Abstract: An identification device for removable mounting on a hooked member. The identification device includes a small cylindrically shaped member dimensioned to receive a free end of a hooked member. A cloth patch is adhered to an outside surface of the cylinder. The patch includes optically coded laser threads. When the threads are exposed to light, the threads lase, and emit identification signals (signal codes). Each thread's signal code may provide, for example, a unique identification number.

Abstract: A high-speed loader loads garments onto a conveyor using two metering devices, each controlled by a computer. The second metering device is located closer to the conveyor than the first, holds only one hanger at a time and can easily be cleared to allow garments on the conveyor to pass unimpeded. The metering devices allow the computer to triple-buffer the hangers by dividing the loader into three distinct sections. The first buffer is located before the first metering device and can hold several garments physically far enough away from the conveyor to allow garments to pass. Hangers are released by the first metering device one at a time to a second buffer, which is between the first and second metering device. The second metering device is a simple air stop positioned close to the conveyor. The location of the second metering device minimizes the length and uncertainty of the transit time of the hanger from the loader to the conveyor.

Abstract: In a machine for manufacturing multi-layered decorative ice cream cake and pie products. The machine frame supports a plurality of ingredient dispensing stations including ice cream dispensing stations. A conveyor simultaneously conveys products between the respective stations for indexing and positioning the products. The ice cream dispensers are mounted on lift positioning devices for lowering and raising the ice cream dispensers between a raised standby position and a lowering dispensing position. Ice cream dispensing valves on the ice cream dispensers open and close between a valve open position for flow of ice cream through an ice cream dispensing head from a continuous pressurized source of ice cream and a valve closed position for blocking the dispensing flow of ice cream. An index timer actuates the conveyor to convey products between stations and index products at each station for a selected dwell period.

Abstract: In a machine for manufacturing decorative ice cream rolls, an elongate frame supports a plurality of ingredient dispensing stations including ice cream dispensing stations arranged along the frame. An ice cream manifold is mounted on the frame for coupling a continuous flow source of pressuized ice cream through ice cream distribution lines to ice cream dispensing stations. A conveyor conveys a continuous ice cream roll body along the frame and along the respective ingredient dispensing stations. A support tray dispensing station delivers successive adjacent support trays onto the conveyor at the upstream end to support the continuous ice cream roll body extruded through a roll forming head. At least one ice cream dispensing ice cream wave forming station is provided along the frame with at least one ice cream dispensing tube or nozzle and motor for generating the wave form pattern through an eccentric slide coupling.