Abstract: Apparatus for separating a wrapper from articles contained therein and especially applicable to the manufacture of cans wherein the can ends are formed at one location and transferred in bags of stacked ends to another location where the bags are removed and the ends are joined to the can bodies. Wrapped articles are laterally received in a receiving structure; the wrapped articles therein are longitudinally positioned so that an end of the wrapper is clamped by a clamping structure; a rod penetrates the wrapper and engages the articles therein; and transporting structure to transport the clamping structure and the wrapper clamped therein relative to the rod to separate the wrapper from the articles, which are retained in the receiving structure.

Abstract: Apparatus for receiving used metallic containers and for dispensing a token or the like for the value of used containers received and comprising: a free fall passage structure for receiving the containers and for enabling free fall of a container therethrough; sensor apparatus associated with said free fall passage structure for determining the presence of an acceptable container in the said passage structure and for differentiating between an acceptable container and other unacceptable articles during free fall therethrough; separator gate controlled by said sensor apparatus during free fall for separating an acceptable container from other unacceptable articles; and dispensing apparatus operative in response to the presence and separation of an acceptable container for dispensing a token or the like for the value of the acceptable containers.

Abstract: The activity of mycelial bound .alpha.-galactosidase is stabilized by treating .alpha.-galactosidase containing mycelia with about 5 to about 25 percent by weight glutaraldehyde based upon the dry weight of the mycelia. The glutaraldehyde treated mycelia may be used in the hydrolysis of oligosaccharides containing .alpha.-galactoside linkage without incurring substantial .alpha.-galactosidase activity loss during hydrolysis.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating sewage to obtain substantially complete organic matter substrate and biological sludge oxidation prior to effluent discharge in a treatment system comprising a series of treatment chambers in a single unit; each treatment chamber having a generally circular peripheral crosssectional configuration, conduit means in each treatment chamber for directing the flow of mixed liquor in each chamber, gas supply means for supplying an oxygen containing gas to each treatment chamber so as to cause a continuous flow pattern of mixed liquor in the treatment chamber; inlet means for supplying raw sewage to the first treatment chamber of the series; outlet means for withdrawing clarified effluent from the last treatment chamber of the series; and fluid communication means for providing fluid communication between an intermediate top portion of each successive treatment chamber of the series.

Abstract: A wire matrix print head assembly in which armatures are mounted between pairs of magnetic pole members and wire printing members with coplanar radially spaced pole member end surfaces facing the direction of movement of the armatures and the wire printing members during printing movement from a non-print position to a print position and the pole member end surfaces providing a first radially innermost pivotal support means engageable with the armature members only during an initial portion of the armature movement and also providing a second radially outermost pivoted support means engageable with the armature members only during a terminal portion of the armature movement.

Abstract: A wire matrix print head assembly having a plurality of circumferentially spaced armature members in which each armature member is operatively associated with a pair of radially spaced magnetic pole members and a coil associated therewith, each armature member being mounted between the pole members and the wire printing members with the end surfaces of the pole members facing the direction of movement of the armatures during printing movement from a non-print position to a print position, the inner pole member end surface providing a pivotal support surface for the armature member and also providing a locating surface engageable with a portion of the armature housing opposite thereto, a resilient biasing member mounted on the armature housing portion and engaging the armature member opposite the pivotal support surface, a resilient support and locating member engaging the radially innermost end portion of the armature opposite the associated wire printing member, and an axially adjustable sleeve means for sup

Abstract: An apparatus and method for use in a triple gob feeder of a glass forming apparatus for forming molten glass gobs of uniform size, weight, volume and shape by equalizing the temperatures of the molten glass flowing through orifices in a triple gob orifice ring. Molten glass is retained in a middle reservoir of the triple gob orifice ring for a relatively longer average period of time than in end reservoirs of the ring preferably by providing a middle reservoir having a relatively larger volumetric size than the end reservoirs. In addition, the middle reservoir is cooled by directing a coolant through channels in a bottom surface portion of the orifice ring and onto external surfaces surrounding the middle reservoir.

Abstract: A container conveying and transfer system for conveying and transferring decorated containers from a continuously rotatable mandrel wheel of container decorating apparatus to a continuously moving continuous loop container conveying belt member having container holding vacuum cups fixedly mounted thereon in association with an elongated vacuum plenum extending along a container carrying portion of the path of movement of the belt member whereby the containers are transferred from the belt member to pins carried by a continuously moving continuous loop chain member, the belt member being driven in synchronized, timed relationship to the rotatable mandrel wheel and the chain member by vacuum cup attachment nut members received in driving slots in a drive wheel member and in guide slots associated with the vacuum plenum and belt guide wheel members.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of applying a thin narrow width coating to can body members comprising a feed control means associated with a guideway means for causing rotating moving of the can body members across an elongated coating applicator roller member extending parallel to the path of movement of the can body members, the rotation of and spacing of the can body members and the rotation of the applicator roller member being controlled to apply the coating during substantially only one revolution of the can body member and less than one revolution of the roller member.

