Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for partially automating the use of litter bags for animal litter. The method makes use of apparatus including two pivoted arms over the tops of which the upper portion of a litter bag may be folded when the arms are extended upwardly. The arms are then pivoted downwardly to spread out the litter bag either in a litter pan or upon the base upon which the arms are pivoted. The litter containers used are in the form of bags which-may be prefilled and have an interior sheet over the litter to prevent dusting and pockets in the upper edge to facilitate attachment to the pivoted arms of the support apparatus.

Abstract: The separation of potentially toxic phosphor compounds from fractured glass particulates derived from crushing used fluorescent light tubes is improved by continuously mixing the fractured glass particulates together in surface contact with each other to abrade the toxic phosphors from the surfaces of the glass particulates followed by separation by air stripping of the small phosphor particles from the fractured glass particulates. The stripping usually is done in a separate stripping chamber. The mixing and abrading may be accomplished in a variety of mixing devices including auger-type apparatus, rotary chambers, fluosolids reactors and others.

Abstract: A grizzly-type separator is disposed across the path of fractured glass particulates to separate electrical tips from said glass particulates. The separator is formed preferably from round separator bars of about twice the average maximum diameter of fractured glass and about equal to the maximum average diameter of the fractured glass particulates. The separator bars are discontinuous in the center to cause a change in orientation of objects moving down the bars and are secured together by cross bars spaced significantly from the separator bars.

Abstract: A fire tool consists of a nozzle section having a penetrator section at the end and an attachment section at the bottom for attachment to an extensible hydraulic ram. The ram has a base adapted to be secured to a horizontal surface such as the deck of a ship next to a vertical surface such as a bulkhead in such ship and the entire unit is leaned against the bulkhead with a specially designed point against such bulkhead. The hydraulic ram is then activated to force the tip of the penetrator into the bulkhead and ultimately through the bulkhead, after which water may be sprayed into the area behind the bulkhead where a fire may be burning through spray orifices in the nozzle section, the water being injected into the nozzle section through a fitting on the opposite side of the bulkhead from the spray orifices.

Abstract: A vehicle arm rest comprising a frame portion having a vertical panel, with a cushion pad support extending outwardly therefrom and a horizontal slot adjacent the upper end, and a flexible strap having interlocking fabric sections adjacent an intermediate portion and a lower end portion and a friction projection adjacent the strap upper end. The arm rest is mounted on a vehicle door by slipping the upper end of the flexible strap between the vehicle window glass and the adjacent molding that extends along the window gap of the window ledge of the door inner panel. The friction projection on the strap upper end wedges against the underside of the molding to fix the upper end of the strap in place.

Abstract: A system and method for regulating the speed of a steam turbine by operating a steam valve rack assembly to adjust the flow of steam to the turbine by controlling the position of the turbine valve rack actuator in response to high pressure oil fed, reacting to signals from a speed control system, through a proportional valve to the valve rack actuator. High pressure oil is fed to the proportional valve from a hydraulic oil accumulator, charged with an inert gas, in which high pressure oil is stored. A source of low pressure oil directed to a pressure intensifying device increases the oil pressure to a high pressure and circulates the high pressure oil to the hydraulic oil accumulator and the proportional valve to stroke the turbine valve rack actuator in response to signals from the speed control system. The system further includes an emergency stop valve system which operates to close the turbine valve rack assembly very rapidly in the event of a serious turbine condition.

Abstract: A system amd method of operation for collecting and treating entrained particulate powder arising from the delivery end housing of a printing press for coating the top surfaces of sheets, comprising a hood assembly including: an open bottom hood connecting with the top of the delivery end housing and having a top opening, an internal baffle mounted therein to form a peripheral space between the baffle sides and hood side walls and baffle edges and hood end walls, a duct having its lower end connecting with the top opening of the hood and its upper end connecting with a blower/filter assembly which draws air upwardly from the press delivery end housing through the hood peripheral space, duct and blower/filter assembly for removal of the entrained particulate powder and discharge of the treated air into the pressroom.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a pad and a sequential pressure device that includes a pneumatic system and a control system. The pad comprises a plurality of adjacent chambers extending transverse to the pad's longitudinal centerline and has a lower section with at least two chambers and an upper section with at least three chambers. Two adjacent chambers of the lower section have approximately the same transverse cross-sectional area for about their lengths. Each chamber of the upper section includes a right portion, a left portion and an intermediate portion which has a narrowed center portion of reduced cross-sectional area connecting with the right and left portions. Inflation of an upper section chamber causes expansion of the right, left and intermediate portions thereof with a void created about the narrowed intermediate portion.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the steam pressure at the exit of the last row of blades of a steam turbine by means of an adjustable guide vane assembly having a plurality of vane segments supported by the bearing cone that are moved to change the cross-sectional area of the exhaust flow passage so as to improve turbine efficiency under varying operating conditions by minimizing the average pressure in the annulus following the last row of turbine blades.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for improving the metal coating on metal parts immersed in a molten metal coating bath of a different composition. The apparatus comprises (a) a vacuum pump, (b) a buffer tank, (c) centrifuge having a drum, a cover for sealing the drum, a platform within the drum to receive the parts and means to spin the platform, and (d) valved lines connecting with the drum cover and connecting, respectively, with the buffer tank a source of gas at atmospheric pressure and a source of gas at greater than atmospheric pressure. The tank has a volume of at least 10 times the volume of the drum.

Abstract: A kitchenware drying rack comprising a central frame, which has outwardly extending arms for holding kitchenware, mounted on a base adapted to rest on a flat surface adjacent a sink basin, and a platform that connects with the base lower end and extends downwardly into the sink basin to stabilize the rack and prevent its tipping.

