Abstract: A multi-purpose plumbing tool includes first and second tubular sockets. A first end portion of each of the tubular sockets has four notches therein, extending inward from a first end of the tubular socket and spaced from each other on 90° centers, for receiving complementary parts to be rotated and tightened or loosened by one of the sockets. Preferably, the second end portion of the second tubular socket can be removably mounted on the first end portion of the first tubular socket to rotate with the first tubular socket. The second end portion of the first tubular socket has a means for rotating the first tubular socket to tighten or loosen complementary parts received in the notches of the first tubular socket or received in the notches of the second tubular socket when the second tubular socket is mounted on the first end portion of the first tubular socket.

Abstract: A wrench set includes a hollow body containing a tray. The tray includes a plurality of different size wrench heads held in a nesting relationship within said tray. The tray is easily removed from the hollow interior allowing a wrench head to be removed. Each wrench head is adapted to fit at the end of said hollow handle to permit its use and then can be returned to its tray and held within the hollow handle to provide a complete wrench set taking up minimal space.

Abstract: A tool retaining device includes a shank having two ends selectively engaged in a barrel and having tool members detachably secured to the ends for being selectively used to act onto the objects or to drive fasteners. The shank includes an end shaft having a socket opening for receiving a tool member, a bucket secured onto the shaft and having a bore for slidably receiving a casing. A magnetic member is engaged in the casing and includes an orifice for slidably receiving the tool member and for attracting and retaining the tool member to the shaft.

Abstract: A resilient retainer ring comprises at least two pressing sections and at least one engaging section. Each pressing section presses against a bottom wall defining an annular groove in a receiving compartment of a screwdriver shank when the retainer ring is mounted in the annular groove of the screwdriver shank. The engaging section is exposed to at least one corner of the receiving compartment such that the engaging section has at least a portion engaged in a retaining groove of a bit when an end of the bit is received in the receiving compartment of the screwdriver shank.

Abstract: The present invention a pipe shaver a pipe shaver for removing a uniform layer of material from the outer diameter of a pipe, the pipe shaving includes a housing including a longitudinal axis; a cutting blade including a blade guide for positioning a front face of said cutting blade at an angle theta of not less than 95 degrees relative to the pipe surface and for mounting said blade to said housing, said blade including a cutting edge; a lifting means for manually urging said blade radially outwardly away from said pipe and inwardly to the outer diameter of the pipe; and a lever for manually urging said blade radially outwardly away from said pipe and a threaded cam for moving said cutting edge longitudinally along the outer diameter of said pipe for shaving a thin substantially uniform layer of material off the outer diameter of the pipe.

Abstract: A reversible linear hydraulic drive system for a bidirectional supported shear having an adjustable stroke length. A method for improving the quality of the tube ends after shearing using a reversible partial orbital path is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a web perforating apparatus which includes a system for detecting and indicating when a blade in the apparatus is broken, dull or otherwise not perforating the web. The apparatus is typically used with rewinders or other similar machines that produce perforated sheets of products, such as paper, using sets of stationary anvil blades and rotating perforating blades. The apparatus comprises at least one anvil including a blade holder and an anvil blade which is positioned within the blade holder. The blade holder is formed of an insulating material for electrically isolating the anvil blade from the machine frame of the rewinder. An electrical conductor is coupled to the anvil blade for supplying an electric current to the anvil blade from a current source. The apparatus also includes at least one grounded perforating blade for moving relative to the anvil blade and cooperating with the anvil blade to perforate the web at predetermined points along its length.

Abstract: A punch unit (1) is provided with: a punch (2), which is reciprocally driven in a punching operation; and, a die (3), which cooperates with the punch (2) in punching a hole in a soft metal sheet (i.e., workpiece not shown). In this punch unit (1): punch guides (12, 13a) and the die (3) are integrally formed into a punch block (11); and a radial clearance between the punch (2) and the die (3) is set at a value of from 4 to 15% of a thickness of the soft metal sheet to be punched; and, the punch unit (1) is further provided with a sheet hold-down means (5) the sheet hold-down means (5) functioning to hold down the soft metal sheet when the soft metal sheet is punched.

