Abstract: A rotary crop processing unit for a combine is shown having a generally cylindrical rotor within a frusto-conical housing. The rotor is arranged in the housing with a generally constant gap between the rotor and the bottom of the housing along the housing length and with an increasing gap between the rotor and the top of the housing in the crop flow direction.

Abstract: A self-propelled harvester having a drivable separating rotor rotatably mounted in a rotor housing with a bearing in an end wall covering an inlet opening of the rotor housing at a front end of the a separating rotor, further comprising a lower edge transverse and operatively connected to the bearing of the end wall.

Abstract: A two-row cane harvester 10 simultaneously harvests two rows of sugar cane in a green tropical cane field. Gatherer chains 62, 64 lift fallen cane stalks upwardly and support the fallen cane stalks as the harvester 10 moves through the cane field. A pair of topper mechanisms 54 top the cane stalks while base cutters 80 base cut the cane. A pair of transversely spaced turnaround devices 62 each move the cane transversely past the respective topper mechanism and toward a centerline 22 of the harvester, and thrust the topped cane stalks in a direction away from the harvester movement such that the topped cane stalks do not interfere with the cane moving toward the topper mechanisms by the gatherer chains. Base cut cane is received base first into the harvester intake.

Abstract: An apparatus and process to permit high speed continuous motion heat sealing in the transverse direction of a moving, multiple layer web of polyethylene film. The apparatus includes a circular drum with a heated seal bar mounted flush with its cylindrical surface. The web of film wraps around the cylindrical surface of the drum and moves at the same speed. The web is pressed against the cylindrical surface by a least one rubber nip roll and is heat sealed in the area of the seal bar. The invention is particularly adapted for presealing the ends of the drawtape in the manufacture of drawtape bags.

Abstract: A machine that attaches to a tractor is structured to reap, blind, and shock mature sesame plants. The machine is capable of engaging two rows of plants simultaneously, the two stalkways merging into one prior to the tying mechanism. Each row of plants is severed at the base by a pair of disc cutters. The cut stalks are moved rearwardly in an upright position by vertically disposed conveyor belts having fingers attached thereto to grasp the stalks. The stalks from both stalkways are gathered at a first tying station having two tying mechanisms which ties them into bundles. The bundles are moved rearwardly on a horizontal conveyor belt to a second tying station having one tyer where the bundles are gathered and tied together into stacks of optimum size. The stacks, comprising about five bundles each, slide down a ramp to engage the stubble of the cut sesame plants. The stacks stand upright on the ground thereafter to dry naturally.