Abstract: Linerless label stock 102 is fed to a printer that prints on the front face 104 of the label stock 102 and then to a media cutter 224. The cutter 224 cuts the strip into discrete labels, which are fed to a tag application station 226. A strip of electronic tags is fed through an encoder that detects defective tags and then to a tag cutter 246 that cuts the strip into discrete tags. Defective tags exiting the cutter 246 are diverted away from the tag application station. Non-defective tags are conveyed to the tag application station 226 where they are secured to the back face of labels.

Abstract: A round crab pot provides crabs easy access from all directions, while strongly discouraging exit except by crabs of nonallowable small size. The pot may be of variable weight and size for commercial or individual use. The pot frame has an interchangeable top and bottom kept parallel by perpendicular supporting posts. The pot entrance occupies the entire height and circumference. The entrance is formed by a plurality of elongated spring steel rods connected to the top and/or bottom of the frame. The rods are positioned to slant inwardly toward the center of the pot and are connected by spring steel wire and a thin plastic medium. Thus, the entrance exhibits a spring-like tension as crabs enter. In a first variation, the rods are connected to only one end of the frame. Crabs may enter at ground level with the rods extending from the top of the pot, slanting inward and downward toward the center. By reversing the top and bottom, crabs may enter by walking up the rods.

Abstract: A hub cap (3) with a picture for a rim (2) of a wheel of a vehicle comprises a housing connected to the rim (2) and a disc connected rotatably to the housing (4). The picture is arranged on the side of the disc (5) remote from the housing. The rotatable connection between the housing and the disc is formed by a pivot pin (6) which is received rotatably in a pivot hole. A mass is connected to the disc at a distance from the pivot pin. The mass (11) is connected to the disc for pivoting on a first shaft parallel to the pivot pin, so that the stabilizing effect of the mass (11) on the disc works better during rotation of the rim.

Abstract: A reciprocating floor conveyor (10) including a support frame (12), and a conveyor floor (14), which is comprised of a plurality of laterally spaced-apart conveyor slats (16), a plurality of laterally spaced-apart holding slats (18), and a series of divider planks (20). Divider planks (20) are fixedly secured to the upper portion of support framework (12). Conveyor slats (16) are mounted on support frame (12) for longitudinal reciprocation between “start” and “advanced” positions. Holding slats (18) are mounted on support frame (12) for vertical movement between and “up” position in which the holding slats (18) are above the conveyor slats (16), and a “down” position, in which the holding slats (18) are below the conveyor slats (16).

Abstract: A pet bed has a generally triangular configuration with truncated angles. Each of the three sides of a flexible support platform is attached to a corresponding rail. The rails have first interengaging portions that engage second interengaging portions of three generally U-shaped leg members. The support platform is dimensioned to space adjacent ends of adjacent rails apart a first distance. Opposite arms of each leg member have an unstressed position in which the outer free ends of the arms are spaced apart a distance greater than this first distance. The arms are sufficiently flexible to bend to move their outer ends toward each other when squeezed together by a user. The outer ends are squeezed together and engaged with the first interengaging portions to assemble the bed. In the assembled bed, the platform is in tension and the outer ends of the arms are urged outwardly against the first interengaging portions to provide a stable assembled condition.

Abstract: A PC card holder is mounted on a circuit board. A card retainer is mounted adjacent to the holder to prevent unintentional movement of a card out of an engaged position in the holder when the holder is subjected to vibrations. The retainer preferably includes a finger having a hook formed on a free end thereof that is yieldably biased into a blocking position in which it blocks the unintentional movement. An outer end surface of the hook engages a front corner portion of the card. When the card is being intentionally removed from the holder, movement of the card deflects the finger to allow passage of the card. Similarly, insertion of a card into the holder deflects the finger into a nonblocking position.

Abstract: A device for closing pipes, in particular conveyor pipelines for gas or fluid media, which device comprises an annular carrier extending transversely of the passage of the pipe for a number of plates supported pivotally relative to the side wall of the carrier, in addition to a control ring which is arranged coaxially of the annular carrier and which is in engagement with all plates, which control ring and carrier are rotatable relative to each other on the common central axis thereof such that the plates are movable from a first position, wherein the passage is left clear, to a second position wherein the passage is closed, and vice versa, wherein each plate takes a triangular form, wherein the pivot point with the carrier is arranged outside this triangle, which triangular plates together precisely close the passage.

Abstract: A first stop member (74) is connected to and extends upwardly, perpendicular to a longitudinal frame member (72). A second stop member (80) is connected to and projects upwardly and perpendicular to a base member (82). The base member (82) is supported by and is guided along the frame member (72) by a longitudinal rib (84) on the frame member (72) and a longitudinal recess (86) formed in the bottom of the base member (82). The stop members (74, 80) include shaft receiving openings (78, 120). A forward portion of a rotary shaft (12) projects forwardly through the opening (78) in the forward stop member (74) and then projects forwardly through a guide passageway in a guide member (52) having a forward end surface (53). A rear portion of the shaft (12) projects through opening (120) in the rear stop member (80). The shaft (12) includes an abutment (46) that is positioned between the two stop members (74, 80). The cutting tip member (14) is pivotally connected to the forward end of the shaft (12).

Abstract: One or more reading devices are disposed within a hollow case sized and shaped to be held in a user's hand. A supplemental switch is also disposed in the case and is manually activatable by a user, such as by the user's thumb. Logic disposed in the case is connected to a reading device and the supplemental switch for taking a first action when the switch is activated and taking a second action when it is not. The first and second actions may comprise first and second modes of operation of the reading device. When two or more reading devices are provided, the first and second actions may include reading operations of the first and second devices, respectively. Types of reading devices that may be incorporated into embodiments of the invention include bar code scanners, RF ID interrogators, and smart card scanners.