Abstract: A machine for skiving or splitting nonmetallic planar workpieces, in particular plastic-coated paper-like workpieces, is disclosed. The machine has a motor-driven moving knife, in particular a bell knife or hoop knife, whose cutting edge moves around a closed loop and has a specific contour. A grinding device for grinding the knife is provided. In order to increase the service life, a cleaning device is provided, which can be displaced towards the cutting edge for removing contaminants adhering to the cutting edge.

Abstract: A lockup device for securing cutting mats to a rotary anvil comprises a base portion, one sidewall, and a wedge portion, and is adapted to be inserted into the channel of the rotary anvil such that the sidewall of the lockup device is adjacent a wall of the channel. A cutting mat having opposing first and second flanged ends is wrapped around the rotary anvil. The first flange is compressed between the locking wedge and the sidewall of the lockup device. The second flange is compressed between the locking wedge and a channel wall. As such, the locking wedge and cutting mat are frictionally secured to the rotary anvil. Further, the cutting mat may be quickly repositioned by releasing the second flange from the channel. When the cutting mat is unwrapped from the rotary anvil, the lockup device remains secured to the first flange, allowing for quick repositioning.

Abstract: A frame saw for sawing a relatively thick piece of wooden feed stock simultaneously into a plurality of thinner pieces of wood, and including a feed assembly for continuously feeding the stock from an upstream input position to a downstream output position, and a plurality of closely spaced-apart parallel reciprocable saw blades positioned intermediate the input position and the output position for sawing the stock into thinner pieces of stock as the stock is moved by the feed assembly relative to the blades. A drive assembly is operatively connected to the blades for driving the blades in a reciprocating motion comprising alternate cutting and non-cutting strokes. A linear offset motion assembly is provided for moving the reciprocating blades alternately upstream and downstream into linearly-offset cutting and non-cutting positions relative to the stock.

Abstract: A mitre box having a base and a saw holder assembly pivotally mounted for angular movement over the base. The saw holder assembly is adapted to hold a saw and is capable of being locked at a predetermined angular position over the base.

Abstract: A method for replacing a fuse casing (4), which is riveted to the casing (2) of an active component (1) containing an explosive charge (3). The new fuse casing (4) laser-welded to the remaining rivet parts (5) of the active component casing (2). Welding filler materials are used to attach the new fuse casing (4) easily and securely to the active component casing (2), such that the connection can withstand even high firing accelerations, without this resulting in impermissibly high thermal stress to the explosive charge (3) in the active component. Welding powders (7) or welding pastes can be used as welding filler materials, which are inserted into gaps (8) remaining between the remaining rivet parts (5) and the bores (6) in the fuse casing (4) before the remaining rivet parts (5) are welded to the fuse casing (4). Also used are discs (9) that cover the bore holes (6) in the fuse casing (4). The disks are placed onto the frontal faces of the remaining rivet parts (5) and are welded to these.

Abstract: The present invention resides in an infrared identification system for identifying military vehicles as friendly or hostile. The infrared identification system includes a seed introduction system, in each friendly vehicle, that introduces trace quantities of a particular seed formulation into the vehicle's exhaust. An infrared detection system, also in each friendly vehicle, detects the spectrally-discrete thermal emissions of the seed formulation to identify those vehicles having the thermal emissions as friendly. The infrared identification system provides rapid and positive friend or foe identification of land, sea and air vehicles at long ranges without being jammed, intercepted or mimicked.

Abstract: In a multi-layer armor system (10), useful for military vehicles, a metallic foam is provided as the shock energy-absorbing element. In a typical arrangement, the metallic foam shock-absorbing element (12) is sandwiched between a high strength strike plate (11) and a backing plate (13). Typically, the backing plate is a highly deforming metal, such as titanium, aluminum, or steel. However, the backing plate may comprise one or more layers of metal, ceramic or polymer-based composites. The high strength strike plate may be ceramic or metal. The shock-absorbing element is preferably a closed-cell metal foam with a high porosity that is effective in containing rearward deformation of the strike plate from a projectile strike. In a preferred embodiment, the shock-absorbing element is an aluminum foam with a porosity of 80 percent by volume.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for extracting a substance for the preparation of a drink. This device includes a first, fixed piece and a second piece that is movable relative to the first about an axis of rotation lying at the rear of the two pieces, with the front of each piece providing a cavity for the substance to be extracted. The device also includes a system for closing and opening the two pieces. This system possesses a two-armed closing lever and two traction rods. The two arms of the closing lever are arranged to rotate about a first pivot on each side of the second piece. The traction rods are arranged to rotate about a second pivot on each side of the first piece. The ends of the two arms of the closing lever and the traction rods are fixed by means of a third, movable pivot so as to interact mutually in order to cause the closing and opening of the device.

