Abstract: A portable hose fitting crimping machine using an interchangeable cartridge die assembly in conjunction with a portable framework so as to provide for an efficient means for crimping hoses and couplings of different sizes without reliability and calibration problems.

Abstract: A dust cover for a quick disconnect coupling in which a clamping means is attached to the female half of the coupler and supports spring means which closes the cover and aligns the same on two mutually perpendicular axes.

Abstract: A merchandise order picking system includes a vertically and horizontally elongated rack having a plurality of vertically-spaced shelves and being supported on a floor surface. The rack has a rear face whereat merchandise is positioned on the shelves and an opposite front face whereat merchandise is removed from the shelves. An elongated horizontal rail extends along the front face of the rack adjacent the floor surface. A horizontal wheeled work table has inboard wheels supported and guided on the rail, and outboard wheels supported on the floor surface for rolling movement of the work table along the front face of the rack.

Abstract: Apparatus for externally and internally peeling pipes includes a drill head secured to one end of an elongated drill rod and an external cutter head longitudinally-spaced from the drill head in the direction of movement of a pipe through the apparatus. A feed mechanism is positioned adjacent the drill head for feeding a pipe completely past the drill head and at least partially through the external cutter head. An extraction feed mechanism is positioned on the opposite side of the external cutter head from the drill head for pulling pipes completely past the external cutter head. The feed mechanism adjacent the drill head includes opposed pairs of rollers, one pair of which is radially aligned with the cutters on the drill head.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing a composite structure suitable for use in connection with the manufacture of printed circuits which includes a carrier layer of aluminum and a covering layer of copper which structure is characterized by the fact that the copper layer is tenaciously bonded to the carrier layer but readily separable therefrom by mechanical means without destroying the integrity of the copper layer which process comprises the steps of (a) providing a layer of aluminum foil, (b) cleaning at least one major surface of the aluminum foil to remove surface contaminants therefrom, (c) positioning the aluminum foil in a suitable electrolyte and passing electric current therethrough in such a manner that the foil is rendered cathodic to activate the surface of the foil, (d) positioning the activated foil in a suitable electrolyte and passing electrical current therethrough in such a manner that the foil is rendered anodic and a layer of aluminum oxide is formed on the surface thereof, and (e) electro

Abstract: An improved ink jet writing device is disclosed which comprises a specially configured glass capillary liner having a smoothly flaring, integral inlet nozzle in one embodiment and a converging-diverging inlet nozzle in another embodiment, both embodiments having a smoothly converging outlet nozzle. Both exhibit improved frequency response at reduced voltage compared to other jets having glass liners. A jet having an angled or bent tip also is disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus for slitting sheet material includes a pair of rotatable shafts having cooperating cutting knife assemblies thereon. The knives on one shaft are in the form of axially-spaced knife rings receivable between knife members on the other shaft. The knife rings are elastically deformable axially of the shafts and are spaced-apart a distance slightly greater than the spacing between the knife members to insure the absence of any gaps between the cooperating cutting knives. The knife members are releasably clamped axially on their shaft and are biased apart upon release of the axial clamping force in order to allow positioning of the knife rings between the knife members. Central mounting holes in the knife members increase in size from the axial center thereof toward the opposite ends thereof for allowing limited tilting movement of the knife members relative to the shaft on which they are mounted.

Abstract: A sealed, collapsible container is disclosed for ink supply in ink jet printing systems. Fill and delivery conduits extending into the container terminate in small filter assemblies having a filter element made from compressed fibers forming a plurality of substantially parallel passages through which capillary flow is achievable.

Abstract: A toner clean-off head utilizing a vacuum for removing liquid toner from a moving record medium having a latent electrostatic image thereon, in which the contact surface of the clean-off head is cylindrical so that the record medium easily conforms to ensure proper removal of the toner with a minimum of applied vacuum. A thin clean-off blade is positioned in a slot in the cylindrical contact surface so that the edge of the blade forms an element of the surface, and an inlet air passage and a toner exhaust passage in communication with vacuum means are defined on either side of the blade.

