Abstract: Hair cutting apparatus including a housing and laser apparatus disposed in the housing and arranged to provide a beam of light impinging on hair to be cut, the beam of light being operative to cut the hair.

Abstract: A hair clipper including a handle portion having a drive end with a first coupler formation, a blade assembly having a housing at least partially enclosing a reciprocating blade and a fixed blade, and having a second coupler formation for engaging the first coupler formation, the first and second coupler formations forming a ball-and-socket connection.

Abstract: A drive sprocket arrangement includes a drive sprocket and a drive ring rolling loosely on the outer periphery of the sprocket. Drive links of the saw chain enter recesses in the sprocket via orifices in the drive ring. The drive ring has at an axial inner edge thereof a radially inwardly directed flange to retain the ring on the sprocket, and at an axial outer edge thereof a radially outwardly directed flange to retain the chain in place. The flanges are arranged such that the axial inner edge will be disposed above the axial outer edge when the drive shaft of the chain saw points downwardly.

Abstract: A laser gradient setting device, having such an arrangement that a reference laser beam with a gradient is emitted and a reference laser beam in vertical direction is emitted, whereby the laser gradient setting device can be easily positioned by the reference laser beam in vertical direction by a single worker.

Abstract: An improved carpenter's tape measure is provided, containing a fixture allowing for the easy and precise measurements from corner to corner. The tape measure comprises a tape stored upon a drum within a housing, and further comprises the fixture, which slides along the tape while in use, and which may be stored within the housing when not in use. A locking mechanism is integrated with the fixture so that the tape may be locked while the fixture is within the housing in stored position, as well as outside the housing.

Abstract: Microwave clothes dryer and method in which an impending fire and/or explosion is detected by monitoring gases from the drying chamber with a solid state gas sensor to detect the presence of a gas associated with fire or an explosion. In the disclosed embodiments, the gases to be detected include ethane, propane, butane, toluene, hydrogen sulfide, alcohol, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A process for drying a web of material moving at a speed of at least about 150 feet per minute. In the first step of the process, a web of material is contacted with a first mixture of air and flue gas while passing the web under a first air nozzle. Thereafter, a portion of the first air/flue gas mixture is exhausted through a first exhaust nozzle disposed less than 12 inches away from the first air nozzle. Thereafter, the web is passed under a multiplicity of gas fired infrared radiation emitting burners while contacting said moving web with infrared radiation and flue gas and heating said moving web to a temperature of from about 100 to about 280 degrees Fahrenheit. Thereafter, the web is contacted with a second mixture of air and flue gas while passing it under a second air nozzle.

Abstract: Ventilated footwear has in a sole thereof a pumping chamber formed in a heel portion of the sole and bounded by two parallel top and bottom walls and a peripheral wall which is resilient to bias the pumping chamber and has converging upper and lower wall portions extending from the top and bottom walls of the chamber. Air is supplied to the pumping chamber through an air inlet passage and is exhausted from the pumping chamber via an air outlet passage.

Abstract: A disposable shower thong including a sole member formed of a flat planar paper material that has a top surface and a bottom surface. The paper material of the sole member has a top layer and a bottom layer with a common sheeting therebetween. Each layer is comprised of a corrugated paper sheet. The corrugated sheet of each layer has an alternating sequence of protruding crests and recessed troughs defining a wave-like filler. The sole member has a front foot section, a heel section and an end step section. Lastly, an elongated strap is positioned around the sole member and attached by an adhesive to the bottom surface of the sole. The strap, when attached to the bottom surface, forms a semi-spherical loop about the top surface of the sole.

