Abstract: The present invention relates to a pneumatically operable fastener driving tool which uses a safety device which prevents the operation of the tool until it is in engagement with the workpiece. More particularly, the safety mechanism includes a safety nose that is normally retained in a retracted position prior to the tool being operated. When the tool is to be operated, the safety nose is extended to be engaged by the workpiece. Subsequent engagement of the safety nose by the workpiece permits the trigger mechanism to effect driving movement of the driver. The mechanism includes a first valve which controls the flow of high-pressure air to the driving piston and a second valve which controls the flow of air to the safety mechanism. The trigger mechanism initially operates the second valve to move the safety nose to the operative position and when the safety nose engages the workpiece it effects operation of the first valve to control the operation of the driving piston.

Abstract: A chain of plastic bags having zipper-locking profiles is packaged in a rectangular carton in successive layers wherein the profiles of the bags of each layer are aligned generally along a straight line that is oblique with respect to a front wall of the carton, the straight lines aligning the profiles of successive layers following a zigzag course, which oscillates between the front wall and a back wall of the carton.

Abstract: An electronic temperature control circuit for regulating the soleplate temperature of an electrically heated pressing iron is located in the handle and supporting structure of the iron. The electronic circuit includes a thyristor controlling energization of the soleplate heater and tending to emit heat. The thyristor is mounted to a heat dissipating cooling plate located within a leakproof cavity in the supporting structure remotely from the other electronic components of the control circuit tending to be adversely affected by heat. The cooling plate and thyristor are mounted on a detachable wall closing the cavity and shaped to provide a resting stand which allows the iron to be rested flatly on a horizontal surface without the soleplate contacting the surface.

Abstract: In a portable freezer for preparation of sherbet, ice cream, and other frozen confections, of a type comprising a stationary bucket, which has an open top and is adapted to hold ice, salt, and brine, a removable can, which is adapted to hold confections being frozen, and which is seated within the bucket so as to be rotatable about a vertical axis, a removable head, which comprises horizontal arms bridging the open top of the bucket and a cover covering the can and its contents, a motor, which is arranged to rotate the can within the bucket about said vertical axis in one rotational sense, and a dasher, which is mounted within the can and beneath the cover so as to remain relatively stationary as the can is rotated, an improvement is disclosed wherein the dasher is journalled so as to be rotatable about said vertical axis, wherein the dasher is restrained by resilient means permitting a range of limited rotation of the dasher about said vertical axis and biasing the dasher so as to oppose such rotation of the

Abstract: A coffeemaker in which heated water infuses coffee grounds held in a basket, includes a spreader, which is associated with the basket, and which is adjustable so as to enable relative proportions of the water bypassing and not bypassing the grounds to be adjusted. None of the water bypasses the grounds at one selected position, for four dry measures of coffee grounds and four liquid measures of heated water, whereas a small portion of the water bypasses the grounds at another selected position, for more dry measures of coffee grounds and more liquid measures of heated water.

Abstract: In food-mixing apparatus comprising a driving unit and an arm, a latching and pivoting mechanism is adapted to be latched automatically so as to prevent relative movement of the arm and a console of the driving unit upon pivotal movement of the arm either to a lowered position or a raised position, and so as to prevent relative movement of the arm and the console, except for pivotal movement of the arm, upon pivotal movement of the arm to a pivotal position therebetween. The mechanism is adapted to be unlatched manually so as to permit pivotal movement of the arm from any pivotal position, and so as to permit the arm to be removed from the console upon further movement of the arm from the raised position.

Abstract: A filter, which may be used to filter particles of resin as well as protect against sudden loss of resin from an effluent discharged from an ion-exchange column, a first plate mounted between a flanged end of a first branch and a flanged end of a pipe, a second plate mounted between a blind flange and a flanged end of a second branch, and a perforated tube fitted through said branches so as to leave an annular space around the perforated tube. A first end of the perforated tube is threaded into a threaded aperture in the first plate to provide for manufacturing tolerances. A second end of the perforated tube is received by an annular groove on one face of the second plate to provide for a particle-tight seal, and the annular groove circumscribes a larger aperture in the second plate. A flanged end of a third branch is mounted to a flanged end of another pipe. A transparent sight may be provided at a fourth branch.

