US3380578A - Strip package assembly - Google Patents

Description

April 30, 1968 G. c. SPARKS STRIP PACKAGE ASSEMBLY 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed March 4, 1964 INVENTOR.

1 cWfi a W E 6 April 30, 1968 G. c. SPARKS 3,380,578

STRIP PACKAGE ASSEMBLY Original Filed March L, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet -"33d F 5 is i 54 W i 58 gzfiazaw 334 10 1 0 A a /A q/jfie '.101 32 '12; 32 K j W 32:

I'INVENTOR. 650F619 c .SBMWS BY MAM APril 1968 G. c. SPARKS STRIP PACKAGE ASSEMBLY 3 Sheets-Sheet Original Filed Ma roh 4, 1964 INVENTOR, 60P6 c: .S/A/P/(I flaw/Z F ATTO/FW/EX 3,386,578 STRIP PACKAGE ASSEMBLY George C. S arks, 191 Roi-er St, Erdenlieim, Pa.

Original application Mar. 4, 1964, Eer. No. 349,284, now Patent No. 3,333,393, dated Aug. 1, 1967. Divided and this application May 22, 1967, Scr. No. 639,962

9 Claims. (Cl. 206-56) ABSTRACT (IF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates generally to packaging, and is especially concerned with a novel strip package assembly for storage in coils and dispensing therefrom.

Cross-references to related applications This application is a division of my copending patent application Ser. No. 349,284 filed Mar. 4, 1964, now US. Patent 3,333,393 issued Aug. 1, 1967.

Background of the invention While the package assembly of the instant invention has been primarily developed for use in packaging pharmaceuticals, and will be illustrated and described hereinafter with particular reference thereto, it is understood that the invention is capable of many varied applications, all of which are intended to be comprehended herein.

In the handling of pharmaceuticals in hospitals and other institutions, there is commonly a requirement that pharmaceuticals be propagated only under the supervision of a registered pharmacist. This requirement extends to the mere transfer of drugs from a bulk container to a smaller container and involves considerable recordkeeping procedures.

Summary Among the objects of the present invention is the provision of a package assembly for pharmaceuticals which eliminates the need for propagation, as the pharmaceuticals are originally packaged in the assembly of the instant invention, the package assembly being capable of handling from the manufacturer to the ultimate consumer all without access to its contents, except by the consumer, and wherein essential data is at all times carried along with the contents as required by lax In another aspect, the package assembly of the instant invention permits of distribution, storage and handling from manufacturer to consumer, while insuring constant sanitation and affording continual identification, for use with a wide variety of products.

Another object of the present invention resides in the provision of a package assembly which lends to the economies of automatic equipment both in the packaging operation as well as subsequent handling, including equipment for inventory control, automatic dispensing and record keeping.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a package assembly produced in continuous lengths as required, which lengths are bendable or flexible for handling in coils if desired, and quickly and easily separable to provide any selected quantity of packaged articles.

It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide a package assembly for pharmaceuticals which effectively protects the same from damage in handling and storage from manufacture to consumption, insures the carrying of required information with the contents at all times, permits of automatic packaging and subsequent handling, and affords extreme ease of dispensing, both in separation of the package assembly to obtain the de- 3,38%,578 Patented Apr. 30, 1968 sired quantity of contents, and in opening the package to remove the contents.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, and combinations and arrangements of elements, which will be exemplified in the construction here inafter described, and of which the scope will be indicated by the appended claims.

Brief description of the drawing FIGURE 1 is a plan view showing a package assembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1, and somewhat enlarged.

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view showing a dispensing apparatus for the package of the instant invention.

FIGURE 4 is a plan view illustrating the several stages in manufacture of the instant package.

FIGURE 5 is a plan view showing a slightly modified package of the present invention.

FIGURE 6 is a partial sectional view taken generally along the line 6-6 of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 7 is a plan view showing another embodiment of package constructed in accordance with the teachings of the instant invention.

FIGURE 8 is a partial sectional view taken generally along the line 8-8 of FIGURE 7.

FIGURE 9 is a plan view showing another embodiment of package of the instant invention.

FIGURE 10 is a partial sectional view taken generally along the line Ill-ll of FIGURE 9.

