Abstract: A universal typewriter ribbon spool comprises a base member including a first flange member, and a centrally disposed annular hub having an inner wall and an outer wall, the inner wall defining an opening extending end-to-end therethrough; four splines equidistantly secured about the outer wall; four posts equidistantly secured about the inner wall and each having a longitudinal aperture therein; an annular ribbon holder having an inner wall defining an opening extending end-to-end therethrough and positioned about the hub; four splines equidistantly secured about the inner wall of the ribbon holder and which engage with the splines on the hub to prevent rotation of the ribbon holder about the hub; a resilient spool adapter positioned within the hub and formed of opposing arcuate gripping members which grip opposing posts of the hub, and a resilient center section having a central aperture, the center section connecting the gripping members together and being spaced from the remaining two posts when positione

Abstract: An improved combined weighing apparatus is provided for weighing vegetables and fruits, confectionary articles, secondary products, perishables and other articles having high variations in single weight with high accuracy to produce packages having a predetermined weight. System for measurement of feeded products and for combination of weights which is equal or most approximate to the target value are improved in a way to eliminate the dead time of combining operation during weighing time for increasing the speed of combining operation while maintaining high accuracy.

Abstract: A mediator substance exhibiting inhibitory effect upon anabolic enzyme activity in mammals, is prepared by a method comprising gathering a sample of macrophage cells from a mammal, incubating a portion of the macrophage cells with a stimulating material that is associated with an invasive event, and inducing the macrophage cells to produce the mediator substance. The stimulator materials, for example, may include endotoxins, trypanosomes and the like, and the enzymes that may be observed range from lipoprotein lipase, acetyl Coenzyme A carboxylase and fatty acid synthetase, to the inducers for red blood cells growth and differentiation. The mediator substance may be utilized to raise antibodies which would in turn find utility in testing for the presence or amount of various invasive stimuli, such as infection and the like. Testing procedures and appropriate materials in kit form are also contemplated.

Abstract: A monitoring port for use in measuring the intensity of the ultraviolet radiation within an ultraviolet water purification system. A UV transparent transmitting member is sealably mounted for inward, outward, and rotational movement movement with respect to a UV lamp. A locking arrangement including a tapered elastomeric gripping member and a tapered metal tightening member assures that the transmitting member may be locked in place at any desired distance from the surface of the UV lamp. A positioning arrangement such as distance indicator or a series of positions stops, may be employed to facilitate the positioning of the transmitting member at any of the selected distances.

Abstract: The fire proofing web is laid on a roof surface, in addition to the usual roof and insulating webs. It is intended to suppress or at least delay the occurrance of surface fires covering an area. At the same time, it is intended to form a vapor barrier. For that purpose, it includes, as the carrier web, an aluminium foil between two plastic foils. A glass fiber fleece with a content of crystalline-bound water is applied to a plastic foil as a lining thereon. In the event of a fire, the water evaporates and the resulting water vapor prevents or delays a surface fire or fire penetration.

Abstract: A retort apparatus for recovering oil from crushed oil shale moved through an elongated housing, includes a plurality of heat exchangers located in the housing for transferring heat to or from the shale. The heat exchangers are spaced to define in sequence a drying zone, a preheating zone, a cracking and distillation zone, and a waste heat recovery zone. An auxiliary heating assembly connected to the heat exchangers delivers sufficient heat to raise the temperature of the shale in the cracking and distillation zone to the critical temperature for separating hydrocarbons in vapor form therefrom. The tubes of the heat exchangers are elongated ovals in cross-section and are offset from each other in alternate rows to increase the area of heat exchange and to reduce the temperature drop between the entering heated air and exiting heated air flowing through each heat exchange tube.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite yarn product, having improved strength and resistance to distortion and fracture in use, in combination with improved texture and appearance. The composite yarn product comprises strands of a composite resin laminate prepared from at least three film layers, with a centrally colored substrate prepared from a synthetic resin film, and paired outer films individually formed and adhesively attached to the substrate by heat and pressure. The film layers are bonded together by an adhesive composition. The adhesive composition comprises a first component and a second component, the first component including a resin material selected from acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymers, and butadiene-styrene copolymers. The first component is prepared in an organic solvent system. The second component contains an epoxy resin such as a bisphenol A-derived diepoxide, and a vinylchloride-vinylacetate copolymer, prepared in a like organic solvent system.

