Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing and applying stretchable adhesive tape to unitize a multiple unit load. The apparatus includes a tape dispenser head on a movable carriage that pre-stretches a narrow band of adhesive tape around a load positioned on an adjacent turn table in a spiral wrapping configuration as the movable carriage ascends and descends vertically in relation to the load while a secondary movable carriage having a tape supply moves within the tape dispenser carriage. Textured pre-stretch rollers and adjacent guides elongate and guide the adhesive tape within the tape dispensing carriage.

Abstract: A mat for holding, e.g., fish for filleting, is comprised of a grid of intersecting ribs having small oblong projections, contained within a supporting frame. The ribs are spaced apart to form relatively large open squares, and the sharp edged projections are centered on the ribs to form pocket like regions at the rib intersections, all to particularly well hold an object such as a fish.

Abstract: A method and apparatus prevent unauthorized programming viewing via a downloadable cable television converter. A booter checksum is computed from data contained in a downloaded booter image. A valid checksum is extracted from tag data associated with a scrambled program signal transmitted on the cable system. The booter checksum is compared to the extracted valid checksum. If the booter checksum and valid checksums match, a descrambler is enabled to descramble the scrambled program signal. If the checksums do not match, the descrambler is not enabled. In this manner, a pirate is prevented from downloading a false booter image to defeat the integrity of the converter.