Abstract: A unitary fishing rod with integral features is described. Integral features, such as, raised or recessed surface details, both raised and recessed surface detail, circular or non-circular cross-sectional shapes, raised rod guide mounting portion, multiple axes of alignment, distinct handle gripping means, one or more internal ribs, solid tip piece, and ferrules are formed by the use of a mold where the mold's interior surfaces define the integral features, the shape and surface detail, of the unitary fishing rod.

Abstract: A reel seat for a fishing rod, including a frangible outer longitudinal member adapted to receive the foot of a reel and an inner longitudinal member adapted to receive a portion of a rod body. The frangible outer longitudinal member has a bore extending axially therethrough from one end thereof. The inner longitudinal member is fixed within the bore of the frangible outer longitudinal member and has a bore, substantially coaxial with the bore of the frangible outer longitudinal member, extending from one axial end thereof. The inner longitudinal member has a machinability that is greater than the machinability of the frangible outer longitudinal member to allow easy diametrical enlargement of the bore formed through the inner longitudinal member. The same sized reel seat can be used with various fishing rods having different diameters due to the high machinability of the inner longitudinal member.

Abstract: A soft bait lure includes a lure main body (1) formed with an elastic synthetic resin material to have an outer shape resembling a small fish and particles of glass material (2) that are mixed in a lower half portion of the lure main body (1). The lure main body (1) is formed of an elastic material such as vinyl polychloride, polychloroprene rubber, polyisoprene rubber, or natural rubber, etc. The glass material (2) is mixed in a lower half portion of the lure main body (1).

Abstract: A unitary fishing sinker having a body with a buoyant portion having a density less than water and a weighted portion with a density greater than water. A further feature of the invention includes an elongated sinker body formed on a central wire with a line connection member at one end and a distal end extending outwardly from the body. The invention also relates to a method of making the above sinker.

Abstract: An electric insecticidal apparatus comprising a vessel for storing insecticidal solution, which is oriented in a direction in use; a heating chamber in which the vessel is mounted, said heating chamber containing a heating element; a wick for drawing up the insecticidal solution in the vessel, said wick being provided in the vessel such that the insecticidal solution drawn up by the wick is heated and vaporized by the heating element; an inlet provided at a side of the heating chamber for inserting the vessel into the heating chamber, said vessel being laterally inserted into the heating chamber through the inlet by orienting the vessel in the proper direction; and a guide and holding means for guiding the wick to and holding the wick at a predetermined position at the time of insertion of the vessel into the heating chamber such that the wick confronts the heating element of the heating chamber at a predetermined distance from the heating element, which is provided in the heating chamber.

Abstract: An integrated pest management system includes an enclosure having a bottom, and a top configured to resemble a natural rock, at least one doorway in the top, allowing the pest to access the interior, and a bait station inside the enclosure for holding bait.

Abstract: An insect trapping device generates its own insect attractants of carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2), heat and water vapor through catalytic conversion of a hydrocarbon fuel in a combustion chamber. The hot insect attractants generated in the combustion chamber are diluted and cooled to a temperature above ambient temperature and below about 115.degree. F. by mixing with air, and then the mixture is exhausted downward through the exhaust tube. A counterflow of outside air is drawn into the trap though the suction tube that concentrically surrounds the exhaust tube. Biting insects are captured in a porous, disposable bag connected to the other end of the suction tube. A thermoelectric generator, including thermoelectric modules coupled to the combustion chamber generate power for fans that provide the exhaust flow and the suction flow. Additional chemical attractants may be used with the device to make the trap even more effective.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of remediating soil, water, and other porous media contaminated with organic and/or inorganic contaminants using plants in conjunction with an electric field applied through the medium to control movement of the contaminants and enhance removal of the contaminants from the medium. Applying an electric field in soil induces electromigration (movement of ions in the pore fluid), as well as electroosmosis (movement of pore water) and electrophoresis (movement of charged particles in soil such as colloids). In the present invention these phenomena are beneficially utilized to control the transport of charged and/or non-charged contaminants in soil within the plant root zone (rhizosphere) and to bring contaminants into the root zone, perhaps from a contaminated zone located deeper in the soil than the root zone. The effectiveness of the phytoremediation is also enhanced by preventing the soil from becoming so strongly acidic or basic as to kill the plants.

