Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing and bagging decorative grass, such as Easter grass. The apparatus includes an extruder, a godet, a slitter, a cutter, a bagging assembly and a programmable logic controller. The extruder produces a continuous sheet of material, which is fed by the godet into the slitter and cutter. A thickness gauge is provided between the extruder and slitter to measure the thickness of the sheet of material. The slitter has a row of blades which slit the sheet into a continuous length of slitted material. The cutter includes a rotatable blade which transversely cuts the slitted material into a number of individual filaments. The sheet of material is urged through the slitter and cutter by the godet and an air flow produced by a blower. The blower then forces the filaments to the bagging assembly, which has a rotatable turret, an inserter and a bag handler. The turret has a number of magazines for receiving from the cutter and for discharging the filaments into bags.

Abstract: Apparatus that uses the burster method for positioning coupons from a continuous web at a predetermined time at a predetermined location for insertion is disclosed. Positioning roll means define a bight to receive the leading edge of a coupon and are driven by positioning drive means at a continuous predetermined speed. Feeding roll means located upstream of the positioning roll means in the excess of one coupon length are driven by intermittent feeding drive means at a speed substantially less than the speed of the positioning roll means. Controlling means actuate and deactuate the feeding drive means in response to timing means related to container position and coupon sensing means at a sensing position between the positioning roll means and the feeding roll means.

Abstract: A machine and method for making a strip of dome arrays on a backup strip, wherein the dome arrays include a plurality of domes in a predetermined non-linear pattern and in oriented relation to each other that are adhesively mounted on a dome seal. The machine comprises a punch press or stamping machine capable of simultaneously stamping a pattern of domes in non-linear arrangement and oriented relative to each other and depositing those domes onto the adhesive side of a dome seal strip. The machine also includes means for feeding dome seals to the stamping machine and also for kiss-cutting the dome seal while on the backup strip to define a plurality of successively arranged dome arrays.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) is disclosed including first and second forming rollers (18, 21) which rotatably abut with an anvil roller (20). The forming rollers (18, 21) each include a periphery forming a continuous forming surface including a plurality of axially and circumferentially spaced grooves (24) each formed as a continuous depression arranged in a serpentine and non-intersecting manner. Food (14) is simultaneously fed between a continuous strip of support material (16) and a continuous ribbon of film material (66) as they pass between a first abutment nip of the first forming roller (18) and the anvil roller (20). After extending partially around the periphery of the first forming roller (18), the materials (16, 66) and the food therebetween pass around an adjustable idler roller (70) to between a second abutment nip of the second forming roller (21) and the anvil roller (20).

Abstract: Apparatus (10) is disclosed including first and second forming rollers (18, 21) which rotatably abut with an anvil roller (20). The forming rollers (18, 21) each include a periphery forming a continuous forming surface including a plurality of axially and circumferentially spaced grooves (24) each formed as a continuous depression arranged in a serpentine and non-intersecting manner. Food (14) is simultaneously fed by a saddle (36, 36') between a continuous strip of support material (16) and a continuous ribbon of film material (66) as they pass between a first abutment nip of the first forming roller (18) and the anvil roller (20). In a preferred form, the saddle (36') is in the form of a block having first and second lower surfaces (118, 120) corresponding to the shape and located adjacent the first forming roller (18) and the anvil roller (20) in their mating side (32).

Abstract: A bandolier (20) of serially connected premium items (18) are fed by a vacuum conveyor (26) to a rotary cutter (14), with the bandolier (20) being sandwiched against the vacuum conveyor (26) by an overhead conveyor (32). The shaft (40) of the rotary cutter (14) is rotated by a servo-motor (42) such that its blade (46) engages the bandolier (20) with a linear speed which cuts the initial item (18) from the bandolier (20) and pushes and accelerates the cut item (18) into a carton (52) moving in a carton path (53). The linear speed of the bandolier (20) in the feed path (27) is tied to the linear speed of the cartons (52) in the carton path (53) while rotation of the shaft (40) is controlled by an optical sensor (38) which senses movement of the bandolier (20) by the vacuum conveyor (26).

