Abstract: At a retail store checkout cashier or like station, rotary device which is delineated into circumferentially spaced compartments for successively storing plastic bags with handles, moving the handles of each bag in turn between supporting hooks to open each bag, and then filling the then open bag and removing the bag with its contents, all to the end of facilitating the customer checkout procedure.

Abstract: Apparatus for evacuating and sealing containers of perishable food or other substances includes a rigid lid for fitting onto the container and a resilientt valve which is situated over a small passage in the lid. The valve has a hollow interior region which is open at the underside of the member and a stem extends down through the passage in the lid and carries an enlargement at its lower end that is broader than the passage. A hollow cup, coupled to a vacumm pump, is temporarily placed over the valve to draw air from the container after which atmospheric pressure urges the lid against the container and urges the valve against the lid to seal the container. The hollow interior of the valve is broader than the passage in the lid and thus atmospheric pressure is effective against an area of the valve that exceeds the area of the passage thereby assuring a very strong and reliable sealing effect.

Abstract: A pre-formed gift wrapper dimensioned to gift wrap a box of predetermined standard size in a matter of seconds includes a bag-like sleeve of paper which in its operational shape accommodates snugly the box which is inserted into an open end thereof. Cardboard guide and support members are adhered to the inner side walls of the sleeve and reinforce same along the entire width and length of the walls to support the wrapper in its operational shape and continuously guide the box as it is inserted into the wrapper. These members as well as the paper sleeve are scored to enable the ends thereof to be folded flat against the end of the box to completely close the gift wrapper about the box so that it is gift wrapped. Also the paper sleeve is scored to allow folding of the support members to place the wrapper in a flattened condition for storage.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling and sealing an envelope is provided and consists of a housing having an angled front panel and an exhaust port. A mechanism is on the housing for retaining an open flap of the envelope to the angled front panel below the exhaust port. A blower within the housing is for blowing air through the exhaust port and into the envelope so that it can be filled. Another mechanism is on the housing for wetting glue on the flap of the envelope so that the evenlope can be sealed.

Abstract: A method and device for assisting a user with transferring an object supported by the device into a flexible storage container, the device comprising a substantially flat base member having a pair of opposed side edges and a pair of opposed end edges, a side wall extending substantially perpendicular from one surface of the base member along each of the two opposed side edges, and a protrusion member projecting substantially normal from the opposite surface of the base member, for providing a pivot about which the device can pivot, the protrusion member being positioned substantially along a traversed axis of the device and being spaced from each of the opposed end edges so that when the device is placed upon a flat support surface and the protrusion member engages that support surface, the device is pivotable about the protrusion member whereby only one end edge of the base member is able to contact that support surface at any given time thereby facilitating engagement with a storage container and transfer o

Abstract: The present invention relates to a basket, an insert and a method for packaging and displaying flowers and other potted plants in baskets of various shapes and sizes. The insert of the present invention comprises a base which includes at least one cavity for receiving a pot. The insert also comprises a flange which comes in contact with the inside perimeter of the basket to stabilize the insert in the basket.

Abstract: This invention relates to a litter bin and in particular to one including a body portion with a movable portion therearound, a hollow lug provided on both sides of the body portion, a motor disposed within a hollow lug and connected with a pinion, an upper rack meshed with upper side of the pinion, a lower rack meshed with lower side of the pinion, two sealing boards respectively connected with the upper rack and the lower rack and provided with electric heating wires, and a pedal mounted on lower edge of the body portion for controlling the motor and the electric heating wire.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in placing an object inside an inflated balloon is disclosed as comprising a housing forming a first chamber and a second chamber. The housing has a lid with an orifice therein which communicates with the first chamber, and a flexible diaphragm having a hole therethrough is positioned in the orifice. At least three rams are positioned on the lid of the housing so as to substantially surround the diaphragm, and a substantially L-shaped finger is attached to the actuating rod of each ram, the fingers lying adjacent one another when the actuating rods of the rams are in an unretracted position with each finger extending through the hole through the diaphragm. After the neck of a balloon is placed around the fingers, the actuating rods of the rams may be retracted, thereby enlarging the neck of the balloon and forming a substantially air-tight seal between the neck of the balloon and the flexible diaphragm.

