Abstract: An iron and a soleplate having an improved anti-friction layer are provided. Said soleplate is characterized in that the anti-friction layer consists predominantly of aluminum oxide which is formed in an electrochemical manner. The anti-friction layer on the inventive soleplate and hence on the inventive iron can be provided in a simple and cheap manner. It has additionally been found that the layer thus provided meets a large number of requirements, such as a sufficient degree of hardness, good anti-friction properties, a low corrosion resistance a good scratch resistance, good gliding properties and that it is easy to clean such a layer. If desired, the anti-friction layer is applied to an intermediate layer which is situated between the anti-friction layer and the soleplate. By virtue thereof, use can be made of an injection-moldable aluminum soleplate on which an electrochemical anti-friction layer is more difficult to form.

Abstract: A pop-up structure or sticker for use with two hinged panels, includes a display area, and is provided with transparent supporting legs or other structure, secured to both of the two hinged panels so that the pop-up structure or sticker folds flat when the panels are closed and pops up and appears to "float" over the hinged panels when they are opened.

Abstract: A system and method of backlighting a display is disclosed in which one or more light sources may be used to provide substantially appropriate uniform backlighting of a display medium and simultaneously provide a visually pleasing light source for a decorative display frame. The disclosed system and method provide for one or more light sources, a lightbox for the light sources, a light mask to provide uniform distribution of the illumination provided by the light sources, a display media container to secure and protect the visual media to be backlit, an optional decorative frame, and an offsetting structure to separate the decorative frame and/or lightbox from the display media container.The disclosed invention increases the visual appeal of photographs and other visual media while providing a compact and safe means for media display that eliminates the nonuniform illumination and heat buildup problems present in the prior art.

Abstract: Each element in an array of display elements has first and second limiting positions and in respective limiting positions selectively displays a bright and a dark surface in a viewing direction. A transparent sheet is intermediate the array and the viewer. Conductors on said sheet direct light toward said array.

Abstract: A garage door cover assembly for use on an exterior surface of a garage door of the type having a plurality of door panels permitted to rotate relative to each other when the garage door moves from a closed position to an open position is provided. The garage door cover assembly includes a plurality of horizontal cover panels and, for each cover panel, fixing members to couple the panel to a garage door panel. The cover panels are provided with fanciful holiday, seasonal, or other celebratory indicia. The indicia on the panels together form a composite illustration. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cover panels are made from a flexible, waterproof polyethylene.

Abstract: The marking tag for quick and easy slidable fastening on a stalk of merchandise consists essentially of a flat sheet of highly flexible and easily crushed and distorted plastic material having a thickness between 7 and 14 mils and having an information portion for printed matter and a stalk-receiving portion for affixation to a stalk of merchandise. The stalk-receiving portion has a single circular hole between 5 and 10 mm in diameter and surrounded by at least 10 radial slits equidistantly spaced about the hole and having a radial length about equal to the diameter of the hole. The long and narrow and blunt radial fingers so formed are so highly flexible as to readily curve out of the flat plane of the sheet material as the hole is slid onto merchandise, and all edges of the marking tag are incapable of causing a paper cut to a person affixing it and incapable of causing cutting or gouging action to the merchandise, regardless of how the marking tag is slid or rotated on or off the stalk.

Abstract: A multipurpose business card album is composed of a base plate, a lift plate, and a plurality of fastening devices intended for use in fastening the multipurpose business card album with an automobile sun visor. The base plate is provided with a plurality of pouches and through holes. The lift plate is made integrally with the base plate such that the lift plate can be lifted. The lift plate is also provided with a plurality of pouches. Each of the fastening devices has a support portion, a bracing portion, and a retaining portion which is retained in one of the through holes of the base plate. The multipurpose business card album is fastened with the automobile sun visor by the fastening devices such that the automobile sun visor is sandwiched between the support portion and the bracing portion of each one of the fastening devices.

