Abstract: Apparatus for perforating cigarettes disposed in rows in a pack comprising first and second relatively movable members defining an opening for receiving one end of a pack of cigarettes. At least the first member carries a plurality of needles for perforating the cigarettes in the pack. The needles face the second member and are positioned to travel in the opening during relative movement of the members towards one another to perforate the cigarettes in the end of the pack disposed in the opening. The needles are aligned in opposition to the second member and thereby are accessible only through the opening.

Abstract: A skateboard is disclosed which has a chassis, an axle and wheel assembly, and a board, with the board extending beyond one of the axles to provide an overhanging portion. A stop pad is mounted to the underside of the skateboard in the vicinity of the overhanging portion, said stop pad generally facing the ground when the skateboard is in operational position. Therefore, by shifting weight to the overhanging portion, the rider can tilt the board, causing the stop pad to contact the ground, thereby stopping or at least slowing the skateboard. The board may be rotatably mounted to the chassis, thus allowing the rider to spin in a circle while the skateboard is following a linear course.

Abstract: A tube joint including a male end which has a rounded inner edge having its original surface finish and a female end which is expanded to receive the male end. The male end is formed by chamfering the end outer diameter and flaring the end inner diameter until the end inner diameter is substantially rounded. The female end is expanded so its inner diameter is only slightly greater than the outer diameter of the male end.

Abstract: A stringed musical instrument is disclosed which includes a body, a first bridge transversely mounted to the body adjacent one end thereof, and a second bridge mounted to the body in the vicinity of the opposite end. First and second string mounting means are positioned longitudinally outward of the first and second bridges, respectively, which tautly suspend a plurality of strings between said bridges. Lever means are provided for raising and lowering at least one of the strings at said first bridge to raise and lower the pitch of the strings.

Abstract: A clothing rod/shelf support unit is provided having an extensible rod adapted to extend between two opposing walls, the rod including mounting means at its ends. Pivotal brackets extend from the rod to a third wall and are adapted to support a shelf above the rod. A second embodiment includes a support block mounted to the rod, with a second extensible rod extending therefrom in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first rod toward a fourth wall which is substantially perpendicular to the opposing walls. A second set of brackets extend from the second rod toward one of the opposing walls and are adapted to support a second shelf.

Abstract: A fabric draw down device for a flat knitting machine having a traction roller for tensioning fabric, retaining rollers for pressing against the traction roller and entrainment means for driving the traction roller. The entrainment means includes a pair of opposing levers which are pivotally mounted on offset axes and are drawn together with a spring. The levers each have a pawl which acts on a ratchet wheel mounted on the traction roller. A camming means moves the pair of opposing levers to alternately drive and release the ratchet wheel.

Abstract: A sterile port cover which can be easily removed but is difficult to replace, and if replaced can be easily detected. A rigid port tube is sealably secured within a flexible plastic sleeve which extends beyond the end of the port tube. The sleeve is closed at this end and has a weakened section forming an intended fracture line. The sleeve is adapted to be separated at this fracture line and removed to expose the end of the port tube.

Abstract: A bagging machine for automatically covering a loaded pallet with a bag formed from a tubing of material such as heat-shrink film. The tubing is fed by drive rollers to a pair of inclined vacuum belt units which open the tubing and pass it downward to gathering arm assemblies. The tubing is collected on the gathering arm assemblies until the appropriate length of bag has been fed by the driver rollers. A cut-and-seal mechanism then cuts the tubing and seals the end of the bag. The belt units complete the feeding of the bag onto the gathering arm assemblies and the assemblies are lowered over the loaded pallet. The bagging machine also includes means for automatically centering the loaded pallet under the belt units.

Abstract: A bagging machine for automatically covering a loaded pallet with a bag formed from a tubing of resilient film. The tubing is fed by drive rollers down into the machine where vacuum heads grasp the sides of the tubing and spread it open. Fingers are then inserted and when an appropriate length of tubing is fed onto the fingers, a cut-and-seal mechanism cuts the tubing and seals the end of the bag. The fingers retract to further open and stretch the bag. The carriage in which the fingers are mounted is then lowered and the bag is fed onto the load.

Abstract: A stitch presser for a knitting machine equipped with at least two needle beds arranged in an inverted "V", and provided with needles which intersect during their upward movement, a carriage movable above the needle beds, a system for control of the needles during their displacement in alternate directions, and a means for the alternate control of the stitch presser along a row of needles and in another adequate position for the movement in the opposite direction wherein the stitch presser acts between two needle beds on the stitches held by the needles. The stitch presser includes a slide thread for pressing the knitwear and a supplementary means for pressing the stitches against the needle beds.

Abstract: Food products, for example, hamburger patties, are rapidly cooked with reduced weight losses. A cooking appliance is provided having a plurality of parallely spaced heat transfer fins from which project an array of cooking grills on which the hamburger patty is impaled. The appliance is adapted to be passed through a cooking environment so that heat is transferred through the fins and projecting grills to the interior of the hamburger patty. In this way cooking is accomplished in a relatively short period of time, and also the amount of fat and meat juices that are melted or broiled away is minimized. A device with a handle is provided for releasably engaging the cooking appliance so that the appliance can be conveniently moved even if hot. The device is provided with an ejection system for discharging the hamburger patty from the appliance.

Abstract: A stitch presser for a knitting machine equipped with at least two needle beds arranged in an inverted "V", and provided with needles which intersect during their upward movement, a carriage movable above the needle beds, a system for control of the needles during their displacement in alternate directions, and a means for the alternate control of the stitch presser along a row of needles and in another adequate position for the movement in the opposite direction wherein the stitch presser acts between two needle beds on the stitches held by the needles. The stitch presser includes a slide thread for pressing the knitwear and a supplementary means for pressing the stitches against the needle beds.