Abstract: A machine has a frame on which is mounted a conveyor mechanism including two vertically spaced belts between which the spacing is provided to allow a pillow to travel between the belts. To each side of the conveyor belt, a beater is provided. The beaters are rotatably mounted on the frame about shafts defining their axes of rotation. The two beaters rotate in opposite directions and include peripheries defined by two opposed elongated bars substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the beater. A pillow is fed between the conveyor belts and as it traverses the location where the beater mechanism is located, the beaters sequentially strike the pillow on each side simultaneously to beat the pillow casing and the fiber within, therefore efficiently distributing the fiber fill throughout the pillow casing, removing and lumping, uneven spots, empty areas, and causing the pillow to become more lofty, softer, and completely filled out.

Abstract: A rapper device for cleaning a heat exchange surface in a pressure vessel by transmitting impact energy. The rapper device includes a striker and an impacting device for impacting the striker which has one end contacting the heat exchange surface in the pressure vessel. The striker includes a piston section having a piston rod projecting out of the pressure vessel via a passage opening in line with the impacting device. A piston head is slideable within a piston chamber in line with the passage opening. The piston chamber is operatively connected to a sealing gas supply. The piston head is a separate part with an aperture. The piston rod runs through the aperture, e.g., in a slideable arrangement.

Abstract: A method and a rapper device for cleaning a heat exchange surface in a pressure vessel. The rapper device includes a striker rod which has one end contacting the heat exchange surface in the pressure vessel and one end projecting out of the pressure vessel via a passage opening. The rapper device also includes an impacting device for impacting the projecting end of the striker rod. A section of the striker rod is slideably supported in a pressure chamber adjacent the passage opening. The pressure chamber is connected to a sealing gas supply maintaining the pressure in the pressure chamber at a higher level than the pressure in the pressure vessel. A bellows defines a pressure chamber around at least a section of the striker rod.

Abstract: Exemplary surface debris removal systems and methods are operable to remove debris from a signal transmitting/receiving surface. An embodiment provides power to, and then removes power from, a conductive memory wire that is secured to a moveable portion of a two-position snap spring. In response to providing the power to the conductive memory wire, a length of the conductive memory wire decreases so that the moveable portion of the two-position snap spring is pulled from an extended position to a retracted position. When power is removed from the conductive memory wire, the moveable portion of the two-position snap spring moves from the retracted position to the extended position. In response to the moving of the moveable portion of the two-position snap spring from the retracted position to the extended position, an energy is generated and transferred to the surface that dislodges the debris from the surface.

Abstract: A dual striker mechanism for a carpet-tapping machine comprises two striker grills which are mounted in a common body opposite one another so as to be pivotable about the longitudinal axis of their retaining rail. The tapping rods of the first striker grill thereby protrude into the gaps between the tapping rods of the second striker grill. The arrangement of the tapping rods of the two striker grills thereby forms a common horizontal plane. The striker grills are coupled to one another such that upon a clockwise pivoting motion of the first striker grill, the opposite one moves counter-clockwise. The drive motor for the striker grills generates an alternating pivoting motion about the longitudinal axis of the striker grills via an eccentric drive. The tapping rods of the two striker grills thereby move toward each other in their common substantially horizontal position.

Abstract: Exemplary surface debris removal systems and methods are operable to remove debris from a signal transmitting/receiving surface. An embodiment provides power to, and then removes power from, a conductive memory wire that is secured to a moveable portion of a two-position snap spring. In response to providing the power to the conductive memory wire, a length of the conductive memory wire decreases so that the moveable portion of the two-position snap spring is pulled from an extended position to a retracted position. When power is removed from the conductive memory wire, the moveable portion of the two-position snap spring moves from the retracted position to the extended position. In response to the moving of the moveable portion of the two-position snap spring from the retracted position to the extended position, an energy is generated and transferred to the surface that dislodges the debris from the surface.

Abstract: Mat washing device, method of using the mat washing device, and method of washing mats. The mat washing device includes a system that may be transported on a flat bed trailer from one location to another. The mat washing device includes conveying systems, brush systems, rails systems and control mechanisms. The mat washing device may be used by placing mat, on edge, on a conveying system and conveying the mat to a first brushing system and a second brushing system. In one aspect the first brushing system includes a cable brush having a bolt secured at the end of a cable in order to beat or brush material from the mat when the cable brush is spun.

Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention comprises a plurality of flexible impact elements for controlling the buildup of solids in a mixer, unloader or similar device. The device for use with the impact elements has at least one shaft and a plurality of rotating elements extending radially from the shaft for moving ash or similar particulate solids. The flexible impact elements communicate with the device as the shaft rotates so as to limit or control the buildup of solids on the rotating elements, thus enabling a more efficient throughput of materials by the device.

