Abstract: An apparatus is provided for creating an improved configuration of overlapping lengths of flexible thermoplastic strap to accommodate the formation of an improved joint between the strap portions. The apparatus includes first and second strap engaging members respectively defining first and second contoured surfaces for engaging respectively first and second strap lengths to position the joint portions between the strap engaging members in an overlapping relationship along an interface region and to position the trailing portion of each strap length to extend in a plane generally parallel to a reference plane with at least a part of the length of the interface region being non-parallel to the reference plane. In the preferred embodiment, the strap engaging members are each provided with a convex surface and a concave surface and are disposed to align the concave surface of one member generally in registry with the convex surface of the other member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for closing or sealing the gap space defined between a tunnel support frame and the ground during the tunneling formation of adits in connection with underground mining operations and the construction of underground tunnels, wherein backfill concrete is introduced into the gap space, comprises the disposition of inflatable bags within the gap space so as to be in abutment with the backfill concrete. In this manner, proper and complete backfilling is able to be achieved whereby the cured backfill concrete will exhibit proper structural integrity. The bags may be fabricated from a suitable plastic foil and are provided with an inflating-deflating valve. The bags can be reused upon subsequent support frame sections as the tunneling operation progresses.

Abstract: A length of thermoplastic strapping is provided for use as strap disposed in a loop around an article so that overlapping strap portions are arranged in a face-to-face relationship, and an improved welded joint from such strapping is also provided. The weld includes at least part of the thickness of each strap portion forming a resolidified region from a fused state after application of heat. The resolidified region includes a solid phase of the first material and a plurality of discrete volumes defined in the resolidified region from which the first material is absent and which are distributed in the first material across the width and thickness of the resolidified region at least adjacent each end of the resolidified region. The strapping has a first layer including a first material and a second material carried by the first material.

Abstract: An improvement in a sealless connection between two overlapped segments of strapping. The sealless connection comprises a plurality of joints arrayed longitudinally, each comprising a pair of shoulders, which interlock when the segments are tensioned. The connection further comprises notches provided respectively in superposed edges on opposite sides of the respective segments and operable as an "anti-reverse" locking means. The notches are provided after the shoulders are interlocked. The segments are formed at the notches to prevent the segments from shifting longitudinally to unlock the interlocked shoulder. The notched edges of the respective segments are uninterrupted, except for the notch, where the respective segments are crimped.

Abstract: Cold-rolled, non-microalloyed carbon manganese steel (0.04% to 0.15% C, 0.25% to 0.70% Mn) is preheated at 700.degree. to 1000.degree. F., heated to 1625.degree. to 1725.degree. F., and quenched to 650.degree. to 750.degree. F. in a continuous process to develop minimum yield strength of 40,000 psi, minimum tensile strength of 50,000 psi, and 22% minimum elongation.

Abstract: Cold-rolled, non-microalloyed carbon manganese steel (0.11% to 0.18% C, 1.20% to 1.40% Mn) is preheated at 700.degree. to 1000.degree. F., heated to 1500.degree. to 1575.degree. F., and quenched to 800.degree. to 950.degree. F. in a continuous process to develop minimum yield strength of 70,000 psi, minimum tensile strength of 85,000 psi, and 14% minimum elongation.

Abstract: In a strapping head, slitting dies on a pair of pivotally mounted sealing jaws and a longitudinally movable punch on a punch holder cooperate and are adapted to make a sealless connection in two overlapped layers of a tensioned loop of steel strap. A longitudinally movable sealing yoke pivots the sealing jaws by means of cams on the sealing yoke and cam followers on the sealing jaws and moves the punch holder via a connection allowing lost motion between the sealing yoke and the punch holder. A pair of pivotally mounted notching jaws and a pair of notching cutters on a longitudinally movable notching cutter holder cooperate and are adapted to cut notches in opposite edges of the overlapped layers after the sealless connection has been made. A longitudinally movable notching yoke pivots the notching jaws by means of links and moves the cutter holder via a connection allowing lost motion between the notching yoke and the cutter holder.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for securing together overlapping portions of a thermoplastic strap loop around an object. The overlapping strap portions are forced together in face-to-face contact under pressure. During or before the step of forcing the strap portions together, the energy in the strap portions is increased so as to melt at least a part of the thickness of each strap portion at the interface region. One embodiment of the method also includes forming a plurality of cavities that are distributed across the width of the molten parts adjacent the ends of the molten parts and that are surrounded by the molten parts. The step of increasing the energy is then terminated, and the strap portions at the interface region subsequently solidify, to encapsulate the cavities and form the welded joint.