Abstract: An apparatus for compressing and containing a material in an elastomeric net(26). The apparatus comprises a compression chamber(12), a material compressor(16), a holding chamber(18), a net expansion and placement mechanism (42), and a bale advance mechanism (20). The material compressor is coupled to the compression chamber to compress a selected amount of the fibrous material in a direction transverse to the general lay of the material within the compression chamber to form a compacted bale (10). The holding chamber has an outlet and an inlet coupled to the compression chamber. The holding chamber also has an axis defined by a line extending between the center of the inlet to the center of the outlet. The net expansion and placement mechanism is for receiving the net, stretching the net to obtain a cross-sectional shape that is slightly larger than that of the holding chamber, and placing the net over the holding chamber with one end of the net slightly extending beyond the outlet.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming an Easter grass bag from a sheet of material. The apparatus includes a mold having side walls and a bottom defining a mold opening. The side walls and bottom of the mold have vacuum holes connected to a vacuum source. A sheet of material is placed over the mold opening and the vacuum draws the sheet of material into the mold opening and against the side walls and bottom of the mold to form the sheet of material into an Easter grass bag. The mold may be a split mold to facilitate removal of the bag from the mold.

Abstract: A reproducible and reliable method for packaging food which may include an automatic temperature control system. The film is sealed to the tray at a first location spaced inwardly from the peripheral edge of the tray. The film is then severed. At appropriate times, excess heat may be removed from the inside of the sealing and severing apparatus. The upper housing of the severing apparatus may have a cooling vent which is automatically operated to exchange the hot atmosphere which is collected in the upper part of the chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of conveying, slicing and packaging half loaves, starting from whole bread loaves. The loaves, which are conveyed perpendicularly to their longitudinal direction, are sliced in halves by a band slicer arranged in the path of conveyance, and one half from each loaf is turned 180.degree. about an axis extending perpendicularly to the plane of conveyance of the loaves, and the halves of each loaf are positioned one behind the other, are sliced into slices and are packaged in bags. The half to be turned is accelerated in forward direction and is brought in front of the other half from the respective loaf during turning. The invention also relates to an apparatus including a turn table to turn said half.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing and bagging decorative grass, such as Easter grass. The apparatus includes an extruder, a godet, a slitter, a cutter, a bagging assembly and a programmable logic controller. The extruder produces a continuous sheet of material, which is fed by the godet into the slitter and cutter. A thickness gauge is provided between the extruder and slitter to measure the thickness of the sheet of material. The slitter has a row of blades which slit the sheet into a continuous length of slitted material. The cutter includes a rotatable blade which transversely cuts the slitted material into a number of individual filaments. The sheet of material is urged through the slitter and cutter by the godet and an air flow produced by a blower. The blower then forces the filaments to the bagging assembly, which has a rotatable turret, an inserter and a bag handler. The turret has a number of magazines for receiving from the cutter and for discharging the filaments into bags.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are providing for shredding and loading pre-portioned quantities of products, typically food products such as cheeses. The food product or the like is shredded at an on-line location which is a component of a filling and sealing line by which a plurality of pockets of packaging components are filled and then sealed under vacuum or gas-flushed conditions. The resulting pre-portioned shredded or grated product is moved into one of the pockets of the packaging component prior to the sealing operation. This movement is coordinated and in timed sequence with a conveyor assembly which properly positions the pocket under the fixture through which the grated product flows. Tamping equipment can be provided by which the grated product is leveled off while it is within the pocket and prior to sealing. Multiple pocket filling is also addressed.

Abstract: A filling material for use in filling hollow spaces in packaging or the like comprising one or more pieces of flexible paper material. The paper material has a plurality of individual slits formed in parallel spaced rows extending transversely from one end of the paper material to the opposing end of the paper material. The slits in adjacent alternate rows are positioned adjacent the interval space between adjacent slits in the adjacent parallel row of slits. The flexible paper material is expandable by extending the opposing ends of the paper material which are parallel to the rows of slits whereby the slits form an array of openings, each opening being generally hexagonal in shape and of the same size. The length and width of the flexible filling paper material can be varied. The construction of the flexible paper filling material provides it to be easily stored in the non-expandable position and easily expanded for use in filling hollow spaces in packaging.

