Abstract: Apparatus and method for applying tax stamps to individual cigarette packages of different cigarette cartons having different height dimensions comprises a cigarette carton height determination station at which the height dimension of a particular cigaratte carton is determined. Such height dimension data is transmitted to a programmable logic controller (PLC), and the programmable logic controller (PLC) controls a single servo motor and linear actuator assembly, operatively connected to a support surface along which the cartons are movably disposed, so as to control the elevational level of the support surface whereby the cigarette cartons are always disposed at the proper elevational level with respect to various implements located at different operational stations.

Abstract: A new and improved case former, or carton folding and erecting apparatus, is disclosed wherein a pair of pivotal support arms, upon each one of which is mounted a case or carton engagement roller, are mounted upon the machine framework such that when actuator mechanisms, for folding the oppositely disposed major side bottom flap members of the case or carton to their folded positions so as to complete the formation of the bottom portion of the case or carton, are actuated, the pair of pivotal support arms are effectively released from a restrained position, at which case or carton engagement rollers are disposed at retracted positions with respect to the case or carton blank so as to initially permit the case or carton blank to be inserted into the case former, or carton folding and erecting apparatus, in an unobstructed manner, whereby the case or carton engagement rollers can now engage the major side walls of the case or carton so as to retain the case or carton in position while the case or carton is subs

Abstract: A redundant control circuit comprises a pair of heater circuits for heating a hot melt adhesive hose assembly to a predetermined temperature level, and a pair of temperature sensors which are used to sense the temperature of the hot melt adhesive hose assembly and to control energization of the heater circuits in order to maintain the desired temperature level. A first one of the heater circuits would initially be electrically connected to the hot melt adhesive hose assembly electrical circuitry, and in a similar manner, a first one of the temperature sensors would likewise be electrically connected to the hot melt adhesive hose assembly electrical circuitry.

Abstract: A bulk container liner assembly for use in conjunction with a bulk material cargo container comprises structure incorporated therein such that restraint forces are impressed upon or transmitted to the back or rear wall member of the bulk material cargo container liner, along linearly seamed loci, so as to effectively prevent the back or rear wall member of the bulk material cargo container liner from experiencing or undergoing any outward bulging thereof under the influence of the hydrostatic head load forces generated internally within the bulk material cargo container liner as a result of the charging of bulk cargo material into the interior portion of the bulk material cargo container liner.

Abstract: A disposable cartridge air/gas dryer apparatus for installation in an air/gas line delivering compressed air or gas to an air/gas-driven tool. The dryer includes a pressure vessel having first and second ends, an inlet port, and an outlet port. A disposable dryer cartridge is disposed in the pressure vessel. The cartridge includes a casing and a quantity of a drying composition in the casing. A cartridge support surface in the pressure vessel supports a first end of the cartridge. A cartridge-receiving opening is provided in the pressure vessel for inserting and removing the cartridge in the pressure vessel. A cover removably covers the opening and captures a second end of the cartridge. The dryer can be provided with a handle so that it can be easily and quickly replaced by opening the cover, pulling out the cartridge and inserting a new cartridge.

Abstract: A multi-channel flat valve assembly comprises multiple fluid channels which are effectively defined within the multi-channel flat valve assembly by means of laterally or transversely spaced heat-sealed regions. Accordingly, when the dunnage or cargo air bag is inflated, whereby the forces acting upon the oppositely disposed plastic sheets defining or comprising the flat valve assembly would tend to cause separation of the oppositely disposed plastic sheets with respect to each other and cause the flat valve assembly to attain an OPENED state, the disposition or presence of the heat sealed regions defining the multiple fluid channels effectively intercepts the propagation of such forces whereby the flat valve assembly tends to remain in its CLOSED state so as to effectively preserve the INFLATED state of the dunnage or cargo air bag, or considered alternatively, the dunnage or cargo air bag does not undesirably or inadvertently achieve a DEFLATED state.

Abstract: A new and improved case sealer assembly comprises a pair of oppositely disposed case drive mechanisms for conveying a multiplicity of cases through a sealing station. The drive mechanisms are laterally separated from each other such that an interior space is formed therebetween which effectively defines a sealing station for serially accommodating the multiplicity of cases to be sealed.

Abstract: A new and improved thermal type bulkhead assembly comprises a pair of new and improved thermal type bulkhead members which are adapted to be adjustably positioned with respect to each other in an overlapped mode in the widthwise direction whereby oppositely disposed side edge portions of the pair of bulkhead members can effectively engage the oppositely disposed interior side walls of the refrigerated cargo container, while upper sections of the bulkhead members can flexibly engage the ceiling portion of the refrigerated cargo container. In this manner, the lateral extent or width dimension x of the thermal type bulkhead assembly, as well as the vertical extent or height dimension y of the thermal type bulkhead assembly, can be adjustably varied whereby the thermal type bulkhead assembly of the present invention is effectively universal in structure so as to be capable of being utilized within different refrigerated cargo containers characterized by different internal width and height dimensions.

Abstract: A new and improved fastener, uniquely adapted for securing together vertically oriented stud members and horizontally oriented track members of wall framework structures, comprises a forwardly extending pointed tip portion having a tangent ogive configuration so as to facilitate fast and accurate penetration into and through thin gauge sheet metal members without causing any excessive enlargement of the apertures formed within the thin gauge sheet metal member, and a shank portion which comprises a lower, spiral-threaded shank portion which facilitates the ease of penetration of the fastener into and through the thin gauge sheet metal members, and which causes a mating thread to effectively be extruded within the thin gauge sheet metal members.

