Abstract: A strand preorienter is formed by a plurality of spaced parallel preorienter shafts each having a plurality of preorienter discs mounted thereon in axially spaced relationship. The preorienter discs on adjacent shafts overlap and form preorienter partition walls which defined opposite sides of preorienter passages through which the strands fall onto an orienter having orienter passages that align the strands as required. The preorienter passages are significantly wider than the orienter passages and have their outlets positioned immediately above the orienter.

Abstract: A tester for testing the strength (wall stiffness) of a tubular sleeve applies axial pressure to the sleeve via a pair of sealing platens closing the open ends of the sleeve and holding the sleeve in the desired configuration. With the sleeve so held air pressure is applied to the inside of the sleeve and the deflection of at least one of the walls is measured and correlated with the applied air pressure applied thereby to obtain an indication of the strength and stiffness characteristics of the container. Generally with a rectangular cross section sleeve deflection of all four sides of the sleeve are measured.

Abstract: An apparatus for squaring a sleeve having at least one pair of opposed bevelled corners comprises a cradle having sleeve supporting members merging towards an apex but terminating spaced from the apex and having a support beam in the space between the members and the apex. The support members and support beam are arranged to conform with the outside shape of the sleeve in squared condition. An platen is moveable into a sleeve while the sleeve is supported in the cradle. The platen is shaped to substantially conform with the inside of the sleeve in squared condition and is moveable toward the apex to force the sleeve into conformity with the cradle and the support member and thereby square the box. Preferably an end closure pad applicator will apply an end closure pad to the squared sleeve while supported in the cradle and with the platen in place to resist pressure applied to the outside of the sleeve when the pad is being secured to the sleeve.

Abstract: A new bag cassette having a main bottom panel formed by a diagonal panel defined by a pair of spaced parallel fold lines and a pair of side panels is used to protect and position a bag and for squaring a carton. The bag spout is held in a reinforcing panel connected to the main bottom panel by a spacing panel and the bag is protected by the envelope formed by folding the two side panels perpendicular to the diagonal panel. To square a box having a cross section substantially corresponding with the periphery of the main panel, the cassette is inserted into the box with a diagonal panel extending diagonally between the pair of opposed corners of the box and with the side panels in folded enveloping position substantially perpendicular to the diagonal panel. As the cassette is moved down into the box it tends to force the box into squared position. Folding out of the side panels into a position parallel to the diagonal panel completes the squaring and positions the cassette in the bottom of the box.

Abstract: A new bag cassette having a main bottom panel formed by a diagonal panel defined by a pair of spaced parallel fold lines and a pair of side panels is used to protect and position a bag and for squaring a carton. The bag spout is held in a reinforcing panel connected to the main bottom panel by a spacing panel and the bag is protected by the envelope formed by folding the two side panels perpendicular to the diagonal panel. To square a box having a cross section substantially corresponding with the periphery of the main panel, the cassette is inserted into the box with a diagonal panel extending diagonally between the pair of opposed corners of the box and with the side panels in folded enveloping position substantially perpendicular to the diagonal panel. As the cassette is moved down into the box it tends to force the box into squared position. Folding out of the side panels into a position parallel to the diagonal panel completes the squaring and positions the cassette in the bottom of the box.