Abstract: A method of producing large scale growth of parasites of the genus Toxoplasma is disclosed which comprises inoculating the microorganisms into a non-adherent human cell line, such as a monocytoid lymphoma cell line, and maintaining the cell line in tissue culture media capable of supporting the growth of the microorgranism while the cell line is being maintained. This large scale production allows for the development of vaccines for Toxoplasma microorganisms which previously have been hard to grow in the numbers needed to readily prepare vaccines, and allows for more rapid antibody detection procedures with regard to these microorganisms. There are also disclosed methods for preparing such vaccines, and methods for carrying out antibody detection assays.

Abstract: A load handling device for drawing a load up an inclined plane onto a pallet. The device comprises a winch arrangement mounted on a wheeled cart. The cart is provided with a pallet engaging member to be positioned against the side of the pallet which is opposite to the inclined plane.

Abstract: Continuously extruded strands of cheese are case hardened by a flow of air directed against the strands as they emerge from the die openings. The strands are periodically cut at the face of the die plate to form short strand pieces. The cutting blade moves within the air flow and the air impinging upon the strand pieces move the pieces away from the blade as they are cut.

Abstract: Apparatus for handling creme filled cookies during a period in which the filling is hardening. The cookies are formed of a pair of baked base cakes separated by a layer of creme filling material which is applied in a heated fluid state and hardens as it cools. The apparatus includes a cooling tunnel and a conveyor extending through the tunnel. The conveyor is segmented, each segment having a bottom wall and a pair of side walls which form an elongated trough to carry a continuous column of cookies through the cooling tunnel. The side walls of the segments are inclined outwardly to tangentially engage the edge of the base cakes and support the cookies in a vertical position.

Abstract: A conveyor system for grouping columns of articles into spaced group each containing a predetermined number of articles. The columns of articles are fed onto a conveyor having an extendable noser arrangement at the output end which is positioned over the input end of a second conveyor. The noser arrangement is extended to interrupt the flow of articles from the first conveyor to the second conveyor and provide a space on the second conveyor between successive groups of articles. The articles are transferred to the second conveyor as the noser arrangement retracts. A photo-electric device counts the articles as they are transferred and actuates the noser extending mechanism when the predetermined count is reached.

Abstract: A continuous column of articles, which are individually non-uniform in weight, is divided into a series of column segments each of which has a uniform predetermined weight. The articles in the continuous column are fed by an infeed conveyor onto an intermediate conveyor one at a time. The belt of the intermediate conveyor is carried by the platform of a scale so that the cumulative weight of the articles on the intermediate conveyor is monitored. When the weight reaches a predetermined value, a pusher is activated to push the group onto an outflow conveyor which is parallel to the intermediate conveyor and is driven in the opposite direction.

Abstract: Folded cartons are individually removed from a storage magazine by a vacuum head having a large area surface in which are formed plural vacuum ports having a large combined area. The vacuum ports are connected to a low pressure, high volume vacuum exhauster. The head carries the carton to a point over a conveyor. On each side of the conveyor, a pair of suction cups are carried by an assembly mounted for combined vertical and horizontal movement. The suction cups are connected to a high pressure, low volume vacuum pump. They are moved upwardly to grip a panel on the lower surface of the folded carton and moved downwardly to open the carton and draw it into a bucket on the conveyor.

Abstract: Apparatus for stacking articles in columns and loading the columns into conveyor buckets in side-by-side relationship in which articles are fed by a conveyor to a set of dual wheels having article engaging serrations. The wheels carry the articles downwardly and set them on edge on a pair of rails extending downwardly at an angle from between the wheels. An air blast starts the articles down the rails and air jets along the rails keep the articles upright and moving along the rails. The first article in the column is supported by a finger which extends upwardly between the rails and moves from the wheels toward a turret at a rate about equal to that of the growth of the column. The rails lead to a turret having its axis parallel to the rails and having pockets for receiving columns of articles. A conveyor positioned over the turret carries projecting plates which extend downwardly for supporting the article column as it is moved into the turret recess.