Abstract: An improved welded joint is provided for use with overlapping strap portions. Parts of the thickness of each strap portion are merged together to define a continuous joint region. The joint region further includes a plurality of encapsulated cavities distributed at least in the end portions of the joint region.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for gripping a strap segment with two gripping members, for moving the gripping members together in a closed path to form a primary loop in the strap around at least one of the gripping members, and for feeding the strap to expand the primary loop to an expanded loop having a larger size for accommodating an article to be bound by the strap.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for making, and the resulting material for fabricating reclosable bags and in which a length of web of predetermined width of bag material as wound on a mandrel has fastener strip sections joined to and across the width of the web. The web is adapted to travel continuously spirally about the mandrel. The fastener carrying web may be folded longitudinally and resiliently flexible profiles of the folded fastener strip sections separably joined. Ends of the fastener strips before, and after, folding may be flow melted and fusedly flattened. Ends of the fastener strips may be aligned with a fold juncture of an underturned flange of the web and the margin then unfolded to extend beyond the strip ends.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for packaging a blocky product such as cheese, into a wrapped envelope package, with material especially adapted for said packaging and wherein a bottom face of the product article is engaged on a panel area of the wrapper sheet which sheet has extended portions that are wrapped about the article and sealed across a top face of the article, with one of the portions of the wrapper sheet having a reclosable zipper and a web portion alongside said zipper which is adapted to be severed or ruptured to provide a mouth opening for access to the article within the package and the mouth opening being reclosable by the enclosed zipper. The zipper may be provided with structure to prevent its being pulled open during the wrapping and sealing of the wrapper about the article. The web portion may have guidance for severing or rupturing the same when access is desired into the package.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for securing together overlapping portions of a thermoplastic strap loop around an object. After the strap is fed to form the loop, the upper strap portion is restrained while pulling the strap trailing portion to tension the loop. Lengths of the upper and lower strap portions are then gripped together in face-to-face contact to hold the loop in tension. The trailing portion is severed from the loop lower strap portion, and the restraint of the upper strip portion is terminated. A heating member is extended between the upper and lower strap portions in a direction generally parallel to the strap length. The upper and lower strap portions are pressed against the heating member to melt regions of the strap. The heating member is withdrawn, and the melted regions are pressed together as the melted regions solidify to form a joint. Included in the apparatus are coacting first and second gripper means, an anvil, a cutter, and a heating member.

Abstract: A packaging arrangement for preparing and serving food products is disclosed which facilitates packaging, preparation, and serving of two or more food products in the arrangement. The construction includes a unitary, one-piece partitioned tray which defines a plurality of cavities for respectively receiving the different food products. The construction further includes a combination covering and serving member configured for releasable securement to the partitioned tray, and which is configured to resemble conventional dinnerware. The covering and serving member initially functions as a cover for the partitioned tray. However, upon inversion of the entire arrangement the food products transfer from the cavities of the tray onto the covering and serving member for serving and consumption of the food products, with the tray and serving member cooperating to prevent substantial commingling of the adjacent food products.

Abstract: A serially interconnected chain of reclosable, zipper-lock plastic bags is arranged for facilitated handling in an automatic bag filling machine. The bag chain may be formed with single or plural connecting spot links between side edges of adjacent bags to maintain alignment of the bags in the chain as the chain is unwound from storage and threaded along a lateral transport path running through the filling machine. The connecting links are adapted to be broken during the loading operation so that separate, loaded bags may be discharged from the machine for packaging. Each bag is formed with raised ridge surface means running laterally thereacross adapted to be slidably received in a suitable guide track means of the filling machine to provide vertical support for the bags as the chain is being drawn between various work stations in the filling machine.

Abstract: A strap accumulator is disclosed for use between an associated strapping apparatus and a power-driven strap dispensing mechanism. The accumulator is configured to receive strap from the dispenser, with the accumulated strap being periodically withdrawn by the associated strapping apparatus. The accumulator includes a housing which defines an interior cavity within which strap is accumulated, with a disc-like strap guide mounted generally centrally of the cavity which guides strap from within the housing through one of the sidewalls thereof. The generally central mounting of the strap guide within the cavity permits the accumulated strap to form an elongated loop between the strap guide and an edge wall of the housing without any tendency to disfigure or damage the strap.

Abstract: A feed conveyor arrangement is disclosed for horizontally unwinding zipper-equipped sheet packaging material from a supply roll and turning back a flap portion of the sheet material for reception of product prior to delivery into a form, fill, and seal machine. The feed conveyor utilizes a special guide wheel device for maintaining the zipper, and hence the sheet material, in an aligned flow path and holding down the flap portion only adjacent the zipper. A subsequent flap turning wheel device turns the flap portion away from the remaining panel area of the sheet below the zipper line, pivoting the flap about the hold down area of the guide wheel device. The guide wheel device is in the form of skewed wheels acting on the upper surface of the flap at opposed sides of the zipper. The flap turning wheel device includes an offset wheel which applies both upward and horizontal forces to the upturned inner surface of the flap to open up the sheet material.

Abstract: A fastener driving tool which employs an activating mechanism, which mechanism will only be effective to fire the tool if operated in the proper sequence. The activating mechanism includes a trigger assembly and a bottom trip mechanism which is operable when the tool is placed in contact with the workpiece. The trigger mechanism is designed so that it will only operate to fire the tool if it is moved after the tool has been placed in contact with the workpiece. Pulling of the trigger before the workpiece is contacted will prevent firing of the tool. The trigger mechanism is also designed so that it includes an arrangement whereby once the tool has been fired the tool can be fired repeatedly upon repeated contact of the tool with the workpiece.

Abstract: A unitary, structural panel of a thermoplastic material and a method of forming same are disclosed. The panel includes planiform webs that traverse the full thickness dimension of the panel and define a plurality of elongated, open channels that are substantially in axial alignment with one another. One or more layers of an expanded blank are pared to form the structural panel of the invention.

Abstract: An efficient, portable, easy to operate tool employing a linear motor is disclosed that is powered by the gases produced from the internal combustion of a fuel and air mixture. A supply of liquified gas stored under pressure in a cylinder provides the source of power. The linear motor is slidably mounted within a cylinder to move reciprocally downwardly and upwardly through a driving and return stroke. A combustion chamber is formed at the upper end of the cylinder. A spark plug powered by a piezo-electric firing device is located within the combustion chamber. The combustion chamber features a turbulence generator, such as a fan, driven by an electric motor which is continuously in operation when the tool is in use. A main valve mechanism actuated by a set of lifting rods that are moved upwardly and downwardly when the tool is moved towards and away from the workpiece, is used to control the opening and closing of the combustion chamber and to control the flow of fresh air through the combustion chamber.