Abstract: An accessory box comprises a front and two sides. Each side is provided with a resilient lug which comprises a main portion which extends rearwardly to a vertical abutment and a clip which extends rearwardly from the main portion. When the accessory box is slid into a recess the vertical abutment engages the side wall of the recess and the clip maintains the accessory box in the retracted position. The accessory box can be withdrawn when the resilient lugs are pressed towards one another.

Abstract: An improved copper sheathed heating element for installation in appliances, such as electric kettles, includes a minor amount of a silicone water-proofing agent admixed with magnesium oxide filler agent prior to the element being annealed. Annealing of the element is carried out at a reduced annealing temperature over an extended duration in order to limit thermal degradation of the additive during the annealing process. The resulting element achieves sufficient ductility for purposes of formation as a kettle heating element, while the insulation value of the element over an extended shelf life is maintained without significant degradation. Preferably, the silicone agent comprises polydimethylsiloxane and is present in the range 0.1 to 0.15 percent by weight.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing weatherstripping comprises forming a row of pile fiber on a substrate, compressing the row widthwise between a pair of dies, heating the row while so compressed, and cooling the heated row. In this way the sides of the row can be heat set for appearance, or formed into a continuous film, or the whole row converted into a barrier fin in the form of a film, depending upon the degree of compression and the temperature. Preferably the row is formed by tufting and the dies disposed immediately downstream of the tufting station. Pile fiber of conjugate polyethylene and polypropylene is advantageous in forming such films which are integrally attached to the substrate by pile fiber roots extending from the base of the film into the substrate.

Abstract: A scroller jig saw has a pivoted locking lever spring biased into engagement with a rotatable scrolling control assembly to lock the latter, and therewith the saw blade, against rotation. A cam, preferably rotatably mounted on the scrolling control assembly, is manually movable between a scrolling position in which it holds the locking lever out of engagement with the scrolling control assembly and a non-scrolling position in which the lever is free to be spring biased into locking engagement with the scrolling control assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for making and breaking connections between screw threaded tubular members comprises a jaw carrier. A movable jaw support is pivotally mounted to one end of the jaw carrier while a fixed jaw support is mounted on the other end of the jaw carrier. The fixed jaw support and the jaw carrier each carry a jaw. The centers of the jaws subtend an angle of 90.degree.. The movable jaw support is provided with a jaw which can be advanced towards the other jaws to grip a pipe by the action of a cam on a cam engaging roller mounted on the movable jaw support. The fixed jaw support and the movable jaw support can be interchanged to break and make joints as required.

Abstract: Apparatus for mounting a flexible printing plate comprises a printing cylinder having a surface upon which the printing plate is mountable, and a connection for applying subatmospheric pressure inside the cylinder. A plurality of valves selectively apply the subatmospheric pressure to the surface from inside the cylinder. These valves have depressable actuating members protrudable above the cylinder surface. Those actuating members contacted by the printing plate when applied to the cylinder surface are depressed thereby to effect application of subatmospheric pressure to beneath the printing plate to draw the plate against the cylinder. Preferably, grooves are provided in the cylinder surface for distribution of the subatmospheric pressure beneath the plate. Advantageously, the printing plate may have a thin, highly flexible and deformable fringe along its trailing edge to seal the surface grooves, at that location.

Abstract: A paper diaper comprises, from the top downwards, a fluff pulp surface layer or ply, a holed or grooved partition layer, a diffusion crust layer, and a fluff pulp main layer or ply, all wrapped up in a non-woven fabric. When the diaper is worn, fluid discharged is absorbed in a somewhat localized area, passes downwards through this area, and then falls down through the partition layer onto the crust layer which diffuses the fluid throughout substantially the whole area of the diaper and also retains some. Thus, the whole of the diaper is slightly moistened but does not cause any discomfort such as a drippingly wet feeling. Flowing back of the fluid from the crust layer to the surface layer is prevented by the partition layer.