Abstract: A spiral staircase comprising a central hollow column of circular cross-sectional shape and a plurality of treads, said column having a plurality of apertures in its wall spaced spirally, each said tread having a curved locking plate at its inner end which lies contiguous with the outer face of the column and a locking pin projecting radially inwardly from the locking plate and extending through a respective aperture in the wall of the hollow column, each said locking pin having surfaces defining an upwardly extending slot which accommodates portion of the column wall, one of said slot surfaces bearing against the inner face of the column thereby inhibiting tilting of that tread.

Abstract: An intermittently operated apparatus for decorating cylindrical cans, each can having a cylindrical surface and a rim, includes a rotatable mandrel wheel; a plurality of mandrel assemblies mounted on the mandrel wheel which hold the cans on the mandrel wheel; a surface applicator roll having a length which extends past the bottom of each can and which applies a coating of varnish to the cylindrical surface of each can; a supply assembly for supplying the varnish to the surface applicator roll; a freely rotatable rim applicator roller having a tapered surface positioned in contact with the bottom rim of each can and with that portion of the surface of the surface applicator roll that extends past the bottom of each can, such that the rim applicator roller is driven by the surface applicator roll and varnish is transferred from the surface applicator roll to the tapered surface of the rim applicator roller and then to the bottom rim of each can at the same time that varnish is applied by the surface applicator

Abstract: An ice cream sandwich machine includes an index wheel having a plurality of pockets for receiving ice cream sandwiches; and a conveyor assembly cooperating with the index wheel, comprising spaced endless conveyor chains having a plurality of lugs mounted thereon for removing the ice cream sandwiches from the pockets, and a conveyor track means for receiving the removed ice cream sandwiches, the conveyor track means including a fixed conveyor track formed by parallel, spaced, fixed guides connected together by a plurality of cross-bars and the fixed guides including free ends spaced from the index wheel to provide a drop-out zone for the removed ice cream sandwiches, an adjustable conveyor track formed by two parallel, spaced, adjustable guides having slots therein to provide slidable movement of the adjustable guides over the cross-bars and with respect to the fixed guides between a first position adjacent the index wheel for receiving the removed ice cream sandwiches and a second position spaced from the ind

Abstract: A musical drum includes a generally spherical shell of a ceramic material having a thickness less than 3/8 of a inch as defining a resonant cavity therein; the shell having a bottom and an upper end; the shell being cut-out at the upper end thereof to define a first opening having a size sufficiently small to be entirely covered by the palm of a hand; the shell being cut-out, at a position between the first opening and a plane substantially mid-way between the bottom and the upper end, to define a second opening smaller than the first opening; and the shell being cut-out at a position below the plane to define a third opening for insertion of a microphone.

Abstract: Theft-prevention apparatus for a shopping cart of the type having a carriage body, a plurality of wheels and a plurality of wheel support yokes secured to the carriage body for rotatably supporting the plurality of wheels, including a pin extending from one of the wheels; a ball movable between a first inoperative position and a second operative position at which the ball is engageable with the pin; a plate secured to the respective wheel support yoke and having a cut-out section defining an aperture; a ball support cage having an inclined surface for supporting the ball at the first inoperative position out of alignment with the aperture such that said ball rests against the plate; and a solenoid secured to the plate for moving the ball support cage to a position adjacent the aperture in response to movement of the shopping cart in the proximity of a predetermined magnetic field to cause the ball to move from the first inoperative position through the aperture to the second operative position, such that the