Abstract: An ergonomically improved hand loading cartoner bucket is provided with inwardly tapered open side pockets for the operator's hand(s) which are sized such that the product being placed into the bucket cannot shift to the side. Such cartoner buckets provide the operator with greater ease of access during loading and therefore improved overall efficiency.

Abstract: A bundler for newspapers having a newspaper holding container formed by front, back and side walls and a bottom wall section at each corner. Two adjacent walls of said front, back and side walls have a cord holding compartment below the container bottom wall sections and a hollow pedestal base extends from and below said container bottom wall between each said compartment and the opposite wall of the container. The cord is placed out from each compartment into the container, across the interior of the pedestal base below the container bottom wall and up over the opposing wall with the newspapers resting on the bottom wall sections. The cords are pulled upwardly around the bundle and are cut and tied.

Abstract: An upright frame member has an upper handle and bottom support wheels. A forwardly projecting boom is secured to the upright frame and is of a length at least as long as tree branches of a tree to be mounted on the cart. A clamp is carried on the forward end of the boom capable of removably clamping a tree at the lower end of the trunk to the boom and supporting the tree on the cart in parallel relation with the upright frame. The upright frame and the boom are disposed relative to each other such that when the cart is laid down rearwardly the center of gravity of the cart and tree is offcenter toward the handle whereby the cart will rest unsupported in such laid down position and suspend the tree horizontally for bagging. A hook is provided on the upright frame for holding a bag in telescoped relation on the boom prior to use. In the method of bagging a tree, an open ended bag is first pulled in telescoping relation over the boom and attached to the hook on the upright frame.

Abstract: Apparatus for inflating balloons to enable inserting objects thereinto include a housing having a lower compartment and an upper compartment, a first elongate tubular element disposed in the upper compartment to extend upwardly from the lower compartment where the upper end of the tubular element includes one or more openings, and a second elongate tubular element telescopically disposed in the upper compartment about the first tubular element to slide longitudinally relative thereto between an upper position, in which an object may be inserted into the second tubular element to rest against the upper end of the first tubular element, and a lower position, in which the upper ends of the first and second tubular elements are generally at the same elevation. The upper end of the second tubular element is open and is adapted to receive and releasably hold a balloon orifice thereover.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compact apparatus for loading bulk ammunition into cartridge boxes. The apparatus includes a manifold having side walls, a rear wall and a movable front gate. A bullet pan and a tray pan are indexed beneath guide holes in the manifold. The manifold is vibrated by an adjustable eccentric drive. Loose ammunition is poured onto the manifold and contained on there by the walls and gate. Once the manifold guide holes are substantially filled, the operator moves the front gate to clear off the excess ammunition. The bullet pan and tray pan are then released from spring detents to fill the boxes and remove the boxes from the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for filling a bag with a commodity without contaminating a sealable region of the bag near its opening. The apparatus includes a mechanism for forming a cuff in the bag and holding the bag as it is being filled. A frame associated with the cuffing mechanism assists in positioning the commodity adjacent the cuffed bag and for facilitating insertion of the commodity into the bag. Desirably the frame includes a platform on which the commodity may be prepared prior to insertion of it into the bag. Preferably the platform is movable between a first position oriented to facilitate preparation of the commodity and a second position oriented to facilitate insertion of the commodity into the bag. The device and method is particularly useful in packaging commodities which may be emulsion-laden, including meats such as poultry.