Abstract: A universal floral bouquet assembly secures a keepsake to a floral bouquet arrangement. In particular, a container is provided having an upright probe projecting vertically from the center of the container. Floral foam that receives a bouquet of flowers is pressed into and through the probe. A receptacle associated with the keepsake frictionally engages the opposite end of the probe to securely support the keepsake above the floral arrangement. The receptacle may be integral to the base of the keepsake or may be a component of a transition piece, called an intermediate support, upon which the keepsake, such as a cylindrical candle, is secured. The supporting components are inexpensive to manufacture and ship, simple to assemble, provide firm support for the assembled arrangement during its transportation, and are small and unobtrusive, resulting in an aesthetically pleasing, but inexpensive floral/bouquet arrangement. The components are also reusable for those applications that require this feature.

Abstract: A grapevine trellis system utilizing substantially L-shaped wire supporting bracket arms constructed to be universally mounted on solid T-bar posts or metal roll formed T-shaped posts incorporating vertical slots designed to eliminate unwanted flexing of the assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods useful, for example, for introducing a desired spacing between or classifying and sorting objects, e.g. plant embryos. Objects carried serially in a fluid stream enter the apparatus via an upstream conduit. A sensor associated with the conduit provides information regarding an object at a particular location in the upstream conduit and produces a signal. A switch coupled to the upstream conduit directs the fluid stream to an appropriate downstream conduit by applying a force to a conduit, e.g., by aligning the upstream conduit with a downstream conduit to create a fluid-tight path. Apparatus according to the present invention are particularly useful for manipulating fragile multicellular biological objects such as plant embryos.

Abstract: A biodegradable playing surface (100) including a synthetic turf base (104) positioned atop a foundation (102) is provided. The synthetic turf base includes an at least partially biodegradable backing (112) having a plurality of openings (116), and synthetic fibers (110) secured to the biodegradable backing. The synthetic turf base also includes a surface layer of growth medium (118) applied on top of the biodegradable backing to reach a predetermined depth. Natural grass (120) is planted in the surface layer of growth medium. The biodegradable backing degrades over time so as to increase the size and number of the openings through the backing. This allows the roots of the natural grass to increasingly grow amongst the synthetic fibers and through the backing, so as to firmly integrate the synthetic turf base to the foundation.

Abstract: Drainage/feeder apparatus allows a vessel such as a pot to be advantageously drained of and supplied with fluids. The inventive drainage apparatus includes a drainage/feeder member including a base member, a drainage channel member and a feeder channel member. The base member is affixed to a portal of the vessel so as to allow drainage and feeding of fluids when the vessel is filled with soil. Water gravitationally drains out of the portal and into the drainage channel member, so as to dispose of the water at a selected distance away from the portal. The waste water can be further channeled away from the pot by engaging a hose member to the channel member in order to channel the liquid farther away. Likewise, water, fertilizer or the like is introduced into the interior of the pot via the portal and the drainage channel member. The drainage/feeder member can be affixed to the pot by a laminated adhesive layer or alternatively by caulking.

Abstract: A flowerpot comprises a first pot for excess water, a second pot provided on top of the first pot to hold soil and a plant therein and having a screen on the bottom thereof and a pump having an inlet extending into the first pot from the second pot and an outlet communicating with the inlet. The pump is to pump the water in the first pot to the second pot via the inlet and the outlet, such that the water is able to be recycled by means of the screen. Furthermore, insects depend mainly on water to breed no longer have access to the water in the first pot due to the isolation by the second pot.

