Abstract: A device for feeding animals, in particular pigs and piglets, comprises a feed pan, a superstructure and feed supply means for supplying feed to the feed pan. The feed supply means which are mainly situated inside an extension piece being part of the superstructure comprise a feed supply pipe, a coaxial closing element and a coaxial rotor. The closing element is movable between an upper position in which it closes the feed supply pipe and a lower position in which it is coupled with the rotor so that it functions as a feed distribution element when the rotor is turned by the snouts of feeding animals. The rotor is provided with vanes. The shape of the vanes is such that during rotation of the rotor the vanes scrape away caking feed. The feed pan and the extension piece are preferably made of polyester concrete.

Abstract: A drop frame floor assembly for use in a trailer or other such vehicle which includes a frame assembly, a floor assembly and a lift assembly. The lift is connected to the frame for elevating and lowering the floor assembly with respect to the frame. The lift includes first and second scissor assemblies secured between the frame and floor assembly and hydraulic actuators for actuating the scissor assembly.

Abstract: A process is described which makes it possible to locate, on the surface, those zones of reinforced concrete structures which have been damaged or are liable to be damaged by corrosion of the metal strengthening elements embedded in the concrete, with a view to repairing the zones. A process is also described which makes it possible to monitor, continuously or intermittently, the effectiveness of the repairs made to reinforced concrete structures.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a liquid-vapor change of phase in a fluid substance traveling through a conduit comprises a detector housing providing a path of travel for fluid and interposed in a portion of the fluid-carrying conduit in which the change of phase is to be detected, a source of radiation disposed for directing radiation into the path of travel and a detector for detecting radiation disposed generally at an opposite side of the path of travel from the said source. The arrangement is such that radiation from the source will pass through the fluid in the path of travel prior to reaching the detector. The detector is responsive to radiation detected thereat for producing a corresponding electrical signal. A detector circuit is responsive to the electrical signal produced by said detector for producing an output signal indicative of a liquid-vapor change of phase of the fluid in the conduit.

Abstract: A joystick controller apparatus comprises a lever mounted for pivotal motion in at least two directions, a guide defining a preselected shift pattern for the lever, and an indicating arrangement for producing a digital logic representation of the position of the lever relative to the shift pattern. The indicating arrangement comprises energy actuated members positioned at predetermined locations relative to the shift pattern, energy producing members positioned in registry with the energy actuated members for normally actuating the same and shield members interposed between the energy producing members and energy actuated members and movable in response to movement of the lever into positions for respectively permitting and preventing actuation of the energy actuated members by the energy producing members in a predetermined fashion such that said energy actuated members collectively form a representation of the location of the lever relative to the shift pattern.

Abstract: A proportional priority flow regulator valve structure comprising a cartridge-type modulated orifice valve element (MOS) in a composite multiple element valve assembly. The MOS valve operates in an hydraulic circuit to receive pressurized fluid from a source of supply and responds to variations in fluid pressure and fluid flow rates acting hydraulically on a pair of inter-dependent spring-biased spools of the valve to provide a modulated orifice for delivery of a controlled fluid flow.

Abstract: A beverage (tea and coffee) making appliance of the type having a reservoir wherein a supply of hot water for brewing is maintained and from which a volume of the hot water is displaced by an equal volume of a batch of cold water discharged by gravity from a cold water basin through a fill tube into the bottom of the reservoir. The displaced hot water is discharged into a brewing funnel lined with a filter on which the beverage forming material (ground coffee or tea leaves) is placed. The cold water basin is equipped with a removable standpipe-like fitting on the upper end of the fill tube through which cold water enters as long as the level of water in the cold water basin is above the upper end or entrance opening in the fill tube. The fill basin has a second drain opening to which is connected one end of a tube the other end of which discharges into a portion of the brewing funnel which is partitioned off from the filter lined portion.

Abstract: An hydraulic press having a fixed tool carrier, a movable tool carrier, and a first rotatable shaft for generating movement of the movable tool carrier towards and away from the fixed tool carrier. The first shaft has its axis aligned with the direction of the movement of movable tool carrier, and a second rotatable shaft extends transverse to said first rotatable shaft, there being a drive transmission coupling said first and second shafts. An angularly movable, manual operating lever has, a centering device urging said lever to a central, rest position from which said lever is movable manually in opposite angular directions, and, there is provided a coupling mechanism for coupling said lever to said second shaft during angular movement of the lever in either direction from said central, rest position, said shaft being rotatable relative to said lever in said central, rest position.

Abstract: A detector member having the property of forming damage tracks along the paths traversed by impinging alpha particles is provided with at least two opposing detection surfaces exposed on respective opposite sides of the detector member. The opposing detection surfaces enable the detector member to form damage tracks by alpha particles impinging either of the detection surfaces which are simultaneously exposed to irradiation. Conventional cellulosic film such as cellulose nitrate can be employed with both sides of the film serving as detection surfaces. The dual-surfaced film can be framed and packaged in a compact configuration convenient to use in homes or offices. The damage tracks from both of the irradiated surfaces can be simultaneously counted using preferred spark counting techniques.

