Abstract: A device for strapping objects with a flat strap includes a strap guide frame, a cover frame and an ejector. The strap guide frame has a channel that is open on a narrow side and a cover frame can be moved between a closed position and an open position relative to the strap guide frame. In the closed position, the strap guide covers the narrow side of the strap channel and in the open position, there is a gap. From a second side surface opposite of the open, narrow side, the ejector protrudes into the strap channel. The ejector is a flat component with two legs at an angle to one another, where the free end of the first leg is mounted to a mounting element and the free end of the second leg protrudes, with little play, into a flat opening that protrudes through the strap guide frame.

Abstract: A cutting unit includes: a plurality of knives; a knife guard with at least one opening; a knife tray carrying the knives and movable between an exposed position where the knives extend through the at least one opening and a retracted position where the knives are shielded by the knife guard; and an overload protection assembly including a first slide member coupled to the knife tray and having a first engagement surface and a second slide member having a second engagement surface that is engaged with the first engagement surface. The first slide member and the second slide member are held together and slidable relative to one another such that the first slide member slides relative to the second slide member to move the knife tray from the exposed position to the retracted position when an overload force is applied to at least one of the knives.

Abstract: A cutting blade overload protection device for a cutting mechanism of a harvester for leaf and stalk material, having a cutting blade pivotable about a cutting blade rotational axis and which is connected to a toggle lever mechanism. The toggle lever mechanism includes two coupled toggle levers pivotable about a toggle lever rotational axis and which move the cutting blade from an operating position to a resting position when a predefined force is exceeded. To protect the cutting blade better when contacting foreign objects, the device has a toggle lever mechanism which comprises a stop limit and a spring element, with the spring element and limit stop interacting such that when a predefined force is exceeded, the toggle lever rotational axis is moved past a dead center point, with the position of the toggle levers shifting from a first buckling position through a straight position into a second buckling position.

Abstract: A desk according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an upper panel, a support leg, a support member, a movable panel and a vertical panel. The upper panel is coupled to an upper end of the support leg. The support member extends from the upper panel. The movable panel has an upper end movable along the support member and a lower end movably placed on the upper panel. The movable panel is movable between a first position inclined with respect to the upper panel and a second position vertical to the upper panel and between the first position and a third position parallel to the upper panel. The vertical panel is rotatably joined to the support member. A lower end of the vertical panel is movably placed on the movable panel. The vertical panel moves along with the movement of the movable panel.

Abstract: An electric hand-held binding apparatus according to embodiments including a wire feeding device configured to convey the binding wire. The binding apparatus further includes a twisting device including a twisting shaft, a fork disposed on an end of the twisting shaft, a twisting shaft spur gear disposed on the shaft, and a twisting shaft bevel gear. The twisting device is configured to wrap an object with the binding wire. The binding apparatus further includes a cutoff device configured to cut the binding wires. In the binding apparatus, the twisting shaft spur gear includes a groove on a surface in contact with the twisting shaft bevel gear, and the twisting shaft bevel gear includes a pillar configured to slide in the groove so that a rotation of the driving wire-feeding wheel shaft is desynchronized relative to a rotation of the twisting shaft.

Abstract: A steel strapping tool with a pressing strap structure is provided. The steel strapping tool includes a base and a compressed block at one side of the base. The base has a pivot block extending from a front side thereof. A cutting unit is disposed on the base. The cutting unit includes a fixing seat which has an accommodating trough therein, a top engaging rod unit disposed in the accommodating trough, a cutting assembly having one end coupled to the top engaging rod unit and received in the accommodating trough. The base has a through hole which is transversely disposed beside the compressed block. The cutting unit includes a hook member located beside the cutting assembly. The hook member extends underneath the compressing blocks and is accommodated in the through hole of the base.

Abstract: A baling press for producing large square high-density bales has a pick-up device picking up crop, a cutting device downstream of the pick-up device, a conveying device downstream of the cutting device, and a pressing channel disposed downstream of the conveying device and receiving the crop from the conveying device. The crop is shaped to high-density bales in the pressing channel. A tying device is provided that, for ensuring a permanent cohesion of the bales and completing the bales, ties tying medium strands, connected in endless loops, in longitudinal direction of the bales about the bales. A spacing of outermost tying medium strands, disposed next to outer parallel longitudinal bale edges, relative to the outer parallel longitudinal bale edges, respectively, is at least as large as or greater than an average spacing between neighboring tying medium strands in a transverse direction transverse to the longitudinal bale edges.

