Abstract: Rollers are provided for roller conveyors. The roller comprises a sleeve body receiving roller bearings in the ends thereof, the bearings receiving a spindle. One race of each bearing supports the sleeve body, whilst the other has a bore engaged by the spindle. The engagement between the said bore and spindle is by means of a flexible seal so that the bearing can slide relative to the spindle in an axial direction, but the seal prevents flow of water along the spindle. There may be a single spindle extending through both bearings of each roller, or there may be two stub axles, one for each bearing. The races of the bearings are preferably of plastics material.

Abstract: A mandrel wheel assembly is disclosed for use with an apparatus for the continuous decoration of containers such as cylindrical cans, and comprises a circular mandrel wheel having a plurality of regularly spaced mandrel assemblies mounted transversely about its circumferential periphery. The mandrel assemblies have cam roller ends that communicate with a guiding stationary box cam, and oppositely extending container receiving mandrels. The mandrel wheel assembly is mounted along a stationary central shaft. A secondary mandrel support is provided adjacent the mandrels comprising a stationary planar support member also mounted on the central shaft with one or more planar support cams that extend radially from the secondary support member and are adapted to cammingly engage the mandrel assemblies. The support cams are juxtaposed to the coating stations and reduce unwanted deflection of the mandrels during coating operations.

Abstract: A silicon controlled rectifier trigger circuit is responsive to an input AC voltage and provides at least one drive pulse per switch activation to a load circuit. Such load circuit advantageously includes an electric stapler or an electric brad driver. Such trigger circuit generally comprises: a two-position switch; first and second capacitors; first and second Zener diodes; a transistor; and a silicon controlled rectifier.

Abstract: A method for measuring the level of glucose in animal body fluids such as blood and urine, comprises contacting the body fluid with a glucose indicator comprising a reversible complex of a carbohydrate component, a binding macromolecular component, and an indicator element bound to one of the components, and maintaining the body fluid in contact with the indicator for a period of time sufficient to permit any glucose present in the body fluid to displace the carbohydrate component in the complex, and to thereby release the indicator element to signify the presence of glucose. Preferably, the macromolecular component comprises one or more lectins, and the carbohydrate component may be one or more of the sugars for which testing is desired. The indicator element may be a dye or a color-forming radical, associated with either the lectin or the carbohydrate.

Abstract: The invention provides roller element bearings for roller conveyors. The bearings fit into the ends of hollow sleeve bodies to define the rollers of the conveyor. The bearings are designed to prevent the ingress of water through the bearings into the interior of the sleeve bodies, because collection of liquid in these bodies is unhygienic in food factory applications. The bearings are designed to act as water seals by the design of labyrinth seals between the inner and outer races of the bearings in that the labyrinth gaps are designed to allow outflow of liquid from the bearings, The clearances are not made so large as to allow excessive inflow of liquid into the bearing. The labyrinth seal therefore acts in two ways. It limits inflow of liquid into the bearing and also allows outflow of that liquid from the bearing to prevent accumulation of liquid in the bearing.

Abstract: The invention provides a bearing assembly for a conveyor roller comprising a roller bearing comprising an inner race and an outer race. The outer race is for engagement in the end of a sleeve body while the inner race receives a stub axle. A blanking plate of the outer race seals off the interior of the sleeve body on a spring acts between the blanking plate and the stub axle so that the stub axle which serves to support the roller in a frame member can be deflected against the spring towards the blanking plate to enable the roller to be released from the frame member.

Abstract: A composition comprising a glycol component including ethylene glycol and polymers thereof, and iodine, which composition is characterized by the absence of a spectroscopically identifiable complex between the glycol and iodine, and the absence of free iodine in mixture therewith. The composition of the present invention may be prepared in a wide variety of formulations and possesses therapeutic, environmental and industrial cleaning applications. Also disclosed is a method for the preparation of the composition employing an anhydrous environment and including heating the components to a temperature of about 180.degree. C.

Abstract: A shot gun shell is disclosed which employs a wad defining a shot cup, including closure means associated with the open end of the shot cup adapted to operate upon insertion of the wad into the shot gun shell casing to restrain the shot within the cup without the aid of external means. The wad of the present invention employs a one-piece construction and may be manufactured from a plastic material. A shot shell casing is also disclosed which employs a circumferential bead located about the inside surface of the casing adjacent its open end. The bead serves to frictionally retain the wad of the present invention upon its insertion into the casing.

Abstract: Herbaceous plant material is processed by heating it to within a specific temperature range for a predetermined period of time, within a novel processing apparatus. The plant material is held in an atmosphere whose oxygen content is controlled to convert a chemical found in the material into a more useful form without significant degradation taking place during the conversion process. In the instance wherein the herbaceous material is the plant substance cannabis, the material is heated in an inert atmosphere in accordance with the inventive method to carry out a step of decarboxylation which changes cannabinolic acid present in cannabis into the psychoactive drug or chemical delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol. Control of decarboxylation in accordance with the invention prevents destructive pyrolysis and degradative oxidation of the delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol.

Abstract: An apparatus for the staining of a plurality of biological slides which comprises a slide support tray adapted to hold a plurality of slides in parallel position adjacent each other, a support tray rack assembly adapted to slidably receive said support tray, said rack assembly including a stain composition dispensing assembly providing a plurality of dispensing spigots, said spigots mounted on said rack assembly in overhead relation to said support tray when said support tray is fully received within said rack assembly, and means for removing excess stain composition and drying said slides, wherein said support tray is adapted for removable insertion and securement within said rack assembly. The apparatus of the present invention is contained within a central housing which also includes a single slide staining apparatus comprising a reciprocable slide support tray slidably connected to a separate rack assembly.

