Abstract: Disclosed is a bag stand including at least three side panels, each side panel having a top end, a bottom end, a left end, a right end, an inner surface, and an outer surface, each side panel having two adjacent side panels, each right end of each side panel connected to the left end of one of the adjacent side panels and each left end of each side panel connected to the right end of the other adjacent side panel, thereby forming a substantially continuous bag stand having a top end and a bottom end and a plurality of panel tabs, each panel tab hingedly connected to the top end of the bag stand, each panel tab having at least one interfacing end for connection to at least one other of the plurality of panel tabs.

Abstract: Metrology data associated with a plurality of workpieces processed at a selected operation in the process flow including a plurality of operations is retrieved. A processing context associated with each of the workpieces is determined. The processing context identifies at least one previous tool used to perform an operation on the associated workpiece prior to the selected operation. A plurality of performance metrics is determined for a plurality of tools capable of performing the selected operation based on the metrology data. Each performance metric is associated with a particular tool and a particular processing context. A set of the performance metrics is identified for the plurality of tools having a processing context matching a processing context of a selected workpiece awaiting performance of the selected operation. The selected workpiece is dispatched for processing in a selected one of the plurality of tools based on the set of performance metrics.

Abstract: A three-dimensional ornament (1) comprising a plurality of folded elements (8), (9), (10), (11), (22) and (23) created from a plurality of nesting cuts (6), (7), (20) and (21) in a planar surface (1). The folded elements (8), (9), (10), (11), (22) and (23) are fastened in opposing planes (15), (16) and (28) so as to give a unique and distinctive appearance. A multitude of three-dimensional ornaments (1) may be fastened together to form a snowflake (19) which may be suspended from a ceiling, tree or the like. The planar surface (1) may have a decorative surface and be of various colors, sizes and textures.

Abstract: A cushioning conversion machine for converting stock material into a continuous strip of a cushioning product. The machine includes a stock-preparing assembly which prepares the stock material; a stock-shaping assembly which shapes the prepared stock material into a continuous strip having a pillow-like portion and at least one tab portion projecting therefrom; and a tab-connecting assembly which connects the tab portion of the continuous strip whereby the pillow-like portion will maintain its pillow-like geometry.

Abstract: A machine and process for producing bags from roll stock of bag material are disclosed. The machine includes four subassemblies, a folding and cutting subassembly, a transport and first sewing subassembly and a second transport and sewing subassembly and a stacking subassembly. The folding and cutting subassembly, preferably includes a drum or reel with a plurality of peripheral clamps which are successively opened to receive the bag material and a blade positioned to force the bag material into an open clamp to define a fold. The adjacent closed clamp holding folded bag material tensions the bag material. A cutter severs adjacent folds between the adjacent clamps. Transfer and transport means are present to advance the folded cut bag blank past two sewing machines and then to the stacker subassembly.

Abstract: Disclosed is a magazine for holding semiconductor devices during storage and shipping wherein a portion 22 of the magazine is cut to form a tab 28 which is pushed through an opening 29 in a wall 23 of said magazine to block the end of the magazine, preventing semiconductor devices from falling out of said magazine.

Abstract: A machine for securing a thermoplastic coated paper handle to a paper cup having a seam on one side of the cup, the machine including a die assembly for forming paper handles having a backing strip and a wing on each side of the strip, a mandrel turret having a number of mandrels spaced about the perimeter of the turret, each of said mandrels having a blade assembly projecting outwardly from the surface of the mandrel to engage the seam in the cup, and a wheel assembly for rotating the cups on the mandrel to move the seam in the cup into engagement with the blade assembly, and a transfer turret for transferring the paper handles from the die assembly to the mandrel turret for attachment to the cups.

Abstract: A device for assuring substantial smoothness in bags formed on a form, fill and seal machine comprising structure engageable with a closure along one edge of flattened bag making material below a forming and filling tube, and cooperating members operating cyclically from a position at the stabilizer in a flattening stroke across the material. The flattening members are desirably rollers which may be heated to effect a flatness retaining seal across the flattened material.