Abstract: The novel vacuum sealer of this invention has three wires that are heated to varying degrees. Two wires are used or dedicated to sealing a plastic bag and one of the wires is used to cut the bag after the vacuum sealing step. The vacuum sealer is tapered downwardly, i.e. has a low profile, for a better air flow during the vacuuming step. A turbine with curved fins is used to increase the air flow and reduce the time to evacuate air from the bag. Also, the low profile of the unit, the increased size air ducts and the curved fins on the turbine, provide a more effective system for evacuating air from the plastic bag to be used.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for sealing pallets of fresh produce inside plastic bags and furnishing the interiors of the sealed bags with a modified gaseous atmosphere. Conventional pallets loaded with cooled fresh produce are moved by an input conveyor automatically one at a time to an in-line squeeze station. The produce load of a pallet positioned at the squeeze station is squeezed between opposed vertical walls to suspend it above the pallet base as a downwardly movable floorplate descends to allow the base to the removed and replaced with a pallet having a plastic sheet lining attached thereto. The floorplate is raised to its former level to bear the weight of the loaded pallet as the pallet is unsqueezed and the loaded pallet is moved by conveyor to a bagging station. A plastic bag at a convenient height is initially draped over an arm radiating from a novel bagger frame.

Abstract: A balloon filler than includes a two piece evacuation housing arranged to receive a balloon attachment unit that holds a balloon in where the balloon end projects into the evacuation housing and receives a spreader tube whose insertion into the balloon unit attachment opens the balloon mouth and provides a seal between the exterior neck of the balloon and a shoulder of the balloon attachment unit base, a motor and blower are provided to create a sub-atmospheric pressure in the evacuation housing and an object holding tube receiving a balloon on one end and is telescoped onto a pressure tube connected at its opposite end to a pressure chamber receiving pressurized air from the blower.

Abstract: A packaging machine for the packaging of materials to be disposed comprises a container for receiving an open bag as well as evacuation means and a lid which can be opened and hermetically seals the container from the exterior. In order to avoid a contamination of the lid at the inner side thereof, the bag has a collar and a seam connected thereto. The latter is hooked in supporting bolts of the lid.

Abstract: A system is provided for automatic consecutive opening and dispensing thermoplastic grocery or retail product bags of the T-shirt type while providing for supporting consecutive bags in an open position and for facilitating easy removel of the consecutive loaded bags. The system includes a pack of bags and a rack of the type having outwardly extending support arms and a retaining means for receiving the bag pack by mounting the bag handles on the support arms of the rack through apertures therein and mounting a detachable bag mounting tab on the rack retaining means. Each of the bags has disengageable adhesive each bag which has a predetermined severance strength greater than the severance strength of the mounting tabs. The rack support arms define a predetermined resistive force in laterally-extending outer portions against sliding of the bags therealong which is greater than the severance strength of the adhesive.

Abstract: A compressed (e.g. accordian pleated) assembly of tubular sheet material (preferably plastic material), is deployed to form an extended tube by a device that consists essentially of an arched rigid framework (curved, triangular, rectangular, or any other shaped arch suited to the shape of the goods to be stored) with a skin of sheet metal or fiberglass extending over its upper part. The tubular sheet material can be deployed into an extended tube at the rear of the device by pulling the latter forwardly along the ground, the free end of the tube having been suitably anchored at the starting location. This tube deployment can be combined with a series of loading operations whereby goods to be stored, e.g. cylindrical or large square bales of forage, are inserted from the front of the device through the arched framework and onto a lower portion of the extended tube as it is formed. This lower portion rests on the ground in a loading area beneath a rearwardly extending overhang of the framework.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for fabricating floral displays, and other products formed by layers of superposed materials such as pouch or pocket type packages has a base member with an opening therethrough in communication with a receiving space below the base member and at least one or more plate members with openings therein serially and pivotably connected to the base member so they can be pivoted from an open or disengaged position to a closed or engaged position superposed over the base member and/or another of the plate members to bring the openings therein into alignment with one another and with the opening in the base member to permit layers of material to be positioned on the base and between each of the given number of plates, and a plunger tube is used to depress and move the layers of material so they gather or pinch inwardly into the area about the opening to form a centrally disposed depressed section, pouch or pocket for selectively and electively receiving random items therein, spaced clips conne

Abstract: A device for wrapping coin rolls includes a base supporting a pad of wrapper sheets for wrapping a roll of coins initially supported by an end wall and two side walls located at one end of the base. The end wall is spaced a distance less than the diameter of the coin roll from the adjacent edge of the wrapper sheet pad so that the coins rest at the edge of the pad before starting each wrapping procedures. Strips of contact adhesive on the upper side of the wrapper sheets holds the wrapper to the coins and causes the wrapper sheet to adhere to itself when the wrapping is completed.

