Abstract: A frame joiner press system for efficiently driving a V-nail into two adjacent members of a picture frame. The frame joiner press system includes a base, a plurality of support shafts extending upwardly from the base, a support platform slidably positioned upon the support shafts, a plurality of retaining pins movably positioned within a support housing attached to the base, and a leverage structure for applying a downward force upon a pair of frame members. The retaining pins receive one or more V-nails and are springably positioned within the support housing. When the frame members are pressed upon the V-nails, the retaining pins are depressed into the support housing.

Abstract: A panel-securing system for various vehicle types is provided, in which various clamps and fingers for different panel shapes may be selected for operation by a single cylinder, the amount of space utilized to install the system is minimized, and parts used in the system are simplified. The panel-securing system for use in a production line for various vehicle types comprises a controller having stored therein panel information for various vehicle types, the controller generating and outputting a locator-selection control signal and a panel-securing control signal corresponding to panel information of the correct vehicle type; a first actuator for selecting a locator corresponding to the locator-selection control signal output by the controller; a second actuator for driving a locator corresponding to the panel-securing control signal output by the controller; and a panel-securing assembly including a plurality of locators, which correspond to panels of the various vehicle types.

Abstract: A wire connection apparatus having a connector holder, a press-contacting device such as a stuffer, and a guide member. The wire connection apparatus has a wire end alignment mechanism which includes a vertical surface of the connector holder, the press-contacting device and the guide member. In operation, the press-contacting device moves along the vertical surfaces of the connector holder and presses wires into the connector while unaligned tips of the wires abut the vertical surface. As the tips of the wires are pressed by the press-contacting device, excess lengths of the wires are moved upstream through the fixed wire guide. When the wires are at an appropriate length, they are press-contacted by the press-contacting device and connected to the connector.

Abstract: There is disclosed a reusable shipping pallet formed from plastic parts and a method of assembling the same.

Abstract: A method for continuously producing flat cables with electric conductors embedded in an isolating material which are arranged at a certain distance from each other, parallel to each other. According to this invention, the band shaped conductors are guided separately in a plane forming two sides of a surface. The surface sides have insulating layers based on thermoplastic synthetic materials. According to this invention, at least one of the insulating layers which covers the surface sides is produced by extrusion coating of a thermoplastic melt.

Abstract: A Land Grid Array structure is enhanced with a flex film interposer that not only provides a Land Grid Array (LGA) electrical connection between a Multi-Chip Module (MCM) and the next level of integration such as a system board, but also provides a reliable means to implement desired Engineering Change (EC) capability as well as a means for decoupling power to ground structure to minimize switching activity effects on the System. The invention as described can be implemented for EC repair, for Capacitive Decoupling or both.

Abstract: A hole plugging method for a printed circuit board, a hole plugging device in accordance therewith and a manufacturing method in accordance therewith where a mask for selectively exposing a via hole, a through hole and a surface pattern of the printed circuit board is positioned on the board having the via hole and the through hole to electrically connect circuit patterns formed on the surface of the board and in the board and an insulating material is plugged in the via hole by abutting and pushing the material on the surface of the board. Therefore, the insulating material can be plugged smoothly without a void, the processing is simplified by plugging the insulating material just to the height of the circuit pattern in a space between the circuit patterns and accordingly, damage to the circuit pattern can be prevented.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing electrical connecting elements or semifinished products. Microvias are formed in a dielectric substrate layer by piercing a substrate layer (1) through a first conducting layer (3), which essentially covers an entire side of the substrate. The perforation depth (d) is at least equal to the total thickness of the substrate and the first conducting layer. The conductor material of the first conducting layer (3), during the piercing step, is deformed so that it partially covers the wall of the hole fabricated by the piercing process. Plating the first conducting layer with additional conductor material bridges the little remaining distance between the conductor material and the opposite side of the substrate layer.