Abstract: A method of forming thermal insulation comprising forming recycled cotton fibers into a relatively loose mass, impregnating the cotton fibers with a liquid fire retardant, drying the impregnated cotton fibers, mixing the impregnated cotton fibers with the dry granules of fire retardant while causing the granules to adhere to the cotton fibers, blending the cotton fibers with synthetic springy fibers and with bi-component bonding fibers having core components and sheath components, forming the blended fibers into a composite web of predetermined thickness to provide a desired insulation value, heating the composite web to soften the sheath components of the bi-component fibers to cause the same to bond the fibers together into a bonded composite web, slitting the bonded composite web longitudinally into narrower strips of a predetermined width corresponding to the widths of individual batts of insulation, severing the strips into predetermined lengths to form individual batts, and packaging the individual batt

Abstract: A plurality of interconnected envelope blanks are formed from an envelope web of paper. Die cut windows are also formed in each envelope blank of the interconnected web and transparent window patches are adhesively secured over the die cut window. A plurality of inserts from insert webs of paper are formed and may be variably imaged. The inserts are collected and disposed on the interconnected envelope blanks with address information registering through the window. The interconnected blanks and web form with inserts applied are severed to form discrete envelope blanks and later folded and glued to form complete mailers.

Abstract: A packaging machine including packaging apparatus to form fill and seal a chain of connected packages, a cutting station to separate the packages, means to operate the forming, filling and sealing apparatus and cutting apparatus so as to cut more packages than are formed, filled and sealed during a given time period.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for a photo-sensitive film magazine packed in a container is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of (a) assembling a photosensitive film magazine in a photosensitive film magazine assembly section (b) feeding successively the photosensitive film magazine to a container accommodation section from said photosensitive film magazine assembly section through a predetermined passage and (c) setting the photosensitive film magazine into a photosensitive film magazine container in the container accommodation section.

Abstract: A sequence of H sheets of notes, for example 100 sheets, is first of all checked for misprints, and the note positions having misprints of each sheet are stored in a computer. The sheets of this sequence then pass a numbering machine (4), which has freely programmable numbering units, which are controlled by the computer. In this case, the numbering takes place in such a way that all the satisfactory note prints within the sequence of sheets, excluding the misprints, receive a consecutive sequence of numbers, the sequence of numbers of H notes in one and the same note position being the continuation of the sequence of numbers of the H notes in a neighboring note position. The next sequence of H sheets receives the subsequent sequence of numbers.

Abstract: Apparatus that uses the burster method for positioning coupons from a continuous web at a predetermined time at a predetermined location for insertion is disclosed. A positioning roll pair defines a bight to receive the leading edge of a coupon and are driven by a positioning drive at a continuous predetermined speed. Feeding rolls located upstream of the positioning roll pair in the excess of one coupon length are driven by an intermittent feeding drive at a speed substantially less than the speed of the positioning roll pair. Controlling mechanisms actuate and deactuate the feeding drive in response to a timing mechanism related to container position and a coupon sensing mechanism at a sensing position between the positioning roll pair and the feeding rolls.

Abstract: An apparatus for compressing and containing a material in an elastomeric net (26). The apparatus comprises a compression chamber (12), a material compressor (16), a holding chamber (18), a net expansion and placement mechanism (42), and a bale advance mechanism (20). The material compressor is coupled to the compression chamber to compress a selected amount of the fibrous material in a direction transverse to the general lay of the material within the compression chamber to form a compacted bale (10). The holding chamber has an outlet and an inlet coupled to the compression chamber. The holding chamber also has an axis defined by a line extending between the center of the inlet to the center of the outlet. The net expansion and placement mechanism is for receiving the net, stretching the net to obtain a cross-sectional shape that is slightly larger than that of the holding chamber, and placing the net over the holding chamber with one end of the net slightly extending beyond the outlet.

Abstract: A stuffed mailing envelope is formed from webs of paper. A plurality of insert sheets are constructed from webs of insert paper by variably imaging the insert webs, and then intelligently aligning them and cutting them into aligned sheets, and then folding the aligned sheets to produce a formed insert. A plurality of interconnected envelope blanks are formed from an envelope web of paper, and a plurality of insert sheets (including the formed insert) are collected and placed on each of the envelope blanks while they are interconnected in web form. Then, while conveying the interconnected envelope blanks in web form, the blanks are severed from each other and are formed around the inserts to produce a final mailing envelope containing a plurality of insert sheets. The envelope blank typically has two parallel minor flaps and two parallel major flaps.

