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: A distributing mechanism for depositing wet processed fabric in rope-form in a container. A tubular distributing guide is mounted for pivoting movement on a distributing ring rotatable about a vertical axis. Ribbed support rollers on the distributing ring are received in annular grooves in a concentric support ring, such that the distributing ring is mounted by the support ring, but is rotatable with respect thereto. The support ring itself is supported for rotation about a vertical axis. Both rings are driven by a common external drive motor, but at slightly different rotational speeds. A circular cam track, formed in the supporting ring, cooperates with a cam follower wheel carried by the distributing guide.

Abstract: A plurality of interconnected envelope blanks are formed from an envelope web of paper. Die cut windows are also formed in each envelope blank of the interconnected web and transparent window patches are adhesively secured over the die cut window. A plurality of inserts from insert webs of paper are formed and may be variably imaged. The inserts are collected and disposed on the interconnected envelope blanks with address information registering through the window. The interconnected blanks and web form with inserts applied are severed to form discrete envelope blanks and later folded and glued to form complete mailers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for wrapping covering elements around flat objects. The method and apparatus involve the formation of a compound object comprising a flat object to be wrapped and a covering element. A first main surface of the flat object is covered at least partially with a covering element for creating a projecting portion of the covering element. A plurality of compound objects are conveyed in series in a predetermined conveying-in trajectory. Then, a flow of compound objects are deflected about a wrapping roller having a longitudinal axis oriented transversely to the conveying-in trajectory. During deflection, each compound object is moved through a position where main surfaces of an associated flat object are oriented parallel to the radius of the wrapping roller, and in a moving trajectory substantially transverse to those main surfaces.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling flat coiler cans before, during and after filling the cans with sliver by a sliver producing textile machine. The apparatus includes an empty-can storing device; a full-can storing device; an intermediate space defined between the empty-can storing device and the full-can storing device; and a sliver filling station for receiving a can to be filled. The sliver filling station includes a can-reciprocating device for moving the can back and forth while sliver is deposited thereinto. The apparatus further includes a conveyor extending between the intermediate space and the sliver filling station for moving a can to be filled into and withdrawing a filled can from the sliver filling station; and a transferring device for transferring a can to be filled from the intermediate space onto the conveyor and for transferring a filled can from the conveyor into the intermediate space.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a delivery package (30) of maxi bags (10) and a method for packing maxi bags into a delivery package (30). A delivery package (30) consists of maxi bags (10) placed overlappingly one top of the other, said bags being rolled around a rolling core (20) into a roll package. The edge portions of the maxi bags (10) have been folded prior to being conducted to a rolling core (20) so that in longitudinal direction the maxi bags (10) are essentially of equal thickness, whereby in each maxi bag layer of a delivery package (30) the undesired thickness of the thick handle part of the lifting loop structure (13) of the maxi bags (10) has been made uniform in order to produce a stable delivery package (30).

Abstract: A stuffed mailing envelope is formed from webs of paper. A plurality of insert sheets are constructed from webs of insert paper by variably imaging the insert webs, and then intelligently aligning them and cutting them into aligned sheets, and then folding the aligned sheets to produce a formed insert. A plurality of interconnected envelope blanks are formed from an envelope web of paper, and a plurality of insert sheets (including the formed insert) are collected and placed on each of the envelope blanks while they are interconnected in web form. Then, while conveying the interconnected envelope blanks in web form, the blanks are severed from each other and are formed around the inserts to produce a final mailing envelope containing a plurality of insert sheets. The envelope blank typically has two parallel minor flaps and two parallel major flaps.

Abstract: A suture winder machine and, more particularly, a semi-automated suture winding station of the machine adapted to facilitate the high-speed winding of multiple sutures, which are each attached to needles, into a peripheral channel of a tray utilized for packaging the needles and attached sutures. A substantially flat suture tray loaded with multiple needles and sutures extending therefrom is mounted on a rotatable platform incorporating registration structure for ensuring the appropriate mounting and positioning of the suture tray thereon, and with the winding machine containing operative structure adapted to rotate the suture tray about an axis perpendicular to the planar surface thereof so as to enable the extending multiple sutures to be bundled and wound for depositing in a channel formed along the periphery of the suture tray.