Abstract: A cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients and being formed from substantially air- and water-impermeable materials, the cartridge comprising an inlet for the introduction of an aqueous medium into the cartridge, a compartment containing the beverage ingredient or ingredients and an outlet for the beverage produced from the beverage ingredients, characterized in that the cartridge incorporates in the beverage flow path, prior to or at outlet, a device for producing a jet of the beverage, at least one inlet for air and a device to generate a pressure reduction of the jet of beverage, whereby in use air from the at least one air inlet is incorporated into the beverage as a plurality of small bubbles.

Abstract: A chafer comprising a support frame, a food service pan, a cover, a cover pivoting assembly, a cover mounting assembly and a cover damper assembly. The cover has a peripheral edge and is pivotably mounted on the support frame by the cover pivoting assembly. The support frame supports the pan under the cover. The cover mounting assembly releasably mounts the cover to the cover pivoting assembly to enable the cover to be pivoted about a horizontal axis from a fully closed position to an intermediate, partially open position and to a fully open position, and vice versa. The cover is arranged to be automatically held in the fully closed, partially open or fully open positions by the mere movement of the cover to any of those positions.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus enables a user to cook bu boiling, steaming or frying food items. The apparatus includes a burner having a base that is specially shaped to cradle a pot. The pot has a valved flowline that enables the user to drain any fluid that was used for cooking (eg. water, oil, seasoned water, stock, etc.). An upper section above the support surface of the burner for engaging the sidewall of the pot should the pot be tipped inadvertently. The burner includes upper members that are supported above the bottom of the pot and a lower member that engages an underlying supporting surface. The upper pot support members include a ring with a bent, U-shaped section that extends on opposite sides of and under the valved drain flowline. The burner frame can have a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially extending legs. Radial and circumferentially spaced struts define part of the frame and are shaped and cradle the bottom of the pot and its sidewall respectively.

Abstract: A baking dish includes a generally shallow platter made of ceramic material suitable to withstand a baking environment and having a baking surface defining a supporting plane on which a baked product can be made. A substantially upright continuous wall in the form of a ring generally conforming to the shape of the baking surface is provided that has a height dimension when supported on the baking surfaces relative to the supporting plane to define a generally cylindrical space for receiving and containing a food product to be baked. The platter and ring have substantially conforming peripheries. A laterally extending bead or a protuberance extends about the periphery of the platter and a deformable engaging member in the form a peripheral lip is provided about the periphery of the ring for removably attaching the ring to the platter about the periphery and for providing a generally sealed connection at the mating surfaces of the platter and wall of the ring.

Abstract: An Air Core™ cooking vessel has an outer shell, an inner shell disposed inside the outer shell forming an inner space between the outer and inner shells. The inner space formed between the outer and inner shells by interlocking the outer edges of the top flange of the inner shell to outer edges of the bottom flange of the outer shell preserves heat and traps moisture during cooking.

Abstract: The machine comprises a pair of risers and a head comprising a plurality of operating roller units with rollers supported on the top and between the risers. According to the invention, the machine comprises a cover pivotally mounted by a pin with respect to the risers and over the head so to at least cover the gap on the top and on the front between the risers, in which the operating units are arranged in its closed position. Cams are functionally associated to the cover and cam trackers are functionally associated to a micro switch. The micro switch is electrically connected to the electrical power circuit of an electrical geared motor of the machine so that the micro switch electrically closes the electrical circuit only when the cover is correctly and completely closed and consequently the electrical geared motor of the machine can be turned along with the operating unit rollers only in this condition.

Abstract: A baler is provided with a baling chamber for producing parallelepiped bales. The baling chamber has an upper part that can be repositioned in height by servo motors. The baling plunger is constructed of upper and lower parts that can also be adjusted vertically a corresponding amount.

Abstract: Calender and process for treating a web with a roll stack that includes a plurality of rolls having two end rolls and several intermediate rolls arranged between the two end rolls. The plurality of rolls are arranged such that adjacent rolls, including a first and a second roll, of the plurality of rolls are positionable to form nips, and the adjacent rolls have deflections which differ from each other so that the second roll is positioned adjacent a convex side of the first roll, and the second roll has a weaker deflection than the first roll.