FIGURE 11 is a plan view showing a further embodiment of the instant invention.

FIGURE 12 is a partial sectional view taken generally along the line 12-12 of FIGURE 11.

FIGURE 13 is a plan view showing still a further embodiment of the instant invention.

FIGURE 14 is a partial sectional view taken generally along the line 14-14 of FIGURE 13.

FIGURE 15 is a plan view showing still another package assembly of the present invention.

FIGURE 16 is a partial sectional view taken generally along the line 16-16 of FIGURE 15.

FIGURE 17 is a plan view showing still a further modification of the instant package assembly.

FIGURE 18 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 18-18 of FIGURE 17, somewhat enlarged for c arlty.

#FIGURE 19 is a plan view showing still a :further embodiment of package constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, and partly broken away to facilitate understanding.

FIGURE 20 is a plan view showing a package strip from which the unit of FIGURE 16 has been separated.

FIGURE 21 is a plan view showing still another package assembly of the present invention FIGURE 22 is a plan view illustrating the method of producing the package of FIGURE 21.

FIGURE 23 is a plan view illustrating the method of producing the package of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 24 is a plan view illustrating the method of producing the package of FIGURE 9.

FIGURE 25 is a plan view illustrating the method of producing the package of FIGURES 17 and 18.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and specifically to FIGURES 1 and 2 thereof, a package assenrbly is there generally designated '30, three full assembly units 3 1 being shown in FIGURE 1, and a single assembly unit being shown in FIGURE 2. The assembly includes an elongate strip 32 of flexible, preferably rupturable sheet material, such as aluminum foil which may be provided on at least one face with a thermoplastic coating. Other suitable material may be employed for the strip 32, such as paper or other, and also various combinations, such as laminated foil and paper. In most aplications it is desirable that the material of strip 32 be printable, for purposes appearing presently.

Arranged in a row, longitudinally along the strip 32 are a plurality of relatively stiff, generally flat container sheets 33. The container sheets 33 are arranged in spaced relation longitudinally along and secured in facing engagement with one surface of the strip 32. In the embodirnent of FIGURES l and 2, the container sheets 33 are of generally rectangular outline configuration, being coextensive with the lateral dimension of strip 32, and may be formed with a depressed or concave central portion 34 defining a receptacle for an article of contents 35. The container sheets 33 may each be integrally fabricated of relatively stiff, thermoplastic sheet material, which may be transparent to afford visual access through the container sheets to strip 32. Securement of each container sheet 33 to the strip 32 may advantageously be achieved by heat-sealing to adhesively secure the entire flat region of each sheet 33 in facing engagement with the strip 32, only the depressed central region or concavity 34 remaining unsecured. Thus, the strip 32 extends entirely across and in closing relation with each concavity 34 and is secured to each sheet 33 peripherally about its concavity, so that the contents 35 are hermetically sealed between the strip 32 and sheet 33.

It will now be understood that the relatively stiff container sheets 33 are arranged in edge-to-edge spaced relation with respect to each other, being connected together by strip portions 37 intermediate adjacent container sheets. As the strip portions 37 are relatively flexible or bendable, the elongate assembly 30 may include a plurality of units 31 and be bendable into many varied configurations, such as being coiled into a roll.

In FIGURE 3 is shown a dispenser 40 constituted of a hollow housing 41 having an outlet opening or slot 42. A coil or coiled roll of package units 31 is shown in phantom at 43 as being rotatably mounted on a journal 44 within the housing 41. The package units 31 are withdraw'able from the dispenser 40 through the opening 42, and the withdrawn units may be separated from the remainder of the package assembly by merely tearing an intermediate rupturable strip portion 37. If desired, a knife edge or other severance means may be provided for severing a connecting strip portion 37.

Proper identification of the contents 35 is assured by printing on the strip 32. Either one or both surfaces of the strip 32 may be imprinted, one being directly visible and the other visible through the transparent container sheets 33.

Referring now to FIGURE 4, wherein is illustrated the method of packaging in accordance with the instant invention, there is provided an elongate web 46 of relatively stiff, preferably transparent thermoplastic sheet material having at longitudinally spaced locations therealong a series of open regions 47. In the illustrated embodiment, the open regions 47 constitute a row of transversely extending, thru cuts or slots terminating short of opposite side edges of the web 46 and in alignment with each other longitudinally of the web. Further, the web 46 may be provided with a plurality of longitudinal rows or series of spaced open regions or slots 47, a pair of such rows being illustrated.

