Abstract: A ship's steering gear mechanism (10) embodying a number of improvements to the well-known Rapson-Slide apparatus provides greatly improved operating efficiencies and cost effectiveness by inclusion of a specially configured transverse travelling channel, trunion-mounted hydraulic cylinders (12* and 14*), and reduced friction sliding/rolling slider elements (48 and 144). The traveling channels formed by a pair of transverse beams (34) prevent harmful forces from being reflected back into the hydraulic cylinders, thus reducing their size and strength requirements, while other improvements decrease operating losses due to friction/stiction, and compensate for both static and dynamic component misalignments.

Abstract: In a cast film process, a thin sheet of semi-molten resin is extruded from a die and directed onto a rotating cylinder such that the transverse length of the sheet and the rotational axis of the cylinder are parallel to one another. During this stage of the process, it is desired to prevent air from entering and subsequently being trapped between the film and the casting surface of the rotating cylinder. Ultimately, entrapped air results in localized film distortion and non-uniform heat dissipation from the film. The cast film process employs an air deflector to deflect this laminar air flow layer which is entrained with the surface of the rotating cylinder before it can be forced between the casting surface and the film. The elimination or substantial reduction of the tangential velocity of the entrained air layer provides more uniform adherence of the extruded film to the casting surface.

Abstract: The disclosure is of conveyor belt tracking apparatus comprising an endless conveyor belt having a right edge and a left edge and supported on rollers on which the belt is driven along a predetermined path. First and second rollers are provided under the belt adjacent to the left and right edges and sensing switches are provided adjacent to the left and right edges. The sensing switches are coupled to and turn on a motor having a drive shaft whose direction of rotation pivots the first and second rollers in the proper direction to bear against the belt to move it to the right or left to compensate for undesired belt movement to right or the left and to return the belt to the predetermined path.

Abstract: The machine includes a horizontal operating table and various apparatus associated therewith for performing different functions. The apparatus includes, as a first portion of the operating table, a product in-feed conveyor, a supply of film and bag-forming means, bag-sealing means including means for operating sealing bars to form a seal and simultaneously moving the packaged product along the table to an out-feed conveyor. The invention is particularly concerned with the bag-sealing means.