Abstract: In its preferred form the invention comprises a method and apparatus for packaging products such as foodstuffs, whereby the product is held in flexible bag inside a chamber, and the bag is substantially evacuated and then filled with a gas such as carbon dioxide, with pressure in the chamber on the outside of the bag being reduced during the evacuation to prevent entrapment of air in the bag.

Abstract: A tool for stamping annular blanks to form retainers for truncated spherical members in a single stroke stamping operation comprises a sectored punch having at least one pair of diametrically opposed sectors of a cyclinder separated from one another at their apexes such that the sectors of two punches can be intermated. The distal ends of the sectors are spherically contoured such that alternating spherical surfaces are formed on the inside surface of the retainers by two intermating sectored punches. The sectored punches form alternating cylindrical and spherical surfaces into the upper and lower portions of a blank to form the retainer. The cylindrical surfaces permit spherical members to be inserted into the retainers by hand or with the use of hand tools.

Abstract: A tool for stamping annular blanks to form retainers for truncated spherical members in a single stroke stamping operation comprises a sectored punch having at least one pair of diametrically opposed sectors of a cylinder separated from one another at their apexes such that the sectors of two punches can be intermated. The distal ends of the sectors are spherically contoured such that alternating spherical surfaces are formed on the inside surface of the retainers by two intermating sectored punches. The sectored punches form alternating cylindrical and spherical surfaces into the upper and lower portions of a blank to form the retainer. The cylindrical surfaces permit spherical members to be inserted into the retainers by hand or with the use of hand tools.

Abstract: The present invention provides a retainer comprising a substantially planar support member having an opening therein designed to receive an annular member such as a bearing. Around the opening a plurality of slits are formed extending generally radially outwardly from the opening to form a plurality of retainer lips. The retainer lips are bent out of the plane of the support member such that the retainer will receive and fixedly engage the bearing in a snap fit. Bearing guides and steps may be used in aligning the bearing in the retainer.

Abstract: Apparatus particularly advantageous for use as part of a bicycle or other chain drive assembly featuring a single plate formed to embody a plurality of drive sprockets. A preferred embodiment illustrated is comprised of a plate the central portion of which is dished and offset to a plane parallel to that occupied by an outer annular portion which embodies a set of sprocket teeth on its outer periphery. The offset plate portions are rigidly fixed in their respective positions by strip-like connectors which extend from the outer periphery of the dished portion of the plate to the inner periphery of said annular plate portion. The central dished portion of the plate is flat and has a disc-like configuration which also embodies sprocket teeth on its outer periphery, intermediate notched portions thereof from which extend the radial connector strips.Also featured is a plate-like chain guard which has a dished configuration.