Abstract: A method is provided for removing metal oxide debris from various types of surfaces, both metallic and nonmetallic. Specifically, the surface to be cleaned is treated (preferably by immersion) with a preheated solution of 65 to 71 wt % (55.3 to 62.0 vol %) nitric acid, which is roughly equivalent to reagent grade nitric acid. The temperature of the solution is within the range of about 160.degree. to 175.degree. F. (71.degree. to 79.degree. C.). The preheated solution dissolves any metal oxide debris present on the surface, which may then be rinsed away following treatment. The method effects the removal of metal oxide residue from surfaces without further degrading the surfaces being cleaned. Further, the method is capable of cleaning internal surfaces of components without requiring disassembly of sealed or welded components, since all that is needed to effect cleaning is contact between the surface to be cleaned and the preheated solution.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a fault detection system for a dynamometer includes circuitry for measuring the armature voltage of the dynamometer. The voltage can used as an indicator of dynamometer speed to prevent reverse rotation of the dynamometer and to prevent overspeed operation of the dynamometer.

Abstract: A wick composition for incendiary devices is disclosed which enables an improved and controlled burn rate. The wick composition comprises:(a) about 25 to about 75 weight percent of a nitrate compound selected from the group consisting of cellulose nitrate, cellulose trinitrate, polyvinyl nitrate, and ammonium nitrate;(b) a nitrate stabilizer; and(c) a wick or string material.

Abstract: An inverter for turning a sheet over and reversing the lead and trail edges of the sheet includes a disc stacker that works in conjunction with a vacuum transport. A sheet transported from a source is captured lead edge first by fingers or in a slot of the disc stacker which is rotating in a first direction. A vacuum transport is positioned adjacent the disc stacker and draws the sheet away from the disc stacker at a predetermined point and transports the sheet in a second direction opposite to the first direction trail edge first for further processing.

Abstract: A new and improved sock pairing apparatus includes a pair of similar sock clamp assemblies which include similar indicia. Each respective sock clamp assembly is used with one sock of a pair of socks. Each respective sock clamp assembly includes a pair of first and second clamping elements for clamping the respective sock clamp assembly onto a respective sock of the pair of socks. Each respective first clamping element is placed on a respective sock against a first side of a sock wall. Each respective second clamping element is placed against a second side of the respective sock wall in registration with the respective first clamping element and clamped thereto. In this way, a portion of the sock wall is permanently clamped between the respective first clamping element and the respective second clamping element. The first clamping element may be a rigid member that includes a locking assembly for locking the second clamping element thereto.

Abstract: Ready-mix joint compound packaged in a container, the inner surface of which has a thin coating of humectant, such as a glycol, maintaining an improved uniformity of the moisture content of all portions of the ready-mix joint compound contained therein.

Abstract: A multicolor imaging device capable of operating at higher than normal speeds when a full range of colors is not required. The imaging device includes four station groups each having a charge scorotron, a light source for exposing a photoconductive belt to a color signal, and a toner developer. When a color of a particular station is not required, the light source for that station is disabled and the charge scorotron of that station is enabled to allow a higher charging rate for the required colors, thereby allowing the belt to be propelled at a higher speed.

Abstract: Ready-mix joint compound packaged in a container, the inner surface of which has a thin coating of humectant, such as a glycol, maintaining an improved uniformity of the moisture content of all portions of the ready-mix joint compound contained therein.

Abstract: A copier of a type where an undeveloped electrostatic intermediate latent image from a document sheet may be temporarily retained on an electrostatic latent image retention member before being developed and transferred to a copy sheet, with document handling apparatus for sequentially feeding document sheets for individual copying, preferably automatically reordered in signature page order, with a system for sequentially forming at least two closely circumferentially adjacent plural latent images from at least two sequentially copied documents, and for directly sequentially developing and transferring these plural images in one pass onto one side of a single copy sheet. Apparatus is also shown for inverting and representing the copy sheet for similarly receiving plural images on the other side thereof, and for repeating the above steps to form sets of signature copy sheets.

Abstract: In a bucket, partially filled with an aqueous slurry of drywall joint compound, the joint compound is hermetically sealed from the air above by a formed-in-place flexible solid seal disposed over the entire top of the joint compound and preferably extending a short distance up the inner wall of the bucket. For partial use of the joint compound, the seal is first separated from the bucket inner wall and then lifted off the joint compound, cleaned, and kept in a condition suitable for reuse.