Abstract: A snowboarding boot having a flexible upper portion has one or more somewhat vertical elongate pockets on the surface of the upper portion to receive therein elongate, semi-rigid stiffening stays. Each pocket is formed of flexible material to define a medial channel having an open top and cross-sectional area similar to that of the stiffening stay to be carried therein to allow variable vertical positioning and positional maintenance of the stiffening stays by reason of frictional engagement with the pocket. Stiffening stays are formed of elongate strips of semi-rigid material, normally having some resiliency but being more rigid than the flexible upper portion of a boot, and the stiffening stays optionally carry a loop of flexible material in their upper end portions to aid insertion and removal and releasable fasteners for positional maintenance within a carrying pocket. The pockets extend downwardly from the top of a boot or to the ankle area in vertical or angulated orientation.

Abstract: A mechanical excavator provided on a tractor or other vehicle and which comprises a main boom, which at its lower end is pivotally connected to a king post assembly for movement up and down in a vertical plane, a dipper arm pivotally connected to the outer end of the boom for movement in a vertical plane and carrying or being adapted to carry a bucket or like tool, the king post assembly providing for pivotal slewing movement of the main boom about a vertical axis so that the main boom can be rotated from one side to the other of the center line of the vehicle, the king post assembly being mounted upon a guide frame extending transversely of the center line of the vehicle, the king post assembly being moveable along the guide frame, and fixing clamps for releasably fixing the king post assembly relative to the guide frame, wherein a fluid operated ram connected between the king post assembly and an anchor which is adapted to be fixed relative to the guide frame whereby extension or contraction of the fluid op

Abstract: An electrical steam iron having a soleplate, a housing, a thermostat and a temperature control knob connected to a shaft of the thermostat by an adapter. A spring is directly mounted to the adapter and has a deflectable portion between the adapter and the thermostat. The spring is a single wire that has a U-shaped center and crisscrossed L-shaped legs.

Abstract: A device for inserting substantially rectangular laundry articles into a feeder, comprising a conveyor which is adapted first to grip a stretched portion of a front edge on the laundry article and then to convey the laundry article into the feeder with the front edge foremost in the direction of feed, two spreader roller members and a device in front of the conveyor, seen in the direction of feed, to cause the laundry article to frictionally contact each of the spreader roller members in such a manner that the laundry article is guided to the right or to the left with respect to the direction of feed a suitable control system adapted for the purpose. The device for achieving frictional contact between the spreader roller members and the laundry article includes perforation in the surfaces of the spreader roller members and the generation of a negative pressure in the spreader roller members so that the laundry article is sucked into engagement with these.

Abstract: A device for inserting laundry articles into a feeder, comprising a conveyor which is adapted to first grip a stretched portion of a front edge on the laundry article and then to convey the laundry article into the feeder with the front edge foremost in the direction of feed, an underlying horn being positioned in front of the conveyor with respect to the direction of feed such that the laundry article is pulled across the horn, an overlying horn being provided between the conveyor and the underlying horn such that the laundry article during the insertion is pulled below the overlying horn in engagement with it. This ensures effective smoothing-out of any creases on the laundry article before it is inserted into the feeder.

Abstract: A marker device includes a support adapted to receive an identifying message and at least one fixing member integral with this support for attaching the combination to an item to be marked. Two marker devices are detachably paired enabling conjoint composition of the identifying messages they are two carry. The device is applicable to identifying both ends of the same electrical installation cable.

Abstract: A poster display apparatus winds a film carrying the posters between spools. The surface speeds of rotation of the spools are equalized by a rising and falling weight carried by a cord interconnecting pulleys carried by the spool axles.

Abstract: A sign support comprises a rectangular sheet of a plastic material, which has two fold lines permitting it to be folded to form a closed triangular-section support member. The support member is held closed by the engagement of tongues along one side edge of the sheet engaging in slots in the other side edge, and braced by upper and lower triangular bracing members. The bracing members have tongues along each side, which engage in slots in the upper and lower edges of the folded sheet. The bracing members each have a central aperture and a slot by which they can be mounted on a lamp-post or the like, so that the support member can then be assembled round them. In an alternative construction, the support member comprises three separate sheets which can be connected together by way of tongues and slots in the opposite edges to form the closed triangular section support member.