Abstract: A printed circuit board assembly employing a solder vent hole adjacent solder filled interconnect vias connecting to a conductive pallet, is disclosed. The solder vent hole allows gases to escape from an otherwise sealed cavity during solder reflow, relieving positive pressure and thereby allowing solder to flow into it. By providing an escape path for trapped air and gases generated during solder paste reflow, the out-gassing pressure and weight of the molten solder is sufficient to allow the solder paste to flow into the cavity.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a catalytic converter is described where the catalytic converter is comprised of an outer tube member having a monolith substrate internally compressed therein with a wrapped mat material surrounding the monolith substrate and intermediate the outer tube. One or more monolith members can be applied within the outer tube and heat shields may also be applied internal to the outer tube and adjacent to the monolith substrate. The assembly of the catalytic converter includes measuring the sequence of compression of the mat material to the monolith substrate in order to understand the possible force characteristics which can be applied during the assembly thereof. The mat material is therefore compressed within the outer tube by way of compression jaws, by compression rollers, and/or by spinning. The compression of the mat material can be in single or multiple steps.

Abstract: A door operating hardware installation guide for preparing a door for the mounting of operating hardware. The guide includes a front template and a side template. The front template includes a first side and a second side and the side template includes a first side and a second side. The side template is operatively, removably coupled to the front template. The front template and the side template have a plurality of through guide holes defining the outer perimeter of proposed mounting holes for the operating hardware. The accurate placement of the mounting holes in the door is facilitated by the through guide holes when either the first side or the second side of the front template is in contact with the edge of the door and either the first side or the second side of the side template is in contact with the side of the door.

Abstract: A measuring device is provided for carpenters, roofers and other tradesmen. The device is made of relatively lightweight plastic and has a variety of uses. The elongated base is rectangular in cross sectional and includes a scale for measuring distances along one side. Pivotally affixed to the base is a level which can be locked against a protractor (also affixed to the base) at any angle between zero and ninety degrees (0°-90°). Roof pitches, gradients and other angles can be determined or set in a simple, easy to learn manner.

Abstract: A pair of reference portions 20 and 20 is brought into contact with an internal peripheral surface 11 of the vicinity of both side end portions of a tubular body 10. The tubular body 10 is rotated such that contact portions where the tubular body 10 and the pair of reference portions 20 and 20 contact move on the internal peripheral surface 11 in a circumferential direction of the tubular body 10 with positions of the pair of reference portions 20 and 20 fixed. The radial displacement of an external peripheral surface 12 of the tubular body 10 caused by the rotation of the tubular body 10 at at least one position 31 and 32 of an external side of the tubular element 10 is detected, wherein the at least one position is fixed relative to the circumferential direction of the tubular element 10.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for opening/closing a door of a dryer, by which the door is opened/closed more simply and swiftly. The present invention includes a housing, a drum rotatably installed in the housing, a heating apparatus for supplying hot air to the drum, a door opening/closing an entrance formed at the housing for putting a laundry in the drum, and an apparatus for opening/closing the door. And, the apparatus for opening/closing the door includes a hook provided at one side of the door of the dryer, the hook having a hanging portion formed at one end to have an incline surface, a latch body provided to the housing in the vicinity of the entrance wherein the hanging portion is inserted the latch body, a pair of holders provided to confront each other in the latch body to hold the hanging portion, a pair of springs provided in rear of the holders, respectively.

Abstract: In one of the many embodiments, a method for processing a substrate is disclosed which includes generating a first fluid meniscus and a second fluid meniscus at least partially surrounding the first fluid meniscus wherein the first fluid meniscus and the second fluid meniscus are generated on a surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A moisture removal mechanism comprises a drying zone through which product to be dried passes. A fluid circulation path is in fluid communication with the drying zone. A forced fluid feed device directs drying fluid to and from the drying zone, the fluid feed device being mounted in the fluid circulation path. A heater is arranged in the fluid circulation path for heating the drying fluid prior to entry of the fluid into the drying zone. A fluid control arrangement is arranged in the fluid circulation path for controlling moisture content of the drying fluid, the fluid control arrangement being responsive to flow of fluid in the fluid circulation path.

