Abstract: A device is described for detecting the level of the material within a container such as a hopper comprising a cord (18) for suspending a thimble (38) from a balance arm (22) which in turn is suspended through the intermediary of an inclination sensitive switch (26).Modifications are illustrated in which the cord is suspended through a sealed aperture in a lid (40).Another embodiment of the invention comprises a cord (66) for suspending a thimble (38) from a balance arm (62) which is balanced by means of an adjustable tension spring (68) and when pivoted so as to actuate a switch (76).

Abstract: A first method of revealing a fingerprint involves the charging of the surface bearing the fingerprint to a high electric potential and applying finely divided carbon to the charged surface to form a pattern thereon corresponding to the fingerprint.The finely divided carbon may be dusted or sprayed on or may be in suspension in a dielectric liquid into which the charged surface is introduced.In another method the surface is charged while submerged in the dielectric liquid, under the action of an electric field in the dielectric.In another method an electrically charged sheet is brought into contact with a surface bearing a fingerprint and after being removed, the charged sheet has applied to its surface finely divided carbon which adheres thereto depending on the charge pattern remaining thereon after contact with the fingerprint.The pattern of finely divided carbon can be fixed in position by applying thereover a transparent protective layer.

Abstract: A jig for bandsaws (typically meat cutting bandsaws) is described. The jig comprises a main frame (10) which is adapted by rollers (18,20) to be received in the guides normally fitted to a bandsaw to receive and guide a sliding table thereon; a sub-frame (26) movable relative to the main frame in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement dictated by the rollers (18,20); a spring (48) for returning the sub-frame to a rest position on the main frame; a magazine (32) mounted on the sub-frame (26), having a thrust member (76) slidable therealong to enable a slab of meat to be pushed forwardly along the magazine into a position in which its leading end overhangs the end of the magazine and is ready to be severed by a bandsaw blade (82). The thrust member (76) is slidable parallel to the direction of movement of the sub-frame (26) relative to the main frame (10).

Abstract: There is disclosed a gas discharge device containing at least two electrodes, at least one of the electrodes being insulated from the gas by a dielectric member. There is particularly disclosed a multiple gaseous discharge display/memory panel having an electrical memory and capable of producing a visual display, the panel being characterized by an ionizable gaseous medium in a gas chamber formed by a pair of opposed dielectric material charge storage members, each of which is respectively backed by an array of electrodes, the electrodes behind each dielectric material member being oriented with respect to the electrodes behind the opposing dielectric material member so as to define a plurality of discrete discharge units.At least one dielectric insulating member contains a predetermined beneficial amount of a source of at least one transition element selected from V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Tc, Re, Fe, Ru, Os, Co, Rh, Ir, Pd, and Pt.

Abstract: There is disclosed a multiple gaseous discharge display/memory panel having an electrical memory and capable of producing a visual display, the panel being characterized by an ionizable gaseous medium in a gas chamber formed by a pair of opposed dielectric material charge storage members which are respectively backed by an array of conductor (electrode) members, the conductor array behind each dielectric material member being appropriately oriented with respect to the conductor array behind the opposing dielectric material member so as to define a plurality of discrete discharge volumes constituting a discharge unit, the surface of at least one dielectric material member having at least one inorganic non-oxide aluminum compound applied thereto in an amount sufficient to provide improved panel operating characteristics, especially stable panel operating voltages which do not significantly change with panel operating time.

Abstract: There is disclosed a gas discharge device containing at least two electrodes, at least one of the electrodes being insulated from the gas by a dielectric member. There is particularly disclosed a multiple gaseous discharge display/memory panel having an electrical memory and capable of producing a visual display, the panel being characterized by an ionizable gaseous medium in a gas chamber formed by a pair of opposed dielectric material charge storage members, each of which is respectively backed by an array of electrodes, the electrodes behind each dielectric material member being oriented with respect to the electrodes behind the opposing dielectric material member so as to define a plurality of discrete discharge units.At least one dielectric insulating member contains a predetermined beneficial amount of a source of at least one element selected from Se, Te, or Po.The selected element or elements may be utilized in any suitable form, such as a compound, mineral, and/or elemental.

Abstract: There is disclosed a gas discharge device containing at least two electrodes, at least one of the electrodes being insulated from the gas by a dielectric member. There is particularly disclosed a multiple gaseous discharge display/memory panel having an electrical memory and capable of producing a visual display, the panel being characterized by an ionizable gaseous medium in a gas chamber formed by a pair of opposed dielectric material charge storage members, each of which is respectively backed by an array of electrodes, the electrodes behind each dielectric material member being oriented with respect to the electrodes behind the opposing dielectric material member so as to define a plurality of discrete discharge units.At least one dielectric insulating member contains a predetermined beneficial amount of a source of at least one nonconductive, insulating inorganic nickel compound, said compound containing no oxygen atoms directly bonded to a nickel atom.

