Abstract: A method of and apparatus for reducing trash recirculation into the fiber formation stream of an open-end spinning machine yarn formation station in an open-end spinning machine of the type having a movable trash belt which collects trash removed from the yarn during formation. The method includes the steps of moving the trash belt at a predetermined rate of movement for a predetermined period of time, stopping the trash belt for a predetermined period of time during which trash collects on the belt, cleaning the trash from the belt during movement of the belt, and repeating the steps.

Abstract: A cutter device is provided for being attached to an end of a movable working arm of a self-propelled vehicle for clearing and mulching trees. The cutter device includes a rotatably mounted drum with a plurality of spaced cutter teeth attached to an exterior of the drum for engaging and grinding the trees. A shield covers a portion of the drum and contains the deflection of wood debris outwardly from the drum during operation. The shield has an interior wall spaced apart from the cutter teeth and cooperating with the rotating drum to define a debris flow path through the device. At least one deflector plate is attached to the interior wall of the shield. The deflector plate extends inwardly into the debris flow path in a direction towards the cutter teeth of the drum.

Abstract: The invention is an improved membrane press, and method of elevating a workpiece above the supporting surface of a work base. The membrane press includes a work base having a supporting surface for carrying the workpiece, and a foil-pressing frame positioned above the workpiece for heating and applying the laminating foil to the workpiece. The improvement in the membrane press includes a plurality of workpiece-lifting pedestals residing substantially beneath the supporting surface of the work base. A piston is located beneath each pedestal, and responds to the placement of the workpiece onto the supporting surface of the work base. The piston imparts an upward force on certain ones of the pedestals residing adjacent to and beneath the workpiece to raise the pedestals and workpiece upwardly above the supporting surface of the work base. The raised pedestals permit the top surface, corners, and peripheral borders of the elevated workpiece to be laminated.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching abutting ends of first and second coaxial pipe sections together which includes a pivot assembly mounting a clamping jaw for pivotal movement between a raised, coaxial pipe-clamping position and a lowered position for permitting a fitting which would otherwise interfere with the clamping jaw to be attached to another pipe section.

Abstract: An air filter includes a base member, a filter element, a connector for connecting the base member to a support, and releasable securing members for releasably securing the filter element to the base member. When the securing members are released, the filter element is removable from the base member while the base member remains connected to the support.

Abstract: A grade rod is provided for measuring the depth of cut required to level a ground surface relative to a benchmark elevation location. The grade rod includes an elongated reference member having a reference mark for defining a predetermined elevation at the benchmark elevation location. An elongated extension member is slidably mounted adjacent to the reference member. The extension member has a base end for engaging the ground surface. The reference member is vertically movable relative to the extension member to permit vertical adjustment of the reference mark. A scale is carried by one of the reference member and the extension member for indicating to the user the vertical adjustment required to locate the reference mark at the predetermined elevation at any point on the ground surface. The measurement determines the depth of cut necessary for leveling the ground surface relative to the benchmark elevation location.

Abstract: A posthole digger includes first and second spaced-apart and substantially upright handles for being gripped by a user at respective free ends. First and second cooperating blades depend from respective proximal ends of the handles. A cleaning attachment is located between the handles for removing accumulated earthen matter from an inside surface of the first and second blades when in the open position. An elongate rod extends between the handles, and is received within a hollow sleeve for sliding vertical movement relative to the sleeve. An inner scraper is attached to an end of the rod, and positioned between the first and second blades for reciprocating vertical movement along the length of the blades in the open position. A coil spring normally urges the inner scraper upwardly into a storage position adjacent to a top end of the blades.

Abstract: Wood products impregnated with from 30 to 80% of a polymerizable monomer selected from the group consisting of hexanediol diacrylate and hexanediol dimethacrylate have excellent indent resistance. The wood products are impregnated with the monomer solution by placing the wood under a vacuum to remove air, contacting the wood with a monomer solution containing a polymerizable hexanediol diacrylate and/or hexanediol dimethacrylate monomer and from 0.5 to about 2 percent of a thermally activated free radical source as a polymerization initiator for a period sufficient to achieve the desired polymer loading. The wood is then heated under pressure to polymerize or cure the monomers.

Abstract: An insert for a collapsible container having an opening. The insert includes a first fluid passage defining member having a generally U-shaped lateral cross-section. This member extends from the opening inwardly of the container and is in fluid communication with the opening. The insert also includes a second fluid passage defining member having a generally U-shaped lateral cross-section. The second member extends transversely from the first member and is in fluid communication therewith.

Abstract: A valve apparatus for controlling a pressured fluid, in which the shut-off device is force closed by the pressured fluid which is admitted into a chamber via a throttle bore. The valve is opened via a drive means, which acts directly on both a pilot valve and on the shut-off device, without the interposition of an actuating fluid. The drive means first opens a pilot valve, thereby allowing the pressured fluid to escape from the chamber and to the outlet. The drive means then opens the shut-off device. The reduction in pressure in the chamber enables a drive means of only moderate power to complete the second step of opening the shut-off device. The drive means acts directly on the shut-off device; thus the control action corresponds directly to the stroke displacement of the drive means at any particular moment.