Abstract: A shark gun injects a sharpened projectile into a predator and thereafter forces compressed gas into the predator. The shark gun is comprised of a compressed gas holding cylinder, a firing chamber having a plunger that bears the sharpened projectile and a valve that selectively permits the compressed gas to act on the plunger. A trigger actuates the valve.

Abstract: A large game decoy, including two pieces of fabric material, cut into the shape of a side-silhouette of a big game animal. The two pieces of fabric are sewn together along the periphery of the silhouette to form a pocket. A continuous band of spring steel is formed in a loop and inserted in the pocket. The band being sized to expand to at least a portion of the periphery of the silhouette stretching the fabric material to form a semi-rigid shape of this portion of the silhouette. A collapsible pole is inserted in the pocket to provide an elongate shape to the cut-out silhouette, and further collapsible poles are used to shape the legs of the decoy. These leg poles extend away from the silhouette and are used to stake the decoy into the ground. The decoy may be collapsed by using a technique known as "twist-fold" to twist and fold the continuous band of spring steel to collapse the body into a small compact package.

Abstract: A fishing pole has a handle, a reel for supplying fishing line to the pole and a pair of normally closed switch contacts which project into a recess in the forward end of the handle where registering portions of the contacts are resiliently engaged with each other. The resiliently engaged portions of the contacts register with a slot which connects the recess to the exterior of the handle. A portion of the fishing line is disposed to be inserted manually through the slot and between the resiliently engaged portions of the contacts to effect temporary disengagement thereof during still-fishing with said pole. When a fish bite or strike causes the portion of the fish line to be withdrawn from between the normally engaged portions of the contacts, an alarm on the pole is energized to warn the person fishing.

Abstract: A fishing pole with light source that includes an internally wired fishing rod assembly and a detachable, aimable light source. The fishing rod assembly includes a flexible elongated rod portion that is attached to a handle portion. The handle portion includes a battery connector positioned within a battery compartment formed therein. The rod portion has a pair of conducting wires running within the length thereof that are electrically connected at a first end with the battery connector of the handle portion and at a second end thereof to two electrical contact plates positioned at the tip end of the rod portion. The detachable, aimable light source includes a combination securing clip/electrical connector, a swivel assembly, and an aimable light assembly; the combination securing clip/electrical connector including a pair of opposed gripping jaws that define a gripping channel that is partially defined by two electrically separated securing clip electrical contact areas.

Abstract: A fish bait protector for protecting baited fishing hooks from disturbance as the hooks are lowered within a body of water. As the baited fishing hooks are lowered within the body of water, the hooks are surrounded by a protective enclosure of the fish bait protector to prevent upper and middle depth fish from disturbing the bait. When the fish bait protector reaches a desired fishing depth such as the fishing depth at a bottom surface of the body of water, a release mechanism such as a spring latch of the fish bait protector may be used to pull the hooks up and out of the protective enclosure. While the fish bait protector is being lowered, the release mechanism maintains the protective enclosure in a locked position. The fish bait protector thus provides a locked position for protecting baited hooks while being lowered within a body of water and an unlocked position allowing access by low depth fish to the baited hooks after the protective enclosure reaches a desired fishing depth.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a fishing lure comprised of a yielding synthetic compound in a generally cylindrical and somewhat conical shape with the elliptical arcs at the ends and at the center ring. The arcs create distinctions representative of the natural characteristics of an earthworm. From the tail to a point behind the center ring there is an internal aerosphere which creates a bouyancy of the rearward portion of the lure. The aerosphere displaces the synthetic compound used to manufacture the lure creating a difference in density between the head and tail. This allows the lures' head and tail to rest at different levels, which increases its visibility. The aerosphere additionally creates an angular wall in the lure from the outside diameter of the lure to the aerosphere. This provides a greater flexibility of the lure, therefore increasing its action in the water. The tail is open at the end which allows, when in use, the escape of very tiny air bubbles thus assimilating a natural forage for fish.

