Abstract: A series of pillows having about the same weight are formed with different heights by employing casings having a gusset between the top and bottom panels. Relatively narrow gussets produce casings having relatively small volumes, and relatively large gussets produce casings having relatively large volumes. For a given weight of fill material, the smaller the volume of the casing the higher the crown will be and the higher the overall height of the pillow will be. Pillows in the series having the greatest height can be formed with no gusset at all.

Abstract: A conveyor system for gripping and transporting plastic film is disclosed in the environment of a packaging machine and process for loading bags of a novel web of side connected bags. The web is fed through a bagger section by a pair of grooved main transport belts and a pair of lip transport belts each disposed in the groove of the associated main belt to trap bag lips in the grooves. Adjustable belt spreaders space reaches of the transport belts as they move through a load station whereby to sequentially open the bags into rectangular configurations. Alternate conveyor embodiments are also disclosed. The belts of each embodiment are constructed such that when force is applied to a gripped plastic film coaction of the film and belts causes the belt gripping of the film to tighten.

Abstract: A system for packaging thin products such as compact discs in plastic bags is disclosed. A CD dispenser is used in combination with a known but modified bagging machine. The modifications include an improved guide arrangement for guiding a gravity fed disc toward an open bag and a load station which includes a tunnel housing the open bag and of only slightly greater thickness dimension than the bag including the product to be packaged. As an end bag of a web of interconnected, preopened bags is fed into the tunnel, a flow of air is established behind the web to create a film of air spacing the back of the end bag from a wall of the tunnel. The flow of air also has the unexpected property of creating a venturi like effect to draw the end bag away from a front wall of the tunnel. A method of packaging thin objects such as compact discs is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is a modular system for packaging articles for shipment. In particular, a potted plant is sorted according to a grade, placed in a decorative cover, then automatically deposited into a protective sleeve. The potted plant thus packaged is ready for containment within a shipping carton. Various components of the system may be adapted for various packaging needs and circumstances.

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: The present invention is a modular system for packaging articles for shipment. In particular, a potted plant is sorted according to a grade, placed in a decorative cover, then automatically deposited into a protective sleeve. The potted plant thus packaged is ready for containment within a shipping carton. Various components of the system may be adapted for various packaging needs and circumstances.

Abstract: A process is described for filling an envelope of a cushion, a quilt, or the like, which envelope is essentially closed envelope with a closable filling opening, and having a filling material of individual aggregates, e.g. fiber aggregates, down, feathers, pieces of foam material. The reversibly compressible aggregates, which are in a separate filling material cartridge that has a far smaller volume than the maximum volume of the envelope and which are thus under high pressure, are introduced into the envelope through the opening along with at least a part of the filling material cartridge, whereupon the filling material cartridge is opened inside the envelope and the envelope is filled as the aggregates expand out from the filling material cartridge. This novel filling operation can be carried out by the specialty retailer or even by the end customer without additional special filling equipment.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming, filling and sealing a pre-formed bag has a top sheet and a bottom sheet. The bag has a leading edge seal, a trailing edge seal, a bottom edge seal and an open top edge with an upper portion extending therefrom. The apparatus includes a back plate, a slotted front plate disposed adjacent to the back plate. The slotted front plate and the back plate clamps a portion of the bag disposed below the top edge. The front and back plate extend from the trailing edge to the leading edge. A pair of gripping fingers clamp the leading edge and the trailing edge adjacent to and below the front plate. A pair of pins each have a distal end that moves from a first limit position to a second limit position. In the first limit position, the distal end of the pins are spaced from the bottom sheet. In the second limit position, the distal end of the pins penetrate through the bottom sheet and clamp the top sheet against the front plate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for providing a zippered bag in an open configuration to allow its filling with packages or other like items. The apparatus includes an automatic bag zipping feature, and is resettable by depression of a foot pedal by an operator. The bag is maintained in its "open" position by a pair of flaps, which when open tend to hold the bag mouth open, but when closed no longer interfere with the bag mouth, such that a pull arm can pull the bag mouth into a closed position, and a zip arm can zip the mouth closed. The zip and pull arms are transported by a weight falling under the influence of gravity, which can be reset manually by an operator.

