Abstract: A conveyor distribution system 100 includes a first conveyor module 103 for receiving work product to be distributed and having an elongated pan 105. The outlet end of the first conveyor pan 105 being in registry with and at an elevation above the proximal end of a conveyor pan 107 of a second conveyor module 109 to define a discharge gap 111 between the two conveyor pans. The second conveyor 109 operable to move the work product both downstream and upstream along the second conveyor pan 107, thereby to discharge work product from either the distal or proximal ends of the second conveyor pan. A third or even additional conveyor modules may be employed for further distribution of the work product.

Abstract: A conveyor distribution system 100 includes a first conveyor module 103 for receiving work product to be distributed and having an elongated pan 105. The outlet end of the first conveyor pan 105 being in registry with and at an elevation above the proximal end of a conveyor pan 107 of a second conveyor module 109 to define a discharge gap 111 between the two conveyor pans. The second conveyor 109 operable to move the work product both downstream and upstream along the second conveyor pan 107, thereby to discharge work product from either the distal or proximal ends of the second conveyor pan. A third or even additional conveyor modules may be employed for further distribution of the work product.

Abstract: A ribbon identification system detects a digitally encoded tract comprised of radially printed bands of dark and light areas positioned on a ribbon spool that fits on a media printing device. Each type and length of ribbon to be used is associated with a specific and unique digitally encoded tract. When the ribbon spool is positioned correctly on the printing device, the digitally encoded tract is detected, and the control program of the printing device sets the parameters associated with that ribbon automatically ensuring proper printing. Through the digitally encoded tract, the ribbon spool is uniquely identified so that once it has been determined by the printing device's control program that the ribbon has been depleted, that ribbon spool, if reinstalled on the same printing device at a later time, will be recognized as a depleted ribbon, and the printing device will not function.

Abstract: A ribbon hub and spool assembly includes a hub having at least two cantilever beams having a smooth, tapered, and curved crown, and a spool having curved and tapered splines. The cantilever beams balance the forces when inserting the hub into the spool, and the shape of the crowns of the hub and splines of the spool enable easy insertion and alignment of the hub and spool assembly.

Abstract: A ribbon identification system detects a digitally encoded tract comprised of radially printed bands of dark and light areas positioned on a ribbon spool that fits on a media printing device. Each type and length of ribbon to be used is associated with a specific and unique digitally encoded tract. When the ribbon spool is positioned correctly on the printing device, the digitally encoded tract is detected, and the control program of the printing device sets the parameters associated with that ribbon automatically ensuring proper printing. Through the digitally encoded tract, the ribbon spool is uniquely identified so that once it has been determined by the printing device's control program that the ribbon has been depleted, that ribbon spool, if reinstalled on the same printing device at a later time, will be recognized as a depleted ribbon, and the printing device will not function.

Abstract: A jewelry assembly is provided that extends around the neck and waist and down the front and back of an individual. The jewelry assembly is constructed such that it remains centered when worn and such that it can be adapted to fit individuals of different size.

Abstract: This invention discloses a hair trimmer that cuts hair in convex areas of the body, such as nose and ears. It relies on a sickle cutter technology, which is a more efficient design over the common cylinder design. Two opposing discs rotate relative to each other. The discs have finger projections, which function to snip hair as the finger projections meet.

Abstract: A printing ink for use within multiple ambient temperatures which comprises a mixture of two or more inks having different viscosities at a given temperature. Thus, one or more lower viscosity inks having, for example, a viscosity in the range of about 300 cps to about 900 cps is mixed with one or more higher viscosity inks having, for example, a viscosity range of about 1100 cps to about 1800 cps to provide a multi-viscosity ink mixture useful over a wide temperature range.

Abstract: This invention discloses a new dental impression tray that is adjustable without a clamping means. The single sized tray serves for all the different arch size configurations. Most tray fitting problems arise in adaptation in the posterior segment. This tray is simply spread apart to adapt to size of arch and used directly with no clamping or fixation. The newly adjusted tray's shape is maintained by only the integrity of the outer wall.