Abstract: A process for operating a calender roll that cooperates rotatingly with at least one other calender roll of a roll stack, at least one calender roll of the roll stack being provided with an elastic cover. The process includes operating the calender roll; and changing a mass of the calender roll during operation. Furthermore, a calender roll is provided including a roll jacket having a first and second end; a supply connection arrangement; and a mass changing device connected to the supply connection.

Abstract: A method for a multi-roll calender and a multi-roll calender for controlling the moisture gradient of a fibrous web and for enabling the manufacture of high quality paper grades, such as WFC, LWC-roto and SC-A by on- and off-line calendering. An on- or off-line multi-roll calender formed of separate sets of rolls is used for calendering, and the fibrous web (W) is subjected to intermediate moistening between the sets of rolls (A, B).

Abstract: A baler for the production of parallelepiped or slab-shaped bales is provided with a baling chamber whose cross section can be easily repositioned in height by servo motors that operate to adjust one part of the baling chamber relative to an overlapping second part. Corresponding adjustments can be made to the position of a driver for the baling piston, which itself is constructed to include separate telescoping parts. In addition, the needle assembly is provided with needle carrying arms that are mounted for movement with the movable part of the baling chamber.

Abstract: A self-inking hand stamp with upper stroke inking. The stamp (1) comprises a supporting plate (5) for fixed stamp characters (7), and this supporting plate has a central aperture (8) in which further stamp characters (9) provided on a separate, supporting insert (11) are arranged. The insert (11) is connected with the supporting plate (5) via an adapter (12) into which it is inserted.

Abstract: An apparatus for, and a method of, printing a precise pattern on the inside radius of a curved substrate by the pivotal movement of a pendulum moving across the surface of a screen capable of receiving and transferring an ink, is disclosed.

Abstract: A printing-agent replenishing device including a replenisher which has a container for accommodating a printing agent and a delivery nozzle disposed at one end of the container and which is operable to delivery the printing agent from the delivery nozzle, for replenishing a printing-agent replenishment object in a screen printer, the device further including a cutting wire for cutting off a mass of the printing agent which extends from a free end of the delivery nozzle, and a cutting-wire holding device which holds the cutting wire such that the cutting wire is held in contact with or in close proximity to the free end face of the delivery nozzle, so as to traverse an opening in the free end face, and such that the cutting wire is rotatable about an axis substantially aligned with an axis of the delivery nozzle.

Abstract: Cream solder stored in a squeegee head is pressurized by a pressurizing plate, and the squeegee head is slid on a mask plate, so that the cream solder is printed onto a substrate via pattern apertures. This is done by a screen printing apparatus, in which pressurized solder is accommodated, and the solder is brought into contact with a surface of the mask plate via an opening formed on a lower face of the cell. A rectifier is disposed in the cell for blocking the cream solder from flowing into a specific area just above the opening. This structure allows the solder to flow into the opening in a slant direction, and causes the solder to roll. This mechanism prevents the solder from being hardened due to staying stagnant just above the opening, and thus prevents defective printings.

Abstract: A stencil clip is used to apply a pattern onto an extruded concrete curb having a curved cross-sectional profile. The stencil clip is made of stiff but resiliently flexible sheet material pre-formed to match the cross-sectional profile of an upper portion of the curb, and may have at least one cut-out portion to define a decorative pattern or indicia. Alternatively, the stencil clip may be solid to serve as a blanking or masking stencil. The stencil has handle portions at its edges permitting the stencil to be clipped on and off the curb.

Abstract: A screen printing machine including a stencil sheet assembly having a frame member having outer peripheral sides for partitioning an outer configuration and inner peripheral sides for partitioning an opening and stencil sheet adhered to one face of the frame member to cover the opening, a tension frame projected to inner sides of the inner peripheral sides of the frame member, having a raised portion toward the stencil sheet and arranged on other face of the frame member for applying tension to the stencil sheet, and holding means for holding the tension frame and the stencil sheet assembly which are put together such that a front face of the tension frame in a direction of raising the raised portion and the outer face of the frame member are brought into contact with each other.

