Abstract: In an FPGA having four-input lookup tables (LUTs) with parallel two-input AND gates receiving two of the four LUT input signals, associated registers, and a carry chain receiving one input signal from the AND gate output, a loadable up-down counter is formed by connecting the register output to one of the terminals serving as both a LUT input terminal and an AND gate input terminal. A load control signal is connected to another input terminal common to the LUT and the AND gate. Thus the AND gate disables the carry chain during loading of the counter and applies the count value to the carry chain during counting.

Abstract: A lettuce packing machine for the packing of heads of lettuce in corrugated, carboard cartons is disclosed. A lettuce head holding tray is loaded with lettuce. Thereafter, the tray is utilized to pack cartons. The lettuce head holding trays has discrete lettuce receiving cells upwardly exposed. Each tray contains four columns of cells, each column of cells being three wide for a capacity of 12 heads of lettuce. Each discrete lettuce receiving cell in the tray is defined by four semirigid, flexible sides, which sides extend downwardly and inwardly, are elastically biased and form an inverted pyramid-like profile truncated at an open bottom. The lettuce head holding tray is loaded at a picking station and conveyed to a packing station. When the lettuce head holding tray arrives at the packing station, a packing apparatus having discrete plungers--one for each cell--unloads the tray overlying a box to be packed.

Abstract: Filamentary or thread textile material is wound onto lap creels (2), which are capable of being pushed, in a telescoping manner, one into the other to form stacks (3). Each stack (3) is covered with a film tube or hose (6) which is shrunk onto the stack for holding together the individually wound lap creels (2). Immediately prior to a treatment, several stacks (3) are formed into a column, which is compacted by an axially effective compression. The slackened tension of the film tube (6) is then re-established by renewed shrinkage thereof prior to or at the start of the treatment of the textile material. Film material capable of repeated shrinking, especially heat shrinking is used for this purpose.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for assembling a backing card to a plastic blister using strips of double-coated pressure-sensitive adhesive tape. Parallel feed wheels are rotatably mounted for wrapping and transporting tape from tape rolls to an application station from where the tape can be transferred from the wheels to the backing card. Cutting blades are provided for cutting the tape at both ends to form tape strips to be transferred to the backing card. A hingeably mounted tray supports and positions a backing card over the feed wheel surfaces. A pair of rollers are mounted on a carriage and are used to press the backing card onto the surfaces of the feed wheel to transfer tape on the surfaces to the backing card. A blister fixture is further provided for holding a blister to be assembled to a taped backing card. The carriage further supports the rollers for rolling movement over a blister card in the fixture to seal them together.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for opening containers such as cigarette packages without damaging the contents of the containers. If desired, the methods and apparatus may be extended to include emptying the containers after they have been opened.

Abstract: A method and means for packaging sheet material such as polyurethane foam is described wherein the compressed sheet material is positioned within an inner bag and is held from expansion by means of a flexible plastic sleeve with the plastic sleeve maintaining a flexible U-shaped handle between it and the bag with the handle protruding from one end of the package.

Abstract: A flexible collapsible container is filled with fluid by connecting a fluid conduit to a tubular port which communicates through one of the walls of the container to the container interior, and rupturing a sealing diaphragm that closes the bore of the tubular port. One then passes fluid through the conduit to fill the container. Thereafter, one seals either or both the tubular port and plastic wall which carries it to the other, opposed plastic wall of the container with seal line means to close off flow communication between the bore of the tubular port and a major portion of the container interior which contains the fluid. The effect of this is to block flow communication between the bore and the fluid so that the contents of the container remain sealed on disengagement of the fluid conduit from the tubular port.

Abstract: A pressure press for preparing a cardlike arrangement for dispensing individual doses of medication without the application of heat which could be detrimental to the efficacy of the medication. The press consists of a base plate having the perforations to accomodate a sheet having pockets for the capsules. A cavity card with pressure sensitive adhesive is placed over the base plate, the card being provided with perforations to permit access to the pockets. The press has a pivoted cover plate to sandwich the card and sheet on the base plate. A pivoted pressure bar assembly is employed to cause the cover plate to exert sufficient pressure on the sandwich to insure adequate sealing.

Abstract: An oscillating sealing wire for high speed sealing of thermoplastic film. The sealing wire curved in the shape of a bow rocks back and forth across the moving surface of a thermoplastic film so the wire continuously presents a hot surface to the film. The film removes heat from the wire surface which touches the film. The oscillating wire continuously presents a new hot surface to the film to allow high speed movement of the film and still obtain a good seal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for loading delicate fruit into standard sized fruit bins 10 wherein carriage 50, cradle 60, and distributing conveyor 40 are controlled to automatically lower fruit into bin 10 in such a way as to minimize damage to fruit and to maximize efficiency of loading.

Abstract: A sealing device for covering containers which prior to sealing has a member which reduces the volume of the container and in which the member is released after sealing to allow a vacuum circulation to exist in the sealed container. A further feature provides that the volume reducing, sealing and releasing steps occur while the containers are continuously moved along a conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling crates with objects, notably fruits, floating in water, which includes a tank filled with water, a crate which can be immersed inside said tank, feeding means for bringing the objects transported by the water in the crate, a water pump providing for the continuous circulation of water through the tank, the objects being distributed in the immersed crate until it is completely full, wherein the feeding means of the objects in the crate include a feeding channel and a cylindrical aperture formed in a massive plate, covering the upper portion of the crate, the upper portion of said plate being provided with profiled guides for channeling towards said cylindrical opening the objects floating on the liquid and incoming from the feeding channel.

Abstract: The invention is a machine and method for opening a filled bag and emptying the contents of the bag. A bag filled with a solid material is guided into a space between a pair of rotating drums, in which there are several rows of rigid spikes fastened to each drum. The spikes extend through the drum walls and through openings in a belt that connects each drum to an idler roller. When the filled bag enters the space between the drums, it becomes impaled on the spikes, and is drawn into a cutter means. The cutter means slits the bag in half to empty the contents, and each empty bag half is carried on one of the rotating drums to a point where the spikes move away from the belt to release the empty bag half.

Abstract: A continuous band/trim sealing apparatus for poly bags incorporates an adjustable leveling platform to which support of the flaccid film laminae at open top portions of the bags is directly transferred as ongoing conveying of the bags moves these portions off the supporting surface of a side wing of the apparatus and which guides these portions downstream to the nip of a twin-belt gripping conveyor at the entrance of a band sealing and trimming machine of the apparatus in condition for consistently obtaining flawless band and trim seals.

Abstract: A flexible adjustable wedge of tetrahedronal structure is provided wherein four swivel-jointed arms are attached at their respective ends by pin connections. Flexible adjusting arms provide dimensional stability by interconnecting either opposing corners or opposing arms of the tetrahedronal wedge. The adjusting arms are provided with some degree of flexibility in order to allow the wedge to automatically conform its size to minor variations in the flat width of the film passing thereover. Where changes in overall size of the wedge are desired, the adjusting arms can be easily lengthened or shortened.