Abstract: A mobile that is constructed from modular components. The mobile is particularly suited for displaying pictures (i.e. photographs) and updating pictures from time to time. The modular components include display envelopes, a modular support, a hanger, and a suspension medium (i.e. thread). Each of the display envelopes are capable of simultaneously displaying two pictures. The display envelopes are suspended from the modular support via the suspension medium. The hanger is centrally located along the length of the modular support and facilitates hanging the modular support and the associated display envelopes from an external structure. The modular support and interconnected display envelopes are optimally balanced by the alignment of the hanger. In particular, the modular support and the associated display envelopes are balanced by longitudinally sliding the hanger along the modular support.

Abstract: An in-line muzzle-loading firearm in which the firing pin is cocked by a bolt action permits the use of a stronger firing pin spring, reduced mass firing pin, and reduced firing pin travel, resulting in reduced lock times.

Abstract: A scope mount is provided for a rifle which allows multiple scopes to be simultaneously attached to the rifle. The scope mount includes a connector which is rigidly attachable to a rifle base affixed to a receiver of the rifle. The scope mount also includes an auxiliary base rigidly attached to the connector and spaced to a side of the connector. The auxiliary base has a contour similar to a contour of the rifle base. Hence, any scope which is attachable to the rifle base directly can be similarly attached to the auxiliary base. The connector of the scope mount has a length which is shorter than a length of the rifle base. The connector can be connected to the rifle base and leave remaining portions of the rifle base exposed for connection of a scope thereto. A second scope can then be connected to the auxiliary base of the scope mount without necessitating removal of the scope which is attached directly to the rifle base. Thus, two scopes or other objects can be connected to the rifle.

Abstract: A reel leg fixing device is made up of a tubular main body 3 provided with a first reel leg receive portion 2 and fittable loosely onto a rod 1, a support portion 4 disposed on one side portion of the tubular main body 3 and extended in the longitudinal direction of the rod 1, a partially cylindrical engaging receive portion 6' fitted loosely onto the rod 1, and a fastening tubular member 8' fitted loosely onto the rod 1, provided with a second reel leg receive portion 7 and fittable with the engaging receive portion 6'. The fastening tubular member 8' is designed to fasten the engaging receive portion 6' onto the rod 1 to adjust the fixing position of the reel leg and to fix the reel leg to the rod positively.

Abstract: A storage container for storing fishing lures having treble hooks carried by lure bodies in a tangle-free manner includes a plurality of lure compartments, each having first and second lure storage panels. A plurality of lure retention slots are formed in the lure storage panels having a slot entrance which receives a shank of the treble hooks of the fishing lures. The first and second panels are carried in each lure compartment and a hook space is formed below the panels and a lure body space is formed above the panels so that the treble hooks are completely enclosed and separated from the treble hooks of the other fishing lures as well as from the bodies of the fishing lures. The first and second lure storage panels are carried in each compartment about a pivot so that the slot entrances may be pivoted upwardly for easy insertion and removal of fishing lures.

Abstract: A smart weed recognition and identification system comprises a chlorophyll sensor for detecting green vegetation and memory map means for storing images which contain different forms of green vegetation. The memory maps stored in memory are processed to eliminate the background information and leave a memory map containing only green vegetation. The enhanced memory map is further processed by an operation of segmentation into identifiable regions and the identifiable green vegetation regions are processed to identify unique attributes for each of the regions.

Abstract: Plant-cutting shears with a chemical applicator includes two cutting blades, each having a handle. A resilient fluid-absorptive element capable of holding a quantity of a systemic herbicide or other liquid plant-treatment chemical is provided. The chemical-holding element is mounted on the shears such that a surface of the element lies approximately in the cutting plane of the blades, but with the element isolated from fluid contact with the overlapping active areas of the blades. In operation, with a single cutting motion of the shears, a user may cut a plant and cause the resilient chemical-holding element to make direct fluid-applying physical contact with the plant wounds.