The web 46 is formed in the area between each adjacent pair of open regions 47 with one or more depressed receptacle portions 34. In the illustrated embodiment, a single depressed, cup-shaped receptacle portion 34 is formed in spaced relation between each adjacent pair of open regions or slots 47, but it is appreciated that a plurality of such receptacle portions may also be provided in spaced relation bet-ween each adjacent pair of slots. Further, each receptacle portion 34 is arranged not only in spaced relation between the adjacent pair of slots 47, but also spaced laterally inward from the ends of the slots.

The web. 46, as above described, may be fed past a filling or loading station, at which the desired contents 335 may be deposited into the receptacle portions 34. This next successive stage in the instant method may be seen by following the web 46 downward in FIGURE 4.

Subsequent to filling of the receptacle portions 34, a sheet or strip 48, advantageously of relatively flexible material, is secured in facing engagement with one surface of the web 46. In the illustration of FIGURE 4, the receptacle portions 34 are depressed downward so as to define upwardly facing concavities, and the sheet 48 is secured on the upper surface of web 46 to extend across and close the concavi-ties 34.

The relatively flexible sheet 43 may be of any suitable material, such as metallic foil, paper-foil laminate, or other, and is advantageously provided on at least one surface with a thermoplastic coating for heat-sealed securement in facing engagement with the web 46. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGURE 4 the entire surface areas of web 46 and sheet 48 in facing engagement with each other may be adhesively secured together by heatsealing, or other suitable means. In this manner, the sheet 48 extends entirely across so as to completely close each concavity or receptacle portion 34, and is adhesively secured in facing engagement with the web 46 entirely about each concavity to hermetically seal the spaces within the concavities.

As illustrated, the closure sheet 48 may be laterally coextensive with the web 46, but this is not essential.

Subsequent to securement of the web 46 and sheet 48 in their facing engagement, the secured sheet and web are severed longitudinally thereof along severance lines 56. More specifically, a pair of parallel spaced severance lines 50 are formed in conjunction with each series or row of open regions 47 and intermediate receptacle portions 34; and further, the severance lines 50 of each pair are arranged to lie laterally outward of or beyond the associated receptacle portions, while laterally inward of the respective ends of slots 4-7. In this manner the material of web 46 and sheet 48 laterally beyond the open regions or slots 47 is substantially entirely removed, so that the remaining web material defines the separate, spaced container sheets 33, and the remainder of the sheet 48 defines the strip 32 flexibly connecting together the container sheets, to define the assembly 30 of FIGURES 1 and 2.

Under certain circumstances it may be desirable that the space between adjacent container sheets 33 not be entirely devoid of web material. Toward this end, the severance lines or cuts 50 may be located slightly laterally outward beyond the ends of slots 47 so as to leave bridging portions between the sheets 33. In this case, the severance lines 50 would serve to remove substantially all of the web material beyond the slots 47. Also, rather than continuous, closed end slots 47, open regions may be defined of interrupted slots to leave connecting portions between adjacent sheets 33.

In FIGURES 5 and 6 there is shown a slightly modified embodiment of package or assembly 31a including a relatively stiff container sheet 33a and a relatively flexible closure sheet 32a secured in facing engagement with the container sheet and closing the receptacle portion 34a of the container sheet. The package unit or assembly 31a has been removed from a coil or strip, as by tearing or other severance of the closure sheet 32a, as along edges 52. The embodiment of package 31a differs from that of package 31 by termination of the container sheet 32a along an edge 53 short of the terminal edge of closure sheet 32c. Thus, the container sheet is out along edge 53 to leave a portion 54 of strip 32. extending beyond the latter edge, the extending portion serving to provide a finger tab or pull for removing the strip 32a from the container sheet 33a, or rupturing the sheet to open the receptacle portion 34a. In the method of the instant in vention, the inset edge 53 may be provided by appropriately forming the slots or open regions 47 of the web 46.

