Abstract: An integrated circuit tunable cavity oscillator for extremely high freque operation in image line waveguide. The oscillator includes a metal base with a cylindrical bore, a dielectric or semiconductor waveguide mounted atop the metal base and having a bore which is continuous with the metal base bore. A Gunn or IMPATT diode is assembled in the metal base bore on top of a drum which is urged upwards toward the waveguide bore by a spring located behind the drum. From above, cavity tuning means including a top disk and a threaded screw cover the waveguide bore and push the diode into the metal base bore to define the cavity height of the coaxial cavity of the oscillator. The waveform, which is set up in the recessed cavity in the metal base, is launched into the waveguide. Thus, a ruggedized, low cost, tunable (by a tuning screw) and low weight oscillator for millimeter wave image line or microstrip operation is obtained. Furthermore, the oscillator diode and cavity defining hardware are easily replaceable.

Abstract: A dual Gunn self-oscillating mixer is shown which can mix signals in the range substantially without introducing any noise and with high input signal power handling capacity and with higher output mixed signal power than conventional, owing to boosted power from more than one microwave cavity. The device is comprised of two cavities and connected by a 180.degree. phase shift coax line for injection locking, or a cavity wall hole in yet another embodiment. The device handles larger power levels without burning out as compared to conventional type mixer devices such as Schottky barrier diodes having nearly 30 times the burnout susceptibility.

Abstract: A microstrip antenna is disclosed consisting of a flat metallic patch spaced from the ground plane. To increase the bandwidth of the antenna a pair of varactor diodes are provided positioned at opposite sides of the patch and connected between it and the ground plane.

Abstract: A dual pressure closure clipping system for use on chamber evacuators used in vacuum packing articles in flexible plastic bags provides high pressure for small bags and low pressure for large bags closure clipping actions, selectable according to evacuation times.

Abstract: Continuous strip closed-bottom open-mouthed packaging bags are produced by continually making, at spaced intervals in a continuous flattened tubular oriented plastic film supply, a transversely extending heat seal to define a bag bottom, and, adjacent each heat seal, perforating the two plies of the film supply with a blade heated to effect annealing of the edges of the perforations and having a serrated cutting edge with spaced deep recesses to define connecting tabs between perforations.

Abstract: A stack of flexible packaging bags, such as used in the meat packing industry in conjunction with automatic and semiautomatic packaging apparatus, made by assembling a multiplicity of flattened stacked wicket-holed bags on a flexible tubing binding threaded through the bag wicket holes to define a severable loop handle element, shank elements passing through the wicket holes in the stacked bags, and shank portion extensions adapted to secure the shank portions of the binding to wicket mounting means and to mount bag stack securing means.

Abstract: A stack of flexible packaging bags, such as used in the meat packing industry in conjunction with automatic and semiautomatic packaging apparatus, made by assembling a multiplicity of flattened stacked wicket-holed bags on a flexible tubing binding threaded through the bag wicket holes to define a severable loop handle element, shank elements passing through the wicket holes in the stacked bags, and shank portion extensions adapted to secure the shank portions of the binding to wicket mounting means and to mount bag stack securing means.

Abstract: A sizing control element on an automatic food casing stuffing apparatus is mounted to respond moveably to variations in casing internal stuffing pressure, and a pressure drop below a preselected pressure, such as will result from the occurrence of a casing break or a clip failure, is sensed and translated into an emulsion flow cut off control signal to shut down the apparatus.

Abstract: An emulsion flow shut off valve in apparatus for stuffing viscous food product into tubular flexible casings is interiorly recessed within the apparatus stuffing horn upstream of the stuffing horn discharge orifice a distance far enough to reestablish laminar flow of the product from turbulent flow induced at the valve location.

Abstract: Sausage casing is shirred into pleated compressed sticks by an annular shirring ring-disc disposed with its axial centerline displaced from the casing axial centerline and also tilted with respect to the casing axial centerline so as to effect a continuous ectating motion against the casing being shirred as the center of the ring-disc revolves around the casing axis.

Abstract: An improved sizing control technique utilizes a pressure ring bearing slidably on the outer periphery of a food casing being stuffed, the casing being provided with a convoluting element working conjunctively with a sizing disc inside the casing to provide a wider than previously attainable range of holdback force on the casing, including a maximum holdback force whereat the casing is turned back on its normal direction of progression.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for implanting a sizing disc into an open unshirred end of a shirred tubular casing wherein the sizing disc has a larger periphery than the unstretched inner periphery of the unshirred end of the casing.

Abstract: A sheet piercing blade used to form perforate separation lines across continuous strip partible flattened tubular plastic film packaging bags is maintained a preselected optimum operating temperature by a heat transfer fluid medium circulating through a duct in substantially contiguous contact with the blade, a heat exchanger, and conduits connecting the duct and the heat exchanger.

Abstract: An emulsion flow shut off valve in apparatus for stuffing viscous food product into tubular flexible casings is interiorly recessed within the apparatus stuffing horn upstream of the stuffing horn discharge orifice a distance far enough to reestablish laminar flow of the product from turbulent flow induced at the valve location.

Abstract: An improved dispenser-cutter for rolled fabric materials, particularly tacky materials such as wax-impregnated fibrous paper, which comprises a cutting blade mounted on a slideable carriage reciprocally movable between cutting and retracted positions, the carriage including roller elements arranged to guide the material to the cutting disposition, hold it during cutting action, free it from the cutting blade and position it against snap back after the cutting action, for easy safe access.

Abstract: A multiplicity of relatively narrow spaced apart parallel arrayed endless conveyor belts cantilevered from a support frame in the direction of product movement at a bagging station moves individual product articles, one at a time, towards the cantilevered ends of the conveyor belt array. At a predetermined point adjacent the belt cantilevered ends, the moving product article engages and depresses a sensing trigger which stops the belts forward movement to permit sliding a bag of suitable size over the article, with the bag side walls slipped under and between same or all of the cantilevered belts supporting the article. Conveyor belt movement is resumed upon a control signal by the bagging station operator and the bagged article is conveyed from the station.

Abstract: A pressure ring bearing slideably on the outer periphery of a food casing being stuffed has a casing convoluting element working conjunctively with a sizing disc inside the casing to provide a wider than previously attainable range of holdback force on the casing.

Abstract: A sizing disc for a shirred tubular casing length utilized in a stuffing apparatus said sizing disc including a rim portion, a wall support extending inwardly therefrom and terminating in a terminal end portion defining an annulus, and frangible self-locking elements disposed on said terminal end portion.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for stuffing viscous food product into a shirred tubular casing article containing a casing diameter sizing means confined within an unshirred portion of one closed end, comprising means to stretch-size and snub the casing to a predetermined diameter as it is being stuffed and control means to regulate the shape of the leading end and trailing end portions of a clip closed food product.

Abstract: A multiplicity of relatively narrow spaced apart parallel arrayed endless conveyor belts cantilevered from a support frame in the direction of product movement at a bagging station moves individual product articles, one at a time, towards the cantilevered ends of the conveyor belt array. At a predetermined point adjacent the belt cantilevered ends, the moving product article engages and depress is a sensing trigger which stops the belts forward movement to permit sliding a bag of suitable size over the article, with the bag side walls slipped under and between .[.same.]. .Iadd.some .Iaddend.or all of the cantilevered belts supporting the article. Conveyor belt movement is resumed upon a control signal by the bagging station operator and the bagged article is conveyed from the station. .Iadd.