Abstract: The present invention provides cover crop systems which employ hybrid lethal plant varieties. Hybrid lethal cover crops such as hybrid lethal wheat varieties are useful, for example, in reducing soil erosion and inhibiting weed growth during the winter season prior to planting the primary crop (e.g., potatoes).

Abstract: There is provided an elevated plant holder which is supported entirely from an ordinary plant or flower pot having a tapered interior surface. The plant holder includes an upstanding pole having a lower end near the bottom of the plant pot and an upper end. A pair of horizontally extending cross arms is provided for securing the pole at a point intermediate its ends and within the plant pot to the tapered interior surface of the plant pot. The upstanding pole passes through a central orifice in each cross arm. The opposite ends of the cross arms are disposed against the tapered interior surface of the plant pot. The longitudinal axes of the cross arms are disposed substantially perpendicularly to one another and lie in substantially adjacent planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pole. A wire basket is attached to the upper end of the pole for holding the plant. In an alternative embodiment, a wire frame is provided for securing the pole to the interior surface of the plant pot.

Abstract: A muzzle loading firearm having a tubular receiver for retaining an axially movable hammer and a cocking handle assembly for moving the hammer to a cocked position. The hammer has a first body portion having a laterally extending slot and an engagement portion for receiving and engaging the sear. The cocking handle assembly is comprised of a cocking handle block disposed in the hammer slot and a cocking handle. A cocking handle return spring biases the cocking handle assembly towards a forward position. A hammer spring biases the hammer towards the percussion cap. The hammer is cocked by moving the cocking handle assembly to a rear position against the force of the cocking handle return spring. The rear surface of the cocking handle block engages the rear surface of the hammer slot, moving the hammer to the limit of rearward travel and allowing the sear to be received by the hammer engagement portion.

Abstract: A cable drive for elevator doors has first and second drive pulleys eccentrically mounted 180.degree. out-of-phase on the same drive motor shaft so that the cable feed rate is greater at the middle, than at the start and end of each drive cycle. Feeder pulleys arranged below the drive pulleys ensure that cable angle of feed to tension pulleys positioned at opposite ends of the door travel remains constant, regardless of rotational position of the drive pulleys. The doors travel along guide tracks provided with downwardly directed flanges, behind which upwardly directed flanges of door sheave assemblies are captured. The sheave assemblies also include downwardly directed flanges that are captured behind upwardly directed rails of the tracks. In a single-slide door or center-opening two door arrangement, each door panel has two sheave assemblies and two facing tracks are provided, the sheave of each assembly riding on a different track.

Abstract: A wire type window regulator is provided wherein dislodging of a wire guide from a motor housing and damage to the motor housing and rewire guide can be prevented. In addition, the angle and length of guide portions of the wire guide are not restricted. The motor housing includes a drum casing wall internally containing a take-up drum. The wire guide has an attachment member filling a cutout portion of the drum casing wall and attaching the wire guide with the motor housing. A step is provided in the drum casing wall and a cooperating protruding portion is provided in the attachment member of the wire guide, thereby preventing the wire guide from being dislodged.

Abstract: A magnetic door gasket (10) having a central web (18) and three enclosed chambers (12, 14, 16) projecting from a first side of the web, and a U-shaped recess (20) formed by the web and a leg (22) spaced from the opposed side of the web and joined thereto by a bight (26). The leg has a U-shaped projection (24) projecting therefrom partly to the web, the projection being spaced from the bight. The projection has a nib (28) projecting obliquely from a closed end (30) toward the web and the bight. The gasket is formed from a resilient material, such as PVC, by extrusion.