Abstract: A gas discharge device having at least one dielectric charge storage member the gaseous medium contacting surface of which consists of a low operating voltage material. The material is used in an amount sufficient to increase the operating life span of the device and/or stabilize the operating voltages of the device. An interface and addressing means is connected to a pair of opposed electrode arrays to energize a plurality of discharge cells, each cell including proximate electrode portions of at least one electrode in each opposed array, said dielectric charge storage member insulating at least one of said proximate electrode portions from said gas. A cell presents a capacitive impedance to a voltage pulse applied by the interface and addressing means to the electrode portions to generate a relatively slow rise time leading edge on the voltage pulse for improved addressing of the cell when the electrode arrays are serially addressed.

Abstract: A gas discharge device containing at least two electrodes is shown, at least one thereof being insulated from the gas by at least one dielectric member containing a predetermined beneficial amount of a source of at least one Lanthanide Series rare earth such as La or Ce. In one embodiment a multiple gaseous discharge display/memory panel has an electrical memory, the panel including an ionizable gaseous medium in a chamber formed by a pair of opposed dielectric charge storage members, each of which is backed by an array of electrodes oriented with respect to the electrodes behind the opposing member to define a plurality of discrete discharge volumes constituting a discharge unit.

Abstract: There is disclosed a multiple gaseous discharge display memory panel having an electrical memory and capable of producing a visual display, the panel being characterized by an ionizable gaseous medium in a gas chamber formed by a pair of opposed dielectric material charge storage members which are respectively backed by an array of electrode (conductor) members such that each array of electrode members is insulated from the gaseous medium by a dielectric member, the electrode members behind each dielectric material member being oriented with respect to the electrode members behind the opposing dielectric material member so as to define a plurality of discrete discharge volumes, each discharge volume constituting a discharge unit, the dielectric material being selectively enriched with at least one Group IA or IIA element in an amount sufficient to provide operating voltages which are substantially uniform and which do not significantly change with time.

Abstract: There is disclosed a gas discharge device containing at least two electrodes, at least one of the electrodes being insulated from the gas by a dielectric member. There is particularly disclosed a multiple gaseous discharge display memory panel having an electrical memory and capable of producing a visual display, the panel being characterized by an ionizable gaseous medium in a gas chamber formed by a pair of opposed dielectric material charge storage members, each of which is respectively backed by an array of electrodes, the electrodes behind each dielectric material member being oriented with respect to the electrodes behind the opposing dielectric material member so as to define a plurality of discrete discharge volumes constituting a discharge unit.At least one dielectric insulating member contains a predetermined beneficial amount of a source of at least one member selected from boron, gallium, indium or thallium.

Abstract: There is disclosed a gaseous discharge display device having a plurality of gaseous discharge sites and at least one active, working dielectric surface exposed to the gas discharge at each discharge site. The active gas contacting dielectric surface is coated with a protective film in an amount sufficient to prevent the formation of undesirable contaminants on the active dielectric surface, particularly during the manufacture of the device. After the complete assembly and gas filling of the device, the protective film is removed from the vicinity of each gas discharge site by the application of a gas discharge voltage at the site sufficient to sputter the protective film away from the discharge site without sputtering the active dielectric surface.

Abstract: There is disclosed a multiple gaseous discharge display/memory panel having an electrical memory and capable of producing a visual display, the panel being characterized by an ionizable gaseous medium in a gas chamber formed by a pair of opposed dielectric material charge storage members which are respectively backed by an array of electrode (conductor) members such that each array of electrode members is insulated from the gaseous medium by a dielectric member, the electrode members behind each dielectric material member being oriented with respect to the electrode members behind the opposing dielectric material member so as to define a plurality of discrete discharge volumes, each discharge volume constituting a discharge unit, the dielectric material being selectively enriched with at least one Group IA or IIA element in an amount sufficient to provide operating voltages which are substantially uniform and which do not significantly change with time.

Abstract: There is disclosed the transfer of a gaseous discharge within a display/memory device. There is particularly disclosed a method for conditioning a multiple gaseous discharge display/memory device having an electrical memory and capable of producing a visual display, the device being characterized by an ionizable gaseous medium in a gas chamber formed by a pair of opposed dielectric material charge storage members which are respectively backed by a series of parallel-like conductor (electrode) members, the conductor members behind each dielectric material member being transversely oriented with respect to the conductor members behind the opposing dielectric material member so as to define a plurality of discrete discharge volumes, each of which constitutes a discharge unit.

Abstract: There is disclosed the preparation of a liquid crystal containing structure by incorporating a liquid crystal substance into a polymeric matrix so as to form a thin, layer-like structure of controlled thickness. The resulting structure is highly suitable for use in display and/or memory devices or other devices utilizing liquid crystal properties.

Abstract: Operating wave forms which are asymmetrical are applied to a gas discharge display and memory panel device to simplify the drive electronics, improve interfacing to logic controls and adapt to integrated circuitry. One bulk sustainer wave form is applied to one array of a pair of transversely oriented electrode arrays. Addressing wave forms for altering the discharge state of discharge sites between the arrays are superimposed on the bulk sustainer and thus referenced to the bulk sustainer voltage levels for electrodes of the one array. The other array has addressing wave forms which are referenced to a fixed voltage level, advantageously ground and are sequenced to function as a component of the composite sustainer wave form for the panel and discharge manipulating wave forms for selected discharge sites of the panel or the entire panel. A system affording the above operations is set forth together with addressing logic suitable for integrated circuit gating to the device electrodes.