Abstract: A shutter assembly which is comprised of a support frame formed by opposed parallel hollow side frame members and a bottom and top block member interconnected between the ends of the side frame members. A plurality of equidistantly spaced slats are pivotally inter-connected to one another and disposed between the side frame members in a parallel relationship. The side frame members each have a removably securable inner side wall which is provided with equidistantly spaced holes to receive opposed pivot pins of each of the slats. A slat positioning mechanism is disposed in one of the side frame members and has a pair of vertically disposed slat interconnecting bars. Pivot pin connectors are secured to each of the pivot pins and each has a pair of connecting arms pivotally connected to respective one of the slat interconnecting bars. A control gear, of circular disc shape, has gear teeth on at least an outer peripheral portion thereof.

Abstract: A window lift mechanism for raising and lowering a window in a vehicle door includes a support bracket mounted to the window and a motor supported on the support bracket. A vertical rack is mounted to the door and is positioned immediately adjacent the window, and a vertical guide track is also mounted to the door parallel to the rack and immediately adjacent the window. A pinion gear driven by the motor is supported on the support bracket and engaged with the rack to permit vertical movement of the window. A slide is supported on the support bracket and engaged with the guide track to provide support as the window is raised or lowered. Alternatively, a second rack and pinion are used instead of the guide track and slide.

Abstract: A head wall apparatus includes a support configured to be coupled to a wall. A front panel is coupled to the support to define an interior region of the head wall. A plurality of first gas blocks are coupled to the support, and a plurality of second gas blocks are also coupled to the support spaced apart from the first gas blocks. Each of the first and second gas blocks have an inlet and an outlet. The apparatus further includes a plurality of first and second gas supply hoses located in the interior region which are coupled to the first and second gas supply blocks, respectively. At least one divider is coupled to the support within the interior region. The at least one divider is configured to separate the first and second gas supply hoses into first and second separate pathways within the interior region.

Abstract: A retractable roof panel for selectively permitting light and air to enter through an opening in the roof. The retractable roof panel includes a pair of opposed side rails that are coupled to an upper surface of the roof structure and extend along the side edges adjacent the opening of the roof structure. A panel member has a pair of opposed panel sides, an upper end and a lower end and is slidably disposed between the side rails. The panel member is positionable between a closed position and an open position. The panel member substantially closes the opening of the roof structure when in the closed position. The opening of the roof structure is substantially open when the panel member is in the closed position.

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 thermal-insulation element for window and door frames, which has a main body adapted to be operatively interposed between an inner half and an outer half of the framework of the door or window frame. There is an abutment portion projecting in a transverse direction from the main body and adapted to receive a head portion of a weather strip coming into abutment against it. A magnetic material is operatively associated with the abutment portion and an axial stop is operatively associated with the magnetic material to prevent expansions/contractions of the magnetic means.

Abstract: A method and system for forming walls includes a dual-wall cavity. A stud is formed of an outer flange, middle flange and inner flange arranged in an "E" shape configuration. An outer panel attaches to the outer flange, a middle panel attaches to the middle flange and an inner panel attaches to the inner flange. An outer cavity is formed between the outer panel and the middle panel. The outer cavity can be filled with a filler material for providing structural and insulation features. Thereafter, an inner panel attaches to the inner flange for providing an inner cavity. The inner cavity can be used to house utility materials such as plumbing, air ducts, heating and electrical.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a removable, self-locking chimney cap which is screwless. The chimney cap comprises a stationary member and a removable member removably mountable to the stationary member. The stationary member comprises a base plate adapted to be secured to the end of the chimney or venting system and defining an opening, and a first tube mounted to the base plate around the opening. The removable member comprises a second tube adapted to slide over the first tube and a cap mounted to the second tube, the first and the second tubes comprising a pin and a corresponding bayonet slot adapted to receive the pin, whereby when the second tube slides over the first tube, the pin is received by the bayonet slot and locks the removable member with the stationary member. Such a chimney cap may be manually locked and unlocked in a single step, without the use of tools.