Abstract: A tape dispenser of the type where the tape passes over the cutter that has the means to allow a tab to be formed on the end portion of the tape that will not accidentally bond back to the tape roll. The means comprises three different embodiments. First, a raisable lifting member, with a horizontal projection and an opening, is located between the tape roll and cutter and below the outstretched tape. When the lifting member is raised it forms a hump in the outstretched tape. The hump is then pinched, in the opening under the projection, to form a tab. The second embodiment consists of a stationary tab-forming structure, consisting of a generally horizontal projection, located between the tape roll and cutter, but above the normal axis of the outstretched tape. To form the tab, the tape is lifted and draped over the elevated horizontal projection, and then pinched in the opening under the projection to form the tab.

Abstract: A tab-forming apparatus for forming a tab on the end of the outstretched tape on a tape dispenser, the tape dispenser being of the type where the outstretched tape passes from the tape roll and under the tape cutter, with the adhesive side of the tape facing down. A joint allows the outer end of the cutter to swing down and onto the tape causing the tape to fold back on itself creating a tab where the two adhesive surfaces contact each other. Two short positioning projections hold the tape in contact with the swinging cutter. The positioning projections located under the adhesive side of the tape having rotating surfaces to reduce the interference with the tape passing over them.

Abstract: A system for aligning portions of a carrier blank during the folding of a carrier blank into a folded carrier wherein an abutment tab having an abutment edge is provided in one portion of the carrier blank with the one portion having a first linear edge and wherein an abutment edge is provided in a second portion of the carrier blank with the second portion having a second linear edge so that when the first and second portions of the carrier blank are moved into adjacent relationship, the abutment edges move into a contacting relationship to guide the first and second linear edges into a superposed and aligtned relationship.

Abstract: An apparatus for the making of container jackets from flat cardboard or plastic blanks. The blank is folded around a core by means of pivoted fingers which are moved toward the core while ends of the fingers are guided in guide passages to produce pivoting of the fingers. The fingers pivot such that blank-engaging ends of the fingers fold the blank around the core. The slide guides are mounted for pivotable movement simultaneously with the movement of the fingers toward the core, whereby the movement of the fingers can be adapted to cores of different diameter by changing the distance of movement of the carrier, i.e., the same fingers and slide guides can be used with an infinite number of core diameters.

Abstract: An apparatus dispenses an elongate tape product, with a leading end portion tab. The tape product is drawn along a feeding path to a dispensing end at which a cutting edge is disposed. A stationary touch element is positioned just upstream of the cutting edge, and a movable touch element is disposed in the feeding path upstream of the stationary touch element. The movable touch element translate along the feeding path toward the stationary touch element and into juxtaposition therewith and away from the stationary touch element to a position remote therefrom.

Abstract: A surface layer is applied to an elongated, deformable hollow profile. The profile originally has at least one wall portion which is curved as seen in cross section. The profile is advanced to a device for applying the surface layer and pressed so as to deform the curved wall portion into a shape which, as seen in cross section, is substantially straight. The surface layer is applied to this wall portion while it is in the substantially straight shape, and the profile is then at least substantially returned to its original shape.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for production of containers for packaging liquids. Plastic-coated supporting material is drawn as a web from a supply roll in a first direction along a web path. At a first position, the web is cut into sheets. The sheets are conveyed along a transport path in a second direction transverse to the web path. At a second position, each sheet is partially shaped into a tube, and an edge of the sheet is folded over and sealed. At a third position, shaping is completed to cause the side edges of the sheet to join, and the tube side is sealed. A plastic lid is molded onto the top of each tube, and the bottom end is folded and sealed into a quadrilangular bottom.

Abstract: In apparatus for manufacturing tubular container sleeves, a blank is wrapped around a fixed mandrel by means of a pair of sweeper arms that are swingable and movable in translation. In each sleeve forming operation the sweeper arms are displaced from a position in which both are wholly at one side of the mandrel to a position in which they embrace the mandrel, each having an inner pivoted end at that one side of the mandrel and an outer swinging end at the other side of the mandrel. During at least the final half of each such displacement the outer ends of the sweeper arms maintain constant engagement against the mandrel through the blank. During the first half of that displacement the blank is progressively engaged against the mandrel by a sweeper band extending under tension between the outer ends of the sweeper arms.

