Abstract: A peripheral resilient seal, and seal and platen, the platen having a container tray receiving cavity and a peripheral groove around the cavity and receiving the seal. The seal has side ribs deformable upon insertion into the groove, and a shoulder extending beyond the groove to abut the platen.

Abstract: An apparatus is adapted to attach a plastic carrier sheet about the upper edge of a plurality of containers to secure them together as one unit for easier carrying. The apparatus includes a base portion which properly positions the containers below a lower plate that is slidably mounted to vertical supports. A plurality of engagement means, secured to the lower plate, have a plurality of fingers which are adapted to grasp a discrete generally conical member. A release mechanism secured to the lower plate releases the conical members from the engagement fingers onto the upper surface of the containers to allow the carrier sheet to be fitted onto the conical members. The carrier sheet is then fitted onto the containers by lowering the lower plate causing the fingers to force the carrier sheet over the conical member and onto the upper portion of the container. The lower plate is raised and lowered by a lifting mechanism mounted to the lower plate.

Abstract: A system for charging a metallic canister having a filler opening therein with a gas under pressure and then sealing the opening to provide a closed, pressurized canister generally consisting of means for retaining the canister in a predetermined orientation, a sealing member having a guide passageway therein displaceable between an extended position in sealing engagement with a canister disposed in the predetermined orientation, with the guide passageway therein communicating with the filler opening of the canister, and a retracted position out of sealing engagement with the canister, a first means for applying a gas under pressure to a first side of the sealing member to urge the sealing member into into its retracted position, second means for supplying a gas under pressure to an opposite side of the sealing member to urge the sealing member into its extended position in sealing engagement with the canister, third means for supplying a gas under a third pressure to the guide passageway of the sealing membe

Abstract: A method of decanting hazardous substances into containers, in which the substances to be decanted are divided into portions and packaged at the outlet of a production plant via an upper glove box, a lock chamber and a drum container under clean room conditions, wherein the drum container is positioned beneath the sealing device on the upper glove box on a weighing platform, and an upper ring flange of the drum container is sealed by inflating an inflatable seal, and a passage between the glove box and a space with the drum container is opened, and further the operator pulls an outer bag out of the drum container over the flange in the glove box and fastens it.

Abstract: A method and machine for wrapping groups of products, whereby, by means of a U-shaped shuttle with its concavity facing upwards, groups of products are fed successively to the loading station of a wrapping conveyor coplanar with the shuttle and traveling in a direction crosswise to the traveling direction of the shuttle; and a U-shaped folding spindle with its concavity facing the shuttle is brought into contact with the central panel of a blank fed into the loading station by the wrapping conveyor, and receives a group from the shuttle prior to the blank being folded about the spindle to form a tray, and prior to the spindle being withdrawn from the tray.

Abstract: A rotary heat sealer and method therefor useable for thermally sealing overlapping film layers wrapped about a load at a load wrapping station. The rotary heat sealer includes a plurality of heat sealing disks each having a peripherally disposed heating element, and a rotatable shaft disposed through a central opening of the plurality of heat sealing disks, wherein the heat sealing disks are resiliently coupled to the rotatable shaft by spring members so that the heat sealing disks are rotatable with the shaft and the heat sealing disks are independently movable transversely relative to the rotatable shaft axis. The rotary heat sealer is movable toward the load to engage the heating elements thereof with overlapping film layers wrapped about the load to thermally seal an overlapping film tail to underlying film layers, whereby the transversely movable heat sealing disks compensate for variations in the shape of the load, thereby providing improved welding of overlapping film layers.

Abstract: The welding jaws 7, 8 in a tubular bagging machine 1 for the creation of cross seams are driven by a drive 3 acting perpendicularly with respect to the foil-transporting direction 4 through a movable element 11. The jaw force (sealing force) is clearly increased through a lever 15 rotatable about a pivot point 17, and is precisely adapted to the requirements of a particle bagging operation. A drive with a small force, for example a linear motor 9, can be utilized in an economical manner in the tubular bagging machine of the invention. By providing a second drive, and connecting this drive to the lever (15), any desired motion path curves of the cross jaws and a continuous run sequence of the machine can be achieved. If the second drive stopped, then one has an intermittent tubular bagging machine.

