Abstract: An automated pallet and garment retaining frame for screen printing apparatus including a pallet mounted on a supporting base and provided with a planar, horizontally extending printing surface for receiving a layer of material to be printed. The retaining frame includes a central opening and is mounted for pivotal movement to the supporting base about a first hinge disposed rearwardly of said pallet relative to an opposing front end adapted to load the garment for printing. The rear hinge is also movably mounted in a cam slot for travel in a vertical and horizontal direction as the pallet is caused to move by a piston and cylinder assembly located between the rear hinge point and the rear end of the retaining frame. The forward end of the retaining frame is adapted to engage the forward end of the pallet to form a second hinge about which the retaining frame rotates as it is caused to move between an open fully raised position and a closed position retaining the garment in taut condition on the pallet.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for the manufacture of activated carbon wherein a carbonaceous raw material impregnated with a chemical activating agent is treated by controlling the rate of heat transfer to the particles via indirect heating of the activation furnace and simultaneously introducing a flow of independently controlled sweep gas at spaced intervals along the path of travel of the particles through the furnace to more precisely control the activation reaction and the level of densification of the particles during certain stages of treatment. In a more preferred embodiment, the particles are processed in a plurality of treatment stages related to the rate of evolution of water and/or the evolution of water and the chemical activating agent and the rates of heat transfer and the volume flow rate of sweep gas are closely controlled relative to achieving predetermined levels of densification of the particles during each treatment stage and selected levels of activation properties in the end product.

Abstract: An improved practice golf tee construction comprising an integrally formed base and a hollow stem portion vertically extending above said base and having an open top end forming a seat to receive a golf ball in a teed position. The side wall of the stem portion includes a pair of spaced openings or slots having outer edges extending downwardly from the open top of the stem and define a resilient strip portion of the side wall between the outer edges which is resiliently movable between a vertical position and an inwardly deflected position. This construction permits a golf ball to be manipulated into engagement with the resilient strip to deflect it inwardly and move the ball into engagement with the outer edges of the spaced slots which form an inclined ramp to guide the ball upwardly onto the seat of the stem portion whereupon the strip springs back to its normal vertical position to aid in stabilizing the ball in a teed position.

Abstract: An improved fluid power actuator assembly comprising a power piston reciprocatingly mounted in a cylinder bore which is formed in a compact fluid power manifold providing the necessary circuit connections between control valves mounted on the housing and the cylinder bore. The cylinder bore preferably includes two circumferentially spaced signal ports disposed in the wall of the cylinder bore along the path of travel of the piston in addition to the primary power ports located at each end of the cylinder bore to drive the piston. The piston includes at least one circumferential groove and functions as a spool valve for opening and closing communication between the signal ports as the piston travels in the cylinder. Appropriate control valves and signal pressure communicating with the signal ports is disclosed to enable a fluid power signal to be generated which is related to the position of the piston during its travel in the cylinder bore.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for the manufacture of activated carbon wherein a carbonaceous raw material impregnated with a chemical activating agent is treated by controlling the rate of heat transfer to the particles via indirect heating of the activation furnace and simultaneously introducing a flow of independently controlled sweep gas at spaced intervals along the path of travel of the particles through the furnace to more precisely control the activation reaction and the level of densification of the particles during certain stages of treatment. In a more preferred embodiment, the particles are processed in a plurality of treatment stages related to the rate of evolution of water and/or the evolution of water and the chemical activating agent and the rates of heat transfer and the volume flow rate of sweep gas are closely controlled relative to achieving predetermined levels of densification of the particles during each treatment stage and selected levels of activation properties in the end product.

Abstract: A multiple stage oven structure including a radio frequency cooking station and an infra-red cooking station particularly useful for cooking certain food products. The radio-frequency cooking station comprises a first and second electrode and a conveyor to position the food product between the electrodes wherein it is the dielectric material of a capacitive heating assembly. Also disclosed is an automated food cooking and serving arrangement incorporating the multiple stage oven structure with a food storage section and associated conveyors and electronic control components for conveying the food product through various steps of selection, cooking and delivery of the cooked product to a customer. In a preferred arrangement, the food product is carried by an electrically conductive pan which functions as the second electrode in the radio-frequency cooking station assembly, forms a portion of a radio frequency shield during cooking, and as a serving pan once cooking is completed.

Abstract: An immersion bath composition and a method for applying a heavy, non-powdery coating of iron phosphate on a ferrous substance which is characterized by the addition of an effective amount of gluconic acid to a solution containing phosphoric acid, a soda ash, a chlorate or organic accelerator and water. Using conventional phosphating bath parameters, immersion of a ferrous substrate into the bath produces a heavy, strongly adherent, iron phosphate coating which is non-powdery or dust free and highly satisfactory for paint pre-treatment of the substrate surface.

Abstract: An abrasive product comprising a plurality of discrete composite abrasive pellets is formed of particulate abrasive within a rigid material retained in a resilient resin matrix. The abrasive pellets may be formed by conventional metal bonding processes or pressed and sintered in a ceramic or glass matrix. The resilient resin matrix may be in disc or other forms including raised segments connected by a web and supported by a flexible backing material useful for rough finishing of stone, glass; or other hard materials. Particularly useful is a composite product incorporating particulate abrasive material distributed through the resin matrix with spaced abrasive pellets embedded in a spaced, selected pattern over the face of the resin matrix to provide a composite of abrasive pellets and particulate abrasives in a resin matrix.