Abstract: A crab trap having a tapered body member of either circular or elliptical cross section, the crab trap having a first ingress end and a second egress end, the first ingress end having a cover removably secured thereto having a passageway for permitting entrance into the crab trap of crabs, but preventing the egress of crabs from the crab trap through the front cover, the egress end of the crab trap being open and dimensioned so as to permit undersized crabs to exit the crab trap under their own mobility or to be flushed from the crab trap when the crab trap is retrieved. The crab trap also has both a buoyancy member and a stability member to insure that the crab trap orients itself correctly on the ocean bed or bay bed, whether or not it is dropped or tossed into the water.

Abstract: An enclosing mousetrap includes a tubular housing, trap plates at each end, and a hanging hook for connecting the trap plates to the tubular housing. The ends of the tubular housing and the trap plates each contain a pair of holes through which the hanging hooks are engaged to connect the trap plates to the tubular housing. The extended end legs of the hanging hooks clip over cutouts formed in the rim of the tubular housing. The trap plates each have a curved shape and freely swing inward to allow a mouse to have easy access into the interior of the tubular housing. Once inside, however, the mouse cannot exit the tubular housing because the first and second trap plates are disposed such that when the trap plates are pushed outward with respect to the interior of the tubular housing, a lower periphery of the trap plates engages with an inner wall of the tubular housing, which stops the trap plates from swinging outside the tubular housing.

Abstract: A wire mesh lobster trap having a pair of concrete runners positioned on, and extending below, the side edges of the trap and a method for producing same are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and delivery system for an area-specific precision control of biting insects, including flying and non-flying, biting arthropods, is described. CO.sub.2 is metered through a tubing fence and dispensed into the center of traps that serve as visual targets for flying or walking biting arthropods. The outside membrane of a trap can be treated with mineral oil to capture and kill small arthropods such as sand flies of the genus Culicoides, or black flies of the genus Simulium. In addition, the membrane can be treated with insecticide formulations of Permethrin, Resmethrin, or Deltamethrin, to kill larger biting arthropods, such as ticks, mosquitoes, deer flies, horse flies, or stable flies. This method for biting arthropod control is an ecological-friendly alternative to the widespread broadcast application of organophosphate insecticides such as Derspan, Diprom, and Maithion.

Abstract: An apparatus for liquid bait-toxicant delivery with feeding pores comprising a reservoir, a feeding disk with capillary feeding pores, a base that will seal the feeding pores when the station is closed; designed such that it can be opened or closed by several different arrangements; and a method of delivery of liquid bait-toxicant using capillary feeding pores in direct contact with liquid without using wicking material.

Abstract: A snail bait holder and pest trap in which a removably attached cover is seated on a vessel to form a bait chamber. An impervious replaceable tray is positioned in the bait chamber. The tray has a receptacle and contained within the receptacle of the tray is a layer of liquid adhesive. Disposed on the layer of liquid adhesive within the receptacle is a layer of bait material which adheres to the layer of liquid adhesive. Vessel walls are cut away to form ramps and openings for pests to travel over the ramps through the openings and into the bait chamber. The tray containing the bait and liquid adhesive is packaged for placement in the bait chamber with a thin film disposed over the tray. Before the tray with the bait and liquid adhesive is placed in the bait chamber, the thin film is removed from the tray.

Abstract: A system for propagating plants in a greenhouse, wherein plant containers are circulated along a serpentine travel path which lies in a generally vertical plane. Plants in the containers are passively irrigated and fed. Sprays may be used to treat the plants for diseases, insects, etc.

Abstract: A wrapping material for wrapping a floral arrangement, a flower pot, or for forming a flower pot, comprising a sheet of material, an extension of the sheet of material attached to the sheet of material, the extension having design indicia thereon, wherein the sheet of material is sized to wrap about and substantially surround and encompass a floral arrangement, a flower pot, or contain a floral arrangement or potted plant. Methods of using the wrapping material to wrap a floral arrangement, a flower pot, and to form a flower pot.

