Abstract: The present invention is an improved seed sower unit and an improved seed supply hopper for the head. Opposed vacuum disc-type sower units are mounted in a frame. A seed hopper is mounted on a separate subframe. The hopper subframe has mounting notches which rest on stub pins projecting from the main frame. A latch mechanism holds the seed hopper subframe in place during operation. By opening the latch, the subframe with the seed hopper can be lifted vertically from between the sower discs to permit ready access for cleaning or repair. The seed hopper portion has a sloping bottom member adapted to fit between the sower discs to form a seed trough. This sloping member has a gate so that seed can be easily drained from the system into a container without loss. An optional second gate enables the seed hopper to be isolated from the seed trough. By making the seed hopper vertically removable, the sower units may be located in close proximity to each other, thus enabling similarly close crop row spacing.

Abstract: The invention is an improved hardener for use with phenolresorcinol-formaldehyde wood bonding adhesives. The hardener is conveniently made and shipped as a stable dry powdered material. It is then slurried in water at the point of use for convenience with continuously mixed and dispensed liquid-liquid, two part adhesive systems. The hardener comprises paraformaldehyde or alphapolyoxymethylene, fillers, viscosity and/or rheology control agents, and a solid acidic material. The latter ingredient is a critical component used to adjust the pH of an aqueous slurry to the range of 4.0 to 5.5. Oxalic acid is preferred. In this pH range, the formaldehyde polymers are stable and the slurried hardener does not give off significant formaldehyde odor for periods up to several days. Bonding performance is improved because the characteristics of the hardener and resulting adhesive have very little variation over time.

Abstract: A method of uniformly applying a foamed adhesive to a normally moving substrate which is subject to stops and starts at irregular intervals. A uniform spread weight of adhesive is applied during a deceleration period and startups can be accomplished without causing puddles or gaps. The method is especially useful in conjunction with an automated plywood lay-up line. Foamed adhesive is supplied under pressure to an extrusion head. When a line stoppage is sensed a first valve above the extrusion head closes. Adhesive within the head continues to expand and fall onto the substrate, but does so at a descreasing rate during the deceleration time. As the substrate comes to a complete stop a second valve prevents further adhesive from being applied. Before a startup, the adhesive in the system is reconditioned by passing it into a recycle line until foam quality andpressure drop across the extrusion head have again assumed normal operating parameters. Only then is the substrate movement started.

Abstract: A labyrinthine channel system which may contain parallel channels and dead-end zones is cleaned by flushing with a liquid solvent containing dispersed bubbles of a suspended gas. The gas is in the ratio of at least one volume of gas for each three volumes of liquid. Preferably the ratio of gas to liquid is 1:1 or greater. The liquid is preferably the continuous phase. By injecting pulses of additional gas into the dispersion, even greater effectiveness is achieved. The system is particularly useful in cleaning equipment containing high viscosity substances, such as adhesives.

Abstract: A composite wood article includes a plurality of four elongated triangular-shaped pieces and opposing pieces are substantially similar in cross-sectional dimensions. They are joined together to form a composite parallelogram in cross-section. One alternative embodiment includes using sector-shaped pieces that have been cut from generally cylindrical logs, while another embodiment includes triangular-shaped pieces cut from readily available rectangular lumber. In the process of manufacturing the composite article, the four triangular-shaped pieces are first machined so they are properly sized and then after the appropriate application of adhesive to the surfaces which will form the connecting joints, the joinder base leg of each triangular-shaped piece is positioned so as to be juxtaposed against the adjacent joinder leg of the next adjacent triangular-shaped piece.

Abstract: An improved feed roll for logs and the like has a plurality of radially extending trapezoidally shaped pyramids spaced circumferentially about the surface. In adjacent rows an offset may be provided and certain dimensional relationships are provided to yield increased traction with a reduction in tree surface damage.

Abstract: The present invention is a means of reducing the hauling force of a bottom contacting fish net by enclosing or draping at least the leadline of the net with a flexible bearing means. This can conveniently be a tube of flexible polyethylene film or a strip of film which wraps under the leadline. The tube has access openings at regular intervals to permit tying the leadline to the net. These openings also permit free egress of air and ingress of water when the net is in use. The tube serves as a bearing for the leadline as it rests against the substrate. This reduces the tendency to dig into the substrate and, in turn, decreases the energy required to haul the net across the bottom.

Abstract: A blank which is scored and cut so that it may be folded into a corner protector. A blank is scored to provide a series of side, bottom and top panels. There are aligned apertures in the side panels which allow a blank to be bent to form a pair of angularly aligned elements.

Abstract: A chip screening system has a primary screening station for dividing an incoming flow of chips into a first acceptable fraction and a second fraction having acceptable chips and also both oversized and overthick chips. The second fraction is directed to a second screening station where the incoming flow will again be fractionated into an acceptable flow being screened primarily according to thickness and a second fraction being composed of oversized and overthick chips. The second fraction is then directed to a size reducing station.