Abstract: A drywall-trimming assembly comprises a drywall edge-trimming strip extruded from polyvinyl chloride and a drywall corner-trimming device molded from acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene. The drywall corner-trimming device has a projecting tab, which fits under an end portion of the drywall edge-trimming strip so that an outer surface of the projecting tab faces an inner surface of the end portion of the drywall edge-trimming strip. The projecting tab has a pattern of alternating ridges and grooves, which extend between the lateral edges of the projecting tab. An adhesive of a type that adheres comparatively less strongly to a unit of surface area of the outer surface of the projecting tab and that adheres comparatively more strongly to a unit of surface area of the inner surface of the end portion of the drywall edge-trimming strip is used for adhering the outer surface of the projecting tab to the inner surface of the end portion of the drywall edge-trimming strip.

Abstract: A wall reinforcing system is provided for strengthening of walls formed of masonry or from wood, metal or other structural materials. A basic system comprises utilization of rigid, fiber reinforced polymer plates of a length to extend substantially the full vertical heigth of the wall. These plates incorporate a plurality of filamentary fibers of length to extend the full length of a plate with these fibers formed from carbon, glass or other material exhibiting high tensile strength and are affixed in a cured polymer matrix. A number of these plates are securely fixed to a wall in spaced parallel relationship by a resin bonding agent or by mechanical fastening devices, or by a combination of both. A plate may include a plurality of plates secured in stacked, superposed relationship and ridgidly secured together by a resin bonding agent into a unitary structure.

Abstract: A tongue and grove board has a first surface and a second surface, a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge and a first transverse edge and a second transverse edge. The first longitudinal edge has a first longitudinal lip and a second longitudinal lip cooperating to form a longitudinal groove therebetween, and the second longitudinal edge has a longitudinal tongue disposed therealong. The board further includes at least one notch disposed in the first longitudinal edge, the at least one notch extending perpendicular to the longitudinal edge, through the first surface and the first lip and partially into the second lip. The at least one notch has a depth at the first surface which is greater than the depth of the groove.

Abstract: A rectangular dowel bar sleeve is disclosed for receiving dowel bars and tie-bars that allows opening and closing of joints between adjacent cast-in-place slabs and pavements while allowing differential lateral movement of adjacent cast-in-place slabs in either direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the joint and while preventing differential vertical movement of the slabs on either side of the joint. A form panel having an alignment ridge and spaced apart holes for attaching blockout bars to the form panel is disclosed. The blockout bars can be used to accurately create voids extending perpendicularly from the form panel and having upper and lower surfaces that are parallel to the intended upper surface of the cast-in-place slab.

Abstract: The present invention provides a light gauge sheet metal building construction system which has a complete exterior shell that includes all exterior walls, floors and the roof. The invention permits the pre-assembly of a sheet metal cell unit building component comprised of bent sheet metal panels connected together to form a cell unit. This component can be used for a floor system, a varying wall system, or a rigid frame roofing system for residential, commercial, or industrial building applications. It is an alternate framing system for conventional wood framed and conventional metal stud framing systems.

Abstract: A number of ceiling rails are installed under the structural ceiling of a room in a selected array, in a configuration to provide openings between the rails to fit therein ceiling tiles. Brackets are used to support the tiles, the brackets being removably attached to the rails. At least one bracket is used on each side of a tile. The bracket comprises a pair of slots that allow it to be snapped onto the rail, and has a pair of integral laterally projecting load-bearing plates which support a first tile on one side and a pivotable supporting finger which can support a second tile on its opposite side. The pivotable finger pivots between an inoperative position in which is extends along the length of the bracket without laterally projecting therefrom, and an operative position in which it laterally projects beyond the side edge of the bracket. In this operative position, it may support a ceiling tile.

Abstract: Laminated shingles are manufactured from roll stock roofing material that is wider than that used to make similar laminated shingles. The roll stock includes longitudinal edge strips having a reduced thickness. The roll stock is cut into strips of tabbed top sheets and backing sheets. The strips of material used for the backing sheets are at once wider than commonly used in the industry, and include the longitudinal edge strips of reduced-thickness material. Because the backing sheet is wider two rain seal strips are laid down on the backing sheet prior to being laminated to the tabbed top sheet. The backing sheets are laminated to the tabbed top sheets with the longitudinal edges aligned. The wider backing sheet provides a substantially wider nail zone. In addition, since it allows for a second rain seal strip, provides somewhat more protection against leakage. The portion of the backing sheet that comprises the added width is relatively thinner than the remaining portions of the sheet.