Abstract: A tape tab forming unit for tape roll holders wherein wear is minimized by distributing stress between a slotted cylindrical spring supporting upwardly extending struts on the one hand and a flexible forward strut on the other hand. The cylindrical spring may be formed as part of a tape roll holder or connected to such a holder. The slot in the spring defines forward and rearward spring edges from which the struts extend upwardly. The spring is strengthened by providing a thickened region between the forward and rearward edges. A tape tab is formed by combined rearward flexing of the forward strut and compression of the slotted spring.

Abstract: Disclosed is a flexible substrate assembly including an elongated flexible substrate having a plurality of spaced apart component receiving regions, with a solid component disposed on each of said regions. A plurality of flexible strap members are disposed adjacent each component receiving region on one side thereof, and are joined to the other side of the region such that the strap overlies the region to form a tube-like passageway for receiving and containing a solid component. Several embodiments of the invention include different configurations of strap members are punched out from the flexible substrate so as to form a flap-like member having a free end, which is joined to the substrate so as to form a tube-like passageway. Also disclosed are methods for fabricating the substrate assembly and dispensing solid components contained in the substrate assemblies. Also, packaging arrangements and apparatus to produce packaging arrangements including the flexible substrate assemblies are also disclosed.

Abstract: In an in-line converting machine, flat carton blanks are thrust into a rotary former. The former includes a mandrel over which the carton is partially formed as the former rotates through 180.degree.. Thereafter, the carton is thrust off the former by a kicker bar and into a hopper where the carton nests with previously-formed cartons. The nesting cams the glued carton panels together, thereby completing the formation of the carton.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a web of wrapping material into a tubular configuration is disclosed. The apparatus is basically composed of a highly flexible, elongated elastic sheet material secured at one end, the sheet material extending obliquely upwardly and then returning to form a loop, and an actuator mechanically connected to the other end of the sheet material, the actuator being operable to advance and retract the sheet material so as to contract and expand the loop formed by the sheet material.

Abstract: A tab-forming device for adhesive tape dispensers which provides for variable length tabs by incorporating a ratchet spool and pawl in a flexible spring for expanding the spacing between two attached diverging tab-forming struts. The device may be attached to existing tape roll dispensers or molded as an integral part with the dispenser.

Abstract: A vacuum mold for supporting a flexible sheet of interlayer material for assembly against a bent glass sheet or between a pair of bent glass sheets of matching configuration has a first apertured wall shaped to conform to the shape of the bent glass, and a second apertured wall of conforming shape adapted for coupling to a vacuum source to form and hold the flexible sheet of interlayer material against the mold in unwrinkled condition. The mold is pivoted to a carriage from a mold loading orientation of convex elevational configuration to a mold unloading orientation of concave elevational configuration.

Abstract: A tape dispenser with a tab forming device which includes a pair of upwardly extending forward and rearward struts joined at lower extremities within a cylindrical slotted spring which limits maximum separation of the struts. Upper extremities of the struts are terminated in two wings which, when brought together, cause a tape loop to be made, forming a tape tab. The rearward strut is adapted with a downwardly extending leg and foot for being secured within a tape roll holder, while the forwardly extending strut is adapted with an inverted hook over the wing at the upper extremity of the strut. The hook includes a forward serrated edge for tearing tape. The entire construction may be molded as a unitary article.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming a stackable tray from a paperboard blank having a base panel, two pairs of wall panels attached to the base panel, adhesive coated gussets formed at the corners of the wall panels, and flanges formed along the outer edge of each wall panel. The tray forming apparatus includes a vertically reciprocating plunger having vacuum ports formed in its side walls, two pairs of flange folding fingers mounted on the plunger, a forming head including a cavity disposed beneath the plunger, and a stacking cage having flange retaining rails disposed beneath the cavity for receiving the trays after forming. The trays are formed as follows:A tray blank is first positioned over the forming cavity. The downwardly reciprocating plunger contacts the blank and urges it into the cavity causing the tray sidewalls to be erected and the adhesive coated gusset corners to be folded against adjacent side walls. The erected tray walls are retained on the plunger by the vacuum ports.