Abstract: A washer-dryer has a tub, a drum rotatably disposed inside the tub, and warm air feeding means for feeding warm air to dry laundry put in the drum. The washer-dryer further has an ion generating device that generates ions for sterilizing the laundry. The ion generating device feeds the ions to the drum and the tub. This makes it possible to realize a washer-dryer that can kill germs attached to clothes or floating in circulated air and thereby keep clothes clean.

Abstract: A sports boot including a sole, an upper, at least one flap fixed to the sole or to the upper, the flap covering at least partially a portion of the upper, and at least two keepers and a lace for reversibly tightening the upper, by a relative bringing together or spacing apart the keepers. At least one keeper of the boot is fixed to the flap so as to be located between the flap and the upper.

Abstract: Apparatuses, a system, and a method for engaging a wearer's toes within an interior of a footwear item are provided. A panel is configured to extend at least partially across a toebox of the interior of the footwear item. An attachment mechanism is configured to position the panel in the interior of the footwear item so that the panel is positioned inside the toebox to engage an edge of at least one of the wearer's toes. The panel includes a flexible or stretchable material such as neoprene. The attachment mechanism includes at least one of stitching, adhesive bonding, and thermal welding. The attachment mechanism joins the panel to the interior of the footwear item at a plurality of points along at least one of a lower edge of the panel and side edges of the panel, such as by joining the panel to an insole.

Abstract: An article of footwear including a sole with a chassis constructed to provide, in a pre-selected manner, comfort, flexibility, support, and power transfer by varying the configuration, thickness, and/or material of the chassis in various areas of the chassis, thereby providing for varying degrees of stiffness in the footwear.

Abstract: A guidance control system is configured to control the positioning and spatial orientation of a digging implement mounted on a frame of an trenching machine for working a subsurface of earth to a desired trench profile. The position of a dynamic cutting edge of the digging implement is monitored and then controlled so that the sensed dynamic cutting edge position is equal substantially to the calculated dynamic cutting edge position. The guidance control system includes sensors, a processor, and accessible memory providing digital design information regarding the desired trench profile.

Abstract: A unitary labeling apparatus for a container having a cap secured over an opening to an interior hollow, the apparatus including: a non-shrinkable base label suitable for being secured about a periphery of the container and to a portion of the cap; and, a shrinkable overlayer secured to the base label and suitable for being shrunk about the periphery of the container and a periphery of the cap; wherein, the unitary labeling apparatus is suitable for evidencing accessing of the container interior hollow via removal of the cap once secured about the container.

Abstract: A flag for labeling medications provided in a medication cup, for use in the sterile field operating room, has a cup section with an adhesive back surface peelably attached to a backing sheet. A flag section is attached to the cup section of the flag at a bend line. A flag strip also having an adhesive back surface is supplied on the backing sheet. Multiple flags of different colors are preferably provided in a kit. A flag is attached to each cup. The flag section is labeled with a marker or a preprinted label, to indicate the content of the cup. The flag section is folded down so that it partially overlies the open top end of the cup. The syringe strip is adhered to a syringe used to draw medication out of the cup for administration to the patient. The flag and syringe strip provide a visual link or connection between each syringe and the contents of each cup. The risk of administering the wrong medication to a patient during surgery is reduced.

Abstract: An article and method for providing a theme representation template for a collage display. The article, in an embodiment thereof, enables a template in the form of a representation of a theme to be overlaid on a collage of materials assembled so as to be visible through cutout portions of the theme representation template. It also enables enhanced formatting of collage materials for theme viewing and displaying thereof.