Abstract: A rapper device for cleaning a heat exchange surface in a pressure vessel by transmitting impact energy. The rapper device comprises a striker and an impacting device for impacting the striker which has one end contacting the heat exchange surface in the pressure vessel. The striker comprises a piston section comprising a piston rod projecting out of the pressure vessel via a passage opening in line with the impacting device. A piston head is slideable within a piston chamber in line with the passage opening. The piston chamber is operatively connected to a sealing gas supply. The piston head is a separate part with an aperture. The piston rod runs through the aperture, e.g., in a slideable arrangement.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating an exposed surface. The apparatus has an elongate support with a proximal region and a distal region. The proximal region is engagable by a user to controllably reposition the elongate support and thereby situate the distal region at an exposed surface to be treated. At least one elongate element is provided at the distal region of the elongate support. The at least one elongate element is moveable at the distal region to repeatedly contact an exposed surface at which the elongate element is situated to thereby separate matter from an exposed surface at which the elongate element is situated.

Abstract: A drive device is provided having a movable part, a first drive part, and a second drive part. The movable part is swingable relative to a fixed part. The first drive part drives the movable part in a first direction. The second drive part drives the movable part in a direction opposite to the first direction. The fixed part has bumpers which are struck by the movable part. The first and second drive parts simultaneously drive said movable part so as to strike the bumpers.

Abstract: A welding nozzle cleaning device includes a rotary hub and a plurality of flexible arms that extend outwardly from the hub. Each arm is formed of flexible resilient material and has an impact head at its distal end, the head being carried by the hub-and-arm assembly through a circular path of travel. As a welding nozzle to be cleaned is moved toward the cleaning device, the nozzle actuates a valve so as to provide pressurized air to the cleaning device, driving the head in the circular path, and to the welding nozzle, to blow dislodged material out of the nozzle. The arm is tubular and is bent so that its distal end defines an exhaust port that extends tangentially relative to the hub axis so that pressurized air passing through arm and out of the exhaust port drives the arms and hub about the hub axis.

Abstract: A beach cleaner which scrapes up the litter along with sand and captures and deposits the churned up litter and sand in the mesh member. The beach cleaner 50 includes a frame; keel members, a scraper, and a tow portion that are disposed in a front portion of the frame; a mesh member disposed in a rear portion of the frame. The keel members and the scraper churn up litter scattered on sand ground, along with sand, while the beach cleaner travels on a surface of the sand ground by being towed by a towing vehicle. The churned up litter is deposited in the mesh member. Mesh of the mesh member is relatively rough at a front portion thereof in the traveling direction and finer at a rear portion thereof.

Abstract: Deicing of an external mirror (10) on a vehicle is effected by applying a sudden deformation force to the mirror. Sandwiched between the mirror (10) and a mounting surface (12) is a structure that includes a ribbon conductor (14), portions of which overlap each other in such a way that current through the conductor passes through these portions in opposite directions. A capacitor (32) is discharged through the conductor (14), generating a magnetic field that results in mutual repulsion between the overlapping portions. The mounting surface resists this repulsion force, which is instead transferred to the mirror (10), causing momentary distortion, and dislodgment of ice on the mirror surface. The same technique is also applicable to deicing of windows.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for brushing chalk powder off from an eraser surface of a blackboard eraser in which elastic brushes attached to rotatable shafts of rotatable bodies are brushingly engaged with the eraser surface and are rotated in forward and reverse directions by a motor so that the chalk powder removed from the eraser is collected in chalk powder receiving containers. After the passage of a set time interval, the operation of the apparatus is automatically stopped. A chalk powder containing eraser and the now clean eraser inside the apparatus can be exchanged. Thus, dispersion of powder into the room is prevented.

Abstract: A teacher's eraser cleaner having a housing with a first opening for receiving an eraser into the housing, and a second opening for removing the eraser from the housing. The housing has a cleaning mechanism position therein for removing dust particles from the eraser as it passes through the housing. A conveyor mechanism is utilized for moving the eraser through the housing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning debris, such as lint-like residue, from the bristle blocks of an automatic fabric cutting machine cutting bed, utilizing a linear motion device connected to a head by motion-amplifying linkages in order to amplify the acceleration produced by the motion device and thereby accelerate a slat of bristle blocks toward a grate. When the slat contacts the grate it is abruptly decelerated, which causes the debris to travel out from between the bristles. The grate is indexed between cycles of the head so that different portions of the slat strike the grate each cycle.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a stall and pasture vacuum machine which comprises a trailer frame supported by an axle and wheels, a receptacle which is pivoted at one end of the frame and at the other end of the frame is an extension which supports a centrifugal blower and its drive. In addition, the extension supports a sweeper head or mucking device which is mounted on a pair of sleds which will be pulled over the pasture or paddock. A body is attached to the sled such that the closed top and ends surround and support a rotating shaft. The rotating shaft has a plurality of modified spring tines or blades for breaking up the manure in the pasture and allowing it to be vacuumed by the centrifugal blower into the receptacle. Also on the extension is a water tank for supplying a fine mist of water to the receptacle especially when dust is also being drawn into the receptacle with the manure from the paddock or pasture.

