Abstract: A pressure sensitive electrical switch consists of a housing in which two pressure chambers are formed. The pressure chambers are separated by a flexible diaphragm. The flexible diaphragm is made from electrical conductive material. Conductors extend into the housing to provide terminals which are spaced from the diaphragm when the pressure in the two chambers is substantially equal. When a pressure differential is established between the two chambers, the diaphragm may be deflected into contact with one or other of the terminals of the conductors. In use, the diaphgram is connected in an electrical circuit and each of the conductors is connected in an electrical circuit such that when contact is made between the diaphragm and one of the conductors, the electrical circuit will be complete. Because the diaphragm is at least partially permeable, this switch is intended to be used to monitor changes in pressure which occur between the two chambers over a relatively short period of time.

Abstract: In a fluidized bed thermal reactor including a main housing including, a waste inlet, an exhaust gas outlet, an incombustible solids outlets, a base member, a fluidizable medium located on the base member, a plurality of gas inlets in the base member whereby a fluidizing medium located on the base member may be fluidized, and the improvement comprising a hollow body of generally triangular cross-section extending across the main housing and dividing the housing into upper and lower zones and having a pair of arcuate deflector surfaces. A gas inlet into the body is provided whereby gas may be fed to the interior of the body. A plurality of openings are provided in the top of the body whereby gas fed to the body through the gas inlets heated in the body may rise upwardly in the upper zone to assist in combustion in that upper zone.

Abstract: A carton loading machine for use in loading items into a carton of the type which has two load storage compartments which are separated from one another by a divider wall and which has an end wall located opposite the divider wall. The carton loading machine has first and second loading stations arranged in a side-by-side relationship in which a carton is located with its divider wall separating the station. The loading machine has first and second gates mounted above the loading station for movement between a first position in which they are remote from loading station and a second position in which they extend into the first and second loading station respectively, one on either side of a divider wall of a carton to support the divider wall and guide load items into the load storage compartments.

Abstract: A packaging machine for wrapping a flexible web around an assembled load in a wrapping station consists of a wrapping mandrel which is located in the wrapping station and a web dispenser for dispensing a web into the wrapping station and a wrapper mechanism which grasps the leading end of the web and pulls it around the mandrel. The web is cut after it has been wrapped around the mandrel. The dispenser mechanism which dispenses a web of flexible material from a coil includes a coil support and a belt drive which engages the coil and serves to rotatably drive the coil to dispense the web from the coil support. The shipper package which is formed in the machine consists of an assembled load and a wrapper which is wrapped around the assembled load. A first tear tape is attached to the outer face of the web and a second tear tape is attached to the inner face of the web in an underlying relationship with respect to the first tear tape.

Abstract: A paperboard lid having first and second weakened score lines formed in the upper and lower faces thereof respectively. The score lines extend obliquely across the lid at a corner to form a frangible corner panel. The first score line is located between the corner and the second score line. A third weakened score line extends inwardly from the corner to the second score line. The path of the first and third score lines intersect one another at an intersection point, one of the first and second score lines is a discontinuous score line and the other is a continuous score line. The discontinuous score line is interrupted closely adjacent the intersection point such that the first and third score lines do not overlap at the intersection point.

Abstract: An oceanographic mapping system comprises a narrow beam acoustic transmitting transducer, a beam scanning system and controls for controlling the timing of the transmitted pulses and the movement of the bearing scanner. A receiver is also provided to receive the echoes generated by the acoustic pulses and a range calculated as provided for determining the delay between the transmitted pulses and their corresponding echoes. A mapping system is also provided which communicates with the range calculator and the beam scanner and is operable to process the range and bearing signals that generate the profile of the target area. The method of mapping includes the step of transmitting a series of acoustic signals before the first echo generated by a signal of the transmitted series is received by the receiver, thereby to increase the speed at which mapping can be accomplished.

Abstract: This invention relates to a vacuum refuse collector comprising: a body; a refuse container mounted on the body having a refuse chamber; a filter in the refuse chamber of the refuse container dividing the refuse chamber into a refuse side and a non-refuse side; a flexible refuse tube communicating with the refuse chamber on the refuse side of the filter; an atmosphere port; an air velocity increasing means; duct means forming a first air path from the non-refuse side of the refuse chamber to the inlet of the air velocity increasing means, through the air velocity increasing means and then to atmosphere and a second air path from the atmosphere port to the inlet of the air velocity increasing means through the air velocity increasing means and to the non-refuse side of the refuse chamber; and control means for controlling the differential of air velocity in the first path and the second path to control the air velocity in the pick up tube.

