Abstract: A machine to form the heads of coils made of relatively large rectangular wire so that it fits within the slots of the stator of an electric machine is described herein. The machine receives a coil having unformed first and second heads separated by first and second legs and apply controlled deformation thereto to yield properly shaped heads. The machine comprises first and second leg support mechanisms for gripping the first and second legs and four head forming elements for contacting portions of the heads of the wire coil while the first and second legs are gripped by the leg support. The head forming elements are mounted to the first and second leg support mechanisms for relative movement therebetween. Actuators, coupled to a controller so as to be controlled therefrom are provided for moving the head forming elements and the first and second heads between spaced apart relationships and forming relationships.

Abstract: A coiling machine configured to coil semi-rigid rectangular wires without using a core to wind the wire thereonto, yielding a free-standing coil is described herein. The coiling machine comprises a wire bending mechanism including a wire holding assembly for selectively immobilizing a wire and a wire bending assembly for bending a selected portion of the wire at an angle while the wire is immobilized by the wire holding assembly; a wire feeding mechanism for receiving the wire from a wire drawing mechanism and for feeding a length of the wire to the wire bending mechanism; and a controller coupled to the wire drawing mechanism, wire bending mechanism and wire feeding mechanism to control their operations for sequentially bending the wire at predetermined positions therealong so as to yield a coil of wire.

Abstract: A machine to form the heads of coils made of relatively large rectangular wire so that it fits within the slots of the stator of an electric machine is described herein. The machine receives a coil having unformed first and second heads separated by first and second legs and apply controlled deformation thereto to yield properly shaped heads. The machine comprises first and second leg support mechanisms for gripping the first and second legs and four head forming elements for contacting portions of the heads of the wire coil while the first and second legs are gripped by the leg support. The head forming elements are mounted to the first and second leg support mechanisms for relative movement therebetween. Actuators, coupled to a controller so as to be controlled therefrom are provided for moving the head forming elements and the first and second heads between spaced apart relationships and forming relationships.

Abstract: A microwave popcorn container and its method of fabrication is described. The container is constructed of two parts, a formable paperboard dish and a top flexible impermeable sheet capable of being deployed outwardly by the popcorn kernels when popped. The paperboard dish is formed with a bottom wall and a circumferential side wall having a circumferential flange. A heat susceptor is retained over the bottom wall and an impermeable sheet is laminated thereover and extends to a lower portion of the circumferential side wall. Popcorn kernels and a cooking liquid mixture is disposed over the impermeable sheet and it is then covered with a top flexible impermeable sheet disposed over the popcorn kernel and the side walls and is secured about the circumferential top flange.