Abstract: A particulate aerosol dissemination device comprising a shreddable belt is disclosed. The belt has a plurality of individual cells aligned along the belt length and which extend across the belt width. The cells are separated by partitions extending between the cells across the belt width. The cells are capable of holding a solid aerosol filler comprising any one of the following: obscurant or smoke generating materials; pesticides; insecticides; fungicides; riot control agents; fertilizer; and feed. A method for disseminating a solid particle aerosol using the belt and a process for manufacturing the aerosol belt segments is also disclosed.

Abstract: The bagging apparatus comprises a frame defining an opening for receiving bundles to be sheathed, bag retaining hook members mounted to the frame and displaceable between a retracted position for receiving an expandable sheath and an extended position where the sheath is stretched for allowing bundles to be introduced into the sheath through the upstream open ended portion thereof. Advancement mechanisms are provided for displacing the bundles through the bagging apparatus. A sealing unit located on a downstream side of the frame is operational for wrapping bundles into individual hermetic bags taken from the sheath. A loading arm may also be provided for installing the sheath onto the bag retaining hook members.

Abstract: A fill-through-the-top reclosable package includes first and second opposing body panels joined to each other along a pair of sides and a bottom bridging the pair of sides. The package is provided with a reclosable fastener extending along a package top disposed opposite the bottom. The fastener includes first and second opposing tracks. The first track includes a male profile, while the second track includes a female profile adapted to releasably interlock with the male profile. To provide tamper evidence, the first and second tracks may be joined to each other along an area of weakness. When making the package, the first track is first attached to the first panel, the package is filled with a product via a fill opening between the second track and the second panel, and then the second track is attached to the second panel.

Abstract: A bag filling machine of the type having a discharge spout with clamps to hold a bag mouth on the spout is disclosed as incorporating gusset pleat gripping assemblies on opposite sides of the spout. Each of those assemblies has a pair of cooperatively actuable gusset gripping members operable between open and closed positions to selectively and independently grip each of the two gusset pleats on opposite sides of a gusseted bag and to pull those pleats apart to fully open positions. This increases the effective, material-receiving area of the bag mouth as it is opened with the opening of the spout to dispense granular material into the bag. A gusset tucker is also utilized on each side of the discharge spout in cooperative juxtaposition to the gusset pleat gripping assemblies. The gusset tuckers are moved inwardly towards each other and towards the bag to engage in the fold between the two gusset pleats on each side of the bag as the bag top is flattened to a closed position after being filled on a spout.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for collecting and disposing of waste (1), in particular household rubbish. Waste is separately collected and sorted at the place at which it is produced in plastic bags (3a, 3b, 3c) provided with appropriate distinguishing markings (2a, 2b, 2c) in accordance with recycling criteria. Portions of waste (4) are packaged by closing and vacuum-sealing the plastic bags, and the closed and vacuum-sealed bags that contain the various types of waste are placed together at random into at least one common garbage container (5) and transported to a central collecting point where the plastic bags are sorted according to their markings for final disposal and/or recycling.

Abstract: A method for covering a pot means, the cover is a flattened sleeve comprising a base portion tapered and sized to fit a pot and having an upper portion which is detachable and having drainage means in the bottom. The cover may be bondingly connected or crimped about the pot means.

Abstract: In a device for aligning objects, particularly sausages (1), which are fed for instance to a packaging device (7), at least two elements (14, 15) moving opposite each other are arranged approximately parallel to each other. They leave between them a space (16, 17) through which the objects (1) can drop.