Abstract: An improved inlet duct for a cartridge type control valve which includes, a cup-like member having a bottom wall and a side wall defining the fluid transfer chamber in said control valve, is formed from a tubular member having a J-shaped configuration inverted in assembled position in the control valve, the tubular member has an inlet leg and an outlet leg continuous with the inlet leg, the inlet leg is staked in fluid tight engagement in the bottom wall of the cup-like member a predetermined distance from the side wall and defines an inlet port in the staked position extending to the exterior of the cup-like member, and an adhesive is applied between the bottom wall of the cup-like member and the exterior of the inlet leg to insure maintaining the said fluid tight seal, the outlet leg has an outlet port and in assembled position is so cantilevered into the fluid transfer chamber that the outlet port faces the bottom wall in the center line of the control valve, and an inwardly directed indentation in the sid

Abstract: A spectacle holder for use in conjunction with a rear view mirror of an automotive or other vehicle includes, a receptacle having a substantially flat support base for supporting a pair of spectacles, and at least one peripheral wall; a restraining hook secured to the peripheral wall at the front end of the receptacle; an elastic strap secured to the peripheral wall at the opposite side of the receptacle and adapted to be stretched around the restraining hook so as to releasably engage the pair of spectacles to retain the latter in the receptacle; and a mounting arrangement for mounting the receptacle adjacent the top or upper edge of the rear view mirror so that the support base will be positioned in a substantially horizontal plane, the mounting arrangement in a first embodiment including two suction cups which adhere to the front windshield of the vehicle and which are slidably connected in the widthwise direction of the receptacle at opposite sides thereof by stems, and in a second embodiment, hook member

Abstract: An improved solid state electrode system for measuring the pH of fluids at temperatures as high or even higher than that corresponding to the critical point of water (374.2.degree. C.). A stabilized metal oxide based ceramic member having a predetermined thickness is coupled to a first metallic conductor by a uniform, solid oxygen-free electrolyte to serve as a pH sensing electrode. A body of an electrochemically inert material, which preferably comprises a stabilized metal oxide based ceramic member having a lesser thickness or a greater porosity, is coupled to a second metallic conductor by a similar uniform solid electrolyte to serve as a reference electrode. Together the pH and reference electrodes form an electrode system that is suitable for use in applications in which the temperatures and/or pressures of the test solution preclude the use of conventional electrodes. A variety of configurations and compositions are disclosed which allow the electrode system to be fabricated in an improved manner.

Abstract: In a starter motor for an internal combustion engine, the starter motor being of the type including a cranking motor, a clutch assembly rotatably connectable with the cranking motor and including a pinion gear slidably mounted on a pinion shaft for engagement with a ring gear of the internal combustion engine, and a solenoid assembly and shift lever for slidably moving the pinion gear into engagement with the ring gear and for rotatably connecting the pinion gear with the cranking motor, the starter motor includes a circumferential groove formed in the distal end of the shaft; a split ring positioned in the groove and including first and second part-annular rings which form, in combination, a circular configuration in the groove extending for an angular extent of approximately 360.degree.; and a retaining ring positioned on the shaft in abutting and surrounding relation to the split ring for maintaining the split ring in the groove.

Abstract: A video synthesizer is adapted for connection to the input circuitry of an oscilloscope, and includes sampling and multiplexing circuitry for presentation of a multiplicity of input signals to a single channel of the oscilloscope. The signals are sampled sequentially, and the samples of respective ones of the signals are multiplexed with corresponding reference voltage levels of a voltage divider so as to vertically displace the signals on the face of the oscilloscope. For periodic input signals, the sequential sampling is repeated at a rate which is not harmonically related to the periodicity of the input signals to fully regenerate the signal waveforms on the oscilloscope. A memory is provided for storing intervals of the input signals in the case of nonperiodic signals, the stored signals then being outputted to the sampling and multiplexing circuitry.

Abstract: A valve assembly for a dispensing head with a conventional gooseneck type dispensing spout for filling carafes and the like type containers has a single bore in the center line of the dispensing head for mounting the dispensing spout and operating elements of a valve for controlling the flow of the fluid being dispensed to the inlet or lower end of the dispensing spout, the lower end of the dispensing spout forms the valve head for the valve maintained normally closed, and manual actuating device is provided to lift the dispensing spout so as to move the valve to open position.