Abstract: The present application discloses a circuit for improving the efficiency of energy consumption, extending lamp life, and facilitating the starting and steady state flickerless operation of a discharge lamp normally utilizing a source of alternating current, such circuit including: (a) a full wave rectifier connected between both an input set of terminals and an output set of terminals, the input set comprising the AC line input leads and the output set comprising the positive and negative supply leads of the lamp; (b) a voltage-raising capacitance disposed between one terminal of the AC input and one or both terminals of the rectifier output; and (c) a filtering means connected between the positive and negative output of said full wave rectifier, wherein the output of the voltage-raising capacitance is applied across the filtering means, thereby providing a no-load voltage at the output leads which is approximately equal to (2.sqroot.2) .sup.E input (rms).

Abstract: A heel protector usable by both men and women comprising a cover means having a generally hourglass-shaped perimeter and adapted to shroud the back and bottom surfaces of the heel, and including two leaf members, each leaf member having a wide end, a narrow end and tapering peripheral margins extending therebetween. The heel protector includes a pocket formed by the attachment of the narrow ends, which serves to cradle the rear-most leading edge of the heel of the wearer. The heel protector is held securely in place by an elastic means adapted to extend around the instep of the wearer, which comprises a generally X-shaped web member connecting the peripheral margins of the leaf members so that the leaf members are drawn toward each other and into snug contact with the back and bottom surfaces of the heel when the heel protector is placed over the heel and instep of the wearer.

Abstract: A golf tee, comprising an elongated shank member, an enlarged, cupped head member attached to one end of the shank member for supporting a golf ball thereon, and a limiting member attached to the shank member for limiting the extent of insertion of the shank member into the ground to locate the cupped head member at a determined level above ground level and for releasably attaching the golf tee to a golf club shaft when the golf tee is not being utilized, the limiting member including an elongated, substantially U-shaped member.

Abstract: A vacuum frame, comprising a base section, a cover hingeably attached to the base section and including a transparent section, the cover and base section forming a vacuum chamber therebetween when the vacuum frame is in a closed position, a reserve vacuum tank in fluid communication with the vacuum chamber, the vacuum tank adapted to create a vacuum within the vacuum chamber, a vacuum pump in fluid communication with the reserve vacuum tank, the vacuum pump adapted to create a vacuum within the reserve vacuum tank, and an electro-mechanical means for simultaneously regulating the vacuum pressure within the vacuum chamber and reserve vacuum tank and the actuation of the vacuum pump.

Abstract: A cosmetic mirror comprising a mirror housing having a centrally-located aperture therein, lighting means mounted within the housing laterally adjacent the aperture, a mirror assembly comprising two back-to-back mirrors pivotally mounted within the aperture, a rotatable support stand attachment secured to the housing, comprising a rotatable cylindrical support bar having a center aperture section therein, end aperture sections therein, a first set of meshing gears within the end aperture sections, spring means operatively communicating at one end thereof with the meshing gears and at the opposite end thereof with the end aperture sections of the rotatable support bar for outwardly biasing the meshing gears in the end aperture sections, and a second set of meshing sections fixed to the mirror housing at the base thereof or fixed to guide rails slidably secured within said mirror housing at the base thereof for contacting the first set of meshing gears in a meshing arrangement.

Abstract: A device for the separation and removal of grease from a grease-containing liquid which comprises a settling container, a grease collector assembly mounted within said container adapted to pivot into and out of contact with said liquid to separate said grease therefrom, and a grease removal assembly cooperating with said collector assembly to transport said grease out of said container and away from said liquid. The device of the invention is designed for applications requiring high-volume grease removal within a confined area.

Abstract: A portable concrete pile cutting device is disclosed which comprises a support collar adapted to be removably mounted in supported annular location about a concrete pile, at least one pile cutting assembly mounted for reciprocation on the collar, and means located on the collar for the support of the pile cutting assembly. The pile cutting assembly is adapted to travel in a straight line to form a cut in the concrete pile which runs generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the pile. A method is also disclosed which comprises mounting a collar in rigid association with the concrete pile, mounting the cutting assembly on the collar so that the cutting means is adjacent the concrete pile, and thereafter moving the cutting assembly with the cutting means in operation across the pile to form a cut, which is of a depth less than that of the thickness of the concrete pile.

Abstract: A chum lure is disclosed which comprises an essentially tubular central body portion sealed at one end thereof to hold a quantity of chum material, said body portion provided with a plurality of holes to permit the gradual escape of the chumming material. The chum lure includes at least one prong or bait rod radially extending from the closed end of the body portion, which is provided to secure solid bait thereon. A cap which includes an eye for attachment of the lure to an appropriate control line or the like, is removably associated with the open end of the body portion to assist in retaining the loaded chum material. Means for securing the cap and the free end of the prong to the body portion is provided comprising at least two mating holes located in the rim of the cap and the corresponding side wall of the body. The lure is secured by the placement of the free end of the prong within the mating holes.

Abstract: An indicator for measuring the liquid content of a container comprises an attitude compensating sensor including at least two variable resistor assemblies disposed within the container. The resistor assemblies are located at opposite ends of the container and are electrically connected to each other in series. Each resistor assembly comprises a resistor disposed within a housing and in communication with a movable wall of said housing located near its lower end. The housing resides in proximity to the bottom wall of the container and registers with the external ambient through an opening provided in one wall thereof. The total resistance developed by the sensor comprises the sum of the resistances of the individual resistors, and remains constant for a particular quantity of liquid regardless of the distribution of the liquid within the container.