Abstract: A new and improved remote trigger actuating mechanism for a power tool comprises an elongated handle or pole which is provided with a handgrip upon a rear end portion, while a mounting bracket, into which a forward end portion of the elongated handle or pole is fixedly engaged, is fixedly mounted upon a rear end portion of the power tool as a result of being bolted directly thereto by suitable bolt fasteners. A spring-biased sleeve member is concentrically disposed about the elongated handle or pole, and a trigger actuator linkage member has a rear end portion thereof fixedly mounted upon the spring-biased sleeve member while a forward end portion of the trigger actuator linkage member is provided with a hooked portion which is adapted to engage the trigger mechanism of the power tool.

Abstract: Fastener-advancement systems comprise a multiple lever and linkage mechanically operated system operatively connected to the driver blade member of the fastener driving tool, as well as electro-mechanically operated systems, for advancing a leading fastener of a collated strip of fasteners into the driver blade channel of the fastener-driving tool. In the electro-mechanically operated systems, push-type, pull-type, and rotary solenoid actuating members are utilized for moving the fastener-advancement feed pawl or claw member.

Abstract: An edge or corner protector comprises side surface portions which are adapted to be spaced from the external side surface portions of an article or appliance which define an external corner or edge region of the article or appliance to be protected, and an interior corner or apex region which is likewise adapted to be spaced from the external corner or edge region of the article or appliance.

Abstract: Apparatus for placing external corner protectors upon the external corner regions of palletized loads, prior to the wrapping of the palletized loads within wrapping material, comprises four corner protector pickup, transfer, and applicator mechanisms respectively disposed adjacent to the four corner regions of the palletized load, wherein the corner protector pickup, transfer, and applicator mechanisms are movable independently of the external corner protector magazine assemblies. The external corner protector pickup, transfer, and applicator mechanisms are rotatably mounted upon rotatable actuators which are rotatably movable through angular movements comprising 270°, and, in turn, the rotary actuators are mounted upon linearly movable mechanisms which are movable in both X and Y directions.

Abstract: A new and improved fastener for fastening together thin gauge sheet metal components comprises a forwardly extending pointed tip portion having a tangent ogive configuration so as to facilitate the fast and accurate penetration of the fastener into and through the thin gauge sheet metal components without causing any excessive enlargement of the apertures formed therein, and a shank portion which comprises a lower, spiral thread shank portion which continues to facilitate the ease of penetration of the fastener into and through the thin gauge sheet metal components, and at the same time causes a mating thread to effectively be extruded within the thin gauge sheet metal components so as to effectively develop or generate enhanced surface areas or regions for ultimate contact with an upper shank portion of the fastener when the fastener is fully driven and seated within the thin gauge sheet metal components.

Abstract: A threaded screw fastener is provided with a head portion that has integrally incorporated therein dual drive structure whereby the single threaded screw fastener can be rotatably driven by alternative rotary drive socket implements or tools, such as, for example, hexagonally configured or Phillips head configured drive tools or implements, or a combination drive tool. A drive socket implement or tool also has integrally incorporated therein both hexagonally configured drive structure, Phillips head drive structure, and domed contour structure for not only structurally engaging both the hexagonally configured structure and the Phillips head structure integrally incorporated upon the head portion of the threaded screw fastener, but in addition, accommodates the low profile domed structure of the head portion of the threaded screw fastener.

Abstract: A new and improved multi-pin RF field replaceable mounting flange structure, to be mounted upon a RF hybrid assembly, comprises a predetermined arrangement of multi-pin coaxial electrical connectors integrally incorporated upon a single field replaceable mounting flange structure for enabling the connection of a plurality of coaxial cables onto a single field replaceable mounting flange structure such that the plurality of coaxial cables can be electrically connected in a more spatially efficient manner than has been previously capable of being achieved regardless of the particular number of coaxial electrical connectors being connected.

Abstract: A fastener-driving tool has a trigger control mechanism that comprises a vertically oriented selectable mode pushrod that is adapted to be rotated to either one of two predetermined positions or states. When the vertically oriented selectable mode pushrod is disposed at a first one of its angular positions or states, the fastener-driving tool is permitted to operate in accordance with a sequential firing mode of operation, whereas when the vertically oriented selectable mode pushrod is disposed at a second one of its angular positions or states, the fastener-driving tool is permitted to operate in accordance with a bump firing mode of operation.

Abstract: A thickness measuring device for measuring the thickness dimension of an article being conveyed along a conveyor system comprises a rotary encoder, and a lever arm pivotally mounted upon the shaft of the rotary encoder. The lever arm has an end portion thereof disposed in contact with the article conveyor so as to be deflected by an article conveyed along the conveying path. Deflection of the lever arm causes the rotary shaft of the rotary encoder to undergo a predetermined amount of rotation which is indicative of the thickness dimension of the article being conveyed. The system is also operatively associated with a storage bin such that when a plurality of articles, having a predetermined cumulative thickness dimension, are detected, further conveyance of articles to the storage bin is terminated.

Abstract: Wrapping apparatus comprises a dispenser, for dispensing stretched wrap film, which includes a first frame assembly, and a second frame assembly pivotally mounted upon the first frame assembly between a first closed position and second open position. A film roll spindle is mounted upon the second frame assembly along with a plurality of guide rollers, while upstream and downstream prestretch rollers are mounted upon the first frame assembly. When the second frame assembly is disposed at the second open position, the film roll spindle and guide rollers project outwardly in a tilted orientation such that the exchange of film rolls, and the threading of the film between the guide rollers and the prestretch rollers, is facilitated.