Abstract: An apparatus for packaging resiliently compressible articles is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus has at least two rotatable, spaced apart article engaging elements adapted to receive an end portion of an article for rolling the article into a compact rolled up configuration. Each article engaging element can be rotatably mounted to one of at least two arm portions, which are desirably pivotally mounted to the apparatus. At least one of the arm portions can be adapted to be movable in a lateral direction. The apparatus may also be provided with a vacuum hose fluidly connected to a vacuum source for vacuum packing an article desirably before it is rolled-up. A spring containing mattress is also disclosed, which, in one embodiment, comprises plural rows of springs and substantially C-shaped border wires extending around the periphery of the end portions of the upper and lower surfaces of the mattress.

Abstract: A roll baler equipped with a hopper 2, and a transporting conveyor 3for carrying bale shaping material discharged from beneath a discharge port 20 defined in the bottom face of the hopper 2 into a material receiving port 40 of the bale-shaping chamber, wherein the transporting conveyor 3 is divided into two parts of: a hopper-side transporting conveyor 3a provided in a space extending from beneath the discharge port 20 to the front position beneath the delivery mechanism 5; and a bale-shaping-chamber side transporting conveyor 3b provided in the space extending from beneath the delivery mechanism 5 to the receiving port 40 of the shaping chamber 4, both these hopper-side transporting conveyor 3a and bale-shaping-chamber-side transporting conveyor 3b being each driven independently one from the other.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for folding and packaging an airbag includes a tapered concentrator. The airbag can be a head or side-window airbag. The concentrator has an inlet and an outlet whose dimension is smaller than the inlet. Feeding the airbag through the concentrator squeezes or compresses (i.e., folds) the airbag to a predetermined cross section corresponding the outlet size of the concentrator. The airbag can include a strap at one end portion thereof. The strap is feed through the concentrator, such as by pulling the strap therethrough. Pulling the strap pulls the airbag through the smaller outlet, which compresses or folds the airbag. Also, by placing an airbag package having an inlet sized to the outlet of the concentrator adjacent to the outlet of the concentrator, and feeding the strap through the airbag package, the folded airbag is inserted into the package substantially simultaneously with the folding operation. The concentrator can include pre-orienting elements for forming uniform folds.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a device for depositing a filament tow in a stationary can. To this end, the filament tow is conveyed to the can by a conveyance means, and for deposition into the can the filament tow is guided in such a way that the feed position of the filament tow in the can constantly changes. To allow the filament tow to be deposited with a high filling density, for deposition into the can the filament tow is guided according to the invention by oscillating motions of the conveyance means during conveying which are transverse to the conveyance direction. In this manner, undesired reactions on the filament tow are advantageously avoided during deposition.

Abstract: An airbag folding apparatus includes a folding tube, a folder support apparatus, and a plunger mechanism. The folding of an airbag utilizing the folding apparatus comprises the following steps. A vehicle airbag is attached to the plunger mechanism and the airbag is lowered into the folding tube. The plunger mechanism is introduced into the folding tube after the airbag is completely inside the folding tube. The plunger mechanism is forcibly lowered into the folding tube causing the airbag to be compressed or folded. The plunger mechanism remains exterior to the airbag throughout the folding process. The plunger mechanism is then detached and a fold retention sheet is wrapped around the folded airbag.