Abstract: Sheet perfecting apparatus for a satellite-type printing press by which double-side printing is performed with a single satellite-type press and if sheet perfecting is not needed the sheet is printed on one side only. In the course of printing with a plurality of printing units (26) which are provided in satellite-like manner around a common pressure cylinder (10), a plurality of chain gripper conveyors (38, 42) are arranged in parallel and are connected via a perfecting cylinder (40) to invert the sheet of material.

Abstract: There is provided a double-sided printing press that includes a sheet-turning-over mechanism for turning sheets upside down at a sheet-turning-timing according to a set length of sheets, which has been previously set for the sheet-turning-over mechanism; and a sheet-length-detection means for detecting the length of sheets, which are fed to the sheet-turning-over mechanism; wherein where the length of sheets, which are fed to the sheet-turning-over mechanism and detected by the sheet-length-detection means, is deferent from the set length of sheets as a result of comparison therebetween, the sheets are stopped from being transferred to the sheet-turning-over mechanism.

Abstract: An inking apparatus controller includes an oscillating roller rotatable in a circumferential direction and reciprocatable along an axial direction thereof; an oscillation-width adjustment mechanism for adjusting an oscillation width of the oscillating roller; an oscillation-width adjustment unit for operating the oscillation-width adjustment mechanism; and a control unit for controlling operation of the oscillation-width adjustment unit such that the oscillation width of the oscillating roller assumes a designated value and for controlling operation of the oscillation-width adjustment means such that during cleaning work, the oscillating roller oscillates over an oscillation width which is set in a memory in advance.

Abstract: A control system for regulating the composition of an emulsion ink made from an oil-based ink and a water-based fountain solution using a mixing and dispersing apparatus includes a liquid level sensor, means responsive to the liquid level sensor for maintaining a proper liquid level in the mixing and dispersing apparatus, and means for producing an emulsion ink with a water content value which is within a predetermined range from a desired water content value. The producing means includes a feedforward controller and a feedback controller for regulating water-based fountain solution input rate to the mixing and dispersing apparatus.

Abstract: To produce a printing block, a relief is introduced into a surface of a printing block blank. To form the relief, material of the printing block blank is removed along tracks. The material is removed by radiation to form recesses, between which plateaus will be formed. The surface of the printing block blank located between the recesses is also removed by radiation in order to obtain lower-lying plateaus.

Abstract: A patch measurement device which is capable of accurately detecting the position of a patch in a control strip is provided. In a patch measurement device 27, a data storage section 271 stores printed-image data containing a control strip printed on a printed material. A reference mark detection section 272 detects the positions of cross points P corresponding to reference marks rm contained in the printed-image data. An inter-mark distance calculation section 273 calculates a measured shortest distance with respect to the cross point P. An inter-mark distance correction section 274 calculates magnification correcting coefficients k, by utilizing theoretical shortest distances among the cross points P in deployed position information and the measured shortest distance. Based on the magnification correcting coefficients k and the values of pixels constituting the printed-image data, a patch position detection section 275 finalizes the patch position.

Abstract: A method of axially spinning an initiator subassembly after the loading of a pyrotechnic charge therein, in order to distribute the charge.

Abstract: A gas-phase warhead for use against a hardened and deeply buried target containing a payload that is ignitable when combined with air. After the warhead is delivered near an air intake of a target, the payload is expelled from the casing of the warhead in a slow, controlled manner so as to allow the formed payload-and-air mixture to infiltrate the areas of the target. After a predetermined amount of time, the payload-and-air mixture is ignited and a detonation or a deflagration within the target occurs.

Abstract: A machine picks up ties from a ballast bed of a track while advancing continuously in an operating direction. A machine frame carries a tie transport unit onto which a tie pick-up device transports the ties. The pick-up device has tie skids immersed in the ballast bed for supporting the ties to be lifted. The tie skids are extended backward by a tie sliding track on which the underside of the ties is supported and the ties are slid to the tie transport unit. The tie sliding track extends in the longitudinal direction and it has a transfer end at which the ties are transferred to a receiving end of the tie transport unit. An endless transporting chain with tie engaging members shifts the ties from the ballast bed to the receiving end of the tie transport unit. The transporting chain has a lower deflection end that lies ahead of its upper deflection end and it extends along a reference line that encloses an acute angle with the ballast bed.