Abstract: A device for supplying and metering freshly ground coffee powder in an apparatus for packaging bags of coffee powder in an apparatus for manufacturing bags of ground coffee-powder for packaging of bags of coffee powder comprising a device for supplying and metering freshly ground powder including a metering device, a distribution disc and a closing disc provided with through-holes which can be aligned in predetermined angular positions of the discs themselves, so as to supply one or more measures of coffee powder at a time into cavities formed in a link conveyor supporting a bottom strip of filter paper shaped so to have successive receiving cavities. The through-holes in the metering device and in the closing disc are two in number so as to make use of the fact that in general circles of the metering device and closing disc intersect each other always at two separate points.

Abstract: A hydraulic drive apparatus for example for driving the header of a combine harvester includes a pump, at least one motor driven by the pump, a reservoir in which the hydraulic fluid is cooled and degasified and a hydraulic circuit connecting the elements. The pump is driven by a shaft of the combine which can be reversed for short periods of time for discharging blockages. The hydraulic circuit is arranged with check valves so that when operating in the normal forward condition it operates in open circuit arrangement including the reservoir. When operating in the reverse condition, the reservoir is bypassed and the fluid is directed in closed circuit condition from the pump through the motor and back to the pump. This allows the drive apparatus to accommodate the necessary reverse condition for short periods of time using a simple hydraulic circuitry rather than the conventional mechanical drive arrangements.

Abstract: Machine for the automatic or semi-automatic trimming or cutting of vines and espalier-trained trees or shrubs. The machine includes at least one cutting assembly constituted by a plurality of cutting tools stacked about a common shaft. Each of these cutting tools includes a rotative circular cage having the shape of a scalloped disk with notches extending toward the cage interior and demarcated by teeth (5). The teeth include an extreme portion and superposed bars . The superposed bars extend from this extreme portion in the direction of the rotational axis of the rotating cage. Each of these cutting tools also includes an interior member which participates in the cutting action, and is housed in the rotating cage. The extreme portion of the teeth of the rotating cages forms a projecting angle, and the inclined edges of this pointed portion are provided with at least one notch.

Abstract: A riding mower is provided with a grass collection bag located in the vertical space between the riding seat and the rotating blade. The seat is mounted on an exterior surface of a hood which encloses the bag during a grass cutting operation. The hood is moveable to permit access to the bag. The bag is equipped with a handle for easy removal from the mower body. The contents of the bag are emptied through the bottom of the bag. An air flow indicator signals an operator as to the need to empty the bag. A view window in the enclosing hood allows the operator to observe the indicator.

Abstract: One or more replaceable cutting blade tips and a central mounting bar comprise a blade assembly. Each of the replaceable cutting blade tips can be selectively attached to the central mounting bar without the use of tools. During typical operation, the replaceable cutting blade tips snugly fit relative to the central mounting bar and little, if any, relative pivoting therebetween is evident. However, some relative pivoting can occur when exceptional loads are encountered by the replaceable cutting blade tips such as when an obstacle such as a rock is encountered. In such an instance, a tearable "zipper" is provided which allows the blade tip to "tear" its way through the zipper while pivoting, thus advantageously providing a means for dissipating energy. Also provided is a "family of bars" concept which reduces inventory, reduces tooling expenses, and facilitates efficient and correspondingly low cost blade tips due to the volumes possible.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mowing machine with at least one blade (4) rotating about a spindle (3), preferably with two mowing cutters (6) arranged symmetrically to the spindle, and preferably with several and especially three blades (4) rotating about parallel spindles (3), which is/are arranged in a mower housing (1) with the cuttings ejected towards the rear (regarded from the direction of mowing). In order to provide a mulch from the cuttings with such a mower, it is proposed that the blade(s) (4) be contained in the ejection direction by a wall system (8, 9).