Abstract: This utility model discloses an electric hand-held binding apparatus, comprising a headpiece, a wire-feeding device, and cutoff device, and an electric motor and interlock steering device. The wire-feeding device comprises a material feeding device, a wire-feeding channel, and a transmission device. The transmission device comprises mutually-meshed driving and driven wire-feeding wheels and a wire-feeding bevel gear set up on the driving wire-feeding wheel shaft. The twisting device comprises a twisting head and a twisting head control device. The twisting head control device comprises a twisting shaft spur gear and a twisting shaft bevel gear. The twisting shaft spur gear is meshed with the twisting shaft bevel gear. The interlock steering device comprises a single-direction bearing A and a single-direction bearing B.

Abstract: A baling press for producing large square high-density bales has a pick-up device picking up crop, a cutting device downstream of the pick-up device, a conveying device downstream of the cutting device, and a pressing channel disposed downstream of the conveying device and receiving the crop from the conveying device. The crop is shaped to high-density bales in the pressing channel. A tying device is provided that, for ensuring a permanent cohesion of the bales and completing the bales, ties tying medium strands, connected in endless loops, in longitudinal direction of the bales about the bales. A spacing of outermost tying medium strands, disposed next to outer parallel longitudinal bale edges, relative to the outer parallel longitudinal bale edges, respectively, is at least as large as or greater than an average spacing between neighboring tying medium strands in a transverse direction transverse to the longitudinal bale edges.

Abstract: A wrapping means tensioning device is provided for a round baler and comprises an idler assembly and an application assembly. Wrapping means, like net, when drawn during a wrapping cycle acts onto the idler assembly, which in turn will press an application element of the application assembly against a roll, on which wrapping means is stored. This provides for proper tension during a wrapping cycle without the need for springs or the like, the force of which would need to be overcome, when a wrapping device is brought into a non-operative loading mode.

Abstract: An apparatus for tensioning a band, in particular a strapping device, includes a drive unit (10) which, in the operated state, drives a band winding unit (12) selectively in opposite directions of rotation. As a result of the band (18), which can be inserted into the apparatus, being releasably locked in predefinable positions by an operating device (14) actuated by a control device (16) of the band winding unit (12), functional positioning of the band winding unit is started to fix the band. The band can be inserted into the apparatus, in the tensioned or tautened state to then be able to insert the band tensioning apparatus for a new strapping operation after the band is severed.

Abstract: A tightening apparatus for strapping an object with a plastic band includes a stationary cutter with a cutting slot, a pivoting cutter mounted inside the stationary cutter, and a resilient element. The resilient element is situated so as to push a cutting edge of the pivoting cutter away from a cutting edge of the stationary cutter when a cutting operation is not being performed. When a band is present between the pivoting and stationary cutters and the cutting operation is actuated, a pivoting force caused by an applied cutting force moves the pivoting cutter against the resilient element and engages the cutting edges of both cutters so as to cut the band. The fact that the cutting edges are engaged only when a band is inserted between the cutters greatly improves the life of the device.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for tensioning a bond, in particular a tripping device, comprising a drive unit (10) which, in the operated state, drives a band winding unit (12) with opposite directions of rotation in one direction in each case. As a result of the band (18), which can be inserted into the apparatus, being releasably locked in predefinable positions by means of an operating device (14) which can be actuated by a control device (16) of the band winding unit (12), functional positioning of the band winding unit is started in order to fix the band, which can be inserted into the apparatus, in the tensioned or tautened state, in order to then be able to insert the band tensioning apparatus for a new strapping operation after the band is severed.

Abstract: A tool for installing a metal locking tie is disclosed. The tool includes a tension mechanism and a ball set and cut-off mechanism. The tension mechanism tensions the metal locking tie wrapped around a bundle. The ball set and cut-off mechanism includes a guide block and a shear block that engages the guide block. Once the tool tensions the metal locking tie, a ball set and cut-off handle is manually activated to push the guide block and the shear block forward in the tool thereby setting a ball in a metal locking tie head and shearing a portion of the tensioned metal locking tie.

