Abstract: A movable retaining wall is used in a first position in a compression baler to retain a compressed mass, such as microfibers, and is then moved to a second position into an opening in a wall of a packaging chamber filling the opening such that a gap between the edges of the interior surface of the retaining wall and the edges of the opening is too small to allow the compressed material to enter the gap when it passes through the packaging chamber and past the gap. To accomplish this requires the use of hidden hinges to guide the retaining wall as it moves from the first position to the second position and back to the first position. The hidden hinges allow the retaining wall to move essentially straight out of the opening in the wall of the packaging chamber before it begins to pivot towards the second position, thus allowing the tight fit.

Abstract: Packing apparatus on a conveyor line for use in filling cartons with compressible articles comprises first and second tamping pistons (4,6) operating in sequence in a chamber (2) to successively compress the articles and drive them through a chute (2a) into a carton (C). A planar shutter (32) is provided at the bottom of the chute (2a) to close it between carton-filling operations. The chute and carton are separated by only the shutter so as to minimize the gap between them and also to facilitate the extension of the driving piston (6) into the container to pack the articles more firmly therein. The shutter rotates on a vertical axis offset from the chute with its lower face contacting the cartons and moves generally in the direction of advance of the carton along the conveyor line.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compressing and packaging compressible materials. The compression is carried out continuously between parallel plates which come closer to each other as they advance. As the plates advance, the materials are accompanied by a lower packaging film and an upper packaging film which are joined at the sides of the compressed materials at the end of compression.

Abstract: An apparatus for packing articles contains successively in a conveying direction a feed station, where the articles to be packed are fed into the installation, a station for opening the pack and a station for sealing the filled pack. The two stations, optionally also a compressing station, are successively located on rails, to which they can be fixed in random positions. Consequently it is possible to modify the mutual spacings of the stations and the absolute positions of the stations. This makes it possible to adapt the apparatus to different pack sizes, different articles to be packed and further differing circumstances, whilst still allowing short conveying paths.

Abstract: A system for forming and packaging a bulk of loose particulate material. The system utilizes a compression tower for initial deposit of the loose particular material therein with the bottom floor of said tower being presented by a belt of a conveyor system. A ram within the tower compresses the loose material into a bulk form atop the conveyor belt. Subsequent to compression, the conveyor system is vertically displaced so that the formed material bulk can be conveyed to an horizontally adjacent conveyor for downstream conveyance to a space formed between downstream upper and lower conveyor assemblies. A sheet of packaging material spans the upper and lower conveyor assemblies such that the material bulk is directed through the sheet and enveloped thereby. The system diminishes the dislodgement of the particulate material from the bulk subsequent to its formation and transports and avoids the expenses of utilizing separately formed packaging bags.

Abstract: An apparatus for packaging mattresses and including a furling drum having a roll-forming chamber defined by a plurality of circumferentially arranged rotatable rollers located downstream of a substantially nozzle-shaped feeding area of the drum, with the rollers having a surface pattern defined by a plurality of circumferentially spaced from each other mattress-engaging elements providing for rolling of a mattress into a roll and enabling movement of the mattress in an axial direction; and a forming tube provided downstream of the furling drum for wrapping the rolled mattress, with the forming tube having a diameter greater than a diameter of the furling drum.

Abstract: A multicomponent filling apparatus for filling a first kind and a second kind of lumped products such as salad leaves into a container comprises a collecting container having a first portion receiving the first salad type and a second portion separated from the first portion by a partition wall for receiving the second salad type. A portion comprises at least one hinged base which forms the bottom and may swing downwards into an open position, a partition wall disposed above the hinged base for forming a first hinged base portion for the first product type and a second hinged base portion for the second product type.

