Abstract: A method and aerodynamic transport body for delivering biological control agents into a field is provided. The aerodynamic transport body is a biodegradable device into which the biological control agent is placed and then the device is projected into the field using a catapult.

Abstract: A carrousel (2) has a plurality of spaced apart holders (50) mounted on its outer periphery. Each holder receives a plant unit (90) including a plant with foliage (92) and a root/soil mass (94) received in a container (96). As the carrousel (2) turns, a cam (70) carried by each holder (50) engages a ramp (78) to cause the holder (50) to grip the container (96). The holder (50) then conveys the plant unit (90) through first and second cutting stations (4, 18) at which top and side portions of the foliage (92), respectively, are trimmed. The trimming is accomplished by flail cutters (6, 20, 21). At the side cutting station (18), the plant unit (90) moves between a pair of cutters (20, 21), and a rubber tire (84) rotates the holder (50) and plant unit (90) to provide cutting all the way around the plant unit (90). After exiting the second station (18), the holder (50) releases its grip on the plant unit (90).

Abstract: A liquid fixing agent prepared by dissolving in dilute acetic acid chitosan and natural polysaccharide (such as cellulose, pectin, and alginic acid). It is used to fix planted soil (in a terrarium) by application to the surface of soil, followed by drying. Fixed soil prevents ornamental plants from falling or moving in the container during transportation and also remains in place even when the container is inclined.

Abstract: An apparatus for irrigating plants such as shrubs, flowers, and trees is disclosed. Water can be provided to the apparatus through an externally connected hose. The apparatus may be employed as part of an overall landscape irrigation system. The apparatus prevents leaves, bugs, and debris from entering an interior chamber of the apparatus, while allowing air into the interior chamber. Apertures are provided along the length of a downward projecting cylindrical stem. Water flows from within the stem, through the apertures, and into soil surrounding the stem. Soil and stones are prevented from entering the stem interior. Further, a food basket or an in-line metering system may be integrated into the apparatus to provide for the controlled feeding of plants.

Abstract: A modular soil conserving planter constitutes a longitudinal trough having open transverse end faces, the trough including a lower horizontal grate and an upper horizontal grate, each of such grates extending along substantially the longitudinal length of the trough, the lower grate defining a drainage grate and the upper grate defining a soil retention grate, a region of the trough beneath the drainage grate including apertures for control of drainage from the trough, in which longitudinal ends of the trough. Each longitudinal end of the trough further include means for selectable connections to open end faces of adjoining like planters.

Abstract: A safety auxiliary apparatus for an automatic door assembly includes a single door or first and second doors slidable along a predetermined track for selectively opening and closing the doorway, first and second mutually confronting closure faces being defined by said first and second doors or said single door in cooperation with a brace. A casing accommodating therein a light emitting element for emitting a beam for detection of an object and a light receiving element for receiving the beam from the light emitting element is mounted in a longitudinal frame member of the doors or said brace that define respectively said closure faces, so that an optical path can be defined between said closure faces so as to extend from the light emitting element to the light receiving element.

Abstract: The mechanism comprises longitudinal rails and, for each door, a double slide assembly of which a first slide slides along the rails and a second slide, constrained to the door, moves at right angles to the first slide between a retracted position in which the door is closed and an extracted position in which the door is opened, at a distance from said first position at least equal to the thickness of the door or a multiple thereof. A longitudinal traverse of the slide assembly is allowed only when the second slide is in the extracted position with respect to the first. The retracted position is forced by spring means between the second slide and the first slide. The width of the slide assembly is smaller than the width of the door, generally being half, a third or a quarter thereof.

Abstract: Plural protuberances are provided along each side of a tilt latch or pivot housing. The protuberances each form an edge that engages an edge of a notch in a window sash. The protuberances are provided with flexible fingers that are flexed or sheared by the sash edges to provide a snug fit.