Abstract: A two-piece strapping tool having a manual tensioner and a battery-operated sealer is disclosed. The tensioner is a feedwheel tensioner that uses a serrated feedwheel to grip a first portion of the strap and a tension gripper to hold a second portion of the strap in a stationary position. The tensioner is configured to matingly receive the sealer between the tensioner's support legs such that the sealer may readily engage the overlapping portions of the strap to be welded. The sealer is battery-operated and uses a vibrational-type weld assembly driven by an electrical motor to weld overlapping portions of the strap. The sealer also includes a cutting assembly to sever the welded strap from a strap source.

Abstract: Methods that identify data that is related to and associated with data that has been selected from a multidimensional database. The overwhelming amount of data in a multidimensional database that may be viewed by a user, such as a data analyst, is reduced to the selected and associated data by use of index data and related index data, according to the present invention. The views of selected data and related data may be highlighted and formatted for presentation to the user. Further, irrelevant data is filtered out and not presented to the user. Existing systems have not been able to efficiently and adequately identify data that is related to and associated with selected data in a multidimensional database.

Abstract: A conveyor assembly is provided on a baler between a crop take-up arrangement and a baling chamber. The conveyor assembly includes a guide member assembly having an upwardly facing guide surface defining a lower limit of a crop conveying channel having an upper limit defined by an undershot rotor positioned above the guide surface. The conveyor assembly further includes a cutting arrangement mounted to a lower side of the guide member and having knives located for projecting through slots provided in the guide member. The cutting arrangement can be lowered together with the guide member, as well as shifted transverse to the forward operating direction relative to the guide member. In this way jams can be avoided or removed, and the cutting arrangement can be brought into a position accessible for purposes of maintenance, as well.

Abstract: A twine cutting apparatus in combination with an automated grass baler having a twine holding reel for feeding wrapping twine to the baled grass. The apparatus has a pivoted knife arm with a first end structured to cooperate with a cam surface for actuating the knife arm to a cutting position and an opposite end for mounting a twine cutting knife. The twine cutting knife is formed with an elongated, serrated cutting edge extending a distance greater than the radius of the twine holding disc presenting an elongated cutting surface to said twine.

Abstract: A method for handling scrap tires, includes a step of providing a compacting apparatus to a scrap tire generator, such as a tire retailer. Before compacting the tires, the tire can be marked with a unique identifier assigned to every tire generator. By marking the scrap tires with a unique identifier, the scrap tires can be tracked on their way to the final destination. The compacting apparatus provides volume reduction of the scrap tires individually into a form that can have a reduction of at least fifty percent of original cubic volume. The tires can be pinched to maintain the compacted tire in the compacted form and prevent the compacted tire from regaining its original shape. The compacted scrap tires can be accumulated inside a tire collection enclosure, such as a trailer or dumpster. The collected tires can be transported with much more weight efficient loads of the tires to a transfer station, a recycling facility, or an end user.

Abstract: The invention relates to a strapper for bank notes and a bank note processing apparatus having such a strapper. Especially reliable and fast strapping is possible if a guide for forming a strap loop around a bank-note bundle to be strapped that is brought into an inside area surrounded by the guide has elements for holding the strap only in its lateral edge areas when it is inserted into the guide, and when the strap is pulled it can be pulled together tightly out of the guide into the inside area around the bank-note bundle located therein.

Abstract: Cutting devices are known in rectangular baling presses that can be taken out of operation so that cut or uncut harvested material is selectively pressed. However, this is disadvantageous since it is difficult to hold cut harvested material together with binder twine under high tension. A rectangular baling press is proposed in which the cutting device is taken out of operation at least at the start and end of bale formation so that the twine presses only against uncut material at the end of the bale. The cutting device may additionally be taken in and out of operation during formation of the bale so that upper and lower layers of the bale are also formed by uncut material.