Abstract: A tool or workpiece holder retention mechanism which engagably retains the holder retention portion of the holder by creating a clamping force which draws the holder retention portion into a cooperatively formed area between two retaining jaws. Two abutting surfaces, one on the holder and one on the abutting surface on the retention mechanism housing, have formed thereon cooperatively engagable surfaces at least one of which is generally spirally formed, which meshedly engage to self-center the tool holder. Preferably the cooperatively engagable surfaces are in the form of mating spiral gear teeth specifically the jaws and the holder retention portion are constructed and actuated so as to be radially freely floatable to avoid interference with the self-centering function of the mating spiral surfaces.

Abstract: A stimulating unit (B) equipped with electrodes (34) includes means for generating trains of electrical pulses of different frequencies, and means (2) controlled by a card (6) on which a treatment program is recorded. A programming unit (A) can be separably connected to the stimulating unit (B) by a detachable cable (22); it includes a keyboard (16), a display (17), a printer and means for recording treatment programs on the cards (6) which are subsequently to be introduced into the stimulating unit (B) in order to control it.The electrodes (34) are applied to the patient during programming, enabling the therapist immediately to check the effect of the programming settings on the patient.

Abstract: A beverage brewer includes a water reservoir in which water is heated to a predetermined brewing temperature by a resistance heater element within the reservoir. To initiate a brewing cycle cold water is admitted to the reservoir for a predetermined time period through an electrically operated fill valve to displace a predetermined volume of heated water from the reservoir. The heated water flows through a beverage filter containing coffee or tea to a serving beaker. A temperature interlock circuit having a temperature sensing element in the reservoir prevents actuation of the fill valve when the reservoir temperature falls below a predetermined minimum level.

Abstract: A multilayer sheet material comprising an 11-aminoundecanoic acid polyamide film (1) bonded by at least one of its faces to a polypropylene film (2) is obtained by coextrusion of the corresponding polyamide and polypropylene. It can be used for the manufacture of impermeable flexible bags for sterile solutions.

Abstract: A latch apparatus and a cover member for releasably closing an access opening in a grain bin. The latch apparatus includes a continuous bar which has a gripping section for grasping while opening and closing the cover member, a section for engaging a stud which protrudes from the frame around the perimeter of the opening, and a section on which the bar pivots. The pivot section of the bar rotates within a pivot receptacle which is secured to the cover member.

Abstract: An apparatus for regasifying liquified products such as natural gas includes an outer pressure vessel, an inner vessel for receiving liquified gas and a plurality of individually controllable heating assemblies stacked within the inner vessel. Each of the heating assemblies includes a plurality of sets of heating coils constructed for promoting the flow of liquified gas therethrough in a manner for enhancing the efficiency of the heating and regasifying operation.

Abstract: A coffee grinder for discharging ground coffee into a brewing funnel which will be removed and inserted into a coffee making machine. The coffee grinder has a ground coffee discharge opening in the underside of an overhanging portion of the grinder. A U-shaped spring is mounted on a platform spaced below the overhanging portion. The lower leg of the spring is mounted on the platform and the bight of the spring faces in the direction in which brewing funnels are inserted on the grinder. The upper depressible leg of the spring upwardly presses and holds an inserted brewing funnel against the underside of the overhanging portion in position to receive ground coffee. Preferably, the upper leg has a funnel-guiding slot therein.

Abstract: A lightweight, flatbed semi-trailer vehicle constructed substantially entirely of lightweight, high-strength structural members and capable of being utilized in conjunction with a truck tractor. The vehicle does not require flooring or decking and comprises at least two longitudinal spaced apart support members, and a plurality of transverse support members bolted to the upper surfaces of the longitudinal support members for use as a lowermost tier of dunnage. A stress plate provides structural rigidity to the design and serves as a second means of interconnecting the longitudinal support members. The vehicle also is equipped with unique fluid suspension means for absorbing and dampening road vibrations and offsetting any adverse effects caused by the elimination of a lower tier of dunnage.

Abstract: In a rolled object holdiing apparatus whose holding members hold both ends of a roll core, a roll core releasing device comprises a core pushing mechanism which in turn consists of a core pushing member and a driving means for moving the core pushing member at least in the direction of radius of the core. The core pushing mechanism is either installed in a core receiving member or in a core holding member. Whether to operate the driving means for the core pushing member is controlled by a core detector in the core receiving member. With this construction, the core releasing device of the invention performs automatic and reliable releasing of the core from holding members of the rolled object holding apparatus, thus eliminating various problems experienced with conventional devices during automatic replacement of rolled objects.