Abstract: Described is a yarn packaging station and method. Yarn spools are fed to an inclined table where they slide down into a predetermined configuration. A moveable yarn bagging station is adjacent the inclined table and between the inclined table and a boxing station. The apparatus and method are designed such that a yarn spool can be bagged and boxed in one fluid movement of the human operator's arm.

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: An improved packaging machine that has improved features for feeding a web in the form of a continuous chain of bags through the machine while helping maintain the web in proper alignment and proper tension, and having additional features for improved loading of the bags. The improved web feed includes a dancer assembly equipped with a pair of nips that are driven at speeds responsive to the rate of web travel through the machine so that tension between a web supply and the dancer nips is isolated from the downstream portions of the web. A web feed mechanism which automatically threads the web through baggers is also provided. The web feed mechanism includes elastic belts which frictionally grip the web to isolate the tension in the section between the dancer nips and the belts from the tension of the web feed mechanism.

Abstract: Folded and tied newspapers are delivered in a stream to an infeed conveyor which moves the newspapers in succession toward an inserting station where a stack of flimsy plastic bags are waiting. Just prior to reaching the inserting station, the newspaper is gripped by high-speed accelerating rollers which fire the newspaper into the open mouth of the inflated top bag in the stack. High-speed ejector rollers then clamp onto the bagged newspaper and pull it off the holding wicket for movement on down the line. A special, transverse, bag supply shuttle has two separate bag holding zones along its length so that one zone containing an adequate supply of bags may be presented to the inserting station while the other, empty zone is restocked with a new supply. During shifting of the shuttle, the incoming stream of newspapers is diverted temporarily so that no newspapers are presented to the inserting station during manipulation of the shuttle.

Abstract: A bagging machine is disclosed having a frame including an upright section in the shape of an inverted "Y" mounted on the base and forming a forward part of the frame, a generally horizontal "Y" shaped section extending rearwardly from the upright section and, supports interposed between the base and the horizontal section. The frame defines a pair of web supply stations and supports a mirror image pair of load station assemblies each positioned to receive webs from an associated supply station. Each of the assemblies includes a backing plate and an air knife for delivering air to establish an air film between the plate and a web. An accumulator diverter is disclosed having an inlet and a pair of outlets each positioned above a respectively associated one of the load stations. The disclosure further includes a conveyor for supplying products to the diverter and the conveyer and diverter including coacting means to establish a time delay between the supply of one product and the supply of a successive product.

Abstract: A plant packaging system comprising a combination of a protective sleeve portion and a decorative cover portion having a base and skirt for packaging a potted plant or a covered potted plant. The protective sleeve can be detached from the decorative portion of the package system once the protective function of the sleeve has been completed, thereby exposing the decorative cover and allowing the skirt portion to extend angularly from the base. The protective sleeve and decorative cover components may comprise a unitary construction or may comprise separate components which are attached together by various bonding materials.

Abstract: A plant packaging system comprising a combination of a protective sleeve portion and a decorative cover portion having a base and skirt for packaging a potted plant. The protective sleeve can be detached from the decorative portion of the package system once the protective function of the sleeve has been completed, thereby exposing the decorative cover and allowing the skirt portion to extend angularly from the base. The protective sleeve and decorative cover components may comprise a unitary construction or may comprise separate components which are attached together by various bonding materials.

Abstract: A plant packaging system comprising a combination of a protective sleeve portion and a decorative cover portion having a base and skirt for packaging a potted plant. The protective sleeve can be detached from the decorative portion of the package system once the protective function of the sleeve has been completed, thereby exposing the decorative cover and allowing the skirt portion to extend angularly from the base. The protective sleeve and decorative cover components may comprise a unitary construction or may comprise separate components which are attached together by various bonding materials.

Abstract: A plant packaging system comprising a combination of a protective sleeve portion and a decorative cover portion having a base and skirt for packaging a potted plant. The protective sleeve can be detached from the decorative portion of the package system once the protective function of the sleeve has been completed, thereby exposing the decorative cover and allowing the skirt portion to extend angularly from the base. The protective sleeve and decorative cover components may comprise a unitary construction or may comprise separate components which are attached together by various bonding materials.

Abstract: The present invention is a modular system for packaging articles for shipment. In particular, a potted plant is sorted according to a grade, placed in a decorative cover, then automatically deposited into a protective sleeve. The potted plant thus packaged is ready for containment within a shipping carton. Various components of the system may be adapted for various packaging needs and circumstances.