Abstract: A thin, flat package of heat sealed thermoplastic material is filled with plastic string trimmer line by inserting a mandrel into an opening in the rear wall of the package to receive the free end of a length of string trimmer line inserted through a slot in the periphery of the package to engage the mandrel. The mandrel is rotated while the package is held in a relatively fixed position to wind line onto the mandrel and, therefore, into the package, until the package is filled. The mandrel then is withdrawn, leaving the free end of the line accessible through the opening in the rear wall, and the other end of the line extends from the slot in the periphery of the package.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for folding an inflatable air bag cushion within an air bag module cover. An open end of the air bag cushion is attached at a moveable holding fixture and a ram cylinder is extended through an opening in the holding fixture and into the air bag cushion. A moveable containment tunnel is passed in substantially surrounding relation over at least a portion of the air bag cushion and the holding fixture and ram cylinder are conveyed through the moveable containment tunnel and towards a base portion of the cover such that the air bag cushion is pressed together irregularly within a region bounded by a wall portion of the cover.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are presented herein for protecting electronic components from damage during transport or “drop testing.” A packaging system of the present invention includes a novel cover tape bonded to a carrier tape, which cover tape includes a foam layer attached thereto on its underside. The foam layer prevents excessive movement of the electronic components within the cavities, thereby protecting the leads and other parts of the components from damage. The method for protecting the components in the cavities of the carrier tape includes attaching the foam layer on the underside of the cover tape before sealing the cover tape on the carrier tape. When the cover tape is bonded to the carrier tape with the components placed in the cavities, the foam layer prevents excessive movement of the components therein.

Abstract: An apparatus for palletizing substantially cylindrical objects. The apparatus comprises at least one position-defining support device for at least one pallet, a supply of the cylindrical objects for palletizing, at least one holder for a roll of material intended for arrangement between the palletized objects and a handling device for removing the cylindrical objects from the supply and placing them on the pallet. The apparatus also comprises at least two support members each arranged on a side of a base of the position-defining support device. The handling device is adapted to removably place the at least one holder for the roll of material on different support devices after a number of objects for palletizing have been placed on the pallet.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for roll packing a variety of compressible materials including a radially collapsible mandrel for easy removal of the roll packed material without tearing or telescoping of the material. The apparatus farther includes an adjustable compression roller for setting the amount of compression in the rolled material and a roll handling device that facilitates removal of finished rolls from the apparatus. In one embodiment of the invention, a packing material dispenser supplies packing material to the in-fed compressible material as it is wound upon the mandrel.

Abstract: A machine for winding and boxing wound coils of filamentary material having a payout hole extending from the outer to the inner coil winding, a turret mechanism mounting two oppositely disposed end forms and corresponding collapsible mandrels and operative between first and second stations, wherein the first station enables filamentary material to be wound on one of the mandrels and associated end form and a second station wherein the mandrel and end form containing the wound coil is rotated to confront a boxing station; a boxing station including a platform having a movable back panel, a base panel and an inclined ramp facing the second station and being movable towards and away from second station for receiving the wound coil from the collapsible mandrel; the boxing station receiving an unfolded box deposited on the base panel with a box back panel folded against the back panel and including means for folding two opposite side panels of the box to enable reception of the wound coil in the partially assemble

Abstract: A machine and process for packaging armed sutures into tray packages. The machine has a frame with a rotatable indexing disc member mounted to the top of frame. A plurality of tool nests are rotatably mounted to the top of the indexing disc. Tray packages mounted in the tool nests are rotated to wind sutures into a suture channel in the packages. A stylus having a front nose member and a rear heel member guides suture into the suture channel.

Abstract: A large round baler has an expansible baling chamber defined, in part, by a plurality of side-by-side mounted belts that act to roll up crop to form a bale within the chamber. The baler is equipped with a twine wrapping arrangement which leaves loose twine ends adjacent one of the ends of the wrapped baler. In order to secure these loose ends, there is provided an adhesive tape dispensing arrangement, which cooperates with the bale-forming belt that is aligned with the area of the bale on which the loose twine ends lie, so that a length of adhesive tape is selectively fed into the bale chamber by the bale-forming belt such that it is wrapped about the bale in covering relationship to the loose twine ends. A separating arrangement is provided for causing that part of the length of adhesive tape that is wrapped about the bale to be separated from the supply roll of tape.

