Abstract: A system for trussing slaughtered birds comprises a conveyer provided with at least one bird holder for transporting a bird to at least one working position along the transport path of the conveyer, a bird trussing station located at the working position, which station includes a trussing module defining a working zone, and a mechanical arrangement for bringing the bird within the working zone in predetermined position and orientation relative thereto to allow for operation of the trussing module according to a trussing pattern by which a trussing element catches and maintains the bird in a trussed condition. The system further comprises a controller operatively connected to the conveyer and the bird trussing station. The system may also comprise a bird's legs crossing station located at a working position upstream the trussing station where the trussing of bird's legs is desired.

Abstract: A safety system for containment of explosion when servicing a tire mounted on a rim includes an enclosure capable of receiving the tire and provided with openings to allow passage of air upon tire explosion, and a support device attached to the enclosure for contacting the tire to secure thereof in a servicing position within the enclosure and without contacting the rim. The system also includes a first energy absorbing unit attached to and located within the enclosure to face a first rim side and capable of substantially absorb kinetic energy of first rim parts ejected upon tire explosion. The system further includes a second energy absorbing unit attached to and located within the enclosure to face a second rim side and capable of substantially absorb kinetic energy of second rim parts and any portion of the tire ejected upon tire explosion.

Abstract: A system and method for handling wicket bags involve a wicket bag holder for transporting wicket bags to a working position along a transport path, the bag holder including one or more holding devices each being operable between an open position allowing receipt of an upper tab of the wicket bag and a closed position whereby the bag is held suspended within a working zone. Also involved are one or more main gripping devices each being operable between an open position allowing receipt of a suspended wicket bag and a closed position whereby the bag is gripped to form a bag neck portion. The system and method may be used for bag filling applications.

Abstract: A safety system for containment of explosion when servicing a tire mounted on a rim includes an enclosure capable of receiving the tire and provided with openings to allow passage of air upon tire explosion, and a support device attached to the enclosure for contacting the tire to secure thereof in a servicing position within the enclosure and without contacting the rim. The system also includes a first energy absorbing unit attached to and located within the enclosure to face a first rim side and capable of substantially absorb kinetic energy of first rim parts ejected upon tire explosion. The system further includes a second energy absorbing unit attached to and located within the enclosure to face a second rim side and capable of substantially absorb kinetic energy of second rim parts and any portion of the tire ejected upon tire explosion.

Abstract: A system and method for handling wicket bags involve a wicket bag holder for transporting wicket bags to a working position along a transport path, the bag holder including one or more holding devices each being operable between an open position allowing receipt of an upper tab of the wicket bag and a closed position whereby the bag is held suspended within a working zone. Also involved are one or more main gripping devices each being operable between an open position allowing receipt of a suspended wicket bag and a closed position whereby the bag is gripped to form a bag neck portion. The system and method may be used for bag filling applications.

Abstract: A system for trussing slaughtered birds comprises a conveyer provided with at least one bird holder for transporting a bird to at least one working position along the transport path of the conveyer, a bird trussing station located at the working position, which station includes a trussing module defining a working zone, and a mechanical arrangement for bringing the bird within the working zone in predetermined position and orientation relative thereto to allow for operation of the trussing module according to a trussing pattern by which a trussing element catches and maintains the bird in a trussed condition. The system further comprises a controller operatively connected to the conveyer and the bird trussing station. The system may also comprise a bird's legs crossing station located at a working position upstream the trussing station where the trussing of bird's legs is desired.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing stiffness characteristics such as modulus of elasticity E of an article such as a piece of lumber moving in a conveying direction transverse to the testing axis, comprises a bearing unit capable of contacting the piece of lumber at two spaced apart portions thereof. There is provided a first deflecting unit including a first working element being normally disposed in a first static position relative to the conveying path for applying a first thrust against a loaded area on the article at an intermediary portion thereof located between the spaced apart portions, to produce an article deflection of a first magnitude. Each working element defines a loading surface extending substantially parallel to the article-conveying path.

Abstract: A breaking detector for a shear pin having a central bore, comprises an electrically conductive element forming an elongated loop extending on a length of the bore of the shear pin and having upper ends defining contact surfaces adjacent to each other. An electrically insulating element extends in the loop, to prevent the conductive element from short-circuiting. Power supply cables are connected respectively to the contact surfaces and are provided with connectors facilitating connection of the breaking detector to other breaking detectors or to an alarm panel. An electrically insulating body removably supports the elements of the detector in the bore of the shear pin. An identification circuit having a light indicator connected between the contact surfaces and projecting at an upper end of the body allows to locate a defective shear pin having broken the conductive element.

Abstract: A breaking detector for a shear pin having a central bore, comprises an electrically conductive element forming an elongated loop extending on a length of the bore of the shear pin and having upper ends defining contact surfaces adjacent to each other. An electrically insulating element extends in the loop, to prevent the conductive element from short-circuiting. Power supply cables are connected respectively to the contact surfaces and are provided with connectors facilitating connection of the breaking detector to other breaking detectors or to an alarm panel. An electrically insulating body removably supports the elements of the detector in the bore of the shear pin. An identification circuit having a light indicator connected between the contact surfaces and projecting at an upper end of the body allows to locate a defective shear pin having broken the conductive element.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing stiffness characteristics such as modulus of elasticity E of an article such as a piece of lumber moving in a conveying direction transverse to the testing axis, comprises a bearing unit capable of contacting the piece of lumber at two spaced apart portions thereof. There is provided a first deflecting unit including a first working element being normally disposed in a first static position relative to the conveying path for applying a first thrust against a loaded area on the article at an intermediary portion thereof located between the spaced apart portions, to produce an article deflection of a first magnitude. Each working element defines a loading surface extending substantially parallel to the article-conveying path.