Abstract: An apparatus for charging a rechargeable battery including a comparator element that behaves hysteretically so that the charging apparatus upon switching to maintenance charging after a fast charge, only switches back to the fast charging when the rechargeable battery voltage has depleted sufficiently low.

Abstract: A circuit is disclosed which extends the useful life of a battery by regulating the power supplied from the battery to a load, such as a highway warning lamp, as the battery voltage decreases from age and use. The circuit supplies current from the battery to the load over periods of time which are automatically varied in length according to the battery terminal voltage, thereby maintaining the average power consumption at a fixed level throughout the useful life of the battery.

Abstract: A magnetic alloy of the Fe-Cr-Co type having superior magnetic properties compared to those of the conventional magnetic alloys of this kind and consisting essentially of, by weight, 5 to 30% Co, 0.15 to 35% Cr, 0.1 to 10% Ti, 0.1 to 10% V, 0.1 to 5% of one element selected from the group consisting of W, Mo, Zr and Ta, and the balance being Fe.

Abstract: An extractor bar assembly for use in a frozen stick-mounted confection forming machine, adapted to remove the frozen stick-mounted confection products from their associated molds by engaging each stick in a substantially vertical direction using a cam locking mechanism. The cam locking mechanism is comprised of a plurality of tubular segments flotably mounted on a support rod which in turn is movably mounted within a V-shaped trough forming the body portion of the extractor bar assembly. The individual sticks enter through an opening provided along the bottom of the V-shaped trough and are held within the extractor bar by a cam locking mechanism. To release the individual sticks from the extractor bar, a release mechanism is provided with enters the trough through an aperture located on the bottom edge of the extractor bar and displaces the cam locking mechanism in an upward direction.

Abstract: A typewriter ribbon includes a fiber texture base strip divided by a barrier filling into a black-inked portion and an ink-free portion, and a correction strip, having thereon a white transfer layer, fixedly attached to and substantially superimposed on the entire ink-free portion. Another typewriter ribbon includes a film-like base strip, a black-inked fiber texture strip fixedly attached at one edge thereof to one edge of the base strip by a fused joint to substantially superimpose an essential half of the base strip, and a correction strip, having thereon a white transfer layer, fixedly attached to the base strip to substantially superimpose the essential remaining half of the base strip.

Abstract: An endoscope includes a light conducting tube having an interior coating of a material having a lower index of refraction than the material of the tube so as to maintain total internal reflection in the light conducting material of the tube, the inner surface of the interior coating being prepared in such a way that unwanted light is prevented from entering the viewing passage.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and apparatus for manufacturing an artificial tree of the type wherein a plurality of stiffly flexible stem members are intertwisted to capture stiffly flexible limb members. The method comprises (a) inserting the limb members between the stem members at spaced predetermined positions, (b) placing a slitted web along the stem members, and (c) intertwisting the stem members to capture the limb members at spaced longitudinal positions and to capture the slitted web. An artificial tree produced by this method has a full, natural appearance. Also disclosed is an apparatus for continuously and automatically performing this method.

Abstract: A microwave oven is disclosed which is especially useful for rapidly reconstituting frozen food products. The oven includes a microwave cavity having a bottom hatch which is movable between an open position at which food to be heated or cooked can be loaded onto the hatch from outside the oven, and a closed position whereat the food is disposed within the cavity for heating or cooking by electromagnetic energy. The hatch can be manually closed and, after a preset cooking time, automatically opened by gravity. Also disclosed is a heat shield assembly mounted for movement relative to the bottom of the cavity, so that when the hatch is in its open position and electric (IR) heat is provided to supplement microwave heating in the cavity, the assembly covers the bottom of the cavity to prevent heat from radiating below the cavity when the food is supported on or removed from the movable hatch.

Abstract: A detachable leg structure for an article of furniture such as a table, chair or the like that has cooperating structure on both the leg and the furniture so that the resultant structure is of high strength, aesthetically pleasing in appearance and easy to both assemble and disassemble. The high strength is a direct result of the large area of surface contact between the leg assembly and the remainder of the article of furniture.

Abstract: A film type resistor especially suitable for use on planar electronic circuit substrates. The resistor is capable of being adjusted or trimmed to provide resistance values over a substantially wide range. The resistor can also be trimmed while actively functioning in a circuit including one or more other components, so as to provide a desired operating parameter for the circuit.

Abstract: An ordering terminal for videocassette program material including a keyboard, credit card reader, TV monitor and speaker and display board. The user can order videocassette program material from the terminal and can preview proposed selection before ordering. The terminal is in communication with a central processing station which in one embodiment of the invention provides complete processing of the customers order. In another embodiment of the invention, the terminal stores videocassette program material and dispenses the program material directly in response to a customer's order. Internal computer and control logic coordinate the functions of the various elements of the system. Videocassettes are returned either by mailing the videocassettes back to the central processing station or by providing a return slot in the terminal for receiving the videocassette after use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a machine and method for slitting elongated rolls of web material rolled upon a tubular core utilizing a circular double edged knife blade in combination with a circular saw blade. Both blades are rotatably mounted within a rigid common carriage. The carriage is mounted for movement parallel to the axis of the elongated roll to a plurality of cutting locations along the length of the roll and for movement in a cutting stroke perpendicular to the axis of the elongated roll. The machine and method of the present invention may also utilize a separate knife blade to cut the core of the roll.

Abstract: A ceramic lid assembly includes an integral heat fusible layer defining a hermetic sealing area provided around the periphery of a ceramic lid for hermetic sealing semiconductor chips in a flat pack. The integral heat fusible layer includes a metallized layer, an oxidation inhibiting layer, and a flowed solderable layer in registration with each other in the hermetic sealing area.

Abstract: The quantitative analysis of strong reducing agents is determined by measuring the electrode potential created by an oxidation-reduction reaction occurring at an electrode assembly having an active electrode formed from a mixture of finely divided platinum and platinum oxide. The electrode assembly has been found to be particularly sensitive in determining the concentration of hydrazine and hydrazine containing compounds.

Abstract: A coin-operated mechanism for use in association with a machine for enabling the machine to be activated a predetermined number of times for a single deposit of the proper amount of coinage. The invention relates to a latch inhibiting mechanism which prevents the latch mechanism, normally requiring a deposit of the proper amount of coinage in return for a single activation of the machine, from engaging until the machine has been activated the predetermined number of times. A cam, during the initial activation, is moved by a reciprocating rack a predetermined distance for each activation of the machine and prevents the latch mechanism from operating until the machine has been activated the predetermined number of times.