Abstract: Apparatus for forming accordion pleats in and about the sidewall of a thin-walled plastic container. Said apparatus comprising a forming station, a gripping and transporting means for introducing unpleated containers to the forming station and for removing the same from the forming station. Hot air means renders the containers malleable at the forming station. A plurality of circumaxially arranged forming plates move radially inwardly to engage the container sidewall and to form accordion pleats therein. Thereafter the plates are retracted radially for the introduction of the next succeeding container. A ring cam is intermittently rotated to operate the forming plates with the forming "dwell" regulated by a small cam.

Abstract: Apparatus for assembling axially elongated, diametrically expandable and contractible product bags axially within energy sleeves of elastomeric material which are at least partially diametrically expanded at assembly. The apparatus comprises three, (3) energy sleeve expansion stations where at the elastomeric sleeve is sequentially expanded by the insertion of expansion rods and/or tubes therewithin. From the third station the energy sleeves proceed to an assembly station with an expansion tube therewithin. At the assembly station a product bag is inserted axially within the expansion tube in the energy sleeve with an end portion protruding from the tube. A first mechanism moves the energy sleeve axially relative to the tube so that an end portion surrounds and frictionally grips a part of the protruding product bag.

Abstract: A workpiece storing and handling apparatus particularly adapted for loading parts in a multiple spindle chucking machine wherein the spindles and chucks are indexible successively to a transfer station. A rotary part table has a circumaxial series of part receiving rests and is indexed to move the parts to a transfer station in succession. A gripper on a transfer arm engages a part at the transfer station and swings the same in a composite arcuate motion to a ready position in horizontal alignment with a chuck at the machine transfer station. The arm and gripper then move the part linearly in a horizontal plane to the open chuck and return to the ready position for arcuate return movement to the table transfer station. A transfer arm support shaft is swingable through an arc in a vertical plane by a fluid operable cylinder and is simultaneously rotated about its axis by a bevel gear arrangement to provide the required composite arcuate motion of the arm.