Abstract: An automated machine for the high-speed packaging of multiple surgical needles each with an attached suture into a tray and detachable cover structure providing a suture package utilized for the packaging of the needles and attached sutures. Additionally, the automated packaging machine incorporates operative mechanism adapted to wind the sutures into a peripheral channel of the tray and facilitating the attachment of the cover to the tray which contains the needles and attached wound sutures, and from which cover there is concurrently formed a separate product-identifying label as a component of the tray upon removal of the cover to gain access to the contents of the tray.

Abstract: The shaping machine for circular bales of crop material has straps (belts) (12) continuously passing around a plurality of rollers (2 to 11) in a movable housing (1, 1a) which can be tilted open, forming and defining a coiling chamber (13) and having a crop material inlet (14) for the retrieved and conveyed crop material (15) between two lower rollers (2, 3) disposed at a distance from each other. A rotor (17) is disposed in the crop material inlet (14), which conveys the crop material (15) into the coiling chamber (13) while compressing the crop material, and closes off the inlet (14) at the bottom.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a coil (1) of a continuous flexible object (2), such as cable and line, and enveloping the coil to form a parcel (27) for delivery to a user, said object (2) being coiled onto an axially open, cylindrical sleeve (28) to produce said coil. According to the invention the sleeve (28) is provided with two protective rings (29, 30) and is brought to be fixed by a first tool (9) so that the sleeve (28) is firmly clamped between two parallel side supports (10, 11) and centered by centering elements (24) of the side supports, whereby a first rotatable unit (36) is formed. The cable or line (2) is attached to said first unit (36) and the unit (36) is brought to rotate in a coiling machine (3) so that the cable or line is formed to said coil (1).

Abstract: A device for placing a ribbon into a can includes a frame and a rotary head unit connected to the frame. The rotary head unit includes a rotary head with a turntable that is eccentrically positioned relative to a center axis of the can and rests on layers of fiber ribbon already placed in the can. Two calender rollers are connected to a top side of the turntable. The calender rollers each have an axis of rotation that is slanted relative to the horizontal and form between them a slot for transporting and placing the fiber ribbon in continuous loops into the can. A friction disk is fixedly connected to at least one calender roller. The calender rollers and the friction disk are positioned on the same side of the turntable relative to a plane extending through the central axis of the turntable. An annular surface cooperates with the friction disk for driving the calender roller connected to the friction disk.

Abstract: A package comprising a resilient musical instrument string in coiled form and contained within an envelope is made by winding the string into a coil at a winding station and within a generally C-shaped opening in an insert plate. The opening is partially defined by a generally radially inwardly open groove and further defined by a mouth which opens radially outwardly through the forward end of the plate. The groove provides partial support for the coil, an unsupported portion of the coil being disposed within the region of the mouth. The plate is advanced from the winding station to a packaging station where the forward end portion of the plate and the coil carried by the plate are inserted into an envelope. A clamping mechanism at the packaging station engages opposite sides of the envelope in the region of the mouth and grips and holds the envelope and an unsupported portion of the coil disposed within the envelope.

Abstract: The invention provides a cheese transporting processing apparatus for classifying cheeses wound up by winders or the like for different types and packing and carrying out the thus classified cheeses. When a cheese is transported by an overhead conveyor with a type identifying unit, information of a type of the cheese is written into the type identifying unit. In accordance with such type information, cheeses are stocked for different types into a cheese stocker. In response to a demanding instruction from a packing line, cheeses of a specified type are discharged from the cheese stocker and boxed and packed. Such sequence of operations is performed automatically on the cheese transporting processing apparatus.