Abstract: A rotary rake for a hay making machine has prong brackets rotating about a substantially vertically aligned axis and having prongs at their outer ends and provided with respective eccentrically positioned cam rollers within the gyro casing and with respective journal bearings axially locked on the prong brackets, so that a compact subassembly is formed which is adapted to be introduced into and to be locked in at least two apertures within the gyro casing positioned one behind the other in a spaced relationship.

Abstract: A method and device for winding an elongated element onto a cable product comprises a probe for measuring the tensile stress of the elongated element as it moves from a supply coil to a point for winding the element onto the cable product.

Abstract: Wound bobbins of yarn are exposed to a high temperature heat treatment step to eliminate variances in hot air shrinkage caused by the manufacturing processes used to make the strands.

Abstract: To provide a combined-cycle power generation plant heat exchanged effectively in an exhaust heat, the recovery boiler is increased by suppressing on reducing the swirl present in the exhaust gas of a gas turbine. That is, a plurality of stationary blades 10 are arranged on the surface of a rear inner barrel in the circumferential direction of the rear inner barrel to partition an annular channel formed between a casing and the rear inner barrel. Thereby, it is possible to uniform the flow of exhaust gas with a low pressure drop.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine combustor can operate on either liquid fuel or gaseous fuel while maintaining low levels of nitrous oxide emissions. An upstream end of each of a plurality of mixing tubes includes an external manifold that is supplied with gaseous fuel. The gaseous fuel is injected into the mixing tubes through a plurality of orifices with sufficient momentum to be uniformly distributed across the flow path of each mixing tube. The optimum fuel/air ratio for low nitrous oxide emissions does not exceed seventy five percent (75%) of the stoichiometric ratio for a given fuel.

Abstract: A noise reduction kit for modifying a two (2) spool axial flow turbofan engine with multi-stage compressors and fan driven by multi-stage reaction turbines, and a thrust of at least about 18,000 lbs. at sea level. There is a fan at the upstream end of the core engine for generating axial fan air flow through bypass ducts terminating at a common nozzle, the common nozzle having a mixing plane area for each of the fan air flow and for the exhaust gas in a range between 700 and 800 square inches. A material layer is located in a spacing between a tip of blades for at least some of the fans and a duct for the fans, thereby to reduce a normal clearance between the tip of blades for the fan and the duct. Mixing means for radially diverting fan air and permitting radially outward expansion of exhaust gas is provided coaxially downstream to the core engine. An acoustically dampened light bulb-shaped nose cone is provided for coaxial attachment to an upstream end of the core engine.

Abstract: A fuel injection control method controls the air-fuel ratio of the air-fuel mixture to be supplied to an internal-combustion engine provided in its exhaust system with an NOx reducing catalytic converter so that the NOx reducing catalytic converter is able to give full play to its ability. A first air-fuel mixture of a stoichiometric or a fuel-rich air-fuel ratio and a second air-fuel mixture of a lean-fuel air-fuel ratio are supplied alternately for predetermined time intervals respectively.

Abstract: An exhaust gas-purifying system for an internal combustion engine includes an alternator driven by the engine. A regulator controls voltage generated by the alternator. An electrically-heated catalyzer is arranged in the exhaust system of the engine and connected to the alternator to be electrically heated by electric power generated by the alternator. An ECU controls the regulator to control the voltage generated by the alternator and supplied to the electrically-heated catalyzer, according to operating conditions of the engine detected by sensors such as an engine coolant temperature sensor and an intake air temperature sensor.

Abstract: Method and improved apparatus for reduction of fluid borne noise in a hydraulic system are disclosed. A shortened noise suppression assembly comprising first, second and third volumetrically compliant members with first and second inductive flow members providing fluidic coupling therebetween is disclosed. The shortened noise suppression assembly acts similarly to an electronic low pass filter network in deterring fluid borne noise from entering portions of the hydraulic system located therebeyond. At least one of the first and third volumetrically compliant members are comprised within a stub line. The remaining one, or ones, of the first, second and third volumetrically compliant members, and the first and second inductive flow members form conduit members of a passage for connecting a pump to the portions of the hydraulic system located therebeyond.