Abstract: A bag-loading machine and a bag-filling machine and combination thereof, the bag-loading machine including bag-carrying frame, a first motor coupled to the bag-carrying frame for moving it between a lower and a higher position, a bag-opening frame, a second motor for moving the bag-opening frame between an away position an a toward position wherein it pulls the front side of a bag away from the rear side while the bag-carrying frame is in its lower position, a blower mounted on the bag-carrying frame for maintaining the front side of the bag away from the rear side, the bag-filling machine including a second blower for blowing the bag to a fully opened position preceding the movement of first and second closed pads on a conveyor trough over the fully opened bag, the first motor thereafter moving the bag-carrying frame to its upper position so that the first and second closed pads are received within the open mouth of the bag, a third motor on the conveyor trough thereafter moving the first pad to clamp the fr

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for wrapping contaminant or non-contaminant waste resulting from the medical treatment of humans or animals, as well as household waste. The device shown in FIG. 1 consists of a housing (1) used as a frame supporting a dispenser (2) for a heat-sealable plastic sleeve (3) forming a receptacle in which the waste may be deposited, a driving mechanism (4) for moving the sleeve, a heat-sealing mechanism (5), and a removable storage receptacle (6). The device is characterized in that the size of the wrapping may be selectively adapted to that of the waste objects. The device is useful for confining waste in wrappings that are impervious to volatile fumes, odours and liquids regardless of the position of the wrappings during storage and transport.

Abstract: An improved agricultural feed bagging machine for loading feedstock into expandable storage bags. The bagging machine has a double-tapered tunnel for deploying a folded bag, stretching the bag and then releasing the stretched bag about feed that is simultaneously being compacted and extruded within the tunnel towards and out an open end of the tunnel. The machine also includes a hopper disposed adjacent the tunnel forward end and communicating with the tunnel through a feed opening oriented in a wall defining the forward end of the tunnel. The machine also includes a rotor element for propelling feed stock from the hopper though the feed opening into the tunnel and a secured bag, the rotor element having a rotor rotatable about a horizontal axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of covering a stack formed of articles supported on a support pallet with a stretch film, with the apparatus including at least four reefing fingers movable in horizontal and vertical directions for picking up a film cover in four corners of the cover in a bellow-like manner, and four rigid stretching elements associated with respective reefing fingers, with the method including moving the reefing fingers horizontally into four corner regions of the cover and placing the cover around the reefing fingers in a bellows-like manner, moving, before an end of the placing process, the stretching elements radially outwardly and above the respective associated reefing fingers and moving the stretching elements, after reefing and before start of a pull-over process, inward in a direction toward the stack until the stretching elements are located closer to the stack than the respective reefing fingers, moving the reefing fingers away from the stack and thereafter, pulling the cover over the

Abstract: The invention relates to a web (20) comprising mutually sequentially disposed package blanks (26) and an arrangement for opening and closing the package blanks. The web has longitudinal first and second edges and a first wall (21a) opposite a second wall (21b). Transverse slits (27) are disposed at the side closures of the package blanks. Each respective wall along the second edge is provided with retainers which guide edge portions of the web when the web is displaced along mechanical devices. The walls (21a, b) of each package blank are provided with a longitudinal slit (29a). The slit (29a) in the first wall extends from the slit (27) at one side closure of the package blank, and the slit in the second wall extends from the slit at the second side closure of the package blank.

Abstract: A method for covering a pot means, the cover is a flattened sleeve comprising a base portion sized to fit a pot and having an upper portion which is detachable leaving an upper edge and a closed bottom in the base, the base having drainage means therein. The cover may be bondingly connected to or crimped about the pot means.

Abstract: A wrapper for an article includes a sheet of wrapping material folded to form a flat sleeve with an out-turned seam formed by edge portions of the sleeve extending along the center of one side of the sleeve. The edge portions are secured together at the ends of the sleeve and the sides of the sleeve are secured together along a line or lines which define, in a central region of the sleeve, the periphery of an enclosure. The enclosure can be opened by separating the edges of the seam in the central region of the sleeve to receive an article and then be closed together and the end portions of the sleeve wrapped around the article contained in the central region of the sleeve. A method is also described.

