Abstract: A combustion housing for surrounding a burner flame is provided at an intermediate location within a drum mixer. An annulus is formed by the combustion housing and the interior of the drum adjacent thereto. Hot virgin aggregate is mixed with cold recycle material within the annulus. The mixing materials are further heated by conduction from the combustion housing surface and extending structures extending from the combustion housing into the annulus. The combustion housing is also provided with a plurality of openings for allowing radiant heat to enter the annulus and heat the mixing materials and for circulating combustible by products of asphalt production into the combustion housing for burning.

Abstract: A merchandise display unit which comprises a base unit having a rolling platform on which a pair of channeled standards and a center panel are mounted. Cantilevered shelves are included and are adjustable by a pair of cam assemblies connected to the rear corners of the shelf. When the shelves are mounted on the standards, the cam assembly is concealed inside the standards. An arm extends outside the channel from each cam assembly for operating the cam mechanism and permits the shelf to be adjusted while the shelf is maintained in a level position. One or two similarly constructed side units may be removably connected to the base to form 3- and 4-sided units, respectively. Preferably the base unit, each side unit and each shelf are each a single weldment.

Abstract: A portable, self erect silo for hot mix asphalt having two, side-by-side bins. A single drag slat conveyor directs hot mix asphalt into either bin by use of a single slug feeder pivotally attached to the discharge end of the conveyor.

Abstract: A drum mixer having an countercurrent flow drying zone and a parallel flow mixing zone is provided for producing an asphaltic composition. The drum mixer utilizes a heat source located at an intermediate position therein for generating three streams of hot gases. The first stream of hot gases is directed towards the receiving end of the drum mixer in a countercurrent direction to the flow virgin aggregate entering the drying zone of the drum mixer. Recycle material is introduced into the drum mixer between the heat source and the discharge end thereof. The recycle material and the heated virgin aggregate are combined within the mixing zone. As both materials travel towards the discharge end of the drum mixer the second stream of hot gases is directed towards the discharge end of the drum mixer in a parallel direction to the flow of the mixing materials for heating said materials.

Abstract: A drum mixer having a internal combustion gas cylinder extending substantially the length of the drum mixer is provided. Hot combustion gases are generated by a flame within the cylinder. The combustion gases within the cylinder flow in a countercurrent direction the to the flow of material within the drum mixer. The combustion gases exit the cylinder generally at the receiving end of the drum mixer and are directed towards the discharge end thereof in a parallel relation to the flow of material. The horizontal position of the flame within the drum is adjustable and a valve for mixing the gases within the drum adjacent the discharge end thereof with the flame is also provided.

Abstract: A swing check valve where the opposite end portions of the hinge pin of the disc are held in hinge pin recesses by an annular wall in the valve body. The wall in the valve body is sufficiently sized that the valve disc can swing through the wall through an arc of substantially 90.degree. between in its open and closed positions. The wall may be formed as a part of the valve body or as a separate retainer ring secured in the valve.

Abstract: An outer hearth pad is provided with a frame for overlying the elevated peripheral edges of an outer hearth. A padding material is secured to the outer surface of the frame by a covering material overlying the padding material, the covering material being secured to the inner surface of the frame. The outer hearth pad is secured to the outer hearth by portions of the outer hearth pad engaging portions of the outer hearth.

Abstract: An article and method for shaping a sheet of material around an object such as a flower pot, the article comprising a ring-shaped collar adapted to be secured around the object. The collar may comprise pinch rings or barbed piercing elements, disposed about the periphery of the collar for attaching the sheet of material to the collar, or the collar may be adapted to be secured around at least a portion of the object so that the sheet of material is held between the object and the collar. The article also may be used alone for shaping a sheet of material.

Abstract: A method is provided for converting a four-track slip form paver into an improved three-track slip form paver for applying a continuous slab of concrete onto a road surface and against a vertical abutment adjacent the road surface.

Abstract: A rotary hoist generally comprising a vertically extending shaft, a tubular housing telescoped over and rotatably supported on the shaft, a boom pivotally secured to the tubular housing and a jack pivotally secured between the housing and the boom. The shaft is supported by a leg socket member with elongated legs. The rotary hoist may be disassembled for storage or shipping.

Abstract: A method for producing polymeric films in which a substrate surface is contacted with a surfactant solution, comprising a liquid in which at least a first surfactant is dissolved, so that an itnerface is formed between the substrate surface and the surfactant solution, under conditions which promote the assembly at such interface of surfactant molecules, such assembled molecules defining a surfactant template for the film to be produced. After monomer molecules have become concentrated within the surfactant template, polymerization is effected to produce an ultrathin polymeric film dimensionally determined by the surfactant template. Such film is characterized by a polymer network disposed within a surfactant template. The method of the present invention may be used to coat the surface of an object, such as an object which is porous or has non-planar surfaces, or may be used to coat particulate matter.

Abstract: An article forming system for forming at least one sheet of material into an article, such as a decorative flower pot cover for example, and a novel article formed utilizing such a system. The article forming system includes a male die, a female die and a platform having a support surface and an opening extending through the support surface. The female die is disposed generally within the opening in the platform with the upper end of the female die being disposed near the support surface. The article forming system includes means for slidingly holding portions of the sheet of material generally against portions of the support surface while permitting such held portions to slide on the support surface during the forming of the article for cooperating in forming a decorative border on the decorative flower pot cover type of article which flares generally away from the flower pot object when the decorative flower pot cover article is applied to the flower pot.

Abstract: A phototool having hinged first and second members with a strut assembly holding the members in the opened positioned. The length of the strut assembly varies as the members are moved to opened and closed positions.

Abstract: Bales of filamentary material are separated into weighed charges of the material by disintegrating the bales in a rotating drum to produce tufts that are passed to a picking chamber wherein a toothed roll strips individual filaments from a supply roll formed from the tufts and passing the filaments to scales upon which the charges are accumulated. Each time a charge is accumulated on a scale, air is blown across the scale to discharge the scale. The charges are delivered to a magazine having a plurality of vertically stacked chambers, each chamber underlain by a movable gate, through which the charges are passed sequentially to be discharged at a fixed schedule from the lowermost chamber. Spikes mounted on the interior of the drum are shaped to loosen portions of bales entering the drum, tear tufts from such portions, and finally deposit the tufts into an air stream passing through the drum to expel the tufts.

Abstract: A buckle is provided for use with a halter. The buckle includes a first coupler sized for close fitting insertion into a second coupler. A triangular shaped latch is pivotally secured within the second coupler for retaining the first coupler therein. A spring is enclosed within the latch for biasing the latch in a locking position.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a thread dyeing apparatus and method for dyeing a thread. The apparatus comprises a support housing which stores and applies dye to thread moving through a thread opening in the housing. The housing is positioned between the thread source and the end use. In one preferred embodiment, the apparatus is used to dye thread during operation of a sewing machine. The support housing is positioned between the thread spool and the needle of the machine.

Abstract: A system for baling strands of material wherein a predetermined quantity of strands of material is compressed into a bale of strands of material having a density of at least about 14 pounds per cubic foot and having a substantial portion portion of the bale unmatted, the system being particularly useful for baling easter grass. The system includes a baler wherein the strands of material are compressed in a substantially enclosed portion of the baler to form the bale of material. In the system, a predetermined weight comprising a portion of the total desired weight of a bale of material is compressed, and additional portions are added and compressed until the total desired weight has been compressed into a bale of material.