Abstract: A plasma arc torch is disclosed having an upper body of a non-conductive material supporting an electrode and a lower body of a conductive material supporting a nozzle through which an arc is formed between the electrode and a work piece. Means is provided for blowing a mixture of inert gas and a fusible powder through a passageway formed in said lower body and through passages formed in said nozzle onto the work piece. A liquid coolant is circulated through a reservoir formed in the lower body, and an inert gas is discharged through an opening that circumvallates the nozzle. Both the nozzle and the torch as a whole are uniquely constructed to avoid many of the problems caused by the use of insulators and fluid seals. In addition, the novelty of construction enhances performance.

Abstract: A lug attachment for detecting the removal of a wheel comprising a frangible shroud and an internally threaded member for attaching said shroud to the lug of a wheel mounting plate. The threaded member comprises a pair of split sleeve sections that laterally flex for engagement with the threads of a lug by an axial thrust. Thereafter, an axial thrust of said shroud clamps and secures the threaded member onto the lugs. Means formed on said shroud retains the threaded member in its axial position of attachment to a lug and prevents removal except by breakage.

Abstract: A modular ventilation system powered by solar energy is disclosed for installation in trailers or other vehicles that have large storage compartments. The system essentially comprises a sectionalized cabinet that contains and supports fan motors, solar batteries, a voltage regulator and microprocessor; an air plenum having a lower air intake and an upper opening adapted for fluid connection with those sections of the cabinet that house fan motors; and a solar panel array that mounts in the horizontal top panel or roof of a trailer-vehicle.

Abstract: A spiral ribbed pipe formed from an elongate strip coiled helically. The pipe has a helical seam and an integral reinforcing rib formed along and around the seam, thereby increasing strength and rigidity of the pipe and its seam. The helical seam comprises a pair of interlocking edges located radially inward of the rib and intermediate a pair of offsets, whereby the inner surface of each coil of strip is longitudinally aligned with the surfaces of adjacent coils to provide a smooth interior pipe surface.

Abstract: The electrodes in a tube, such as a cathode ray tube, are held in accurate alignment, particularly under conditions of high stress, by employing a series of glass rods along the electrodes with a plurality of U-shaped straps extending over the rods and forming a tight fit between the rods and the neck of the tube with the legs of the U being bowed outwardly under tension.

Abstract: A press for extracting juice from comestible solids and semi-solids such as fruit and vegetables which includes a sectionalized stationary perforated platen, a juice pervious conveyor belt for carrying comminuted comestible into pressing position over that platen, a feeder for forming a series of separated non-continuous beds of comminuted comestible upon the belt, a rotary drive moving the belt incrementally to position each bed of comestible in sequence over the stationary platen and a pressing platen which has a pressing cavity overlying the stationary platen defined by a depending sealing flange circumscribing the bed of comestible and a flexible membrane within the cavity that can be expanded into pressing engagement with the bed by pneumatic pressure in order to press juice from the comestible for drainage through the juice pervious belt and perforated stationary platen into a juice collection pan.

Abstract: A collapsible-expandable lattice structure is described comprising a plurality of slats arranged in two panels. Each panel consists of first and second sets of parallel slats, the first set being arranged over and intersecting relative to the second set. Means is provided pivotally connecting slats of the first set to slats of the second set to form parallelogram linkages, the slats of one panel being located intermediate slats of the other panel, the first and second sets of one panel being parallel relative to the first and second sets of the other panel, respectively. Means is further provided for pivotally interconnecting slats of one panel to slats of the other to maintain a fixed pivotal relationship between slats of both panels.

Abstract: A process for improving culture activity of acid producing bacteria in dairy media and for providing a buffering effect therein by the addition of lecithin to provide improved starter cultures for dairy products. Various media wherein the activity of acid producing bacteria is enhanced in the presence of lecithin are also described.

Abstract: A filling apparatus for metal containers has a rotatable bowl carrying filling syrup or other fluid with a plurality of filling valves arranged on the bowl bottom around its periphery to fill empty containers moved into traveling engagement with each valve. A control cam manipulates each valve in a repeating sequence through close, vacuum, fill and vent positions. A switching cam follower tracking the control cam and a cooperating switch activate the valving sequence if a can is present at a particular filling valve and de-activate the sequence if a can is not present. A pneumatic cylinder actuated by series connected proximity sensors for metal objects, such as cans, manipulates the cooperating switch to direct the switching cam follower for each filler valve into one control cam tracking mode if an empty can is in place below the filler valve or into a second valve closing mode if a can is not present.

Abstract: A high speed vacuum syruper for containers has a rotatable bowl carrying filling syrup or other fluid with a plurality of filling valves arranged on the bowl bottom around its periphery to fill empty containers moved into traveling engagement with each valve. Each filling valve includes a ported valve seat mounted in an opening in the bowl bottom, a pivotable ported valve disc overlying the valve seat and a valve stem extending upwardly out of the bowl that carries a crank mounted control cam follower and a switching cam follower. A stationary control cam above the bowl and in tracking engagement with the control cam follower for each filling valve controls the location of the valve disc ports in relation to the valve seat ports to manipulate each valve in a repeating sequence through close, vacuum, fill and vent positions.