Abstract: A sliding vehicle window assembly which includes at least one, and preferably a pair, of window panels spaced from each other to define a window opening and interconnected by upper and lower frame members or tracks, bonded to the interior surface of the pair of window panels. The upper and lower frame members are also spaced vertically apart from each other. At least one, and preferably two, arcuate channels are defined in each of the inwardly facing walls of the two frame members--the two channels arranged generally in tandem or end-to-end alignment. The pair of channels in each frame member are configured to receive a window panel, opposite ends of which retain cam or channel followers received by the channels. A latch handle interconnects one end of each cam follower and includes a cam projection also received in the channel and when rotated in one end of the channels, moves the sliding window generally perpendicularly with respect to the window opening when the window is located over the window opening.

Abstract: An in-line window structure for a transport vehicle is comprised of a rectangular frame in which a fixed pane is immovably secured. A displaceable pane is positionable adjacent the fixed pane in a common plane therewith. A lock interconnects sash members of the fixed and displaceable panes when positioned in a common plane. Guide tracks are provided by an elongated straight track section extending behind the fixed pane, and commuting track sections for guided displacement of the displaceable pane from the common plane to the straight track section and behind the fixed pane and substantially in alignment therewith whereby to create an opening in the rectangular frame to one side of the fixed pane. The lock is incorporated in a handle which, when squeezed, automatically retracts a latch bolt.

Abstract: A tiered or platform-type seating unit which, when in a collapsed storage position, can be oriented in an upright position and is provided with support rollers which enable it to be moved about, including permitting passage through doorways. When in use, the unit is vertically rotated 90.degree. to position load-bearing rollers thereof in engagement with a floor. The platform unit includes a base platform having a first raised seating tier fixedly associated along one edge thereof. A second seating tier is positioned adjacent the opposite edge thereof. This second tier is movable from a lower position into an upper position so that this second tier is at an elevation above and spaced rearwardly from the first tier, there being an intermediate aisle therebetween. This aisle stores therein, when the unit is collapsed, a pair of removable platforms which are locked between the first and second tiers when the second tier is collapsed.

Abstract: A storage partition adapted for partitioning an area proximate a corner or along a flat wall having a partitioning means selectively repositionable between (a) a first position wherein access to the area is prohibited and (b) a second position wherein unimpeded rolling access to the area, via a floor surface, is permissible.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel architectural joints for use in constructing geodesic domes. The joints disclosed are less costly to manufacture and are of increased strength over prior art joints. Through the use of the joints disclosed, construction of novel geodesic domes not found in the prior art is now possible.

Abstract: Soffit ventilation system in a building having a horizontal soffit with a plurality of vents and a strip of mat of randomly oriented synthetic fibers covering the attic-facing side of the soffit. An alternative embodiment has a panel of air-impermeable material having upper and lower sections. The strip of mat of randomly oriented synthetic fibers is sandwiched between the lower section and the vertical side of the walls allowing the passage of air into the attic through an opening between the lower section and the upper section of the air-impermeable panel.

Abstract: A multi-purpose, positioning and fastening strap is disclosed for use in the construction of building structures. The strap is made from a flexible, durable, non-stretchable material and has a high breaking load. The strap is usable for various construction applications, such as, the fastening or holding down of tar or felt paper on a roof, the laying down of shingles on a roof, the erection of a trussing structure for a roof, the construction of a floor structure, etc. The durability and breaking load of the multi-purpose strap are critical physical characteristics which are necessary for its use in the aforementioned various construction applications.

Abstract: A loading dock comprising a dock wall including a dock opening formed by a generally horizontal upper portion of the dock wall, a resilient head pad mounted in front of the upper portion such that the head pad is positioned to be compressible between the upper portion and a back of a vehicle when a vehicle is positioned at the loading dock, and a tether member interconnecting the head pad with the upper portion. The tether member is positioned to facilitate substantially vertical movement of the head pad relative to the upper portion. The assembly can further include a substantially rigid support member connected to the dock wall. Preferably, the loading dock further includes a back pad (e.g., a resilient pad) connected to the dock wall, and the head pad comprises a front pad positioned adjacent the back pad. One portion of the tether member can be secured to the front pad and another portion of the tether member can be secured to the back pad.