Abstract: A method of building and stretch wrapping loads of layers of load units that includes the steps of providing at least one layer of load units in a load building and wrapping area, applying horizontal compression to the at least one layer, subsequently applying vertical compression to the at least one layer while applying the horizontal compression, releasing the horizontal compression while retaining the vertical compression, rotating the at least one layer relative to a packaging material dispenser to apply packaging material around the at least one layer while retaining the vertical compression, and releasing the vertical compression.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel apparatus and methods for inserting and positioning a compressible material into a container and for using the container for detecting a specific environmental parameter or combination of parameters, or for determining the effectiveness of a sterilization procedure. Precise positioning of a plug of compressible material in a container has been discovered to provide flexibility necessary for production of indicator systems that vary in their response to sterilizing conditions to reflect the efficacy of sterilizers based on different modes of sterilization and reproduceability necessary for accurate monitoring of each mode. The invention also relates to test indicators containing controlled volumes of compressed, gas-permeable materials and to methods for using test indicators for determining the efficacy of different types of sterilization processes. The test indicator consists of a plurality of interactive enzymes in a container with at least one opening.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for filling with high accuracy a finely divided powdered medicament having a particle size smaller than 10 .mu.m into cavities having a size corresponding to the volume of powder to be filled, wherein said device comprises oscillating and rotating means for breaking down aggregates formed in the finely divided powdered medicament and filling and for compacting it in said cavities. The invention also includes a method of filling with high accuracy of a finely divided powdered medicament having a particle size smaller than 10 .mu.m and to fill said finely divided powdered medicament into cavities, wherein the finely divided powdered medicament is transported and compacted in said cavities by oscillating and rotating means.

Abstract: A machine for compacting organic material such as silage and inserting the compacted material into an elongate elastic bag. A rotor positioned at an inlet of a tunnel propels and compacts the material. A barrier positioned in the tunnel strategic to the rotor restricts the flow of material directly into the bag. The barrier forces the material to flow through the barrier and upwardly over the barrier to insure complete filling of the bag. The barrier may be immovable or may be arranged to be pivoted to alter the resistance to the material flow.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for introducing compressible packs, especially bundles (10) or bundle groups (16, 17) comprised of small packs (11) of paper tissues into a carton (15). Articles or packs or pack groups of cellulose products are difficult to handle from the point of view of packaging technology. For the introduction into a carton (15) open at the top, bundle groups (16, 17) consisting of a multitude of small packs (11) of paper tissues are mechanically compressed, especially into a V-shaped form, then grasped on the top side by a lifting head (23) with suction holders (24 to 27) and held by suction. The lifting head (23) conveys a complete layer of bundle groups (16, 17) into the carton (15) from above, the compressed, reduced formation of the bundles (10) being maintained until they are deposited in the carton (15).

Abstract: An adjustable, beveled press plate is provided on an agricultural bagging machine rearwardly of the rotor thereof. There vertical adjustablity of the press plate enables the machine operator to more precisely control the density of the material being packed in an agricultural bag.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the transportation and storage of compressible items in a compressed state, the apparatus comprising a lower member featuring a horizontal floor; an upper member featuring a horizontal roof, the upper member being slideably connected to the lower member; a platform between the floor and roof that is slideably connected to the upper and lower member; a rotational expulsion mechanism attached to the lower member, upper member, and platform; and an attachment point, said attachment point facilitating the connection of the apparatus to a vehicle. Compressible items may be loaded onto the platform, after which the platform is raised so that compressible items may be loaded between the floor and platform. The roof may then be lowered, compressing both those items between the roof and platform and those items between the platform and floor.

Abstract: A method of packaging compressible insulation material includes feeding insulation material into contact with a mandrel, rolling up the insulation material on the mandrel to form an insulation roll, applying pressure on the insulation material, during the rolling of the insulation material, with a pair of opposed belts which are adapted to contact the roll being formed with an increasing area of contact as the diameter of the roll increases, and increasing tension on the belts as the diameter of the roll increases in order to maintain a substantially constant pressure on the insulation material.

Abstract: Machine for arranging a plurality bales of hay into a compressed, contoured stack to be covered with protective plastic. The machine has top and side pressure plates which engage a stack of bales and compress the stack while convexly contouring the periphery.

Abstract: Levelling method realized by the simultaneous action of an abutment device and a retaining device for the product, rotating at variable speed in a periodic manner. The abutment device eliminates the end projections of the elements of the long shaped pasta, while the retaining device holds the single long shaped pasta elements firmly in their position, acting from above. The rotational speed varies during levelling, from a value equal to that of the transport collector for the product, so that the devices may be introduced in the collector, to a slowed down value, lasting for a longer time, where the soft contact between the levelling devices and the levelling product occurs.