Abstract: An expanded cushioning material for packing or packaging is in the form of a filled cylinder. The cylinder is formed from a spiral of an essentially flexible, extended sheet material. The flexible material, in its unexpanded form, has a plurality of spaced parallel rows of individual slits extending transversely from one end of the sheet material to the opposing end of the sheet material. Each of the rows have interval spaces between consecutive slits. The slits in each row are positioned adjacent the interval space between consecutive slits in the adjacent parallel row of slits. The sheet is expanded by extending the sheet in the direction normal to the parallel to the rows of slits to form an array of openings, generally similar in shape and size. The cells include inclined land areas and legs. The land areas of adjacent spiral layers are nested and interlocked and fill the interior of the cylinder.

Abstract: A band applicator for applying a band about a sheet of material disposed about a pot to provide a decorative cover for the pot. The band applicator includes a pot frame having a pot opening and a band holder configured to releasably hold a plurality of bands. The sheet of material is extended about the outer peripheral surface of the pot, and the pot with the sheet of material disposed thereabout is disposed in a pot receiving space in the pot frame. The pot frame holds the sheet of material positioned about the pot. A band is removed from the band holder and disposed about the sheet of material and pot for cooperating to hold the sheet of material positioned about the pot.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the automated and large scale preparation of layered stacks of one or more food items such as sandwich meats, hors d'oeuvre servings and the like ("set-ups"). The apparatus conveys a continuous web of paper through a plurality of slicer stations, each slicer station providing one or more slices of one or more food items to sequentially form set-ups of two or more stacked layers of horizontally spaced food slices. The apparatus is synchronized so that each sliced layer is conveyed to a subsequent slicer station before the next layer of food slices is deposited directly on top of that previous layer. The set-up is formed with two or more stacked layers of food slices before being conveyed to a cutter/wrapping station where the paper web is cut to separate the finished set-ups which are then wrapped by folding a portion of the cut paper over the finished set-up.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) is disclosed including a series of equally spaced air jets (36) in the center plate (18) of a channel (14). An end cover plate (22) and a cover (48) close the channel (14) to form a tunnel having infeed and outfeed ends. In the most preferred form, the air jets (36) are wedge-shaped depressions formed in the center plate (18) having semicircular end walls (38) including apertures (42) in fluid communication with a compressed air enclosure (44) secured to the center plate (18). The free end of a continuous strip of coupon items is inserted into the infeed end where it is under the control of the air flow created by the air jets (36) within the tunnel. A coupon item is then cut from the continuous strip and travels under the control of the air flow within the tunnel and through the outfeed end thereof. In a preferred form, the end cover plate (22) is arcuately shaped outward and downward to direct the coupon item into a hopper (32) which later receives the ready-to-eat food product.

Abstract: In a process for further handling sausages in a sausage string, the sausages are servered from the sausage string at a cutting point. This cutting point is assigned a sensor. The length of the sausage is established ahead of the cutting point by means of the sensor and the point in time of the acting of a cutting element is determined thereby.

Abstract: An apparatus for compressing and containing a material in an elastomeric net(26). The apparatus comprises a compression chamber(12), a material compressor(16), a holding chamber(18), a net expansion and placement mechanism (42), and a bale advance mechanism (20). The material compressor is coupled to the compression chamber to compress a selected amount of the fibrous material in a direction transverse to the general lay of the material within the compression chamber to form a compacted bale (10). The holding chamber has an outlet and an inlet coupled to the compression chamber. The holding chamber also has an axis defined by a line extending between the center of the inlet to the center of the outlet. The net expansion and placement mechanism is for receiving the net, stretching the net to obtain a cross-sectional shape that is slightly larger than that of the holding chamber, and placing the net over the holding chamber with one end of the net slightly extending beyond the outlet.

Abstract: A packaging machine including packaging apparatus to form a chain of connected packages, a cutting station to separate the packages having a controllable variable speed drive, an accumulator between the packaging apparatus and cutting station to accumulate the chain of packages, and control means to vary the speed of operation of the cutting station in response to the accumulation in the accumulator. The accumulator in its preferred form is a conveyor. A unique control device is provided which receives the completed package chain and delivers it for further processing.