Abstract: A device is provided for packing in supple bags articles billed individually at a check-out desk of a self-service store. The device includes: two slightly inclined rods; a reserve of supple bags suspended vertically from said rods via handles; means for evacuating these bags once filled; wherein the terminal part of each of the suspension rods, towards the free end thereof, presents a surface state different from the preceding part of the rod and such that the coefficient of friction of this terminal part is greater than that of the preceding part of the rod, with the result that the resistance to slide of the handles on this terminal part of the rods becomes greater than the previous resistance to slide, thus allowing, by the force of retention thus employed, the rupture of the separable point of connection between the rear face of the evacuated filled bag and the front face of the following empty bag pulled towards its position for filling.

Abstract: A crimper in which jaws are swung into crimping engagement with a bottle cap in response to downward movement of a plunger. Downward movement of the plunger is effected by a lever which is located below a handle joined to the body of the crimper. When the handle and the lever are squeezed, the lever is pulled upwardly toward the handle to actuate the crimper and, at the same time, the handle and the body are pressed downwardly to keep the crimper stable on the bottle. The length of the stroke of the lever may be changed by varying the setting of an adjusting screw which is carried by the lever.

Abstract: A method for packaging electric wiring by using a grasping tool to assist in ensleeving the wiring in a plastic sleeve. Subsequent to ensleeving the grasping tool is disengaged. The sleeve with the enclosed wiring is folded over to form a neat compact package which is secured and ready for storage.

Abstract: An elongated sleeve made of a plurality of substantially rigid panels interconnected with one another in folding relationship. When in the stored condition, the sleeve is folded flat. When in condition to be used for its intended purpose, the sleeve is unfolded to form an open ended sleeve closed on the sides. The sleeve is adapted to positively retain and support a collapsible bag at the top while the bag is being filled by filling the interior of the sleeve. Handles are provided in the top edges of the sleeve to facilitate removal of the sleeve from the full bag. The panels are internally laminated with a water repellant adhesive while the inside of the sleeve is coated with a moisture resistant compound.

Abstract: A detonating cord transport system is disclosed wherein detonating cord is windingly disposed on a plurality of separator-support members in such a manner that the cord is wholly accessible from a front face surface and is thus disposed without having to manipulate the separator-support members. For each separator-support member, the detonating cord is windingly disposed on a plurality of winding support devices such that there are a plurality of severing locations at frequent intervals at which severing locations there is incorporated means for stopping any detonation that occurs, with the result that such detonation will be confined to a relatively short length of detonating cord and will also be confined to the detonating cord transport system container.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to apparatus and methods for inserting objects into balloons. The apparatus preferably includes a housing having a balloon chamber and a vacuum pump chamber therein. The balloon chamber is large enough to accommodate an inflated balloon and has a lid through which the inflated balloon can pass. The vacuum pump chamber houses a vacuum pump which is in gaseous communication with the balloon chamber in order to create a vacuum therein. The lid includes an adjustable mechanism for first expanding and then maintaining a balloon orifice in an expanded condition to enable access to the interior of the balloon in a position in which the balloon extends downwardly from the lid to a position inside the balloon chamber. The vacuum pump may then be actuated to cause the balloon to inflate within the balloon chamber so that the desired object may be inserted through an access opening in the lid to the inside of the balloon.

