Abstract: A method of and apparatus for bagging ice cubes produced by a plurality of cubers with only one bagger when the cubers are stacked side-by-side with the ice produced by each cuber falling into one of two hoppers. The ice is moved from each hopper alternately to the bagger. There each batch of ice cubes is dropped into a bag, the bag sealed, and moved to a storage bin positioned below the bagger. The bags have a short side and a long side with the long side having holes to allow the bags to be supported by horizontal parallel rods extending through the holes. A platen is moved against the short side of a plurality of bags hanging from a first set of parallel rods extending through the holes in the long side of the bags. The air pressure between the platen and the short side of the bag is reduced to cause ambient atmospheric pressure to hold the short side of the outside bag against the platen.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for running long tools into an out of pressurized enclosures includes a tool stop assembled on an access pressure lock of the enclosure and which tool stop cooperates with a segmented tool string to allow sequential assembly, insertion, withdrawal and disassembly of the tool string into and out of the enclosure. The tool string is made up of a number of tool segments interconnected by coupler/spacer members of smaller diameter than the tool sections and of shorter length. The tool catcher acts upon the thinner sections of the coupler/spacer members to fixedly hold the tool string in place for subsequent assembly/disassembly without allowing any significant pressure change in said enclosure.

Abstract: A wave motion compensating and drill string drive apparatus for use in connection with offshore drilling operations includes a kelley with a mandrel telescopically disposed therein and providing a hydraulic ram whose working volume is supplied with fluid at a preselected pressure such that a constant weight can be imposed by the drill string on the bit as the vessel undergoes vertical motion. The hydraulic fluid is supplied to the ram via a swivel coupling to enable the kelley and mandrel to rotate relative thereto, and the members are coupled by slidable splines for the transmission of torque from the rotary to the drill string.