Abstract: The drum (5) is at the station of wrapping and extraction of a coil of material wound on the segments (16) and bounded by the radial arms (24 and 21). Once the wrapping film has been placed about the coil of material and the arms (24 and 21), the cross-piece (17) is advanced so that the arms (21) are overturned backward and can be extracted from the front inner edge of the wrapping. Next, the pushers (28) move the wrapped coil of material by pressing against the rear flank of the wrapping between the arms (24). The latter pivot towards the front against the bias of the springs (26) so that their outer ends also pass under the inside edge of the rear flank of the wrapping. When the jack (19) returns the cross-piece (17) to its starting position, the arms (21) are righted by the action of the ramps (23). This device permits choosing the inside diameter of the coils of material at will, without being hindered by the presence of the radial arms (21).

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for packaging birth control and disease preventing device that has sheath and shield, and more particularly to a method having steps including: pleats the protecting shield toward tubular sheath forming a pleated star-like shape near the closed end of the sheath, bends the pleated star-like shape portion of the shield close to the tubular sheath forming a whirled-like cylindrical tubular, rolls the secure-and-rolled-up ring in the longitudinal direction toward the closed end of the sheath, and packs the rolled-up device into a water proof sealed container.

Abstract: A rail structure usable in the manufacture of packaged goods in matchbook-like form, especially threadlike goods such as dental floss. The rail structure conforms to attachment tooling and matchbook cover design constraints relating to similar rail structure used in the manufacture of matchbooks. The rail structure can accommodates either horizontal or vertical winding processes, according to the particular rail structure used for securing the threadlike article. The structure used for horizontal winding is an elongated rail structure formed having alternating article support portions separated by alternating notches. The matchbook-like array is formed by two side by side arrangement of the horizontally wound rail structure. The rail structure used for vertical winding is an elongated rail having upper and lower notches for securing the threadlike article. The lower notches have a deep V-shape portion for ease of detachment of the threadlike articles.

Abstract: An annular container mounted at the base of a passage between a layering tube and a central mandrel is charged with a layered tube of flexible tubing delivered over a floating mandrel when coaxially in contact with mandrel by driving rollers coacting with pinch rollers on the floating mandrel. The tubing passes over the mandrel and gathers in the layering tube while being compacted by two sets of shoes reciprocated 180.degree. out of phase by rotating discs and connecting rods. When sufficient tubing has been delivered the floating mandrel is raised to enable a hot wire to pass between the mandrels to sever the tubing. The layering tube and central mandrel with the container can then be carried by a turntable through further stationary positions where the layered tubing is further compressed by reciprocable rings, a lid is put on the container to form a cassette and the cassette is discharged.

Abstract: An apparatus for winding and packaging shoelaces into pairs with a circumscribing label therearound to hold the shoelace pair together in an oblong configured package. The apparatus includes a winding station for winding a pair of shoelaces into a circular coil configuration, a flattening station for flattening the circular shoelace coil into an oblong configuration, a device to transfer the circular configured shoelace pair from the winding station to the flattening station, a label delivery station proximate the flattening station for delivering labels to be wound around the oblong configured shoelace pair across the flattening station, a label wrapping station adjacent the flattening station in alignment with the label for wrapping the label about the oblong configured shoelace pair, and a device for moving the oblong configured shoelace pair and label from the flattening station to the wrapping station. The operation of the various stations of the apparatus are controlled by a central control device.

Abstract: A lens-fitted photographic film package comprising a light-tight film casing having an exposure opening, a rolled film disposed on one side of the exposure opening in the light-tight casing, a removable light-tight container having a film winding spool therein disposed on the other side of the exposure opening in the light-tight film casing, and an externally operable film winding member for winding the rolled film around said film winding spool of the light-tight film container. The lens-fitted photographic film package is assembled by the steps of winding film withdrawn from a light-tight film container in a roll in a darkroom; loading the rolled film and the light-tight film container in separate respective receiving chambers formed in a main body section of the lens-fitted photographic film package; and fixing a back cover section to the main body section so as to assemble light-tightly the lens-fitted photographic film package.

