Abstract: An improved conveyor system for transporting die-cut blanks from a rotary die cutter to a blank stacking device includes a blank take-up section comprising a spring biased take-up guide which insures that blanks are positively engaged by the conveyor system before they are released by the die cutter. The conveyor system includes a vacuum belt which serves to suspend and transport die-cut blanks while maintaining them in precise registry to a blank stacking device. An improved snubbing device is disclosed which decelerates blanks without damage to the blanks themselves and then causes the decelerated blanks to rebound back toward the die cutter for improved stacking. A ramp structure is disclosed which flexes blanks near the blank release section of the conveyor system such that the trailing edge of transported blanks snap away from the conveyor system, thereby positively disengaging the blanks from the conveyor.

Abstract: In display panels consisting of an envelope formed by a face plate and a base plate sealed together and filled with a gas suitable for supporting cathode glow, and having masking of the sealing material within the envelope to prevent spurious reflection therefrom.

Abstract: An improved vehicle finishing device is disclosed for a rotary vehicle finishing apparatus. The device includes a plurality of finishing units, each of which is mounted on a drum and has a continuous base portion and a plurality of elongated flexible finishing elements. A plurality of stiffeners are also mounted on respective mounting sites on the drum. The base portions of the finishing units bear against the stiffeners when the apparatus is rotated and biased against a vehicle. The stiffeners support the base portions of the finishing units, thereby preventing the finishing elements from collapsing against the drum.

Abstract: A demagnetizing device for a cassette tape player includes a cassette shell which defines a generally oval-shaped guide track extending around the interior of the shell. A magnet assembly is provided with shafts which fit within the guide track such that the magnet assembly is free to rotate within the guide track and to translate along the length of the guide track. The magnet assembly is rotated by a drive belt which in turn is driven by two hubs rotatably mounted in the cassette shell. An automatic shutoff lever is disclosed which acts automatically to shutoff a tape player equipped with automatic shutoff features when the magnet assembly reaches one of two predetermined positions on the guide track. By properly positioning the guide track, the single magnet assembly can be used to demagnetize multiple components of a tape player distributed around the cassette shell. For example, the single magnet assembly can be used to demagnetize two capstans and a tape head in a single operation.

Abstract: a precision measuring apparatus (0) defining a measuring interval sealed from environmental influences comprises a shielding housing (10) surrounding a measuring interval and defining within the housing wall a slit (10a) oriented along the measuring interval, a movable member (11) attachable to a measured object and movable along the measuring interval, a carrying member (1a) attached to the movable member (11) and extending through the slit (10a), fluid bearings (12b) interposed between the movable member and the shielding housing to form a bearing gap (12) therebetween and to movably support the movable member (11) on the shielding housing (10) substantially without friction, and sealing fluid (14c) positioned in the bearing gap (12) to seal the slit (10a). The apparatus further includes a fluid supply means (14) for supplying sealing fluid (14c) such as vacuum oil, to the bearing gap (12), and means (18) for evacuating the shielding housing (10).

Abstract: The present invention provides a multiple-partitioned shelf unit comprising a rigid open-ended shelf having a four-sided, substantially horizontal floor, a four-sided substantially horizontal ceiling, and means supporting said ceiling above said floor. The supporting means includes two spaced-apart upstanding members defining therebetween the horizontal extent of the shelf open end. The ceiling further includes a downwardly-extending lip. The free end of the lip and floor define therebetween the vertical extent of the shelf open end. The shelf unit further includes a fiberboard shell having an upstanding rear panel hingedly connected to two upstanding side panels. The shell is positioned within the shelf with said rear panel rearward of the shell's open end and the free ends of the side panels each being disposed at opposite ends of shelf open end, each adjacent and inward of one of the upstanding members, and at least a portion of each of the side panels extends behind the lip.

Abstract: The invention provides for a sealed mix tank having two chambers: one chamber mixes waste material and water to form a slurry and collect gas, particularly ammonia gas, during the digestive process; and, a second chamber stores water used for mixing. A classifier separates anaerobically non-digestible material from the slurry by directing the slurry through a basin to settle heavy particles and to push scum-forming particles onto a strainer. A sealed digest tank allows for sparging of the slurry with gas and for collecting the bio-gas generated during the digestive process. A sealed sludge tank receives digested slurry from the digest tank, sparges the sludge with gas, and collects the resultant bio-gas. A sealed scrub tank contains a scrubbing liquid which first absorbs ammonia gas generated during the digestive process and subsequently absorbs carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide from bio-gas collected from the tanks during the process.

Abstract: A bracket assembly for cooperating with dry wall to provide a wall mount for a shelf or some other object. The bracket is fabricated of sheet material such as metal, has a side leg adapted to seat flush against the dry wall, and has at least two apertures formed through the side leg. Holes are formed through the dry wall in alignment with the apertures. At least two lever pins are inserted through aligned apertures and holes and then pivoted so that inner pin sections grip the dry wall when outer pin sections are snapped into retaining means on the side leg.

Abstract: An apparatus is made of a tube for containing a number of thin parts in a stack arrangement, having a loading end and a dispensing end, a device for feeding parts to the separating device, from the loading end to the dispensing end of the tube, and a device positioned at the dispensing end of the tube for separating at least one of the parts from the remainder of the parts and positioning the part at the dispensing of the tube for pick-up. A method for feeding and positioning a thin part to be grasped by a pick-up device includes stacking thin parts in a tube, separating one of the parts from the stack, positioning the part at the end of the tube for pick-up, and feeding more parts to the separating step.