Abstract: A clearing and reloading assembly is configured for use with a strapping machine of the type having an infeed arrangement at about a strap material inlet to the machine, a feed assembly and a chute, the strapping machine defining a strap material holding region between the infeed arrangement and the feed assembly. The strapping machine is configured to receive first and second courses of associated strap material, position, tension and seal the strap material around a load. The clearing and reloading assembly includes a body, a driven wheel and a bearing element opposite of the driven wheel. The bearing element and the driven wheel define a strap path therebetween. A strap cutter is disposed for movement into and out of the strap path. A first peripheral portion of the driven wheel is configured to define a gap between the first portion and the bearing element such that the strap material can slip therebetween.

Abstract: A strap-guiding device for a strapping packaging apparatus includes a main body provided with a tightening device, a cutting device and a strap-compressing device. A nose-tip shaped base having a lower and an upper propping member is secured on the front wall of the main body, having a strap-inserting groove formed between the upper and the lower propping member. During packaging, a packaging strap has one end inserted through the strap-inserting groove of the nose-tip shaped base and passing through the cutting device and the tightening device, having the other end compressed and fixed by the strap-compressing device, and the nose-tip shaped base has its front end closely pushing against an article to make the packaging strap pulled and moved steadily and smoothly.

Abstract: A binding arrangement and a process for the control of a binding arrangement is described that includes a binding material delivery arrangement, a cutting arrangement and a braking arrangement for the binding material, where the brake can be controlled and generates a variable braking force. To improve the binding process for harvested crop, brakes for the binding material are applied with which a binding material tension is generated or is increased to cause the binding material to be retarded during the binding process in opposition to the flow of the binding material. The brakes are controlled such that only a low binding material tension is caused at the beginning of the binding process to increase the tension to as large a value as possible during the continuing binding process and to reduce the tension upstream of the cutting arrangement again at the end of the binding process.

Abstract: The method of the present invention for handling scrap tires, includes a step of providing a compacting apparatus to a scrap tire generator, such as a tire retailer. Before compacting the tires, the tire can be marked with a unique identifier assigned to every tire generator. By marking the scrap tires with a unique identifier, the scrap tires can be tracked on their way to the final destination. The compacting apparatus provides volume reduction of the scrap tires individually into a form that can have a reduction of at least fifty percent of original cubic volume. The tires can be pinched to maintain the compacted tire in the compacted form and prevent the compacted tire from regaining its original shape. The compacted scrap tires can be accumulated inside a tire collection enclosure, such as a trailer or dumpster. The collected tires can be transported with much more weight efficient loads of the tires to a transfer station, a recycling facility, or an end user.

Abstract: A round baler, including a housing and bale wrapping apparatus, the bale wrapping apparatus comprising: a rotating twine supply roll defining a twine strand; a twine dispensing arm presenting the twine strand; a shear bar having a cutting surface; a knife assembly rotatingly connected to the housing by an elongated bar and rotatable from a first position to a second cutting position in contact with the cutting surface, wherein the twine dispensing arm is movable from a first position to a second cutting position wherein the twine strand extends transversely between the shear bar and the knife assembly; and a wiper is mounted to the twine dispensing arm so that when the twine dispensing arm moves from the first position to the cutting position, the wiper engages the cutting surface of the shear bar to clean trash from the cutting surface of the shear bar.

Abstract: A strapping packaging device includes a compressing device, a cutting device, a strap-rolling device and a strap-pressing device. The eccentric cam of the compressing device is actuated to rotate by an operating rod, and the eccentric cam presses down a slide base together with a press block to compress on the strap-clamping member of a packaging strap. The strapping packaging device can not only precisely compress on the strap-clamping member, but also cut off the packaging strap easily at the same time.

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of interfaces between systems having data needs such as databases and input devices. Specific examples include SAP systems and bar-code readers. In general, these systems are referred to as “external systems.” A need exists for a method and system for providing an interface between external system; such that the user of the external systems can configure an interface based solely on knowledge of the data in the external systems, without a need to have an in-depth understanding of the database model and communication protocols of each of the external systems.