Abstract: An improved pressure-compensated hydraulic system for feeding hydraulic fluid to one or more hydraulic actuators. A remotely located, variable displacement pump provides an output pressure equal to a control input pressure plus a constant margin. A pressure compensation system requires that a load-dependent pressure be provided to the pump input through a load sense circuit. An isolator transmits the load-dependent pressure to the pump control input, while preventing fluid from leaving the load sense circuit and flowing to the remotely located pump. A valve section, which controls the fluid flow between the pump and actuator, has a pressure compensating valve with a piston and spool controlling a pressure differential across a main control valve orifice by moving within a bore in response to a pressure differential between a pump supply pressure and the load sense pressure.

Abstract: The hydraulic control system disclosed herein employs a pair of combination poppet/spool valves to control the operation of a hydraulic cylinder driven from a bidirectional pump. Flow introduced through the source port of one valve lifts the poppet of the other valve on its way to one side of the cylinder which in turn opens a throttling port to modulate return flow from the other side of the cylinder.

Abstract: A boosted charge air system which eliminates adverse effects of pressure loading on the system components incorporates a pressure compensator mounted intermediate a turbocharger compressor section outlet duct and the inlet duct of a charge air cooler. The compensator includes first and second end bellows each with a first cross sectional area, a middle bellows intermediate the first and second end bellows with an annular cross sectional area substantially equal to the first cross sectional area, first and second end flanges connecting the first and second end bellows to the outlet duct and inlet duct, respectively, and first and second annular plates connecting the middle bellows to the first and second end bellows. An internal restraining structure for the compensator includes two sets of struts interconnecting the first end flange to the second annular plate and the second end flange to the first annular plate.

Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine can include a fuel molecular weight sensor to determine an actual and a desired Excess Air Ratio for an air/fuel mixture supplied to the engine. To prevent engine overload, the control system limits the amount of fuel delivered to the engine based on the amount of air available to the engine. High pressure exhaust gas can drive an air compressor which pressurizes inlet air. A exhaust bypass valve controls the amount of power delivered to the compressor, and the pressure and amount of inlet air delivered to the engine. Independent control of the main fuel flow and pilot fuel flow allows the control system to maintain a desired air/fuel ratio in the main combustion chamber and in the precombustion chamber.

Abstract: A supercharged EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) turbine (6) is incorporated in the exhaust gas flow in series after the turbine (4) of the supercharger and is driven by the exhaust gases which have already passed through the turbine of the supercharger. The EGR turbine (6) is used for driving an EGR compressor (7) which delivers a partial gas flow which is to be returned to the inlet manifold (2) of the combustion engine. The partial gas flow intended for return to the inlet side is tapped from the exhaust manifold (3, 3') and is pressurized in the compressor stage (7). The EGR turbine (6) is controlled by a waste-gate valve (15) and the partial exhaust gas flow to the EGR compressor is controlled by a valve 17.

Abstract: A steam powered electric power generating station to provide electricity comprises a steam turbine positioned in a steam turbine shell, equipment, such as a heater, a first and a second temperature detectors, and a computer. The steam turbine has necessary blades and a shaft to turn an electrical generator to create electricity. The steam turbine shell mechanically coupled to receive steam to turn the at least one blade steam turbine. The equipment is mechanically coupled to the steam turbine shell to receive steam from the steam turbine shell and receives feed water through an entry port and releases feed water through an exit port. The first temperature detector is positioned to detect a first temperature of the feed water prior to entering the equipment via the entry port. The second temperature detector is positioned to detect a second temperature of the feed water after exiting the equipment via the exit port.