Abstract: A recycling bag assembly is formed from a series of plastic bags similar to trash or garbage bags temporarily secured together by heat tacking or otherwise. The individual bags are usually color coded to facilitate identification of the solid waste material that is to be collected in them for collection and transport to a disposal facility. A method of widespread regular controlled distribution of the bag assemblies is also provided by inserting or otherwise combining the bag assemblies with newspapers prior to delivery of such papers and subsequent delivery of the bag assemblies with such papers.

Abstract: A carrier tape system includes an elongated base strip and an elongated cover strip both formed of a plastic film material. The cover strip is substantially coextensive in length with the base strip. The cover strip has a top surface and opposed sidewalls extending downwardly from the top surface. The opposed sidewalls are spaced apart from each other a distance substantially equal to the width of the base strip. The cover strip further includes a hump projecting upwardly from the top surface and extends longitudinally in a parallel relationship to the sidewalls. Each of the sidewalls has an inwardly extending hooked portion formed integrally therewith. The hooked portion has its top surface spaced beneath the edge of the base strip to form a U-shaped recess to secure the cover strip to the base strip. A mechanism for forming the carrier tape system is provided by making modifications to existing carrier tape joining apparatuses.

Abstract: An apparatus for collating dual-use filter sachets obtained from a flattened tube of thermally weldable filter paper comprising multiple bags or pouches defined by transverse thermal welds in continuously operating production machines and provided with labels, threads and tabs for attachment of the matter. The apparatus has a cutter for cutting up the tube, into portions having at least two pouches, across the attachment tabs. A device then folds in bellows-shape, these portions along the intermediate transverse thermal weld and operates in combination with a device having conveying pincers for conveying the folded bags to a pickup and transfer device through a fixed folder so as to set up the pouches back to back transferring them as thus folded to a welder for welding together the thus adjoining extremists thereof.

Abstract: The method for ordering a coherent packaging line is characterized in that prior to cutting the coherent packaging line into product portions, the latter are arranged in loop form, so that the loop apexes formed can be used for manipulation purposes. It is used for storage in transportable large units or for intermediate buffer storage during the packaging process. The apparatus is characterized by a conveying means with receptacles for positioning the loop apexes and at least one collecting device cooperating with the conveying means and having at least one gripper receiving the packaging line from the packaging machine and used for the formation of loop apexes, the collecting device being able to perform a collecting stroke enabling the packaging line received from the gripper to be transferred to a receptacle on the conveying means.

Abstract: A coil of cable is formed by winding a predetermined length of cable (1) on to a spool (2) and fastening to the cable a clip (7), the clip including first and second recesses (8,9). Each recess receives a portion of the cable (1) to secure the free end (6) of the cable to the coil (3).The recesses (8,9) receive a portion of the penultimate turn (10) and final turn (11) respectively. The clip may be applied to the cable as the penultimate or final turns are being wound.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming and packaging articles of resilient compressible foam material is disclosed. The individual sheets of foam material are formed and introduced between confronting surfaces of the apparatus. Relative motion between the surfaces causes the sheets to roll upon themselves to form a compressed rolled article. Labels or wrappers are introduced at the trailing end of the sheets whereby the rolled article is compressed and rolled within the labels or wrappers.

Abstract: A machine for packing spring units in web material into the form of a roll comprises a winding mandrel. Conveyor means act against said mandrel from below so as to define therewith a bottom entry nip for spring units to be compressed and wound around the mandrel. Means exert pressure on the conveyor means in the direction of said mandrel.

Abstract: A method of sealing the nose a packaging flat tube band after opening thereof. The method comprises separately adsorbing the upper and lower films and separating these films away from each other thereby to open the nose, charging a matter to be packaged through the opened nose in the horizontal direction, welding the tube band at both sides of the packaged matter transversely, and cutting the portion of the flat the tube band adjacent to the feed side. These steps are repeatedly to sucessively seal the nose of the packaging flat tube band. Disclosed also is an apparatus suitable for carrying out this nose sealing method.