Abstract: Harvested sugar beets are treated to reduce storage losses of recoverable sucrose by contacting the beets with propylene. The treatment may be effected by spraying an aqueous solution of propylene onto the beets, by dipping the beets into an aqueous solution of propylene, by contacting the beets with gaseous propylene, or by other suitable means. Propylene concentrations less than about 750 ppm, preferably in the range of about 10 to about 500 ppm, and more preferably about 20 to about 200 ppm, are effective to reduce storage loss of recoverable sucrose.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for continuously freezing and melting a fluid mixture, for use in separating a fluid mixture into dilute and concentrated components which have been made separble due to the freezing. A turbine is used to produce mechanical energy to drive a refrigeration compressor, while exhaust heat from the turbine is used for secondary cooling. Heat from a refrigeration condenser is used to melt the liquid frozen by a refrigerant evaporator. The evaporator and condenser may comprise a plurality of plates or may comprise a bubbler for bubbling refrigerant directly into contact with the fluid mixture.

Abstract: Apparatus for holding pierced earrings for display and/or storage comprising a base and retention means on the base for removably retaining at least one pierced earring on the apparatus, the retention means having at least two layers of sheet plastic material overlaying the base, and at least two layers of filler material interposed between the two layers of sheet plastic material and between the base and one of the layers of sheet plastic material, respectively, the layers of sheet plastic material having a plurality of holes therethrough with each hole in the inner layer of sheet plastic material being located in direct axial alignment with a corresponding hole in the outer layer of sheet plastic material.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling vacuum deposition of a thin film onto a substrate, wherein the vacuum deposition produces a glow discharge. The glow discharge is monitored and light therefrom is converted to an electrical signal which is compared to a preset reference signal and used to optimize thin film properties by controlling deposition parameters such as current between electrodes or the supply of gas to a reactive sputtering apparatus. The overall intensity of the glow discharge, or the intensity of certain wavelengths, or the ratio of certain wavelength intensities may be monitored. The time derivative of the electrical signal may be taken to quicken response to light changes. The method and apparatus of the present invention are particularly applicable to reactive sputtering. As an alternative embodiment in reactive sputtering, cathode voltage may be monitored instead of the light.

Abstract: A five speed motorcycle transmission with coaxial input and output drives. The transmission includes a driveshaft and a countershaft rotatably mounted in a gear housing for supporting transmission system components and gear arrangements. Input torque is applied in a conventional manner to one end of the driveshaft and transmitted through the transmission components in the selected gear ratio to an output sprocket which is freely rotatably mounted on the drive shaft. Torque shifting means in the form of axially displaceable drive dogs splined to the driveshaft and countershaft can be shifted axially by conventional shifter means for selectively transmitting torque from the driveshaft through various gear arrangements to the output sprocket. The gear arrangements include a high speed overdrive gear arrangement, a high speed direct drive gear arrangement, and three low speed drive gear arrangements.

Abstract: Apparatus for holding a first object or objects in a fixed position relative to a second object comprising an elongated continuous length strap means for engaging and holding the first object, strap attachment means connected to opposite ends of the strap means for attaching the strap means to the second object, and winch-type strap tightening means operatively associated with an intermediate loop portion of the strap means for adjustably tensioning the strap means, the winch-type strap tightening means comprising a rotatable shaft means for winding and unwinding the strap means to adjstably tension the strap means, slot means in the shaft means for receiving an intermediate, variable length loop portion of the strap means to enable adjustment of the effective length of strap means, and ratchet means associated with the shaft means for releaseably holding the shaft means against unwinding rotation during and after tensioning of the strap means.

Abstract: The method of manufacture of a container end member or the like with integral hinged opening tab means thereon having a formed severable tab portion, a formed connecting flange portion extending between the tab portion and the other part of the end member, and first and second formed score groove means located in juxtaposition between the tab portion and the connecting flange portion to provide a fracturable web portion therebetween, and the method comprising: first at least partially forming a central part of the tab portion before forming any other part of the tab means; thereafter initiating the forming of the connecting flange portion and partially forming the connecting flange portion before initiating the forming of any other part of the tab means other than the tab portion; and thereafter initiating the forming of the first and second score groove means and completing the forming of the first and second score groove means while completing the forming of the tab portion and the connecting flange portion

Abstract: A spool-type fishing reel is provided with a direct drive mechanism between the spool and the crank handle including a positive acting clutch which selectively disengages the spool from the drive mechanism for free spooling, and is disengaged by a lever positioned to be engaged by the thumb of the angler during casting, and upon release, conditions the clutch to be engaged upon line payout. An adjustable drag mechanism acts on the direct drive mechanism to retard spool rotation on line payout.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating sewage to obtain substantially complete organic matter substrate and biological sludge oxidation prior to effluent discharge in a treatment system comprising a series of treatment units; each unit having a generally circular cross-sectional configuration defining a treatment chamber, baffle means in the treatment chamber for directing the flow of mixed liquor in the chamber, gas supply means for supplying an oxygen containing gas to the treatment chamber so as to cause a continuous semi-circular flow pattern of mixed liquor in the treatment chamber; inlet means for supplying raw sewage to the first unit of the series; outlet means for withdrawing clarified effluent from the last unit of the series; and fluid communication means for providing fluid communication between an intermediate top portion of each successive unit of the series.

Abstract: Containers are discharged from a continuously operable, closed loop container carrier, having a multiplicity of parallel longitudinally and transversely aligned rows of container baskets with each container basket being offset from adjacent container baskets in adjacent rows, by a method and apparatus in which containers in alternate transverse rows of container baskets are transferred from the container carrier to a first discharge conveyor by a first container transfer means and containers in the other alternate transverse rows of container baskets are supported in the carrier past the first container transfer means and are transferred from the container carrier to a second discharge conveyor by a second container transfer means.

Abstract: A process is described for the introduction of health and/or welfare modifying agents, such as vaccines, to water-living animals such as fish.