Abstract: An inflatable, self-supporting cover suitable for placement over a body and comprising a top sheet, a bottom sheet and ribs extending between such sheets to form a plurality of compartments extending transverse to the length of the cover. The ribs are formed in the shape of a flattened oval and then fastened between such sheets. A duct extending longitudinally of the length of the cover connects with the compartments and with a source of pressurized air which inflates the compartments, causing them to assume an arch-like shape extending transverse to the length of the cover and spanning said body. An alternative embodiment includes a second cover section fastened to the cover bottom sheet and having a plurality of compartments, each with at least one port therein. The second cover section compartments connect with the duct whereby pressurized air passes to the second cover section compartments and from each port therein to circulate air about the body beneath the cover.

Abstract: A boat or vessel particularly designed and adapted for treating bodies of water such as lakes to correct chemical, biological or other imbalances in the aquatic envoronment by accurately dispensing a treatment agent into the water in an amount based upon the volume of water being passed over and continuously determined by detection means for the speed of the boat or vessel carrying the dispensing means and the depth of the water being passed over. The boat includes a main or central hull supported or floated by the water and also stabilized by lateral inwardly and outwardly adjustable pontoons when loaded. The boat includes sparging, or mixing, and above or below water dispensing means to dispense the treatment agent. The pontoons may include tank means particularly in the upper portions and are adjustable inwardly and outwardly as well as fore and aft to both stabilize and trim the vessel.

Abstract: A shutter system cooperatively associated with a high temperature lamp-reflector assembly for curing a photosensitive coating on a substrate moving adjacent the lamp-reflector block comprises a reflector block having a cavity within which is mounted a high temperature lamp and a shutter system which includes a double acting cylinder with piston rod, two support-guide rod, bearing assemblies and a flat shutter plate supported in a cantilevered manner from the cylinder piston rod and support-guide rod, bearing assemblies. The shutter plate is moved on signal by the cylinder piston rod to a position between the reflector block and coated substrate to shield the substrate when its movement is interrupted and away from such position when the substrate is moving.

Abstract: A system for curing a photosensitive coating on a moving substrate comprises a dual-fluid cooled reflector block and ultraviolet lamp assembly, first and second intermediate pressure blowers connected in series, a heat exchanger, refrigerating device connected in an appropriate manner to the reflector-block lamp assembly and a computer. The reflector block has a cavity with a reflective surface, a channel extending longitudinally of, and open to, the cavity for a substantial portion of its length and both an air and a water conduit extending longitudinally of the block. The lamp is mounted within the reflective block cavity and the air conduit connects through ports with the cavity channel.

Abstract: A method of treating bodies of water such as lakes to correct chemical, biological or other imbalances in the aquatic environment by accurately dispensing a treatment agent into the water in an amount based upon the volume of water being passed over and continuously determined by detection means for the speed of the boat or vessel carrying the dispensing means and the depth of the water being passed over. When the water is being neutralized by a chemical addition, the pH of the water may also be continuously monitored. A boat particularly designed and adapted for practicing the method is also disclosed. The boat includes a main tank partially supported or floated by the water at least when the tank is loaded and also stabilized and partially or additionally supported by lateral inwardly and outwardly adjustable pontoons when loaded. The boat includes sparging, or mixing, and above or below water dispensing means to dispense the treatment agent.

Abstract: A method of chemically treating bodies of water such as lakes by accurately dispensing a treatment agent into the water in an amount based upon the volume of water being passed over continuously determined by detection means for the speed of the boat carrying the dispensing means for the speed of the boat carrying the dispensing means and the depth of the water being passed over. When the water is being neutralized by the chemical addition, the pH of the water may also be continuously monitored. A boat particularly designed and adapted for practicing the method is also disclosed. The boat includes a main tank partially supported or floated by the water at least when the tank is loaded and also stabilized and partially or additionally supported by lateral pontoons when loaded. The boat includes sparging, or mixing, and spraying means to dispense the treatment agent.

Abstract: A display or other type device having intrinsic attention attracting properties and eye appeal is provided in the form of a pendulum type device arranged so the pendulum has an arrhythmic movement in time and/or in space and time. The pendulum may be deviated to one side in its oscillations, and/or temporarily halted at the end of some or all of its oscillations, such unexpected deviations in space and/or in time serving to catch and hold the observer's attention or otherwise amuse onlookers. The arrhythmic movements of the pendulum are controlled by electromagnetic means positioned near the end of the oscillation trajectory of the pendulum.

Abstract: A clock is provided with a pendulum suspended generally upwardly from the face of the clock and an electromagnet means is provided adjacent to the periphery of the face to catch and hold the pendulum bob momentarily to indicate at least one aspect of the time such as the minutes past the hour. Preferably the electromagnet is carried on a rotating support progressively around the peripheral portion of the clock face to alter the time indication. A lighted hand may be used to indicate the time in hours. In some embodiments the pendulum may swing outwardly beyond the face of the clock.

Abstract: A clock is provided with at least partially upwardly disposed time indicia and a pendulum is arranged to oscillate above the correct indicia to indicate current time. The clock may take any one of a number of embodiments, the common factor being the oscillation of a pendulum above or adjacent to the current time, which may be mounted upon various clock faces, endless strips, rotating rings, and other arrangements over which a pendulum is arranged to oscillate to at least partially indicate the correct time. Auxiliary means such as lights or the like may be used to aid in the indication of the correct time.