Abstract: A holder for supporting flower arrangements has first and second compartments for receiving first and second water retaining foam blocks. When mounted on the holder, the first foam block has a top surface which is parallel to the bottom wall of the first compartment. The second compartment has a bottom wall which intersects the bottom wall of the first compartment at an angle greater than zero, and the second foam block has a top surface which is inclined at such angle relative to the top surface of the first foam block so that the holder can be mounted on a support with surfaces intersecting at an angle and both surfaces will be covered. Stems of flowers can be inserted orthogonally into the top surfaces of both the foam blocks to provide that flowers extend from the holder vertically and at such angle relative to the vertically extending flowers.

Abstract: Plant tissues which have been cultured in vitro are packaged with a nutritive medium for survival of the tissues in a sealed sterile container and with support members so that the plant tissues are positioned between surfaces of the support members. The support members have opposing surfaces for supporting the tissues and for support by a surface of the container and are made of a material suitable for being impregnated by the nutritive medium, and the container has a surface sized suitably for supporting the surface of the support member. At the time of packaging, at least one of the two support members is impregnated with the nutritive medium in an amount so that the tissues attach, by capillarity, to one surface of the at least one impregnated support member and so that the opposing surface of the at least one impregnated support member, when packaged, attaches, by capillarity, to the container surface.

Abstract: A window frame assembly made of hollow profiles where the components are welded together to form a channel or passage for a balance shoe, wherein the balance shoe is characterized by having the side walls of the balance shoe recessed so as to accommodate flash that may be encountered at the weld seam of the welded components.

Abstract: A integrally formed synthetic resin lower sash for an automotive vehicle door structured so as to be disposed within a door panel and guide a window glass received within the door panel in a vertical direction. In order to reduce a frictional sound generated between a moving glass and the lower sash, the lower sash is constituted by an outer wing, an inner wing and a frame surrounding an edge portion of the window glass, a plurality of extending portions projecting toward the surface of the opposing window glasses and intermittently disposed to a direction of guiding the window glass are provided in the outer wing and the inner wing, and a projecting piece slidably in contact with each of inner and outer surfaces of the glass is extended in such a manner as to continue from the expanding portion, thereby forming a glass guide.

Abstract: A device for reducing the spacing between the lock side of a door and an adjacent member, such as another door or door frame, should the spacing between the member and lock side of the door increase to a point where the fire rating of the door and member is adversely effected. A generally L or U shaped metal edge guard is mounted by machine screws to metal studs which are threadably fastened to the lock side of the door. The spacing between the edge guard and lock side is varied by adjusting the position of the studs within the lock side of the door.

Abstract: A building entryway system with a high degree of modularity to accommodate active inswing doors or inactive sidelight panels is disclosed for use with conventional jambs. Specifically, an extruded aluminum sill is mated with an extruded polymeric receiving unit. The receiving unit defines a u-shaped channel which accepts a weather strip or panel cap. Either the weather strip or panel cap is slidably positioned within the channel under the door. Additionally a door sweep attached to the active doors sealingly engages the weather strip to prevent water from entering the building.

Abstract: A snow guard includes a strap made from pressed corrosion resistant metal tubing to resist bending. The strap configurations accommodate different types of roof materials. A head of a sufficiently thick corrosion resistant sheet metal is pressed into a shape to resist the load of snow and ice. The head is soldered or welded to the strap to form a rigid joint.

Abstract: Block assembly for use in retaining wall systems. The block assembly includes a body having a front surface, a rear surface, a top surface, and a bottom surface. A formed recess is located within the block having a recess opening extending out the front surface, for accepting a light fixture assembly. A light fixture assembly may be positioned within the recess and coupled to a power source.

