Abstract: The assembly includes a docking console and a manifold. The docking console includes a cartridge support surface having a first end and a second end. The manifold has one or more wells defined therein. The docking console further includes a manifold retention bracket to releasably hold the manifold against a fluid cartridge supported on the cartridge support surface at an interface position such that the one or more wells are in fluid communication with the fluid cartridge and a biased seal bar to press the fluid cartridge against the manifold held by the manifold retention bracket. A hydrophilic porous frit disposed within at least one of the wells and is to permit liquid to flow through the outlet aperture but prevent gas from passing through the outlet aperture.

Abstract: Tire components are assembled on a tire building drum by laying a first liner on a surface of the drum, positioning first sidewall inserts below the cylindrical surface of the drum and around the drum at insert locations spaced from each end of the drum, laying a first carcass ply around the drum, positioning second inserts over the first ply at the insert locations, laying a second carcass over the first ply and the second inserts, positioning beads at each end of the drum, expanding the drum to increase the diameter of the cylindrical surface of the drum and provide shoulders at each end of the drum, turning edges of the first ply and the second ply over each of the beads, positioning a belt and tread assembly around the second ply, and contracting the drum for removal of the assembled tire components from the drum. The inserts are positioned in grooves extending radially inwardly in the outer surface of the building drum.

Abstract: A tire sheet component is cut and applied to a drum with a retractable applier having a cutter and anvil member for cutting the sheet component at a first position spaced from the drum. Vacuum means are provided for holding the cut leading end on the anvil as it is moved to a second position where the anvil is moved towards the drum to press the leading end portion of the sheet component against the drum with a stitcher roll. The anvil is then moved in a sweeping motion to stitch the leading end against the drum. The drum is rotated a predetermined amount and the sheet is stitched to the drum with a second stitcher roll. The sheet component is cut at the first position providing a trailing end which is then stitched to the drum as it is rotated the final amount.

Abstract: Rotation and linear movement of a main gear is provided by a pinion gear rotatably mounted on a crank arm and in meshing engagement with the main gear. A connecting arm between the gear centers keeps the gears in meshing engagement. The pinion gear may have a diameter one half the diameter of the main gear to provide rotation of the main gear 180 degrees after one revolution of the pinion gear. The crank arm may be rotated in opposite directions to provide oscillating movement of the main gear. In a tire building machine, the main gear may be mounted in a linear guide of an upright plate member for vertical movement. The main gear is connected to a shaft for rotating and tilting a hub member having two spaced apart tire building drums mounted with axes at an angle of 90 degrees and in the same plane as the axes of the tire building drums so that they can be oscillated between two fabricating positions.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically receiving and opening the four flaps of a cardboard case or the like. The invention includes a conveyor system for transporting cases in spaced relationship with each other past a pair of vacuum-actuated hinged shoes which engage and partially open the side flaps and direct the same into a plow. The plow completes the opening of the side flaps. A pair of brushes, having common drive, but opposite rotation, are adapted for opening the front and rear flaps. A fabric belt engages and holds the front flap down, while a rotating arcuate member makes hold-down contact with the rear flap. The apparatus is adjustable to accommodate cases and flaps of varying dimensions.

Abstract: An adjustable stroke piston and cylinder combination including a piston fixed to one end of a piston rod that extends from one end of the cylinder, and an auxiliary piston is in sealed engagement with the cylinder means and the piston rod and is slidable on the piston rod, the piston rod is tubular with pressure supply ports therein connecting its bore to a point intermediate the piston and auxiliary piston while a liquid supply means connects to the one end of the cylinder means to supply pressure liquid intermediate the closed end of the cylinder means and the auxiliary piston to move the same axially on the piston rod to control the effective length of the piston stroke in the cylinder means.

Abstract: A case packer head including a grid frame for receiving a plurality of rows of abutted articles therein and a skid blade frame carried by the grid frame for article support and release action are provided, together with a movable support means for the downstream end of the grid frame, and a control member operably engages this support means to move the downstream end of the grid frame vertically so that the grid frame can be inclined downwardly for article loading action and be positioned horizontally for article drop.