and stressing means attached to at least one end of the prestressing tendon to exert a tensile force on the tendon and an equal and opposite compressive force drawing the members together. In the preferred embodiment, the tendons are manufactured from fiber reinforced plastic and the members are arranged in side by side relation to form a deck. The deck includes a series of aligned holes through the members, through which the prestressing tendons pass and are secured and prestressed.

Abstract: A continuous gear hinge, having extruded aluminum leaves and an extruded aluminum cap which holds the leaves together at meshed gear segments on the leaves, has the capacity to establish a seal between the door and hinge jamb to which it is attached. That seal derives from intumescent strips which lie in recesses that open out of the of the leaves. In the presence of a fire, the intumescent material, the strips of which extend the full length of the hinge, expands and bonds to the door and hinge jamb to not only seal the space between the two, but also to secure the door should the hinge lose its capacity to hold the door.

Abstract: A demountable wall system mountable between, but not attached to, the floor and ceiling of a building constructed of a plurality of wall sections, each wall section including at least one upper horizontal framing member having opposed upper and lower slots; a plurality of spaced, parallel vertical framing members having opposed side slots facing side slots of adjacent vertical framing members; at least one horizontal lower member having opposed upper and lower slots; at least one vertical rectangular panel with upper, lower and opposed side edges inserted into facing slots of adjacent framing members; a floor mounting member inserted into the lower slot of the lower horizontal framing member; a vertically adjustable closure member inserted into the upper slot of the upper member to close the space between the ceiling and the upper horizontal framing member; and first and second door jamb attachment plates fitted into facing slots of adjacent vertical framing members for mounting of a door.

Abstract: A deck system including cooperating plastic planks, fastener covers and end caps. Each of the plastic planks has at least one channel in the upper surfaces which extends the length of the plank. Each channel includes at least one pair of opposed ledges. Each fastener cover is configured for insertion into one of the channels. The fastener cover is an elongate member having an upper face portion and a pair of legs downwardly depending from the upper face portion and extending substantially the entire length thereof. The fastener cover includes a pair of upper laterally projecting flanges and a pair of lower laterally projecting flanges. When a fastener cover is inserted into a channel, the pairs of upper and lower flanges receive the at least one pair of ledges with a gap sufficient to accommodate displacement of the fastener cover arising from ice expansion in the channel.

Abstract: A wall panel mounting system for releasably securing a preformed wall panel to a wall. The system includes a bracket including a base portion adapted to be attached to the wall and at least one leg extending outwardly from the base portion. The wall panel includes a frame having a front surface supporting a fabric thereon, with the frame including a rear wall having a recessed slot therein adapted to receive the at least one leg therein. The at least one leg and opposing walls defining the recessed slot have an interfering engagement to releasably hold the wall panel in place on the wall.

Abstract: A cladding system used to secure a cladding material panel to a building structure and including upper and lower bracket members to cooperatively and respectively engage upper and lower ends of adjacent cladding material panels. The upper bracket member includes a first fastener member to engage an interior surface of a first cladding material panel and a second fastener member a spaced apart distance therefrom and also engaging the first cladding material panel. A mount assembly secures the upper bracket member a spaced apart distance from the building structure and facilitates alignment of the cladding material panels. The lower bracket member includes a first lower fastener member to engage a second cladding material panel and a second lower fastener member a spaced apart distance therefrom which also engages the second cladding material.

Abstract: A retaining clip for use in combination with building siding panels of the type which simulate wooden clapboard. The siding panels have two or more longitudinal outwardly and downwardly depending declination portions. The clips comprise thicker main body portions attachable to the building-side face of declinations of the siding panels, and thinner flexible arm portions. A protruding stop detent extends from the face of the flexible arm portion. The detent is spaced apart from the main body portion of the retaining clip. Building siding panels having retaining clips of the invention are also provided, as are methods of siding a building with the modified siding panels.

Abstract: A grid structure capable of withstanding a compressive force comprises a peripheral frame, a plurality of first grid members connected to and extending within the peripheral frame and a plurality of second grid members connected to and extending within the peripheral frame. The second grid members intersect the first grid members. The first and second grid members form a grid of small frames disposed within the peripheral frame. The grid has an upper surface and a lower surface wherein a first group of at least a portion of at least one of the first and second grid members have flanges on the upper surface, the flanges being generally perpendicular to the first and second grid members and a second group of at least a portion of at least one of the first and second grid members have flanges on the lower surface, the flanges being generally perpendicular to the first and second grid members. A process of making the grid structure is also disclosed, as is an assembly of such grid structures.

Abstract: A weight bearing element having a web, and a chord connected to the web, the chord perimeter having a cross-sectional shape of a closed multi-sided figure having at least 5 sides, at least two of which are substantially parallel to the web. Some members may have chords which have a pentagonal cross sectional shape, and/or may include load transferring members or end-caps.