Abstract: Method and machine for packing bacon bundles in blister packages. Bacon bundles (2) are placed in the blister package (15) by a lifting arm (17) having rotatable rods (21) and transversally extending tines (22). The rods (21) are rotatable over 90.degree.. The distance between the outer tines is slightly smaller than the length of the blister package. If the bacon bundle is too long it will depend over the outer tine and the depending portion (24) will automatically be double folded at the positioning of the bacon bundle in the blister package.

Abstract: A large baling press for agricultural products has a plurality of driven winding elements, a housing, a web roller with supply of web material to wrap finished bales, a container for receiving the web rollers so that the web roller is in contact with the container in at least two points, and a braking element for braking the web roller so that with decreasing diameter of the web roller it is pressed with increasing pressing force, wherein the braking element is formed as a braking rod abutting against the web roller, and a spring is provided for urging of the braking rod against the web roller.

Abstract: A rope (21) is packed into a container (31) in such a manner as to permit easy extraction therefrom in that the rope by means of a winding head (25) is coiled with the coil center situated between the center line and periphery of the container (31). For this purpose a rope supply reel (20) is mounted on a supporting device (15) which is rotatable about a fixed vertical shaft (30). The rope (21) is pulled from the reel (20) down into the container (31) by means of the winding head (25) which is connected to the supporting device (15) for rotation with it. The winding head (25) is arranged in the space between the center line and periphery of the container, and means (30, 34-42) are provided to rotate the container (31) about its axis and at the same time axially displace the container so that layer after layer of line coils are placed upon each other.

Abstract: The equipment of the present invention is one used in preparation of confectionary, cakes and other sweets of western and oriental fashion as well as of the Japanese fashion. Regardless of whether the viscosity of the materials is high or low, they can be disposed of in the manner of becoming easy to handle. When to bake them, they, in the state of raw material or contents, are wrapped in a heat-resistant film, which, rolled back, is continuously fed. Thus, if the raw material is baked into a desired product, its process is sanitary and efficient, and that inexpensive.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for baling a tow of textile filaments, in which when a container has been filled, the tow is cut automatically in such a way that the end of the cut tow connected to the tow in the container falls on the side of the container, the other end of the cut tow forming the beginning of the tow for the new container, being constantly gripped during the filling of the new container, at a location which is beyond the maximum oscillating portion of the tow laying guide. The gripped end is released after the new container has been completely filled.

Abstract: Retractile cords disposed in a U-shaped configuration are arranged about the periphery of a turntable with the ends of each cord adjacent to the peripheral edge being terminated with modular plugs. As a cord having its ends terminated with modular plugs is moved into a last work station, a pickup arm removes the cord. As the plug-ends are moved outwardly from the turntable, a middle section of the U-shaped cord is engaged by a snagging pin that is moved into one portion of a foldable tray to hold the middle section of the cord as the plug ends are moved farther along above the tray. The plugs are released, and the cord retracts and drops into the tray. Then the snagging pin is retracted, and the tray is caused to be folded to form an opening beween portions of the tray. The cord descends through the opening into an open end of a bag formed between two plies of a plastic material. The plies are bonded together adjacent to the open end and the bag is separated from its supply.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for packing cut pickle spears in a jar in predetermined positions and orientations by laying the spears side-by-side on a flexible resilient belt, rolling up the belt with the spears on it to form a cylinder, and pushing the cylindrical array of spears out of the rolled up belt into the jar.

Abstract: The hanking machine of this invention cooperates with a lead forming machine wherein each cord, gripped near opposite ends by intermittently moving cord grippers, arrives at a discharge station where the cord, extending along a horizontal line, is released by the grippers. Two carriages are guided for motion wherein a cord clamp on each tracks said line. In initial positions of the carriages, towards which they are biased and in which their cord clamps close on a cord substantially simultaneously with its release by the grippers, they are spaced substantial distances to opposite sides of a vertical plane; in release positions, wherein they release the cord, they are substantially nearer said plane. A turntable with coiling posts spaced to opposite sides of its rotational axis, has its axis horizontal and contained in said plane and has its coiling posts projecting across said line, one above it, one below it.

