Abstract: An improved anti-corrosive material used to protect buried conduits from corrosion. The anti-corrosive material is comprised of a conduit contacting layer of polyolefin having the anti-corrosive agents impregnated therein. The preferred embodiment of the material is a multi-layered co-extruded, calendered, or laminated polyolefin. The material has an outer layer, or environment contacting layer, preferably comprised of a low density polyethylene having characteristically strong tensile strength and elongation properties to provide conventional protection from soil, water, air, or other potentially damaging elements. The material has a center layer preferably comprised of a high density polyethylene having superior tensile strength to provide a high density barrier between the outer layer and an inner layer. The inner layer, or conduit contacting layer, is preferably comprised of a low density polyethylene impregnated with one or more antimicrobial additives.

Abstract: A method for compacting molding sand in a molding box in which a model is present, which model is embedded in molding sand. The molding box is vibrated by means of imbalance weights, which are each to be rotated about an axis of rotation during operation. At least four imbalance weights being rotatable about parallel axes of rotation are used, which can be shifted in phase relative to each other.

Abstract: An offset conveyor system utilizes a lower conveying section positioned adjacent a pouring station where molten metal is poured into weighted and jacketed sand molds. Molds are transported on carriers along the lower section from a mold loading station to a weight and jacket placement station to the pouring station. After pouring, the carrier with jacketed mold is moved up an incline to an upper conveying section parallel the lower section and may overlap the lower section partially. Molds are transported in an opposite linear direction relative to the lower section to a weight and jacket removal station and to a mold dump station, where the sand mold and casting are removed from the conveyor. The carrier is returned to the lower conveyor section to receive another mold. The weight and jacket removed from the upper section is placed on a mold on the lower section, therefore only a minimum number of weights and jackets are used.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for deconcentrating an electric field, surrounding a high voltage insulator. A clamp assembly centrally formed within a coronal ring permitting positive placement of the coronal ring about an insulator end fitting. The clamping assembly includes an integral clamp with a U-shaped opening for engaging a cylindrical portion of an insulator end fitting. Two keeper clamps are pivotally mounted superjacent to the integral clamp, each keeper clamp having a smaller U-shaped opening both of which engage a portion of the insulator end fitting and pivot toward each other between an insulator receiving position and an insulator securing position, securing the insulator between the integral clamp and the two keeper clamps. A captive fastener such as a bolt extends upwardly through the clamp and the keeper clamps to secure the keeper clamps in position against the insulator end fitting and the integral clamp to secure the corona ring in position relative the insulator end fitting.

Abstract: A rigid cage cotton gin includes a feeder that delivers seed cotton locks to be ginned. A doffing cylinder at the discharge of the feeder casts seed cotton locks into a bonnet housing, with air inlet vents in the bonnet housing deflecting the seed cotton locks onto a revolving rigid cage having a series of sifting bars that are fixedly mounted thereto. The sifting bars are spaced-apart to define a series of slots. The rigid cage is rotated for seed cotton locks to be drawn to the slots between the sifting bars, and the fibers will be drawn through the slots by air currents flowing through the slots. A fiber-engaging cylinder is mounted within the rigid cage, with the outer surface of the fiber-engaging cylinder abutting the interior surfaces of the sifting bars. The sifting bars are contoured to restrain the cotton seed from moving closer than a predetermined distance from the surface of the fiber-engaging cylinder to control the minimum fiber length removed.

Abstract: A locking assembly to secure an all-terrain vehicle on a platform includes a securing member attached to the all-terrain vehicle and a receiving member attached to the platform. The receiving member includes a base support member that is mounted to the platform and a post member that is perpendicularly attached to the base support member. The locking assembly additionally includes a locking clevis that is attached to the post member that is designed to couple with the securing member. The securing member includes a base plate that is attached to the front end of the frame of the all terrain vehicle, while a locking cantilever bar extends from the base plate. In operation, the locking cantilever bar is positioned proximate the arms of the locking clevis, and the securing member can thereby be coupled with the receiving member to secure the position of the all-terrain vehicle on the platform.

Abstract: A predictive industrial control system for controlling individual cells of machines through multiple Programmable Logic Controllers in an investment casting processing and handling operation. An application server located in a remote, non-industrial environment executes an industrial control application (ICA) utilizing tagged reference names corresponding to individual machines and information input devices such as sensors on the production line. The ICA accesses local databases that hold casting shell part numbers and their associated recipe control words, and monitors the system for new shell part numbers as they appear on a load conveyor in the production line. Radio Frequency tags on the part signal the ICA to transfer the appropriate recipe control words and robot moves required to process the part in a primary processing cell's PLC. The PLC then controls each machine in the primary processing cell in accordance with the downloaded commands from the ICA.