Abstract: Between a machine that manufactures bags of variable volume containing cohesionless material (exemplified by tea bags), and a packing machine which packs the bags as stacks, an indexing rotor with pockets in its outer periphery acts, in cooperation with a loading mechanism and an unloading mechanism at respective angularly distributed stations, at which each bag is respectively oriented bottom down and bottom up, to tend to redistribute the cohesionless material away from each bag bottom and to cause individual bags to be generally equally thick relative to one another.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of compacting a plurality of flat, stacked, non-woven cotton and cotton blend articles from a normal size to a greatly reduced size to form a package of such articles that saves exterior packaging, shipping, handling and warehouse costs. The pressure and time dwell are selected to compact the stacked articles to the extent necessary to cause the desired size reduction, but not sufficient to either damage the articles or compact them to the degree that a liquid or other means is required to recover them from their compacted to their original size.

Abstract: The device described here is for manufacturing a stack of cup-shaped containers coaxially inserted inside another, each with a side wall, on one end of which a base is arranged, and on the other end a flange (1), wherein the container is composed of a flexible material and the flange (1) is substantially stiffer than the side wall and the base.

Abstract: A method is provided for banding copper cathodes which is efficient and cost effective using a system comprising stacking the cathodes, moving the stacked cathodes on a conveyor belt, weighing the stack, identifying the stack by a bar code or other identification means, pressing the stack to align the cathodes, banding the stack and then removing the banded stack from the system. A control system is also provided whereby predetermined stack and method parameters are compared with stack data obtained by weighing the cathode stack and/or reading a bar code or other identifying indicia associated with the stack to control the system and operate the method.

Abstract: An automatic packaging machine is adapted to insert a plurality of layers of product into a carton. In a preferred embodiment, the product is carried in an X-Y tray which is able to expand or to contract in width and to raise or lower, thereby giving two dimensional geometrical adjustments. A first layer of product is loaded into the X-Y tray. Then the tray is lowered and a second layer is placed over the first layer. The process is repeated for any number of layers. Thereafter, the stack of layers is pushed into a carton.

Abstract: A density control cable is provided on an agricultural bagging machine for engagement with the material being bagged as the material is forced past the density control means into the bag being filled with agricultural material. A beveled press plate is provided on the bagging machine frame rearwardly of the rotor on the bagging machine for forcing the agricultural material upwardly, rearwardly and outwardly as the material passes thereby. A hydraulic cylinder is operatively connected to the density control cable to enable the width of the loop of the cable to be selectively varied.

Abstract: A method of compacting a bill from a flat state into a pleated and wound state for position the bill in a cavity of an associated closure includes providing a bill in a substantially flat state and pleating the bill in a first direction to provide a series of substantially similar pleats. The pleated bill is compacted to set the pleats therein and at least partially wound into a generally circular configuration. The wound bill is positioned within the cavity of the associated closure. An apparatus for compacting and winding the bill and positioning the bill in the closure cavity includes a pleating station for pleating the bill in a predetermined configuration and a compacting station for compacting the pleated bill into a compacted state. The apparatus further includes a winding station having a winding member adapted to engage the compacted bill and to wind the bill into a generally circular orientation.

Abstract: A folded air bag retaining apparatus for retaining a folded air bag coupled to a reaction plate in a folded configuration during the positioning of a cover. The apparatus including a holding fixture for supporting the reaction plate and the folded air bag coupled to the reaction plate, in a position to receive the enclosing cover, and a flexible band for retaining the folded air bag in a folded configuration until after the enclosing cover is positioned to enclose the folded air bag and the enclosing cover is coupled to the reaction plate.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for folding an inflatable cushion having an end portion and a main body portion and inserting the folded cushion into a cover. The apparatus comprises folding structure for creating folds in the main body portion to form a folded cushion. The folding structure including first folding apparatus adapted to create a first fold in the main body portion to form a partially folded cushion, and accordion folding apparatus adapted to create a plurality of accordion folds in the partially folded cushion which are generally transverse to the first fold to form the folded cushion. Further included is apparatus for supporting a cover into which the folded cushion is inserted. The folding structure further serves to insert the folded cushion into the cover.

Abstract: An integrated and automated case packing device and method is disclosed. The device and method uses multiple stations to: separate a flattened case from a supply of such cases, detect whether the case in an A or B-type case, open the case according to the type of case, place a predetermined number of imbricated articles into a group standing on edge, move that group under the erected case, place the case over the stationary group, close the flaps to the case, and move the case downstream to a case invertor.