Abstract: Signature printing with an automatic duplexing copier by simultaneously presenting plural document sheets to the imaging station of the copier in a predetermined nonserial page order for producing a set of signature copy sheets suitable for subsequent center-folding into signature sets, by loading a normal serial set of document sheets into an automatic document reordering and presenting system (associated with the copier) which automatically reorders that set of document sheets into a predetermined nonserial reordered page order for signature pair page order "two-up" copying, and automatically presenting the pairs of automatically reordered document sheets to the imaging station of the copier to be copied in the reordered page order to provide collated page order signature sets automatically with the copier for on-line center-folding and finishing without requiring any manual reordering of either the document sheets or the signature copy sheets. The automatic reordering includes automatic 180.degree.

Abstract: A thermally compensating positioning device for use in maintaining an object, e.g., an optical mirror, in a precisely fixed position throughout ambient temperature fluctuations comprises an elongated first columnar member, e.g., a bar, and an elongated second columnar member, e.g., another bar, formed of material that has a coefficient of thermal expansion higher than that of the first columnar member. The first and second members are connected together in a manner that the second member is restrained against movement by the first member along its longitudinal axis and the second member is structured to flex away from or toward the first member when the ambient temperature rises above or falls below a datum temperature.In a preferred embodiment, lugs integral with the ends of the second member connect it in yoke manner to the ends of the first member and the second member has a slot in its midsection to provide for midsection flexing with temperature variations.

Abstract: A document handler employing a vacuum belt feeder having an air knife to aid in sheet separation. The quantity of air discharged from the air knife is varied in accordance with the number of documents placed in the document handler as determined by counting the documents fed through the document handler during the initial feed cycle.

Abstract: An automatic pre-collation duplex copier in which original documents having either an odd or even number of pages may be recirculatively copied in reverse serial order yet provide properly collated output duplex copy sets. A simplex/duplex copying system is disclosed in which, when an odd number of document sheets are detected in a first, non-copying, circulation of the document sheets, the copying of the last and subsequent alternate document sheets is inhibited during the first copying circulation, whereas if an even number of document sheets are detected, the copying of the second and subsequent alternate document sheets is inhibited during this first copying circulation, and these different copying sequences are reversed for the last copying circulation. All document sheets are copied during the intermediate circulations. A compatible duplex/duplex copying system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A water-ski towline winch assembly comprises a support member adapted to be mounted on a boat and an annular drum rotatably mounted on the support member. A handle is rotatably mounted on the support member to rotate the drum to selectively reel-in or reel-out the towline, via a stepped-down gear set. A plurality of slots are formed in the drum whereby floats secured on the towline may be positioned exteriorly of the drum in non-interfering relationship with the towline which is wrapped on the drum. A release mechanism is provided for permitting the gear set to free-wheel to troll out the towline. Two embodiments of the invention are disclosed herein with one of the embodiments (FIGS. 7-11) including a mounting bracket for vertical or horizontal securance to the hull of the boat and a support bracket attachable to the mounting bracket and having the winch assembly proper mounted thereon.

Abstract: A bottom sheet feeder employing a vacuum feed assembly in conjunction with an air knife for separating and feeding sheets from a sheet stack. A self regulating blower input and output bleed valve assembly utilized in conjunction with a single blower regulates air flow through the blower to the air knife irrespective of the degree of air flow through the vacuum feed assembly caused by blockage thereof by the acquired sheets.

Abstract: A joint compound, having crack resistance substantially equal to joint compounds containing mica, wherein the mica has been replaced by low length to width ratio gypsum crystals formed by the hydration of calcium sulfate to calcium sulfate dihydrate, particularly crystals formed in the presence of citric acid.

Abstract: A system for presenting documents to a slit-scan xerographic exposure station includes a fluidic storage station having a housing in which a rack for storing documents is located. The rack includes a plurality of pockets in each of which a document may be stored, the rack being movable in a vertical direction so that any one of its pockets may be aligned with an opening in the housing. A fluid stream is used to move a document in a pocket aligned with the opening out of the storage apparatus and into engagement with transport apparatus. The transport apparatus includes a vacuum document drum which moves a document past the exposure station and, in one mode of operation, inverts the document prior to its return to a pocket at the station. In another mode of operation, the direction of travel of the drum is reversed after the document has been exposed and the document is returned without inversion.

Abstract: A system wherein documents are presented to an exposure station of reproduction apparatus includes a housing in which a rack for storing documents is located. The rack includes a plurality of pockets in each of which a document may be stored, the rack being movable in a vertical direction so that any one of its pockets may be aligned with an opening in the housing. Fluid streams are used to either move a document in an aligned pocket through the opening and to the exposure station or from the exposure station into the pocket. Copies of documents presented to the exposure station are made by the reproduction apparatus. Adjacent the housing there is located an inverter into which documents from the rack are fluidically fed as desired. Inverted documents are returned to the rack with the assistance of a fluid stream. Inverted documents may be fed to the exposure station to provide duplex copies.