Abstract: A decompression panel is releasably secured in a decompression opening of a partition structure by means of mounting elements that can release the panel in either a blow-in or a blow-out direction. A perimeter frame bridges the area at the perimeter of the panel and overlaps the edges of the panel and of the partition structure around the decompression opening. Respective pairs of mounting elements are arranged near the edge of the panel and the edge of the partition structure to releasably secure the perimeter frame to the partition structure and to the decompression panel. Each mounting element includes a bolt and a retaining device including two conical sleeves arranged one within the other. The bolt is screwed into the inner sleeve and the inner sleeve is releasably connected to the outer sleeve by frangible safety tabs, which break at a rated force to release the bolt and thereby free the decompression panel and allow it to be displaced out of the decompression opening.

Abstract: An anti-bird perching device which can be installed by draping over railings, water pipes, wire cables or the like, either as a permanent or temporary barrier or deterrent for keeping both small and large birds from landing or perching on the understructure to be protected is described. The device comprises two identical panels made of a wire open rectangular grid fencing which said panels are hingedly attached to one another at spaced horizontal points, and wherein the wire material above the hinge points define two parallel rows of crisscrossing upwardly projecting wire prongs or spikes defining a surface which deters birds from landing or perching thereon. The hinged attachment permits the two-wire panel units to be pulled apart for installation or collapsed tightly together for compact shipping and storage applications. A method of installing multiple barrier units along a span of electric cable, telephone wire or water pipes and the like is also disclosed.

Abstract: An enclosed swimming pool is disclosed having floor, side and roof members formed of panels of polyurethane material covered on the interior and exterior surfaces thereof with a layer of fiberglass reinforced resinous material to form a monolithic enclosure for holding a quantity of water and an opening in the side wall member to permit access to the interior of the enclosure.

Abstract: Highly insulating connectors used in making highly insulative composite wall structures. At least a substantial portion of the connector is injection molded in a single step from an appropriate resinous material or moldable plastic. The connector has a substantially pointed end in a penetrating segment for facilitating penetration of the connector through an insulating layer and a yet unhardened structural material, such as concrete, that will harden into a first structural layer. The opposite end, or gripping segment, includes arcuate wings for facilitating gripping of the connector during placement in the insulating layer and first unhardened structural layer, and also for anchoring the connectors upon hardening of a second structural layer. A middle or mesial segment resides within the insulating layer, which is sandwiched between the first and second structural layer.

Abstract: A wall structure for interior sound and thermal insulation of rooms. The wall structure comprises at least one insulating member (26a, 26b, 26c) and fastening profiles (10, 28) consisting of metal. These are intended partly for the mutual affixing of members laterally, partly for affixing of each member to floor and ceiling. Especially, each member comprises a soft insulating sheet and a thereto fastened, rigid support sheet. The fastening profiles intended for affixing of the member to floor and ceiling are of L-type and the fastening profiles (28) intended for mutual affixing of members are of T-type. One portion of each L-profile is intended for installation to floor and ceiling respectively and the other for installation in an area between the insulating sheet of the member and its support sheet.

Abstract: A panel (10) for covering a slat board (12) of a slat wall (11) includes a face portion (22) having a hook member (23) at its lower end and another hook member (24) at its upper end. The hook members (23, 24) are adapted to engage the lateral edges of the slat board (12) so that the face portion (22) is adjacent to the slat board (12). Graphics (40) may be applied to the slat wall (11) by cutting the graphics (40) into strips (40A-40J) with a portion (41) therebetween being removed and discarded. Each strip (40A-40J) is then inserted into a panel (10) between hook members (23, 24), and each panel (10) is sequentially installed on a slat board (12) to recreate the graphic image (40). In another embodiment, opposed upper and lower tabs (29, 30) can be provided at the ends of face portion (22) so that graphic or other decorative material may be held therebetween.

Abstract: There is disclosed a panel clip for siding. The clip is especially useful for installing a top siding row on a next to top siding row. The clip has a first face and a second face. The clip is formed from a continuous metal strip. The clip has a generally J-shaped portion and a generally inverted V-shaped portion. The generally J-shaped portion has a first end corresponding to an upper end of the J and a second end corresponding to a tail end of the J. The generally inverted V-shaped portion has an apex, a first end, a first leg extending between the apex and the first end, a second end, and a second leg extending between the apex and the second end. Each leg has a first face and a second face corresponding to the first face and the second face of the continuous metal strip. The first end of the generally inverted V-shaped portion is connected to the second end of the generally J-shaped portion to form a generally S-shaped bend with the second leg of the generally inverted V-shaped portion.

