Abstract: Various representative commercial cooking devices are disclosed wherein a recirculating flow of heated air, at a food cooking temperature, is created within a housing in which a horizontally disposed food support and cooking member, such as a perforated metal plate, a solid griddle plate or a metal broiling grate, is positioned. A plenum structure is utilized to convert a portion of the continuously recirculated air into a spaced series of relatively high velocity heated air impingement jets which are caused to laterally diffuse and at least slightly overlap prior to striking at least one side surface of the food support structure. In this manner, each food support structure side surface subjected to such diffused jet impingement is evenly blanketed with heating air to thereby very uniformly transfer heat from the air to the food support structure, and thus to the food supported thereby, at an accelerated rate.

Abstract: A computing apparatus for an improved system that manages. The apparatus has computing machinery which includes a computer and an input/output device for two-way communication between the computer and an operator.

Abstract: A hub attachment for a rotating drive shaft of a hand-held, portable string cutter for grass and weeds having a centrally located cylindrical anchor lug for a nylon cutting line which is held in a retainer line anchor that is in turn positioned in the semi-cylindrical cavity of the hub attachment. The retainer line anchor is provided with a latching tab that can be rotated from an unlatched position to a position in which the tab is removably attached to the hub.

Abstract: To insure a continuous supply of ice pieces to a drink dispensing machine having an upwardly open ice piece dispensing compartment, a storage bin is provided in vertical alignment with the ice piece compartment and an ice making machine is mounted on top of the storage bin. A discharge auger is mounted in a discharge opening in the bottom of the ice piece storage bin and is energized by switch means responsive to the level of ice pieces in the ice dispensing compartment.

Abstract: Improved methods of fabricating at least partially curved staircases include a first method in which preformed step structures have treads with curved slots formed in the underside of the ends which define a path for insertion of top edge segments of thin starter strips. The slots are collectively configured to laterally deflect the inserted starter strips in a manner longitudinally conforming them to at least partially curved paths of the overall stringer structures in the completed staircase. The stringers are then laterally built up and completed by securing reinforcing structures to the side surfaces of the laterally deflected strips. A second method uses preformed cooperating treads and risers themselves as a form which defines an at least partially curved path for the stringers.

Abstract: A hormone composition for producing superovulation in mammals. The composition has a particular ratio of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) which produces an optimum ovulation response in mammals and promotes out of season breeding and twinning. The composition can be produced from mammal pituitary glands or by recombinant DNA procedures and can be preserved in a phosphate buffered saline solution of thymol.

Abstract: A needle cap clamp (10) is a resilient, flexible frame with a right arm (12) and a left arm (14) connected at a base (16). The distal end of each arm is characterized by a curved jaw (20, 22). These jaws are configured to grasp the cap (4) surrounding the needle of a syringe (2). The arms (12, 14) are closed towards each other during grasping. To maintain a closed position, mutually engaging engagement members (28, 30) extend inward from both arms (12, 14). To disengage the jaws (20, 22) from the cap (4), pressure is applied to pressure tab (32) in a direction normal to the primary plane defined by the frame. To ensure alignment of the engagement members (28, 30), a guide peg (40) also extends inward from arm 12 and penetrates a guide peg hole (42) in opposing arm (14). A fixed diameter grasping head (18) penetrates the base (16).

Abstract: A dental appliance is provided which includes a bite block made of formable material which includes a tongue stabilizer and a suction tube slidably and removably secured in the bite block for removing debris from the mouth cavity. The appliance may include a raised area for securing the appliance with the patient's teeth during performance of the dental procedures and a posterior vein located in the sidewall of the bite block with an aperture placed in the posterior vein for the suctioning of debris and saliva from the soft palate region of the mouth cavity behind the bite block. A slidably and removably secured rod for transmitting a fiber optic light source for illumination of at least a portion of the mouth cavity may also be included.

Abstract: A positive-type, non-return valve (10) primarily for use with an injection molding machine utilizes a frame (12) which surrounds a coaxial primary chamber (34). The primary chamber (34) is accessed by several passages. Inlets (30) allow material to be fed to a reduced diameter passage (34) adjacent to said primary chamber (32). Outlet passage (42) connects this reduced diameter passage (34) to outlet ports (40). A piston (60) is dimensioned to fit within said primary chamber (32) and reduced diameter passage (34). In a forward position, the piston (60) allows positive flow of material therethrough. In a rearward position, the piston (60) positively blocks flow of material from the inlet (30) to the outlet passage (42). The piston (60) is forced to its rearward position during the injection step.

