Abstract: A deep fat fryer having an elongated housing for holding a bath of hot fat through which an endless main conveyor carries a food product through the bath from the infeed end to a discharge end of the housing. Above the main conveyor is a submerger conveyor having a run moving from the infeed end to the discharge end of the housing and adapted in operative position to line close to the food portions on the main conveyor and hold them submerged in the hot fat bath. In operative cooking position of the conveyor apparatus, the submerger conveyor nests into the side rails of the main conveyor and an elongated hood encloses the hot bath housing at a zone above the submerger covneyor from one end of the housing to the other.

Abstract: The invention is directed to chemical compositions suitable for use in salt-solution transition temperature or hot mirror devices. It also provides methods of using these sensors (for the measurement of the humidity of gases) as well as the apparatus. The chemical composition which of itself senses the changes of water vapor pressure is birefringent at a first water vapor pressure and temperature, but non-birefringent at a second vapor pressure and temperature. The optical changes which accompany these phase changes may be amplified with polarizers. The means for heating the chemical composition can vary widely. Various thermometric devices can be used for temperature sensing. The accuracy required of the particular instrument model, the device's configuration, and the other components, selected for the particular system all affect the choice of thermometric device selected.

Abstract: A rotatable merchandise display unit comprising a base with a support projecting generally vertically upwardly from the base, and supporting a vertically elongated column-like structure is rotatable relation thereon, with the column being formed of hinged sides and having a plurality of generally vertical rows of merchandise receiving trays disposed along the plural sides of the column, in laterally spaced relation with respect to one another. Each tray of such rows of trays provides upwardly opening pockets for receiving therein merchandise for display. Cams on the inner surfaces of the column sides coact with the central support and provide for the pivotal movement of the column sides relative to one another and thus the pivotal movement or undulation of the merchandise receiving trays with respect to one another during rotation of the column about the central support.

Abstract: The invention provides novel chemical compositions for use in primary, optical/capacitance hygrometric devices. It also provides methods for using these compositions as sensors for the precise measurements of the humidity of gases as well as the apparatus. The chemical compositions, which of themselves sense the change in water vapor pressure, are birefringent, translucent, and anisotropic at a first water vapor pressure/temperature, but non-birefringent, optically clear, and isotropic at a second vapor pressure/temperature. Optical changes which accompany these phase changes may be amplified. Some compositions, exhibit abrupt and large increases in their dielectric constant coincident with the optical changes which occur at the phase shift point. Others show a large and precisely linear change in dielectric constant over many decades of relative humidity (RH), but the optical shift occurs at a precise point within the range.

Abstract: Adjustable greeting card display assembly. This assembly has a supporting structure and a display panel formed by a plurality of pocket forming central dividers and a pair of pocket forming end dividers. Each central divider includes a plurality of half pockets in step relationship, formed by a vertical sheet which forms a common side wall for the half pockets, and sheets extending laterally in both directions from the vertical sheet to form the fronts, backs and bottoms of the half pockets. The end dividers are like the central divider except that the sheets forming the fronts, backs and bottoms of the half pockets extend in only one direction from the vertical sheet. The supporting structure includes at least one transversely extending slotted support rail. Each of the dividers includes a transverse socket for the support rail, and a vertical web which engages a selected slot in the support rail. Each pair of adjacent dividers together form a series of whole pockets for cards.

Abstract: An adjustable oven for mass cooking of food products comprising an essentially sealed enclosure having a conveyor received therethrough for conveying food through the oven. A heated gaseous cooking medium is applied to the food product during conveyance through the oven by impingement of the cooking medium at high velocity through spaced duct fingers disposed above and below the conveyor system. The gaseous cooking medium is heated and circulated through the oven at high velocity and subsequently recirculated for continuous cooking of food products in the oven. The cooking oven enables optimization of the cooking process by allowing at least certain of the duct fingers to be vertically adjustable relative to the food product so as to maximize heat transfer therefrom for any particular food product.

Abstract: A flexible, cushioning dunnage product producible on a converter mechanism from a roll of sheet-like stock material, such as biodegradable paper. As the stock material is pulled off the roll by the converter, the edges of the stock material are rolled inwardly to form pillow-like portions which are urged by the converter mechanism laterally inwardly with respect to one another into confronting abutting relation, with the pillow-like portions being then connected together along their engaged abutting sides by in the preferred embodiment, transversely extending coined sections extending transversely of the product and defining a generally central connecting portion running in a direction lengthwise of the product.

Abstract: The invention relates to a collapsible decorative assembly and method for making the same, wherein a plurality of foldable elements are positioned adjacent one another such that they may be collapsed and opened in conjuction with one another. The elements have ornamental shaped portions and are folded so as to form inwardly folded regions which enable the elements to be positioned in an interconnected manner. Exterior surfaces formed in the elements by the folding are secured to one another in a predetermined manner to provide collapsible assembly which is opened for use as a decorative bow or the like.

Abstract: A lens positioning device for indirect biomicroscopy of a patient's eye and which is adapted to mount a condensing lens in readily adjustable relationship to the patient's eye, for evaluation of for instance the fundus of the eye with the biomicroscope, and with the device being adapted to be readily attached to one of the chin rest vertical bars of the slit lamp biomicroscope. The device comprises a plurality of movable arms for positioning of the lens relative to the eye, with adjustable fasteners for selectively tightening or loosening the tension thereof and thus the resistance to pivotal movement of the arms relative to one another, so as to be able to selectively increase or decrease the resistance to relative movement between the arms, to accommodate the particular desires of the examiner.

