Abstract: A flexible control system and method of controlling a processing operation. The control system and method may be employed to control a high speed manufacturing system for processing articles of manufacture requiring processes to be performed on the articles at a pre-selected processing rate includes a trunk for simultaneously conveying a plurality of the articles of manufacture at the pre-selected processing rate in a first mode of motion from the beginning of the manufacturing system to the end of the system. At least one branch processing station is positioned intermediate the beginning and the end of the trunk wherein the branch processing station during its operation performs at least one process on articles of manufacture conveyed on the branch processing station and where the articles are conveyed in a second mode of motion.

Abstract: A high speed manufacturing system for processing articles of manufacture requiring processes to be performed on the articles at a pre-selected processing rate includes a trunk for simultaneously conveying a plurality of the articles of manufacture at the pre-selected processing rate in a first mode of motion from the beginning of the manufacturing system to the end of the system. At least one branch processing station is positioned intermediate the beginning and the end of the trunk wherein the branch processing station during its operation performs at least one process on articles of manufacture conveyed on the branch processing station and where the articles are conveyed in a second mode of motion.

Abstract: A high speed manufacturing system for processing articles of manufacture requiring processes to be performed on the articles at a pre-selected processing rate includes a trunk for simultaneously conveying a plurality of the articles of manufacture at the pre-selected processing rate in a first mode of motion from the beginning of the manufacturing system to the end of the system. At least one branch processing station is positioned intermediate the beginning and the end of the trunk wherein the branch processing station during its operation performs at least one process on articles of manufacture conveyed on the branch processing station and where the articles are conveyed in a second mode of motion.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for transferring heat to a fluid from combustion gases including a housing (12) extending between a first end (14) and a second end (16). The apparatus further includes a burner (24) in which a combustible gas and oxygen react to form hot combustion gases which flow from the burner to a gas outlet (28) in the second end. The fluid flows in a length of helically coiled tubing (30) extending the length of the housing. The tubing includes a fin portion (36) which is spirally wound about the length of tubing. The apparatus further includes a core member (40) which extends within the coils of the tubing, and which engages the tubing. The core member includes a spirally-wound threaded area (62) about which the tubing is wrapped. The core member further includes a recessed portion (66) which creates stagnant air pocket adjacent the end of the core member.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell having a zinc anode comprising zinc flakes.

Abstract: Processes for the preparation of a thermoplastic elastomer comprising a triblend of engineering resin, dynamically vulcanized alloy of thermoplastic olefin polymer and elastomeric copolymer, and a compatibilizer for the engineering resin and alloy. The compatibilizer can be formed in a separate step or in-situ in a one step process. The processes produce compositions which retain structural integrity at high temperature, and have good tensile properties, elongation and fluid resistance.

Abstract: The battery tester of the present invention includes a heating element for generating heat in response to current supplied from a battery, and an indicator provided in proximity to the heating element for providing a visual indication of the remaining capacity of the battery in response to the heat generated by the heating element. The heating element has a display portion and first and second connecting portions on either side of the display portion that are selectively coupled to opposite terminals of the battery. The connecting portions of the heating elements have a lower resistivity than the display portion thereby reducing the heat generated at the switch contacts that are pressed by the user to activate the tester.

Abstract: A current collector assembly for an electrochemical cell is made by inserting an elongated current collector with identically shaped ends, such as a rod, into a seal body such that a minor amount of the current collector passes through the seal body.

Abstract: The battery tester of the present invention includes a heating element coupled to opposite terminals of a battery for generating heat in response to current supplied from the battery, and an indicator provided in proximity to the heating element. The indicator has a visual property that changes in response to the heat generated by the heating element. According to the present invention, at least a portion of the heating element is made of a variable resistivity material having a resistivity that changes in response to ambient temperature. By using a variable resistivity material that has a resistivity that increases as ambient temperature increases, a thermochromic on-label battery tester may be provided that is automatically calibrated to provide an accurate indication of the remaining battery capacity regardless of the ambient temperatures at which the battery tester may be used.

Abstract: A sealed galvanic dry cell that has a sealing means comprising a terminal cover having a peripheral extending flange that is compressed between a neutral cover and a rim of the open end of a cell's container by use of a compressable gasket that operates such that the rim of the container further interlocks with the flange of the terminal cover upon the buildup of internal pressure to effectively maintain the seal for the cell.