Abstract: A food vending area display structure for mounting on a counter top or other support surface comprising a front row of posts mounted on the support surface so as to extend upward therefrom, a plurality of display headers extending between adjacent posts in the row to identify separate dispensing areas, and a plurality of resilient transverse structural members extending between adjacent posts in the row to enable the posts to support one another in reacting to horizontal loads so that the posts need not pass through the support surface. The resilient transverse structural members may comprise curved metal grill bars having fittings at their ends which enable them to be fastened to the vertical posts by conventional hose clamps to facilitate assembly.

Abstract: Embodiments of a carpet layer's aid for protecting floor baseboards or walls during carpet installation, along with methods for using the aid, are shown and described. The carpet layer's aid may be an elongated strip with one of more fold lines. The strip is folded at the fold line(s) to create an anchor portion that acts as a stand for the aid and/or that further protects a baseboard by conforming to the outer shape of the baseboard. The anchor portion is inserted into the corner space, created between the floor and a baseboard and between the wall and the tack strip. Preferably, the shield portion of the aid, which extends up to cover the baseboard, includes an adhesive on its back surface for adhering to the baseboard or wall.

Abstract: A knee brace bracket for use in a knee bracing system for tilt-up panel constructions. The knee brace bracket includes front and rear face members defining circular structures for extending around a main pipe brace which extends between a panel and a floor slab. The knee brace bracket is rigidly connected to a knee brace extending to a connection point on the panel. The knee brace bracket includes a plurality of rollers engaged with the main pipe brace whereby the main pipe brace is permitted to rotate within the knee brace bracket to permit a screw adjustment for the length of the main pipe brace.

Abstract: A handle for pulling or lifting a sheet with leaves thereatop. A handle has a rod shaped main body. The handle is extendable through holes in the sheet. In one design of the handle, a spring biased latch closes adjacent portions of the handle to prevent accidental disengagement of the handle from the sheet. Another handle design has an elastically deformable main body to releasably hold the sheet.

Abstract: A flood or storm resistant barrier for a doorway or window opening. The barrier formed of a frame having two parts with one part in telescopic engagement with the other frame part. A manually operable jack in the form of four links pivotally connected to form a parallelogram linkage is inserted between the two frame parts. The jack being operable to move the frame parts relative to one another so as to vary the external dimension of the frame and thereby enable the frame to be secured in a doorway or window opening by expansion of the frame into engagement with opposed surfaces of the doorway or window opening. A waterproof barrier member is carried by the frame for blocking at least a portion of the doorway or window opening.

Abstract: An in-floor utility outlet for raised floor constructions and the like includes a base having a sidewall with a generally closed plan shape, and at least one opening or port to mount a utility outlet therein. A cover plate with a central aperture therethrough extends over the base sidewall to enclose utility lines associated with the outlet. An access cover is received in the central aperture of the cover plate flush with the same, and includes at least one aperture through which utility tap-in lines can be routed below the floor surface for connection with the utility outlets. A floor pan below the raised floor supports the base and the cover plate.

Abstract: A furniture system for outfitting a building space, includes a plurality of partition frames, each having horizontally spaced apart uprights with opposing sides, and having horizontal frame members connecting the uprights. A top one of the horizontal frame members is one-piece and attached to a top of the uprights. The top one horizontal frame member includes opposing side faces that are spaced apart a distance greater than the opposing sides and that include cover-supporting connectors. Cover panels are provided having frame-engaging connectors extending horizontally beyond an inside surface of the frame. The frame-engaging connectors are configured to releasably engage the cover-supporting connectors. This allows the cover panels, when attached to the partition frames, to define an internal cavity in the frame that extends horizontally a width of the frame and vertically substantially the height of the frame.

Abstract: A metallic component has 1) a head intended to form a visible part of a surface of the exterior of a building and 2) at least one flange which has an aperture and which is intended to be covered with at least one coat of a render containing a mineral filler. The head is coated with a coat of a resin containing a mineral filler. The metal component is particularly useful as an angle section of a building.