Abstract: A method for wrapping a wrapper about a floral grouping wherein the wrapper is a sleeve or sheet of material having a cinching tab or strip of bonding material or both and a detaching means such as perforations for detaching a portion of the sleeve or sheet of material. The floral grouping is placed on the sheet of material which is wrapped thereabout, or the floral grouping is disposed in the interior space of the sleeve. The cinching tab is attached near one end of the sheet or sleeve. The cinching tab has a bonding material disposed thereon which, when the cinching tab is pulled tightly about the wrapper, causes the wrapper to be crimped and tightly bound about the stems of the floral grouping.

Abstract: A method for wrapping a wrapper about a floral grouping wherein the wrapper is a sleeve or sheet of material having a cinching tab or strip of bonding material or both and a detaching means such as perforations for detaching a portion of the sleeve or sheet of material. The floral grouping is placed on the sheet of material which is wrapped thereabout, or the floral grouping is disposed in the interior space of the sleeve. The cinching tab is attached near one end of the sheet or sleeve. The cinching tab has a bonding material disposed thereon which, when the cinching tab is pulled tightly about the wrapper, causes the wrapper to be crimped and tightly bound about the stems of the floral grouping.

Abstract: The present invention is a modular system and method for packaging articles for shipment. In particular, a potted plant is sorted according to a grade, placed in a decorative cover, then automatically deposited into a protective sleeve. The potted plant thus packaged is ready for containment within a shipping carton. Various components of the system may be adapted for various packaging needs and circumstances.

Abstract: An ice bagger comprises an ice maker, an ice bagging unit which includes an automatic sanitation system, and a merchandiser. The ice maker delivers particulate ice into a hopper housed within the ice bagging unit. The ice bagging unit includes a bag carrier which retrieves a bag from a bag supply and opens the bag underneath a delivery chute communicating with the hopper via an auger. A scale supports the bag during its filling to measure the weight of the ice delivered into the bag from the hopper. When the scale registers the desired amount of ice, the auger ceases to deliver ice from the hopper into the delivery chute. The ice bagging unit further includes a sealer arm and heating element wherein, after the bag is filled, the sealer arm pivots to detach the bag from the bag carrier and force both sides of the open end of the bag against the heating element. The heating element then activates to seal the bag closed.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for holding a collecting container (20) of low stiffness for collecting and packaging re-usable packages for filter tow, has erectable side parts (1) to (6), fastening strips (30) connected with the side parts (1 to 6) for fastening the collecting container (20) on the erected side parts (1 to 6); the side parts (1, 2, 6; 3, 4, 5) are divided into two groups (A) and (B) with the side parts (1, 2, 6) and (3, 4, 5) in each of the groups (A),(B) connected so as to be hinged, and the side parts (1, 2, 6) and (3, 4, 5) in the groups (A),(B) are connected so as to be hinged. The side parts (2, 3) and (5, 6) of the groups (A),(B) are foldable toward the outside away from the collecting container (20) so that the collecting container (20) can be removed from the apparatus (10) laterally or at the front face.

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 method of opening a bag includes the steps of providing a bag having a first lip and a second lip defining a substantially flat bag opening, the first lip being secured to adhesive strips for positioning the bag and the second lip having an extending portion extending beyond the first lip; and applying a force to the extending portion of the second lip of the bag so as to displace the second lip away from the first lip, thereby opening the bag opening.

Abstract: A shrink wrap packaging system has an ultrasonic side sealer. The ultrasonic side sealer contemporaneously slits and welds together at least two separate layers of shrink wrap film. The ultrasonic side sealer is useful in in-line shrink wrap packaging equipment in which a continuous side seal or weld is required to wrap shrink wrap completely around one or more packaged items.

Abstract: An article adapted for holding a liquid sample for quantification of biological material in the liquid sample. The article includes a bag having an upper surface sheet and a lower surface sheet enclosing a volume therebetween. The bag has an upper opening through which the liquid sample can be poured into the volume in the bag. The bag also has a plurality of partitions configured to separate one or more portions of adequate sample in the bag. Also provided is a passage through which a liquid sample can be distributed throughout the volume in the bag. The bag is made of material which can be caused to form discreet non-permeable compartments for holding separate aliquots of the liquid sample.

