Abstract: An apparatus for edging the periphery of an ophthalmic lens to a predetermined outline or edge configuration, is characterized by a pair of grinding wheels, one for rough grinding or shaping the lens and the other for peripherally beveling the edge of the lens, a workholder for supporting and rotating the lens and mechanisms for moving the rotating lens into engagement with the grinding wheels. Manual controls are on the apparatus and automatic control circuitry is in a module remote from but electrically connected with the apparatus, whereby the apparatus may be manually and/or automatically controlled to only shape a lens, to only bevel edge a lens or to both shape and bevel edge a lens.

Abstract: A noise suppressor for vacuum cleaners is characterized by a muffler formed of a succession of tubes of different cross sectional areas and lengths. The muffler defines a low pass acoustic filter, and is connected in line with an exhaust outlet from the vacuum cleaner. Preferably, the muffler is used in place of a sleeve conventionally found in a filter bag for the vacuum cleaner, and thereby acts as a stand pipe to maintain the inlet to the filter bag above collected debris so that the inlet is not choked off with debris before the bag is filled.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for teaching students palpation and auscultation of a fetus in a pregnant female, comprising a fetal doll, a loud speaker attached to the fetal doll, a recording of fetal heart tones, means for reproducing the recording and transmitting the tones to the loud speaker, a cushion having an opening in which the fetal doll is inserted, filling material packed into the cushion surrounding the doll, an outer cover in which the cushion is adjustably, movably inserted, and a plurality of straps for attaching the cover containing the cushion onto a female model to simulate pregnancy; whereupon the position of the fetal doll may be adjusted relative to the abdomen of the model and the students guided in palpation techniques for locating and identifying the position of the fetal doll, and the simulated fetal heart tones may be varied to simulate real-life fetal heart conditions and the students guided in auscultation techniques for medically assessing the simulated fetal heart tones.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting the presents of an interface between two fluids with a conventional interface detection apparatus, located remote from the interface, in a tube are disclosed. The apparatus and method utilize a driving fluid introduced into the tube to cause one or the other of the fluids forming the interface to flow from an end of the tube through the tube to the remote detection apparatus, permitting the latter to test the fluid in the tube to determine whether the interface is above or below the end of the tube.

Abstract: A rail fastener having provision for rail gauge adjustment comprises a pair of supports secured to the railway tie in a spaced relation on either side of the base of the rail and a spacer between each support and the rail base. A series of different width spacers are provided for exchangeable insertion between the rail base and support to allow lateral incremental shifting of the rail in the event that gauge adjustment is required. Resilient clips attached to the supports serve to hold down the rail between the spacers, and the dimensions of the spacers are also selected to provide constant deflection of the clips regardless of the adjusted position of the rail.

Abstract: An expansion joint for connecting a pair of adjacent ducts or the like is made up from a material having improved properties. The material comprises a sheet of knit wire covered on at least one side with a vulcanized fluoroelastomer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing alcohol fuel in an efficient and continuous manner are provided. The apparatus and method utilize otherwise lost heat to reduce the amount of heat required to convert feed stock into alcohol fuel. The apparatus and method utilize the supply of feed stock from a hopper through an auger to a cooker vessel, and then in turn to enzyme and fermenting tanks or vessels, which in turn discharge fermented mash to a strainer for separation of the alcohol beer from the mash. The beer is then discharged to a level controlled beer tank which regulates a residue valve controlling the amount of residue liquid returned to the apparatus and maintained under process. From the beer tank, the flow of the beer is regulated by passage through a non-clogging control valve into a reflux column.

Abstract: An improved spray gun assembly includes a fluid supply container connected to a spray gun and a manually operable trigger for actuating the spray gun, in combination with a motor driven agitator for automatically agitating the fluid contents of the supply container. The agitator is driven by an air motor, and comprises a paddle which is reciprocated in the fluid contents in directions perpendicular to the plane in which it lies.

Abstract: Flushable rotary gear pumps for delivering fluidic material, such as liquid coating material, may quickly and thoroughly be flushed of material of one type in preparation for delivering material of another type. In one embodiment, a valve selectively establishes a bypass channel between an inlet to and an outlet from a pump, thereby to accommodate a relatively large volume flow of flushing media through the pump and supply and delivery lines therefor. In another embodiment, the valve is structured to monitor fluid pressure developed by the pump and to automatically control and limit the pressure to a maximum value should an overpressure condition develop. In yet other embodiments passages are provided internally of the pump for conveying flushing media to all exposed surfaces of the gears, gear shafts and pump body to flush the same of coating material, whereby the entirety of the pump may readily be cleansed. If desired, the various features may be combined in a single pump.