Another embodiment of package assembly is shown in FIGURES 9 and 10, a unit there being generally designated 31b and including a relatively stiff container sheet 331) having a central receptacle portion or concavity 34b, and a closure sheet or strip 32b secured in facing engagement with the container sheet and closing the concavity.

While the package 31a had its container sheet 33a formed with a beveled corner or cut 53, the sheet 33b is formed in one side edge, spaced from the adjacent corners, with a notch or cutout 53b. The notch or cutout 53b may be in alignment with the receptacle portion 34b, and the closure sheet 32b may extend across the notch 53b, as by the strip portion 5412. By this construction, the notch 53b may be employed to facilitate tearing of both the container and closure sheets. If desired, the strip portion 54b may be cut out or removed from the notch 5312, which construction facilitates utilization of the notch for feeding or indexing of the package assembly, as by engagement of a feeding cog or sprocket wheel through the notch. Of course, the notch 53b may assume different configurations, if desired.

In the embodiment shown in FIGURES l3 and 14 a package assembly or unit 310 includes a container sheet 33c secured in facing engagement with a closure strip 320, the latter serving to close a receptacle portion 340 formed centrally of the container sheet. Further, the container sheet 330 may be formed with an upset edge portion 56 spaced from the plane of the adjacent portions of the container sheet and in spaced relation with respect to the underlying face portion 57 of strip material 32c. The upset portion 56 of sheet 330 may be located medially along a side edge thereof and of generally semicircular configuration for receiving a finger or fingernail. This offset edge portion 56 thus exposes the closure strip portion 57 for gripping to open the package 310 by tearing or peeling of the strip 320.

In the embodiment of FIGURES 7 and 8 there is shown a package assembly or unit 31d having a relatively stiff container sheet 33d and a flexible closure sheet 32d secured in facing engagement with the container sheet and in closing relation with respect to the upset receptacle portion 34d of the closure sheet. However, in this embodiment one edge portion of the container sheet 33d, say the corner portion 58 remains free or unsecured relative to the adjacent underlying portion 59 of strip 32d. The unsecured edge portions 58 and 59 of container sheet 33d and closure strip 32d permit of manual gripping for peeling or tearing of the closure strip to open the receptacle portion 34d. This construction may be readily produced in the method of the instant invention by scaling in a pattern or formation which omits the facing sheet portions 58 and 59.

Another embodiment is shown in FIGURES 11 and 12, wherein a container sheet 33a of relatively stiff material is formed with a central receptacle portion 342, and a flexible closure strip or sheet 32c is secured in facing engagement with the container sheet and closing the receptacle portion. In addition, the closure sheet 32e is provided with an extension or tab 60 extending beyond one edge of the container sheet 332, preferably beyond a side edge thereof. The tab or extension 60 may provide a finger pull for peeling or tearing the closure strip or sheet 32e to open the receptacle portion 34c. In manufacture, the tab 60 may be formed by an appropriately configured cutter, or other means, say in formation of severance lines 50in FIGURE 4.

In the embodiment shown in FIGURES and 16, a package assembly or unit 31 includes a relatively stiff container sheet 33f having a central receptacle portion 34 and a flexible closure strip or sheet 32f secured in facing engagement with the container sheet closing the receptacle portion. In addition, there is provided extending beyond one longitudinal edge of the container sheet 33 a flap or tab 61 of the closure sheet 32]. This flap 61 provides a finger grip or pull for peeling or tearing of the closure sheet to open the receptacle portion 34f.

A further embodiment is shown in FIGURES 17 and 18, wherein a package assembly or unit 313 includes a relatively stiff container sheet 33g formed with a central receptacle portion 34g, and a relatively flexible closure sheet or strip 32g secured in facing engagement with the container sheet and closing the receptacle portion. In addition, a backing sheet 62, which may be of relatively stiff material such as fiberboard, plastic or other, is secured in facing engagement with the surface of sheet 32g opposite to container sheet 33g. The backing sheet or board 62 may be of an outline configuration generally congruent to that of container sheet 33g, and may be centrally apertured, as at 63 in registry or alignment with the receptacle portion 34g. The backing sheet 62 may also be heat-sealed or otherwise adhesively secured in facing engagement with the closure sheet 32g, and the opening 63 affords a pass-through for the article of contents 35g upon severance of the adjacent portion of sheet 32g. For example, article 35g may effect rupture of the sheet 32g upon deflection of receptacle portion 34g from left to right, as seen in FIGURE 18.