Abstract: Disclosed is a shutter system and its panels in which at least one panel is formed of corrugations, and in which the subject panel is perforated. Ideally, the perforation is employed in a panel having an isosceles trapezoidal rib, with the perforations running the full length of the face of the rib. The adjacent panels are secured by a wide variety of means often implying a keyhole slot at the top and the bottom of each panel to engage a fastening means which is secured to the structure being covered. Different mountings including direct mountings, of course, are contemplated. The panels, whether perforated or not, are formed from essentially the same material and as a consequence thermal expansion and contraction between adjacent panels is accommodated by the mutual expansion and contraction of each, thereby requiring only accommodation of the shutter system with regard to the opening in the dwelling which it closes.

Abstract: A window buck is formed of side walls that are extruded from vinyl. The side walls have interior channels. The side walls may be formed to effect a female-male connection between the ends of two adjoining side walls. Alternatively a locking member is provided that is sized to frictionally engage a selected channel. The edges of the side members are shaped for abutment to each other with a connector in the channels to hold the window buck together. The window buck thereafter may be placed before the cement wall is formed and is sized to receive a window frame. The window buck may be formed into selected geometric shapes. Window bucks of different dimensions may be assembled by selected sides of different dimensions from bins or pallets of presized side members.

Abstract: A utility distribution system is provided for open office plans and other similar settings, and includes a prefabricated floor construction designed to be supported directly on a building floor. The floor construction has a hollow interior which defines at least one raceway to route utility conduits therethrough, and a floor surface on which workstations can be positioned. The utility distribution system also includes at least one utility post having a foot which mounts to the floor construction to support the utility post in a generally upstanding orientation. The foot portion of the utility post has an open area disposed above and communicating with the floor raceway. At least one utility outlet is mounted on the utility post, and is adapted to dispense a selected utility therefrom. The utility post has at least one utility channel in which utility conduits can be routed, and includes an outwardly oriented open face.

Abstract: A pipe supporting brace is provided which may be affixed to an interior pipe and adjusted such that a faucet mounted on an exterior wall, and coupled to the interior pipe is brought into secure engagnement with the exterior wall.

Abstract: A structural panel (20) for a prefabricated building includes a plurality of spaced, generally side-by-side tubular columns (22-28), a header and a footer (36, 38) each interconnecting the respective ends (30,32) of the columns (22-28), and a plurality of spaced, tubular cross members (40,42) interconnecting the columns (22-28) along at least one of the column sides (34). In preferred forms, the panel (20) has two end columns (22, 24) and two intermediate columns (26, 28), and the cross members (40, 42) are arranged in pairs positioned on opposite sided (34) of the columns (22-28) in registry with each other. Each cross member (40, 42) runs generally transverse to the columns (22-28) and presents a length that is not less than the distance between the two end columns (22, 24). Advantageously, the tubular columns (22-28), header and footer (36, 38) and cross members (40, 42) are comprised of sheet metal formed to present a generally rectangular cross section.

Abstract: A connector used in forming a composite wall structure that includes two structural layers and an insulative layer. The connector secures the two structural layers together and is insulative so as to minimize the transfer of thermal energy across the insulating layer. The connector is inserted through the insulating layer during manufacturing of the wall structure. The connectors include reinforcement attaching structures for securing reinforcement material in a substantially fixed position before and during formation of the structural layers. The reinforcement attaching structures may be integrally formed on the connector or may be included on a bracket plate that is attached to the main shaft of the connector.

Abstract: An adjustable, fastenerless modular shutter includes a pair of side rails, at least one shutter panel and a pair of end rails. A center rail can be provided. The side rails and end rails are mutually connected to form a frame for holding one or more shutter panels and center rails. Each end rails and the center rail has a front wall and a pair of runner portions having locking portions. The locking portions are slidably receivable in the pair of side rails and include interferingly, frictionally engaging projections for engaging the side rails to resist separation of the end rails from the side rails during assembly of the shutter. The side rails include front inwardly directed lips which assist in retaining the shutter panelis), the center rail and the end rails, particularly the runner portions. The end rails and the center rail include front surfaces raised from their respective runner portions to be planar with front surfaces of the side rails when the shutter is assembled.

