Abstract: A passive fiber optic repeater bypass is provided which brings fault tolerance to repeatered fiber optic transmission systems. A fiber optic bypass provides an alternate signal path around failed repeaters. The bypass optical attenuation is set to ensure the bypass signal is sufficiently small so as not to interfere with the locally regenerated and transmitted signal, but sufficiently large to be received at the next repeater. In the event of a repeater failure, a repeater monitor disables the local laser transmitter allowing the bypass signal to be received at the next repeater.

Abstract: Regeneration of a Manchester coded data stream is improved by a system for distinguishing which data signal transitions are bit center and which are bit end transitions. Using a monostable flip-flop with associated phasing and timing circuits including a feedback circuit from the clock output itself, the edge transitions are masked to allow only the center transitions to be passed and then used to create the timing pulses. A system for avoiding lockup of the apparatus on an erroneous initial pulse is also described.

Abstract: Heat-sterilizable films are made from a polymer blend of about 10 to about 60 wt % random propylene-ethylene copolymer containing from about 1 to about 6 wt % ethylene-derived units and about 40 to about 90 wt % linear low density polyethylene. The films are especially useful in the manufacture of collapsible parenteral solution bags and overwraps.

Abstract: Heat-sterilizable films are made from a polymer blend of about 10 to about 60 wt % random propylene-ethylene copolymer containing from about 1 to about 6 wt % ethylene-derived units and about 40 to about 90 wt % linear low density polyethylene. The films are especially useful in the manufacture of collapsible parenteral solution bags and overwraps.

Abstract: This relates to a metering device particularly adapted for separating articles being conveyed in end-to-end relation and in side-by-side rows into sets of transversely aligned articles with adjacent sets of articles being displaced in a direction transversely to the direction of movement of the articles so as to provide for the metering or separation of the articles of adjacent sets. To this end there is provided a metering device which includes a pair of endless conveyors having opposed runs and each endless conveyor including first and second sets of article supports or carriers with one set of such article supports or carriers of each conveyor being transversely offset and the article supports or carriers being of the same length in a longitudinal direction as the length of the articles or a unit multiple of such articles. The transverse offsetting of articles of longitudinally adjacent sets serves to automatically transverse the aligned articles of each set.

Abstract: This invention relates to a case can package wherein two twelve can-one-half case can packages are joined to form a one case can package by means of an overwrap. The package film of the one-half case can packages is provided on the outer surface thereof with a suitable overprint in the form of a resist which prevents bonding of the overwrap film thereto. The overwrap film interlocks with the cans of the two one-half case can packages to form a readily handleable one case package unit. The overwrap film is readily removable to present two one-half case can packages for individual sale. The overwrap joining the two one-half case can packages eliminates the need for the usual paper board tray, which is quite expensive, and at the same time provides for improved stacking of the can packages in case lots on pallets.

Abstract: An apparatus for opening collapsed tubular cartons, filling the same with a plurality of product filled beverage cans, or the like, and closing the carton flaps wherein successive cartons, in flattened form, are fed onto a traveling conveyor with end closure flaps extending at opposite sides of the conveyor and double rows of the can units are advanced on infeed conveyor lines traveling along opposite sides of the carton conveyor while the carton carrying conveyor advances the cartons through associated mechanism which co-operates with the conveyor in opening the cartons into tubular form as they are advanced to a filling area or station where the cans are grouped and the required number guided into the opposite open ends of each carton by a series of traveling chains having can engaging lugs thereon which are spaced to properly group the cans and control their movement into the cartons in proper timed relation to the movement of the conveyor which then advances the filled cartons through associated mechanism