Abstract: An apparatus for folding a fibrous insulation batt having a length and a width is disclosed. The batt has first and second sections, where each section is approximately one half the length of the batt. The apparatus comprises a lower conveyor for conveying folded batts in a first direction, and an upper conveyor which is positioned above the lower conveyor and move in the first direction to define a folded batt exit path. The apparatus further comprises a folding member for folding the insulation batt, where the folding member is adapted to contact the batt across its width. The folding member is mounted for movement to initially push the batt in a second direction, and then subsequently push the batt in the first direction, thereby pushing the batt along the folded batt exit path. The movement of the folding member folds the batt so that the first section of the folded batt is generally parallel to and contacting the second section.

Abstract: A compression apparatus for compressing livestock feed comprises a hopper for receiving the feed; a precompression assembly precompressing the feed; a first compression chamber coupled to the hopper to receive the precompressed feed therefrom; a first ram movable along a longitudinal axis of the first compression chamber and having a first pusher plate for pushing the precompressed feed along the longitudinal axis of the first compression chamber to produce a compressed block of mixed feed product; and a second, reduced volume compression chamber operatively connected to the first compression chamber at a distal end of the first compression chamber for receiving compressed feed pushed from the first compression chamber by the first pusher plate. The first pusher plate defines one side of the second compression chamber when the first ram is fully extended and the second compression chamber has an opening at one end thereof for discharging the compressed feed.

Abstract: Biased plungers and vent bars are used with an apparatus for introducing filler material into containers. The biased plungers and vent bars cooperate to vent gas that builds up below filler material as it is being introduced from a measuring chamber into an underlying container. In a preferred embodiment, the biased plungers and vent bars share a common elliptical path, which serves to define the relative vertical displacement of the individual elements. The vent bar precedes the filler material into the underlying container and provides a passageway for gas to escape the container as the filler material is introduced thereto.

Abstract: A bagging machine for inserting semi-compressible articles into preformed bags having a product loading arm vertically and horizontally mounted to the bag loading surface of a frame that can be programmed to move downwardly to engage a plurality of articles to be bagged and move them horizontally into an opened bag for subsequent removal to a remote location. A suction device engages a bag to positively open the bag to receive the compressed articles. A hold-down device also functions to direct the packaged articles downwardly and into a position for movement to a remote location. The bagging machine can be joined with a compactor and programmed to automatically receive compacted pluralities of articles for subsequent bagging. The compactor and bagging machine become fully automatic when a displacing device is associated with the compactor to move the compressed articles to the bag loading surface.

Abstract: A density control cable is provided on an agricultural bagging machine for engagement with the material being bagged as the material is forced past the density control means into the bag being filled with agricultural material. A beveled press plate is provided on the bagging machine frame rearwardly of the rotor on the bagging machine for forcing the agricultural material upwardly, rearwardly and outwardly as the material passes thereby. A hydraulic cylinder is operatively connected to the density control cable to enable the width of the loop of the cable to be selectively varied.

Abstract: A method of automatically folding an air bag having an end coupled to a retainer and an opposed distal end including flattening and narrowing the bag, providing first and second upright blade assemblies each having individually movable blades between a normal position and an interdigitated position. The bag is positioned between the blade assemblies with the retainer held and the distal end allowed to gradually move toward the retainer. Undulating folds are formed in the bag between the retainer and the distal end by moving a blade of the first assembly into a raised position, moving a blade of the second assembly into a lowered position, and alternately and individually moving each remaining blade into a raised and lowered positions, respectively, while allowing the distal end of the bag to gradually move toward the retainer as each undulating fold is formed.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for introducing compressible packs, especially bundles (10) or bundle groups (16, 17) comprised of small packs (11) of paper tissues into a carton (15). Articles or packs or pack groups of cellulose products are difficult to handle from the point of view of packaging technology. For the introduction into a carton (15) open at the top, bundle groups (16, 17) consisting of a multitude of small packs (11) of paper tissues are mechanically compressed, especially into a V-shaped form, then grasped on the top side by a lifting head (23) with suction holders (24 to 27) and held by suction. The lifting head (23) conveys a complete layer of bundle groups (16, 17) into the carton (15) from above, the compressed, reduced formation of the bundles (10) being maintained until they are deposited in the carton (15).

