Abstract: A method of installing flooring and resulting structure are disclosed. The method is particularly useful for sanitary nonslip applications such as kitchens. The method includes the steps of positioning a first sheet of polymer flooring material with an upwardly-facing step cut along one edge of the first sheet on a floor to be covered, and applying a second sheet of polymer flooring material with a complementary downwardly-facing step cut along one edge of the second sheet to the upwardly facing step cut of the first sheet and to the floor adjacent the first sheet while concurrently sealing the respective faces to one another in a step lap joint.

Abstract: The present invention is a system of symmetric guides (25A, 25B) and baffles (26, 28) for directing and diffusing the external air drawn from a fan blower (12) before distributing the flow evenly to the outlet of a fan filter unit (32). This arrangement not only reduces the turbulence and minimizes pressure loss within a fan filter unit (32) but also maintains the even distribution of air when discharged through the same system. Furthermore, the present invention is implemented in dimensions substantially similar to that of the fan blower (12) in terms of heights. As such, the present invention minimizes noise of a fan filter unit (32) even in low clean room ceiling height. Finally, the present invention's guides (25A, 25B) and baffles (26, 28) are symmetrical surrounding the fan blower (12), which allows either the clockwise fan or the anti-clockwise fan to be used for the same fan filter unit (32) for user's convenience.

Abstract: A fan unit including a fan blower configured to emit air in a plurality of directions in an airflow plane. The fan unit includes first and second guide surfaces disposed on a first side of the fan blower in the airflow plane to define together with a wall part, a first airflow path leading to a first airflow channel. Third and fourth guide surfaces are disposed on a second, opposite, side of the fan blower in the airflow plane, to define with a wall means a second airflow path leading to a second airflow channel. The guide surfaces may be mounted on separate guide means which are identical to one another.

Abstract: A fan unit is provided comprising: a fan blower (12) configured to emit air in a plurality of directions in an airflow plane; first and second guide surfaces (27A,27B) disposed on a first side of the fan blower in the airflow plane to define together with a wall part(25A), a first airflow path leading to a first airflow channel, and third and fourth guide surfaces(27C) and (27D) disposed on a second, opposite, side of the fan blower(12)in the airflow plane, to define with a wall means (25B) a second airflow path leading to a second airflow channel, the guide surfaces(27A,27B,27C,27D) being mounted on separate guide means (24A,24B,24C,24D) which are identical to one another.

Abstract: A system of geometric guides and baffles is used for directing and diffusing external air drawn from a fan blower before distributing the flow evenly to the outlet of a fan filter unit. This arrangement not only reduces the turbulence within a fan filter unit but also maintains the particle count of air drawn through the same system. Furthermore, the present invention is implemented in dimensions substantially similar to that of the fan blower. As such, the present invention minimizes noise of a fan filter unit even in confined clean room facility.

Abstract: A seat with integral three point user restraint which has a seat and a three point restraint system for restraining the user to the seat, the three point restraint system is mounted entirely and directly to the seat, the seat and the three point restraint system together form a self contained integral unit so that the seat is adaptable to different installations without relocating the three point restraint system.

Abstract: A gravity blending apparatus and methods of gravity blending involving an improved venting arrangement, by means of which an increase in the "thru-put" flow rate of a gravity blender apparatus is provided by venting the underside of an inverted cone within a collecting chamber to one or more low pressure zones. Advantageously, such venting may proceed progressively from the underside of an inverted cone within the collecting chamber to a low pressure zone within the upper portion of the collecting chamber, with venting continuing by way of auxiliary or further venting conduit means to the underside of a material distributing, inverted cone in the lower portion of the base of the main bin of the gravity blender.

Abstract: In a thermally driven multi-effect distillation process and apparatus liquid is introduced into a plurality of evaporating and condensing stages or chambers while heat energy is passed through the stages or chambers in a direction countercurrent to the direction of flow of the liquid which undergoes evaporation to form condensate and distilland in each stage or chamber while transferring the heat of condensation to the next downstream stage or chamber and maintaining a minimum temperature differential between stages or chambers, and separately removing condensate and distilland from each stage or chamber while rotating the stages or chambers about an axis passing through the points of introduction thereto of the liquid and heat energy. The apparatus includes a plurality of adjacent evaporation and condensation chambers and devices for introducing liquid and heat energy thereto in countercurrent directions. The walls of the chambers, formed of spaced heat conductive sheets, act to transfer heat.

Abstract: In a two-stage vacuum pumping system having a single drive motor powering both stages, a by-pass line connected between the container being evacuated and the interstage line between the two stages for relieving excess pressure in the interstage line during the initial pressure pull-down of the container. This reduces the load on the second stage pump and thereby lowers the power requirements of the drive motor. A pressure switch actuated solenoid valve in the by-pass line, which is in the open position during the pull-down procedure, is closed when the container is evacuated to a set-point pressure. When the by-pass line is closed off the two stages work together to pump down the container to a desired pressure below the pressure switch set point.