Abstract: A liner for a gas turbine engine combustor is disclosed having a non-linear cavity section, wherein air and fuel injected therein form a trapped vortex for igniting and stabilizing a flame in the combustor. The cavity section, which is substantially rectangular in shape, has an aft wall, a forward wall, and an intermediate wall connected at one end to the aft wall and at the other end to the forward wall. A plurality of passages are provided in the aft wall for injecting fuel therethrough and a plurality of air passages are provided in the aft wall surrounding each fuel passage for injecting air therethrough. Cooling holes are also provided in the aft wall, the forward wall, and the intermediate wall for reinforcing the fuel/air vortex flow in the cavity section.

Abstract: An orifice pulse tube refrigerator is provided with a flow separation member in the pulse tube so as to prevent mixing of hot and cold gases from opposite end of the pulse tube, thus reducing losses due to mixing and improving efficiency. The flow separation member may take the form of a cylindrical slug of low-friction material mounted in the pulse tube for sliding movement in response to instantaneous variation in working gas pressure.

Abstract: To transport and/or store produce, individual refrigeration units are provided for palletised packages. A load of produce (201) is enclosed by packaging which acts as a gas barrier, e.g., a plastics bag (2), corrugated cardboard, etc. The packaging may optionally also include insulation (200). In one option the refrigeration unit is in or on the pallet (3). The gas flow across the evaporator (15 (i.e., the flow internal to the gas barrier) is kept separate from the gas flow across the condenser (10) (which flow results in heating of the ambient air) by such measures as physical separation of condenser and evaporator and ducting or channels in the pallet. In another option the refrigeration unit sits on the produce. In this case separation of the gas flows may be achieved by sealing of the barrier (e.g., clamping of the mouth of a plastic bag by an O-ring) to a flange encircling the condenser.

Abstract: A method is described for preserving tissues and organs, in particular of tissues and organs for transplantation, in which the tissue or organ to be treated is temporarily stored in a well-cooled state, in particular at a temperature in the range from -3.degree. C. to 3.degree. C., for a predeterminable time in an oxygen atmosphere, in a space which can be closed off in air tight manner, wherein the oxygen atmosphere is built up in the space which can be sealed off in air tight manner with a pressure which lies above the atmospheric pressure, and wherein the pressure in the closed space is kept at a pressure lying above the atmospheric pressure for the whole or the further period of intermediate storage.

Abstract: A refrigerator has a device for generating an air curtain, and the air curtain generating device operates according to the sensor for sensing the opening/closing of the door and the temperatures in the cooling compartment sensed by temperature sensors. The air curtain is generated when the door is opened and when the temperature of the area near the door is higher than the temperature of the area distant from the door. Thus, the area near the door in the cooling compartment is efficiently cooled when the door is closed, and the operation for generating an air curtain is exactly performed when the door is opened even if the sensor for sensing the opening/closing of the door is out of order.

Abstract: A heat recovery, dehumidifier and cooling system for ventilating fresh air to a conditioned space. The system is comprised of an enthalpy wheel or body for treating incoming fresh air to remove heat and moisture therefrom and means such as a duct for introducing fresh air to a first segment of the enthalpy wheel or body. A heat exchanger is provided in communication with the enthalpy wheel or body to receive pre-conditioned air having heat and moisture removed therefrom, the heat exchanger further lowering the temperature of the pre-conditioned air. A refrigerated surface is provided in a first communication with the heat exchanger to receive pre-conditioned air exiting from the sensible heat exchanger, the refrigerated surface further treating the pre-conditioned air to provide refrigerated air leaving the refrigerated surface having both lowered temperature and humidity.

Abstract: An energy transfer system for a household refrigeration appliance. The energy transfer system includes a compartment for enclosing a condenser which is associated with the refrigeration appliance, and a set of conduits for enabling the transfer of outside air into, through, and out of the compartment. The system also includes a movable barrier for selectively controlling the transfer of air through the compartment. In one form of the present invention, the system also includes a thermostatically actuated fan for forcing outside air into, through, and out of the compartment in response to a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A monitoring system for a heating or cooling system includes a neural network for computing the status of one or more expansion valves within the system. The neural network is trained to learn certain characteristics of the heating or cooling system during a development mode of operation. The thus trained neural network timely computes the status of the one or more expansion valves during a run time mode of operation. Information as to the status of the one or more expansion valves is made available for real time assessment during the run time mode of operation.