Abstract: This invention relates to a binding machine which is binding a sapling or a tree branch to a support with a binding tape for fixing, particularly wherein a tape guide bar 2 comprises a garnering case built at the bottom of a body; a binding needle guide bar 3 is installed at the upper side of the body 1 and a binding portion 3a at the front end thereof is formed; a lifting operator 4 is installed at the top of the body 1 and combined with a binding needle guide bar 3 by a rotary axis 5 at one side of the body 1 to rotate each other; the lifting 4 and a pressure lever 401 are linked by a pin; the both support horns 401a of the pressure lever 401 are inserted by a guide 101 installed at the sides of the body 1 so that the pressure lever 401 can be lifted along with the guide 101; an operator 6 is installed at the front end of a lifting operator 4 so that the binding tape 7 projected from a binding portion 3a is drawn out by the operator 6 and bound by a binding needle 301, and then cut by a cutting knife 8, whe

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for processing large hay bales of approximately 750 kg to produce smaller recompacted manageable units to facilitate shipping in containers. The apparatus provides means for cutting the bales into at least two slabs, preferably three slabs, and means for cutting these slabs into two approximately equal pieces. Means are provided for each piece to be recompressed, strapped and cut again to provide units having an approximate weight of 35 kg.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for processing large hay bales of approximately 750 kg to produce smaller recompacted manageable units to facilitate shipping in containers. The apparatus provides means for cutting the bales into at least two slabs, preferably three slabs, and means for cutting those slabs into two approximately equal pieces. Means are provided for each piece to be recompressed, strapped and cut again to provide units having an approximate weight of 35 kg.

Abstract: Apparatus for stacking bales of hay into large bundles such as, for example, three bales high and seven bales wide, positions bands about the stacked array to provide a tightly bound, compressed stack of bales. The stacking apparatus compresses the stacked bales during banding with a greater force applied to the same facing portions of the bales as applied during formation of the bales to form a solid, rigid, self-supporting large bundle made up of small bales. Parallel spaced compression zones extending inwardly are formed in the upper and lower rows of bales in the least compressed portion of the bales for receiving the bands which are applied without high tension so as not to damage the hay in holding the bundle of hay bales together.

Abstract: A forage compactor for compressing forage or crop into bales of increased crop density for transportation. A crop feed area feeds crop to a conveyor where it is moved to a scale area for proper bale weight. An indexer severs the crop while moving it from the scale area to the compression chamber. The crop is compressed and moved to a strapping chamber where straps are applied to the compressed crop. The bound bale is manipulated as desired at the product handling area downstream from the strapping chamber. The crop is provided with substantially constant stress during compression and moisture sensors in the strapping chamber sense the moisture content of the severed crop within the bale to be bound. The weight of the crop within the compression area may be reduced to reduce machine overloading. Keyway plungers provide reduced side loading on the main ram used for crop compression.

Abstract: A round baler is equipped with a mechanism for wrapping the bale with twine. In order to keep the end of the twine from coming loose after ejection of the round bale, there is provided a groove shaper which engages the bale and forms a circumferential groove therein in line with the location where the twine dispensing arm of the wrapping mechanism comes to rest at the conclusion of wrapping a bale. The tension of the length of twine extending between the bale and the dispensing arm causes the final wrap or wraps of twine to be pulled into the groove prior to the wrapped twine being severed from a supply roll.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for compressing hay such that the hay is suitable for long distance shipping. The hay is texturized by passing the hay through a shredder with an added fog or mist of water. The shredder separates, cuts and bends hay fibers rather than shattering the fibers. Compression of the hay is achieved by feeding the hay through an open ended compression conduit in a peristaltic manner through the use of a hydraulically actuated ram. Increased compression of the hay is achieved by applying transverse pressure to the hay as the hay travels longitudinally through the compression conduit.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for making pipes made of a plurality of axially juxtaposed discarded vehicle tires wherein several batches of vehicle tires are sequentially compressed against one-another for forming long pipes of discarded tires. In one aspect of the apparatus of the present invention, there is provided a telescopic mandrel having a first and second spaced apart compactor plates mounted thereon for compacting a batch of vehicle tires therebetween. A plurality of grabbing jaws mounted on the telescopic mandrel at an intermediate position between the compactor plates grabs and retains the batch of tires in a compressed mode against the second compactor plate, while the telescopic mandrel is extended for loading a second or subsequent batch of vehicle tires thereon. In another aspect of the invention, there is provided several spacer strips on the telescopic mandrel for holding vehicle tires of the same rim size in alignment with the telescopic mandrel.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for dividing wire coils into two wire coils of equal weight or any different weights. A non-bound, loose wire coil is placed on a double screw rod on which two screws of reverse directions of thread are facing in opposite directions at the central turning point of the rod, and the screw rod is rotated to have the screws caused movement of the parts of the wire coil thereon in splitting directions so as to divide the wire coil into two parts at the turning point. The two coil parts thus formed are separated by cutting wire and separately bound to form two wire coils.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for harvesting and bundling plants, preferably energy forest plants and the like planted in rows. The plants may be harvested from one or several planting rows by a harvesting assembly. The harvesting assembly is advanced across the ground in such a manner that the plants are continuously gripped by a feeding apparatus and are cut off. The cut-off plants are broken at a position between their ends and are folded around the position of breaking, in a direction towards the subsequent plants for forming a continuous bead of folded plants. Subsequently, the plants are conveyed by a feeding apparatus for further treatment or storing.