Abstract: A method of cutting pieces of an extruded substance and depositing the pieces on individual wrapping sheets which are being conveyed in the same direction and at the same velocity as the extruded substance is disclosed. The wrapping sheets are fed in an overlapped fashion to the point where the cut off extruded piece is placed onto a wrapping sheet and the conveyor under the sheet onto which the cut piece is being placed is accelerated so that the sheet is disengaged from the overlap with the succeeding sheet immediately before the next cut piece is to be placed onto the next following sheet. An apparatus is disclosed with means necessary for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A method of unitizing a cargo of multiple substantially identical high density hay bales into multiple non-palletized units capable of being handled by a forklift truck or the like and fitted into shipping containers and utility vehicle cargo spaces comprises the steps of selecting a plurality of substantially identical high density bales of hay, arranging the plurality of bales of hay into selected size stacks of at least one layer of multiple horizontal rows, and wrapping multiple layers of an elongated continuous sheet of pre-stretched polymeric film having a memory horizontally around the plurality of bales of hay.

Abstract: A system for handling of cheese in the green state particularly directed for handling natural cheese types such as cheddar and colby in a manner so that they can be conveniently sub-divided and individually packaged, on the same day of manufacturing, into a variety of finished consumer and cheese market sized portions. The system includes the handling of green cheese immediately as it is formed through the processes of batch or continuous cheese making equipment and cheese towers to provide, preferably, 40 to 45 or other selected pound blocks of green cheese. The cheese blocks are immediately handled after forming to eliminate the normally utilized bulk block aging or curing systems. The green cheese blocks are selectively handled and may be placed into temporary bulk block pouches and packaged for future handling or are directed to trimming and cutting devices which will trim and cut the blocks into the consumer, market size units.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing a plurality of tires having a threaded portion, a rim portion and two sidewall portions, said method comprising the following steps; peripherally slicing each of said tires in two half tires along said threaded portion about midway between said sidewall portions; performing radial incisions in each of said two half tires, said incisions extending through said threaded portion and part of said sidewall portion; stacking up said half tires one on top of the other in order to form a pile of half tires; compressing said pile longitudinally in order to flatten said half tires one over the other; whereby, said radial incisions allow the threaded portion of each half tire to lie in the same plane as the sidewalls of the same half tire without warping when said half tire is compressed into a flattened condition.

Abstract: A method and package for packaging and preserving a sliced cored whole fruit (10) together with a complementary food (18). The whole fruit is prepared by coring to define an elongate central passage (12) and slicing the whole fruit into a plurality of radially symmetric segments (14). The segments are assembled in the shape of a whole fruit around a moisture impermeable inner container (16) containing the complementary food. The inner container has approximately the same outer dimensions as the inner dimensions of the central passage so that the inner container essentially fills and displaces the majority of the air from the central passage. The assembled fruit segments and filled inner container are then sealed within an outer container (20).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the automated and large scale preparation of layered stacks of one or more food items such as sandwich meats, hors d'oeuvre servings and the like ("set-ups"). The apparatus conveys a continuous web of paper through a plurality of slicer stations, each slicer station providing one or more slices of one or more food items to sequentially form set-ups of two or more stacked layers of horizontally spaced food slices. The apparatus is synchronized so that each sliced layer is conveyed to a subsequent slicer station before the next layer of food slices is deposited directly on top of that previous layer. The set-up is formed with two or more stacked layers of food slices before being conveyed to a cutter/wrapping station where the paper web is cut to separate the finished set-ups which are then wrapped by folding a portion of the cut paper over the finished set-up.