Abstract: A method of taking up a bundle of filaments is disclosed wherein the bundle of filaments is ejected together with a compressed fluid toward a container and coils of the bundle of filaments are formed when the bundle of filaments is received in the container. Before arriving at the container, the above-mentioned compressed fluid is deviated from a passage of the bundle of filaments having a spiral shape. The apparatus for effectively carrying out this method comprises a rotary member rotating around the central line of the upstream portion of a guide passage for feeding the bundle of filaments toward the container and means, which ejects the bundle of filaments being conveyed into the rotary member in the above-mentioned upstream portion by means of a compressed fluid. The rotary member has a guide passage that expands gradually toward the outlet end of the guide passage.

Abstract: Device in a tow baler for transferring accumulated layers of filamentary tow, which are temporarily stored in an accumulating chamber and supported on a horizontally slidable hold-up slide, from the accumulating chamber to the tow baling chamber below without undesirably sliding and entangling the tow layers as the hold-up slide is slidably withdrawn from beneath the accumulated layers.

Abstract: Apparatus for inserting a film-wrapped package into a carton. A relatively flat film-wrapped package, sealed along a peripherally extending flange that projects away from its contents, is inserted into a carton through an open side having closure flaps. To ensure against interference of the flange with the closure flap upon closing the carton, the package is inserted using a pushing device having a concavely curved face engageable with the package flange, and operative to curl the flange into the carton for frictional retention by a wall of the carton.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preventing the scattering of radioactive material in spent nuclear fuel rods into the environment. The method comprises placing one or more of the spent fuel rods within a casing of ductile material, sealing the casing gas-tight, bending the casing so that its largest dimension is reduced, and placing a number of the bent casings within a protective container.

Abstract: Filamentary members, music strings for example, are automatically coiled and the coils captured on a sheet of packaging material by feeding the members into an annular groove against a surface of a sheet of heat sealable material and subsequently shearing tabs from the sheet of material and folding the tabs over the coiled member. Coiling of the members is accomplished by feeding a first end of each member, preferably with the aid of pneumatic pressure, into the annular groove, capturing the end in the groove and thereafter causing relative rotation between the groove and member to draw the member into the groove.

Abstract: Coiling and binding of telephone cordage is accomplished by rotating a turntable of an apparatus to coil a predetermined number of convolutions of cordage thereon. The coiling occurs while a deformable tie is wrapped about a previously coiled length of cordage which has been removed from the turntable and moved to a binding position. The coiled, bound length of cordage is removed from the binding position and ejected from the apparatus. At the same time, the cordage which has just been coiled is severed from a supply, is removed from the turntable in the coiling position, and is moved to the binding position to facilitate another cycle of operation in which the coiled cordage which has been moved into the binding position is bound and ejected while the leading end of a supply of cordage is secured to the turntable.

Abstract: An apparatus for depositing a continuous strand of material into a container includes a rotatable elbow-shaped tubular member having a substantially vertical portion and an angled portion. One end of a tubular sleeve is rotatably mounted on the angled portion of the elbow member, and the other end of the sleeve being free. The sleeve has an assymetric, substantially V-shaped slot which divergingly extends from an intermediate portion of the sleeve to the free end thereof. Means for rotating the elbow member and sleeve member about the vertical axis of the elbow member and simultaneously rotating the sleeve member about its own longitudinal axis are provided such that the material is deposited in concentric circles of varying radii as the material is selectively delivered from a different portion of the sleeve's V-shaped slot.

Abstract: The invention provides for lapping a continuous length of unexpanded structural honeycomb material, a guideway for guiding the material downwardly to an outlet whilst restraining it from shearing movement, a reciprocable support for receiving the material from the outlet, and compensating means for permitting movement of the outlet relative to the support to compensate for the accumulation of material lapped by reciprocation of the support. Conveniently, the outlet has a pair of gates, one on either side, operable to prevent feeding of the material in the wrong direction. By making the feeding of the material through the outlet and the reciprocation responsive to the existence of a minimum head of material, the apparatus is rendered self-adjusting to the rate of supply of honeycomb material.