Abstract: A method for packaging specialty lighting strings and elongated items of narrow width, especially useful for specialty light strings which contain large, bulky decorative light covers or complicated patterns such as icicle lights. Scarves, decorative garland, ties, and lawn ornaments may also be packaged effectively. Items are passed through a cylinder of rigid material on which a quantity of thin plastic tubing is compressed. Once the item emerges out the end of the cylinder, the beginning of the plastic tubing is secured to the end of the item with a twist tie. The end is then grasped and the item is pulled completely through the cylinder. As it comes through, it is encased in the plastic tubing which unravels from the cylinder. Once through, the end of the item is secured to the tubing with a twist tie and the tubing is cut. Thus a completely packaged item which may be stored dust and tangle free.

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 of opening a bag mounted on a tape includes the steps of providing a bag including a first panel, a second panel, a first bag edge, a second bag edge, a bag bottom, and a bag mouth; gripping the bag between a first means for vacuumizing and a second means for vacuumizing; and moving the first and second means for vacuumizing such that the bag disengages from the tape, and the bag mouth opens. The first and second means for vacuumizing are activated before or during the gripping step, or after these means have been moved, but before the bag mouth opens. An apparatus for transporting a bag, and loading a bag, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A sealing machine and process for sealing loaded bags of a novel web of side connected bags are disclosed. The web is fed through the sealer by a pair of grooved main transport belts. A holding belt is disposed in the groove of an associated main belt and extends into the groove of the other main belt as the belts move through the seal station. Processes of transporting and sealing side connected bags are also disclosed.

Abstract: The method for wrapping a steel coil applies to wrapping a coiled material, particularly sheets of steel, aluminum and other metals which have been wound into a coil, in paper or a polymeric packaging material which contains a volatile corrosion inhibitor for storage or transport. The wrapper includes a cover piece, folded and sealed along one side, leaving two open sides, and a base piece. The base piece is placed on a pallet and the coil is placed on the base with the coil's axis of rotation perpendicular to the pallet. The base is secured to the coil and the coil is secured to the pallet with straps. The cover is placed over the coil with an open side traversing the width of the coil. A first edge of the open side is secured to the coil by adhesive tape, and the second edge is wrapped around the coil to overlap the first edge and also secured by tape. The two peaked corners of the cover are folded down over the top of the cover and secured by adhesive tape.

Abstract: A flexible fabric container having stiffening webbing attached to the outside thereof. At least one bottom flap is releasably attached to the bottom and is attached to the container by a quick release buckle that has a free portion, not attached to the container, to allow free movement of the quick release buckle upon actuation to release the bottom flap and allow the container to discharge the contents thereof.

Abstract: An agricultural bagging machine is disclosed which includes a plurality of density control bars positioned within the tunnel of the machine. The density control bars are selectively pivotally moveable to the path of the silage being compacted in the bag so that the desired density of the silage is achieved.

Abstract: A packaging system (10) for tube stock continuous film media (20). The system forms a bag, fills the bag with product, and seals the bag. A floating platen (30) is used to separate the two layers of the tube stock continuous film media during processing. The system is suitable with a wide variety of different types of media, and forms an aesthetically pleasing package.

Abstract: A method of packaging a block product includes providing an opened tubular bag having a bag mouth, and a bag bottom; positioning the bag for loading; provided a block product; positioning the block product on a product platform; engaging the trailing edge of the block product with a protrusion, said protrusion mounted on a conveyor belt; and advancing the conveyor belt, with the protrusion mounted thereon, thereby advancing the block product toward the mouth of the bag, such that the momentum of the block product forces the block product to enter the bag and strike the bag bottom, and such that the protrusion mounted on the conveyor disengages from the trailing edge of the block product before the block product strikes the bag bottom. An apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of covering a pot means, the cover is a flattened sleeve which comprises a base portion sized to fit a pot and may have a non-linear upper edge defining a skirt and having a bottom having drainage means therein. The cover may be bondingly connected to or crimped about the pot means.