Abstract: An apparatus for bracing joists comprising a pair of load distribution members and a spanning member. The load distribution members are fastened to adjacent joists and connected together by the spanning member. The load distribution members each have a connector arm which contains a plurality of holes into which tabs on each end of the spanning member are sized to fit. The spanning member can thus connect the load distribution members over a range of distances providing a length adjustable joist bracing apparatus.

Abstract: A flange of a panel is inserted into an extrusion port of an extrusion molding die through an insertion slit, which opens laterally of the extrusion port, to thereby form a molding space that corresponds to a trim member between the extrusion port and the flange. A material for forming the trim member is extruded forwardly of the extrusion port through the molding space. The die and the flange are moved relative to each other while adjusting the insertion depth of the flange into the extrusion port so that the distance between a reference on the panel and the trim member is maintained at a desired distance. Thus, a trim member is extrusion molded on the edge of the flange of the panel and is mounted thereon simultaneously, thereby accurately mounting the trim member on the in a desired outer shape.

Abstract: An insulated concrete structure including at least one longitudinally-extending side panel and at least one web member partially disposed within the side panel. The web member extends from adjacent the external side of the side panel through and out of the interior surface of the side panel. The first embodiment of the present invention uses opposed side panels that form a cavity therebetween into which concrete is poured and cured. The second embodiment uses a single side panel as a form, onto which concrete is poured. Once the concrete cures on the single side panel, it is used as a tilt-up wall, floor, or roof panel.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering mortar to blocks or bricks used for forming a wall. The system includes a pressurized tank which is used for receiving and dispensing the mortar at an elevated pressure. A delivery hose is attached to the tank. The delivery hose serves for carrying the mortar from the pressurized tank to a desired location. A bifurcated nozzle having an inlet and a pair of outlets is used for concurrent delivery of the mortar. The nozzle is attached to the delivery hose. The inlet of the nozzle is in fluid communication with the delivery hose. The mortar is delivered from the pressurized tank through the hose and then discharged as a plurality of streams or beads of mortar from the outlets of the nozzle onto the block used for forming the wall. The streams of mortar are placed on the ends and opposite edges of the side face of the block. Each block is placed end to end next to each other forming a first course of blocks.

Abstract: An apparatus which is useful on pitched roofs includes structural features which help keep roofing materials from sliding off the roof. The apparatus also protects roofers from heat and abrasion from the roof surface on which they are working. A substantially solid foam rubber wedge forms one component of the apparatus, and a substantially planar pad forms the other component of the apparatus. These components are placed in proximity to each other so that the roofer, when situated on the pad, can readily reach roofing materials disposed against the wedge. The wedge resiliently compresses when roofing materials are placed on its upper surface. This resilient compression, the angle of orientation of the wedge's upper surface, and the frictional engagement of the wedge with the roof surface each contribute in varying degrees to holding roofing materials in position on the roof.

Abstract: A panel assembly of the present invention comprises a stringer and a plurality of sheet panels each having a curved portion extending downward at one side thereof and a curved portion extending upward at the other side thereof. The stringer has on the top thereof a plurality of panel engaging portions adjacent to one another, each having upstream side convex portion, around which the curved portion of the sheet panel extending downward is hooked, a downstream side concave portion, into which the curved portion of the sheet panel extending upward Is fitted, and a planar portion extending from the upstream side convex portion to the downstream side concave portion. The planar portion of the panel engaging portion of the stringer is inclined downward from the upstream side convex portion to the downstream side concave portion. An upper portion of the concave portion of the panel engaging portion having a groove, into which a tip end of the curved portion of the sheet panel extending upward is fitted.

Abstract: A multi-panel hollow door has a core made of corrugated paperboard. The core is formed from a stack of plies in which adjacent plies are adhered to one another in accordance with a predetermined pattern of adherence (e.g., a gluing pattern). The stack is expanded in a direction perpendicular to the plies to form an elongated series of cells disposed longitudinally between transversely spaced panel indentations of a door skin, at a central region of the door. Each cell has a pair of transversely spaced vertices, and juxtaposed end portions of vertex-forming plies form tabs. Each tab is preferably oriented to overlap an adjacent portion of a vertex-forming ply, the desired orientation being obtained by partial slitting of a single vertex-forming ply. Unexpanded end portions of a stack of plies may be broken off to form pads between corresponding portions of the skins.