Abstract: A system which includes method and apparatus for the delivery of cementitious materials to a construction site using a transportable machine, a truck with an extensible crane, a containment frame, and transport cement silos that are carried by the truck and used to replenish cement. The machine has a frame with extensible legs and includes a cement storage and conveyor means having an agitator to assure the delivery of cement of uniform consistency to a batch mixer that has arms to rotate mix in a rotational loop. A water storage and conveyor means utilizes a constant head of water, a solenoid operated valve and a manually operated adjustment means to assure the delivery of water at a uniform flow rate to the batch mixer means. Sand of uniform density and consistency is delivered by a belt conveyor having a compression plate to compress the sand to a uniform density.

Abstract: An earthworking tooth point and adapter assembly is provided with a visual wear indicating system which permits tooth point use to be maximized without subjecting the adapter nose within the tooth point pocket to earth abrasion. The wear indicating system includes a pair of generally U-shaped ribs formed on a front end portion of the adapter nose and wrapping around its front end and top and bottom side surfaces. With the adapter nose operatively positioned within the tooth point pocket the ribs are received in complementarily configured, generally U-shaped wear indicating grooves formed in the interior surface of the pocket at its front. As the tooth point is used, its front end is worn away until small holes are created therein which open into front portions of the pocket grooves, thereby exposing the previously concealed adapter nose ribs to view.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for remotely detecting when a safety relief valve is initially opened includes a permanent field fixedly associated with the closure member and a magnetic proximity switch mounted on the housing so that initial movement of the magnetic field causes the magnetic proximity switch to close, indicating that the valve has opened. Adjustment means are provided to calibrate the position of the sensor switch so that initial movement of the closure member from the seat of less than 0.04 inches can be detected without interfering with the operation of the valve.

Abstract: A deep fat frying system has heating elements controlled by triacs operated in the zero switching mode by a programmed digital processor. The triacs are switched, and thus power is delivered to the heating elements, at a rate substantially faster than the thermal cycle of the heating elements to create a constant or uniform temperature on the surface of the heating elements, which avoids temperature fluctuations, particularly excessive peak temperatures, in the heating elements that scorch fat in contact with the elements and that cause temperatures of the fat to overshoot a desired cooking set point temperature.

Abstract: A reciprocating primary fluid driven motor has a stepped piston in a housing having a center hanging actuator rod which extends into the piston to periodically cooperate with an axially shiftable connector member in the piston which operates valves which establish the reciprocating stroke of the piston by opening and closing valve members on the larger and smaller faces of the stepped piston. A block member with compression spring drivers pivotally mounted inside the piston slides on the actuator rod during movement of the piston. The drivers are compressed in response to spaced stops on the actuator rod during continued movement of the piston until a sudden over-center movement of the block member shifts the connector to operate the valve members to cause reciprocation of the piston. Quiet operation during shifting is provided by shock absorbers. No sliding seal with the actuator rod is necessary. Provision for bleeding air from the housing chamber facilitates startup.

Abstract: A rotary cover for closing the axial opening of a hollow-cylindrical body, a rotary cap and said body having corresponding cam threads, which cause an axial displacement of the rotary cap relative to the body when the rotary cap is rotated. Axial sides of the rotary cap and of the body, which face each other, extend in a plane inclined by a specific angle .alpha. relative to the axis of the body. These axial sides of the rotary cap and of the body are in alignment with each other in the closed position of the rotary cover.

Abstract: A flexible, generally tubular shaped spout device for use in dispensing fluids from containers having threaded or unthreaded openings. A hemispherical flange is included on a lower open end of the spout device which allows for flexible enlargement of a sealing ring upon compression of the external surfaces of the flange. Dimensions of the flexible spout are such that the spout may be centrally folded and latched in a retaining ring to create a seal between the lower open end and the upper open end of the spout.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a lightweight portable lifting device with an adjustable handle which is leveraged to tighten against a lifting bar at an easily adjustable variable distance from a support surface and is usable in pairs to lift and move objects, such as furniture. The handle and lifting bar have interlocking engagement teeth which are quickly and easily disengageable to permit positioning the handle member at a multiplicity of locations along the lifting bar. In a preferred embodiment, the handle is engageable and disengageable from the lifting bar simply by pivoting the handle between the lifting and a release position.