Abstract: System and method for packing loose fill materials in bags to form cushions for use in protecting articles in shipping cartons. The bags are produced from a length of flexible plastic tubing which is gathered or bunched to form a coil which is disposed about the outlet of a loose fill dispenser. A section of the tubing is pulled from the coil, and its lower end is closed to form a bag which is then filled with loose fill material dispensed through the outlet. Another section of tubing is then pulled from the coil, and the tubing is drawn together to close the upper end of the first section and the lower end of the second section. The closed ends are secured with tape, and the tubing is severed to separate the first section from the second. The cushions thus formed are placed in the shipping cartons with the articles, and in some embodiments are compressed and reexpanded in conformance with the contour of the articles.

Abstract: An agricultural bagging machine is disclosed which includes a plurality of density control bars positioned within the tunnel of the machine. The density control bars are selectively pivotally moveable to the path of the silage being compacted in the bag so that the desired density of the silage is achieved.

Abstract: A compact disc (CD) dispenser mounted on a bagging machine is disclosed. The dispenser includes turret and transfer assemblies. The turret assembly includes an indexing system to sequentially and one at a time position mandrels carrying CD disc sets at a dispensing location. The transfer assembly includes a pair of pickup heads driven by the rotary actuator. The pickup heads are adapted sequentially and one at a time to remove discs from a set positioned at the dispensing location and after 180.degree. rotation of the fluid actuator, drop a picked up disc into a waiting bag in the bagging machine.

Abstract: A method and trash bag assembly for collecting fallen leaves, lawn clippings, and trash when doing yard work and filling a trash bag with such material.

Abstract: An improved agricultural feed bagging machine for loading feedstock into expandable storage bags. The bagging machine has a double-tapered tunnel for deploying a folded bag, stretching the bag and then releasing the stretched bag about feed that is simultaneously being compacted and extruded within the tunnel towards and out an open end of the tunnel. The machine also includes a hopper disposed adjacent the tunnel forward end and communicating with the tunnel through a feed opening oriented in a wall defining the forward end of the tunnel. The machine also includes a rotor element for propelling feed stock from the hopper though the feed opening into the tunnel and a secured bag, the rotor element having a rotor rotatable about a horizontal axis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing recloseable plastic bags with engageable mating profiles where the bags are provided open for the consumer. The profiles are initially provided in the fully engaged condition within an elongate, longitudinally cut tube. The profiles are then periodically fused, tacked, or attached together at the approximate locations where the tube is to be cut into bags. Upon tacking, the profiles are pulled apart by frictionally engaging an area on the outside of the film, near the profiles, and between the tacks. The film is then forced away from the profiles, which at least partially pulls one profile from the other. Thereafter, the tube may be cut and sealed into bags as would otherwise normally occur.

Abstract: Method for bagging plurality of compressible absorbent articles which are arranged in parallel, one beside the other. The bag has an approximately rectangular base, a front side, a rear side, two narrow sides, and an upper side and is closed on all sides. The bag also has a line of weakness which marks an opening for the individual removal of the articles. The height of the bag is greater than the depth of the bag, the line of weakness extends, midway along the bag, from the longitudinal center of the upper side, toward the base, about half way down the front side of the bag. The base has a downwardly directed supporting band. The absorbent articles do not exerting sufficient pressure on any of the sides of the bag filled with said articles to cause the opening to gape open. The opening can be formed by bending the bag to open the line of weakness, and it closes after removal of the product when the bag is replaced on its supporting edge.

Abstract: A method of opening a bag includes the steps of providing a bag including a first panel, a second panel, a first bag edge, a second bag edge, a bag bottom, and a bag mouth; holding the bag mouth between a first means for vacuumizing and a second means for vacuumizing; moving the first and second means for vacuumizing such that the bag mouth disengages from the tape; activating the first and second means for vacuumizing to draw a vacuum through said means; and further moving the first means for vacuumizing such that the bag mouth opens. In an alternative method, instead of holding the bag mouth with the vacuumizing means, the vacuumizing means can be brought into close proximity to the bag mouth, and activated to draw each panel of the bag mouth to a respective vacuumizing means. Thereafter, both vacuumizing means can be moved upward, and the bag mouth opened. An apparatus for opening a bag is also disclosed.