Abstract: A stack of flexible bags oriented horizontally in a stack station is packaged by first sliding a robot hand horizontally into position around an end portion of the stack with front and rear grabs of the hand aligned with edges of the end portion and another portion of the stack wholly outside the hand. Then the grabs are closed on the edges of the end portion with the front grab positioned inward of the stack from the back grab and the hand is raised and pivoted about a horizontal axis to fold the gripped stack about a fold line adjacent the front grab and to one side of which lies the gripped portion and to the other side of which lies the other portion so that the bag is given a downwardly open U-shape. The back grab is then released and reengaged around the folded stack to press the other portion against the end portion still gripped by the front grab.

Abstract: An airbag folding apparatus includes a folding tube, a folder support apparatus, and a plunger mechanism. The folding of an airbag utilizing the folding apparatus comprises the following steps. A vehicle airbag is attached to the plunger mechanism and the airbag is lowered into the folding tube. The plunger mechanism is introduced into the folding tube after the airbag is completely inside the folding tube. The plunger mechanism is forcibly lowered into the folding tube causing the airbag to be compressed or folded. The plunger mechanism remains exterior to the airbag throughout the folding process. The plunger mechanism is then detached and a fold retention sheet is wrapped around the folded airbag.

Abstract: A machine and process for packaging armed sutures into tray packages. The machine has a frame with a rotatable indexing disc member mounted to the top of frame. A plurality of tool nests are rotatably mounted to the top of the indexing disc. Tray packages mounted in the tool nests are rotated to wind sutures into a suture channel in the packages. A stylus having a front nose member and a rear heel member guides suture into the suture channel.

Abstract: A combined large round baler and whole bale wrapping apparatus includes a wheeled chassis carrying and extending between the baler and the wrapping apparatus and including tandem wheels carried at opposite ends of walking beams. A lower region of the baler is secured to the front of the chassis. First and second braces are fixed to, and diverge upwardly from, a fore-and-aft middle location of the chassis respectively to the hinge joint between the front and rear sections of the baler and a wrapping arm assembly. A tie-bar extends between the two braces. The wrapping apparatus includes a wrapping table mounted to the chassis for fore-and-aft movement between a receiving position, wherein it is disposed for receiving a bale formed by the baler, and a wrapping position, wherein it is located centrally below the wrapping arm.

Abstract: A semi-automatic round baler having an “auto kick” or “auto wrap” mode. In the auto kick mode, at the conclusion of the forming cycle the baler will stop and await the operator's signal to continue. Once the operator has signaled to continue, the baler will wrap the bale and will immediately proceed to the ejecting cycle. In auto wrap mode, the baler will automatically enter into and complete the wrapping cycle (after a short delay) following completion of the forming cycle. At the conclusion of the wrapping cycle in the auto wrap mode, the baler will await the operator's signal before ejecting the completed bale.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for folding and packaging an airbag includes a tapered concentrator. The airbag can be a head or side-window airbag. The concentrator has an inlet and an outlet whose dimension is smaller than the inlet. Feeding the airbag through the concentrator squeezes or compresses (i.e., folds) the airbag to a predetermined cross section corresponding the outlet size of the concentrator. The airbag can include a strap at one end portion thereof. The strap is feed through the concentrator, such as by pulling the strap therethrough. Pulling the strap pulls the airbag through the smaller outlet, which compresses or folds the airbag. Also, by placing an airbag package having an inlet sized to the outlet of the concentrator adjacent to the outlet of the concentrator, and feeding the strap through the airbag package, the folded airbag is inserted into the package substantially simultaneously with the folding operation. The concentrator can include pre-orienting elements for forming uniform folds.

Abstract: A belt roll-up machine which includes at least two endless belts. The endless belts have portions that overlap one another. The overlapping portions of the belts form a loop. A compressible strip of insulation material may be rolled in the loop.

Abstract: Tissue clips are selectively turned 90 degrees on a bucket conveyor for endwise flat carton loading, or left alone for boutique carton loading. Extensible pushers engage the sides of tissue clips configured for flat cartons at longitudinally displaced positions for turning the clips and dropping them into transverse channels across the bucket floors. Boutique clips are later depressed into the channels they span for configuration and sideways transfer into boutique cartons. The channel floors lie below the bucket floors. Transfer guide buckets have floors at the same level as the bucket channel floors and are used to facilitate clip transfer into cartons of a selected configuration. Tamps descend from above the buckets to confine the clips and/or selectively form the boutique clips at least partially into the channels. Methods and apparatus are disclosed.

