Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging apparatus has an array (10 or 100) of transducer elements (14 or 104) for transmitting ultrasonic signals into an object (12) to be analyzed through use of the transmitted signals reflected from the object and sensed by the apparatus. The transmitted signals have a first predetermined center frequency. The reflected signals sensed by the apparatus have a second center frequency less than the first center frequency as a result of signal attenuation by the object. A means (70, 62 or 150, 152-1 through 152-X) is connected to select a number of transducers (14 or 104) in the array (10 or 100) for transmitting and/or receiving the ultrasonic signals based on the second center frequency. Adjusting the number of transmitting and/or receiving transducers (14 or 104) with changes in frequency produced by signal attenuation gives improved image resolution under a wider variety of use conditions than with prior art ultrasonic imaging apparatus.

Abstract: This bag opener has a ring-shaped portion dimensioned to fit inside the top of a bag. A plurality of substantially straight leg portions extend substantially normal to a plane defined by the ring-shaped portion. The leg portions are dimensioned to extend inside the bag when the ring-shaped portion is in place inside the top of the bag. The bag opener is especially adapted for use in yard work for filling the bag while it lies along the ground. The bag opener is readily removed from the bag without disturbing its contents when the bag is full of leaves, grass or other materials.

Abstract: Method of concentrating aqueous solutions of non-volatile, ionic solutes by extracting water from the solution by means of a polar organic liquid (or a solution of a polar organic liquid and a non-polar organic liquid) at an elevated temperature and cooling the organic liquid to separate a water phase, the extractant and the temperatures being chosen such that water has a relatively high solubility in the extractant at the higher temperature and a relatively low solubility at the lower temperature; the extractant being also chosen to meet certain other criteria such as inertness toward the solution and equipment. Advantage is taken of the diminished activity coefficient of water in polar organic liquids at elevated temperatures and in the case of certain solutions, advantage is also taken of the increased activity coefficient of water in aqueous ionic solution at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: Ozonizer and water purifier. The ozonizer comprises at least one, preferably two or more, units each having an inner, rod-like electrode and an outer tubular electrode and a glass tube carrying the outer electrode. End plates are provided which are formed with sockets. Each inner electrode is seated in a pair of sockets with its ends abutting the closed ends of the sockets and clamped thereto by screws. The glass tube has its ends abutting shoulders in the sockets. A drier is provided for drying the air to be ozonized. Periodically hot air is passed through the drier to dry the dessicant material. Ambient air is sucked through the drier by a venturi device which also serves to mix ozonized air with the water to be purified.

Abstract: Coffee roaster, preferably having no moving parts and suitable for domestic use, in which a current of hot air is caused to pass through a layer of coffee beans supported on a perforated plate or belt, the space above the beans being enclosed by sidewalls and a top cover having one or more openings for outflow of air. The top cover causes heat to be radiated back onto the beans and the flow of hot air causes water vapor and other gases resulting from roasting, also smoke, to be rapidly removed from the beans and vented. In a variant the roaster may be enclosed in an oven and the cover of the oven may be imperforate, the oven being provided with means to vent air, water vapor and other gases.

Abstract: Machine and method for applying liquid coatings to cylindrical articles such as plastic continues, in which each article during movement by a rotary transport is caused to spin about its cylindrical axis and a liquid coating is applied to the cylindrical surface of the spinning container. A wiper spreads the coating uniformly and a drier dries the coating. The ratio of orbital movement of the containers and the rate and direction of spin of the containers may be adjusted and controlled.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for applying polymerized coatings to can bodies (12) has a means (13) for applying the coating as a liquid containing a polymerizable or polymer coating material in one or more vacuum liquifiable solvents. The coated can bodies (12) are heated in a confined space (22) a sufficient extent by induction coils (20) to substantially exclude air at entrance (16) to vacuum chamber (18). Second induction coils (28) heat the can bodies (12) further to flash evaporate the remaining vacuum condensable solvent from the coatings and to cure the coatings. The solvent vapor is condensed in the vacuum chamber (18) and condensers (68, 72, 76). A means (50) supplies a sufficient quantity of water at exit (42) from the vacuum chamber (18) to substantially exclude air at the exit (42). The can bodies (12) vaporize the water and the water vapor excludes the air. The water vapor is condensed under the vacuum of the chamber (18) by condenser (52).

