Abstract: Heating apparatus for heating of a fluid. The heating apparatus comprises a conduit having a fluid passage therethrough for conduction of a fluid to be heated, a heating device, such as for example electrical heating plates, in heat transfer contact with a portion of the conduit for heating the fluid being conducted therethrough, and a temperature sensing device positioned in engagement with the conduit at a predetermined location along the conduit external to the conduit for sensing the temperature of the fluid to be conducted therepast. A contact member is arranged to engage the flexible conduit at the predetermined location for compressing the flexible conduit to constrict the cross sectional area of the flow passage thereat when the flow rate of the fluid is below a predetermined flow rate. Preferably, the contact member is spring biased towards the flow passage constricting position, and is movable away from such position when the flow rate exceeds a predetermined flow rate.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting a condition of response on a telephone line are disclosed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention wherein time intervals between the zero crosspoints of an input signal are ascertained and the most prevalent interval determined. The most prevalent interval determined is compared with succeeding time intervals of the input signal and the results of such comparison are employed in classifying the input signal as periodic or not. The nature of the periodic or non-periodic signals are further analyzed to ascertain the condition on the line and an absence of signal for a selected period following a detection of periodic or non-periodic input signals may then be relied upon to indicate that an announce operation may be initiated.

Abstract: A package for storing and dispensing precut segments of tape with adhesive backing includes a plurality of pieces of sheet material having first and second ends and at least an upper surface with a smooth texture adapted to releasably retain tape with adhesive backing. The pieces of sheet material are releasably bound at the first ends of the pieces of sheet material and are constructed and arranged to allow removal of one of the sheets from the package. a plurality of elongated segments of tape with adhesive backing on a first face thereof are releasably mounted to the upper surface of the sheets. The tape segments include at least a first end portion having no exposed adhesive material adapted to be manually grasped for removal of the tape segments from the sheets. A chain or string is affixed to the package to allow it to be suspended from a rigid object.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling of containers of the type having a sleeve with one open end and a substantially closed end having an opening therein, and having a displaceable plunger sealingly engaging the inside wall of the sleeve and being displaceable along the axis thereof between the open and closed ends. In accordance with both the method and apparatus, the plunger is assembled in the sleeve and is displaced toward the closed end thereof having the opening therethrough, and the container is then filled with a suitable filling material through the opening simultaneously as the displaceable plunger is moved away from the opening, thereby allowing the material to be injected freely into the container without having to evacuate air therefrom.

Abstract: Microprocessor-based vending apparatus incorporating a plurality of separately driven individual dispensing assemblies is disclosed. The dispensing assemblies are scanned to determine their state and any malfunctioning assembly disabled to prevent attempted selection by a user without shutting down the entire vending machine. The state of the malfunctioning dispensing apparatus is retained in memory so that the state of each dispensing assembly may be selectively displayed through activation of a display switch causing the microprocessor to sequentially identify and display those dispensing devices which malfunctioned. The microprocessor performs all change-making functions normally performed in vending machines to greatly reduce the complexity and expense of the coin-accepting apparatus. Additionally, data is stored representing the quantity of each coin denomination present and change-making capability is disabled when coin denominations are reduced to a predetermined count.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing images on radiation sensitive recording mediums. The apparatus includes a plurality of radiation sources which are independently selectively operable to produce a plurality of radiation signals at a predetermined location from the radiation sources. The plurality of radiation signals are arranged to define a matrix having m rows and n columns in which m and n are each integers greater than 1, and the matrix of signals is of a predetermined size at the predetermined location. A radiation sensitive recording medium is mounted for relative movement relative to the radiation sources so that respective portions of the recording medium are presented at the predetermined location from the radiation sources. The radiation sources are selectively operated at selected intervals as the radiation sources and recording medium move relative to one another to thereby produce one or more radiation signals to thereby expose a series of dot areas on the recording medium to produce a desired image.

Abstract: A rigid metal framework includes parallel u-shaped guides which are spaced apart and lined with a resilient material for supporting the edges of a solar absorber or core, which guides are connected with separate transverse members at their opposite ends together with intermediate cross-supports to increase the rigidity of the framework and a clamp in one of the housings to secure a manifold of a solar absorber, thereby allowing expansion and contraction of the core to occur in the guides, thereby providing support of the core without creating stress in the absorber. The framework can be fixed to the installation site but allows the absorber to float in a controlled manner within the framework without damage, as thermal conditions change. In addition, the framework design allows glazing (transparent covers) to be placed over the absorber, enhancing the efficiency of the resulting collector unit.