Abstract: A fishing lure including a rotatable blade having pivotable clappers thereon is provided with primary and secondary wire legs aligned parallel and connected at a junction for attaching a fishing line thereto. A bait segment is affixed on the primary wire leg and is disposed adjacent and behind the secondary wire leg to negate contact during trolling. The bait segment includes an elongated head portion having a narrow front expanding to an enlarged mid-portion having an oval cross-section tapering a distal end from which a fish hook extends with a barbed end curved toward the head portion. A blade is disposed to rotate about the secondary wire leg during trolling and includes sound generators pivotably attached on opposed blade surfaces. Trolling near the water surface positions the rotating blade to intermittently expose each blade surface and pivoting sound generator to the water surface creating turbulence and sound for attracting fish.

Abstract: A counterweighted weedless fishing float suitable for suspending at least part of an attractant, such as live bait or an insect replica, above the surface of water in which the float is borne, and kits for assembling a variety of attractants, are provided. The float is counterweighted, and may comprise a plurality of air-trapping channels arranged within it to trap an amount of air sufficient to support the float and a connected attractant. In other embodiments, the float may comprise one or more sealed chambers to provide buoyancy. The float may be disguised as a water plant, fallen tree leaf, twig or other floating detritus or water creature. The attractant may replicate an insect such as a dragonfly, an insect larva such as a hellgrammite, or any other natural or artificial fish bait or prey.

Abstract: A blended fish chum system using dry fish food modified for buoyancy to either provide for a desired floating characteristic or a desired sinking characteristic. Fish oil is added to the fish food used for floating characteristics and fish oil is added to the fish food used for sinking characteristics. A starter fish chum comprising sinking fish food to which crustacean oil is added, is mixed with the combination of sinking fish food and fish oil. The floating fish food mixture, which has been dried, is blended with the sinking fish food mixture, which has also been dried, to form the blended fish chum. The mixture ratio is varied to achieve desired floating or sinking characteristics of the resultant blend. The resultant blended fish chum is added to a self regulating mesh bag with its clip/draw string, which is vacuum sealed to ensure freshness and long term dry, non-refrigerated storage.

Abstract: Repeating animal traps incorporating one or more inclined plane trap assemblies with means to preclude an animal on the tilting floor member of the trap assembly from engaging the top and/or side edges of the door member of the trap assembly in an attempt to escape from the trap by pulling the door member down to thereby unblock access to the entrance opening. Additional means are shown to preclude an animal within the enlarged holding chamber or enclosure of the repeating animal trap from engaging the inner end portions of the floor member in an attempt to escape from the trap by pulling the floor member down, enabling the animal to climb onto the floor member and then attempt to pull the door member down to escape from the trap. A barrier in the form of sharpened projections and/or an inclined ramp is provided beneath the inner end portions of the floor member to discourage an animal entering or nesting within that space when the floor member is raised in the reset position of the trap assembly.

Abstract: An aerating base plate designed for placement in the bottom of a conventional plant receptacle, such as a flowerpot. The plate has a sidewall that extends downwardly from the perimeter of a convex top. The top includes a number of perforations that function to enable water and air to flow into, or out of, an interior area of the plate. The plate's sidewall features a number of openings that also enable water and air to flow into, or out of, the plate's interior area. The sidewall's openings are sufficiently small so that they substantially prevent any flow of soil into the plate's interior area.

Abstract: A vehicular sliding window assembly of the present invention includes first and second spaced apart fixed window panes and a polymeric member provided on perimeter portions of the fixed window panes. The polymeric member forms a gasket and includes at least one lower guide track molded in the polymeric member. At least one sliding window pane is positioned in the guide track and is positionable between a closed position and at least one open position. The window assembly further includes a support rail, which supports the sliding window pane above a lower surface of the lower guide track whereby the weight of the sliding window pane is borne by the support rail and not the lower guide track to reduce the friction between the guide track and the sliding window pane to provide a smooth sliding action when the sliding window pane is moved along the guide track between its closed and open positions.

