Abstract: A method of butchering a side of lamb into a plurality of meat cuts comprising cutting along a line running generally perpendicular to the backbone at the point where the hip bone joins the backbone to divide the side into a leg portion and a body portion. The shoulder and foreshank are removed and the body portion is cut along a substantially straight line running generally perpendicular to the ribs to sever a substantial portion of the ribs from the remainder of the body portion. The body portion is cut generally perpendicular to the backbone, slightly forward of the first rib, between the sixth and seventh ribs and beyond the thirteenth rib to divide the remaining body portion into a neck portion, first and second rack cuts, and a loin cut. The chine bone is removed from both rack cuts and the chine bone and backbones are removed from the loin cut. The rib cut is cut along the breastbone to remove the breastbone cartilage and flank portions to form a breast cut.

Abstract: A system for in-line processing of envelopes and the like includes a first upstanding feed hopper for feeding primary rectangular envelopes through a first printer press operative to print predetermined indicia on the primary envelopes after which they are conveyed in the direction of their major longitudinal axes through an inserter station operative to insert special event envelopes between selected ones of the primary envelopes. The primary and insert envelopes are conveyed in-line past an ink jet type printer operative to print particular customer data on each successive envelope making up a set, followed by automatic collating and insertion of sets of envelopes into cartons. A pulse encoder and photoelectric sensors cooperate with various elements of the system and an electronic data processor to effect automatic high speed operation of the system.

Abstract: A method of packing a semisolid compound into a bag comprising the steps of precooling a high temperature semisolid compound to such a temperature at which it can maintain the desired viscosity, filling said precooled semisolid compound into a packing bag made of synthetic resin while cooling its outer surface with water, heat-sealing an opening part of the bag, putting the bag in a water tank for cooling, removing the cooled bag and transporting it, and an apparatus for carrying out the above-described method.

Abstract: Sterile packages are produced which have a shaped depression and a closure sheet sealed onto this depression. In order to furnish sterile inner surfaces for the packages, two tubes of packaging material each of which have a sterile inner surface are slit lengthwise and opened out into flat strips in order to form the depressions and the closure strip. Depressions are produced in one strip, which is underlaid with a reinforcing strip; thereafter the depressions are filled and sealed with the closure strip, which has one layer comprising the strip made from the other tube and another layer from another strip. The sterile surfaces of the strips are arranged so that they face one another.

Abstract: Method for the preparation of mixtures of pharmaceutical liquids, for example infusion solutions, from storage containers containing at least two of the individual mixture components, in an arrangement with a vacuum chamber to receive the containers to be filled and with a connecting hose for each storage container as well as a tube connected to the container to be filled and also connected with the connection hoses of the storage containers via a hose connection, with the attainment of the desired predetermined amount of each mixture component being indicated by registering air intake into the individual connection hoses, clamping the respective connecting tube and sealing and cutting the hose downstream from the clamping following corresponding registration of air intake into all present connection hoses.

Abstract: A method of sealing the nose a packaging flat tube band after opening thereof. The method comprises separately adsorbing the upper and lower films and separating these films away from each other thereby to open the nose, charging a matter to be packaged through the opened nose in the horizontal direction, welding the tube band at both sides of the packaged matter transversely, and cutting the portion of the flat the tube band adjacent to the feed side. These steps are repeatedly to sucessively seal the nose of the packaging flat tube band. Disclosed also is an apparatus suitable for carrying out this nose sealing method.

Abstract: According to the method of the invention the packing means, for example yoghurt containers, are introduced into a sterilizing chamber, which is sealed. The interior of the chamber is then evacuated and then pressurized steam is intoduced into it. This leads to a temperature rise and consequently to a sterilization of the packing means. The steam is only introduced for a brief period, e.g. for 5 seconds. The sterilizing chamber is then evacuated again and steam and condensate are removed. Cold sterile air is then blown into the chamber, which leads to a fast cooling of the packing means.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming one or more pleats in a continuously advancing sheet of indeterminate length are provided. The apparatus includes a first roll, over which the sheet passes while a streak of adhesive is laid upon a selected strip of the sheet, and a composite roll, to which the sheet passes as a reach under selectively varied tension. The composite roll includes a parallel roll and an inclined roll which is inclined at a pleat angle to the parallel roll and is driven by rolling contact with the parallel roll while passing through a pinch zone at the apex of the pleat angle which is 0.25.degree. to 5.degree., preferably about 1.5.degree.. The periphery of the inclined roll may vary from a right circular cylinder to a right circular cone with its peripheral surface at a bevel angle to the circular side thereof. The bevel angle is preferably one half of the pleat angle.

Abstract: Compression packaging of flexible hose into a packaging container using an elongated peripherally closed housing supporting and surrounding an elongated section of flexible hose. A piston is placed at one end of the housing in peripherally sealed relation to the housing. A packaging container is placed at the second end of the housing. Suction is applied at this second end of the housing to create a pressure differential across the piston without creating a pressure differential across the hose wall, causing the piston to travel the length of the housing for axial compression of the hose into the packaging container.

Abstract: For raising the rate of production of packaging machines, especially for the manufacture of cigarette packets (10, 11), the rate of production of an apparatus for wrapping the packets in an outer blank (film blank 19, 20) is to be raised. For this purpose a plurality, especially two adjacent packets (10, 11) are conveyed simultaneously, and are wrapped in a common overall blank (18) of corresponding width. After formation of a stable tubular blank, which wraps both the packets (10, 11), there follows the cutting through of the overall blank (18), with formation of the individual film blanks (19, 20) which thereafter are fully folded.

