Abstract: A material for use in sorption air-conditioning refrigeration or space conditioning units which comprise a metal mesh such as a foam on which are bound micro or mesoporous material such as zeolite crystals which is capable of adsorbing a working fluid such as water and in which void spaces are left between the material to allow for the adsorption of the working fluid. The material has improved heat transfer properties compared with existing materials.

Abstract: A machine for folding materials is disclosed in which the portion of the material is engaged and folded by a rotary cam such that the surface of the portion is engaged and not the edges of the portion. In the preferred embodiment, creasing rollers are positioned along the fold line above the rotary cam folders such that the fold is made very accurately.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing water from water containing liquids in which a chamber with walls formed from a zeolite membrane can be immersed in the liquid mixture so that water passes into the interior of the chamber where it can be removed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a stacking conveyor including slow-down wheels to reduce the exit speed of individual sheets of material. In one preferred embodiment, a non-driven friction drag belt is positioned above the slow-down wheels so as to assist in reducing the discharge velocity of the sheets.

Abstract: A machine for conveying, discharging and stacking sheets such as carton blanks is disclosed in which the velocity of the blanks is substantially reduced as they are discharged from the conveyor into the stacking area.

Abstract: A machine for stacking sheets is disclosed which includes an overhead conveyor for conveying sheets to a stacking area, and first and second sets of support fingers which support the sheets as they are stacked in bundles as the support fingers are moved horizontally and vertically through a predetermined sequence of positions.

Abstract: A computer simulator for vehicles such as racing cars in which there is a steering mechanism which has an elastomeric flexible coupling (10) between the steering wheel (1) and the computer control mechanism which controls the action of the simulated vehicle on a video display unit so that the steering wheel has the feel of the actual vehicle, preferably there are gear change levers (16) forming part of the steering wheel (1) and foot pedals (22) and sound simulators which are interactive with the computer to enhance the simulation.

Abstract: A machine for breaking portions of bundles of sheets of material is disclosed in which first and second sets of clamps secure first and second portions of a bundle on opposite sides of a break line and, while the first bundle portion is retained in a stationary position by the first set of clamps, the second set of clamps is moved in first and second arcuate motions about first and second pivot points.

Abstract: A machine is disclosed for printing and/or otherwise processing blanks of sheet material in which the interior of the machine is pressurized to a super-atmospheric pressure such that the blanks are forced firmly against the transfer conveyor between sections of the machine and dust in the ambient air is prevented from entering the machine and contaminating the print function.

Abstract: A rotary pin stripper is disclosed for separating scrap pieces of paperboard from finish pieces after the pieces have been cut in a die cutter. In the preferred embodiment, the pin stripper cylinder is supported at mid-length, and the stripper cylinder is readily released for replacement and/or repair, while also providing for torque transmission between two separate, axially extending sections of the eccentric cylinder.

Abstract: A paperboard processing machine is disclosed for printing and otherwise processing sheets of paperboard, such as corrugated container blanks, and in which the sheets are conveyed from one section of the machine to another section by one or more vacuum transfer systems. Each vacuum transfer system comprises an enclosure which is closed by a closure plate for creating a subatmospheric pressure, which pressure forces the sheets into frictional engagement with the reaches of a plurality of conveyor belts whereby the sheets are transported without contact of the opposite side of the sheet not contacted by the conveyor reach.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus, for example for flexographic printing and die-cutting of corrugated paperboard container blanks, has first and second successive processing sections connected by a transfer section. The sheets are successively passed through the various sections in positional registrations therewith. A sensor senses a sheet while in the transfer section and provides a signal representative of the positional registration of the sheet in the transfer section. A computer system determines from the signal whether the sheet would enter the second section in correct positional registration for processing by the second section, and adjusts as necessary the positional registration of the sheet while in the transfer section to cause the sheet to enter the second section in correct positional registration therewith.

Abstract: A carton blank processing machine is disclosed having rolls for printing, cutting, creasing and otherwise processing carton blanks. The processing rolls are driven by shafts extending into bearings supported by spaced-apart frame members. At least one shaft extends through its associated bearing to the outboard side of the frame member and is surrounded by a motor, preferably of the frameless type, having a hollow rotor in which the shaft is received and connected for direct drive by the rotor. Axial adjustment systems are provided for axially adjusting at least one shaft and roll, and such systems may be mounted on the outboard end of the frameless motor.

Abstract: A paperboard processing machine is disclosed for printing and otherwise processing sheets of paperboard, such as corrugated container blanks, and in which the sheets are conveyed from one section of the machine to another section by one or more vacuum transfer systems. Each vacuum transfer system comprises an enclosure which is closed by a closure plate for creating a subatmospheric pressure, which pressure forces the sheets into frictional engagement with the reaches of a plurality of conveyor belts whereby the sheets are transported without contact of the opposite side of the sheet not contacted by the conveyor reach.

Abstract: Amusement confetti is disclosed in which the individual pieces of confetti are of different aerodynamic shapes such that, when they fall through the air, some of the pieces of confetti flutter with their longitudinal axes extending substantially horizontally, while other pieces of confetti fall with their longitudinal axes extending substantially vertically, and pieces of another aerodynamic shape dart sideways as they fall downwardly.

Abstract: An extremely simple gear system is disclosed whereby a pair of output gears may be controlled so as to rotate in the same or opposite directions. The gear system is particularly useful as the steering system for a toy vehicle in which a reversible motor drives a pair of steering gears in opposite directions on the same axis. A direction-control element is disposed on the same axis as that of the steering gears and is axially moved from first to second positions by cam mechanisms when the rotational direction of the motor is reversed. The direction-control element engages only one of the steering gears at a given time whereby a toy vehicle with the steering apparatus is controlled by changing the rotational direction of the motor such that the vehicle moves ahead or makes a turn.

Abstract: Suspension systems (10; 42; 8) operate independently of each other on opposite sides of a vehicle toy. The systems have their road wheels move up and down substantially without any inclination of these wheels, and are simple in construction. Each suspension system has an upright member (16) on which the wheel axle (13) is fixedly mounted, an upright holder (18) for holding the upright member (16) so as to permit it to be rotatable in a steering operation, a rod (22) having its lower portion fixedly mounted to the holder (18) and its upper portion guided in a guide (24) formed in an upper portion of the body, and a compression spring (26) interposed between the holder (18) and the guide (24). A swing arm (20) has one end pivotally connected to the body and the other end pivotally connected to the holder (18). The upright member (16) and the upright holder (18) may be integrally formed as a support (82) rotatably mounted on the lower portion of the rod.