Abstract: A protective cover covers an end of a concrete reinforcing bar so as to prevent injuries caused by coming into contact with the end of the concrete reinforcing bar. The protective cover includes an elongated cylindrical collar for securing the protective cover to the exposed end of the concrete reinforcing bar, a cap which is arranged perpendicularly to the elongated cylindrical collar, and a seat having retaining sides which retain the concrete reinforcing bar within the seat, the seat disposed between the elongated cylindrical collar and the cap. The seat can have any shape that includes retaining sides which retain an end portion of the reinforcing bar within the seat. Examples of such shapes include frustrum-like shapes, prism-like shapes, cylindrical-like shapes, and sheet-like shapes with retaining sides in the form of a washer or a ring.

Abstract: A quick erect shelter frame includes a plurality of one piece hubs. Each hub including a base portion having peripheral edges, an upper surface, a lower surface, and a center portion with a hole extending therethrough in a direction perpendicular to the upper surface. Each hub further including a plurality of spaced support members, each extending from the upper surface of the base portion substantially flush with a respective peripheral edge. Each support member having a top surface, a length less than the length of one peripheral edge of the base portion, a hole extending through a first end of the support member in a direction perpendicular to a face surface thereof, and a bore extending in a side of a second end of the support member in a direction perpendicular to the hole in the first end. The hole of each support member being axially aligned with the bore of an adjacent support member.

Abstract: A metal stud having a central web between a pair of opposed flanges includes an opening in the web through which a channel can pass. The opening has at least one straight edge and a centrally disposed bendable tab extending into the opening. The width of the tab is substantially less than the width of the opening. Bending the tab to a position at right angles to the web of the stud provides a surface to which the channel can be attached. A framework is disclosed which comprises a plurality of such metal studs having openings in their webs through which the channel is passed and then attached to the bent tabs.

Abstract: An apparatus which is useful on pitched roofs includes structural features which help keep roofing materials from sliding off the roof. The apparatus also protects roofers from heat and abrasion from the roof surface on which they are working. A substantially solid foam rubber wedge forms one component of the apparatus, and a substantially planar pad forms the other component of the apparatus. These components are placed in proximity to each other so that the roofer, when situated on the pad, can readily reach roofing materials disposed against the wedge. The wedge resiliently compresses when roofing materials are placed on its upper surface. This resilient compression, the angle of orientation of the wedge's upper surface, and the frictional engagement of the wedge with the roof surface each contribute in varying degrees to holding roofing materials in position on the roof.

Abstract: The present invention forms and seals the top end of a container prior to filling and bottom sealing. The top end may have a fitment attached thereon at a variety of different positions on a form, fill and seal packaging machine. The fitment may be a screw cap, a push-in, a flip-cap type or similar fitments. The container may be a flat top, tetrahedral or similar type container. The fitment may be applied on the exterior or the interior of the container.

Abstract: In a commissioning system (1) comprising at least one central belt (3) for receiving products to be taken from a stock (16) by commissioners and to be assembled according to an order, and a conveying installation (8) to move away in collecting containers (9) the products transferred at a transfer site (3a) at the end of the central belt (3), containers (14) are adjacently arranged below the central belt (3) to receive the products, and a pre-determined number of the adjacently arranged containers (14) each define a respective commissioning region (B.sub.1, B.sub.2, B.sub.3, . . . B.sub.n) for a commissioner (A to F), a pre-determined number of product types on stock (16) is associated to each commissioning region (B.sub.1, B.sub.2, B.sub.3, . . . B.sub.n), and at least one of the commissioning regions neighboring a respective commissioning region forms a supplementary commissioning region to that commissioning region.

Abstract: A packaging device for lifting a loosely spaced set of articles from a supply conveyor, compressing the set of articles by eliminating the excess space between them, and placing the compressed set of articles into a receiving container is characterized by a frame, a vacuum housing rigidly mounted on the frame, a plurality of pickup assemblies extending downwardly from the vacuum housing, and an apparatus for shifting the plurality of pickup assemblies between an expanded loading configuration which corresponds to the spacing of the set of articles on a conveyor and a compressed unloading configuration which corresponds to the spacing required for the set of articles to be deposited in a container.