Abstract: A box-cording apparatus used to cord up a packing box. The apparatus comprises a frame means having a base frame and support members slidably installed thereon, a driving means for moving the support members back and forth, and a frame rotating means having a shaft and a control means for the rotation of the shaft. The support members are bound together with parts of the box loaded on the base frame during the cording work and then pulled and received in the base frame, getting free from the corded parts of the box.

Abstract: A recycling bag assembly is formed from a series of plastic bags similar to trash or garbage bags temporarily secured together by heat tacking or otherwise. The individual bags are usually color coded to facilitate identification of the solid waste material that is to be collected in them for collection and transport to a disposal facility. A method of widespread regular controlled distribution of the bag assemblies is also provided by inserting or otherwise combining the bag assemblies with newspapers prior to delivery of such papers and subsequent delivery of the bag assemblies with such papers.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a bait sack includes a pair of plates that define a bait sack containing opening. The plate members are pivotally attached to a base member so that when preparing the bait sack, the plate members may be rotated to a position that facilitates access to the underside of the plate members so that the bait sack may be tied or sealed at a point substantially adjacent the bait.

Abstract: A wrapping material roll support assembly which supports the roll of wrapping material within the wrapping device and permits easy placement of the roll of wrapping material thereon. Two spaced apart parallel rollers support the roll or wrapping material by contacting the outer circumference thereof. An adjustable tension brake frictionally engages the parallel rollers which support the roll of wrapping material. By adjusting the tension provided by the brake, undesired unrolling of the free end of the roll of wrapping material can be prevented. A safety catch is received through the core of the roll of wrapping material preventing the roll from falling from the roll support assembly.

Abstract: A tabletop machine for automatically loading and sealing flexible containers such as plastic bags forming part of a chain of bags. The apparatus includes structure for supporting a supply of preformed, interconnected bags which are sequentially fed to a loading station. At the loading station, the bag is inflated by a blower having a shutter controlled outlet so that the flow of inflation air is reduced or terminated during feeding and which provides a blast or surge of air to "pop" the bag open when the bag arrives at a loading station. A residual air stream maintains inflation of the bag. After loading, a clamping mechanism is activated which applies a substantially increasing clamping force as a clamp bar nears a heat sealing unit so that should an obstruction or other obstacle be encountered as the clamping bar moves towards the bag, motion in the clamping bar can be resisted by the obstacle without damage to the obstacle or clamping mechanism.

Abstract: A method of filling a balloon with articles and air wherein a container having a removeable cover having an outlet pipe therein the latter is evacuated after the opening of a balloon is attached to said pipe within the container to thereby expand the balloon and permit articles to be placed therewithin through the pipe. A stopper is then placed in the pipe and the air pump shut off whereby the end of the balloon can be tied off.

Abstract: A trolley holds a container such as a plastic bag or sack in the open position for filling and has a rotatable table at the base which allows the bag to be twisted when at least partially full for tying and sealing. The trolley comprises two upright members forming a rigid frame with a short platform at the base, a rotatable table to hold the container is supported on a leg pivoted out from the platform, the table has skirt protector strips to prevent corners of the bag overlapping the table, and flexible support arms extending out from the two upright members with external ends to hold open the container resting on the table, the support arms being movable down in line with the two upright members to take into account different sized containers, and to allow the top of the container to be lowered when twisted on the table.

Abstract: An automatic bag system for supermarket check-out counters is disclosed. An open top loading compartment is provided adjacent to the check-out clerk and a roll of plastic material is mounted to feed sheet plastic over the open top of the loading compartment. The loading compartment is provided with transversely opposed vertical slots and guide rollers rotatively secured at the top of the slots. Upon loading purchased items into the loading compartment above the plastic material, the plastic material will be urged interiorly of the loading compartment and will assume the shape of the compartment interior configuration. The guide rollers and the vertical slots cooperate to form left and right vertical seams in the plastic material as the compartment is loaded. The left and right seams are heat sealed upon completion of the loading operations to form a finished plastic package with the purchased items contained therewithin.

