Abstract: A machine and a method for density packing of cylindrical plastic objects such as caps in layers in rectangular containers. The machine includes an elongated table and a vertical transfer mechanism for the plastic objects located at one end of the table. A loading mechanism is provided at the opposite end of the table to form a row at a time of plastic objects on the table. A pusher bar is provided to move each individual row of plastic objects along the table to an assembly area where a matrix of plastic objects is formed. A second pusher bar is provided to move the assembled matrix of plastic objects to a position under the vertical transfer mechanism.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of packaging artificial implants in a sterile and contamination-free manner, comprising applying the implant inside a closable capsule made of the same material as the implant, thereafter enclosing the capsule in a hermetically sealable outer casing and sterilizing the package thus produced, and also to a package for performing the method.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming a flexible open lattice work web (14) of naturally interconnected wood strands. A log of wood (10) is passed through a pair of rollers (24, 26) to crush the log and form the web (14). One roller (24) is arranged to be reciprocated axially by a coupling to a piston (40) subjected to hydraulic pressure in a cylinder (42), to facilitate forming the web (14).

Abstract: The packaging method includes the steps of inserting a single mattress into a flexible and waterproof wrapper, compressing by squeezing with compressing means to reduce the thickness of the mattress within limits compartible with the elastic structure of the actual mattress, and driving out the air from inside the wrapper; welding the wrapper to seal it and then rolling up the squeezed whole obtained to give it a stable shape. The finished item is placed in a container or case suitable for offering the item for sale.

Abstract: Process for forming a reconsolidated wood product (22) from a flexible open lattice work web of naturally interconnected wood strands. Bonding agent is applied to the web, which is then subjected to compression to consolidate the web and form the product (22). A wax is applied to the web (14) before the application of bonding agent, to limit pick-up of the bonding agent. The compression of the web (14) is effected once in a direction generally normal to the median plane of the web and once in an edge to edge direction. The compression force may be only partly released, for a time, after the first compression.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing bag packages which is equipped with a device for fastening dispensing fitments to the bags. The fastening device has a holder for supplying one dispensing fitment at a time to the inside of the tube, formed from a strip of packaging material, and a sealing stamp, which are disposed in the vicinity of a tube former such that they are displaceable toward one another. The holder, which receives one dispensing fitment at a time from a conveyor device, engages the inlet opening of the tube former, while contrarily the sealing stamp is movable from the opposite side toward the outside of the tube, below the apex of a collar of the tube former.

Abstract: A bag for infusion solutions and the like has a body part formed by a hose and having walls composed of a synthetic thermoplastic compound foil, and at least one connecting part formed of one piece with the body part and also composed of the foil. A hose for manufacturing the bags is formed so that the bags extend transverse to the direction of elongation of the hose and their connecting parts face toward one longitudinal edge of the hose. The bags are manufactured by producing first a hose element of a synthetic thermoplastic foil in aseptic conditions, and then placing onto the hose elements at both sides a layer of another synthetic thermoplastic foil by lamination, so as to form the hose, whereupon the bags are produced on the thus formed hose.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a vertical tubular form fill package feeding the film vertically downwardly over a spout, pressing the outer lateral edges of the film together between pressure rollers, feeding joined strips of plastic zipper consisting of interlocking elements and attaching webs between the outer edges of the film and the spout, positioning guide bars on either side of the zipper between the zipper webs and sealing bars outwardly of the guide bars with the sealing bars simultaneously forming a fin seal at the outer edge and joining the zipper webs to the inner surfaces of the film between the fin seal and the spout and thereafter cross-cutting and sealing to form packages enclosing contents dropped through the spout.

Abstract: A process and package product for preserving bacteriological culture media and gels is based on use of a sterilized air, liquid, and light impervious flexible wall pouch in which a Petri dish or similar device containing the medium or gel is stored and which is heat sealed after being evacuated and flushed with a inert gas to remove oxygen from within the dish and the pouch while in a vacuum chamber.

Abstract: A method for liquid spill containment utilizes a collapsible and reusable spill containment bag which is flexible and includes a main body portion and a tubular extension portion at the upper end thereof. The extension portion which can be folded or inserted into the main body portion enhances the storage capacity of the bag and may form a closure for the upper end of the bag. Engagement means are provided on both the main body portion and the extension portion. In using the bag, the engagement means are used to suspend the bag in various positions on a tanker truck with a liquid transport system to receive or contain a leak. The containment bag may also be utilized to collect liquid leaking from a drum or barrel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method by which a single operator, at a single station, can pack pre-counted slugs of flat folded cartons, or trays, in one or more layers, in corrugated cases for discharge to a case taper several times faster than with manual packing by several operators. The "flats" are advanced in a longitudinal path on a secondary apron of a stacker, erect on one edge, pre-counted and divided into slugs, so that the single operator can slide each slug longitudinally past a one-way back stop onto a transfer table. The slug may be turned on its longitudinal axis by the operator for inspection and then compressed longitudinally by a ram against the back stop. The operator has already been presented with a single, flat, tubular case, from a stack of such cases, with the leading flaps folded back, and has manually erected the case and inserted it in a case gripper preferably poised above the table, thereby closing the minor bottom closure flaps.