Abstract: A lollipop comprises a ball of hard candy and an edible stick having a first end extending into a cavity in the ball. The stick comprises pressed candy and a multiplicity of confectionary chips interspersed in the pressed candy. The stick is preferably received into a plastic sleeve to provide a lollipop assembly in which the stick is protected from direct contact while the candy ball is being eaten. In the manufacture of the lollipop, a plurality of book molds are positioned in a line and linked together for simultaneous opening and closing. A plurality of nozzles inject hot syrup into the molds. When the syrup has cooled and the sticks have been anchored therein, the molds are inverted and opened to allow the lollipops to drop out. The manufacture operation is automated and synchronized for maximum efficiency.

Abstract: First and second handles of a tool are spring biased to pivot into a closed position in which mounting end portions of the handles abut each other. A band has a first end attached to the mounting end portion of the first handle and extends therefrom to form a loop. The opposite end of the band is slidably received through passages through the mounting end portions of the handles. A series of openings through the band correspond to various predetermined use diameters. A pin extending into the passage in the second handle engages one of the openings corresponding to a selected use diameter. The gripping end portions of the handles opposite the mounting end portions are squeezed together to increase the effective diameter of the band loop and allow the loop to be placed around parts to be aligned.

Abstract: Upper and lower housing portions 4, 6, and 8 are connected together around a reduced width interface 10. An electric heating element 38 projects upwardly from the top to allow containers of various sizes to be placed on the element 38. The element 38 has a plug-in connector 40 received into a receptacle 44 carried by a side projection 6 of the housing. An electric conductor 46 extends inside the housing from the receptacle 44 down into a switch 48 mounted on the lower housing portion 8. The stove housing is dimensioned to position the element to be readily accessible by a person seating on the ground or a chair when the stove is resting on the ground, and also to be readily accessible to a person standing adjacent to a table on which the stove is resting. The height of the lower portion is sufficient to isolate a surface on which the stove is resting from excessive heat.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transporting device for transporting a voluminous, substantially empty container (1), which transporting device has a shape and dimensions suitable for use on the public highway and is provided with a mobile main frame (12); a sub-frame (11) supported by the main frame (12); a rolling-up member (10) rotatably mounted on a lying shaft in the sub-frame (11); drive means (15) for rotating the rolling-up member (10); coupling means (13) arranged on the rolling-up member (10) for coupling the rolling-up member (10) to the container (1), and turning means (17) for turning the sub-frame (11) on a standing shaft relative to the main frame (12). The invention also relates to a container (1) which is transported with interposing of a transporting device (11, 12) according to the invention.

Abstract: Cooling apparatus for computers and other electronic devices includes a heat transfer device having a passageway through which a liquid coolant circulates. The coolant circulates from the heat transfer device to a heat dissipation device and back. The heat dissipation device has a reservoir with fins positioned thereon. A fan directs ambient air through the fins to dissipate heat from the liquid coolant. The fan and fins are separated from the interior space of the computer by walls to isolate the heat-producing components from flow of ambient air.

Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring a refrigerant state in a refrigeration system includes a charge sensor and a controller. The sensor is positioned adjacent to the outlet of an evaporator. The sensor produces a voltage output signal in response to an input signal from the controller. The controller compares the output signal to a predetermined set point chosen to correspond to a predetermined refrigerant state. The sensor is preferably a self-heated thermistor positioned adjacent to flow exiting the evaporator through the outlet. The controller preferably compares the output signal to a set point at preset intervals and computes an average for a predetermined time duration. This helps to avoid false readings due to transitory conditions. The apparatus may be used in various types of refrigeration systems but is contemplated to be used primarily in mobile air conditioning systems in order to detect a reduced refrigerant charge in such systems.

Abstract: A hoisting device (1) comprises at least a hoisting mast (7), a foot (4) arranged on the underside and connected to the hoisting mast, and a lifting device (6) connected at least to the top of the hoisting mast (7). The hoisting device (1) is assembled from components or elements (8), the largest of which has dimensions which do not exceed those of a normal container, whereby the entire hoisting device (1) can be transported easily and inexpensively by land, sea or air.

Abstract: A system includes a method and apparatus for printing labels and applying electronic tags, e.g. RF tags, to the labels, and also includes the resulting labels. The apparatus comprises a label media supply station that receives a strip of label media. The back face of the media may have adhesive thereon, which may be protected by a liner. The media is conveyed to a print station for printing on the front face of the media. A strip of RF tags is conveyed from a tag supply station to a tag application station downstream of the print station. At the tag application station, an electronic tag is applied to the back face of a label that has been printed at the print station. Preferably, a tag strip bar defines the location at which a tag is brought into contact with the back face. The bar is configured to provide a sharp turn in a pathway for a liner portion of the strip of tags. This separates the liner from the tag as the tag is applied to the label.

Abstract: A computer (2) has a plurality of heat-producing components, including a microprocessor chip (10). A heat transfer device (22) through which a liquid coolant (C) is circulated is mounted in heat exchanging contact on the component (10). The device (22) may be mounted directly or via a Peltier thermoelectric cooler (14) positioned between the component (10) and the device (22). Coolant (C) from the device (22) is circulated to and through a reservoir (42) mounted on an inner mounting surface (38) of a radiator (34). The radiator (34) has heat dissipating fins (40) exposed to ambient air. The power supply (6) of the computer (2) is mounted directly on the mounting surface (38) so that heat produced by the power supply (6) will be dissipated by the radiator (34). Preferably, a plurality of transistors (66) of the power supply (6) are mounted on the mounting surface (38) separately from the mounting board (64) of the power supply 6).