Abstract: This relates to special tooling for forming metal end units for use in conjunction with cans for carbonated beverages and the like wherein the formed end unit is provided with an integral reinforcement in the form of a countersink so as to increase the buckle strength of such an end unit when it is formed of thin metal. Previously there has been developed tooling for forming such an end unit which, while it is commercially satisfactory, did not produce end units having the required buckle resistance. That tooling has been modified by changing the configuration of a punch core so as to eliminate a previously formed cylindrical extension of the end unit chuck wall and a countersink starter. The punch core cooperates with a die core to clamp a center panel of a formed end unit shell so as to move the center panel reversely of its forming direction and to effect a folding of an outer peripheral portion of the center panel in a lower part of the previously formed chuck wall into the required countersink.

Abstract: In a power transmission comprising a driving shaft and a driven shaft coupled through a clutch unit, the rotational velocities of the shafts are measured by two sensors mounted on the declutching member which slides on the driven shaft to actuate the clutch diaphragm. The sensors may for example be of the variable reluctance type, and are positioned so as to face a portion of the driven shaft and another part of the driving shaft which comprise at least one element or structural feature to which the sensors are responsive, such as ribs or grooves constituting a kind of "pinion" of the driven shaft and a finger which is fixed with respect to the cover plate of the clutch, the latter being itself rotatable with the driving shaft. This "pinion" may be modified so as to allow the degree of wear of the clutch friction pads to be measured.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in determining the weight and the location of the center of gravity of a vehicle, particularly an aircraft prior to its taking off, comprising in combination at least one load-measuring device secured in a roadway or support for the vehicle and adapted for contacting load-supporting members of the vehicle when such is moved thereover or thereonto; computer means linked to the load-measuring devices and adapted to receive data therefrom; means for relaying to the operator of the vehicle data computed by the computer means, and sensor means linked to the computer means, the sensor means adapted to read characteristics of the vehicle as it observes the same and alert the computer, programmed for such characteristics. Also disclosed are methods based on use of the disclosed apparatus. Also disclosed are apparatus for and methods of processing vehicle passengers and their baggage to ensure safe operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: Heating apparatus of tank type comprises a first and a second heating element in a flexible material applied respectively onto the peripheral and bottom wall. The first and the second element have respectively a substantially rectangular and circle-sector shape.

Abstract: A surface cleaner wherein abrasive particles are directed against a surface to be cleaned, after which the abrasive particles rebound into the cleaner and return for recirculation. Several features are involved. First there is provided an accelerator for the normally gravity flowing abrasive particles to accelerate the particles towards a throwing wheel wherein the abrasive particles are spread over a greater depth of an associated throwing vane. Some of the abrasive particles will not rebound entirely up into the machine for return to the abrasive particle supply chamber. Accordingly, there is provided a separate path for the weaker rebounding abrasive particles to return to the accelerator. The throwing wheel includes a tubular hub into which one of the supporting bearings for the associated shaft is telescoped. This permits throwing wheels of different widths to be utilized. The vanes of the throwing wheel are flat vanes having at their inner ends enlargements.

Abstract: A polyester preform which is injection molded preferably of PET and wherein the preform is provided with a molded neck finish or neck portion inlcuding threads which are molded to a high tolerance and wherein the neck finish may receive a closure cap of the type having a tamper indicating band which engages over a retaining bead also molded to a high tolerance as part of the neck finish. In order to maintain the container which is blow molded from the preform in axial alignment with the neck finish and thus eliminate the perpendicularity problem, a ring of the preform immediately below the flange which functions as the capping ring, is heated to a high temperature and crystallized. In a like manner, the end sealing surface is also heated to a high temperature and crystallized. The remainder of the neck finish remains in its amorphous state without disturbing the configuration of either the threads or the retaining bead.

Abstract: An insulation displacement connector comprises an insulative material body in which is a generally tubular metal contact member. This includes two at least part-cylindrical shell members of which one is a floating shell member and extends circumferentially cantilever fashion from a root generatrix. It is elastically deformable in the radial direction relative to this root generatrix. Respective inner and outer lips on the shell member define a slit extending around at least part of the circumference of the contact member. A barrel member rotatable about an axis of the connector forces an electrical conductor into the slit. At least in an unstressed condition of the connector, there is peripheral clearance between the floating shell member and the insulative material body.

Abstract: An articulated bracelet with elements arranged relatively to one another in such a way as to form a chain, wherein the individual elements constituting each link of the bracelet are composed by unitary elements positioned side-by-side to one another in the transversal direction relatively to the bracelet, and are maintained associated with one another by a pin element also positioned transversely to the bracelet, and inserted inside a through-bore provided inside the same unitary elements. Furthermore in the nearby of the opposite free side faces of the unitary elements seats are provided, which are suitable for housing further pin-shaped linking element linking a bracelet link to the subsequent one.