Abstract: To fold a piece of linen (5) to a very small final dimension, for example a bed sheet to 9″×6″, said piece of linen is kept constantly under pressure after final folding until it has been fixed in a storage position, in order to prevent opening of said final fold. This can be effected by pushing it during final folding by means of a folding sword into a receptacle (20), from where it is pushed by means of a ram (26) onto a stacking line (27) where its outer surfaces each rest against a corresponding outer surface of an adjacent piece of linen (5′) or another stop surface formed by slides (31a,b) or a pressure plate (33), so that it is fixed in its final configuration. Alternatively, the piece of linen can be fed, while maintaining pressure on the outer surfaces, to a packing apparatus and surrounded there by a strip of packaging material.

Abstract: A large round baler, designed as a non-stop baler, includes a mobile chassis supporting a lower baling chamber section, defined by a floor conveyor arrangement, and an upper baling chamber section. The upper baling chamber section, together with opposite side walls, is mounted for fore-and-aft movement relative to the lower baling chamber section between a rear location, wherein it cooperates with the floor conveyor arrangement to define a rear baling chamber, and a front location wherein it cooperates with the floor conveyor arrangement to define a front baling chamber. The upper chamber section includes front and rear wall portions which are mounted for being raised once a bale is formed in the rear baling chamber so that the upper section may be moved to its forward location.

Abstract: A method for the folding of an airbag for motor vehicles which comprises the steps that an airbag to be folded is fixed in a housing with its closed end at an upper part of the housing and is fastened with its open end at a base element lying opposite to the upper part in such a manner that the base element seals off the interior of the airbag against the inner space of the housing; that the housing and the base element are moved relative to one another; and that the pressure within the airbag and/or the housing is varied during the relative movement. An apparatus for the folding of an airbag, in particular for carrying out the folding method in accordance with the invention.

Abstract: A handling system 1 for filament bobbins 4 or doffs 5 in a spinning mill, which has a spinning area 2 and a storage area 12. The handling system 1 has a transport device 16, a separating device 17 and a transfer station 11. The transport device 6 and the transfer station 11 have multi-column supports 7 for a plurality of doffs 5. The transfer station 11 is arranged between the transport device 6 and the separating device 17 and is located at the edge of or outside the spinning area 2. The separating device 17 is arranged in or at the storage area 12. As a result, the separation of the filament bobbins 4 is performed outside the spinning area 2.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the folding of an inflatable airbag for motor vehicles which comprises the steps that an airbag to be folded is fastened with its open end at a carrier; that a preferably substantially cylindrical piston is pushed forward into the airbag through an opening in the carrier and against the closed end of the airbag; and that the carrier and the piston are introduced into a sleeve, with the airbag being pressed together irregularly. The invention also relates to a folding apparatus for carrying out this folding method.

Abstract: Automatic device for packing in a container, of the strip provided by a carding unit, consisting of an eccentric distributor which rotates relative to the collection container, which is rotated by an underlying rotary platform, and also comprises a device for movement and centring of the collection containers.

Abstract: A tape packing method capable of packing a tape in such a mode that it can be let off with neither twist nor entanglement from its packing box. When the tape 1 is to be boxed and packed by dropping it, a turning force around the center portion of a packing box 4 is applied to the tape 1 being dropped into the packing box 4, and the direction of the turning force to be applied is alternately switched forward and backward at each predetermined number of turns.

Abstract: A system which stacks and folds waterproof tube film in a zigzag configuration in a film receiving box and then inserts the tube film in the film receiving box into an interior of a cylindrical bag. The system also includes a film unwinding means, which is provided with guide rollers for guiding tube film pulled from bobbin and tension controlling rollers. The film is preferably sealed to the interior of the cylindrical bag to form a waterproof bag.