Abstract: An elongate continuous soffit panel having an adjustable width comprises a first member having a soffit portion including a proximal periphery and a generally parallel and spaced apart distal periphery extending along a lengthwise dimension of the soffit panel, and having a fascia portion coextensive with the soffit portion along the distal periphery and extending generally upwardly therefrom for fastening the soffit panel to roof fascia of a building. The continuous soffit panel also comprises a second member connected to the first member and having a flange portion extending generally at an angle from the soffit portion of the first member for fastening the soffit panel to a side of a building, the second member being adjustably connected to the first member so that the width of the soffit panel is adjustable responsive to variations in distance between the side of the building and the roof fascia.

Abstract: A window well cover for a below-grade or basement window is disclosed. A transparent upper structure or portion is designed to cover a below-grade window on an outside of a building or other structure. The upper end of the transparent upper structure extends, or is angled, downwardly from a mounting flange terminating at a lower end. Furthermore, the transparent upper structure has two curved sides, which serve to connect the side ends. Mounting flanges extend outwardly from the two side ends. The window well cover includes a vent portion integrally formed therewith of an air pervious material to allow continuous air exchange through the window well cover. The vented portion may extend the length of, or the entire lower periphery of, the transparent upper structure. The window well cover, which is free of movable parts, allows for continuous airflow through the window well cover while restricting the entry of debris and insects.

Abstract: The structure of the present invention simplifies a roofing procedure at the ridge of a roof, ensures easy detachment and relocation, and enables ventilation of the air via the ridge. Each roof plate 10 has a third projection board 43 and a second projection board 42 protruded from the upper face of a roof plate member 12. The roof plates 10 fixed to roof rafters N are covered with a ridge capping 120 at the ridge of the roof. The ridge capping 120 has skirt elements 123 and rear projection plates 125 protruded from its lower face to be fitted in the recess defined by each pair of joint members 14L of the adjoining roof plates 10.

Abstract: An end cap locking mechanism used to protect attachment means connecting pre-cast concrete structural members from exposure to adverse environmental conditions having an end cap and a connection sleeve, wherein the end cap is inserted into an end of the connection sleeve and engaged therein prohibiting any exposure of the attachment means to precipitation, which if exposed to such, could possibly corrode the attachment means. The position of the end cap is locked when inserted into the end of the connection sleeve by protrusion rings and cooperating recesses within both the end cap and the receiving section of the connection sleeve.

Abstract: A method for casting hollow core concrete panels includes the use of raft connectors to hold a plurality of spaced foam billets in place during the manufacture to create panel or plank with spaced foam-filled cores. The panels include billets that form longitudinal voids that allows utilities to be run through the lengths of the concrete panels.

Abstract: A wall is constructed from precast concrete blocks stacked in tiers in which adjacent blocks are secured together to increase the strength of the wall. Anchors are embedded in the tops of at least some of the blocks. The ends of the blocks have vertical grooves which form a vertical opening when the ends of two blocks abut. The blocks in the tiers are offset so that the openings between blocks in one tier are positioned above the anchors on the blocks on the adjacent lower tier. The blocks in each tier are secured together by a tensioned cable extending through aligned passages in the blocks. Locking members are placed in the openings to secure the ends of the abutting blocks to an anchor in an adjacent lower block.

Abstract: A self-supporting shearwall structure in the form of an “H,” an “I,” or a “C” is disclosed. The shearwall structure provides vertical and lateral support to the framework of a multi-story building sufficient to support the roof, other exterior and/or interior walls, and intermediate floor loads of the building, as well as the wind load of the building. In the preferred embodiment, the wall structure is made primarily of reinforced concrete, preferably comprising pre-cast concrete panels. The panels are placed end to end on their edge on the first (or lowest) floor of the building and joined to the building's foundation and to at least one other horizontally adjoining panel. The structure is made higher by adding an additional row of panels horizontally aligned at vertical support points and placed on their edge on top of the row of panels that has already been formed such that each subsequent row of panels is supported on and grouted to the prior row.