Abstract: System and method for packing loose fill materials in bags to form cushions for use in protecting articles in shipping cartons. The bags are produced from a length of flexible plastic tubing which is folded and gathered to form a coil which is disposed about the outlet of a loose fill dispenser. A section of the tubing is pulled from the coil, and its lower end is closed to form a bag which is then filled with loose fill material dispensed through the outlet. Another section of tubing is then pulled from the coil, and the tubing is drawn together to close the upper end of the first section and the lower end of the second section. The closed ends are secured with tape, and the tubing is severed to separate the first section from the second. The cushions thus formed are placed in the shipping cartons with the articles, and in some embodiments are compressed and reexpanded in conformance with the contour of the articles.

Abstract: A method for covering a pot means, the cover is a flattened sleeve comprising a base portion sized to fit a pot and having an upper portion which is detachable leaving a non-linear upper edge and a closed bottom in the base. The cover may be bondingly connected to or crimped about the pot means.

Abstract: A method and a machine for automatically bagging articles in a bag and in a sequential and uninterrupted manner. A plurality of articles are continuously fed to the machine and received in two or three compartments, herein three compartments. Once the third article is received in the third compartment, all three articles are discharged within a bag held under the machine. A control circuit, after a predetermined time delay actuates an article support element which is caused to enter into the third compartment or the first compartment depending on the sequence of loading the machine whereby to support a fourth article entering the third compartment due to the fact that the bottom end of all compartments is open. The feeding device is uninterrupted and continues to feed articles to the machine regardless if the bottom discharge gate is open and the sequence is automatically reversed, back and forth, between the first and third and third and first compartments.

Abstract: A bag suitable for use in microwave cooking is constructed of an elongated tube of flexible material closed at one end by means of a cold seal closure and having a heat seal adhesive deposit applied to the other end thereof for use in closing the bag after filling thereof; and methods of making the same are described, including the making of a roll from which said bags can be made.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuously counting, stacking, and packaging relatively rigid and stackable articles, such as frozen meat patties, is provided. The apparatus includes a bottom stacker for stacking stackable articles in a column, a stack mover for moving the stack of articles to a packaging station, and a packager for packaging the stack of articles. The packager can provide an open plastic bag without injecting air.

Abstract: An automatic bag opening apparatus for sequentially opening at least one bag, preferably a mesh bag, comprising a frame, a wicket for holding the bag wherein the mesh bag adjacent the forward end of the wicket is the outermost mesh bag, a first clamp disposed adjacent the forward end of the wicket, an air dam slidably mounted to the frame, an opener clamp slidably mounted to the frame, and a nozzle or other means for directing a pressurized fluid through at least a portion of the first, or outer, side of the outermost mesh bag adjacent its open end and onto the air dam. In operation, the first clamp is positioned in contact with the outermost mesh bag, the air dam is located adjacent the open end of the first side of the outermost mesh bag the pressurized fluid is directed through a portion of the open end of the first side of the outermost mesh bag adjacent its open end and onto the air dam, which causes the portion of the mesh bag through which the pressurized fluid is directed to move towards the air dam.

Abstract: A method for covering a pot means, the cover is a flattened sleeve comprising a base portion sized to fit a pot and having an upper portion which is detachable leaving an upper edge and a closed bottom in the base. The cover may be bondingly connected to or crimped about the pot means.

Abstract: System and method for packing loose fill materials in bags to form cushions for use in protecting articles in shipping cartons. The bags are produced from a length of flexible plastic tubing which is gathered or bunched to form a coil which is disposed about the outlet of a loose fill dispenser. A section of the tubing is pulled from the coil, and its lower end is closed to form a bag which is then filled with loose fill material dispensed through the outlet. Another section of tubing is then pulled from the coil, and the tubing is drawn together to close the upper end of the first section and the lower end of the second section. The closed ends are secured with tape, and the tubing is severed to separate the first section from the second. The cushions thus formed are placed in the shipping cartons with the articles, and in some embodiments are compressed and reexpanded in conformance with the contour of the articles.

