Abstract: Resistance welds on overlapped sheets of metal, such as the welded side seam of 3 piece cans, are monitored by measuring the width of the extrusion (5, 6) formed by material flowing out from the edge of the overlapped sheets (1, 2) caused by the welding process. The width of the extrusion (5, 6) is interpreted in terms of the temperature of the weld, and the welding process can be adjusted accordingly. The measurement of the extrusion width can be done optically.

Abstract: A double-cylinder opener for staple fiber being pneumatically transported in an air stream, the two cylinders being parallel and mutually offset, the fibers passing firstly about the first cylinder and then about the second cylinder with spiral motion, the two cylinders forming two beaters of different action, which rotate at different velocities and are provided with different spike population densities.

Abstract: A system for supporting a plurality of stacked glass sheets on edge includes a plurality of pressure-applying devices each including an elongated member to which is pivotally secured a pressure-applying member. The pressure-applying member can be moved along the elongated member to assure that tensioning forces are applied only to a central portion of a stack of glass sheets. In cases involving relatively high stacks of glass sheets the elongated member is preferably constructed as a pair of telescopically adjustable elongated members.

Abstract: The invention is a keyboard tray which is formed from two relatively shallow molded bodies united along a periphery thereof to define an internal relatively flat chamber in which is slidable a mouse tray. The mouse tray can project outwardly of the chamber through either of opposite side edges of the keyboard tray. The mouse tray carries a projection which limits sliding movement of the mouse tray in its opposite directions. A rigid block of wood is secured in a recess portion of the keyboard tray to afford rigidity thereto and provide frictional purchase for screws which secure the keyboard to a keyboard tray mounting or support arm.

Abstract: A pick-up head is formed by a housing which defines a broom chamber rearward of an associated air pressure chamber and its associated blast orifice. The broom is rotated in a direction to impel debris from a surface in the same direction as air emitted from the blast orifice toward an associated air suction chamber. Due to the latter arrangement, debris which is "tacky" which is "stuck" onto the surface, or which is too heavy to be moved into the suction air stream by the blast air alone is impelled at a relatively high entrainment velocity toward and into the air suction stream which continues the movement of this debris for eventual discharge into an associated hopper.

Abstract: A method of forming a component having a metallic shell (12) and a plastics insert (34). The component is formed by placing the shell (12) inside the mould cavity of a mould assembly (10) which forms part of an injection moulding machine. Prior to injection of plastics material, part of the external surface of the shell (12) is spaced from the opposed surface of the mould cavity. The open end of the shell abuts the adjacent mould cavity and wall so as to form a seal. This end wall is frusto-conical in shape so that, during injection of plastics material, as the shell (12) is reformed by polymer pressure into complete engagement with the surface of the mould cavity, longitudinal contraction of the shell in response to this direct lateral strain is compensated for by the frusto-conical shape so that the seal is maintained.

Abstract: In a press comprising at least one die (3), a hollow punch (1) and ram (2) assembly movable through the die, and a bottom forming tool (13) having a convex surface portion (14) axially aligned with the punch, said punch and ram assembly having a valve seat (24) in the ram hollow and a valve member (21) which has a valve body engageable with the valve seat and a stem extending through the valve seat towards the free end of the punch so that as the punch approaches the convex surface portion of the bottom forming took, the valve member is lifted off the valve seat to permit compressed air to pass from the punch hollow, the valve stem is supported in a bearing between the valve seat and the extremity of the punch, and said valve stem and interior surface of the punch define a cavity of prechosen volume between the valve seat (24) and extremity of the punch (1) so that as the punch approaches the bottom forming tool (5) cooperation of the convex surface portion (14) of the bottom forming tool and valve stem (20)