Abstract: A round bale which is wound by an agricultural round baler and consists of stalk crops, at least the interior of the round bale consisting of stalk crops cut into small pieces in the longitudinal direction of the stalks and the round bale being provided with a cover which consists of baler twine wound crosswise around the bale and/or of a netting web wound therearound.

Abstract: A hay bale recompacting system comprises an elongated compression chamber having a generally rectangular cross-section defined by top, bottom, and end walls, an inlet end and an outlet end, an inlet opening at the inlet end in one side of the chamber, an outlet at the outlet end in the other side of the chamber, a ram at the inlet end of the chamber for compressing bales therein, an indexing apparatus for weighing a charge to be introduced into the compressor, a ram for moving a selected amount of a bale into the chamber, a strapping chamber at the outlet disposed at right angle to the compression chamber for receiving compressed bales, an extruder ram for extruding bales from the compression chamber into and from the strapping chamber, and strapping units associated with the strapping chamber for strapping bales in the strapping chamber.

Abstract: The round baler for cut stalk crops with a hinge-type pressing chamber comprises an inlet opening for the stalk crops and a tying arrangement for the completed bale, as well as a pick-up device for the stalk crops with a feed drum which is disposed between the pick-up device and the inlet opening and whose length corresponds to the width of the bale to be tied, as well as a cutting device which is provided in the feed channel and includes a plurality of pivotally supported knives which in their cutting position project into the feed channel and are arranged in at least one row, and which are held in their cutting position by means of spring-loaded knife levers and adapted to be pivoted singly or as a whole against the spring load up to a position in which they have no cutting effect on the stalk crops.

Abstract: A baling machine for forming large cylindrical bales of hay has a variable volume baling chamber defined by moving belts with a crop inlet on the underside of the machine. When a bale has been completed it is wrapped with surface wrapping material stored in a holder on the back of the baler. The wrapping material is advanced by feed rolls through a cutting mechanism below the holder, and is thus guided by a plate extending along the underside of a run of the belts to the baling chamber. In order to avoid wasting wrap, a cutter is triggered by a peg carried by a metering wheel movable between an adjustable "home" position against an abutment or stop to a trigger position in which it engages and lifts a release lever to release the cutter, and this distance is a measure of the length of wrap material required for the completed bale. In respective embodiments, the metering wheel is in the form of a friction wheel, a worm wheel and a ratchet wheel with all wheels being selectively driven by one of the feed rolls.

Abstract: Apparatus for bunching flowers and similar produce including a rotating endless belt defining a plurality of flower bunching locations on the surface thereof, at least one, and preferably a plurality of sorting tables adapted to be arranged adjacent the endless belt, stem trimming apparatus mounted adjacent the endless belt downstream of the sorting tables, stem cleaning apparatus mounted adjacent the endless belt downstream of the stem trimming apparatus, and tying means mounted adjacent the endless belt downstream of the leaf removing apparatus.