Abstract: A photographic film printer including a housing, a lamphouse, negative handling portions, filters, paper handling portions and a reflex viewing mirror which permits viewing of the negatives while they are positioned at the printing station. In addition, the printer provides a linkage which permits a negative pressure plate to provide firm engagement and retention of a negative strip. A splicing station for joining successive negative strips is provided. Paper handling and cutting features are also provided. Shutter operating elements are included. Systems for resisting undesired entry of light into the printer interior are provided. Remote, manual advance of the negative strip is provided.

Abstract: A thermally driven multi-effect distillation process and apparatus are disclosed in which liquid is introduced into a plurality of evaporating and condensing stages or chambers while heat energy is passed through the stages or chambers in a direction countercurrent to the direction of flow of the liquid which undergoes evaporation to form condensate and distilland in each stage or chamber while transferring the heat of condensation to the next downstream stage or chamber and maintaining a minimum temperature differential between stages or chambers, and separately removing condensate and distilland from each stage or chamber while rotating the stages or chambers about an axis passing through the points of introduction thereto of the liquid and heat energy.Generally the apparatus comprises a plurality of adjacent evaporation and condensation chambers and means for introducing liquid and heat energy thereto in countercurrent directions.

Abstract: Apparatus for blending free-flowing particulate material. The blender includes a hopper having a central blending tube disposed therein. The blending tube has axially and circumferentially spaced apart openings sized to pass the particulate material into the interior of the blending tube. Disposed within the blending tube are a plurality of baffles which create imperforate, annular areas above the openings. Also disposed within the hopper are a series of circumferentially cascading weir plates which divide the hopper into a plurality of compartments. Each of the compartments communicates with at least one of the openings in the blending tube. In a preferred embodiment the baffles are spaced apart unevenly along the axis of the blending tube so that the openings to the interior of the tube at a particular level service substantially equal volumes of the particulate material in the hopper. In this embodiment the topmost baffle has a lower open area substantially equal to the imperforate annular areas.

Abstract: A hand tool for locating and measuring the location of inaccessible rafters and studs from the outside of a roof or wall. The tool has a base plate and a tubular guide fixedly mounted at an angle to the base plate. A measuring rod appropriately marked with measurement indicia is a sliding fit into the bore of the guide. The tool is used by drilling a hole through the roof or wall, using the tubular guide as a drill guide, and then inserting the measuring rod into the guide and moving it until the tip of the rod encounters the side of a rafter or stud. After noting the measurement indicated on the rod, the rod and base plate are removed. The noted measurement will be the distance from the center line of the drilled hole to the centerline of the rafter or stud.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for separating a pellet-like product from fines mixed therewith. The apparatus includes a housing having a fines outlet and a product outlet disposed at a lower portion of the housing. An inlet conduit extends into the housing and terminates in a nozzle. The inlet conduit receives quantities of the product and fines entrained in a propellant fluid such as pressurized air. An imperforate baffle having an impact surface is disposed within the housing so that the impact surface faces the nozzle to intercept the product issuing from the nozzle. Apparatus is provided for generating an electric charge neutralizing magnetic field to envelop the entrained product and fines before the product impinges upon the impact surface of the baffle.

Abstract: A method of reducing the formation of fines and streamers in connection with the gas conveying of plastic particles (and the resulting conveying apparatus), characterized by the maintenance of particular acute angle relationships between the longitudinal flow direction of particles and the impact direction of shot-peening previously used to condition pipe section interior wall means.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for separating a pellet-like product from fines (e.g., dust) mixed therewith. The apparatus includes a vertically disposed housing having an upper fines outlet and a lower product outlet. An inlet conduit passes through the housing intermediate the fines outlet and the product outlet and terminates in an upwardly facing inlet nozzle. The inlet conduit receives quantities of product and fines along with a propellant fluid (e.g., pressurized air). An impact baffle is supported within the housing having a concave impact surface that faces the inlet nozzle and that is positioned to intercept the product pellets issuing from the inlet nozzle. The impact baffle is sized and supported to provide an annular flow oriface for the propellant fluid (and fines mixed therewith) between the impact baffle and the housing.

Abstract: A method of discharging particulate material from a hopper which minimizes vibration and impact loading is disclosed. The method provides a centrally located discharge column having a series of discharge openings extending vertically of an annular mass of particulate material in the hopper. The particulate material is discharged from a generally conically shaped, downwardly and inwardly directed, top portion of said mass of particulate material, progressively downwardly, through a choked flow discharge path provided by the interior of the discharge column.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the rotational velocity of a shaft. The system includes a shaft pulse generator, an off-delay circuit and on-delay circuit. The sensor provides a series of pulses having an instantaneous repetition rate proportional to the rotational velocity of a shaft. The off-delay circuit includes a retriggerable multivibrator. In response to each pulse in the series of pulses, the multivibrator switches to a first binary state if in a second binary state at the time of an applied pulse, or remains in the first binary state if in that state at the time of the applied pulse. The multivibrator is further responsive to the most recent pulse in the series to switch from its first binary state to its second binary state a first predetermined period after the most recent pulse. The multivibrator provides a state signal representative of its current state.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cold working steel lengths on a continuous basis so as to impart the cold working properties to the steel. The steel is twisted and immediately untwisted so as to impart torsional force into the steel. Tensile forces are also imparted simultaneously into the steel.