Abstract: An improved partition wall material including a skeletal material, partition boards, and fastening plates. The skeletal material is an elongated extruded structure including a beam at a central portion thereof, and two skeletal projections respectively connected to two ends of the beam, each skeletal projection having two ends that respectively bend outwardly to form respective projection ends. Each projection end is connected to a frame. Each frame includes a frame projection provided with a pair of opposed frame hooks, each of which has a curved portion. The skeletal projection and the frames on both sides thereof defining a frame recess. The partition boards are planar boards including a plurality of locking holes arranged along a longitudinal axis thereof.

Abstract: An assembly including rolled shingle roofing material that can be easily installed on a roof and a special handling tool. The tool reduces the strain of carrying the roofing material and of raising to the roof. The roofing material includes a membrane attached by pressure-sensitive adhesive to a plurality of standard flat roofing shingles so as to create a continuous array of shingles which can be formed into a roll or rolled onto a spool. This membrane also serves as a release sheet to prevent thermally-activated adhesive present on the shingles from causing them to stick together in the roll. Alternately, roofing material pre-cut with slots to resemble shingles is rolled together with a release sheet placed on the bottom of the material so as to isolate a thermally-activated adhesive applied thereto from other surfaces. In the assembly, either type of roofing material can be used with the special handling tool.

Abstract: A panel assembly including two pairs of panels disposed in spaced parallel relationship lying in common planes with the coplanar panels of each pair having adjacent edges with similarly configured protrusions extending along their adjacent edges, and the protrusions on each of the panels of a pair extend towards each other. A connector is disposed between the pairs of panels and has a large recess in one face thereof which seats the protrusions on the panels disposed in one plane. The opposite face of the connector has a pair of spaced recesses therein which seat the protrusions on the panels disposed in the other plane.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for assembling together at least one series of wooden planks, each having two opposite ends and two opposite longitudinal edges, with the planks being superposed edge-to-edge to form a wall panel. The device comprises a vertical upright fitted with fastener means for fastening the upright to one of the two ends of each plank, the fastener means comprising, for each series of superposed planks, a series of tenons extending perpendicularly to the vertical upright in a common vertical plane to co-operate with mortises formed in the corresponding ends of the planks. The vertical upright is made up of a plurality of segments connected end to end and each fitted with at least one of the tenons in each series of tenons.

Abstract: A truss that, in one embodiment, includes alternating metal webs in non-critical portions of the truss is described. The truss includes two chords vertically spaced apart and parallel to each other, and a plurality of metal web members extending between the two chords and coupled to the vertical surfaces of the chords. The truss also includes at least two critical portions and at least one non-critical portion. The critical portions of the truss are configured so that the metal webs coupled to each side of the truss are aligned, and each metal web coupled to one side of the truss has a corresponding metal web coupled to the other side of the truss. The non-critical portions of the truss are configured so that the metal webs coupled to one side of the truss do not have a corresponding aligned metal web coupled to the opposite side of the truss.

Abstract: A blend of bonding polyester with an acid resistant polyester and heat dispersant filler providing a liner especially suitable for concrete structure subjected to acidic environments. The blend can also be used in combination with aggregate or fibers to be extruded or molded into articles which are substitutes for conventional concrete.

Abstract: A machine and process for assembling flanges to a web to produce an I-beam. The machine has conveyors for conveying each flange and a separate conveyor system for conveying the web. The web is rigidly held to prevent lateral movement as the flanges and web are assembled. The conveyance mechanism for the webs is adjustable upwardly and downwardly to accommodate changes in the flange dimension and web thickness. The conveyance mechanism for the web is mounted on inclined ramps. Movement of the conveyance mechanism in one direction elevates the conveyance mechanism and movement in the other direction lowers the conveyance mechanism. The flanges as conveyed are sensed and relatively adjusted to assure alignment of the leading ends.