In FIGURE 19 is shown a strip or package assembly 30h of package units 31h, each including a relatively stiff container sheet 33h having a central receptacle portion 34h and secured in facing engagement with a closure sheet or strip 32h. The container sheets 33h are arranged in a series or row, in edge-to-edge spaced relation and flexibly connected together by portions 37h of strip 32h intermediate adjacent pairs of container sheets. It will be observed that the intermediate strip portions 37h are of reduced lateral extent, as by being formed with notches or cutouts 62. These notches or cutouts reduce the dimension of strip portions 37h to facilitate separation by tearing, and also provide openings for automatic feeding, as by toothed wheels, or the like.

Of course, the cutouts or notches 62 may be formed in the severance step described hereinbefore.

In FIGURE 20 is shown a strip or package assembly 30k including a row or series of units 31k. Each unit 31k includes a relatively stiff container sheet 33k secured in facing engagement with a closure strip or sheet 32k. The container sheets 33k are arranged in edge-to-edge spaced relation along the strip 32k, being flexibly connected together by the strip portions 37k intermediate adjacent container sheets. Further, each intermediate strip portion 37k may be provided with suitable weakening means, such as a line of perforations 63 extending between opposite side edges of the strip 32k to facilitate separation of units 31k by severance of the intermediate strip portions 37k. Further, the weakening means or perforations 63 may be located closer to one of the adjacent container sheets 33k, so as to leave a pull flap extending from the other adjacent container sheet. Thus, separation of the units 31k from each other results in a unit such as that of FIGURE 15 designated 31 In FIGURE 21 is shown a further modification of the instant package assembly generally designated 30i, wherein a plurality of relatively stiff container sheets 331', each having a receptacle portion 34i, are secured in spaced relation along and in facing engagement with a closure strip 32i. The container sheets 33i are of nonrectangular configuration, being shown for purposes of illustration as generally ovaloid in shape. However, the container sheets 33i may be of any desired configuration, as may be the receptacle portions 341'.

In FIGURE 22 is illustrated the method for fabricating the assembly 301' of FIGURE 21 having nonrectangular container sheets 331'. A web 461' of relatively stiff transparent plastic material is formed at longitudinally spaced locations with transversely extending open regions or cutouts 471'. The open regions 47i may be defined by elongate, closed end slots, each slot having enlarged end portions and tapering inward to a reduced medial region. The web 461 may be formed in the region between each adjacent pair of slots 471 with a cupped receptacle receiving portion 341', which portions are located in spaced relation between and laterally inward of the adjacent pair of slots 47:.

After filling of the receptacle portions 341' with contents, a flexible closure sheet or strip 48i of rupturable material is adhesively secured in facing engagement with the web t-6i, extending across the slots 471' and in closing relation with respect to the receptacle portions 341. The assembly may then be severed, as along parallel spaced, longitudinally extending lines 501 to substantially remove the material beyond the open regions or slots 47i. The remainder provides the assembly 30i of FIGURE 21.

In the modified method illustrated in FIGURE 23, a web 46m of relatively stiff, transparent thermoplastic material is formed with a plurality of longitudinally spaced, transversely extending cutouts or slots 47m, and receptacle portions 34m intermediate adjacent pairs of slots. It will be observed that each cutout or slot 47m may have one end portion enlarged in one direction, as at 65, to define a generally triangular enlargement.

Adhesively secured, as by heat-sealing or otherwise, in facing engagement with the web 46m is a flexible closure sheet 43m extending over the open regions or slots 47m and closing the receptacle portions 34m. The secured Web 46m and sheet or strip 48m may be severed by a pair of longitudinally extending, parallel spaced severance lines 50m which serve to substantially remove the material laterally beyond the ends of slots 47m. It will now be observed that the triangular slot end enlargements 65, serve to provide the corner edges 53 of FIGURES and 6 terminating short of the remaining closure sheet material to define the pull tabs 54.