Abstract: A vending machine includes a refrigeration compartment, an oven compartment, structure for transferring a food product from the refrigeration compartment to the oven compartment, and structure for transferring the food product from the oven compartment to a user of the vending machine. The vending machine provides automated handling and cooking of packaged food products that enables a hot cooked food to be delivered to a customer in a cool package sleeve. The vending machine also includes a system for inventory control that enables vertical storage of packaged food products while minimizing crushing of packaged food products at the bottom of a stack. A magazine empty indicator automatically indicates when an inventory magazine is empty. An oven door latch mechanism eliminates the possibility that the oven can be operated while the oven door is open.

Abstract: A sand bagging system is adapted to fill and seal a multiplicity of sand bags in a rapid fashion. Bags are extracted from a cassette of interconnected bags, positioned at a charge station. At the charging station, a charge of bulk material is collected and discharged into the bag, which is subsequently closed and discharged. The sand bagging system is particularly adapted to be used during emergency flooding situations.

Abstract: A method for wrapping a floral grouping or flower pot or both wherein a sheet of material constructed of paper and having a pattern embossed thereon and a printed pattern in register with the embossed pattern printed on the embossed pattern is wrapped about at least a portion of the floral grouping or the flower pot or both. The sheet of material may be provided in the form of a pad of a plurality of sheets of material or a roll wherein the sheets of material are separated from the roll of material.

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 packaging machine and process for loading bags of a novel web of side connected bags are disclosed. 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. A closure section in the form of a novel and improved heat sealer is releasably connectable to the bagger section. The sections are adjustable together between horizontal and vertical orientations. Processes of opening, closing and sealing side connected bags are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for covering a pot means, the cover is a flattened sleeve comprising a base portion tapered and sized to fit a pot and having an upper portion which is detachable and having a closed bottom. The cover may be bondingly connected or crimped about the pot means.

Abstract: A method of covering a pot means, the cover is a flattened sleeve which comprises a base portion sized to fit a pot and may have a non-linear upper edge defining a skirt and having a closed bottom. The cover may be bondingly connected to or crimped about the pot means.

Abstract: A combination comprising a bunch of tomatoes on-the-vine contained in a closed wrapping is provided for retail sale to a consumer. The tomatoes are wrapped without detaching each tomato from a common stem and a bunch of at least about 3 substantially ripe tomatoes are kept together. The wrapping advantageously has a cone shape and air openings to accommodate the bunch of tomatoes on-the-vine. The tomatoes are shipped from the grower to the consumer without damage from handling during packing and transportation using the present wrapping and shipping boxes having a bulb-like, cushioning layer of material simulating a lower layer of tomatoes.

Abstract: A newspaper recycling disposal system that stacks and bundles used newspapers while eliminating need for using ties to tie the used newspapers to form bundles wherein the bundles are compatible with pulping processes used for recycling the used newspapers at paper mills, by virtue of eliminating the ties that are incompatible, and thereby eliminating contaminates which require labor and time to remove which reduces the value of the used newspapers that have been bundled. The system includes a generally circular-cylindrically-shaped container, a replaceable and circular-cylindrically-shaped rigid sleeve, and a circular-cylindrically-shaped mesh bag. The replaceable and circular-cylindrically-shaped rigid sleeve sits replaceably in the generally circular-cylindrically-shaped container and has the used newspapers stackable therein and has an open and circular-shaped top that forms an open mouth that receives the used newspapers.

Abstract: A process for obtaining packets full of products by means of a continuous tube of net, which comprises placing the net about a tubular means, pulling the top end of the net upwards and carrying it up to a certain height above the tubular means, expanding the portion of conveyed net sideways, pinching and closing the lower end of the net portion and shearing such portion, detaching it from the rest of the tubular net, filling the formed container and closing its top mouth.