Abstract: Apparatus for loading tobacco into containers and for loading containers of tobacco into barns having a guide for facilitating evenly distributed loading of tobacco in containers and structure for rotating the container from a first loading position to a second curing position. The container can be rotated 90 degrees and positioned on wheeled tracks within a loading fixture and which align with corresponding wheeled tracks within a tobacco barn adapted to receive filled containers of tobacco for curing.

Abstract: A sample leveling device is described, for use in high speed liquid sampling systems, which comprises an insert cup capable of being removably located inside the open end of a liquid sampling tube, the cup being so shaped that, upon full or partial inversion of the tube and cup assembly from a datum position in which the open end of the tube is uppermost, the cup receives liquid held in the tube and retains the liquid when the tube is returned to its original position. The insert cup is so shaped that when it is inserted into a sampling tube its lower closed portion is offset from the line of travel a sampling probe would follow when sampling blood from the sampling tube. It is convenient to arrange the center-line of the insert cup co-axial or near co-axial with the center-line of the sampling tube into which the insert cup will be inserted.

Abstract: A shield, impervious to liquids, for use in positioning behind a plant while the plant is being sprayed with water for example, which shield is provided with a trough at its bottom edge to provide a retaining well, stiffen the shield, and provide weight for maintaining the same upright. The plant may thus be watered, the leaves sprayed or washed, without damage to surrounding windows or furniture, as the trough gathers the excess water which runs down the shield and into the trough.