Abstract: A serving mat includes a pair of superimposed sheets sealed to each other to define a chamber having a free-flowing liquid medium therein with a plurality of discrete articles suspended in said liquid medium and movable by manipulation of the liquid medium in the chamber.

Abstract: An emergency auxiliary pressurizing system for a vehicle braking system includes a portable container having clean high-pressure pneumatic fluid therein and connected by conduit means to the vehicle braking system with the conduit having a pneumatic pressure-reducing valve and a relief valve therein with a switch valve for controlling the connection to the braking system.

Abstract: A modular system for producing triple-necked open ended containers includes three substantially identical necking modules each having the same frame and identical rotatable turrets which have a plurality of identical necking stations around the periphery. Each necking station includes an annular necking die and a platform and punch which are cam-operated to move towards and away from each other and are maintained in engagement with the cams by pressurized fluid. Each necking station also has a container pressurizing means in the form of an annular chamber which acts as a holding chamber prior to transmitting the pressurized fluid into the container.

Abstract: A dispensing unit includes a tray system including front, rear and side walls with partitions dividing the system into a plurality of trays and a support slidably supporting the tray system between a product dispensing position and a product restocking position. Each tray has a slot in its bottom between the front and rear walls with a pusher plate slidably supported in the slot and biased toward the front wall. The support has a stop which moves all of the pusher plates toward the rear wall when the tray system is moved to the restocking position and a latch mechanism holds the tray in the product dispensing position.

Abstract: A sear bar for evaporating greases in an outdoor gas grill consists of an inverted V-shaped member having a pair of flat inclined walls defining an included angle of less than 90.degree. so that grease will evaporate while flowing across the heated inclined walls.

Abstract: Apparatus for assembling base cups onto bottles includes an assembly wheel that has a plurality of pockets on the periphery thereof and a plurality of fluid cylinders supported on an upper support plate and aligned with the pockets. The assembly wheel is positively driven by a drive motor, which also drives a bottle-infeed mechanism and a cup-infeed mechanism, as well as an ejector mechanism. The cup-infeed mechanism includes as indexable carrier that indexes each cup at a glue-applying station, where the cup is raised and simultaneously rotated while glue is being applied in an annular pattern to the inner surface of the cup. The cup and bottle have movement along paths which merge where the bottle is then forced into the cup through a pressurized source and held in that position while the glue sets.

Abstract: Shown is an apparatus for mounting an inductive transducer in position over an intermittently moved belt carrying easy open ends for a beverage container and designed to detect whether or not the tabs for easy opening are provided on the ends. The apparatus is designed to resiliently bias the detection transducer towards the ends with a predetermined gap therebetween such that an electrical signal will result that can be used to evaluate whether a tab is in place. The apparatus includes a camming ramp designed to trigger a limit switch to turn off the system should there be multiple ends positioned below the detector. The detector mounting on a resilient support is designed to back away from any obstruction therebeneath to protect the apparatus during the detection operation. The transducer face is protected by about 1/16 inch of the plastic material.

Abstract: Produce bags (11) formed of plastic, the panels or sides (15, 16) of the bag being slitted to enable produce contained in the bag to be ventilated; the bags further including tails (25, 26) for enabling convenient secure closure of the bag.

Abstract: A can container made of soft material such as aluminum having a wall thickness of less than 0.2 mm is used for low acid foods or drinks having pH of more than 5.0. A controlled quantity of liquified nitrogen is introduced into the can filled with the low acid foods or drinks and then the can is hermetically sealed off by double-seaming. The liquid nitrogen is soon gasified in the sealed can to increase internal pressure of the can to a level sufficient to prevent the can from being deformed. Then the can is subjected to retort sterilization treatment at a predetermined high steam temperature for a predetermined period of time for sterilization of any possible bacilli and bacteria in the low acid foods or drinks in the can. Prior to retort sterilization treatment, a thermal sensitive paint is applied to the can, which will change color when exposed to a steam of a predetermined temperature for a predetermined period.

Abstract: A modular system for producing triple-necked open ended containers includes three substantially identical necking modules each having the same frame and identical rotatable turrets which have a plurality of identical necking stations around the periphery. Each necking station includes an annular necking die and a platform and punch which are cam-operated to move towards and away from each other and are maintained in engagement with the cams by pressurized fluid. Each necking station also has a container pressurizing means in the form of an annular chamber which acts as a holding chamber prior to transmitting the pressurized fluid into the container.

Abstract: A container inspection apparatus for inspecting coating integrity includes an electrical control system that produces an output signal representative of the reflectivity of an inner surface of the container which is fed to a microprocessor and is compared with lower and upper limit references. If the output signal is outside the limit references, an ejector mechanism located in a path for moving containers is activated to remove the defective container from the path. The ejector mechanism includes flipper rods pivoted at one end and located in an inclined portion of the path so that the defective containers are removed by gravity feed.

Abstract: A spraying device consists of a frame having an arm universally-pivoted thereon which has a spray nozzle at the outer end. The frame is designed to be supported on a forklift-type truck having a fork movable thereon. The frame has retaining elements for receiving and supporting the fork and the arm is received through pneumatic cylinders. The arm has first and second parts which are rotated relative to each other by a pneumatic motor.

Abstract: An attachment for a barbecue grill consists of a generally L-shaped support frame that is formed by bending wire to a generally U-shaped configuration with the free ends of the wire having downwardly bent portions that act as hooks for supporting the frame on clips attached to the rim of the grill. A serving board has grooves extending from the lower surface thereon for receiving the rod portions so that the board is securely positioned on the frame and also has gripping openings so that the board can easily be removed for use as a serving tray.

Abstract: A drawn and ironed container having a reduced neck around an upper open end has a bottom profile which exhibits excellent strength characteristics and nests with an end double-seamed to the open end of the container. The bottom profile includes a center spherical dome surrounded by a U-shaped annular portion defining a lower support surface for the container. A joining segment is integral with the container side wall and the U-shaped annular portion includes a first annular arcuate portion having an exterior radius and a second annular arcuate portion having an interior radius.