Abstract: A unit is described for use in a multi-unit decorative or structural arrangement. Each unit has, on at least one surface, an asymmetrical design which may be two dimensional or three dimensional. These asymmetrical designs are arranged to permit a number of identical units to be arranged together to form a large variety of overall designs whose final form depends upon the relative positions of the individual units within the arrangement. For example, a number of identical square tiles are provided, each having the same design and with the design created so that a tile wall can be formed from the identical tiles with hundreds of different overall designs. The same large number of overall designs may be formed from units other than square units including three dimensional building blocks and similar basic decorative or construction units.

Abstract: An insole of moisture absorbent material is shaped to conform to an average persons's foot sole so that it covers all or at least the forward portion of the wearer's foot. This insole is removably inserted in the wearer's sock to absorb moisture thereby protecting the wearer against the problems which stem from excess foot moisture and wet socks. The improved result is a washable and easily applied means for moisture protection of the wearer's feet consisting of a regular sock and a moisture absorbing insole positioned within the sock.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for automatically checking envelopes for objects which would interere with an automatic postal mail sorting operation. The envelopes are moved between inflated rollers and changes in the roller pressures caused by objectionable objects in the envelopes are detected to control an envelope diversion gate.

Abstract: An improved spray dryer is disclosed for drying heat sensitive food products under sanitary conditions with a maximum product recovery for a minimal dryer size. The dryer has an air flow system for moving air through a drying chamber at generally atmospheric pressure with a controlled laminar air flow. The product being dried is sprayed into the drying chamber by an air distributor plate with a relatively rapid air flow through and immediately surrounding the product spray and with a surrounding air flow of lower velocity. The dried droplets or powder are removed by a powder collector including a drag system.

Abstract: A flowmeter for gases and liquids utilized a semi-conductor body disposed in the gas or liquid, respectively, one end of the semi-conductor body being heated by means of an electric resistance wire such that at temperature difference, and thereby a voltage difference is realized between the ends of the semi-conductor body. The reduction of the temperature difference, and thereby of the voltage difference, varying with the flow rate is utilized for determining the flow rate. This is effected with the assistance of an amplifier across whose input the semi-conductor body is coupled-in and on whose output a signal representing the flow rate appears.

Abstract: An improved lock washer is described for locking nuts or bolts into their fastened positions. A molded plastic washer has a series of integral dimples or lock projections extending radially outwardly and downwardly from one of the washer contact surfaces. These integral projections are turned circumferentially during the tightening of the nut or bolt and the circumferential positioning of the dimples resists an unscrewing movement of the nuts or bolts.

Abstract: An improved internal combustion engine and method of operation are disclosed. A method and a means are described for conserving mechanical energy in the engine cylinder during the combustion portion of the engine cycle by automatically adjusting the engine cylinder volume.

Abstract: An improved sealing machine cap pickup is disclosed. The cap pickup is mounted on a sealing machine to feed closure caps onto filled containers being carried through the machine and to lightly turn the caps onto the containers. The pickup includes an improved universally mounted cap guide which directs the caps to a cap applying means such as spaced resiliently mounted and relatively deep cap applying belts or cap rotating friction shoes. Pressure backup plates are positioned above the cap rotating means for urging the caps downwardly at the correct rate as they are turned onto the moving containers.

Abstract: An improved cushion pad is disclosed for use in packaging glassware or other fragile articles in a compartmented carton. Such cartons, including the well known corrugated fiberboard cartons, are used with vertical dividers for packaging articles having extending extremities such as glass stemware, whose projecting feet and flaring tops may project into adjacent compartments and engage and chip or crack one another. The cushions of this invention have preformed grooves to receive the tops and bottoms of the dividers causing the extremities of the articles to be positioned away from the spaces between dividers thereby preventing them from striking one another during carton handling.

Abstract: An improved bellows valve is disclosed having a relatively long bellows attached at one end to the valve control stem and at its other end to a recessed bellows mounting in the valve bonnet. The recessed attachment permits the use of a relatively long bellows with a valve bonnet of minimal size and mass and permits a wide valve opening with a relatively small valve port. Such a small valve port requires a low closing force for the stem and the use of a wide opening resists clogging. An anti-torque member connected between the valve bonnet and the valve stem prevents stem rotation to isolate the bellows from undesirble rotation during the axial stem and bellows movement.