Abstract: An improved construction for a cigarette holder and filter cartridge is described wherein the holder has a unique arrangement of cavities for axially receiving a filter cartridge and the end of a cigarette. The filter cartridge is formed with a unique arrangement of surfaces and a conical frustum for reception and retention in the holder. The location and taper of the frustum cooperates with one of the cavities of the holder to provide a flexible binding fit, allowing the cartridge to be retained in the holder during normal use and changes in cigarettes, but removable by simply tapping the end of the holder against a hard supporting surface.

Abstract: A cartridge for use in rebreathing apparatus comprising a filtering device for removing carbon dioxide, a pair of flexible containers (one disposed within the other and in fluid communication with each other through a restricted opening), a coaxial connector for fluidly connecting the cartridge to a rebreathing apparatus, means for maintaining a separation between the pair of flexible connectors and a metallic shield disposed in the flow path of exhaled gases for removing moisture.

Abstract: An improved corner finishing tool for applying mastic along a wall joint and having a container that defines a cavity open in two convergent and substantially perpendicular planes, said cavity being bordered by surfaces that converge peripherally of said cavity, said container means comprising a pair of rigid retainer plates joined together by a pair of spring loaded hinges or fasteners and biased to a position of resilient flex. A pair of lever arms pivotally secured to an edge portion of the retainer plates and pivotally joined together at one end are acted upon by leaf springs which engage the lever arms at selected positions relative to the pivotal connection for adjusting the resilient flex between the pair of retainer plates. Mastic material is fed into the cavity through a socket bracket that is mounted to one of the retainer plates to which there is also mounted an alignment wheel.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to orthodontic apparatus for applying an array of brackets to a cast matrix of teeth. The apparatus is particularly useful in the practice of a novel method invented by applicant which is also disclosed herein.The apparatus essentially comprises a pair of first and second supports mounted relative to each other for rectilinear movement, a plurality of grippers for holding and supporting an arch wire in a plane substantially parallel with the direction of rectilinear movement, and means for adjustably mounting said grippers to adjust the spacing therebetween and position the grippers relative to said first and second supports, whereby a cast matrix of teeth can be positioned on said second support in juxtaposed relation to a plurality of brackets mounted on an arch wire supported by said grippers and moved simultaneously into and out of precise contact with the brackets.

Abstract: Means providing a sound trap along one edge of a sliding panel and comprising a pair of substantially parallel and transversely spaced-apart wall members extending longitudinally from a panel stop. The space between wall members, in turn, provides a transverse gap spacing between the panel and each wall member, the longitudinal extension of said wall members from the stop being approximately two and one-half times the transverse gap spacing between the panel and the wall members. The sound trap thus provided allows the panel to be moved from a position of closure against the stop to a position that provides a gap distance opening between wall members with an overlap one and one-half times the gap spacing.

Abstract: A section of corrugated pipe is provided having complementary bell and spigot end portions, the bell end portion being longitudinally segmented and having integrally formed flexible side wall strips connected to and projecting from a substantially cylindrical shroud. The spigot end portion of each section is receivable within the bell end portion, and an annular recess is formed in the exterior surface for receiving the side wall strips of another section when connected therewith. A plastic liner extends through each pipe section with sealing means provided to form a continuous, smooth inner conduit.

Abstract: A nestable can and method of manufacture is described wherein a blank cut from sheet metal stock is drawn into a tapered die with a tapered drawhorn to form a first stage cup having a bottom, a tapered cylindrical sidewall and a peripheral flange. Care is taken to avoid coining of the sidewall in the first stage of manufacture. The partially formed can is then reformed by expanding the sidewall while maintaining its taper, thereby removing wrinkles and forming a second stage cup having smooth interior and exterior sidewall surfaces.The nestable quality of the cup is dependent upon a novel profile created while reforming the first stage cup. In that operation the upper end of the cup is reshaped to form an upper rim that is offset from a tapered sidewall and having convex contact surfaces that support one cup within another. The location of the contact surfaces is such that adjacent sidewalls of two nested cups are spaced apart by at least 0.0015 inch, the peripheral rims being vertically spaced by at least 0.

Abstract: Apparatus for equalizing the velocity of fluids flowing in duct work and the like which comprises one or more rigid honeycomb sections having a plurality of coaxial passages wherein the ratio of the surface area of each passage to its cross-sectional area is in the order of thirty or greater .Iadd.and the length of the individual passages is varied to provide longer passages in the center of the duct than along the sidewalls of the duct..Iaddend.

Abstract: A precast concrete catch basin is provided with an integral transverse gutter inlet shaping form across the front. The form is spaced from the top slab of the catch basin and forms therewith a gutter inlet for the passage of water into the catch basin. The transverse form is arcuate in shape and serves as a form and top surface for a concrete gutter inlet cast against it. Anchor bolts are provided in the side walls of the catch basin and extend outwardly through the transverse form into the area of the concrete gutter so as to secure the inlet shaping form to the side walls and to anchor the catch basin to the gutter after the gutter has been cast in the field against the transverse gutter shaping form.