Abstract: When drinking straws are fastened to packs, it is particularly difficult to press the drinking straws precisely onto glue spots previously applied to the packs. For this purpose, it is proposed to determine the position of the packs on their conveyor and then actuate the glue applicator device or a press-on means for drinking straws when this point of the conveyor has been reached and consequently the pack has arrived in front of the glue applicator device or the straw press-on means. Alternatively, the control is determined by measuring the position and speed of the particular pack to be processed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for packaging radially expansile articles by passing a succession of such articles in generally coaxially aligned engaging relation with each other through a tubular guide which retains the articles against expansion, sequentially discharging the end most article into a second tubular guide sized to permit limited radial expansion of the received article, extending an engaging member into the second guide to displace each successively discharged article away from the first guide to enable unobstructed discharge and expansion of the next end most article, and engaging the last discharged article to displace it and a predetermined number of previously discharged articles out of the second guide for bagging.

Abstract: The process serves for closing filled bags (52) making use of an approximately horizontal conveying track (3). The bags are fed on a conveying track with constant conveying speed to a spreading apparatus (16 to 51) and then to a closing station (12, 13). In order that the bag material be stressed as little as possible in the case of a greater capacity, provision is made for a movement to be superimposed on the spreading tools (21) of the spreading apparatus during the spreading process, in the conveying direction (4), that attains the conveying speed, at latest, at the end of the spreading process. In this fashion, the bag end is spread apart without the bag experiencing a delay by the spreading tools (21) reaching therein.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing pressurized, sealed containered food is disclosed, in which a predetermined quantity of low-temperature liquefied gas is charged through two or more low-temperature liquefied gas outlets into a succession of individual containers which have already a predetermined quantity of food including liquid content and are successively travelling upright with the top end open at a constant speed, and each container is subsequently sealed with a lid.

Abstract: A conveyor moves empty containers for single-piece goods one-by-one below an openable bottom on which successive accumulations of the goods are supported. A device for holding an empty container is raised by a control system from a lower position adjacent the conveyor to an upper position below said bottom, the control system being operable to impart to said device with a container thereon a dampened and continuous downward movement from its upper to its lower position in response to falling of a said accumulation against the container when said bottom is opened. The control system includes a valve having a first position for supplying compressed air to one side of a plunger-cylinder assembly to raise said device, a second position for supplying compressed air to the other side of said assembly to hold said device in its upper position, and a third position for venting said one side of said assembly to effect said continuous downward movement.

Abstract: A machine for automatically opening oppositely disposed handles or bails which are collapsed into and onto the bottom of continuously moving bakery baskets or trays. A pair of air cylinder-actuated, pivotally mounted, arcuate shaped lift arms partially lift the bails at a first station. A pair of fixed, sloped plow bars lift the moving bails a further partial amount at a second station. The opening of the bails is completed by a pair of air cylinder-actuated cam surfaced fixtures at a third station, readying the baskets for loading.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for making compact packages for spreadable products wherein base cards are cut from a supply of relatively stiff material, scored and bent into the shape of a channel, the channel then reopened and substantially flattened, and a portion of spreadable product is thereafter deposited onto each pre-bent base card between the score lines. Top sheet material is drawn from a supply of relatively flexible material, scored parallel to each edge, and then folded under the material web, compressed to form a crease at the fold line, and then reopened to a relatively flat position.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of operation for automatically folding obstetrical pads into a so-called three-fold configuration which occupies approximately 40% less volume than two-fold pads of the prior art. The obstetrical pads, as fabricated, have two opposed, elongated tab portions extending beyond the pad proper, and the pad is folded by the apparatus so that these tab portions are juxtaposed adjacent one another in order to facilitate removal of the pad from its package and provide enhanced convenience in preparation of the pad for use. More importantly, the placement of the tab portions in this fashion permits the handling of the pad without contaminating the sterile field in the inner fold area of the pad. By virtue of the reduced volume of the three-fold pad, substantial savings are realized in the manufacturing process, in the storage facilities required for warehousing and inventory at each step in the distribution process, as well as in shipping.

Abstract: A workholder arrangement which employs a support module which can have one of several different workpiece-engaging units interchangeably mounted thereon so that the same workholder module can be readily adapted to function several different ways, such as a collet chuck, a step chuck and an expanding mandrel. The support module has a housing which attaches to the basic machine tool and slidably supports therein an activating sleeve defining an interior conical surface thereon, the activating sleeve being adapted for direct connection to and being axially movable by a draw or push bar.