Abstract: A container in which the container walls, the bottom closure, the reinforcing panels and the cover are unitary.

Abstract: A container in which the container walls, the bottom closure and the reinforcing panels are unitary.

Abstract: A relatively low-cost, portable, stand-alone visual training system interactively displays two dimensional representations of elongated objects on a viewing screen. An operator observes the elongated object and through an input device, such as an alpha numeric keyboard, divides the object into segments and allocates the segments according to preselected criteria. The results of the operator's decision are then calculated in a programmed data processor and compared visually with a predetermined result which is stored in memory for the particular object.

Abstract: An improved paper drying process and machine are described in which the paper web is supported independently of velocity-induced stresses thus permitting operation at speeds significantly in excess of the prior art for each paper grade. The process requires: (1) transporting the web on a supporting fabric that travels from the last press nip through at least the initial portion of a drying section; and (2) holding the web onto its supporting fabric by employing forces normal to the major web surfaces sufficient to overcome those forces which tend to lift the web from its supporting fabric. The web on its supporting fabric travels a serpentine path through the drying section about drying cylinders with the web alternating between direct contact with a drying cylinder followed by indirect contact with the subsequent cylinder.

Abstract: A tray which may be set up in the field and locked into position without the use of glue or staples. A pair of end panels are provided on each end of the tray. One of these end panels extends from the bottom panel of the tray and the other extends from the upper panel of the tray. One is an exterior end panel and the other is an interior end panel. The exterior end panel has a pair of locking flaps which fold around the interior end panel and are held in place by a locking panel. The locking panel is hinged to the upper wall of the tray and folds down against the locking flaps holding the locking flaps against the interior end panel and locking the various members of the end wall into place. The locking panel is held in place by locking tabs in the panel which extend into apertures in the base panel of the tray.

Abstract: The invention comprises an extrusion head for coating or adhesive application. The head is particularly well adapted for application of high viscosity hot melt adhesives in the manufacture of corrugated board. It comprises the combination of a body having a slit or series of orifices with a thin, flexible downstream spreader element. The spreader element contacts the coating receiving surface at a low acute angle to level the coating material but does not serve as a doctor to control coating thickness.When used as the adhesive applicator at the single facer of a container board corrugating machine, excellent pin adhesion values were obtained at adhesive usages as low as 6 g/m.sup.2.

Abstract: A manually formed manufacturer's joint for a container is formed on opposite end edges of the container. A first hinged flap is on one end and a hinged panel is on the opposite end. The panel has an aperture formed by a second hinged flap. The aperture opens toward the panel hinge. The aperture has a maximum width slightly larger than the maximum width of the first flap and a minimum width equal to the width of the first flap hinge. The first flap is inserted through the aperture and the shoulders of the first flap lock behind the panel. The first flap is held in locked position by the second flap being rotated into the plane of the panel.

Abstract: A steam shower for reducing paper web moisture content variability in the cross machine direction is described. The local dewatering effect of the shower on the moving supported web is controlled by varying its bottom steam discharge area incrementally across the width of the web. In one embodiment the hood is divided across the width of the machine into compartments, each having at least one cross machine direction wall whose bottom edge may be adjusted relative to the rear wall of the hood. A second embodiment has a pleated curtain whose bottom edge is controlled by lever arms with respect to the hood's rear wall. Local adjustments are made based on a comparison of moisture measurements at the finished product reel with the desired level.

Abstract: The application discloses an apparatus and method for selectively cutting trees on plantations, such as might be done for thinning or stocking control. The apparatus may be drawn by a wheeled or tracked prime mover. It comprises an outwardly biasable primary arm mounted on a supporting frame. The distal end of this arm bears a guide means that serves to assist in moving it past those trees that are not to be removed in a manner that prevents injury to the tree. The guide means also acts as a guard for a tree-severing means. When a tree is to be removed the severing means is moved forward in the direction of travel so that it contacts the tree before the guide means. Otherwise, the severing means is prevented from contacting the tree by the guide means. The severing means may be manually deployed or it can be controlled by a simple logic system into which travel speed and take/leave decisions are made. The device is normally used in plantations in which trees have been planted in approximate rows.

Abstract: The invention is a plant lifting apparatus of the opposed belt type that can be quickly adjusted in the field to accommodate different plant row spacings. The lifting belts are carried on individual supporting frames. These, in turn, are pivotally mounted at their proximal ends to a subframe member. The distal plant receiving ends of the supporting frames are bridged by spreading means which vary the spacing between adjacent pairs of lifting belts. Preferably the outer belt supporting frames are adjusted separately. The inner pairs are bridged by toggles, turnbuckles or similar means that control their spacing within the limits set by the outer supporting frames.

Abstract: A mutation of the Australian Tree Fern, characterized by its slower growth, a more compact habit, and reduced height and width at maturity.