Abstract: The invention resides in winder for automatically winding sections of sheet material to form separate tubes. The winder comprises a base, a supply of sheet material and a material drive means on the base for advancing sheet material from the supply towards a station on the base located remotely thereof. A winding means is located at the station for winding a section of the sheet material about itself and about a rotational axis such that the involved section of sheet material is substantially wound in a tubular condition. A cutting means is provided and is located between the drive means and the second rotational axis for cutting the sheet material transversely of its length at points therealong corresponding to the end one section and the beginning of the next successive section to be advanced to the station.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selective high-speed insertion of sheets from a plurality of webs into envelopes provides a mechanism for folding and inserting sheets into preformed envelopes. Preformed envelopes are provided for folding and inserting from a source that may be a roll. A plurality of sheets are fed for folding and inserting into an envelopes. A leading sheet from each of the webs is selectively driven and cut at a collection point for folding and inserting. The selecting of sheets for feeding and cutting may be accomplished by means of a CPU that may include a bar code detection system disposed along each of the webs. A system for widening the openings of envelopes to facilitate insertion of contents may also be included. This system may comprise a strip along each of the envelopes is a stream that includes a folded section within each opening or may comprise tabs disposed along an opening side of each envelope.

Abstract: The apparatus and method relates to an automatic dispenser for dispensing portions of a product such as ice cream from a supply comprising a coiled tubular casing in which the ice cream is encased. The end of the casing is fed into the apparatus and, as the apparatus operates, moves through to the exit. The casing with its encased ice cream is pulled through the apparatus and pinched at uniform intervals by a first pinching mechanism following which utilizing a second pinching mechanism, the casing with its encased ice cream is further pinched to a thickness of only the casing at the same uniform intervals. The casing with the encased ice cream is then drawn past a cutting device which opens the casing so that a portion defined by sequential pinched segments is dispensed and the casing removed by a scrap spool mechanism.

Abstract: A film transparency severed from a photographic film web is inserted into a slide mount to prepare a photographic slide. The present invention relates to an "in-plane" film pusher for inserting a severed film transparency into a slide mount. The apparatus includes a pusher assembly having a movable pusher support and a pusher with a front grooved surface designed to engage a trailing edge of the film transparency. The pusher is alternately supported by the movable pusher support between a retracted position below a film plane and an engaging position aligned with the film plane. In operation, the pusher is moved to the engaging position to engage the trailing edge of the film transparency and then is advanced with the movable pusher support toward the slide mount to push the film transparency into the slide mount.

Abstract: Improved dunnage made from spiral coils of paper that are recyclable and biodegradable, or from other thin, flexible, resilient strips. The coils are cylindrical or cylindrical with a transverse fold, and are randomly oriented in a container to provide cushioning for packaged articles. The coils are formed at the time of use by modifying the material used to cause it to coil and forming strips from the material. This eliminates the need for storage of bulky dunnage. Paper used to form the coils is stretched to cause it to coil. Apparatus concurrently forms plural coils from a web.

Abstract: Jamming or wrinkling of inserts in a pocketed letter with an imaged insert may be avoided by a method of making a business form that includes the steps of providing a first ply (60) including a plurality of longitudinally spaced window forming die cuts (30,64), providing a second ply (72) which is narrower than the first ply (60) and having a plurality of longitudinally spaced variable information receiving spaces (36), one for each die cut (30), die cutting (at 78) the second ply (72) at locations corresponding to individual form lengths and transversely of the length of the ply (72), providing a third ply (80) having a width slightly greater than the second ply (72) and substantially less than the first ply (80), collating the plies (60,72,80) (at 88) such that the information receiving spaces (36) align with a corresponding one of the windows (30) and adhering with glue (40,42,48) the first and third plies together, and thereafter transversely cutting the plies (92) to form individual form lengths.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling two cylindrical canning containers with cylindrically compacted and shaped tuna chunks. The apparatus has a flared compression channel for relieving excessive compression in the compacted tuna chunks, a movable shaping wall for controlling the density of the tuna chunks by changing the volume of the channel, and a movable blade between two semi-cylindrical cavities in the shaping wall for splitting the relieved compacted tuna chunks into two streams which then flow easily into the cavities for forming semi-cylindrical ends prior to cutting the formed ends into cylindrical cakes for injection into the canning containers.