Abstract: A platform assembly is provided for use in combination with a vehicle including a vehicle seat having a seat bottom, seat back, and a head rest. The platform assembly is supported by the seat to carry articles for ready access by an occupant of the vehicle. The platform assembly includes a platform defining a flat slip-resistant surface area for supporting articles thereon, and for preventing substantial shifting of the articles while the vehicle is in motion. An adjustable attachment strap is secured to a back end of the platform, and extends upwardly from the platform adjacent to the seat back for removable attachment to the headrest. The attachment strap permits leveling adjustment of the platform, and unobstructed access by the vehicle occupant to the articles supported on the platform.

Abstract: A fastener assembly of the type for being molded into cushions, and including a base having first and second major surfaces defining first and second opposed ends and first and second opposed side edges. A multiplicity of attachment members are carried by the base and extend outwardly from the base for cooperating with complementary attachment members. First and second laterally-extending sealing gaps are respectively positioned adjacent the ends of the base. The sealing gaps are defined by areas of the first major surface of the base being devoid of the attachment members for permitting a sealing dam carried by a mold in which the foamed article is molded to fit into the sealing gaps and sealingly engage the first major surface of the base to form a foam-tight seal between the opposed ends of the base and the sealing dam of the mold to prevent intrusion of liquid foam past the ends of the base onto the attachment members of the base during molding of the article.

Abstract: A succession of fibrous sheet segments (10) are supplied from a rotary magazine (12) to a rotating bowl (14). Segments are added to the bowl with their adjacent radial edges abutting each other and are passed beneath a reciprocating needle board (20), whereby filaments from the segments in upper layers are displaced into segments in lower layers to bind the segments together and form a self-supporting preform. Two needle heads (22) are able to move up and down and rotate in order to pick up a segment from the store and deposit that segment on the bowl. A few barbed needles (22A) pick up the segment and more grooved needles (22B) push through fibre to tack the segments down. A conical roller (28) bears against the top of the segments after they leave the needle board to bear against the preform to compress the fibres and also to provide a monitor of the distance between the needle board or the mounting block and the top layer of the preform.

Abstract: A fabric tape having loops for complementary attachment to a hook-carrying member of a hook-and-loop fastener assembly. The fabric tape includes a fabric backing having a front face and a rear face; and a multitude of elongated yarn loops formed on the front face of the backing, at least some of the loops defining a clockwise-extending axis with reference to the front face of the backing and at least some of the loops defining a counter-clockwise-extending axis with reference to the front face of the backing. The loops are positioned in uniform ranks and files on the front face of the backing.

Abstract: A surface finishing apparatus for in-line outer surface finishing of elongate cylindrical stock. The stock, such as tubing, is fed through the finishing apparatus from an infeed to an outfeed position and rotated about its longitudinal axis. The outer surface of the stock is finish treated as the stock is fed through the apparatus. The finishing apparatus includes a rotatable finishing wheel having a finish-treating peripheral surface for being applied in an in-line orientation against the outer surface of the stock as the stock is simultaneously fed and rotated through the finishing apparatus. The wheel is mounted on an axis of rotation which is variable within a predetermined range of motion from one side to the other of the longitudinal axis of the stock. The finishing wheel is oscillated back and forth within the predetermined range of motion while in continuous contact with the stock.

Abstract: In a high speed production line system, a conveyor is defined by groupings of transversely movable pallets 14, each grouping further including a central, transversely movable pusher 22 providing an abutment 24. When a pair of packs 16 of products 20 is delivered on to the pallets 14 in a group, the abutment 24 is adjacent one side of the packs 16 at the junction therebetween. As the packs 16 are moved along the conveying path, cam followers retain the pallets 14 in position and move the abutment 24 against the packs 16 to rotate the latter in opposite directions through 90.degree.. Turning can be effected over a distance of less than one meter travel, both positively and accurately at high speeds.

Abstract: A cap includes a cap band defining a cap base, and a crown is attached to the cap band. The crown has a front portion and a back portion. First and second spaced-apart tabs are attached respectively to the cap band at the front portion of the crown. The tabs include respective fastener members. A removable adjustment strap is located between the first and second tabs, and includes complementary fastener members at opposite ends thereof for being mated with the fastener members of the first and second tabs. The front portion of the crown defines an open area thereof adjacent to the first and second tabs and adjustment strap for permitting ready attachment and removal of the adjustment strap by the wearer. A bill is attached to the back portion of the crown opposite the adjustment strap, and resides adjacent to a back of the wearer's neck during cap wear.

Abstract: A nursing canopy is provided for use by a nursing mother to protect the modesty of the mother when breast feeding an infant. The nursing canopy includes a fabric panel having a dimension sufficient to cover the front of the mother from the neck to the waist. A strap is attached to the panel for extending around the back of the neck to suspend the panel from the neck. A self-supporting neckline flange is located along a perimeter portion of the panel, and defines a self-supporting neckline of the panel. The neckline flange cooperates with the strap to hold the neckline of the panel a spaced-apart distance from a front neck area of the mother, thus defining an open viewing area such that the mother is capable of readily viewing the feeding infant.

Abstract: A fastener assembly of the type for being molded into cushions, and including a base having first and second major surfaces defining first and second opposed ends and first and second opposed side edges. Hooks are carried by the base cooperating with complementary loops carried on material when pressed against the attachment members on the base. Permanent anchors are carried by the base and are spaced apart sufficiently to allow foam intrusion between the anchors to attach the fastener assembly to a foamed article, such as, for example, a cushion. First and second magnetically-attractable side edge seals are attached to the base for being attracted to magnets positioned in a mold in which the cushion is molded. The side edge seals form a foam-tight seal between the side edges of the base and the mold to prevent intrusion of liquid foam during molding of the article.