Abstract: A self-service check-out counter for cashier-unattended use and operation includes an laser scanner for automated reading of product identification codes borne by articles to be purchased, a keyboard for manual entry of article-identifying information, a variety of indicators and signalling devices for instructing actions by the customer, devices for preventing pilferage, fraud and inadvertent errors and an integral bag forming apparatus for manufacturing custom-formed bags on-site at the counter and on demand and, preferably, custom-sized to conform to the volume of articles to be packed in the bags. A customer individually scans articles to be purchased and the scanned data is verified through comparison with stored product identifying information. Following verification of each article, customer placement of the article into the bag forming apparatus in enabled and a bag preferably conforming to the volume of articles purchased in manufactured within the check-out counter.

Abstract: A vacuum storage device comprises a base member, a housing sealingly and removably mounted on the base member to form a storage chamber, a pressue reducing device mounted on either of the base member and housing, and a means for introducing air into the storage chamber. The pressure reducing device comprises a barrel and a bellows pump housed therein, the bellows pump comprising a bellows body with an inlet valve, which opens the bellows body to said storage chamber during the suction stroke, and an outlet valve, which opens the bellows body to the open air during the dischargeing stroke. The pressure reducing device includes a means for communicating its barrel chamber with the storage chamber.

Abstract: A capsule-inspection apparatus includes a base and a capsule-receiving tray slidable on the base to cause all of the capsules cradled in pockets formed in the tray to be turned simultaneously about their longitudinal axes to enhance visual inspection of substantially the entire exterior surface of the cradled capsules. An inspection mask is positionable on the tray to permit a user visually to inspect the coating dip line of coated caplets cradled in the tray quickly and easily to determine if the coating dip line is located substantially in the middle of the caplet to ensure that the caplet coating causes the caplet to resemble a two-piece capsule.

Abstract: An elongated sleeve made of a plurality of substantially rigid panels interconnected with one another in folding relationship. When in the stored condition, the sleeve is folded flat. When in condition to be used for its intended purpose, the sleeve is unfolded to form an open ended sleeve closed on the sides. The sleeve is adapted to positively retain and support a collapsible bag at the top while the bag is being filled by filling the interior of the sleeve. Handles are provided in the top edges of the sleeve to facilitate removal of the sleeve from the full bag.

Abstract: A device for holding a flexible bag open for filling. The device includes a generally triangular insert that, when folded at two corners, is able to stand upright for facilitating placement of a flexible bag over the upright corner of the triangular insert, and which may thereafter be placed with the flat face down on the ground to facilitate the raking of leaves therein, and one or more reinforcing members on the insert providing a springlike action to the folded corners and keeping the bag open.

Abstract: A lettuce packing machine for the packing of heads of lettuce in corrugated, carboard cartons is disclosed. A lettuce head holding tray is loaded with lettuce. Thereafter, the tray is utilized to pack cartons. The lettuce head holding trays has discrete lettuce receiving cells upwardly exposed. Each tray contains four columns of cells, each column of cells being three wide for a capacity of 12 heads of lettuce. Each discrete lettuce receiving cell in the tray is defined by four semirigid, flexible sides, which sides extend downwardly and inwardly, are elastically biased and form an inverted pyramid-like profile truncated at an open bottom. The lettuce head holding tray is loaded at a picking station and conveyed to a packing station. When the lettuce head holding tray arrives at the packing station, a packing apparatus having discrete plungers--one for each cell--unloads the tray overlying a box to be packed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for packaging firewood and kindling material wherein said device includes a rigid support frame for stacking and packaging. The rigid support frame includes a base member, a vertical support member hingedly affixed to said base member, and a truss member detachably affixed to said vertical support member at one end and pivotably affixed to said base member on its opposing end. The firewood is vertically positioned on said frame in a multiplicity of layers, wherein each layer is positioned in substantially normal axial displacement to one another, thus preventing lateral stability during said packaging procedure. A shrink wrap material is provided along with a heating element, e.g., hand held air blower, such that said shrink wrap may be applied to encase said vertically positioned firewood, and its corresponding kindling material. The method and apparatus of the invention thereby provides a transportable package of firewood along with a combustible material, i.e.