Abstract: A masonry system including three types of different individual masonry blocks that can be stacked to form recessed horizontal and vertical belts in a wall formed from the masonry blocks. The masonry system includes a horizontal block having a decorative band extending horizontally along a front face surface of the horizontal block. The horizontal decorative band is recessed from the front face surface. The masonry system further includes a vertical block having a decorative band extending vertically in the front face surface of the vertical block. The vertical decorative band is recessed from the front face surface. The masonry system further includes an intersect block having both a horizontal decorative band and a vertical decorative band joined to each other. The intersect block can be positioned to provide the required transition between horizontal and vertical belts formed in a wall assembled by using the masonry system of the present invention.

Abstract: An interlocking block for constructing walls without mortar at bed joints includes an inner wall, an outer wall, and a web arrangement connecting the walls, wherein upper and lower surfaces of the block when in use are formed in contact with walls of a mold, and the block is slipped from the mold in a direction parallel to the mold walls. Interlocking recesses and ridges are formed in one piece with the walls of the block. The web is minimal in cross-sectional area and is positioned at one end of the block and between the top and bottom to create large empty volumes defining vertical and horizontal passages. The block can include one or more intermediate walls parallel to the inner and outer walls and additional webs to connect the intermediate walls to the inner and outer walls.

Abstract: A reinforced truss includes a pre-existing top chord and a pre-existing bottom chord, a reinforcing top chord, first and second reinforcing chord heel plates, each of the reinforcing chord heel plates having a plate, a reinforcing truss bracket attached to a first end of the plate, at least one slotted aperture disposed on the plate and spaced to approximately match a pre-existing bolt pattern of the pre-existing truss, and a tie rod bracket. The ends of the reinforcing top chord are captured in the reinforcing truss brackets of the reinforcing chord heel plates. A tie rod is connected to the tie rod brackets of the first and second reinforcing chord heel plates. The slotted aperture allows for the tie rod to be adjusted, thereby adjusting the loading on the reinforcing top chord.

Abstract: A former in the shape of a substantially V-shaped body having an apex and two legs depending from the apex for use in assembling an elongated V-shaped truss that has a plurality of the formers removably attached to a plurality of associated elongated support chords to form a truss that may be disassembled for shipping.

Abstract: A composite beam system that can be used for the framing system in bridges or buildings and provide enhanced corrosion protection includes a fiber reinforced plastic beam shell with compression and tension reinforcement. The compression reinforcement consists of portland cement concrete which is pumped into a profiled conduit within the beam shell. The conduit for the compression reinforcement is profiled to optimally resist the internal forces in the composite beam for a particular loading. The tension reinforcement consists of carbon, glass or steel fibers anchored by wrapping around the ends of the compression reinforcement. The positioning of the tension reinforcement is optimally designed to equilibrate the internal forces in the compression reinforcement. Each composite beam has a series of internal vertical stiffeners which are perpendicular to the sides of the beam shell. The composite beams can be used in the construction of bridges and buildings using conventional erection techniques.

Abstract: A transverse beam forming an at least indirect component of a composite suspension control arm shaft has over a substantial part of its length a trough-shaped torsion portion with a U-shaped or V-shaped cross-section formed by chipless deformation of a tubular hollow section, end portions having a circular cross-section and intermediate portions with a continuously changing cross-section from the end portions to the torsion portion, wherein the double walls of the torsion portion have in the transition areas from the torsion portion to the intermediate portions transversely directed embossments or impressions at the deepest point of the torsion portion, wherein the embossments or impressions engage in each other.

