Abstract: A lightweight frame for stretching or blocking fabric material comprising elongated metal side frame elements detachably coupled together at their adjacent ends by a coacting pair of corner elements which are selectively expandably movable and contractibly movable relative to one another, so as to increase or decrease the frame size. Rotatable actuators coacting with the corner elements provide for the selective expansion and contraction of the corner elements relative to one another, to thereby cause said expansion and contraction of the frame. By providing a series of different lengths of side frame elements, substantially different frame sizes can be expeditiously provided. The paired corner elements and the coacting side frame elements have means thereon for rapidly detachably coupling the frame and corner elements together, as well as for rapidly securing fabric material to and removing fabric material from the frame proper.

Abstract: A compact portable apparatus for filling open ended preformed containers with a substance, such as liquid, and then heat bonding a thin flexible closure material to the periphery of the open end of the container, for sealing the latter, comprising a frame and a rotatable support thereon adapted to receive a plurality of the containers; a plurality of work stations are provided on the frame, adapted for coaction with a respective container mounted on the support, including a feed station for automatically feeding the containers one at a time onto the support, a filling station for inserting the substance into each of the containers, a sealing station for heat bonding the thin flexible closure to the peripheral lip of the filled container; but in readily peelable relationship therewith, and a discharge station for removal of the filled and sealed containers from the support.

Abstract: A fluid powered press comprising a first platen and a second platen with at least one of the platens being reciprocably movable along a predetermined axis relative to the other platen and having motor means for so moving the movable platen, and a leveling system therefor. The leveling system comprises a plurality of hydraulic leveling piston and cylinder units mounted on one of the platens with each of the leveling units including a projecting rod member connected to the piston of the respective leveling unit and movable with the piston axially relative to the cylinder of the respective leveling unit. Reciprocal fluid powered motor units mounted on the other platen coact with wedge locks for selectively coupling the rod members to the other platen.

Abstract: Safety valving for cargo tanks used for bulk transportation of hazardous commodities, such as for instance flammables. The valving provides automatic differential pressure relief for the tank, and overturn protection, with the automatic differential pressure relief including port means in the housing for the valving, adapted for communicating the interior of the associated tank with the exterior atmosphere, and comprising poppet type closure means coacting with the port means and biased to normally closed condition, but being openable to provide automatic differential pressure relief. The overturn protection section comprises an angle responsive closure means responsive to predetermined angular orientation of the valving relative to the vertical, and operative to close the associated port means of the valving against inadvertent escape of the tank's contents, when the tank is at least in partially overturned position.

Abstract: A batter mixer for mixing a dry powder batter mix with a predetermined quantity of liquid which comprises an upright open top housing having a mixing chamber therein, means connecting the mixing chamber to a source of fluid, fluid control means in circuit with the connecting means being responsive to the flow of fluid therethrough to accurately measure and control a selected quantity of fluid flowing into the chamber, said chamber having openable cover means for providing ready access to the interior thereof for deposition of dry powder batter mix therein, and mixing means in the chamber for thoroughly mixing said selected quantity of fluid and batter mix.

Abstract: A breading machine for selectively dispensing flour breading or free flowing breading and wherein the machine has a frame and conveyor means supported in the frame defining a conveyance path having a product inlet end and a product outlet end, and a hopper pivotally attached to the frame at the inlet end and movable between a breading dispensing position and a hopper cleaning position, frame support means pivotally attached to the frame at the outlet end and selectively adjustable to provide for flour breading of a food product wherein the said product is flipped over at the outlet end of the conveyor means or for free flowing breading to be applied to the food product wherein the said product exits from the conveyor means in the same manner in which it is initially introduced to the conveyor means, and wherein the frame support means is also adjustable between a conveyor means supporting position and a cleaning position above said conveyor means, and breading pumping slot means pivotally attached to the fram

Abstract: A portable packaging machine for making a continuous ribbon of interconnected packets with each packet containing one or more pills or capsules. The machine has a unique single frame structure whereby the machine weighs less than fifty pounds to facilitate shipping, particularly in those instances where a fifty pound maximum is a factor. The frame is of open construction to provide increased air circulation. A message is imprinted on each packet by means of a stencil having a special stamp pad and ink to provide a clear imprinted impression after an unusually high number of impressions.