Abstract: A fire barrier transition (10,110,210,310) comprises a first section (130,230,330) to mate with a first fire barrier (14) in a first expansion joint (16), a second section (132,232,332) to mate with a second fire barrier (18) in a second expansion joint (20), and a center section (134,234,334) therebetween to seal a gap (12) between the barriers (14,18). The first section (130,230,330) and the second section (132,232,332) each present either a convex or a concave cross-section with two sidewalls (136,236,336) and a bight section (138,238,338) therebetween. Thus, the transition (10,110,210,310) preferably presents a specific shape with the first section (130,230,330) and the second section (132,232,332) each presenting channels aligned at an angle between the joints (16,20). The barriers (14,18) can slide between the sidewalls (136,236,336) and engage the bight sections (138,238,338), thereby mating with and sealing to the first section (130,230,330) and the second section (132,232,332).

Abstract: A plurality of sheet supports 50 or 70 of approximate rectangular configuration are placed on adjacent purlins 14 of a partially completed roof of an industrial building, about the second row of roof insulation support carriages 10. When the carriages are advanced along the lengths of the purlins to apply the sheet material 34 to the purlins, the sheet supports 50 or 70 move in unison with the carriages of the second row of carriages and the rear segment 54 supports the sheet material in the spaces 60 over which the carriage is mounted and the side segments 56 and 58 support the sheet material extending from the first row of carriages in the next adjacent spaces between the purlins. This avoids the sagging of the sheet material between the purlins at the time when the hard roof panels 37 are fastened to the purlins.

Abstract: A wall covering comprising a plurality of plastic panels each having a body portion formed with rows of simulated building elements. The panels are mounted on a support surface with a lower marginal edge region of one panel overlying an upper marginal edge region of a previously mounted panel in a lower course and with a side marginal edge region of one panel overlying the side marginal edge region of a previously mounted adjacent panel in the same course. The marginal edge regions are provided with interlocks which engage and secure both the overlapping upper and lower marginal edge regions and the overlapping side marginal edge regions as an incident to upward movement of the panel relative to the underlying previously mounted panels.

Abstract: A floor covering panel made of a hard laminated assembly including a wood-base core includes coupling parts formed in one piece with the core, wherein the coupling parts provide locking elements for preventing the drifting apart of coupled panels in directions perpendicular to the mutual edges along which the panels are coupled and perpendicular to the mutual edges and parallel to a plane including coupled floor panels, and further wherein the mechanical locking elements include an upper surface portion of the tongue extending toward the panel upper side and cooperating with a portion of an upper wall of the groove in which the tongue is coupled in locking relationship, and wherein a portion of the upper surface of the tongue includes the surface sloping away from the panel upper side in a distal direction of the tongue at the distal upper end area of the tongue.

Abstract: Covers, systems and methods for covering boards and deck components, such as the floorboards, side rails, among other elongate structural deck components. In one embodiment, a cover generally includes a top portion and a pair of opposed side portions downwardly depending from the top portion to frictionally receive and grip the board between the side portions when the cover is positioned on the board. Each of the cover's side portions define at least one slot adapted to extend around portions of another board or joist positioned below the board when the cover is positioned on the board.

Abstract: A fixing means for fixing a screen panel on a support structure includes an insert member adapted to fit into a bore formed on the underside of a corner of a screen panel. The insert member has a first upper curved surface forming the major part of the insert member and having a uniform curvature of substantially more than a semi-circle, a second intermediate cylindrical grooved portion that is contiguous with the lowermost end of the first curved portion and is considerably smaller in cross-section compared to the upper curved portion, a third lower straight cylindrical surface which is a straight cylindrical portion contiguous with the second groove portion and is smaller in cross-section compared to the major top curved first portion, and a fourth straight substantially horizontal surface. The insert member has an inner vertical bore of suitable dimension to accommodate a holding means such as a bolt, a screw, or other equivalent to fixedly hold the insert onto a panel support member.

Abstract: A metal unitary structural member for structural support. The member includes a plurality of web portions extending radially from each other and extending with each other in an axial direction, and a plurality of outer portions extending in an axial direction with the web portions and between the web portions in cross-section. The plurality of outer portions defines an outer surface of the member. The web portions may extend from a substantially central portion. The plurality of web portions may include perforations.