Abstract: A machine for the automated packaging of armed sutures or; in effect, surgical needles having sutures attached thereto and, more particularly, a suture capture and tensioning arrangement in an automated machine for the high-speed individualized packaging of single or individual surgical needles each having an attached suture into a tray and detachable cover providing a suture package utilized for the packaging of the individual or single needles and attached sutures.

Abstract: There is disclosed apparatus and method for packaging individual strand segments of a strand material, such as dental floss, including apparatus for carrying out a method of supplying strand material to a rotatable strand positioning element through a hollow shaft thereof positioned to wind the strand material around a selected mandrel of a circular array of mandrels together with controlling the moving of mandrels within and removing mandrels from within the circular path of the rotating strand positioning element and for counting the rotations of the strand positioning element and using that rotation count to control the advance of the array of mandrels wherein the mandrels having openings for entry of a pick-off element and are caused to be lowered to leave the coil of strand material on the pick-off element, following which the coil of strand material is urged forward by an air jet to be captured between two sheets of packaging film and transported to a stage where the packaging film sheets are sealed tog

Abstract: An apparatus for packaging mattresses and including a furling drum having a roll-forming chamber defined by a plurality of circumferentially arranged rotatable rollers located downstream of a substantially nozzle-shaped feeding area of the drum, with the rollers having a surface pattern defined by a plurality of circumferentially spaced from each other mattress-engaging elements providing for rolling of a mattress into a roll and enabling movement of the mattress in an axial direction; and a forming tube provided downstream of the furling drum for wrapping the rolled mattress, with the forming tube having a diameter greater than a diameter of the furling drum.

Abstract: Photographic film loading method and apparatus and a camera frame assembly having an internally baffled supply chamber. In the method, a guide is interposed in the chamber and a leading portion of the filmstrip is transported into the chamber. The filmstrip is then coiled within the chamber, between the guide and the baffle to form a film roll. During the coiling, an internal diameter of the film roll is maintained constant. The guide is withdrawn and the baffle is retained within the chamber with the film roll.

Abstract: Folding device for folding flat pieces of laundry like sheets in longitudinal direction, with a basis conveyor, a folding runner and a side conveyor lying higher alongside the folding runner wherein under the side conveyor an air chamber is situated to blow air both upwards and sidewards in order to lift a side portion of a piece of laundry and then transversely fold it over the folding runner.

Abstract: In the canning of tow produced by a synthetic textile filament extrusion line, a pair of deflecting rolls having radially projecting spokes are positioned immediately above the tow-receiving can for travel of the tow between the rolls to impose a folding or plaiting of the tow as it is deposited into the can, thereby reducing the linear velocity of the tow to mitigate potential entanglement of the tow within the can. The production output and operational speed of the filament extrusion process may thus be optimized without being limited by the downstream canning operation.

Abstract: A semi-automated machine for singulating individual surgical needles from an bulk supply and attaching a suture to the surgical needle is described. The machine includes a needle singulation station, a precise positioning station, a suture feeding station, a swage station, a pull-test station and an off-load station. A universal gripper mounted on a rotary indexing device automatically receives each individual needle in a predetermined orientation and conveys the needle for sequential processing from station to station to form the needle-suture assembly. The rotary indexing device is driven by a single shaft drive assembly which provides a compact annular drive from two intermittent indexing drives to two coaxial cam dials that provide rotation and reciprocation of the universal gripper. A swage station is provided for swaging the needle to close the suture receiving opening about the suture to secure said suture thereto and form therefrom a needle and suture assembly.

Abstract: A tubular blank of filter paper containing measured and separate quantities of tea, or a similar infusionable substance, is pleated and folded so as to obtain a bag with two envelopes by a method that includes the steps of advancing blanks singly and in succession along a feed direction tangential to an indexing wheel with radial grippers, taking up each blank in a position above three bearing elements ordered along the feed direction, forming a pleat in an intermediate portion of the blank, then pinching the two ends of the blank by use of movable pressure elements interacting with two of the bearing elements so as to prevent the escape of the contents from the envelopes while at the same time drawing the tubular blank toward the wheel to bring the two envelopes together and give the filter bag its final shape.