Abstract: An encoding switch generates selected patterns of voltage signals that correspond to the binary bits of a code word. A base of the switch supports a plurality of pairs of terminals. Each pair of terminals includes a conducting stationary terminal and a conducting moveable terminal that is positioned adjacent to the stationary terminal. An encoding module is inserted over the base to define a particular pattern of voltage signals. The module has a plurality of selectively detachable tabs that engage the movable terminals and press the terminals against adjacent stationary terminals when the module is slidingly engaged with the body. Relatively long tabs of the module establish connections corresponding to the data bits of a word and at least one short tab establishes a power connection for the switch.

Abstract: A medical fluid collection system includes a double ended needle having a disc secured thereto. A resilient elastomeric sleeve is secured to the disc to extend around a portion of the needle, and a pierceable translucent plug is secured to the sleeve such that the plug is situated over one end of the needle in an extended position to prevent fluids from leaking therefrom. This plug is preferably provided with a convex outer surface adjacent the one end of the needle and is moveable along the needle to a retracted position in which the one end of the needle extends out of the plug. The sleeve acts to bias the plug into the extended position. A fluid collection device includes a barrel which defines a bore. A piston is slidingly and sealingly positioned in the bore, and a pierceable diaphragm is provided to seal an interior volume of the bore between the piston and the diaphragm.

Abstract: A balancing circuit for a digital, photoelectric length or angle measuring system which includes a measuring scale, first and second light sources for illuminating the scale, and photosensitive scanning elements for measuring light modulated by the scale. The disclosed balancing circuit includes a separate balancing branch for each of the light sources. Each balancing branch is separately adjustable, and each balancing branch serves to provide an equal light signal use to compensate for the average intensity of the respective light source. Preferably, only one of the two light sources is activated at any given time, and the two balancing branches are arranged so that the balancing branch associated with the activated light source is not adversely influenced by the balancing branch associated with the non-activated light source.

Abstract: A mounting bracket and an arrangement for mounting an electronic accessory device within the mounting bracket when installed in a vehicle not only holds the device for its intended use but also permits limited withdrawal for insured and normal access to the control panel for desired adjustment. The mounting bracket is comprised of a base plate and a pair of opposed, complementary flat arms depending from opposite ends of the base plate for stationing of an electronic device within the mounting bracket. Each of the arms includes a pair of channels for guiding displacement of the stationed device within the mounting bracket. One of the channels is generally straight, and the second of the channels is generally serpentine and spaced from the first channel between the first channel and the base plate.

Abstract: A process for photolithographically producing matt diffusion patterns is disclosed. The matt diffusion patterns can be formed along with opaque and transparent patterns on the same pattern carrier plate. According to this process, a photoexposure mask corresponding to the desired matt pattern is made by photolithography, which mask is then used in subsequent photolithographic processes to form the matt diffusion pattern on pattern carrier plates. The process of making the exposure mask involves forming a mask of a desired diffusion pattern, applying a photoresist layer to the mask, exposing the photoresist layer through a diffusion plate, developing the photoresist layer, applying an opaque layer to the mask, and removing the photoresist layer. In subsequent photolithographic processes the exposure mask is printed on transparent pattern carrier plates, and the exposed areas of the pattern carrier plates are deeply etched to form the matt diffusion patterns.

Abstract: An apparatus for converting wind energy to heat is disclosed which includes a wind powered turbine and a positive displacement gear pump which is powered by the turbine and serves to pump a fluid through a flow restricting orifice. This fluid exits from the orifice at a high rate of flow, and the kinetic energy of the fluid flow is converted into heat by a diffuser which is adapted to slow the flow rate of the fluid. In this apparatus the energy consumed by the constant displacement pump is substantially the same function of turbine shaft speed as is the available wind energy, and, therefore, the apparatus of this invention functions efficiently at a wide range of wind speeds. Furthermore, since the wind energy is converted to heat, a relatively low cost constant displacement pump may be used. Internal pump leakage, which is generally regarded as a drawback of low cost pumps, only serves to further heat the fluid being pumped, and in this application does not degrade the efficiency of the apparatus.

Abstract: Improved apparatus and methods for assembling and cooking pizza are disclosed which markedly reduce the final cooking time required. Preferably, a pizza shell is precooked in an enclosed container which confines and controls the shape of the shell as well as the moisture loss by the shell during precooking. In addition, a high solids, preheated sauce and a high fat, thin sliced cheese are used to accelerate the final cooking process. Cooking is preferably performed in a perforated cooking pan having a plurality of raised support surfaces. A forced air oven is preferably used for cooking, and the raised support areas and the perforations of the pan cooperate to maximize contact between the heated air and the underside of the pizza. In combination, these techniques significantly reduce required cooking time for pizza.

Abstract: An alarm and locking device for deterring theft of removable vehicle rooftops. An alarm is sounded if an unauthorized attempt to remove a rooftop is made, while successful removal of the rooftop is prevented by a locking mechanism.

Abstract: An automatically self-centering clamp for down-hole tubulars includes a frame which defines guides for two opposed clamping jaws. Each clamping jaw is pivotably attached to a rocker arm, and the two rocker arms are in turn pivotably attached to a tension member which extends therebetween. The tension member is mounted to the frame so as to be free to move in the direction of the clamping axis of the clamp as necessary to follow the movement of the jaws. A hydraulic cylinder is provided to pivot the rocker arms about the tension member, thereby positioning the jaws in the guides formed by the frame. A rotatable pivot plate is mounted to rotate within the frame, and link members are provided to link each of the rocker arms with a respective point on the pivot plate. The link members and the pivot plate act to maintain the rocker arms in symmetrical positions such that the jaws remain centered about a predetermined clamping axis for a wide range travel of the jaws.