The embodiment of FIGURES 9 and 10 may be manufactured by the method shown in FIGURE 24, where-in a Web 4611 of relatively stiif, preferably transparent thermoplastic sheet material is formed with a series or row of longitudinally spaced, transversely extending thru openings or slots 47n, and formed intermediate adjacent pairs of slots with receptacle portions 34. In addition, spaced intermediate each adjacent pair of slots 46):, adjacent to the slot ends, is a cutout or opening 66 formed in the web 4611. The openings or cutouts 66 may be each generally triangular and located in lateral alignment with a respective receptacle portion 3411.

Secured in facing engagement with the web 4611, extending over the slots 471-2 and across the openings 66, as well as in closing relation with the receptacle portions 34:1, is a flexible closure sheet 48:1. The secured closure sheet 4811 and web 4611 may be severed by a pair of parallel spaced, longitudinally extending severance lines 5012 located to substantially remove the material laterally beyond the slots 4711. Also, the material laterally beyond the cutouts 66 is removed to leave a notch corresponding to notch 53b shown in FIGURES 9 and 10.

The embodiment of FIGURES 17 and 18 may be manufactured by the method shown in FIGURE 25, wherein a web 46p of relatively stitf, preferably transparent thermoplastic material is formed with a longitudinal row of transversely extending open regions or slots 47p and formed intermediate each adjacent pair of slots with a cupped receptacle portion 34p. A flexible closure sheet 48p is secured in facing engagement with the web 46;), extending across the openings 47 p and in closing relation with the receptacle portions 34p. In addition, a relatively stiff backing sheet or board 67 is provided with a longitudinal series or row of transversely extending open regions or slots 68, and a plurality of that openings or apertures 69 located in spaced relation between adjacent 8 pairs of slots 68. The slots 68 and apertures 69 are located in substantial respective alignment with the slots 47p and receptacle portions 34p, and in this relationship the backing sheet 67 is secured in facing engagement with the surface of closure sheet 48p opposite to web 46p.

A pair of parallel spaced, longitudinally extending severance lines 50p are formed in the sheets 46p, 48p and 67 arranged to substantially remove the sheet material beyond the slots 47p and 68. The remaining assembly corresponds to that shown in FIGURES l7 and 18.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention provides a packaging assembly which fully accomplishes its intended objects and is well adapted to meet practical conditions of manufacture and use.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A package assembly comprising an elongate strip of flexible and rupturable sheet material, a plurality of relatively stiif generally fiat container sheets arranged in spaced relation longitudinally along said strip and secured in facing engagement therewith, said container sheets each having a concavity facing toward and closed by the adjacent strip portion, and contents in said concavities, said assembly being bendable by fiexure of the strip portions and intermediate said sheets and being separable by rupture of said intermediate strip portions.

2. A package assembly according to claim 1, said strip being of printable material and said sheets being trans parent, to expose printed matter on said strip through said sheets.

3. A package assembly according to claim 1, said strip being configured relative to said sheets to define portions extending beyond the sheets which provide pulls.

4. A package assembly according to claim 1, said strip having edge portions in unsecured facing relation with said sheets to provide pulls.

5. A package assembly according to claim 1, in combination with a plurality of stiii backing sheets arranged in spaced relation longitudinally along said strip and secured in facing engagement therewith respectively opposite to said container sheets, said backing sheets each having a thru hole in registry with the concavity of the adjacent container sheet for passing said contents upon rupture of the strip portion facing said concavity.

6. A package assembly according to claim 1, said strip being heat-sealed in facing engagement with said sheets entirely about the periphery of each concavity, to hermetically seal the space within said concavities.

7. A package assembly according to claim 1, said container sheets being fabricated of plastic and each formed with an edge notch to facilitate opening by tearing.

8. A package assembly according to claim 1, said strip having edge notches intermediate adjacent sheets, to facilitate automatic feeding.

9. A package assembly according to claim 1, said intermediate strip portions being weakened to facilitate separation of said assembly.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,884,127 4/1959 Neary 206- 2,892,538 6/1959 Middleton et al. 206 78 3,054,503 9/1962 Hartman et al. 206-78 3,047,139 7/1962 Iacotf 206-56 3,171,535 3/1965 Harris 206-65 WILLIAM T. DIXSON, 111., Primary Examiner.

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