Abstract: A drain pan for collecting and draining condensate from a packaged vehicle roof mounted air conditioning unit. The drain pan has an opening registering with the roof opening for air distribution and control components within the vehicle, a bottom surface gasket for this opening, and an upper surface to seal against a gasket for the air conditioning unit.

Abstract: A high efficiency air conditioning system combining a desiccant assisted air conditioner with a heat pump device is disclosed. The heat pump device has a desorber for separating a refrigerant vapor from an absorption fluid; a compressor for compressing the refrigerant vapor; an absorber for absorbing the refrigerant vapor in the absorption fluid; an absorption fluid passage for circulating the absorption fluid between the absorber and the desorber; a refrigerant compression passage for transporting the refrigerant vapor produced in the desorber to the absorber by way of the compressor; and a heat medium passage means for drawing out heat of absorption and heat of desorption generated in the absorber and/or the desorber. Facilities are provided for storing refrigerant and absorption fluid during various modes of system operation and appropriate valving is provided for operating the system in various modes to increase the economic efficiency of system utilization.

Abstract: An absorption cooling system generator with an internal fire tube or combustion chamber is disclosed. The fire tube includes at least one radially projecting heat transfer member on its interior surface that interacts with hot combustion gases. A minimum quantity of refrigerant solution is maintained in the generator by a leveling chamber. The leveling chamber is a refrigerant solution reservoir connected to the generator to maintain substantial equilibrium of the fluid levels within the generator and reservoir. The leveling chamber includes a standpipe. When the refrigerant solution level is above the standpipe, solution may flow out of the leveling chamber and the generator to an absorber. If the solution level falls below the standpipe, set at a predetermined level, solution will not flow out of the generator. Thus, the generator will maintain a minimum, predetermined solution level. In addition, a baffle coil tube and a helical baffle provide an improved solution flow in the generator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a compression apparatus (10) comprising a turbocompressor (1) with a plurality of compression stages (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) as well as infeed flows (5b, 5c, 5d), where the compression apparatus (10) serves for operating a refrigerant circuit, especially with a hydrocarbon gas such as propane, ethylene, methane, or a mixture thereof, wherein a mixer device (8a, 8b, 8c) is arranged outside the turbocompressor (1) and wherein a preceding and a succeeding compression stage (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) are connected to one another via the mixer device (8a, 8b, 8c) in such a manner that the infeed flow (5b, 5c, 5d) provided for the succeeding compression stage (1b, 1c, 1d) opens into the mixer device (8a, 8b, 8c) in order to mix the infeed flow (5b, 5c, 5d) with a main flow (6a, 6b, 6c) of the preceding compression stage (1a, 1b, 1c).

Abstract: A control system for a process of liquefied natural gas production (LNG) from natural gas using a heat exchanger and a closed loop refrigeration cycle employs independent, direct control of both production and temperature by adjusting refrigeration to match a set production. The control system sets and controls LNG production at a required production value, and independently controls LNG temperature by adjusting the refrigeration provided to the natural gas stream. One exemplary method employs compressor speed, for example, as a key manipulated variable (MV) to achieve fast and stable LNG temperature regulation. Other compressor variables rather than speed may be key MVs, depending on the type of MR compressors employed, and may be the guidevane angle in a centrifugal compressor or the stator blade angle in an axial compressor. The second exemplary method employs a ratio of total recirculating refrigerant flow to LNG flow as the key manipulated variable to effectively control the LNG temperature.