Abstract: A one-piece, unitary, elongate, tubular light pole. The elongate light pole defines a central axis and is constructed from a filament-wound composite of fiber-reinforced bonding agent and has a wall thickness of less than ¾ inch, and preferably ? inch. The pole is configured and adapted to support a lighting structure thereon without failure of the composite, such that a twenty-foot section of the pole is capable of withstanding a lateral load transverse of the axis of at least 300 pounds without failure of the composite.

Abstract: A tall tower is divided into an upper section with a tower top and a lower section with a tower bottom. The sections are hinged together. The lower section is hinged to a tower base. A telescoping crane is attached to a lift point on the lower section. The crane is extended to lift the sections to the vertical position with the lower section resting on the base and the tower top of the upper section near ground level. A heavy load is attached to the tower top end using a small ground crane while the tower top of the upper section is near ground level. The telescoping crane is attached to another lift point on the upper section to partially lift the upper section, which is supported in this position. The telescoping crane is relocated and reattached to the lift point on the upper section. The telescoping crane is fully extended to raise the upper section and load to vertical above the lower section.

Abstract: The light-transmitting glass panel 1 is comprised of a pair of glass plates 11 and 12 that are hermetically joined together with one surface of each thereof facing one another, the joining being via a sealing frame 13 that is provided at an outer peripheral portion of the glass plates 11 and 12 and fluidizes at low temperature, and the glass plates 11 and 12 having a hollow layer 14 formed therebetween, and pillars 15 that are substantially cylindrical spacers that are inserted into the hollow layer 14 as atmospheric pressure supporting members and determine the gap between the glass plate 11 and the glass plate 12. The pillars 15 are arranged in the hollow layer 14 in a matrix shape with a predetermined spacing, and taking the surface residual compressive stress of the glass plates 11 and 12 in MPa to be S, and the thickness of the glass plates 11 and 12 in mm to be d, the average spacing D in mm of the pillars 15 arranged in the hollow layer 14 satisfies the relationship D?5.2d+5.5+(0.8d+0.08)·?S.

Abstract: The invention relates to a crinkling device comprising a slide rod (16), to which a second crinkling element (15) is fastened. The slide rod is guided in a frame (2) so as to be movable in a substantially vertical direction between a lower position (L), in which the second crinkling element (15) is out of contact with the lower edge (4) of a foil web (1), and an upper position (U), in which the second crinkling element (15) deflects the lower edge (4) of the foil web (1) upwards so as to crinkle it. The slide rod returns to the lower position (L) when not exposed to a force acting in the upward direction. The device further comprises first coupling means (171, 181) for forming a releasable coupling between the slide rod (16) and a first drive element portion (8) when the drive element (7) is running in a first direction (11) to move the second crinkling element (15) to the upper position (U).

Abstract: A method of forming a multiple food product container for dispensing one food product from at or near one region of the container, and dispensing another food product at or near the other region of the container, is provided. In the method the two containers are coupled together (i.e., permanently or separably coupled). A preferred embodiment comprises an upper food compartment, a lower food compartment, wherein a top of the lower food compartment is coupled to a bottom of the upper food compartment, a resealable opening disposed at a top of the first food compartment, a resealable second opening disposed proximate a bottom of the second food compartment, a first food disposed in the upper food compartment, and a second food disposed in the lower food compartment.

Abstract: An apparatus for packaging products having different shape and dimensions, such as for example food products of different size, into pre-formed bags of appropriate size, such as for example heat-shrinkable bags of thermoplastic material, comprises a conveyor for carrying in sequence a plurality of products to be packaged from a product loading portion to a product packaging bracket end portion thereof, means for detecting the dimensions of each product to be packaged while it moves from said product loading portion to said product packaging bracket end portion of said at least one conveyor and a plurality of bag dispensing devices for dispensing a plurality of bags varying in at least one dimension thereof.