Abstract: A flexible disk for securely holding insulation to an air duct made from a resilient material, and having a convex upper surface and a diameter of from 1.5 inches to 4.0 inches. A washer for receiving a disk fastener is centrally positioned in the disk top, which is thicker than the top. A rim is located at the circumference of the top which has a planar bottom for contacting the insulation. When the disk is properly attached to an air duct by a fastener, it deforms to a concave configuration by which it resiliently exerts force on the underside surface of the disk and the rim which in turn presses downward on the insulation, securely holding the insulation in place without crushing the insulation.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for filling and sealing flexible poly bags which are provided on a continuous roll. The apparatus has means for heat sealing filled bags. A drive mechanism conveys the bag into position for filling and sealing thereof. A clamp mechanism draws the bags into contact with the heat sealing means during the sealing process. A reverse actuation mechanism is provided for reversing the drive mechanism while the bag remains clamped so as to detach the bag at a perforation thereof. An interrupt means is also provided for disengaging the clamp mechanism when the clamp mechanism is interfered with by a foreign object. The interrupt means consists of an electrical circuit established through the clamp mechanism frame which circuit is broken when the clamp mechanism contacts a foreign object. Also provided is a guide mechanism for guiding the bags into engagement with the drive mechanism.

Abstract: A plant package assembly, comprising a pot containing a floral grouping and a flexible sleeve having curved, circumferentially oriented detaching elements. The sleeve is positioned about the pot so that a lower portion of the sleeve closely surrounds and encompasses the pot, and an upper portion of the sleeve extends upwardly from the pot and substantially surrounds and encompasses the floral grouping contained within the pot. The upper portion of the sleeve is removable via the detaching elements, leaving a curved upper end of the lower portion which extends upwardly focusing attention on the upper portion of the floral grouping.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching a fitment to an erected carton through ultrasonic welding at an infeed to a packaging machine is disclosed herein. The apparatus has two anvils that oscillate in a horizontal plane and oscillate along a vertical plane at a carton infeed to a packaging machine. As one anvil is attaching a fitment to a carton, the other anvil picks a fitment for attachment to the next carton.

Abstract: A sterilizing device for thoroughly removing hydrogen peroxide from the interior of the container in a short period of time includes a sterilizing agent depositing device 19 which deposits a hydrogen peroxide-containing solution having a sterilizing affect into the interior of the container before the container is filled with a food product and a sterilizing agent removing device 23 which removes the hydrogen peroxide from the interior of the container by blowing compressed hot air into the container. The sterilizing method involves depositing a hydrogen peroxide-containing solution having a concentration in the range of 0.05-0.20 wt. % into the interior of the container before the container is filled with food product, irradiating the interior of the container with ultraviolet light after the hydrogen peroxide-containing solution is deposited in the interior of the container, and removing hydrogen peroxide from the interior of the container by blowing compressed hot air into the interior of the container.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for manufacturing articles, such as syringe barrels, substantially free from contaminants. The apparatus is an enclosure defining at least a class 100 and MCB-3 environment, and includes a molding isolation module and a packaging isolation module. Any contaminants that may exist within the enclosure are removed by the use of horizontal and vertical laminar airflows directed into air filter units. Further, the molding temperature may be selected such that it renders the fabricated articles substantially free from contaminants. The molding isolation module and packaging isolation module keep the fabricated articles substantially free from contaminants from the time the articles are molded to the time the articles are placed in sealed containers for shipment.

Abstract: A tape packing method capable of packing a tape in such a mode that it can be let off with neither twist nor entanglement from its packing box. When the tape 1 is to be boxed and packed by dropping it, a turning force around the center portion of a packing box 4 is applied to the tape 1 being dropped into the packing box 4, and the direction of the turning force to be applied is alternately switched forward and backward at each predetermined number of turns.

Abstract: A process for producing packaged products from a film roll includes the steps of detecting whether an elongate film is defective or not, detecting whether a spool is defective or not, detecting whether an assembled cartridge is defective or not, and detecting whether a case is defective or not. Various defective products detected in these steps are removed without being fed to subsequent steps. By thus detecting various defects in the process for producing packaged products from a film roll, high-quality packaged products can efficiently be manufactured.

