Abstract: Apparatus and method for depositing a uniformly micro-thin layer of fluid on the face of a panel or substrate by moving the panel face down in oppositely moving contiguously juxtaposed position with a thin sheet of said fluid substantially laminarly flowing across a horizontal weir. The weir is so arranged as to form an acute angle between direction of fluid travel and the plane of movement of the piece to be coated. Once the panel touches the surface of the moving sheet of fluid, the surface tension between the fluid and panel causes a uniform micro-thin layer of the fluid to be deposited on the panel. If the method is used for lacquer or resist application, the layer of fluid is then baked onto the panel until it is dried into a solid. If the method is used for developing or rinsing photo plates or semi-conductor wafers, a slightly turbulent flow across the weir is desirable and the excess liquid remaining on the substrates may be blown off by a stream of high velocity gases.

Abstract: An improved cupola furnace waste gas recuperative system and method for collecting waste furnace gases, cleaning them for the purpose of safely burning same either in a recuperator-heat exchanger for preheating incoming furnace blast air or for other heating purposes. The improvement consists of a method and means to control the pressure inside of the gas take-off chamber of an open, top charged, cupola furnace for the purposes of preventing gases from escaping through the charging hopper, preventing the indraft of excessive amounts of air, preventing explosive combustion and flashback of the waste gas and maintaining cleaning efficiency at any gas flow rate. Means include the controlled recirculation of a variable portion of the waste gas through part of the gas cleaning system and control of the furnace top gas pressure as a function of the incoming cupola furnace blast air.

Abstract: A press-on turn-off closure cap for glass containers which have a top rim sealing finish, a contiguous frusto-conical sealing finish, and on the neck therebelow a circumferential band of thread formations. The closure cap has a cup-shaped shell with a top panel and a two-step depending skirt. The shell is lined at the juncture of the top panel and the upper inner step with an annular gasket formed of solid plastisol or the like which provides hermetic sealing engagement with both the top rim finish and also the contiguous frusto-conical side seal finish. In addition the lower step of the shell is lined with a circumferential gasket which after being pushed down over the band of thread formations takes a cold-flow set so as to form mating thread formations capable of camming the closure cap off the container on relative rotation between the cap and container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for arranging bags in layers with the sewn end of each bag in each layer facing inwardly of the layer and for depositing each layer on a pallet. Some bags are turned 180.degree. and some bags are turned 90.degree. while the bags are being conveyed to a marshalling station where the bags are gathered sequentially in groups. The first two groups are sequentially moved onto a plate to form a layer of bags having a predetermined pattern. Then, the plate is moved over a pallet and the layer is wiped off the plate over the pallet while the plate is retracted. The next two groups are arranged in a layer having a different pattern and deposited over the pallet in like manner. These steps are repeated several times to quickly deposit eight layers on the pallet with adjacent layers having interlocking patterns. Preferably, 90.degree.

Abstract: A dielectric processing chamber unit for use in electroprocessing large surface areas including electropolishing and electroplating. The processing chamber unit has an open face, an open top, a sealing strip, an electrolyte inlet and an electrode. The processing chamber unit is placed with its open face against a surface to be electroprocessed and an electrolyte is introduced into the chamber through the inlet. The inlet is located so that the entering electrolyte dislodges gas bubbles formed during electroprocessing and then both the electrolyte and gas leave the chamber through its open top.A method of electroprocessing a surface using such a processing chamber unit whereby a relatively small amount of electrolyte is used and recirculated during processing.

Abstract: Camera for photographing an oscilloscope screen or a cathode-ray tube including a housing having a lens mounted therein with a first opening on one side of the lens for aligning with the oscilloscope screen and a second opening at the other side of the lens for receiving a film cassette. Magnetic means is provided for mounting the film cassette on the camera housing at the second opening including a strip of flexible or resilient magnet material about the opening and a strip of magnetic material on the film cassette.

Abstract: A motor-driven electric shaver operable over a wide range of alternating line voltages includes a capacitor for supplying unidirectional current to the motor. The capacitor is periodically charged through a current switching device serially located between the line and the capacitor. The switching device is rendered conductive only when the instantaneous voltage level of the applied line current is less than a predetermined level such that the average voltage developed across the capacitor and applied to the motor corresponds to the nominal requirements of the motor. Since the switching device is operated in either a saturated or nonsaturated state, power dissipation within the shaver is minimized.

Abstract: An improved seed metering apparatus for use in a seed planter of the type having a seed storage hopper and a drop chute for depositing seeds into an underlying furrow comprises a rotatably driven seed metering disc having a plurality of seed receiving pockets about its periphery. As the planter is pulled forward the metering disc rotates and each pocket is caused to pass through a pressurized chamber wherein a predetermined number of seeds are picked up, and then to pass through a compartment of reduced pressure wherein the seeds are released into the drop chute. A pressure-sealed wear-resistant engagement is obtained between the seed metering disc and the chamber walls by means of replaceable wear plates mounted on the wall edges and a coil spring carried on the disc mounting shaft which causes the metering disc to bear against the wear plates during operation.

Abstract: A high-precision pinion gear comprises a core formed of a plurality of stampings bonded together in axial alignment and having a plurality of relatively low precision teeth formed thereon. A thin plastic layer bonded to the circumference of the core provides a precision plastic surface on which the teeth of the pinion gear are formed with high precision.

Abstract: A head assembly for a portable fire extinguisher includes a plastic injection-molded body adapted to fit over the discharge opening of a pressurized cylinder of fire extinguishing agent. The body includes an internal passageway in which a valve is slidably mounted. An O-ring embedded in the wall of the passageway serves as a valve seat for the valve to provide control of the dispensing of the extinguishing agent. A tube segment, one end of which is flared and molded into the housing, and the other end of which extends through the discharge opening and is attached to the cylinder by a threaded sleeve, serves to mount the head assembly to the cylinder. In an alternate embodiment, the body of the head assembly includes a handle symmetrically disposed with respect to the center of gravity of the fire extinguisher for improved portability.