Abstract: A system for enclosing an article includes a packaging apparatus for enclosing an article in a pouch configured as part of a packaging structure having first and second ends and an opening for the pouch. The packaging apparatus includes a platform with front and rear sides and a support surface therebetween, a heat sealer and a framework for positioning the sealer forward of the platform with an open space therebetween and with an open area under the platform. In use, a bundle of packaging structures, joined at the first ends, is coupled with the platform rear side, and then extended under the support surface, around the rear side through the open space and onto the support surface with the pouch openings supported above the surface. An article is inserted in the topmost pouch through the opening which is then sealed by the sealer. Filled structures are suspended below the platform rear side until all of the pouches have been filled.

Abstract: A device for opening bags (12) held in fixtures (32) movable in an operation direction is disclosed including first and second suction cups (104, 106). The first suction cups (104) are mounted to an elongated bar (108) slideably mounted on posts (112) in turn upstanding from pivot arms (110). The elongated bar (108) can be slid on the posts (112) to an upper, transport position allowing passage of the fixtures (32) and bags (12) held therein. The second suction cups (106) are mounted to the lower ends of rods (114) mounted to a slide shaft (116), with sliding of the slide shaft (116) moving the rods (114) and suction cups (106) from a transport position intermediate the lanes of the fixtures (32) as they move in the operation direction and an attachment position in front of the bags (12). The slide shaft (116) and the rods (114) are tilted along an arc to open the unsealed ends (22) of the bags (12).

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for shrinking a shrink film cover covering a stack of goods and having a free edge thereof located beneath the stack bottom, which method and apparatus includes providing a shrink frame, movable vertically along the stack, for applying hot air to the shrink film cover to provide from below upwards thermal energy necessary for shrinkage of the shrink film cover, providing an arrangement for inflating the shrink film cover with hot air to form a space closed by the shrink film cover, with overpressure being maintained in the closed space until application of the thermal energy ends, and delivering hot air from the shrink frame to a lower region of the shrink film cover into a collecting compartment located beneath a stack bottom and, thereafter, from the collecting compartment into the space closed by the shrink film cover.

Abstract: An improved packaging machine that has improved features for feeding a web in the form of a continuous chain of bags through the machine while helping maintain the web in proper alignment and proper tension, and having additional features for improved loading of the bags. The improved web feed includes a dancer assembly equipped with a pair of nips that are driven at speeds responsive to the rate of web travel through the machine so that tension between a web supply and the dancer nips is isolated from the downstream portions of the web. A web feed mechanism which automatically threads the web through baggers is also provided. The web feed mechanism includes elastic belts which frictionally grip the web to isolate the tension in the section between the dancer nips and the belts from the tension of the web feed mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically folding an air bag to include a bubble fold, and for inserting the folded air bag into a retainer, the air bag having a first end coupled to the retainer and a second end. The apparatus includes a holding fixture for receiving and holding the retainer, a bag folding apparatus for folding the second end of the air bag and leaving a coupling portion coupling the second end to the first end, an inserter assembly for inserting the folded second end into the retainer, and a bubble blade for forming a bubble fold in the coupling portion, the bubble blade movable between a first position intermediate the holding fixture and the inserter assembly for overlying and contacting the coupling portion and a second position removed from intermediate the holding fixture and the inserter assembly.

Abstract: A method of loading disks includes first and second air-jet nozzles and a continuous flow of air. The first air jet nozzle is directed into the opening of the flexible bag to initiate opening the bag at a localized region. The continuous flow is designed to fully open the bag by taking advantage of the localized opening. The second air jet nozzle improves the reliability of the opening process by striking a surface of the flexible bag to overcome the continuous flow. Impinging the bag in this manner tends to remove any wrinkles at the opening, so that when the second jet is terminated the continuous flow fully opens the bag. Preferably, the second air jet flow is ionized, thereby neutralizing any static charge that is stored by the bag. Typically, the first and second air jet flows do not overlap in time.

Abstract: An apparatus for, and a method of, loading a meat product into a thermoplastic bag or casing is disclosed. Particularly, the present invention discloses an apparatus for, and method of, loading a meat product into a thermoplastic bag or casing such that the area used to produce a heat seal closure of the bag or casing is protected against contamination during the product loading process.