Abstract: The broccoli bunching apparatus is wholly pneumatically operated. In response to a first operation on a manual pneumatic control switch, a rubber band is pneumatically expanded in front of a central opening in a housing. Broccoli stems can then be inserted through the rubber band and the opening. A second operation of the pneumatic control switch results in the rubber band retracting about the stems and simultaneously a knife blade within the housing cutting the stems. Also, an ejector is automatically operated after a given delay time to strip the cut broccoli stems from the rubber band expander so that the apparatus is ready for repeating the operation.

Abstract: A device for preparing a bunch of produce for shipment, display and sale by placing a rubber band on the produce and cutting the stalks of said bunch of produce to a predetermined length. The device includes an upper plate member, a lower plate member, and a vertically movable intermediate plate member. Centrally located stalk receiving holes are provided in the plate members of sufficient diameter for receiving a stalk portion of a bunch of produce. A plurality of movable pins are carried by the intermediate plate member and extend vertically through respective holes of the upper plate member for receiving a stretched rubber band. Upon depressing a foot pedal, the rubber band is released around the stalk portion of a bunch of produce. A cutting assembly which has a horizontally adjustable positioning block is used for severing the stalk portion of the bunch of produce to a predetermined length.

Abstract: In a method of forming bundles of brushwood, brushwood is fed to a bundle rmer of a bundling machine. The various items are oriented by the machine in a manner such that the thick ends of the items lie on the outside of a finished bundle while the thin ends extend in towards the center of the bundle, and such that the thick ends of the various items of brushwood are displaced relative to one another in the longitudinal direction of the bundle. The method is continuous, and hence a bundle is constantly formed in the bundle former. As the bundle leaves the bundle former, the bundle is bound with straps or like securing elements, and cut into lengths of the desired size.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for precision cutting a bundle of mill length lumber into a plurality of strapped and trimmed bundles of lumber of desired shorter length(s). The bundle of mill length lumber is placed on an elongated conveyor and moved longitudinally by means of an advancing moveable carriage until the leading edge of the bundle of lumber abuts a surface of a set work carriage positioned downstream of a circular saw which can selectively be advanced across the conveyor path. The ends of the bundle of lumber are then squared by advancing a ram on the moveable carriage. The squared bundle of lumber is banded or strapped by a banding apparatus disposed slightly upstream of the saw and thereafter the leading edge of the bundle of lumber is precision trimmed by advancing the saw across the conveyor path.

Abstract: An apparatus for binding paper sheets, characterized in that a pair of confronting gripping plates are disposed above a paper sheet supporting plate, a groove for a tape and a groove for a tape application lever are formed on the inner faces of the gripping plates, respectively, paper sheets gripped by both the gripping plates are moved toward the side of the tape application lever to bend a binding tape inserted in the tape groove of the gripping plate in the direction of the thickness of the paper sheets, the binding tape is pressed by the tape application lever to insert the binding tape into the groove for application lever to surround the paper sheets, and the surrounding end of the tape is bonded to the other side of the tape to effect binding of the paper sheets.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying a weldable web or band of synthetic plastic material to a package on a table has a feeding device which advances the web from a source into the channel of a mobile loop forming device loosely surrounding the package. The feeding device is arrested when the web is looped around the package so that the end portions of the resulting loop overlap. The loop forming device is then removed and the web is moved rearwardly so that the loop snugly surrounds the package. In the next step, the web is severed between the outer overlapping portion of the loop and the source, and the severing device is withdrawn so that the sonotrode of an ultrasonic welding unit can bond the outer portion of the loop to the adjacent inner portion all the way to the cut where the outer portion was severed from the source.

Abstract: Several courses of random width, low-grade tapered wood shingles are stacked in an elongated trough with the butts of shingles of adjacent courses disposed at opposite sides of the trough to form a substantially continuous stacked shingle lay-up. A cutoff saw consecutively cuts loose packs of shingles from an end portion of the lay-up. After each pack-cutting operation, the lay-up is shifted lengthwise of the trough to a position for the saw to cut another pack from the lay-up. Each severed pack is banded about its center to form a bundle, moved lengthwise partway through a gang saw to form a set of parallel kerfs spaced apart uniformly widthwise of the bundle and extending from an end of the bundle almost up to the band and then turned end-for-end and moved lengthwise partway through the gang saw to form another set of kerfs extending from the other end of the bundle almost up to the band. The kerfs of the two sets of kerfs are in registration.