Abstract: A construction of metal walls or closed containers which are used for storage. A wall or shell formed of several sheets of metal (5, 6) juxtaposed at their longitudinal edges (9, 10), resting on longitudinal elements (2, 3) and transverse elements (4). The longitudinal edges of these metal sheets form receptors (13, 14) subject to pressure from transverse movable pushing elements, thereby maintaining one of the edges (9) in abutment with the other (10) and generating lateral, strengthening tension. A method of construction of any individual wall or container by immobilizing sheets of metal (5, 6) along their longitudinal edges (9, 10) on longitudinal elements using opposing transverse force exerted locally and at intervals along the entire length of two adjacent sheets of metal (5, 6).

Abstract: A round baler for baling harvested crops has a loading device which receives a roll of wrapping material which can be transferred to an unwind station. From the unwind station a web of material is pulled off the roll for wrapping the bale. To install the roll of wrapping material serviceably and without great effort, the loading device is pivotably installed on the baler's sidewall. The loading device is pivotal from a storage position to a transfer position, so that the roll of wrapping material can be pushed from the loading device into the unwind station.

Abstract: The invention relates to an article processing apparatus which is preferred for use in a capper which attaches a cap to a vessel. The apparatus includes a processing head, which is provided with four capping mechanisms. Each capping mechanisms on the processing head takes hold of a cap on feeder means. The processing head is then translated to a position over a conveyor and moves in tracking relationship with four vessels which are being conveyed by the conveyor to attach each cap carried by the capping mechanism to associated underlying vessel. The attachment of a cap to a vessel while the processing head moves in tracking relationship with vessels on the conveyor provides an article processing apparatus which has its processing capability enhanced as compared with the prior art.

Abstract: In the manufacture of certain types of packets, rotary folding units (10) are used which have along their perimeter a plurality of hollow folding mandrels (14) projecting at one side. On these mandrels, blanks, namely inner blank (10) and pouch blank (11) are folded in succession. Holding bands (34, 59) serve to position the blanks exactly on the folding mandrels (14), said bands extending outside the movement region of the folding mandrels (14) and lying with a holding bight (35) against the side of the folding mandrels (14), or the blanks, lying radially on the outside, fixing same as they do so.

Abstract: In a packaging machine, particularly for producing hingedlid packets for cigarettes conveyed on an endless pocket conveyor (16) become partially wrapped in a wrapper section (20) during transfer to a further endless pocketed conveyor (24). In passing to the further conveyor the groups and wrapper sections pass through a forming member carried on an intermediate endless conveyor (22). Transfer of the groups is effected by cam-operated plunger units (26A) carried by a fourth endless conveyor (26). The machine further includes a packet transfer unit at which spaced packets are deposited on a suction belt (50) prior to delivery in abutment to a packet reservoir (54); and a blank feed unit (30) comprising a continuously moving endless feed conveyor (62) provided with reciprocating pulleys, the movement of which causes the conveyor to remain stationary to allow transfer of blanks from a stationary reservoir (60).

Abstract: A plurality of containers on which untightened threaded caps are deposited are transported in a circular path synchronously with a cap tightening device for each container. The devices have a substantial vertical reciprocable non-rotatable shaft on which a cylindrical member is rotatable and a cylindrical housing is mounted to and is axially adjustable on the member. A spool of magnetic metal is rotatable on the shaft and is adapted for engaging a cap to turn and tighten it. Magnetizable and magnetized elements are arranged with the housing concentrically to the spool. While being transported the housings of the devices engage a stationary driver which turns the housings consecutively so the spools turn by virtue of magnetic coupling between the magnetic elements and the spool.