Abstract: A system for priming liquid ink writing instruments such as ink jet writers and capillary ink pens is disclosed. A source of ink is pressurized to force ink through the ink jet or other pen so that a small droplet is formed at the jet or pen outlet. As the drop forms at the jet or pen, it is eventually drawn away into an adjacent orifice, due to capillary action. An integrated priming pump serves both to pressurize the ink source to form the ink droplet and to apply a vacuum to the orifice to remove the ink drawn away by capillary action. A pressure release valve ensures that the ink jet or pen is not overpressurized during priming. In ink jet applications, the drop removal orifice is formed as a portion of the droplet charging ring.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for charging a charge retentive surface of a record medium with a latent electrostatic image. The apparatus comprises a plurality of arrays of recording electrodes. The arrays are alternately divided into first and second groups of arrays. A plurality of complementary electrodes are mounted adjacent the record medium in electrical cooperative relationship with a single array in each of the first and second groups of arrays. The apparatus further includes a control circuit for the recording and complementary electrodes. The control circuit comprises a first group actuating circuit for actuating like-numbered recording electrodes in each array in the first group of arrays, a second group actuating circuit for actuating like-numbered recording electrodes in each array of the second group of arrays, and complementary electrode actuating circuitry for actuating complementary electrodes in electrically cooperative relationship with a selected array of recording electrodes.

Abstract: A thermal array protection apparatus is disclosed primarily for use in linear thermal array imaging devices. Data to be printed within a given line of data are compared to data printed within the previous lines of data. Whether data will or will not be printed in the given line of data is a function of the previous data printed. Since the apparatus prevents data from being printed for the same position in successive lines of data, the temperature of the individual thermal imaging stylii will be kept within acceptable limits.

Abstract: A spark igniter for gas burners includes a gas collector having a passage extending between open front and rear ends. The open front end is substantially larger than the open rear end, and is positionable adjacent a gas burner for receiving gas therefrom. Gas flows into the open front end of the collector and mixes with air to form a combustible mixture. A spark igniter mounted within the gas collector passage ignites the mixture to produce a flame for igniting the gas burner. The gas collector is metal and forms the ground electrode for the spark igniter, and has an integral mounting bracket thereon.

Abstract: A feed channel for feeding elongated cylindrical workpieces longitudinally includes a channel bottom portion on which the workpieces are deposited from above. Flexible bands extend transversely across the channel bottom portion for receiving workpieces moving downwardly toward the channel bottom portion and then lowering the workpieces onto the channel bottom portion. The bands are movable between an upper workpiece supporting position spaced above the channel bottom portion and a lower workpiece releasing position in which a workpiece is released from the bands and supported on the channel bottom portion.

Abstract: Material handling system, particularly for a retail establishment having merchandise display and storage areas. The system provides equipment for handling, processing and transporting merchandise from storage to work stations and to display racks. The equipment includes a turntable attached to a flexible conveyor which abuts a conveyor table. Carts are positioned in a parking frame next to the table. Each cart is a wheeled cart having an upright end frame at one end therof, and shelves are hingedly connected to the end frame for movement between horizontal operative positions and substantially vertical storage positions. The carts are partially nestable with one another when the shelves are in their storage positions. An attachment device is releasably attachable to the cart end frame on the opposite side thereof from the shelves. The attachment device includes an adjustable shelf and a stool.

Abstract: Apparatus for internally peeling metal tubes includes a peeling head rotatable about a longitudinal axis. An elongated cutter holder having opposite end portions is mounted on the head and extends generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the head. One end portion of the cutter holder is mounted to the head by a pivot connection for providing swinging movement of the holder toward and away from the longitudinal axis of the head. Both of the end portions of the cutter holder are also adjustable outwardly and inwardly relative to the longitudinal axis of the head.

Abstract: A highly electrically conductive composite electrode is provided which comprises an inner layer of an electrically conductive metal, a first outer layer of pressed and sintered powdered titanium metallurgically bonded thereto and a second outer layer of porous sintered powdered titanium bonded to the surface of the first outer layer, the first outer layer of powdered titanium being compacted to a degree sufficient to render it essentially impermeable to aqueous brine and the surface of the second outer layer having an apparent density of from about 30 to about 90 percent.

Abstract: A thermal array protection method and apparatus are disclosed primarily for use in linear thermal array imaging devices. Data to be printed within a given line of data are compared to the data printed within the previous line of data. Data will not print in the given line of data if data were printed in the corresponding data positions within the previous line of data. Thus, the temperature of the individual thermal imaging stylii will be kept within acceptable limits.

Abstract: An ink composition, suitable for use in jet printing, comprises a dye in a solvent consisting of water and lower alkylene glycol which is highly soluble in both water and the lower alkylene glycol, which is chemically stable for long periods in the solvent, has high tinctorial power and is resistant to fading by light. The ink composition is characterized by its ability to reduce the evolution of gases from solution at reduced pressure. The ink composition is further characterized by an adjusted pH of about 3 to about 6. In addition, the ink composition may contain preservatives to prevent fungus and bacteria growth.