Abstract: An emergency valve assembly for a tank adapted to contain liquid such as for instance hazardous material, with the valve assembly including a valve head for closing the discharge port from the tank in an operative closed position of the valve head, and with a first operating unit coacting with the valve head for selectively opening the latter and a separate second operating unit coacting with the valve head for automatically closing the latter. The first operating unit has a portion adapted for accessibility from exteriorly of the tank and includes a fluid power connection to the first operating unit, for selectively supplying pressurized fluid to such operating unit; for causing opening of the valve head via such operating unit upon application of pressurized fluid thereto.

Abstract: An oil circulation system for use in a deep fat fryer which has a heated bath of cooking oil carried in a reservoir through which food products are carried on a conveyor means for cooking or frying said products; the oil circulation system generating a flow of cooking oil that moves through the oil bath in a direction transverse to the movement of the food product and which provides substantially equal temperature throughout the oil bath.

Abstract: An adapter for a lens retaining ring and associated indirect ophthalmoscopy lens used by an examiner or practitioner during examination of a patient's eye fundus with a biomicroscope. The adapter includes a body portion for spacing the lens mounted in the retaining ring a predetermined distance from the eye of the patient when the adapter-retaining ring-lens combination is positioned against the eye of the patient under examination. The adapter is adapted to engage the eyelids of the eye under examination, and is so constructed so as to aid in maintaining such eyelids open, and openings are provided in the body of the adapter to aid in preventing fogging of the lens mounted in the lens retaining ring. The adapter may be selectively removable from the associated lens retaining ring (which may be a conventional or known lens retaining ring) or may be integrally formed with the retaining ring.

Abstract: A mass produced, self sealing valve for inflating toy balloons and adapted to be retained with the balloon to maintain the inflation thereof. The valve has an elongated tubular shank closed at one end and open at the other, with a sealing disc secured to the shank and extending therefrom in a generally orthogonal plane. The shank is perforated intermediate the disc and the closed end of the shank. An elastic sleeve encompassing the shank and overlying the perforation permits pressurized gas to pass via the shank thrugh the perforation and past the sleeve, but prevents the escape of pressurized gas from the interior of the associated balloon. The sleeve is provided with exterior lengthwise ribs to prevent squealing of the valve under pressure.

Abstract: A forging press comprising a base with a pressure roller mounted in spaced relation to the base and in conjunction with the latter defining a pressure zone, with a mechanism for conveying work between the base and the roller through the zone. The work conveying mechanism includes a plurality of discrete generally relatively movable die segments coacting with a confining frame, for maintaining the die segments in assembled but movable relation relative to one another, and providing for the aforesaid movement responsive to pressure applied to the die segments by the roller and the formation or step forging by the die segments of an associated work blank into a produced part, during passage of the mechanism and the work blank through the zone.

Abstract: A converter mechanism and method for producing a relatively narrow width and small size cushioning dunnage product of pad-like form, from sheet-like stock material. A conversion kit comprising a funnel-like chute member and a coacting elongated generally rectangular shaped (in top plan) bar former is provided for conversion of a known cushioning dunnage converter into one which can produce the relatively narrow and small size pad-like cushioning dunnage product of the invention. The bar former has its forwardmost end disposed generally adjacent the exit end of the funnel-like chute member, with its rearward end extending rearwardly of the entrance to the funnel-like chute member.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for simultaneously hot stamping and embossing a work sheet, such as for instance a paper work sheet, utilizing a die with a relief design thereon, and a complementary counter, and operable to cause embossment of the work sheet together with transfer of heat transferable material from an intermediate substrate, at raised areas on the die design onto the work sheet, while preventing or selectively localizing transfer of the heat transferable material on the flexible substrate to identified simultaneously formed embossed areas of the work sheet, upon closing of the die and counter against the intermediate substrate and work sheet, with predetermined pressure and temperature.

Abstract: A header for mounting on a upright column or columns of a merchandise display unit, with the header being of generally arcuate configuration, in plan, and having vertically spaced tracks thereon receiving and mounting a removable flexible strip sign or signs, such as for instance a sign having advertising or caption indicia thereon. The tracks are so constructed and arranged that the sign can be expeditiously assembled onto the header by threading the flexible sign through slots and into the tracks for mounting the sign on the header, and also providing for rapid removal or changing of the sign.The header, in certain embodiments, comprises a plurality of generally circular, in plan, sections connected together at predetermined peripheral locations thereof, with each section being adapted for mounting on a respective column of the display unit.

Abstract: A mechanism and method for producing relatively low density pad-like cushioning dunnage product from sheet-like stock material. The mechanism takes the sheet-like stock material from a multi-ply roll thereof and changes it into a pad-like cushioning dunnage product having lateral pillow-like portions connected together along the generally central portion of the product. The mechanism includes a converging member which in conjunction with a forming frame coacting with the converging member, causes inward rolling of the lateral edges of the stock material into generally rolled form which is then adapted to be received in a connector operable to connect the rolled edge stock material forming the pillow-like portions, into the pad-like cushioning dunnage product.