Abstract: This relates to a series of cooperating mechanisms which be individually actuated. Specifically, the mechanisms include a first mechanism for engaging a tubular member, such as a straw, and removing the same from a dispensing unit. The tubular member may then be engaged by a second mechanism which will move it into a desired release position, such as within a pouch. A second mechanism may be utilized individually and includes a crank arm which carries a transfer unit which pivots relative to the crank arm and which includes a support blade having associated therewith jaw members. The two mechanisms are preferably driven by cams carried by a common drive shaft and wherein at least two of the cams have associated therewith return springs. The operation of the two mechanisms, when utilized in unison, is such that one spring counterbalances the other. There is also provided a dispensing unit for dispensing tubular members, one at a time, at a fixed position.

Abstract: In the production of cigarette packs, especially as hinge-lid or flip top packs, the introduction of a group of cigarettes, in the form of a cigarette block, into the partially folded pack is accomplished by feeding the cigarette block in the radial direction to a folding turret for the pack, the cigarette block being received in a block pocket during a transport stage. To prevent relative displacements in this stage, the cigarette block is fixed, during transport in the block pocket, by clamping.

Abstract: A carton flap folding assembly, particularly intended for use with single tuck flap cigarette cartons, uses a hinged upper plate provided with vacuum ports to elevate a major carton face. A lower tucker blade raises the flap face of the single carton flap and an upper tucker blade, which is carried at the end of a rotatable upper tucker arm, folds or tucks a flap edge portion of the single flap into the space between the surface of the upper cigarette pack row and the elevated major carton face. The upper tucker blade and arm are rotated out of the space in the carton while the upper hinge plate lowers the major carton face and releases it. The flap edge of the single tuck face is thereby held between the pack surface and the carton wall to close the carton.

Abstract: A plastic film bottom tray is held in shape by a rigid bottom rim. A plastic film top is held in shape by a rigid top rim above the tray. Substance to be lyophilized is frozen in the tray. The assembly is lyophilized in a vacuum chamber. Apertures formed between the top and the tray provide fluid pathways for efficient sublimation. After dehydration, the top rim is pushed down into the bottom rim, obliterating the apertures and pressure sealing the two films together in-vacuo.After removal from the vacuum chamber, the two films are heat sealed together, forming a lyophilized product vacuum sealed within a plastic film bag. Rims and film beyond the heat seal are trimmed away.

Abstract: The apparatus incorporates a conveyor having a generally horizontal upper run which includes container receiving and supporting apertures, at a first station. At a second station along the conveyor path, the containers are each filled with a predetermined amount of a flowable product which is dispensed into each of the containers during relative vertical separating movement of a filler nozzle with respect to each container. Thereafter, each of the product-filled containers is conducted to a third station along the conveyor path wherein a closure fitment is positioned within the opening of the filled conical container. At a fourth station along the conveyor path, a crimping device mechanically crimps the upper edge of the container about an upturned annular flange of the closure fitment to thereby form a mechanical connection between the closure fitment and the conical container. The flange of the closure fitment is sealed, to the container to form a liquid-tight sealed packaging container structure.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for case packing flexible product-containing bags is described. Rows of flexible product-containing bags are fed onto a tongue assembly. The tongue assembly has a flat plate which guides the bags into a carton, a movable lip which supports the bags from below and means for moving the lip from a bag-supporting position to a non-supporting position. The tongue assembly containing the bags is inserted into the carton and the movable lip is moved into a non-supporting position, allowing the bags to drop into the carton. The flat plate is also used to partially compress bags which have already been deposited in the carton.

Abstract: An electric heat exchanger and adaptor bushing designed to provide for the complete vaporization of a heating fuel.A first easily machined element has electric resistance heaters contained entirely within a solid portion thereof comprising a first zone. Second and third zones of the first machined element provide for mixing and attachment respectively.By use of a second machined element, the invention device may be effectively used to retrofit an existing system to thereby greatly enhance system efficiency.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for packing batches of cigarettes, in which batches B are transferred from a hopper 10 into compression boxes 16 of an intermittent conveyor 14, and are then packaged (e.g. in soft packs) while passing along continuous conveyors 22, 30 and 38. Compressed batches B are transferred into U-shaped foil wrappers F1 in compartments 28 of the conveyor 22, when folding flaps 88 fold over the two sides of the wrapper before the transfer is completed (FIG. 4). In a modification, the batches are formed from a continuous stream of cigarettes (FIGS. 8 and 9), and any voids V in the stream are filled by an intermittent acceleration rotor 350 (FIG. 11).

Abstract: A palletized unstable load is stretch wrapped for unitization of the load to facilitate shipping through the use of a confinement container which contains a pallet and a lift for raising the pallet and load from the container. A stretched film is dispensed about the upper periphery of the container as the container is rotated on a turntable. As the load is raised it engages the film which is transferred from the top of the container to form a spiral about the load.

Abstract: A vertical form, fill and seal packaging machine is described for forming a flat strip of packaging material into a tube and for filling the tube with solid and liquid products which mix in situ within the bags thus formed. Folding blades form gussets in the tube between parallel spaced apart front and rear tube forming surfaces. Sealing jaws seal the filled bags transversely, along the top and bottom edges. Additional pair of jaws seal the gusset material to the side panels at the bottom of the bag causing the gussets in that area to conform to a flat bottom portion of the bag. Additional jaws seal the walls of the bag together to provide a locating seal to keep the product in about the center of the bag and preventing it from falling to the bottom of the bag.