Abstract: In a damping flywheel which is associated with a fluid coupling device, the casing of the fluid coupling device is mounted in series with the damping flywheel, preferably through a resilient elment which forms part of an arrangement which allows variation to take place in the clamping torque exerted by friction means which form part of a torque limiter.

Abstract: A device for tightly sealing bags and/or envelopes destined to the vacuum packaging of products, in particular foodstuffs, comprising a clamping member equipped with means for grasping and tightly closing against each other mutually opposite edges in correspondence of the open side of said bag. With the grasping and clamping means, a valve element cooperates, through which the air contained inside the bag can be evacuated when to the bag a vacuum source is applied.

Abstract: A blow molded container which is formed of a polyester resin which has formation and shape characteristics wherein it may be hot filled with a liquid at a temperature on the order of 180.degree.-185.degree. F. with a maximum volumetric shrinkage of no greater than 1 percent. The container is formed from a specially configurated injection molded preform which is initially stretched axially only on the order of 25 percent, after which the preform is inflated and blow molded within a blow mold to a configuration which resists vacuum collapse or paneling of the body.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide an automatic clutch control system for coupling two rotating shafts. The system comprises a piston axially movable towards an engaged position to provide the axial clamping of at least one friction disc forming part of a hydraulically controlled clutch mounted between two shafts. A control member responsive to the difference in speed between the shafts moves the piston towards its engaged position and is advantageously constituted by a lobed pump having a central pinion, an inner crown, eccentric relative to the pinion, and an outer crown centered relative to the pinion. The pinion is fixed for rotation on one of the shafts while the outer crown is integral in rotation with the other of the shafts.

Abstract: This relates to a wraparound carrier for the packaging of articles in two rows. Primarily the articles are bottles. The wraparound carrier is provided at each end with a trap gusset and a pair of end panels. The gusset is specifically configurated to fold beneath an arched shaped top of a conventional wraparound container so as to effect the maintaining of the formed configuration of the upper part of the wraparound carrier while holding the associated end panels in a planar relationship. Not only does the relationship between the gusset and end panels at each end of the carrier provide for a complete closing of the carrier such as desired in the packaging of certain beers and other products, but also even after the carrier has been opened and the bottles or like articles removed therefrom, the gusset and the associated end panels cooperate with one another to maintain the shape of the erected carrier so that the opened carrier may have replaced therein the used bottles for return.

Abstract: An injection molded plastic preform for forming by blow molding a container such as a bottle. The preform is of a laminated construction and in the body area includes inner and outer layers of the same plastic and an intermediate layer of a different plastic. The bottom portion of the preform is provided with a core layer of still a third plastic with the injection temperature of the third layer being sufficient to erode the contacted part of the intermediate layer which is of a lower melt temperature. The third plastic may be the same plastic as the first plastic, but injected at a higher temperature. Generally speaking, the neck finish of the preform will be of a single layer of the first material, the body of the preform will be of a three ply construction which is also true of the bottom with there being an intermediate area of five ply where the bottom core layer projects into the lower portion of the intermediate layer.

Abstract: A clutch control device, particularly for automotive vehicles, comprises a manoeuvring member which is coupled axially with a working element which engages the relevant part of the actuating member of the clutch itself. The manoeuvring member and working element are coupled together through a retaining shroud, using an assembly device which comprise a plurality of tabs or lugs projecting from a lateral wall of the retaining shroud and which are able to slide in corresponding axial grooves formed in the manoeuvring member until they leave the grooves on the face of the manoeuvring member opposite to that at which they were introduced. Relative rotation is then carried out between the retaining shroud and the manoeuvring member, so as to engage the tabs securely in radial recesses formed in the radial portion of the manoeuvring member, the recesses being offset by a predetermined angle from the axial grooves.

Abstract: A device for extracting to atmosphere the air from the interior of an automobile passenger compartment, comprising at least one air outlet aperture (12) provided in a wall (11) of the luggage compartment (10), and at least one non-return valve (14) engaged with said aperture (12), said valve (14) formed from a framework (16) comprising a grid (19) and a casing (18), and from a diaphragm (20) which is rotatably supported in the casing of the framework and which, when in the rest state, adheres to the grid (19). The framework (16) is mounted in the aperture (12) in the wall (11) of the luggage compartment (10), with the framework (18) and grid (19) disposed mainly within the interior of the luggage compartment (10).

Abstract: The device comprises a control center arranged to control a first and second ignition coil and to operate the engine under double ignition during normal use and under single ignition during full induction; in this latter case, ignition by the spark plugs of a first set is alternated with ignition by the spark plugs of a second set, for predetermined numbers of engine cycles.