Abstract: An air conditioning system and method wherein a central pumping system circulates a heat-exchange liquid, through heating and cooling paths of a refrigeration system to and from air-treating units, and to and from a fluid cooler which acts as a heat sink and also as a heat source. The air-treating units have fans or blowers positioned upstream of the air cooling coils so that the fan heat is discharged through the fluid cooler system during cooling load operation, and that heat is available in the air-treating units during heating-load operation. One embodiment includes a separate line for supplying neutral water to each air-treating unit. The neutral water is mixed with either the hot water or the cold water supplied to each treating unit for temperature control. Another embodiment has only hot and cold water with separate supply and return lines.

Abstract: Drilling means of the type having a pilot bit, a reamer and a guidemember mounted in the bottom end of the casing tube, and which transmits impacts to the casing. The guide member is snugly enclosed in the thickened mouth portion of the casing tube and has a plurality of channels which are segments of a spiral through which the drilling debris is discharged upwardly to the casing tube.

Abstract: A bath for use in the study of in vitro maintained human or animal tissue, comprises a body having a bath cavity provided with at least one fluid inlet port 2, and a spillway 6 formed in the wall of the bath acting as a fluid outlet. The upper edge 5 of the spillway determines the fluid level in the bath, and a pivotally mounted choke 7 co-acting with the surface of the spillway regulates the flow of fluid from the bath. The bath is also provided with at least one gas inlet port 18 adapted to form a layer of gas over the surface of the fluid so as to insulate the fluid from the surrounding air.

Abstract: A spherical tank is supported by a vertical skirt extending from the tank equator down to a foundation. An enclosed space defined by the spherical tank, the skirt and the foundation is made pressure tight and is connected to a pressure-regulating system, thus permitting regulation of the pressure within the space.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing cigar wrappers for a cigar wrapping machine. The cigar wrappers are stored in a bobbin which is a continuous web of porous sheet material which is wound into a roll with the cigar wrappers positioned upon one surface of the roll and compressed between the adjacent surfaces of the respective layers or turns in the roll. The web is drawn from the bobbin to a transfer zone in the wrapping machine along a continuous path. The web is diverted from the path around a knife edge which forms the upstream edge of a gap between two plates. The web passes from the knife edge around a roller and then back through the gap. The cigar wrappers are peeled from the web by the sharp turn of the web around the knife edge and they pass over the narrow gap directly onto the web which is moving back through the gap from the roller. This overcomes a serious difficulty which was encountered in removing the cigar wrappers from the web.

Abstract: In a spherical tank having a central vertical tower, the tower is rigidly connected to the tank shell at both ends, preferably by welding. The top of the spherical tank may be flattened in the area around the tower.

Abstract: A safety device for use with a container with a screw cap. The device which preferably is made from plastics material has an annular body portion with an inwardly tapered inner wall. The screw cap is insertable into the body portion which is so dimensioned that the orientation of the cap is substantially maintained. The cap is held captive inside the body portion by means of a deflectable flange at the mouth of the body portion which permits the cap to be placed on, or be removed from, its closure position on the container but the cap and the device are nonetheless rotatable relatively to each other. The device restricts direct manual access to the cap. The device is frictionally engageable with the cap by urging the device towards the container. The device and the cap may then be rotated together to screw the cap on or off the container.

Abstract: A loop for a tape measure consists of a one piece element having a loop portion and an integral tape connecting portion. The tape connecting portion has at least one pair of flexibly connected flaps which serve to secure the loop to the free end of a measuring tape. An integral "living" hinge connects the flap portions and the loop portion.

Abstract: An electric lamp which provides substantially uniform lighting throughout a work area. The area extends from directly under the lamp a substantial distance beyond the shade. A faceted reflector provides the desired distribution of the light.

Abstract: Apparatus for diverting articles from a belt conveyor at an article-discharge zone, wherein a diverter is moved from a position at the side of the belt to a position wherein it extends at an angle to the direction of movement of the belt transversely of the belt in the path of movement of the articles. The diverter is pivotally mounted to swing through an angle from its retracted position along one side of the belt to its extended position in which it extends across the conveyor at an angle so that articles encounter it and are diverted from the conveyor. The axis of the pivotal movement of the diverter is at the upstream edge of the article-discharge zone and is so positioned that the path of the downstream end of the diverter moves along an arc which intersects the near edge of the belt substantially opposite or downstream from the point where that arc intersects the far edge of the belt.

Abstract: A conical transition between the vaulted upper part of a tank onboard a ship and the tank dome is disclosed. This conical transition or cone solves vibration problems in the tank by increasing the natural frequency of the tank dome.

Abstract: A construction for locking the hub of a gear or other means to a shaft. The shaft is cylindrical but is cut away to form a flat surface parallel to the axis of the hub. A wedge has a portion which fills the cavity between the cylindrical inside surface of the hub and the flat surface on the shaft. An integral lug portion of the wedge extends radially outwardly into a slot in the hub so as to prevent the hub from turning with respect to the wedge. The wedge is prevented from turning with respect to the shaft by its flat bottom surface which is coextensive with the flat surface on the shaft. That provides a driving relationship between the hub and the shaft. The driving relationship between the wedge and the hub is through side surfaces of the cavity in the hub and the lug portion of the wedge.

Abstract: A combination rule and scale is disclosed in which the weight of the rule is used to counterbalance the weight of an object, such as a letter, and provide a measurement of the object's weight. In one embodiment the combination rule and scale comprises a coilable tape rule having both linear and weight gradations thereon. The rule's case is adapted to be supported in a suspended condition in alignment with its center of gravity and includes a clamp device for supporting an object to be weighed on the casing. By extending the tape rule on the side of the tape opposite the support device, the casing can be balanced and the weight of the object determined.

Abstract: An electric lamp which provides substantially uniform lighting throughout a work area. The area extends from directly under the lamp a substantial distance beyond the shade. A faceted reflector provides the desired distribution of the light.