Abstract: In a mower equipped with a grasscatcher, the grasscatcher is attached easily by means projecting upwardly from a deck of the mower, means being integral to a rigid portion of the grasscatcher and embracing the projecting means when the grasscatcher is mounted to the deck, and a block which cooperates with an upper lip on the rigid portion so as to restrain the grasscatcher from being detached unintentionally from the deck if the grasscatcher happens to be bumped from beneath, but so as to enable the grasscatcher to be detached easily.

Abstract: In an apparatus for thermal treatment of semiconductors in a treating gas, a cylindrical plug extends into a treating tube so as to substantially fill the treating tube, as far as the cylindrical plug extends into the treating tube, except for a clearance provided around the cylindrical plug, between the cylindrical plug and the treating tube, whereby formation of convection currents in the treating gas is prevented. The cylindrical plug may be separate from a sealing closure, integral with the sealing closure, or integral with the treating tube. If integral with the treating tube, the cylindrical plug has a tubular portion and a bottom portion, which plugs the tubular portion but is removable.

Abstract: As used in an apparatus for thermal treatment of semiconductors, a treating tube has a flanged portion at one end, near an outlet for a treating gas, and a sealing closure has a cylindrical portion and a flanged portion. The flanged portion of the sealing closure is adapted to be interfitted with the flanged portion of the treating tube so as to seal said end. The sealing closure is removable so as to open said end. The cylindrical portion is adapted to be inserted into the treating tank through said end so as to substantially fill the treating tube, as far as the cylindrical portion extends into the tube, except for a clearance provided around the cylindrical portion, between the cylindrical portion and the treating tube, whereby formation of convection currents in the treating gas is prevented. The flanged portion of the treating tube, a hollow interior of the sealing closure, and the flanged portion of the sealing closure are open to an outer atmosphere when the flanged portions are interfitted.

Abstract: An article fabricated from a resin (e.g. ABS, polycarbonates, polyethylenes, polyaryl ether, or polypropylene of platable grades) susceptible to softening when contacted with trichloroethylene or a mixture of trichloroethylene and methylene chloride is dipped into an alkaline detergent, rinsed, and immersed in an agitated bath (by volume, 90 parts of trichloroethylene, 9 to 10 parts of ethanol, and 0 to 1 part of methylene chloride--1 part of methylene chloride if the resin is polypropylene) to which copper or nickel has been added as a powder (50 to 150 microns, 200 to 250 grams per liter) whereupon the article is drained, dipped in an agitated bath of similar composition, and dried. Alternatively, the powder may be sprayed onto the article, after the article has been immersed in such a bath. Next, the article may be dipped in dilute nitric acid, rinsed and immersed in a non-catalytic bath for deposition of nickel.

Abstract: In an electric bedcover of a type wherein a safety thermostat having a bimetallic element is adapted to deenergize a heater when the bimetallic element is heated sufficiently, as when an overheated condition occurs, an elongated flexible sensor of a type comprising a pair of conductors spaced from each other by a layer of material having a negative temperature coefficient of resistance is adapted to influence the bimetallic element through a resistor, which is mounted for heat dissipation to the bimetallic element, and a first circuit branch comprising the resistor, the conductors, and the layer between the conductors, in series with each other, is connected so as to maintain the conductors at different potentials when the heater operates, and so as to conduct sufficient current to cause the resistor to conduct sufficient heat to cause the bimetallic element to open the contacts when some part of the layer between the conductors is heated so as to act as an electrical conductor having a low impedance rather t

Abstract: A gas lighter comprises a cylindrical tank having a filler valve and a burner valve connected to a burner by a conduit. An electrical ignition device is enclosed within a semi-cylindrical holder and a semi-cylindrical, axially displaceable actuating member, the actuating member being provided with means for operating the ignition device and means for opening the burner valve. The tank holder and actuating member are surrounded and held together by a one-part tubular sleeve having an aperture to permit manual movement of the actuating member.