Abstract: A device and method for packaging a web roll, having a longitudinal axis, with a packaging sheet. The device includes a packaging sheet dispenser which dispenses the packaging sheet to produce a body packaging by dispensing, on at least a portion of a longitudinal extent of the web roll, the packaging sheet. The packaging sheet dispenser is positioned to dispense the packaging sheet to form an acute angle between the lateral direction of the packaging sheet and the longitudinal axis. The packaging sheet dispenser is further arranged to dispense the packaging sheet to produce an end packaging having an axial projection on an end of the web roll. The packaging sheet dispenser is posited so that the lateral direction of the packaging sheet is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. During the production of the body packaging, the web roll migrates, which leads to problems in the subsequent placement of the face cover by the packing presses.

Abstract: The present invention has several aspects. One aspect relates to a method of wrapping a package containing a food product which is attractive and serves to present the food product in an appealing setting. The package includes a preformed tray and a heat sensitive transparent film sheet which is attached at at least one attachment region to the tray without wrinkles in the film sheet. A packaging machine, a cutting and heating assembly and the package itself comprise the other aspects of the invention. In each case, the transparent film sheet is wrinkle free.

Abstract: Process for packaging compact discs (CD's) in CD boxes, in which process a CD box, with a lower side and a lid held thereon in a swingable fashion, is opened, a booklet is inserted into lid of the box, and the box is closed by a swinging back of the lid, characterized hereby, that the booklet and the lid are temporarily pressed firmly against each other during the swinging back of the lid, so that a slipping of the booklet with respect to the lid during the closing is prevented, as well as a device, in particular for carrying out such a process.

Abstract: A system for forming and packaging a bulk of loose particulate material. The system utilizes a compression tower for initial deposit of the loose particular material therein with the bottom floor of said tower being presented by a belt of a conveyor system. A ram within the tower compresses the loose material into a bulk form atop the conveyor belt. Subsequent to compression, the conveyor system is vertically displaced so that the formed material bulk can be conveyed to an horizontally adjacent conveyor for downstream conveyance to a space formed between downstream upper and lower conveyor assemblies. A sheet of packaging material spans the upper and lower conveyor assemblies such that the material bulk is directed through the sheet and enveloped thereby. The system diminishes the dislodgement of the particulate material from the bulk subsequent to its formation and transports and avoids the expenses of utilizing separately formed packaging bags.

Abstract: A packaging machine for packaging articles into cartons has a carton conveyor for conveying an open-ended carton through the machine, an article infeed for directing articles along an infeed path toward the carton conveyor, and an article group-forming conveyor comprising a plurality of spaced metering bars moving along the conveyor for intersecting the infeed path to separate articles into groups of predetermined pattern. The metering bars at a first end of the group-forming conveyor are disposed away from cartons on the carton conveyor and, during movement along the group-forming conveyor, are moved laterally to extend at least partially between adjacent ones of the cartons. The group-forming conveyor further includes a series of carriers, the metering bars being detachably mounted to selected ones of the carriers in a predetermined pattern.

Abstract: A disc mower conditioner utilizing a modular disc cutterbar to sever standing crop material by impact action supports the cutterbar from the header of the mower conditioner by a pair of transversely spaced support arms mounted by spherical bushings to the header to allow flexing of the support arms as induced by the cutterbar. The mounting of the spherical bushings utilize conical washers engagable with conical sockets in spacers to limit vertical movement of the spacer relative to the header when the corresponding support arm flexes. The mower conditioner header further includes an optional viney crop guide that has a curved leading edge that directs viney crop downwardly into engagement with the adjacent disc cutter. The viney crop guide is also bent inwardly to contain and control the flow of crop material.