Abstract: Operations along a track suffering some track anomaly are resumed by bridging the anomaly with a robotic device. The track supports operation of a plurality of robotic devices. The anomaly prevents the flow of electrical current from reaching an affected section of the track. A robotic device is moved to the anomaly so that electrical current flows into a first pickup on the robotic device located on one side of the anomaly and out of a second pickup on the robotic device located on another side of the anomaly.

Abstract: A table with a work board for nail care by a worker on a generally opposite customer is in combination with a suction member. The suction member has a hollow space, a pair of exterior surface portions on one side for supporting lower portions of a customer's arms when the suction member is on the work board of the table and suction holes into the hollow space from an adjacent side of the suction member to be near the customer's hands when the customer's arms are supported on the surface portions. A suction purification apparatus has a flow pipe connected with the hollow space of the suction member for purifying air sucked through the suction holes, hollow space and flow pipe by contacting the air with water.

Abstract: A foldable desk includes a top and a first leg and a second leg are respectively and pivotally connected to an underside of the top. Two rollers are connected to the underside of the top and one of the first leg and the second leg has two rollers connected thereto. The two legs can be pivoted parallel to the top and the rollers on the top and one of the two legs may roll on the ground.

Abstract: The pallet is formed from two sheets (1, 2) superposed underneath, an upper sheet (3) acting as a cover, and a series of legs (4) of inverted trunco-pyramidal configuration that are fixed on polygonal apertures (5, 5′) established in the lower sheets. The legs (4) are obtained from a development in a cross, with a central sector (11) constituting the lower support surface for the leg, certain rectangular sectors (12) and some double and triangular sectors (13) folded via their mid-line in the form of an accordion. The leg shaped by folding those sectors presents certain upper and side flaps (12′) positioned in notches (6) in the apertures (5), with the leg being correctly located in its place, which is finally fixed by gluing the sectors (134) and the flaps (12′), these latter being retained between the lower sheet (2) and the cover (3).

Abstract: An extendable table comprising a frame having legs, and first and second table top portions movably attached to the frame. The first table top portion has an end defining a cut-out. The second table top portion has an end that is opposite to the end of the first table top portion and which defines a cut-out that is generally aligned with to the cut-out defined by the end of the first table top portion. The first and second table top portions are movable toward each other so that the ends of the first and second table top portions abut each other and the cut-outs cooperate to form an opening for receiving an umbrella support post. The first and second table top portions are movable away from each other so as to form a space between the first and second table top portions which exposes a portion of the frame. A center table top portion is removably positioned on the portion of the frame exposed within the space between the first and second table top portions.

Abstract: A folding work station includes a work surface and a frame supporting the work surface. The frame includes at least one rolling support and is selectively expandable to an open configuration, in which the frame supports the work surface in a working orientation, and foldable to a substantially flat closed configuration having a vertical orientation, in which the frame supports the work surface juxtaposed on the frame. In addition, the work station is movably supported on the rolling support(s).

Abstract: Material to be treated such as garbage is charged into a first rotary kiln 14 to be mainly dehydrated and charged into a second rotary kiln 18 to be carbonized. The first rotary kiln 14 has a first nozzle pipe 11 therein for spouting a first high temperature gas and the second rotary kiln 18 has a second nozzle pipe 15 for spouting a second high temperature gas, mainly high temperature superheated steam with a temperature higher than a temperature of the first high temperature gas. The carbonized material is discharged outside after a temperature thereof is lowered to prevent spontaneous combustion in an atmosphere. Thereby, it is able to provide an apparatus for thermal treatment using superheated steam which can be built relatively small and by which treatment time can be shortened, and further, the final carbonized material can be used as charcoal.

Abstract: A field planting device 1 adapted to pass along a ground furrow into which plants are to be sequentially placed during a planting operation, the device including: a plant receiving tube 3 defining at least an upper portion of a tubular internal space 60 adapted to receive and hold in an upright condition a plant 8 to be planted, with a root mass plug 10 of the plant in a lower portion of said space 60 and foliage 9 of the plant in the upper portion of the space, the space being partly defined by rear internal walls 50 on laterally opposing sides of an upright rearwardly facing slot 18, 22 through which slot the plant passes when being ejected during a planting operation; and a plant pusher member 4 actuated by a drive member 12, the pusher member 4 adapted to engage both the foliage and the root mass plug of the plant 8 when the pusher member 5 is moved rearwardly and to eject the plant 8 through the slot 18, 22.