Abstract: A method of packaging a rectangular electrolytic battery, comprising the steps of forming a sleeve from a flat, rectangular sheet of a laminate material by overlapping and joining opposite edges of the sheet; inserting a rectangular battery into one end of the sleeve, the battery having two electronic contacting leads extending from one side thereof and the battery being positioned within the sleeve wherein a portion of the leads is within the sleeve and a portion of the leads is outside said sleeve; joining the ends of the sleeve to form a seal along each end thereof, hermetically sealing the interior of the sleeve, one end of the sleeve forming a seal about the leads and the other end of the sleeve sealed adjacent the battery.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and an apparatus (1) for packaging series of articles (3) in different formations (71). According to the invention, articles for each formation (71) are fed in mutually opposite directions (69, 70) by longitudinal conveyors (2) towards a common receiving zone (6) for collecting and stacking of articles (3), where first articles are stopped and transferred laterally by lateral conveyors (15) to a first collecting means (25) for collecting part of a stack (72) of two formations (71) of articles, whereupon a so collected part is released to a second collecting means (34) for collecting the remainder of a complete stack (72) by way of stopping and transferring second articles. The complete stack (72) is then moved onwards for further handling and packaging, and the latter movement is provided to be carried out during the first collecting step.

Abstract: A forming, filling and sealing machine comprises three sealing mechanisms for heat sealing a film, a folding mechanism for inwardly folding the width direction middle part of the film along the longitudinal direction of the film, and an injection pipe for injecting in filling materials. A first sealing mechanism heat seals a long sheet film to be carried downwards with both side ends overlapped with each other, the heat sealing being applied to the overlapped both side ends along the longitudinal direction of the film. A second sealing mechanism heat seals at least the top of two ridge portions formed by the folding mechanism in the film along the longitudinal direction of the film. A third sealing mechanism is disposed below the injection pipe for horizontally heat sealing the film and cutting the heat sealed portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for air and liquid-tight packing of objects for disposal, such as sanitary towels, disposable nappies, hypodermic needles and other hospital wastes comprises a pair of supply rolls of mutually adhesive foil strips. The side edge of the foil strips are urged towards each other to seal the respective side edges together while a transport system engages the side edges and moves the foil strips through the apparatus. A pressing system includes a pair of substantially flat elements, at least one of which is rotatable, which extend substantially over the width of the foil strips and guide the strips together capturing and sealing an object to be packed therebetween, and sealing the foil strips together across their width after passage of the object.

Abstract: A filling machine for thermoplastic cups, with a cyclically operating conveying section which takes over a cup sheet web with thermoformed cups from a thermoforming station, there being provided, for the simultaneous filling of a batch of cups, for each cup of the batch, a filling unit with a filling cylinder and a filling pipe for a pasty filling product, the filling cylinder containing a filling piston on the product side. The technical problem is to provide a filling machine which is easily adjustable in terms of volume, works without a sucking action, and is easy to clean and sterilize. An air piston (31) is connected, on the drive side, to the filling piston (24) by a piston rod (40) and the filling cylinder (23) is closed off above the air piston (31) by a cylinder head (32) which is connected to a pressure compensation reservoir via a compensation pipe (35).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for molding and optionally filling a container including an extruder head for extruding a length of parison and a vibrating knife operatively associated with the apparatus for reciprocating movement and having a blade positioned below the extruder head which traverses the path of the extruded parison to sever the parison. Preferably, the vibrating knife vibrates the blade at ultrasonic frequencies.

Abstract: An apparatus for strapping packages with a band (7) made of weldable plastic comprises a band-supply unit, a band-transporting and -tensioning unit, a closure unit, which is provided as a separate unit and has an abutment plate, and a band-guidance unit and has at least one band clamp (15) with a pivotably mounted clamping part (10). The band clamp (15) is formed by a specific recessed section (14) of the abutment plate (5) and the clamping part (10), a curved operative surface (40) being provided on the clamping part, and the band clamp (15) being self-locking. Selecting the clamping angle W for the band (7) between the clamping part (10) and recessed section (14) to be as large as possible means that it is easier to release the band clamp when the band is tensioned. The apparatus makes it possible for strapping bands to be applied, even with high tensioning, without slipping during the closure operation.