Abstract: A space-dividing upright wall system wherein wall panels are supported on and connected through upright panel connecting members, the latter having a foot for engagement with a floor. The panel connecting member is preferably of Z-shaped cross section including parallel side legs joined by a diagonally-extending cross wall. Each side leg has an upright row of slots which accommodate hangers associated with components which mount on the wall system. The slots in the two sidewalls are isolated from one another by the cross wall. Each side leg has vertically-extending rows of hooks projecting outwardly from opposite side edges thereof, which hooks cooperate with a pair of generally aligned panels for rigidly joining the panels together.

Abstract: A brace provides lateral support to a series of upright truss units of a truss system having at least first, second and third truss units, with each truss unit having at least one beam member having a first surface, that is generally co-planar with corresponding beam members of other truss units. The brace includes a generally continuous, elongated central leg having a first surface, a second surface positioned for engaging a first surface of the beam members of the first, second and third truss units, and a longitudinally extending rib member. The rib member is unitarilly formed with the central leg and extends generally outwardly from the second side surface of the central leg and includes a first opening for receiving the first truss unit, a second unit for receiving the second truss unit, and a third opening for receiving the third truss unit.

Abstract: A roof panel attachment clip includes a bracket having an upper flange, and a sliding member which supports one or more tabs. The sliding member and the bracket have alignable openings such as slots above a hole for receiving a bolt which connects the bracket to a purlin. The openings are sized to receive the shaft of an installation tool, such as a socket wrench, and must be aligned in order to get the wrench properly on the fastener. The installer is thus assisted in centering the tabs in the slots as he connects the bracket to the purlin. Once the tool is withdrawn, it is possible to slide the tabs out of position, but a biasing force between the sliding member and the bracket resists such movement.

Abstract: An energy dissipating connector for coupling first and second rebar members together has a housing for receiving ends of the first and second rebar members, and a viscoelastic material disposed within the housing and interconnecting at least one of the rebar members with the housing. The viscoelastic material facilitates longitudinal movement of the first and second rebar members relative to one another in response to longitudinal tension and compression forces applied to the first and second rebar members.

Abstract: A barrier is formed with pairs of elongate first supports having tiop plate portions and side plate portions forming a substantially U-shaped configuration. A flang portion extends from each side plate portion. The top plate portion being formed with a plurality of spaced apart apertures with the side plate portion formed with a plurality of spaced apart slits. Web-like second supports are inserted into the slits of the first supports and have apertures which are aligned with apertures in the top plate portion of the first supports. Block members of rectangular cross-section are held between the first supports and second supports along opposit end and side surfaces with opposite upper and lower surfaces being supported by the second supports. Bolts and nuts serve to fasten the first and second supports together while clamping the block members between the flange portions and side plate portions of the first supports as well as between the second supports.

Abstract: Interior wall panels having a rigid frame backing member to which an outer pliable sheet material is secured. A filling or padding material is retained between the sheet material and the backing member and the sheet material is secured through the filling in a plurality of spaced locations to thereby create a three dimensional surface relief. In some embodiments, the wall panels may be specifically constructed to provide thermal and sound insulating properties.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for a photo-sensitive film magazine packed in a container is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of (a) assembling a photosensitive film magazine in a photosensitive film magazine assembly section (b) feeding successively the photosensitive film magazine to a container accommodation section from said photosensitive film magazine assembly section through a predetermined passage and (c) setting the photosensitive film magazine into a photosensitive film magazine container in the container accommodation section.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for producing a self-supporting package having an outlet stopper which comprises: (a) a process for supplying a self-supporting bag which has an opening part for filling contents at the top thereof and holding the bag at a vertical position, (b) a process for opening the opening part of the self-supporting bag, (c) a process for filling the self-supporting bag with contents, (d) a process for supplying an outlet stopper which has an outlet with a stopper on a ship-shaped flange to the opening part, and (e) a process for sealing the side faces of the ship-shaped flange of the main part of the outlet stopper to the inner side faces of the opening part of the self-supporting bag. These processes are conducted in the order of the processes (a), (b), (c), (d) to (e), consecutively. An apparatus comprising mechanisms corresponding to the processes (a) to (e) is also disclosed.