Abstract: A low profile faucet assembly of the type having hot and cold water valves and a spout includes an injection-molded body defining inlets for connection to hot and cold water pipes, an outlet for communication to the spout, and means for mounting the valves. Fluid communication is established within the body by means of an embedded central core member having a plurality of longitudinally extending passageways connected to the inlets and outlet by apertures axially aligned with the openings. The use of multiple passageways within the core reduces the knocking effects of low hoop strength, and the side-by-side arrangement of these passageways in a horizontal plane allows a low profile to be obtained. The use of threaded metal sleeves embedded in the inlets allows hot and cold water pipes to be connected directly to the faucet.

Abstract: A non-pressurized dispenser for fluid products includes a cylindrical plastic housing having a compressible body portion and a removable cap portion having a hollow core needle and dispensing nozzle. A disposable product container having flexible side walls is contained within the body portion. When the cap portion is seated on the body portion, the hollow core needle penetrates the container to establish fluid communication between the container and the nozzle. When the housing is compressed air trapped between the container and the housing causes the container to be compressed and the fluid product contained therein to be forced from the container through the core of the needle and out through the nozzle. A check valve in the housing allows air to enter the housing to replace the volume vacated by the dispensed fluid product so that the container can be completely emptied without the housing having to be completely compressed.

Abstract: A propulsion and steering control system for a fishing boat wherein a pair of reversible electric motors are mounted in a fixed angular relationship to each other of from approximately 30.degree. to 120.degree. as defined between the respective axes of rotation of the propellers of such motors. A control device is provided which, in a preferred embodiment, is a substantially flat, foot-actuated pivotally mounted plate which can be rocked in a fore or aft direction as well as a right or left direction for actuating appropriate switches which enable the operator to selectively and independently produce a forward or reverse thrust with any one or both of the angularly oriented motors, thereby enabling the operator to achieve a desired propulsion and steering control for the fishing boat while maintaining the motors in the fixed relationship to each other and without requiring turning of either of the motors.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously producing a series of multi-compartment packages formed from a single web of pliable film material. The machine folds the web along one of its side edges to form a pocket or two-ply margin. The web is then passed through a tube former which bends the web across its width until a continuous tube is formed with the two-ply margin to the inside and overlapped by the opposing side edge of the web. The apparatus then seals the tube with a single composite seal across the overlapped portion of the tube, which is of three-ply thickness. Next, the apparatus positions differing substances in each compartment. Then, the apparatus sequentially gathers the filled tubular member at two positions along its length, seals the gathered portions by clinching pairs of closure clips therearound, and severs the film material between the clips in each pair thereof to form the package.

Abstract: A body-encircling safety ring is supported from at least one side wall of a shower bath installation so as to allow a person showering free use of both hands while preventing a fall in any direction. The preferred support for the safety ring is a horizontal rod anchored at the desired level to a side wall of the shower installation. The preferred form of safety ring comprises two mating semi-circular halves with each half having an ear formation on one end allowing it to be supported in cantilever fashion in various positions along the horizontal rod. Spring-actuated locking means are mounted in the ear formations for cooperating with recesses spaced along a groove extending lengthwise of the rod so as to allow the semi-circular halves to be positioned as desired on the rod.

Abstract: An indicator for flow of fault current in a conductor is enclosed in a housing carrying a metallic clamp for detachable mounting on the conductor. The indicator is operated by closure of a switch in response to flow of fault current in the conductor and is reset by the voltage developed between the clamp and ground. The indicator is checked by application of a permanent magnet to close the switch and an external voltage to reset the indicator. The indicator also can be reset by flow of normal current in the conductor employing a winding on a magnetic core surrounding the conductor and encapsulated with the switch.

Abstract: An adjustable metal orthodontic band, including a sleeve-shaped body having folds, pleats or corrugations which permit expansion so that the band may fit teeth of various size.

Abstract: A product knockout and receiving means for removing a loaf meat from a mechanism of loaf molds including a gang of knockout bars, one each in alignment with each mold for engaging and pushing a plug within the mold to drive the loaf meat product from the mold, and a gang of receiving means (such as trays) for receiving the loaf meat product as it is removed from the molds.

Abstract: A log-periodic longitudinal slot antenna array comprises a dimensionally linearly tapered ridged waveguide having a wall forming part of a metallic ground plane and in which longitudinally elongated and spaced slots are formed. The long axis of each slot is perpendicular to the transverse component of the magnetic field in the waveguide and the slots have dimensions and inner-slot spacings which decrease in increments of a predetermined ratio .tau. in a direction toward the smaller end of the tapered waveguide. The antenna produces a fan-shaped beam with its narrowest radiation pattern lying in a plane perpendicular to a line parallel to the transverse magnetic field component in the waveguide. Such fan-shaped beams are obtainable when the antenna structure is fed at either the large or small ends of the waveguide, or at both ends, in which cases the boresight axes of the resultant beams extend in different directions.

Abstract: A system for loading a continuously moving conveyor belt comprises a slicer for producing bacon strips from a bacon slab, a conveyor for conveying bacon strips from the slicer, and a transfer station for transferring bacon strips from a serial arrangement on the conveyor to a side-by-side arrangement of spaced transverse rows on the continuously moving conveyor belt. A novel control system is provided to coordinate the operation of the slicer and the transfer station to obtain a continuous and uniform loading of the conveyor belt and to avoid the production of partial or deformed bacon strips by the slicer. The loading system is particularly well adapted to loading unfried bacon strips onto the conveyor of a bacon frying oven.