Abstract: A control logic circuitry comprising a toggle type fluid actuated pilot control valve which is activated by a fluid pressure signal pulse to shift between a first and second state to deliver a control signal to a main power control valve. The pilot control valve and associated circuitry includes the capability to maintain itself in either one of the shifted states after termination of the pressure signal pulse until actuated to the other state by another pressure signal pulse. The pilot control valve is described in connection with controlling the functions associated with a linear fluid power piston including switching a main power valve to reverse the piston stroke.

Abstract: An improved fluid power actuator assembly comprising a power piston reciprocatingly mounted in a cylinder bore which is formed in a compact fluid power manifold providing the necessary circuit connections between control valves mounted on the housing and the cylinder bore. The cylinder bore includes at least two circumferentially spaced signal ports disposed in the wall of the cylinder bore along the path of travel of the piston in addition to the primary power ports located at each end of the cylinder bore to drive the piston. The piston includes at least one circumferential groove and functions as a spool valve for opening and closing communication between the signal ports as the piston travels in the cylinder. Appropriate control valves and signal pressure communicating with the signal ports is disclosed to enable a fluid power signal to be generated which is related to the position of the piston during its travel in the cylinder bore.

Abstract: A dental polishing applicator for use with a rotary dental handpiece and method of using the same which is characterized by a collet portion and a removably mounted, disposable single use tip portion. The cylindrical collet is adapted to be removably mounted to conventional dental handpieces and includes an opposing end adapted to removably receive a shaft portion of the applicator tip portion. Preferably the tip portion comprises a relatively very small cylindrical shaft provided with a conical polishing end which is designed to permit access to the more difficult to reach areas of tooth anatomy.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for the manufacture of activated carbon wherein a carbonaceous raw material impregnated with a chemical activating agent is treated by controlling the rate of heat transfer to the particles via indirect heating of the activation furnace and simultaneously introducing a flow of independently controlled sweep gas at spaced intervals along the path of travel of the particles through the furnace to more precisely control the activation reaction and the level of densification of the particles during certain stages of treatment. In a more preferred embodiment, the particles are processed in a plurality of treatment stages related to the rate of evolution of water and/or the evolution of water and the chemical activating agent and the rates of heat transfer and the volume flow rate of sweep gas are closely controlled relative to achieving predetermined levels of densification of the particles during each treatment stage and selected levels of activation properties in the end product.

Abstract: A shingle laying apparatus includes a first horizontally extending track; a second track formed by a pair of longitudinal track members extending at right angles to the first track, and a carriage frame mounted on the second track. The second track is mounted for movement in a horizontal direction to the first track and carries the carriage frame for horizontal movement across the roof. The carriage frame is mounted to the second track for movement toward the first track between releasably fixed position associated with appropriate placement of a row of shingles across the roof. The carriage frame include a planar surface forming a tray to carry a load of shingles and provide a seat for an operator laying a row of shingles while moving the frame horizontally along the roof. In the preferred embodiment, a fastener gun assembly is pivotally mounted on the carriage frame in a position for quickly fastening each shingle which is laid on the roof.

Abstract: The simultaneous monitoring of possibly uncrimped metal reinforcing clips on the mounting arms of a plastic housing or of a warped housing by photoelectric means and the determination of the presence or absence of the clips by electromagnetic switches in combination provide a significant improvement in the assembly and mounting of housing components to frame members.

Abstract: A shrunk fit annular valve sleeve assembly characterized by a land configuration which provides a reduced annular area of engagement with the surrounding housing compared to the annular area of the base portion of the land disposed inwardly toward the spool bore to reduce the effects of temperature changes which cause spool bore deflection when using different metals for the housing and the sleeve. One preferred embodiment of a valve sleeve described defines a generally truncated triangular upraised land formed by complimentary shaped adjacent recesses when the sleeve is viewed in a section taken along a radial plane perpendicular to the axis of the spool bore.

Abstract: An automated gross bagging scale apparatus combining manual actuation of the feed gate and a mechanical trigger mechanism with digital scale and control components permitting easy conversion of a fully mechanical bagging scale to a digital scale. The combination of mechanical features and digital control includes a load cell, digital controller and a solenoid actuated plunger rod which initiates the release of the feed gate arm from its latched open position to return to its normally closed position closing the gate which allows material to flow into the bagging chute. An electrical switch is actuated between on and off position by movement of the feed gate arm in a manner coordinated to permit the solenoid actuated plunger to be energized only when the feed gate arm is in the open position.

Abstract: An improved diaper container to temporarily store soiled diapers prior to final disposal thereof which is characterized by an outer fluid impervious shell provided with a removably mounted liner. The liner comprises a pad of non-woven synthetic fibers impregnated with an odor adsorbing material, such as activated carbon. The outer shell is provided with a hinged lid for access to the interior of the container and the liner is slideably mounted within the outer shell in a snug fit with the inner walls of the outer shell. The activated carbon entraps noxous odors within the liner to effectively prevent the odors from escaping from the container when it is opened.

Abstract: A composition for a topically applied therapeutic cream or ointment having effective activity against one or a combination of sources of viral, bacterial, yeast and fungus infections characterized by the ability to penetrate beneath the epidermal layer of the skin. The composition includes a water soluble active component which is formulated with a water soluble organic solid base and a water soluble surfactant to form an aqueous solution having a gel-like consistency. A preferred active ingredient is a povidone-iodine complex. A preferred carrier is hydroxyethylcellulose.