Abstract: A controllable volume dosing device for providing a measured dose of material. The volume dosing device comprises a cylinder having a piston movably mounted therein for movement between a first end position and a second end position, and drive device for moving the piston between the two end positions. A valve is provided associated with the cylinder and which is positionable in a first valve position in which material may be introduced into the cylinder and a second valve position in which material may be expelled from the cylinder. The displacement of the piston within the cylinder between the first and second end positions controls the volume of the dose of such material. An adjustable stop member associated with the piston is provided for defining the first end position of the piston.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for diluting a concentrated solution to be analyzed which includes a Y-coupling for combining a diluent and the concentrated solution to form a mixture. The mixture is then divided into first and second parts, such as by a pumping arrangement, with the second part of the mixture being proportional in quantity to the quantity of concentrated solution. The first part of the mixture is then supplied to an analytical device for analyzing the mixture. A chamber including a movable wall element is provided which divides the chamber into two subchambers. The first part of the mixture is supplied to the subchamber on one side of the movable wall element, which causes the movable wall element to force a proportional quantity of diluent out of the subchamber on the other side of the movable wall element. The dispensed diluent is then conveyed to mix with the concentrated solution.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sampler for analytical detection systems, comprising a slide sealingly housed between two guide walls and movable to put a housing thereof from a sample receiving position to a sample delivering position and viceversa, said housing being washed by an inert gas into the sample receiving position in order to completely eliminate the environmental atmosphere from said housing notwithstanding such housing is opened to said atmosphere in the sample receiving position thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the speed of a traveling web being driven along a path by means of first and second drive rollers located at spaced positions along the path. An emitter device is provided for directing a radiation signal at the traveling web at a predetermined location along the path between the first and second drive rollers so as to be reflected thereby, and a detector device is provided for detecting the reflected radiation signal and for generating a position indication signal indicative of the position of the detector relative to the traveling web at the predetermined location. In response to the position indication signal, the detector device is caused to move so as to maintain a predetermined position with respect to the traveling web at the predetermined location.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for temperature measurements, comprising a temperature-sensitive sensor whose electrical properties, e.g. resistance, vary with the temperature, e.g. a thermistor, and which via two contacts is connected to two electric conductors arranged on a support, which electric conductors in turn can be connected to a reading unit for the reading of the actual values of current, voltage or the like corresponding to the temperature.In a preferred embodiment the said electric conductors are in the form of two metal layers on both sides of a support made of plastics. The one metal layer is interrupted by a gap which is arranged to be bridged by the sensor, one contact of which is connected to each conductor.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for collecting a liquid which has been separated into at least first and second fractions according to the densities of such fractions. The device comprises a stationary transferring element and a housing for said stationary transferring element. The housing is rotatable about an axis of rotation for the device and the housing and stationary transferring element provide a fluid communication space therebetween for fluid communication between the housing and stationary transferring element. The housing includes first and second outlet passages for passing said first and second separated fractions through the housing to first and second points in the fluid communication space, and the transferring element includes first and second outlet channels for passing the first and second separated fractions from the first and second points in fluid communication space through the transferring element.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for separating vapor from refined cellulosic material are disclosed. The method includes discharging the refined cellulosic material downwardly through an inlet opening into a discharge chamber maintained at substantially the same pressure as the refiner, deflecting the vapor laterally with respect to that cellulosic material, passing the vapor through the discharge chamber at a flow rate of less than 15 meters/sec. so that the cellulosic material carried by the vapor is separated from the vapor by sedimentation, and discharging the cellulosic material from the discharge chamber.

Abstract: A composition comprising water, food compatible acid and porous rhyolite carrier, and a method of treating used fryer cooking oil are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and composition for a determination of alkaline materials such as soap in fat are disclosed. In the disclosed method, a predetermined amount of a test solution containing a solvent and a dye is mixed with fat; the fat and test solution are allowed to separate into two phases; and the color developed in one of the phases is compared with a known standard to determine the amount of alkaline materials in the fat. A test solution and test kit for performing the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: An edge forming tool is pressed into a thermoplastic sheet which is supported on an anvil or counter tool. The edge forming tool is maintained at a temperature below the melting temperature of the thermoplastic sheet and a high frequency electric field is established between the edge forming tool and the counter tool. The high frequency electric field softens the thermoplastic sheet which is deformed by the edge forming tool. Thereafter, the softened and deformed portions of the thermoplastic sheet are allowed to cool and re-harden before the sheet is folded to form a bend therein.