Abstract: A clip for securing two T-bar grid beam members in generally perpendicular relation to one another in the formation of a ceiling grid for use, for instance, in a suspended ceiling. A plurality of clip embodiments are disclosed, each comprising a resilient fastener portion adapted for securing the clip to a primary T-bar beam member in generally snap-fastened relation, by forcing such resilient portion down over the head of the beam, and also another resilient fastener portion projecting laterally of the first fastener portion in generally perpendicular relation with respect thereto, and comprising resilient means for connecting a secondary T-bar beam member to the first mentioned beam member and in said perpendicular relationship. The clips may be formed of sheet material, such as sheet metal, and are adapted to be mass produced. The clips can be utilized with both the type of T-bar having a rectilinear head portion, as well as the type having a generally round head portion.

Abstract: A marking device for aiding in locating a fire hydrant or the like, in the event that it is covered by snow, or underbrush, or some similar concealing environment. The marking device comprises a mounting bracket adapted for attachment to the fire hydrant and an elongated stem projecting upwardly from the mounting bracket so as to extend for a predetermined height above the hydrant to which it is attached. The stem preferably has a flag mounted thereon for enhancing the visibility of the marking device. The mounting device and the stem are so constructed and arranged that the stem can be swung from its generally upright position to a downwardly angled position, and thus out of any interfering relationship with the conventional operating nut on the hydrant.

Abstract: A fuel system and electronic control therefor which is especially designed for use with an internal combustion engine or the like in which said fuel system is operable to provide fuel fumes or vapor to the engine from a source of liquid ignitable vaporizable fuel, such as gasoline, of sufficient quantity whereby to significantly increase the efficiency of the engine and thus substantially increase the per gallon mileage rate for the engine when used in an automotive vehicle or the like, and one using liquid fuel as the original fuel source. The system incorporates an electronic control operable to monitor a plurality of engine parameters and which control is responsive to a change in engine demand for said fuel and resultant change in one or more of said engine parameters to maintain the optimum ratio of vaporized fuel and air in the mixture delivered to the engine for combustion.

Abstract: A noisemaker formed of molded plastic material having a central body portion with a projection extending from one end thereof and preferably a pair of paddle portions each having a projection extending from an end thereof, with the paddle portions being disposed on opposite sides of the body portion, with the paddle portions including flexible hinge sections adapted for providing for pivotal movement of the paddle portions relative to the body portion, and a separate handle member having a recess receiving therein the projections on the body and paddle portions to hold such portions in generally adjacent relation, with means for locking the handle member to the body and the paddle portions. The paddle portions are adapted to pivot into and out of impacting relation to the body portion upon shaking of the noisemaker by the handle member, thus creating a hand-produced rhythmic-like noise.

Abstract: A motor-driven piston-type valve including a valve body having a horizontally disposed fluid flow passageway. A valve piston is operatively mounted in the body for vertical movement therein to selectively close and open the passageway. An electric motor is operatively connected to the piston to vertically move the same. A slip clutch is operatively interposed between the motor and the piston whereby clutch slippage is effected when the piston encounters a predetermined resistance in its vertical movement. A limit switch is operatively connected to the clutch for triggering by clutch slippage, such limit switch also being electrically connected to the motor, whereby when the piston encounters a predetermined resistance in its vertical movement, resultant clutch slippage triggers the limit switch to stop the motor.

