Abstract: There is provided a system for removing a glued-on label from a wine bottle or other container, comprising in spatial sequence a brushing station for dry-brushing the container surface, a solvent station for applying a liquid solvent for removal of adhesive from the container surface, a container support, a drive for imparting relative motion between the brush and a containers when aligned with the brushing station, and a indexing system for imparting relative motion between the container support and stations whereby each of said containers on said support is brought into alignment and contact with the respective stations for sequential mechanical and solvent-based label removing steps.

Abstract: A traffic light backup system for use with a traffic light is described. The traffic light backup system includes an auxiliary light associated with at least one of the enclosure housing the traffic lights and rechargeable batteries associated with the auxiliary light. A power failure is detected by monitoring the voltage across the bulbs of the traffic lights and also preferably by monitoring the current in the common, neutral lead. When a power failure has been detected, the traffic light backup system engages and the auxiliary light is powered by the rechargeable batteries, preferably in a flashing fashion. In a preferred embodiment, the auxiliary light consists of a plurality of LEDs arranged in an octagonal manner. The LEDs have a high luminosity and lower power consumption, which makes them well suited for use even in broad daylight.

Abstract: A high-speed dental drill is comprised of a hand piece having a drill head at an end thereof. A turbine assembly is supported in a turbine chamber inside the drill head. The turbine assembly has a chuck which is rotatably secured between bearings. An impeller is secured about the chuck and aligned with an air inlet port in a sidewall of the turbine chamber. An exhaust port is provided in the sidewall to exhaust air. An air conduit is provided in the handpiece to direct air pressure to the air inlet port to drive the turbine and rotate the chuck. The chuck has a work bit engaging free end which is exteriorly accessible. An insert is secured to the drill head and provides access to the turbine chamber. The insert has a smooth conical tapered circumferential external sidewall for frictional engagement by a mating conical bore of a key for the removal and connection of the insert. The exhaust port has a non-circular cross-section in which the aspect ratio of the exhaust port is not equal to one.

Abstract: A non-contact sensing system for monitoring the position and orientation of a rigid body in space having at least three distinct point light sources mounted on the rigid body. At least two position sensor heads are fixedly mounted within detection range of light from the light sources, each position sensor head having a position sensitive detector. The lights are illuminated one at a time and in sequential arrangement and a processor computes the position in three-dimensional space of an illuminated light source with data provided simultaneously by both position sensitive detectors. The processor means also computes the position of the object in all six degrees of freedom using the three-dimensional positional data of all three light sources.