Abstract: A machine and method for applying heat shrink labels or the like to articles such as containers having cylindrical body portions and an end portion or portions adjoining the body portion and sloping inwardly therefrom. The label has a length such that its leading end overlaps the trailing end and a seam is formed at the overlap. The label is secured to the article by adhesive between the leading end and the container and by adhesive between the overlapping leading end and trailing end. The label is of a width such that it projects beyond the junction or junctions of the end portion or portions with the body portion, resulting in free standing edge or edges which are then heat shrunk onto the container by heat from an external source. A tongue is interposed between the heat source and the seam at each free standing edges or edges. This tongue serves as a heat shield to moderate application of heat to the seam.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for separating coarse sand particles from fine sand particles in a slurry of sand and a solution such as results from the solvent extraction of tar sand, such method comprising causing flow of such slurry in a generally horizontal direction and then causing upward flow at a rate such that coarse particles settle out and fine particles move upwardly to a slurry outlet. The apparatus preferably comprises a tubular duct for downward flow, bottom openings in the duct for outward flow, a lower receptacle for coarse particles and an annular space surrounding the duct for upward flow of slurry of solution and fine sand particles.

Abstract: Blood units and water units for membrane type blood oxygenator in which blood units are separated from water units by oxygen units; oxygen diffuses through membranes of blood units from oxygen units and water units apply pressure to blood units through intervening oxygen units. The blood unit is formed by a frame having a pair of opposing sides and a pair of opposing ends, the ends being imperforate, the sides being formed with flow-through passages for flow of blood from one blood unit to the next and with lateral passages for flow of a portion of the blood into, through and out of the blood unit, there being a semi-permeable membrane affixed to opposite faces of the frame. The water unit comprises a water impermeable, expansible water mattress having rigid end members formed with water flow-through passages for flow of water from one water unit to the next and having lateral passages for flow of a portion of the water into, through and out of the mattress.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling positioning of an implement relative to a workpiece, such as a welding head with respect to members to be welded, projects light patterns including an array of light elements each having a known shape and spacing relative to one another on the workpiece. The light elements as reflected from the workpiece are detected and output signals produced in response to the detected light elements. The output signals are classified into groups based on at least one common characteristic resulting from workpiece geometry. The workpiece geometry is defined from at least one relationship between different ones of the groups of the first output signals. Second output signals are produced indicative of the so-determined workpiece geometry. The second output signals are used to control positioning of the implement relative to the workpiece. This apparatus and process allows workpiece geometry to be defined and the implement to be positioned relative to the workpiece on a real-time basis.

Abstract: As apparatus for sensing reflected light patterns in the presence of a welding arc has an image-sensing means. Means is provided for directing one or more pulses of light of short duration at a workpiece. Each pulse has a peak intensity greater than that of the welding arc. A means is provided for blocking the light image from the sensing means except during a pulse from the light-directing means. An image sensing process includes the steps of directing light at the workpiece in one or more pulses, each of greater intensity than the welding arc. Light from the pulse reflected from the workpiece is sensed during the pulse, and sensing of light from the welding arc is blocked during the absence of a light pulse. This apparatus and process allows improved sensing of the light patterns in the presence of the welding arc and welding sparks.

Abstract: A machine and method for applying heat shrink labels or the like to articles such as containers having cylindrical body portions and an end portion or portions adjoining the body portion and sloping inwardly therefrom. The label has a length such that its leading end overlaps the trailing end and a seam is formed at the overlap. The label is secured to the article by adhesive between the leading end and the container and by adhesive between the overlapping leading end and trailing end. The label is of a width such that it projects beyond the junction or junctions of the end portion or portions with the body portion, resulting in free standing edge or edges which are then heat shrunk onto the container. To provide pressure in forming the seam of the free standing edge or edges, a tongue or tongues are interposed between the article and the intended seam which provide a continuation of the body of the article.