Abstract: There is disclosed apparatus and method for packaging individual strand segments of a strand material, such as dental floss, including apparatus for carrying out a method of supplying strand material to a rotatable guide element through a hollow shaft thereof positioned to wind the strand material around a selected mandrel of a circular array of mandrels together with controlling the moving of mandrels within and removing mandrels from within the circular path of the rotating guide element and for counting the rotations of the guide element and using that rotation count to control the advance of the array of mandrels wherein the mandrels have openings for entry of a pick-off element and are caused to be lowered to leave the coil of strand material on the pick-off element, following which the coil of strand material is urged forward by an air jet to be captured between two sheets of packaging film and transported to a stage where the packaging film sheets are sealed together around the coil to form a package i

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for folding an inflatable cushion having an end portion and a main body portion and inserting the folded cushion into a cover. The apparatus comprises folding structure for creating folds in the main body portion to form a folded cushion. The folding structure including first folding apparatus adapted to create a first fold in the main body portion to form a partially folded cushion, and accordion folding apparatus adapted to create a plurality of accordion folds in the partially folded cushion which are generally transverse to the first fold to form the folded cushion. Further included is apparatus for supporting a cover into which the folded cushion is inserted. The folding structure further serves to insert the folded cushion into the cover.

Abstract: An apparatus for folding and receiving a continuous tape, which is being continuously fed, in a tape container, comprising: tape feed rollers disposed at a fixed position in a traveling path of the tape and driven for rotation to continuously feed the tape; a shooter disposed in a predetermined position downstream in a tape traveling direction of the tape feed rollers and having an upper end pivoted in such a manner that the shooter is pivotally movable with respect to the X axis and the Y axis; and first and second shooter-swinging means for pivotally moving a lower end of the shooter through a controllable width about the X axis and the Y axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for folding a fibrous insulation batt having a length and a width is disclosed. The batt has first and second sections, where each section is approximately one half the length of the batt. The apparatus comprises a lower conveyor for conveying folded batts in a first direction, and an upper conveyor which is positioned above the lower conveyor and move in the first direction to define a folded batt exit path. The apparatus further comprises a folding member for folding the insulation batt, where the folding member is adapted to contact the batt across its width. The folding member is mounted for movement to initially push the batt in a second direction, and then subsequently push the batt in the first direction, thereby pushing the batt along the folded batt exit path. The movement of the folding member folds the batt so that the first section of the folded batt is generally parallel to and contacting the second section.

Abstract: Assembly of a loading means with a horizontal loading surface and a strip stacker for depositing an unvulcanized rubber strip on the loading surface. The strip stacker containing a depositing mechanism with a depositing end and with a pair of conveyor belts for transporting a rubber strip vertically between the conveying belts to the depositing end and a feed conveyor for transporting a rubber strip to the depositing mechanism in a transport direction. The feed conveyor has an input end and an output end. The loading means is provided with means for variably adjusting the distance between the depositing end and the loading surface. The depositing mechanism is provided with means for moving recriprocably in one direction the depositing end with regard to the loading surface. The strip stacker is provided with means for moving the output end of the feed conveyor substantially transverse to the transport direction.

Abstract: A food material transferring apparatus basically includes a heating device, a pushing member, and a tray. Food materials are placed on a tray, and inserted into the heating device. The heating device heats the food material, and the pushing member is driven to push the food material from the heating device while folding the food material. An arm is provided with a hand having absorption pads to be able to absorb the food material. The arm is attached to a bi-directional straight proceeding mechanism, which moves the hand in the vertical and horizontal directions, so that the food material is taken out from the tray and inserted into the heating device.