Abstract: A tubular shirred formation (34) is covered by a previously shirred tubular net (38), which is held ready on a supply drum (36), with one end (42) closed and, with axial insertion, the tubular shirred formation (34) is covered, and then the other end is closed off. To simplify the device and to avoid an axial expansion of the tubular shirred formation (34) before packing, its axial insertion into the closed tubular net (38) and the covering of the tubular shirred formation take place while the tubular shirred formation is still seated on the shirring tube (16). Before covering the tubular shirred formation (34) is compressed further by pushing its front end against a stop (64) which is fixed in the axial direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for advancing a photographic film web for operation in a semi-automatic or automatic slide mounter. The apparatus advances the film for operation across a knife assembly to position the film with upper and lower knife blades of the knife assembly to sever a film transparency from the photographic film web to prepare a photographic slide. The apparatus includes a shuttle bridging mechanism for supporting the film, movable between a retracted position, out of alignment with the knife blades and an advanced position, extending across a support gap defined at the upper and lower knife blades. The shuttle bridging mechanism is advanced during operation to the advanced position and the film is advanced until a trailing edge of a leading film transparency aligns with the upper and lower knife blades.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of sorting and bundling flowers, comprising hanging the flowers separately in individual flower supporting members circulating in a first closed path; as they are traversing the path, designating the flowers as to at least one characteristic, such as stem length; depending on the designated characteristic, transferring the flowers to second flower supporting members circulating in a second path; grouping the flowers into groups of a limited number of flowers; and collecting and bundling a series of groups into a bunch. The individual flower supporting members are moved adjacent a transfer point from a transport position into a transfer position in a tract substantially perpendicular to the first path, while during transfer the second flower supporting members are held stationary and oriented in the direction of movement of the individual flower supporting members. The invention further relates to apparatus for applying this method.

Abstract: A method for packaging bacon is provided such that individual slices are made suitable to be cooked in a microwave oven. In accordance with this invention, immediately after slicing bacon from a pork belly, the individual bacon slices are frozen. The individual slices are then wrapped in a microwaveable sheet of material, and thereafter the individual wrapped slices are assembled together in a package suitable for sale.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for printing and collating multiple webs of materials, particularly for use in creating personalized direct mail materials, are disclosed. The invention includes a single, highly flexible press having components capable of being driven at unequal speeds to account for different sizes of insert materials and their associated envelopes. Operating a single press in this manner reduces the amount of waste web material which otherwise would be present. The press similarly includes novel collating and inserting apparatus whereby each outgoing envelope is effectively formed around the "insertable" materials. Control mechanisms and verification systems associated with the press additionally maintain any personalized materials in registration, permitting a single press to produce the entire direct mail piece from multiple webs with minimal waste.

Abstract: A method of unitizing a cargo of multiple substantially identical high density hay bales into a non-palletized unit capable of being handled by a fork lift truck or the like comprises the steps of selecting a plurality of substantially identical high density bales of hay, arranging the plurality of bales of hay into at least one layer of multiple horizontal rows, and wrapping multiple layers of an elongated continuous sheet of pre-stretched polymeric film having a memory horizontally around the plurality of bales of hay.

Abstract: Method to prepare a leading edge of a photographic film for framing, the leading edge (13) of the photographic film (11) being sheared at an angle (18) to the direction of feed (15) of the film (11) in a frame (12).Device to frame a photographic film (11) in frames (12), which employs the above method and comprises an assembly able to shear at an angle (18) the leading edge (13) of the photographic film (11).Photographic film (11) prepared with the above device and comprising a leading edge (13) sheared at an angle (18) to the direction of feed (15) within the frame (12).

Abstract: Apparatus that uses the burster method for positioning coupons from a continuous web at a predetermined time at a predetermined location for insertion is disclosed. Positioning roll mechanism define a bight to receive the leading edge of a coupon and are driven by positioning drive mechanism at a continuous predetermined speed. Feeding roll means located upstream of the positioning roll mechanism in the excess of one coupon length are driven by intermittent feeding drive means at a speed substantially less than the speed of the positioning roll means. Controlling mechanism actuates and deactuates the feeding drive means in response to timing mechanism related to container position and coupon sensing mechanism at a sensing position between the positioning roll mechanism and the feeding roll mechanism.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus and method for cutting a long roll of photographic prints into individual sheets, and for collating and packaging of those sheets. An automatic print cutter separates a long roll of photographic paper into sheets based on the location of a series of registration marks on the roll. Those photographs which are to be packaged together are collected and are transported by conveyor to a collating station where additional printed materials and packaging may be added to the batch. The batch of photographs and other materials is then conveyed to a packaging station, where the batch is inserted into a flexible bag for further handling. A printer associated with the packaging station prints information regarding the batch on the exterior of the package.