Abstract: A coil of an interconnected chain of open bags is provided in which the coil has a center opening having a diameter at least as great as the transverse dimension of the bags. A dispenser is provided on which a coil of bags is mounted. An end of the chain is pulled from the center opening and fed around a tapered mandrel and thence over a feed control mandrel oriented in angular relationship with the tapered mandrel. The web is then fed to a bagging machine for dispensing, loading and closing of the bags. The table on which the coil is mounted is rotatable so that the orientation of a span of bags running from the coil to the tapered mandrel remains substantially constant as the web is fed.

Abstract: A machine for making a package of food casing strands, wherein the package has a hexagonal-like cross section, comprising a product holder for initially holding a plurality of the strands in a configuration having a hexagonal-like cross section, wherein the holder has an opening therein for admitting the strands into the holder; means for transporting the strands to the holder and for depositing the strands into the opening; shaker means for shaking the holder at predetermined times to ensure that the plurality of strands settle into the holder in the configuration having a hexagonal-like cross section; means for measuring and cutting a predetermined amount of stretch film, where the stretch film is a closed loop used to encase the package of food casing strands; means for stretching and holding the stretch film into a shape of a polygon having a perimeter which is larger than the perimeter of the holder; means for moving the stretched film into a position proximate the holder; means for pushing all of the st

Abstract: A wicket of bags such that the bags are releasably secured to a header by release lines. Each bag has a front and back side, side edges, a bottom edge and inner and outer surfaces. The outer surface of the back side of a first bag is adjacent to the outer surface of the front side of the next succeeding bag. A sealed pocket is formed on the outer surface of the front side of a bag and is adapted to have an article encapsulated therein.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) is disclosed including fixtures (32) mounted to carrier bars (30) removably secured to roller chains (24) extending in parallelogram-shaped closed loops. In a first, vertical portion of the closed loops, bags (12) are loaded into the fixtures (32) in a folded condition by a loading device (50). Guides (274) prevent the bags (12) from moving from the fixtures (32) when the fixtures (32) move from the first, vertical portion to a second, horizontal portion. The bags (12) are opened by suction cups (104, 106) and filled with product and then collapsed and sealed in the horizontal portion. Guides (184) prevent the bags (12) from moving from the fixtures (32) when the fixtures (32) move from the second, horizontal portion to a third, vertical portion and bend the portions of the bags (12) extending out of the fixtures (32) at a nonlinear angle to the fixtures (32). The bags (12) are ejected from the fixtures (32) in the third, vertical portion by reciprocal pushing plates (172, 174).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating bagged materials. A bagging machine is equipped with feed tubes that feed a conduit through a bag filling tunnel of the machine and through the open end of the bag and into the bag. The conduit is perforated and when the bag is filled, the length of the conduits is extended out through the bag end to be connected to a treatment media, e.g., forced air. An opening is provided at the rear end to provide an exhaust opening for air that is forced into the conduit, out the perforations and through the bagged material. The air will dry the material to lower the moisture content or provide oxygen as may be desired to enhance decomposition. Water may also be introduced as desired.

Abstract: A compost bagging machine is described including a wheeled frame having a tunnel mounted thereon which is adapted to receive the opened mouth of a clear and transparent bag. The inside surface of the tunnel is provided with a plurality of spaced-apart flutes which create air channels in the material within the bag. An elongated perforated pipe is also positioned within the material in the bag and the bagging machine moves relative to the bag during the bagging operation. The presence of air in the channels created by the flutes and the air present in the perforated pipe ensures that sufficient air will be present in the mass to achieve complete decomposition of the material. The method of composting material within the clear and transparent bag is also disclosed.

Abstract: A machine is described comprising an arrangement of means for making-to-measure single sacks starting from a continuous tubular tape of heat-sealable plastic material, with simultaneous welding of the respective ends, for filling each of said sacks with the product in question, and for sealing the upper opening of each sack so filled, said arrangement being such as to allow translation of said sacks along a horizontal straight route, and said translation being arranged in such a way that in travelling said route a single time a first of said sacks, being empty, is taken to be filled and a second of said sacks, being full, is taken to have its mouth sealed.

