Abstract: A pre-tied bow having an outer loop which can be adjusted to fit around a package and the method for making the same. The bow is made from a single piece of flexible material and comprises (1) a bow portion having right and left bow loops, a center knot, an adjustable tail, and a stationary tail and (2) an adjustable loop portion. The method of fabricating the bow comprises (1) tying the bow portion, (2) bringing the adjustable tail into a loop centered on the bow portion, and (3) tying the stationary tail around the bow portion and adjustable tail to form the center knot. The size of the adjustable loop can be varied to fit securely around a package by pulling the adjustable tail through the center knot. The excess length of the adjustable tail can be cut to match the length of the stationary tail.

Abstract: A check valve having a removable seat portion with integral flapper (valving means) is disclosed. The seat portion can be removed through a port in the valve body without breaking any connection of the valve body to the associated fluid flow lines. The seat portion can comprise two sections that secure between them sealing means (e.g., an O-ring) for creating a fluid tight seal when the valving member of the check valve is closed against the seat portion. A fluid tight seal is created between the valve seat portion and valve body by tapers on the valve seat that cam against corresponding recesses of the valve body to force the valve seat portion against the valve body.

Abstract: A linkage for actuating a pair of suction cups that are located adjacent the other end of the guide rails and that can fold an upwardly inclined blank on the guide rails; the suctions cups being adapted to hold by suction two adjacent side panels of the blank, that are contiguous to the lower guide rail and on vertically opposite sides of the blank, and to rotate in opposite directions about the lower guide rail until the suction cups are 90.degree. apart, so that the two adjacent side panels are folded 90.degree. apart about the lower guide rail and thereby the blank is folded into a rectangular tube.