Abstract: A low speed container packaging machine is provided using a plastic carrier to hold containers and comprising a conveyor moving containers in double rows introducing them to the carrier applying section, receiving and moving them, a pair of cogwheels to locate them in synchronous position below the jaw plates, and thus apply the carrier to the containers. The jaws are mounted on the plates spinning on two axes at preset angles with respect to the horizontal and vertical planes and located symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the machine. The plates, upon spinning take the carrier strip or fastener from the feed trough and with their jaws, stretch the carrier for a 180° run and locate it on the containers and together with a suitably positioned release plate, deposit the carrier on the containers. Once the carrier is applied on the containers, the containers enter the cut station in which packages of 2, 4, 6, 8 or more containers are formed by means of a novel cutting system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a capsule filling apparatus mainly including a capsule positioning mechanism, a powder filling mechanism, and an assembling mechanism. Both the capsule position and powder filling mechanisms include a capsule holding means formed form an upper and a lower part. The lower part of the capsule holding means is controlled to move by a motor and coupler, clutch, sensing plate mounted on the shaft of the motor. A suction hole is formed at the bottom of each capsule holding hole on the lower part of the capsule holding means to communicate with an external vacuum source. A locating means is provided below a seat of the lower part of the capsule holding means in the capsule positioning mechanism. The powder filling mechanism includes a powder tank. An air cylinder drives the powder tank to move to or away from the capsule holding means by eccentrically connecting a piston shaft to a lower outer side of the powder tank.

Abstract: A machine for producing cushioning product is provided which allows a user to select a length of product to be produced from a plurality of selectable lengths.

Abstract: A wrapping apparatus including parallel conveyors for moving loaded pallets to wrapping areas of the conveyors, a mobile wrapping machine on wheels, a guide for maintaining the wrapping machine along a path, position sensors for detecting loaded pallets at loading areas, and a computer control for directing the mobile wrapping machine to wrap the loaded pallets on a prioritized basis. The invention is extremely mobile, and is computer controlled to wrap the pallets without need for an operator.

Abstract: A tablet cassette for an automatic tablet dispensing system is disclosed. The tablet cassette includes a cylindrical rotor received into a medicine case of the tablet cassette and engaged to a male gear fixed to a motor shaft located within a driving unit. The rotor has a waved guide formed along an conically tapered upper surface thereof and a protrusion formed on a central surface portion thereof so as to smoothly agitate the received tablets and preventing from tangling together with said waved guide. The cylindrical rotor has a plurality of guide teeth formed along an outer periphery of the rotor body and a plurality of insert openings regularly provided between said guide teeth to respectively receive one tablet therein. At least one auxiliary case has an upper and a lower engagement steps formed along the periphery thereof.

Abstract: A medication dispensing apparatus of the present invention contains a plurality of different kinds of medication separately, dispenses the medicament to pack them into package belt, and discharges the package belt. The medication dispensing apparatus comprises a cutting device for cutting the package belt into short package belt including at least one medication package for specified period in accordance with prescription data, a stacking device for stacking the short package belts and a bundling device for bundling the stacked short package belts. According to the medication dispensing apparatus, it is possible to cut off medication packages and empty packages from the package belt automatically and rapidly, reducing medication distributing job in a hospital. The medication dispensing apparatus is applicable to a medicament collecting system comprising a tray feed station, a medication dispensing station and a tray recovering station.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a carton from a blank sheet of material, in line, and wrapping it about articles of a predetermined size including cutting and scoring blades which are automatically preset according to parameters previously stored, for these particular articles, in a programmable controller.

Abstract: An improved quick-change collet chuck used with an existing single lane capping apparatus for gripping and installing container caps during the automated high-volume filling and capping process. The quick-change collet chuck allows quick and effortless swapping out of different size jaw sets for different size caps and minimizes interruption and downtime during the automated container capping processes. The quick-change collet chuck has a slim profile for low inertia so as not to interfere with high speed operation and accurate servo torquing. Another optional feature is shown in conjunction with the quick-change collet chuck to facilitate reversible operation when it is desirable to include on-the-fly cap removal and removal torque testing on the capping machine. This feature insures that the collet chuck cannot unscrew or spin loose from the spindle shaft after the quick-change collet is already locked in position.

Abstract: The wrapping machine is for wrapping an article from a roll of film. It comprises a film tail treatment device, a device moving mechanism for moving vertically the film tail treatment device, a device height detector for detecting the height of the film tail treatment device, a clamping mechanism for clamping a portion of the film unrolled from the roll, a clamp moving mechanism for moving vertically the clamping mechanism, a clamp height detector for detecting the height of the clamping mechanism, and a controller for controlling the carriage moving mechanism, the device moving mechanism and the clamp moving mechanism during the wrapping cycle with respect to the heights detected by the carriage, device and clamp height detectors. At the end of the wrapping cycle, the clamp mechanism is positioned at the height required to clamp the portion of the film during operation of the film tail treatment device.