Abstract: Sheets and rolls of sheets with labels having multiple choice blocks and information areas corresponding to the choice blocks. The sheets include a closure bonding material for securing the sheets around items to be wrapped. The labels are detachably connected to the sheets with an adhesive, a perforation or a tear line. Spots of closure bonding material may be placed on the labels to hold the labels in a wrapped position. The information areas typically include data which may be selected to describe the source, type and characteristics of the items to be wrapped in the sheets. The sheets may also include detachable sleeve areas for protecting wrapped items during shipping and handle areas which may be punched out of the sheets for grasping the wrapped items. The handle areas may also contain information similar to that on the detachable labels. Sheets having labels with choice blocks may also be used for forming flower pots or flower pot covers.

Abstract: A method of packaging physical objects in a container, and a container assembly so formed, advantageously utilize a container-sealer in the general form of a double faced label. The container sealer includes a flexible strip of material comprising a substrate having first and second faces, a permanent pressure sensitive adhesive with removal release liner on the first face, and a repositional adhesive on the second face. One or more physical objects are placed in the container through an openable/closeable portion of the container, at a first location the repositional adhesive of the container-sealer is placed into contact with a surface of the container and with a packing order indicating the desired contents of the container, and at a second location the container-sealer is removed from contact with the container and the packing order and the desired contents of the container are compared with the actual contents.

Abstract: A method for filling and closing a package which is initially open on its upper side and has sealable plastic material about the periphery (2) of that side. The package is first conveyed to a location (6), where it is filled. Thereafter, a covering foil sheet (12) is sealed to periphery (2) to cover the open side. The package is brought to a standstill at the filling location (6), and filled through an opening (11) in a strip of the covering foil (7). The strip of covering foil (7) is then moved in a direction (10) lateral to the direction of conveyance (5) of the package, until the open side of package (1) is covered by the foil strip (7). A foil cover piece is then punched from the foil strip (7), leaving a new opening (11), and is sealed to the periphery (2) of the open side of the package (1). The sealed package (1) is then moved from filling location (6) by the conveyor belt (4).

Abstract: A method for halting the function of a high speed packaging machine of the type having a conveyor based article infeed line conveying articles to a flight bar based selection line. The method is useful for performing a clean out procedure used during maintenance, and product or packaging change over. The method comprises the steps of terminating the operation of the infeed line conveyor at a predetermined position; placing an article follower behind a terminal article in each input lane; activating the operation of the infeed line conveyor whereby the articles in each input lane are conveyed to the selection line; and halting the conveyance of the article follower in the input lane prior to the selection line. An article follower and follower system are also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus for tightly wrapping a package such as disposed on a pallet in a thin film such as for shipping or storage includes a rotating deck adapted to receive the pallet and package to be wrapped. The deck is directly coupled to and supported by a gear box driven by an electric motor. The apparatus further includes a film wrap supply in the form of a roll which lets out the film for wrapping around the package as the deck and package rotate. A manually adjustable tensioner allows for adjusting the stretch of the wrapping film on the package, while the film wrap supply may be adjusted vertically to permit wrapping the package over its entire vertical dimension regardless of the width of the roll of film wrap. A foot control allows an operator of the apparatus to rotate the deck and the package being wrapped while vertically moving the film wrap supply roll to fully enclose the package within the wrapping film.