Abstract: A method for loading and closing containers with flexible open ends employs a chute with an inflatable bladder at the open end, and an elastic closure device. A flexible open end of the container is placed around the end of the chute and the inflatable bladder. The elastic closure device is placed around the open end of the container. The bladder is inflated to secure the container to the chute. Material is delivered into the container through the chute. When a specified quantity of material is loaded into the container, the bladder is deflated causing the container to slide off the chute. When the container slides off the chute, the elastic closure device contracts and closes the flexible open end of container by constricting the size of the flexible open end of the container such that material will not fall out during shipment.

Abstract: An automated bagging system with a device that performs the dual functions of opening a bag and then supporting the bag as the bag is filled with a product. A supply of air is guided into a wicketed bag by a pivotable plate in a first position. After the plate guides the air into the bag, thus fully opening the bag, the plate moves into a second position. In this second position, the plate clamps a side of the bag opposite the wicket between the plate and a stop plate. The plate and the stop plate, in combination with a clamp on the wicket side of the bag, effectively keep the bag open after the initial supply of air ends to allow the bag to receive a dispensed product. Additionally, the plate, stop plate and clamp support the bag. This support prevents the bag from being torn away from the wicket from the force of the product on the sides and bottom of the bag as the product falls into the bag.

Abstract: A coil of an interconnected chain of open bags is provided in which the coil has a center opening having a diameter at least as great as the transverse dimension of the bags. A dispenser is provided on which a coil of bags is mounted. An end of the chain is pulled from the center opening and fed around a tapered mandrel and thence over a feed control mandrel oriented in angular relationship with the tapered mandrel. The web is then fed to a bagging machine for dispensing, loading and closing of the bags. The table on which the coil is mounted is rotatable so that the orientation of a span of bags running from the coil to the tapered mandrel remains substantially constant as the web is fed.

Abstract: A scooping and packaging assembly adapted to scoop up and package poop deposited on a surface by a pet animal on a surface so that one may then dispose of the poop. The assembly consists of a loop provided with a handle, a hand-held wand and a rectangular plastic-film bag whose dimensions are such that when the loop and wand are inserted into the bag through its open end, they are separated from each other to an extent permitting manipulation of the wand relative to the loop. In operating the assembly, the user, who in one hand grasps the handle of the loop, and in the other grasps the wand while holding onto the open end of the bag, advances the closed end of the bag along the surface toward the poop and manipulates the wand to push the poop onto the outside of the bag in the region within the confines of the loop, the poop depressing the region to form a pocket depending from the loop.

Abstract: A mechanism for skinning a membrane cover onto a polymeric foam vehicle seat body is provided which, in a preferred embodiment, includes a frame which can releasably hold front and rear ends of the cover in a generally horizontal orientation with an apex of the cover extending vertically downward, providing an opening in the cover for insertion of the seat body, a first reaction member moved by a first cylinder in a generally horizontal direction for compressing the seat cover and the seat body in a generally horizontal direction, and a bottom plate with side arms, the side arms having sheeting strip support surfaces, the bottom plate also having operatively associated sheeting strips having a first fixed end connected with the frame and a second free end placed over the sheeting strip support surface and into the cover before insertion of the seat body into the cover, and the bottom plate and side arms being connected with a pop-up cylinder for extending the seat body upward from the mechanism after insertio

Abstract: An agricultural feed bagging machine for bagging agricultural material into agricultural bags including a rearwardly extending tunnel having a rearward edge. A grader edge is mounted on the rearward end of the tunnel and protrudes into the tunnel for engagement with the material sliding along the inside surfaces of the tunnel so that the filled agricultural bag will have a substantially smooth outer surface.

Abstract: An improved packaging machine that has improved features for feeding a web in the form of a continuous chain of bags through the machine while helping maintain the web in proper alignment and proper tension, and having additional features for improved loading of the bags. The improved web feed includes a dancer assembly equipped with a pair of nips that are driven at speeds responsive to the rate of web travel through the machine so that tension between a web supply and the dancer nips is isolated from the downstream portions of the web. A web feed mechanism which automatically threads the web through baggers is also provided. The web feed mechanism includes elastic belts which frictionally grip the web to isolate the tension in the section between the dancer nips and the belts from the tension of the web feed mechanism.

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.