Abstract: A tension adjusting device for a packing machine using plastic film includes a shaft with a plastic film roll mounted thereto which is pressed by a press member. An axle extends centrally from the press member and is connected to a plate which extends radially and outwardly from a first rotatable rod. The shaft has an end member with which a belt is engaged which has a first end fixedly connected to a first fixed position. A first gear is fixedly connected to the first rotatable rod and a second rotatable rod is located in parallel with the first rotatable rod with a second gear connected to the second rotatable rod and engaged with the first gear. A third gear is connected to the second rotatable rod and has a chain engaged therewith which has one end thereof fixedly connected to a second fixed position and the other end thereof connected to a second end of the belt via a spring so that when the third gear is rotated, the belt is loosened or tightened.

Abstract: A plant package, comprising a floral grouping having a bloom portion and a stem portion wherein the stem portion may have a bonding material thereon and a flexible sleeve optionally having a bonding material thereon, the sleeve being positioned about the floral grouping and the sleeve substantially surrounding and encompassing the floral grouping, forming a plant package attached to the stems of the floral grouping, of using the wrapper.

Abstract: A method and apparatus automatically process currency documents. A stack of loose bank documents are placed on a feeder having a feeder arm which pushes the documents toward a continuous vacuum belt. The feeder arm is controlled by a lever arm connected to a potentiometer. The vacuum belt pulls documents from the stack, and moves the documents past a vacuum separator head and to a transport conveyor. The vacuum belt and the vacuum separator head are connected to the same vacuum supply. The transport conveyor moves the documents through inspection and sorting stations, and to various stacking units which stack the documents on platens. A strapping tape is curved to bend in a direction transverse to its length, and then a terminal end portion of the strapping tape is pushed through connected channels to direct the terminal end portion around three sides of a stack of the documents.

Abstract: A gantry film wrapping system and method useable for wrapping film about an elongated load. The system includes an overhead frame with first and second lateral support members for supporting opposing end portions of a carriage, which is reciprocatably translatable back and forth along the first and second lateral support members. A film wrapping apparatus having a rotary arm is coupled to the carriage, and a film wrapping carriage is coupled to a dependent member extending from an end portion of the rotary arm. The rotary arm and film wrapping carriage are rotatable in approximately 180 degree rotational increments between and during back and forth translations of the carriage along the first and second lateral support members of the overhead frame, wherein the film wrapping carriage is orbital in a substantially oval orbit about an elongated load disposed below the overhead frame.

Abstract: A system and method for order packing forms a mixed pallet or a mixed multi-pack. In this system, a first embodiment utilizes a high volume module, a low volume module, a sorting and packing module, a prepackage module and a mixed palletizer module for picking, sorting, packaging and palletizing articles. In a second embodiment of the present invention, a bulk load can be fed via a carrousel to a bank of elevators. A transfer device will load different levels of the elevators which can then be moved adjacent a discharge conveyor. A lane is provided in this discharge conveyor for each of the elevators in the bank of elevators. The different levels of the elevators are positioned adjacent the lanes and can discharge articles onto the conveyor in order to form groups of the same or different types of articles. Many different types of articles including beverage containers such as cans, bottles or beverage boxes can use this system.

Abstract: A method for providing confidentiality to a facsimile transmission includes the step of advancing a back enclosure sheet into a print engine. The method further includes the step of advancing the back enclosure sheet out of the print engine and to an envelope forming station. The method yet further includes the step of securing the back enclosure sheet to a front enclosure sheet so as to form an envelope at the envelope forming station. The method also includes the step of advancing a confidential sheet into the print engine. The method moreover includes the step of printing information associated with a page of the facsimile transmission onto the confidential sheet with the print engine. The method also includes the step of advancing the sheet out of the print engine and into the envelope.

Abstract: A method and unit for wrapping packets of cigarettes, whereby a succession of packets is fed continuously along a wrapping path having a straight input portion and a substantially curved output portion substantially tangent to the input portion at a transfer station for transferring the packets; the input portion extends through a wrapping station where each packet engages a respective sheet of wrapping material, and folds the sheet into a U so that two end portions of the sheet project rearwards from the packet; and each packet, together with the respective sheet, is transferred, at the transfer station, from the input portion to the output portion so that the two end portions of the sheet are maintained projecting rearwards from the packet.

