Abstract: A machine with an open upstanding frame has a central space within which a stack of tires are placed. A hydraulic ram mounted on top of the frame, when retracted, supports a press platen slidable on vertical frame posts above the stack and a knife platen spaced above the press platen. Four tire-slitting knives project downwardly from the knife platen in alignment with slots in the press platen. When the ram extends, the knife and press platens move downwardly until the press platen engages the stack. Thereafter continued extension of the ram causes compression springs between the platens to contract so that the knife platen continues downwardly until it engages the press platen and the knives pass through the slots of the press platen into cutting engagement with the stack. Thereafter the knife and press platens continue downwardly together simultaneously compressing and slitting the stack.

Abstract: A joint having improved snag resistance and peel strength is formed between overlapping end portions of a thermoplastic strap. The thermoplastic strap is formed into a loop having overlapping inner and outer end portions which are joined to one another by a resolidified thin layer of formerly melted material from each of the overlapping strap end portions. Resolidified material extends completely to an inwardly tapered end of the outer strap end portion to provide the improved joint. A resolidified mass of formerly molten material also is present in front of the tapered end to further protect it against snagging.

Abstract: Corrugated plastic tubes simultaneously feeding from a plurality of sources are doffed, stacked in nesting relation and formed into bundles of a predetermined number of tubes in accordance with the present invention. The corrugated plastic tubes are produced in continuous length in separate production lines, cut to predetermined lengths, and fed along predetermined paths to respective doffing stations where the tubes are doffed into a common hopper positioned adjacent the doffing stations. Upon a predetermined number of the tubes being doffed into the hopper and accumulated in stacked and nested relation, the tubes are advanced to a bundling station where strapping machines secure pliable strapping elements around the stacked and nested tubes to form the same into compact bundles. The bundles are then removed from the bundling station ready for shipment or storage.