Abstract: The present invention is a set of improvements in deethanizing and depropanizing fractionation steps in NGL processing. The several embodiments of the present invention apply component distribution to multiple columns, interreboiling, intercondensing, thermal coupling and "thermo-mechanical" coupling to the commonly practiced deethanizer/depropanizer fractionation sequence of NGL processing. Also included are methods of capacity expansion or efficiency improvement for existing high pressure NGL deethanization operations.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method, a knitting machine and sinkers (1, 2) for producing plush fabrics. The method is distinguished in that core and plush thread loops (48, 54) are preformed on selected sinker edges and are transferred prior to the actual stitch formation from these sinker edges to other preselected sinker edges by simple displacement of the sinkers (1, 2). For this purpose the knitting machine has first and second sinkers (1, 2), wherein the second sinkers (2) are provided with oblique faces (15). These are used, in the course of the transfer of the core thread loops (48) by means of retracting the first sinkers (1) and simultaneous advancement of the second sinkers (2), to act on the core thread loops (48) in such a way that the latter are securely enclosed in the slits of the first sinkers (1) when these are again advanced (FIG. 10).

Abstract: A foot protector for providing cushioning comfort and support to the foot of a wearer is described. The foot protector has a toe portion, a ball portion and an instep portion, and a pad positioned on the ball portion. The pad has an arcuate front edge, and the pad is positioned on the foot protector such that the arcuate front edge of the pad is located proximate the juncture of the toe portion and the ball portion, such that the transition from the padded region to the relatively less padded region is positioned below the toe joints, where it is not readily felt by the wearer. The padding can be formed during the knitting process, with the padding being formed by a plurality of terry loops.

Abstract: The present invention provides a knit fabric and outdoor sporting apparel formed therefrom. The fabric includes a base structure of polyester yarn and a multiplicity of nylon pile yarns knitted into and extending from the base structure. The fabric exhibits excellent resistance to abrasion, snagging and burr accumulation while muffling scratching noise emissions as it is conveyed through a natural growth environment.

Abstract: The small finishing installation (100) for continuous strips of textile fabric includes a steam-filled housing (2) into which feed rolls (5) can be introduced at each end. Located in the housing are sets of fabric-handling equipment disposed symmetrically with respect to the vertical plane (40) running across the middle of the housing (2). Disposed in this vertical plane (40) is a squeezer unit (37) from which the strip of fabric can pass, against each feed roll (5), through a treatment bath (30) and then over an array (20) of guide rollers disposed above an open tank (26). The continuous strip of fabric (10) can be wound back and forth between the feed rolls (5), thus making it possible to carry out a variety of different treatments.

Abstract: A washplate deflector for an automatic washer having a wash basket and a moveable washplate positioned within the basket. The deflector is mounted to the periphery of the washplate and abuts the wash basket, preventing clothing disposed in the wash basket from being caught between the washplate and the wash basket.

Abstract: An automatic washing machine includes a wash tub and a dispenser compartment which is connected to the wash tub. The washing machine further includes a valve assembly having a housing and a rotatable valve member, the housing having (1) a water inlet port defined therein which is connected to a main water line, and (2) a first water outlet port defined therein which is connected to the dispenser compartment, the rotatable valve member (1) disabling a flow of water from the water inlet port to the first water outlet port when the rotatable valve member is positioned at a first valve position, and (2) enabling the flow of water from the water inlet port to the first water outlet port when the rotatable valve member is positioned at a second valve position.

Abstract: A U-shaped lock includes a U-shaped bar, a cross bar and a lock body mounted therein, such that a user is able to achieve a locking process by the U-shaped bar and the cross bar no matter whether the combination input by a user of the lock body coincides with the predetermined sequence.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a portable looped cable locking device for use with a cable for securing items, the device including a lock housing in which one end of the cable is arranged to be anchored, a cable receiving passageway extending through the housing and through which the other end of the cable is passed so as to form a closed retaining loop, a lock supported for rotation by the housing, an eccentric positioning cam on the lock and rotatable therewith, a cable clamping member having a cable gripping portion on an outer surface thereof, and an inner peripheral surface which defines a cam following opening, the clamping member being mounted for bodily and rotational movement within the housing between at least one locked position, wherein the cable gripping portion frictionally engages with and locks the cable against withdrawal from the passageway, wherein loosening of the closed retaining loop is prevented, and, optionally, wherein tightening of the closed retaining loop is prevented, and an unlocked positio