Abstract: A packaging machine and process for loading bags of a novel web of side connected bags are disclosed. The web is fed through a bagger section by a pair of grooved main transport belts and a pair of lip transport belts each disposed in the groove of the associated main belt to trap bag lips in the grooves. Adjustable belt spreaders space reaches of the transport belt as they move through a load station whereby to sequentially open the bags into rectangular configurations. A closure section in the form of a novel and improved heat sealer is releasably connectable to the bagger section. The sections are adjustable together between horizontal and vertical orientations. Processes of opening, closing and sealing side connected bags are also disclosed.

Abstract: An automated bagging apparatus for use in the hosiery industry which tightens the bag around the hosiery articles prior to sealing to eliminate any extra bag space. This tightening effect is accomplished by holding the articles in place while extending the bag from the articles. The bag, while extended is sealed and trimmed prior to moving the sealed bag onto a conveyor belt for further handling.

Abstract: Method and device for manufacturing hinge-lid packets for cigarettes from individual, prefabricated blanks (11) which are delivered as piles (10) of blanks. Before being transferred to a packaging machine, each pile (10) of blanks is laterally aligned in respect of the exact relative position of the blanks (11), by aligning devices (21, 25, 27, 28) acting on all the upright side faces of the pile (10) of blanks. A separate aligning member, namely a slide (37) serves to align a lower, incorrectly positioned blank (11). This slide is effective in the region of a residual pile of the pile (10) of blanks, namely by raising a predominant upper partial pile.

Abstract: An in-line bottling plant essentially comprising a unit (1) for producing containers, particularly bottles, from a thermoplastic material, a unit (2) for filling the containers, and a unit (3) for conveying freshly produced containers, the conveying unit being arranged between an outlet (4) of the container producing unit (1) and an inlet (5) of the container filling unit (2). The container producing unit (1) and filling unit (2) are arranged as close together as possible and the conveying unit (3) is short and conveys the containers one after the other substantially without bumping them, particularly against one another. The in-line bottling plant preferably further comprises a unit (19) for temporarily retaining the containers, which unit is selectively connectable to the conveying unit (3) for receiving and retaining a number of containers.

Abstract: A modular disc cutterbar utilizes self-contained cutter modules clamped between alternating spacer modules by fasteners engaged with the spacer modules. To resist bending moments in the cutterbar, selected fasteners can have a length to span more than one cutter module. The drive mechanism is also of a modular construction including a symmetrical, reversible sealed drive apparatus within each cutter module and a transfer shaft passing through each interstitial spacer module to interconnect each cutter module drive mechanism. The drive apparatus incorporates an oil slinger to keep the remote seals lubricated. The rock guard for each cutter module is mounted on the adjacent spacer modules, while the skid shoe mounting is simplified. A crop mover mounted on each disc member above the cutting knife improves the transfer of severed crop material.

Abstract: A harvesting machine includes a feed mechanism configured for being driven in a forward direction to feed crops into the harvesting machine and a reverse drive mechanism for driving the feed mechanism in a reverse direction. The reverse drive mechanism includes a cam surface, a plurality of cam engagement members, and a plurality of pistons connected to the engagement members. One of the cam surface and the plurality of cam engagement members is operatively coupled to the feed mechanism. Controlled movement of the pistons in a first direction forces the cam engagement members into engagement with the cam surface to drive the feed mechanism in the reverse direction. Movement of each of the pistons in a second direction allows the feed mechanism to rotate in the forward direction.

Abstract: This machine comprises a number of elements mounted fitted one inside the other, and in succession, from the outside inward, a large lyre (10) which is rotated, a large cradle (12) which is stationary, two small lyres (15) which are coaxial and rotated in opposite directions, two small cradles (22) which are stationary and placed in the volume of the two lyres (15) and two reels (24) of wire each rotated inside a small cradle. The wires are twisted for a first time on the small lyres (15), then twisted together in the opposite direction on the large lyre (10).