Abstract: A Paperboard Edge Buffer And Cleaner for buffing the edges of cut paperboard and then cleaning the paperboard's surfaces and edges.The Paperboard Edge Buffer And Cleaner is comprised of an upper buffing roller 28 which buffs the leading and upper surface of the paperboard and a lower buffer roller 29 which buffs the trailing edge and lower surface of the paperboard. An upper paperboard vacuum duct 34 and a lower paperboard vacuum duct 35 cooperate with an upper pressure duct 36 and a lower pressure duct 37 to clean the paperboard.An ion generator 73 and 74 may be mounted within each pressure duct 36 and 37 to reduce the electrostatic forces which cause particles to cling to the surface of the paperboard.A source of ultrasonic energy 75 and 76 may be likewise mounted within each pressure duct 36 and 37 to help loosen particles clinging to the surface of the paperboard.

Abstract: A machine for cleaning a plurality of floor maintenance pads by rotation and agitation in a tank of cleaning solvent. The pads are loaded onto a drive axle with gripper rings placed therebetween. After rotation in a solvent, the pads rotate against an agitator bar frame which contacts with both sides of the pads simultaneously. Preferably, the solvent drained from the tank can be returned to a container for reuse or discharged depending upon its level of contamination. Most preferably, the cleaning machine and the container of cleaning solvent are positioned together on a movable support stand.

Abstract: An electrode cleaning apparatus wherein a carbon electrode is cleaned in a two-step process, the first step being a rough cleaning operation wherein scraper elements scrape the electrode at a first station, and a second step wherein the electrode moves between counter-rotating vertical shafts having flailing elements connected thereto in a second station. The electrode is suspended by a hoist supported on a track which moves the electrode along a path through the first and second stations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning cryolite from spent anodes comprising an overhead spent anode transport which carries the spent anodes through a series of four processing stations, with the first processing station loosening the cryolite by means of a plurality of slide mounted jackhammers, the second processing station scraping off the loosened cryolite by means of a plurality of scraper blades carried on chains, a a third station at which the cryolite between the support rod posts is knocked loose by still another set of jackhammers, and a fourth station at which the topmost side surfaces of the spent anode are wire brushed free of any remaining cryolite.

Abstract: Cleaning apparatus for removing foreign material lodged between the bristles of a bristle pad includes a cabinet, a grid mounted in fixed position within the cabinet, and a cage supported for reciprocal movement within the cabinet for carrying the pad and cyclically impacting it against the grid. An exhaust fan draws air through the cabinet and across and through the grid to remove foreign material from the cabinet.

Abstract: Disclosed is a ceramic knock-off apparatus for automatically removing the ceramic coating from investment casting molds having a plurality of arms. Prior to operation, a ceramic covered mold is loaded into a receptacle on a turntable and rotated to a starting position thereby placing one of the arms of the ceramic covered mold directly under the head of an air hammer. The apparatus automatically removes the ceramic coating from each arm of an investment casting mold by lowering the air hammer until it engages the first arm of the mold, operating the hammer thereby vibrating that arm of the mold and causing the ceramic coating to break and fall off, raising the hammer, automatically rotating the turntable until the next arm of the mold is aligned under the air hammer, and lowering the hammer to engage the next arm. This cycle is repeated until the ceramic coating has been removed from every arm of the mold.

Abstract: An apparatus for vibrating and dewebbing tire cord fabric treated with a liquid bonding agent for promoting the adhesion between the warp cords of the fabric and the rubbery material in which the cords are embedded. The fabric, freshly coated with the liquid bonding agent, is guided along a desired vertical pathway between a pair of rotating cylindrically shaped cams which are eccentrically mounted for rotation about axes which are equally spaced from the pathway of the fabric. The rotation of the cams is synchronized such that the cams continuously contact the fabric as they alternately push the fabric in opposite directions from the desired pathway to vibrate the fabric between the rotational axes of the cams. Thus, excess liquid coating is shaken from the fabric to help remove any liquid coating webbing the openings between the warp cords and weft threads of the fabric.