Abstract: A discharge control for a storage tank for liquid, such as a gasoline transport tank, with the tank having an outlet port with the control comprising an emergency valve associated with the port, with such emergency valve normally being biased to a closed position, whereby discharge from the tank is prevented. Enclosed or protected valve operating means coacts with the emergency valve and is responsive to air pressure, for overcoming the normal valve closing bias of the emergency valve, wth the valve operating means including a crank comprising an operating lever with a crank case in which the lever is disposed, and with an air operated reciprocal motor unit secured to the crank case for coaction with the lever of the crank upon application of pressurized air to the motor unit, to cause the crank to move the emergency valve to open position. The valve operating means is able to be operated manually in the event of failure of the pressurized air supply.

Abstract: A stuffing box for use in a control for an emergency valve for controlling discharge from a liquid storage tank, such as a gasoline storage tank, with the tank having an outlet port with a conduit member coacting with the port in depending relation therefrom. The stuffing box is adapted to be mounted on the conduit member and to extend from the interior to the exterior thereof. The stuffing box comprises a barrel member defining a passageway open at opposite ends. A crank including a shaft rotatably disposed in the passageway of the barrel member is mounted on the barrel member. Sealing means coacts between the shaft and the barrel member for sealing the shaft against leakage of liquid from the conduit lengthwise of the barrel member, and a releasable non-threaded detent is disposed generally adjacent the exterior end of the barrel member for locating and maintaining the shaft relative to the barrel member lengthwise thereof.

Abstract: An air fluid check valve for assembly into the interior of a pair of generally axially aligned conduit sections at a separable joint thereof, for use for instance on a bulk hauling transport trailer adapted for handling powdered solids, such as for instance flour, or cement, or like product. The air valve comprises a valve body which is adapted to be readily inserted into and removed from the separable conduit joint, and in one embodiment has a radially extending rim at one end thereof for locating the valve in the interior of the conduit sections at the joint thereof. In another embodiment, bolts connecting flanged portions of the conduit joint, coact in juxtaposed condition with the valve body to locate the valve in proper position at the conduit joint.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the production of air cell cushioning material, for protective cushioning purposes in packaging or other purposes, with the air cell product being formed from flexible, single stratum sheet of low density, low melting point thermoplastic, such as low density polyethylene film. The method and apparatus include an arrangement for cooling an embossed film on a rotatable forming drum to a predetermined temperature range prior to applying a sealing laminating film to the cooled embossed film, and are such that the apparatus can be halted in its operation without injurious effects to any substantial amount of the air cell product being produced, and can be restarted to again commence production of the air cell product. The apparatus and method utilize clear thermoplastic single stratum film, and result in an effective air cell cushioning product which possesses extremely good clarity even after the heating and pressure steps utilized in the production of the product.

Abstract: A composition of matter comprising metal complexes of aminocarboxylic-carboxylic acids. The composition may be used as polyvinal halide stabilizers.

Abstract: A receptacle which may be tiered or stacked with other like receptacles and adapted to be nested when empty. Each receptacle in the tier or stack is intended to hold food products that are to be placed in a smoke house for cooking with the weight of each receptacle being supported by the product in the next lower receptacle in the stack and thus serving as a press to compress the product in said lower receptacle until such time as the product shrinks through the cooking process to a predetermined height. When the product is reduced to this predetermined height, each receptacle seats upon and rests upon the next lower receptacle in the stack to prevent further transmission of the product load and thus stops the pressing action at the predetermined height. Each receptacle is of unique design whereby it may be used to accommodate two alternate heights of smoked food product.

Abstract: An ingot mold provided with means affording stress relief thereto for the ingot pouring operation, while maintaining the mold in condition to aid in preventing metal leakage therefrom during the ingot pouring operation and subsequent cooling of the ingot, and providing mold wall support for the ingot until its skin has sufficient structural integrity to support the molten interior of the ingot, and a mold which can be recycled for use in a faster manner as compared to heretofore utilized solid or one-piece type ingot molds. In certain embodiments, the mold is formed of a plurality of completely separate and individual side wall sections defining at least the side periphery of a mold cavity, together with coupling means connecting the wall sections together. The coupling means provide for expansion and contraction of the mold sections relative to one another during the pouring of molten metal into the mold, and the resultant heating and subsequent cooling thereof.