Abstract: An improved hood enclosure for isolating wood pulp washing equipment from the ambient environment. The hood has a pair of end members, a pair of skirts along each side to connect to the end member together, and an upper spine also connected at each end to the end members. A pair of clamshell style doors are mounted to the spine along longitudinal hinge lines and are opened vertically. A plurality of access doors are positioned within the skirts, and a plurality of spray or shower pipes penetrate the hood through an end panel to deliver wash liquid to the internal wash drums positioned within the wash vat. Several sealing methods are incorporated to provide sealable access for the access doors, the clamshell doors, and access to the interior of the washing vat for the shower pipes. The clamshell doors abut a peripheral neoprene sealing gasket and are held against the gasket by their own weight.

Abstract: A garment portion processing assembly receives uncut material to process the material into a desired shape, such as the shape of a shirt collar, and then organize the formed material into separate stacks. The garment portion processing assembly includes a stack queuing assembly, a garment portion cutting apparatus, and a garment receiving assembly. In operation, the stack queuing assembly prepares the stacks of garment portions to be collected by the garment portion cutting apparatus to be processed. The garment portion cutting apparatus then collects the garment portions and processes the garment portions as desired by the user. The garment portion cutting apparatus includes a folding assembly for precisely folding the garment portion in an even manner, a shaping knife assembly treat is used to trim the garment portion according to the desired pattern, and a width knife assembly that makes sure the garment portion has the proper width.

Abstract: An annular closure ring and bolt assembly for securing a lid or cover in sealed relation with an open-head drum is provided in which an annular split closure ring is closed by tightening a bolt between a pair of laterally spaced lugs attached to opposite ends of the closure ring. Each lug includes a hole to receive the bolt wherein at least one lug hole is unthreaded, and the bolt includes a shoulder or sleeve such that when the bolt is inserted into the unthreaded hole, the shoulder fits substantially flush with that unthreaded hole. The bolt engages either a threaded hole in one of the lugs or a jam nut to draw the lugs together and tighten the closure ring around the drum. The tight engagement between the unthreaded hole of the lug and the shoulder of the bolt thereby reduces movement of the bolt within the unthreaded hole to secure the connection of the ring around the open-head drum.

Abstract: A soil tiller assembly for plowing multiple independent rows of soil includes a frame and attached thereto a coulter, a pair of tiller discs, a pair of secondary coulters, and a tilling assembly including a tiller wheel. The perimeter of the tiller wheel has a plurality of blades attached thereto, and the blades are rotated in the direction opposite each of the other blades described above. The soil tiller assembly is used to build up separate rows of plowed soil, which will prevent overtilling of the soil. Furthermore, the preferred method of operation allows the operator to build multiple rows of soil, delay contact of the soil for several months, and then plant seed in the rows of soil, such that the soil will receive required nutrients during the period of delay while further limiting erosion.

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of extruded polyvinyl foam shutters. More particularly this invention relates to a frame for mounting shutters on doors with glass panels. The present invention addresses the problem in the industry by providing a shutter mounting frame which has an extension normal to the mounting surface which conceals the glass mounting bead, and positions the framing piece so that the mounting nails or screws are inserted through the shutter frame into the glass mounting bead.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sewing a fringe to a woven textile work piece. A method and apparatus for cutting a uniform fringe edge on woven textile material fringe. A method and apparatus for severing a woven textile work piece from a sewing machine.

Abstract: A formed element trimming apparatus includes a base member, a nesting member connected to a ram cylinder mounted on one end of the base member, a clamping member connected to a clamping cylinder mounted to a second end of the base member, and a cutting plate attached to the base member between the nesting member and the clamping member. The cutting plate has a cutting aperture to engage any undesired attachments on the periphery of the formed element. The formed element is securely placed in the nesting member, which is designed to integrally receive the formed element. The clamping member, propelled by the clamping cylinder, traverses the cutting aperture to engage the nesting member and secure the position of the formed element between the nesting member and the clamping member.

Abstract: A current-conducting arm for conducting a current from at least one cable supports to an electrode in an electric arc furnace comprising an arm housing having a U-shaped base channel member and a U-shaped top channel member. Both channel members have a first and second wall, with the top channel member being inverted such that the first wall of the top channel member can be joined with the first wall of the base channel member, and the second wall of the top channel member can be joined with the second wall of the base channel member. The arm housing therefore has four annular corners to improve the conduction of current through the arm housing to the electrode. The invention further includes a spring assembly used to provide to aid an electrode holder in clamping the electrode. Moreover, a laser pointer is included for guiding the positioning of the arm housing in the electric arc furnace.

Abstract: A food handling apparatus utilizes a web designed to cooperate with go box, as used by commercial food establishments such as restaurants and delicatessens, and connected to a handle such that a food service worker may grasp the handle with the go box lid open and safely ladle food into the box. The handle is angled to permit the box to overlie the handle and hand, thereby ensuring no contact with the internal surfaces of the box.