Abstract: A process for cooling post solid-stating reactor PET flakes comprises conveying PET flakes from a solid-stating reactor to a first separator in the presence of air and water at an elevated pressure, separating the steam from the partially cooled PET flakes, and conveying the partially cooled PET flakes from the first separator to a second separator in the presence of air at an elevated pressure.
Abstract: A wear gauge for determining excessive wear of the notches and lugs of an aircraft fueling nozzle adapter to expeditiously sense wear which might result in leakage of fuel during an aircraft refueling operation.
Abstract: A measuring tape system for determining the girth or length of an object, the measuring tape system including a flexible tape containing specific measuring indicia. One end of the flexible tape is secured to and wound about a drum rotatably mounted within a housing. The drum is spring biased such that it will allow the associated tape to be paid out against the bias of the spring and upon the appropriate command is retrieved and rewound on the drum. The flexible tape is pulled from the housing through an appropriate opening in the wall of the housing and the free end of the tape is selectively placed in a receiver formed in the housing.
Abstract: A test gauge for testing an aircraft fueling nozzle for excessive wear in the interlock mechanism including a slotted fixture designed to depress the interlock plate to simulate more advanced wear on the interlock mechanism of the nozzle than is actually present in order to provide an advanced warning of excessive wear.
Abstract: A granulator for reducing the size of plastic particles to facilitate the removal of contaminants therefrom. The granulator includes an upper chamber and a lower chamber defined by an exit screen. The upper chamber includes a rotary shear and an air handling system for creating a pressure drop across the screen to facilitate the transit of particulate material therethrough.
Abstract: A process for preparing an RPET polymer blend component comprises providing a quantity of RPET flakes, comminuting the RPET flakes to prepare RPET particles having an average mean particle size from about 500 microns to about 5 microns, adding at least one specialty additive to the RPET particles, and mixing the RPET particles and specialty additive, to prepare a homogeneous blend of RPET carrier and specialty additive.
Abstract: A towing mechanism (10) for a vehicle having an independent axle and wheel assembly and a linkage for adjusting the height of the towing mechanism (10) to accommodate a variety of trailers, whereby the towing mechanism (10) militates against the weight of a towed vehicle from being borne solely by a towing vehicle frame (40) and suspension.
Abstract: A knife sharpener holder including a first body portion swivelly attached to the vertical panel of a drawer and a second body portion pivotally attached to the first body portion and adapted to carry a knife sharpener mechanism. The knife sharpener may be disposed within the associated drawer allowing the drawer to be closed, or alternatively may be swivelled and pivoted to an operative position when the drawer is opened.
Abstract: A laminate composite material comprises a layer of an open weave supporting fabric having a layer of breathable resin adhered thereto by an extruded layer of a thermoplastic resin blended with a high temperature volatile particulate. The resultant composite material is substantially impervious to air and water and permeable to water vapor and having a water vapor transmission rate exceeding one (1) perm of water vapor.
Abstract: A pressure gauge having a pressure operated piston for measuring the difference in pressure between two pressure signals including an automatically operative pressure relief valve and a manually operable three-way valve to provide a venting function useful for inspecting the operation of the pressure operated piston of the pressure gauge.
Abstract: A portable device for displaying an image and generating an associated audible message to a user includes a compartment having an area for visually displaying an image to a user and a system for generating an audio message associated with the image from stored audio information. The system includes a memory for storing the audio information, a speech synthesizer and a speaker for converting the audio information to the audio message and a microprocessor connected between the memory and the speech synthesizer for controlling the generation of the audio message.
Abstract: A weed cutter (10) having a protective housing (32) with an air impeller (28), an air diverter (50) and a motor driven rotary cutter element (12, 14, 16, 18). The air impeller creates a vacuum to effectively pull weeds into an inlet opening (42) in the protective housing prior to contact with the cutter element and exhausting the debris through an exhaust outlet (46).
Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a reduction of a level of electrolyte in a wet cell battery includes an electrically conductive sensing rod in contact with an electrolyte in a battery cell, a voltage comparator connected to the rod for generating a first output signal when an input voltage is greater than a reference voltage and generating a second output signal when an input voltage is less than the reference voltage, and an indicator responsive to the output signals for generating a green visual signal when the rod is immersed in the electrolyte and generating a red visual signal when the rod is not immersed in the electrolyte. The apparatus also include an audio alarm device sounding an audio indication when the red visual signal is generated. A sensing circuit can be connected between the voltage comparator and a pair of battery voltage input terminals to selectively connect the terminals to the comparator when a voltage of a battery connected to the terminals exceeds a predetermined voltage level.
Abstract: A tiller (10) having an engine (24), a plurality of rotating times (20), and a handle (26) which are rotatable with respect to a main frame (12) of the tiller (10) and cooperate with pivoting wheels (14) to facilitate turning of the tiller (10) while maintaining balance and stability.