Abstract: A sports ball bladder and method of manufacture which produces a sports ball in which a valve element (48) is fused to the bladder and is disposed away from a parting line (40) of a mold (34). The bladder is made by extruding a parison (64) and closing a mold cavity (42) in surrounding relation thereof. A blow needle (46) supports the valve element thereon and delivers fluid pressure to an interior area (68) of the parison. The expanding parison fills the mold cavity and impinges on the valve element. The expanded parison is cooled to solidify the thermoplastic material. The pressure in the interior area is then relieved through the blow needle and the mold is opened. To avoid thinning of the bladder adjacent to the parting line, thermoplastic material is pushed inwardly into the mold cavity from a pinch pocket (80) as the mold is closed. After the ball bladder is formed, a valve member (72) is inserted into the valve element to enable holding of the bladder in an inflated condition.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell containing a vent assembly for sealing the cell and having a snap-through seal membrane in the form of a concave contour that is designed to snap from a concave contour to a convex contour and rupture upon the build-up of a predetermined pressure within the cell.

Abstract: A wall toggle apparatus (10) for securing a threaded fastening member (18) to a wallboard wall (16) including a saw member (12) having an annular body (20). The body has a central passage (22) extending the length of the saw member and interrupted by a threaded external portion (38) having a slot (40) adapted for receiving the threads of the fastening member. The saw member further includes opposed openings (32) extending through the walls of the body. The leading end of the saw member further includes a plurality of teeth (30) for sawing through the wallboard wall. The wall toggle (10) further includes a toggle member (14) which includes a ratchet portion (54) adapted to receive the threads of the fastening member. The toggle member further includes a central hole (60). In operation the saw member is rotated against the face of a wallboard wall sawing into the wall and creating a hole therein. The saw member is further rotated to secure the saw member therein.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning conduits which includes a generally cylindrical body (12) having a bore adapted at one end for connection with a high pressure fluid source. The body includes a groove (26) extending circumferentially about the exterior of the body. The body further includes a port (28) which extends through the body from the bore to the groove. The conduit cleaning apparatus further includes an annular rotor (32) having a central rotor bore (34). The annular rotor is positioned about the body for rotation thereon. The annular rotor further includes at least one orifice (46) extending through the annular rotor from the bore to the exterior of the annular rotor. The orifice is positioned in communication with the groove when the annular rotor is positioned for rotation on the body. The conduit cleaner apparatus further includes a wire (48) attached to the annular rotor. The wire is manufactured from braided stainless steel wire, and is highly abrasive and shearing to objects which it contacts.

Abstract: A taxidermic ear liner which includes an outer ear member (10) and a support member (34) in cooperative engagement to form an anatomically correct, pre-assembled, external ear for use in many taxidermic animal forms. A featured surface (38, 46, 76) which is modeled to resemble the hollows, ridges and furrows of the external ear of the animal is positioned within a passage (26) within the outer ear member. The featured surface can be made from elastomers or plastics.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting stock includes a stock forming machine (10), a stock feeder which feeds stock into the stock forming machine, and a stock detector (32). The stock detector includes a housing (34), which includes a bore (42). The housing further includes a face (50) adjacent said bore. The stock detector further includes a piston (54), which is slidably mounted in the bore, and which is moved in the bore by the stock. The bore further includes a fluid filled chamber (74), which is located between the piston and the face. The pressure of the fluid within the chamber is increased when the piston is moved by the stock towards the face, and this increase in pressure in the chamber causes the piston to decelerate. The stock detector further includes a sensor (88) which is positioned in the housing adjacent the bore, for detecting the movement of the piston.

Abstract: A keybolt (40) includes a bolt member (10) and a key member (12). The key member includes a first leg (22) and a second leg (24) which are biased apart. The first leg includes steps (21) thereon. The key member is rotationally and slidably movable in a recess (20) on said bolt member. The key member is held in said recess by a rivet (14) which extends through elongated channels (42) in the leg members. The key member is movable between a locked position in which it extends generally traversely of the axis of the bolt member so as to hold the keybolt in an aperture through which it extends. The key member is movable to an unlocked position wherein it is rotatable to extend coaxially with the bolt member and wherein the keybolt may be readily installed or removed from appropriately sized apertures.