Abstract: A fixing in a wall is made by drilling a hole, inserting the pin of a nozzle mounted on a hot melt gun into the hole and injecting molten polypropylene into the space between the pin and the hole. The polypropylene is allowed to solidify and the nozzle is removed leaving a wall plug ready for the insertion of a screw.Three embodiments of a nozzle especially adapted for use in this process are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for charging a plurality of sets of rechargeable electric batteries incorporated in respective portable appliances. The system comprises, in combination: a DC constant current generator circuit (C) having first and second output terminals (13, 14); and a plurality of bases (E.sub.1, . . . , E.sub.x, . . . , E.sub.n), each base comprising: mechanical link means; means for receiving the body of a portable appliance containing a rechargeable battery set; first and second electrical output connection elements (CO.sub.x1, CO.sub.x2) for connection to the terminals of a rechargeable battery set when associated therewith for charging; and electrical link means (I.sub.x1, I.sub.x2 ; O.sub.x1, O.sub.x2) for connecting the output connection elements (CO.sub.x1, CO.sub.

Abstract: A support for an electric heating element comprises a former of generally cylindrical shape, made of a heat resisting material and having a longitudinal core from which extend spaced ribs that support an outer wall. Portions of the outer wall and of the ribs are omitted along a helical path around the core to provide a mount for an electric heating element. A heating element assembly including the support and the heating element is mounted in a hot air gun.

Abstract: A rotary hammer with a pneumatic impact mechanism carries on a drive shaft, non-rotatably and non-displaceable axially relative thereto, a coupling element as well as, rotatably and displaceable axially relative thereto, a drive element. The drive element has a peripheral drive fin constituting a cam/control curve which engages between two rollers. The rollers are mounted on the rear end of a piston of the pneumatic impact mechanism with their axes of rotation perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the piston. The drive element can at choice be brought into engagement with the coupling element. A manually operable control member may be operated to maintain the drive element out of such engagement.

Abstract: High speed container placement method and apparatus are provided for use in combination with high speed filling equipment for consumer products, such as instant coffee. A container separating device introduces groups of containers to a container placement and removal device for sequencing therethrough. The individual members of a group are transferred from a high speed annular turntable of the container placement and removal device to separate stationary work positions on a deck plate where they undergo a processing step such as filling the container by weight with an appropriate amount of product. Following this processing step, the containers are removed from their respective stationary work positions and returned to the high speed annular turntable to be ultimately discharged from the container placement and removal device. Simultaneously, the next group of containers is being fed into the apparatus to sequentially replace the fully processed group.

Abstract: A cultivating tool comprises a housing, an electric motor mounted within the housing, a pair of soil working members which project from the housing, an elongate shaft connected at one end to the housing, and a handle at the other end of the shaft. The soil working members are of generally lamellar construction and arranged to be reciprocated relative to one another transverse to the direction from which they project from the housing and in adjacent parallel planes. The tool handle incorporates a switch with a lock off mechanism. In normal use of the tool the soil working members penetrate into soil to be cultivated and disturb the soil.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for tufting weatherstripping involves forming a barrier fin on a substrate, advancing the substrate with the barrier fin extending downwardly from the underside thereof past a tufter head, and passing the downwardly extending barrier fin through a channel in the needleplate of the tufter head while the substrate passes over and is supported by the needleplate. A row of tufts is then tufted along one or both sides of the barrier fin. The barrier fin may be formed by folding the substrate, adhering a strip to the underside of the substrate, or by forming a film from a row of previously inserted tufts. Preferably, the substrate is guided transversely to ensure alignment of the barrier fin or fins between the rows of tufts.

Abstract: An electric device, for example a shredder, comprises a cutter mounted on a base and driven by an electric motor, the cutter being concealed by a removable feed chute. A plug connector of a cord set is movably secured to the feed chute, and is moved towards and away from the feed chute to plug it with and unplug it from a plug connector of the motor. The plugging together of the plug connectors prevents removal of the feed chute; it being necessary to unplug the connectors to disconnect electrical supply to the motor by moving the cord set plug connector outwardly of the base before the feed chute can be removed to expose the cutter. Preferably, the cord set has incompatible plug connectors at each end to prevent a normal extension cord being plugged to said motor plug connector when said feed chute is removed.