Abstract: Air or other gases containing contaminants or requiring treatment are moved into at least one substantially continuous sheet of treating liquid at the entrance to a streamline flow passage having a smoothly curved convex interior surface progressively decreasing in cross-sectional area in direction of flow. A nozzle mounted adjacent the entrance end of the flow passage generates one or more substantially continuous sheets of treating liquid covering the entrance to the passage. The passage has a convex throat and an exit smaller than the entrance so that the gas and treating liquid entrained therein move through the passage at an accelerating velocity with smooth, substantially unidirectional flow, and are discharged therefrom with no discernible turbulence or splashing. The gas and the treating liquid are discharged from the flow passage into an eliminator chamber of large volume, whereupon the treating liquid and any entrained contaminants drop out of and are separated from the gas.

Abstract: A paperboard carton for containing, holding and carrying a plurality of caramel or candy coated apples, while minimizing surface contact between the apples and the carton, comprises an integral carton flat consisting essentially of a bottom panel having two U-shaped slits near its ends which form tabs directed toward its ends, side panels integral with the side edges of the bottom panel folded upward, outward and then progressively inward to form the sides and top of the carton, corner flaps integral with the lower portion of the side panels folded inward, end panels integral with the ends of the bottom panel folded up and over the corner flaps and interlocked into the tabs in the bottom panel, and handle panels integral with the upper edges of the side panels having hand holes therein and sandwiching therebetween the free ends of the sticks in the apples for holding them in place.

Abstract: Carbonaceous fibers are incorporated into a fluoroelastomer matrix to provide an improved wet friction material having superior performance characteristics at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: A gauge for measuring the size of a nip between a pair of rolls is characterized by a cylindrical carrier within which a platform is mounted for pivotal movement about the carrier axis. A transducer is carried on the platform, and a quasi U-shaped rod or probe is pivotally connected at one end with the platform, extends along a medial portion thereof outwardly of the carrier and presses against the transducer at an opposite end. The probe is pivotally urged in a direction outwardly of the carrier, and in use of the gauge the medial portion of the probe is moved into the nip between the rolls and against the rolls and the carrier into contact with the rolls, whereby the transducer provides a readout in accordance with the radii of the rolls at the point of contact by the probe.

Abstract: Applicators for applying a film of coating material on a moving web of paper carried through an application zone include a chamber which receives coating material under pressure and directs the material through a narrow outlet orifice into the application zone, and a doctor blade which extends from a trailing side of the zone in contact with the web. The upper edge of a front wall of the chamber is closely spaced from the web to form, in conjunction with the pressurized coating material flowing from the orifice, a liquid seal at a forward end of the application zone, and seals are established at opposite side ends of the zone to allow development of a positive liquid pressure in the zone. In the various embodiments, rotating rolls located in the chamber, in the orifice, in the space between the upper edge of the front wall and the web and in both the space and the orifice serve to meter, homogenize and control the pressure of coating material in the application zone.

Abstract: The abrasion resistance and tensile strength of asbestos is significantly improved by the addition of significant amounts of metal oxides, such as iron oxide, under conditions to provide at least some surface bonding of the oxides to the surface of the asbestos. The oxides are preferably added during formation of bodies from asbestos dispersions and also impart color to the final product.

Abstract: A portable concrete mixing and transport device comprises a trailer having wheels and a drum supported above the wheels, said drum being movable into and out of engagement with the wheels. Concrete mix carried in the drum is agitated by pulling the trailer with the drum in contact with the wheels, causing the drum to rotate. The drum may be tilted to allow pouring of the mix. The device allows for convenient and inexpensive transport and mixing of small quantities of concrete.

Abstract: A flushable manifold for diaphragm protected components of a pressure transducer for sensing a flow of fluid comprises a housing having a recess therein and a diaphragm of flexible material over and closing the recess. Inlet and outlet passages communicate with the recess adjacent to and on opposite sides of its periphery, such that fluid introduced at the inlet flows through the manifold to the outlet, with the presence of fluid pressure within the manifold being detected in response to outward deflection of the diaphragm. To facilitate cleaning the manifold of fluid of one type in preparation for receiving fluid of another, one or more channels are formed in the housing within the recess in communication with the inlet and extend toward peripheral side areas of the recess to direct flushing media introduced at the inlet across all of the surfaces of the manifold and to the outlet to thoroughly clean the same.

Abstract: A triangular sail is provided with vertical seams and panels at the leech and foot to protect the sail upon furling around the luff, the foot panel also serving to impart shape to the sail.