Abstract: Suture dispensers for retaining armed sutures are disclosed. The dispenser disclosed is comprised of two flat panels of material that each have a central opening. A needle park is provided so that the needle is visible in and accessible though the central openings. In preferred embodiments, the needle park is made of a thin sheet of clear material. Several alternate needle park designs are also disclosed. The two panels are preferably locked together using edge locks in the form of corresponding slits and tabs formed on the panels themselves. In addition to being inexpensive, easy to manufacture and easy to fill, the disclosed dispensers is much thinner than current designs and thus requires less storage and shipping space. Methods of loading dispensers are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of automatically folding an air bag having an end coupled to a retainer and an opposed distal end including flattening and narrowing the bag, providing first and second upright blade assemblies each having individually movable blades between a normal position and an interdigitated position. The bag is positioned between the blade assemblies with the retainer held and the distal end allowed to gradually move toward the retainer. Undulating folds are formed in the bag between the retainer and the distal end by moving a blade of the first assembly into a raised position, moving a blade of the second assembly into a lowered position, and alternately and individually moving each remaining blade into a raised and lowered positions, respectively, while allowing the distal end of the bag to gradually move toward the retainer as each undulating fold is formed.

Abstract: A system for charging a coiler can of elongated horizontal cross section with sliver obtained from a sliver producing fiber processing machine includes a stationarily supported rotary coiler head discharging sliver in coils; a sled disposed underneath the coiler head for receiving a coiler can in an upright orientation; and a sled-reciprocating device for imparting a rapid back-and-forth motion to the sled during discharge of sliver from the coiler head to effect a deposition of sliver coils into the coiler can along a length thereof.

Abstract: The specification discloses an automated apparatus and method for packaging surgical needles having sutures attached thereto wherein a bundle of needles and sutures are placed at a semi-automated separation station and an operator feeds the needles, one at a time, into a rotating needle feed wheel. As the feed wheel advances, the suture is tensioned and directed along a pre-determined path to separate it from the remaining sutures in the bundle. The apparatus has a plurality of individually rotatable tool nests which are sequentially spaced on a rotating or indexing turntable. These tool nests sequentially receive plastic packages for receiving the needle and suture at a first station. At a second station, a needle is inserted into the package by robotic fingers which have retrieved the needle and attached suture from the rotating needle feed wheel. The rotating needle feed wheel and the rotating tool nests are synchronized to step together as each advances.

Abstract: The specification discloses an automated apparatus and method for packaging surgical needles having sutures attached thereto wherein a bundle of needles and sutures are placed at a semi-automated separation station and an operator feeds the needles, one at a time, into a rotating needle feed wheel. As the feed wheel advances, the suture is tensioned and directed along a pre-determined path to separate it from the remaining sutures in the bundle. The apparatus has a plurality of individually rotatable tool nests which are sequentially spaced on a rotating or indexing turntable. These tool nests sequentially receive plastic packages for receiving the needle and suture at a first station. At a second station, a needle is inserted into the package by robotic fingers which have retrieved the needle and attached suture from the rotating needle feed wheel. The rotating needle feed wheel and the rotating tool nests are synchronized to step together as each advances.

Abstract: The invention relates to the filling of a flat can with fiber sliver by a textile machine which delivers a fiber sliver, such as a carding machine or a draw frame, whereby the flat can is moved under a stationary, rotating rotary plate. The invention significantly reduces the costs for the required movements of the flat can as compared to the state of the art. The process according to the invention for the traversing of a flat can during the filling process at a textile machine delivering a fiber sliver is realized in that the flat can is shifted laterally by tilting of the flat can around an axis in the return path of the traversing path. In the device according to the invention, the traversing mechanism is equipped with a tilting device. For this purpose, the tilting device is provided with a tilter and an axis around which the flat can is tilted.

Abstract: A Christmas light wrapping apparatus comprising wrapping trays with indentations for keeping the light strings separated and a base with a crankshaft for turning the trays, thereby winding the Christmas light strings. Additionally, a storage structure protects wrapped Christmas light strings and accommodates the wrapping trays.