Abstract: This can opener opens and empties cans of their contents rapidly, especially paint and similar cans. The opener has a knife edge dimensioned and configured to penetrate an end, especially the bottom, of the can. There is a positioning means for disposing a can having two ends with one end over the knife edge. A means urges the can downward against the knife edge with sufficient force to cause the knife edge to penetrate the one end of the can. A means for receiving contents from the can is disposed beneath the knife edge. Cans may be opened and emptied in rapid sucession with this opener. An emptied can is moved forward by the positioning of a second can for opening and slides down into a can crusher. A piston operated can crusher cylinder is activated electro/pneumatically to come down and crush the emptied can and remove any remaining contents. When the piston retracts the crushed can drops out of the crusher.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for applying plastic base cups to plastic containers, such plastic containers being blow-molded, having round bottoms and being unable to stand erect, such base cups providing a flat, stable base for the container. Cups are supplied automatically to holders or sockets at a cup receiving station; they are then indexed to an adhesive applying station where a circular line of adhesive is applied to the bottom of the cup by spinning the cup; the cup is then indexed to a container delivery station, where a container is deposited in the cup, and air under pressure is applied to the interior of the container to apply pressure to the glue line, such pressure also acting to smooth out irregularities in the container. Each container-cup assembly is removed at a removal station. Detector means may be employed at or ahead of the adhesive applying station to determine whether a cup is present in a holder.

Abstract: Method of carrying out cationic polymerization with molecular weight control in which a preinitiator precursor, e.g. a diol and a catalyst effective for cationic polymerization (or a preformed adduct of such precursor and catalyst) are mixed with a monomer (e.g. a cyclic ether) in proportions of one mol of precursor or adduct and n mols of monomer, where n is the relatively small number of mer units desired in the polymer, causing polymerization to proceed to completion, then treating the resulting living cationic polymer as desired, e.g. quenching with water to introduce a terminal hydroxyl group, adding another monomer to produce a block polymer, reacting with an anionic polymer, etc. Also polymers so formed. Such polymers have low polydispersity and conversion and yield of the desired polymer are high.

Abstract: Method of treating biomass material wherein it is subjected to two stage hydrolysis in which in first stage, the more easily hydrolyzed polysaccharides, such as hemicelluloses, are depolymerized and in second stage the more difficultly depolymerizable material, e.g., cellulose, is depolymerized. The biomass material is preferably subjected to a sensitization step between the first and second hydrolyzing stages by contact with molecular oxygen.

Abstract: Repair of leaks in water pipes or installation of T's in water pipes by use of sleeves applied to open ends of cut pipe, preceded by insertion into open ends of plug material which shuts off flow of water, drying ends of pipe, installation of sleeve and flushing out plug or plugs after installation is complete; also preparation for same.

Abstract: Machine for applying labels to containers having cylindrical bodies and tapered shoulders, comprising a vacuum drum having one or more pairs of suction pads including a lower pad for adhering a body label to be applied to the cylindrical body of a container, such pad being fixed except for rotation with the drum, the upper pad being mounted for tilting about one or two axes to bring it into proper position for applying a label to the tapered shoulder of a container.

Abstract: Apparatus for testing bottles to determine whether they will withstand internal pressure as from a carbonated beverage, also for detecting flaws in crown of bottle which may result in leaks. Hydraulic pressure is applied internally by hydraulic fluid, usually water. Bottle is filled with low pressure water, then high pressure water is used to apply pressure. Bottle is held between a sealing chuck which contacts and seals crown and a bottom member bearing against bottom of bottle, thus simulating force applied to bottle during filling with beverage and capping. .[.Means are.]. .Iadd.A valve is .Iaddend.provided to remove air displaced during filling with low pressure water.