Abstract: This invention relates to a machine to ensure that the amount of food product in a can meets the volume and weight standards without altering the natural characteristics of the product necessary for the market. The invention encompasses a combination of scrapers or sweepers and a primary pocket turret assembly and including a rotating cylinder body having sweeper blades positioned thereon in a helical form so the amount of food product in associated cavities in the rotating table meets weight, volume, and product appearance standards. In addition, pneumatic cylinders and cam-driven cylinders from below compress the product in the device prior to the final leveling accomplished by the rotating helical sweepers.

Abstract: An apparatus for bundling truss plates includes a unit for forming a plurality of truss plates and a unit for forming these truss plates into a unitized bundle that is easily shipped, stored, and handled. The apparatus can include a station for orienting each of the plurality of truss plates so that the backing members are substantially parallel to a predetermined plane, an aligning station for aligning the oriented truss plates so that the peripheries of their backing members are substantially aligned, a stacking station for stacking the oriented and aligned truss plates, and an interconnecting unit for interconnecting the stacked truss plates into a unitized bundle.

Abstract: The method of the present invention for bagging pre-silage, has the steps of (a) receiving a bale of pre-silage from a loader, (b) compressing the bale in at least one cross section dimension to fit into a bag, and (c) advancing the compressed bale into the bag. The apparatus of the present invention for bagging baled pre-silage, has (a) a support frame having a plurality of lateral walls. The lateral walls define a rear opening to which a bag is attached, and a front opening through which is received the baled pre-silage. At least one of the lateral walls is reversibly movable in a direction toward an opposite lateral wall for compressing or squeezing the baled pre-silage to a size that will fit into the bag. The front opening has a closure and ram for enclosing the baled pre-silage and applying the ram to advnce the compressed baled pre-silage through the rear opening and into the bag.

Abstract: A bagger for organic material that incorporates gates that are yieldably biased to restrict the movement of the material into the bag until the material has been compacted. The gates are mounted at each side of a tunnel adjacent a material propelling rotor of the bagger. The rotor propels and compacts the material against the gates and when the force is sufficient the gates will yieldably open to permit material to flow into and deploy a portion of the bag on the ground. The arrangement of the gates reduces the force applied to the bag and thus limits the force urging the bagger to move away from the bag deposited on the ground.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for feeding resiliently compressed articles into a form/fill/seal machine. The method includes steps of receiving horizontally compressed articles into an infeed end of a pair of conveyor belts, continuously conveying the compressed articles to a discharge end, continuously forming a plastic film around the pair of cantilevered conveyor belts without the stack of articles exerting expansion force against the plastic film, forming and sealing a closed tube, and releasing the stack of compressed articles into the closed tube only after the seal has sufficient strength to maintain the stack of articles compressed. The pair of conveyor belts has rigid conveyor backing members and cantilevered ends with a discharge pulley mounted at each cantilevered end. At least one tie bar connects the backing members near the cantilevered ends in order to resist the expansion force of one or more stacks of resiliently compressed articles between the conveyor belts.

Abstract: A system for packaging hay bales includes a press for compressing hay to small, compact bales and a wrapping machine which applies multiple sheets of a thin material to form a package of an effective strength that maintains the form and integrity of the hay bales, and prevents them from expanding back to their pre-compressed size. The wrapping machine applies the thin film to successive compressed hay bales such that the material extends therebetween to integrate multiple hay bales into a common bundle. A partial cutting machine positioned downstream of the wrapping machine cuts a portion of the material between adjacent hay bales to provide a detachable seam. A full cutting machine positioned downstream of the partial cutting machine completely cuts the material between selected pairs of adjacent wrapped hay bales to define sets of multiple wrapped hay bales.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of filling tubes of flexible, large mesh, netting material with compacted rice straw, or the like. The finished straw tubes are on the order of nine inches in diameter, twenty five feet in length and thirty pounds in weight; and thus readily lend themselves to use in controlling or mitigating the effects of erosion and to promoting revegetation.