Abstract: The bonding of an elastomeric cover to a metal roll is tested by transmitting audible frequency waves through the compliant roll cover and receiving the waves at a transducer mounted to the underlying steel roll. The resulting signal may be analyzed by a technician listing to the audio frequencies transmitted. The audio range of frequencies employed may be about 5000 Hz. The elastomeric material such as rubber does not transmit sound without considerable loss of amplitude, whereas sound travels at high speed through steel with little attenuation. A sound transmitter is spirally scanned along the rubber-covered surface of the roll, transmitting into the steel roll directly beneath the sound transmitter and throughout the roll. Sound is detected at a transducer mounted at the roll ends. Any failure or significant variation in the roll/cover bond is detected by the effect on the quality of sound transmitted through the rubber steel interface.

Abstract: A centralized network total system maintenance facility is provided for processing alarm data received from a plurality of remote monitoring stations at remote terminals in a telephone network. The vast amount of incoming data are collected and logged into a file. The data is processed to provide information as to what alarm on status conditions are current. Under control of a processor at the facility, data collected in the file are read at predetermined intervals and filtered for the current time interval since the last reading. The filtered data are processed to determine whether alarm on status conditions in effect have changed to off status and whether new alarm on status conditions have occurred. All current alarm on status conditions can be displayed with identification of the location, type of alarm condition for a particular sensed parameter, and other information, such as the time the alarm was generated and the priority of the condition.

Abstract: Radially spaced calibration holes are drilled parallel to the exterior surface of a cylindrical shell for a dryer roll. An ultrasonic transducer is mounted in a fixture filled with a coupling medium which allows for adjustment of the spacing and angle of the transducer which traverses the shell as it is rotated. The transducer produces a signal directed to the shell. A computer calculates the time the signal takes to travel from and return to the transducer and the depth of the shell from which the signal returns. A clear signal corresponding to holes up to one inch from the surface are found by adjusting the ultrasonic transmission angle. This angle is approximately 23 degrees from a normal to the casting surface. The calibrated transducer traverses the surface of the shell. The signals are gathered and stored to create data which may be used in maintaining the shell for the dryer roll.

Abstract: When an ultrasonic transducer for detecting discontinuities and/or delaminations in a thin layer of coated material applied to a metal plate or the outside wall or surface of a cast iron dryer cylinder is directed at the coated surface to be inspected at a particular angle, about 10 percent of the single will appear as Harris waves which propagate into the coated test plate at 90 degrees to the surface. This signal which propagates vertically is polarized, with the result that the signal has a greatly improved signal-to-noise ratio. For incident medium of Lucite and employing shear wave refracting in the medium of Lucite, the specific angle is approximately 66 degrees from the vertical for best signal-to-noise ratio. Shear or longitudinal waves can be employed to affect the detection of subsurface defects with the particular angle changing depending on the relation of the velocity of the sound waves in the refracting medium to the velocity of sound waves in the incident medium.

Abstract: When an ultrasonic transducer for detecting flaws in metal plates or the wall of a metal cylinder is directed at a surface to be inspected at a particular angle, about ten percent of the signal will appear as Harris waves which propagate into the test plate at ninety degrees to the surface. This signal which propagates vertically is polarized, with the result that the signal has a greatly improved signal to noise ratio. For an incident medium of water and employing shear wave refracting in the medium of cast iron the specific angle is approximately 33 degrees from the vertical for best signal to noise ratio. For steel the specific angle is approximately 31 degrees and is about 50 degrees for brass. Shear or longitudinal waves can be employed to affect the detection of subsurface defects with the particular angle changing depending on the relation of the velocity of the sound waves in the refracting medium to the velocity of sound waves in the incident medium.

Abstract: In a method for ultrasonically measuring the thickness between opposed surfaces of a workpiece from one surface, a velocity parameter of ultrasonic longitudinal waves through the material of a workpiece is measured at a location along a first surface of the workpiece. Ultrasonic longitudinal waves are transmitted from one surface to the opposite surface, and the ultrasonic waves reflected from the opposite surface are received and a time parameter between transmission of the longitudinal waves and reception of the reflected waves is measured. The thickness between the opposed surfaces is determined from the measured velocity parameter and the measured time parameter. A device for measuring the thickness of a workpiece from one surface includes a transducer assembly with a pair of spaced apart transducer units each having a coupling member and a piezoelectric element mounted thereon.