Abstract: An apparatus for packaging an article by means of heat-shrinkable film comprises, in combination, first support means adapted to support a reel of the said film, a device for sealing the film wrapped around the article to be packaged, an air heating chamber, and second means for placing into and removing from the said chamber the article contained within the said film. The said chamber has a substantially box-shaped configuration and is self-bearing, and with respective walls thereof there are associated the said first support means, the said sealing device and the said second means of placement and removal.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are provided for placing objects inside inflated balloons. The apparatus includes a walled enclosure having a balloon nozzle opening of a predetermined size and shape about which a balloon mouth within a predetermined size range is sealingly receivable. The enclosure also includes an access opening through which a user's arm is sealing receivable. A port is also provided for supplying an inflation gas into the enclosure. In operation, the object to be placed within the balloon is placed within the enclosure and a balloon mouth is stretched about the balloon opening. A user's arm is inserted through the access opening to grasp the object and move the object through the balloon opening and into the inflated balloon.

Abstract: A receptacle is provided for the collection and transport of empty beverage cans for return to the store for refund. It comprises a reusable bag loader and a standard paper grocery bag. The loader comprises a cluster of open ended tubes. It is insertable into the bag to receive cans in the predetermined formation of rows and columns of the tubes. It is removable from the bag while the cans remain in the bag for transport thereby to the store.

Abstract: An apparatus and method by which a single operator, at a single station, can pack pre-counted slugs of flat folded cartons, or trays, in one or more layers, in corrugated cases for discharge to a case taper several times faster than with manual packing by several operators. The "flats" are advanced in a longitudinal path on a secondary apron of a stacker, erect on one edge, pre-counted and divided into slugs, so that the single operator can slide each slug longitudinally past a one-way back stop onto a transfer table. The slug may be turned on its longitudinal axis by the operator for inspection and then compressed longitudinally by a ram against the back stop. The operator has already been presented with a single, flat, tubular case, from a stack of such cases, with the leading flaps folded back, and has manually erected the case and inserted it in a case gripper preferably poised above the table, thereby closing the minor bottom closure flaps.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process and apparatus for packing articles in bags, at a check-out desk of a self-service retail store, for example. It comprises, downstream of said check-out desk, a reserve of bags in the form of a stack of vertically stacked bags, with their side provided with handles and forming the opening, oriented upwardly, means for guiding a bag lying at the top of the stack, from an inactive position against the stack towards an active, open position, separated and detached from the stack, a conveyor lying from a zone plumb with said stack and terminating at an exit station, said conveyor allowing the bottom of the bag to rest thereon when the bag is full of articles introduced through its upper opening, said conveyor being associated with means for controlling its displacement and each face of a bag being connected to the opposite face of the adjacent bag by a detachable point of connection.

Abstract: The hermetic packaging apparatus comprises a nozzle for reducing pressure in a thermoplastic packaging bag containing certain contents, the nozzle reduces pressure in the packaging bag by the pressure control of the air pump and the water sucked from the contents is directed to a strainer tank. Thereafter, the nozzle moves backward, the opening of the packaging bag is heated by a heating element, and an airtight pressure connecting bar is pressured downward so that the opening portion is heat-sealed by the airtight pressure connecting bar and the sealing base.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing individual plastic handle bearing bags from a stack of bags and holding the dispensed bag in an open position for loading. The apparatus comprises a bottom support member and two spaced-apart, oppositely disposed upwardly projecting tab members such that the apparatus has an opening corresponding approximately to the size of the open bag it is designed to contain. The upwardly projecting elongated tabs are compatible in size with the open portion of the bag handles and each is adapted to engage a handle of the bag in such manner that the bag is held suspended within the apparatus.