Abstract: The baler embodies false side walls which act as spacers in the bale chamber while the bale is completed. After completion, dogs on the platen engage the false side walls; they are raised by the ascending platen, and retained in the raised position by dogs on the baler side walls while the platen descends and compresses the bale. The bale is wired to the platen, which, rising, lifts the bale out of the bale chamber and allows a carton to be inserted in the (opened) bale chamber. The platen, descending again, lowers the bale into the carton; the lifting wires are cut, the platen rises, and the carton is sealed and extracted from the bale chamber.

Abstract: An improved agricultural feed bagging machine for bagging feed materials in a bag including a rearwardly extending tunnel having elongated and arcuate spaced-apart ridges provided on the inside surfaces of the side walls of the tunnel to create turbulence in the flow of feed, thereby resulting in a greater compaction of the feedstuffs in the bag.

Abstract: Peat moss is palletized in bulk compressed form by holding a predetermined quantity of peat moss stacked vertically on a pallet to confine the peat moss to a desired, compressed shape, the peat moss having a water-content ranging from about 25 to about 50 weight % and a density ranging from about 0.05 to about 0.15 gm/cc on dry basis, and downwardly compressing the peat moss directly onto the pallet at a pressure ranging from about 3 to about 5 kg/cm.sup.2 so as to form the peat moss into a coherent, shape-retaining body without substantially altering the water-content and intrinsic properties of the peat moss. The body of compressed peat moss maintains a structural integrity for a period of time sufficient to permit wrapping thereof. Such a body of compressed peat moss is then wrapped to retain the peat moss in compressed form on the pallet. The invention enables one to significantly increase the quantity of peat moss per unit of shipment.

Abstract: A device for forming a stack of printed sheets. The device includes a conveying device for conveying the printed sheets in an imbricated flow vertically downwards and an approximately horizontal stack support disposed below the conveying device and having an entrance end for receiving the printed sheets. The stack support has a working region where stacks of the printed sheets are formed, and, disposed downstream of the working region in a stack formation direction, a pressing region where formed stacks of the printed sheets are compressed.

Abstract: An apparatus for packaging fibrous material in uniform, high density, self supporting, packages. Fibrous materials, such as alfalfa hay, grasses, etc. in the form of bales or loose material, are received. The material is moved through a cutting device, if needed, to form uniform sized portions, the material is formed into a level stream on a conveyor, measured into selected quantities and compressed to form very dense, self supporting packages. Preferably, the packages are inserted into plastic film enclosures for handling and shipping. This material is much more convenient and economical to ship and store than the much larger equivalent weight of loose, uncompacted material. Preferred mechanisms for stripping bands from bales, cutting and milling the received material to a desired size distribution and for weighing and compressing the material are also disclosed.

Abstract: A machine for making bundles (3) of sheets (2), in particular signatures, wrapped by means of a wrapping machine (15), including: a first pusher (7) which moves said bundles (3) in the direction (A) against a stop (10); means (17, 20) suitable to keep the bundle (3) pushed against the stop (10) when the first pusher (7) moves away from the bundle (3) to return in the rear position; and a second pusher (13) which moves the bundle (3) in the direction (B) perpendicular to the groove (16) in which the wrapper of the wrapping machine (15) arranged side by side with the machine is housed.

Abstract: The article-to-be-bagged feeding device for feeding an article to be bagged into an opened bag, adopted in the bagging apparatus according to the present invention, has two gripping members disposed in parallel which are reciprocated in the direction of feeding the article to be bagged. The feeding device has a gripping member operator for guiding the two gripping members, in such a manner that the mutual interval between the gripping members is narrowed, thereby causing them to grip the article to be bagged when they advance towards the bag, and further the mutual interval of the gripping members is widened when they retreat from the bag, and the mutual interval thereof is slightly widened when they are transferred from forward movement to rearward movement.

Abstract: An improved agricultural feed bagging machine for bagging feed materials in a bag including a rearwardly extending tunnel having elongated and arcuate spaced-apart ridges provided on the inside surfaces of the side walls of the tunnel to create turbulence in the flow of feed, thereby resulting in a greater compaction of the feedstuffs in the bag.

Abstract: An agricultural bagging machine including density control cables positioned in the tunnel of the machine and including means for anchoring the opposite ends of the density control cables. The machine also includes a cable rewind spool which is mounted on one end of the rotor of the machine to enable each of the density control cables to be pulled from the tunnel after the bag has been filled.