Abstract: The handle reinforcing portion of a combined divider and handle reinforcing insert for a paperboard carton is formed with a three-ply thickness. The blank from which the divider is formed has first and second divider panels and first and second handle panels. A first handle reinforcing sub-panel is severed from the first divider panel and extends longitudinally inwardly from a first end edge of the first divider panel and is hingedly connected to the lower edge of the first handle panel along a hinge line. A second handle reinforcing sub-panel is hingedly attached to the second edge of one of the first or second handle panels and extends longitudinally therefrom. The first and second sub-panels are located between the first and second handle panels and having a combined surface area substantially matching that of the first handle panel to provide a third ply of thickness between the first and second handle panels when they are secured to one another.

Abstract: In a motor vehicle such as a truck or the like having a battery-operated low voltage electrical system, an hydraulically powered system for operating one or more high power hydraulic rams or the like and a pneumatic system for regulating the operation of the hydraulic system, the improvement wherein the pneumatic system is powered by a low capacity compressor which is powered by a low voltage electric motor which is electrically connected to the low voltage circuit of the motor vehicle to drive the compressor to pressurize the pneumatic system as required in use.

Abstract: A high pressure hydraulic flow control valve is formed with a spool which is capable of operating as a conventional spool to control the flow of fluid from an input port to an output port or to a return port. The spool also provides overload protection which will permit fluid to pass from the input port directly to the return port when an overload pressure condition exists in the fluid supply line. In alternative structure, the overload pressure release system may be incorporated into the valve which is used to control the return of fluid from the output port to the return passage. The high pressure hydraulic flow control valve is formed from a die-cast housing and has hardened seats mounted in access passages so as to bear against a seating shoulder. Preferably, a retaining sleeve is mounted in the access passage to bear against the hardened seat to retain it against the seating shoulder.

Abstract: A method of cooling pieces of meat comprises the step of injecting a cooled gaseous medium into the pieces of meat at a plurality of injection sites. The meat curing machine is provided with a system for injecting a cooled gaseous medium through the injection needles thereof into individual pieces of meat in order to cool the meat pieces.

Abstract: A method and device for boning meat portions, making use of two opposite pressing elements adapted to be moved to and from each other, wherein each pressing element comprising a recess provided with inserts, along the borderline of the recess each pressing element is provided with means to separate the meat material from the bone or bones, said separating means are following substantially the contour of the bones in the meat portion, for instance the front leg or shoulder portion of a pig, said recess in at least one of the pressing elements is provided with means for locking up or pressing the or each bone piece in length-wise direction thereof and at least one of the pressing elements is provided with gripper members for gripping at least one ridge of a bone; as a result the bone is held firmly in place in a well positioned manner during the meat extracting operation.

Abstract: A roll-up door for a container body of a van or the like is provided with a winch which is located in a compartment formed in the header of the door. The winch is connected by flexible winding straps to the upper door panel and the lower door panel so that it is operable to drive the door between the open and closed position. The door panels are hingedly connected by hinges in which the hinge pin is located at the inner face of the door. Flexible sealing members are connected to each jamb and bear against a marginal edge portion of the outer face of the door when the door is in the closed position. A control system for controlling the direction of rotation of the reversible D.C. motor is provided which includes a master control circuit and a slave control circuit which is selectively operable.

Abstract: A dipstick wiper is provided for use in association with a dipstick of the type having an elongated blade which is proportioned to extend through an open end of an access passage of an access tube into a fluid reservoir for the purposes of determining the level of fluid in the reservoir. The dipstick wiper is in the form of a stopper for stopping the open end of the access passage of the access tube. A seat is formed in the lower end of the stopper for receiving the open end of the access tube in a close-fitting relationship to mount the stopper at the open end of the access tube in a position in which it stops the access passage. First and second through passages open through the stopper. The first through passage is proportioned to accommodate a blade of a dipstick in a close fitting sliding relationship so as to serve to wipe the blade clean when it passes therethrough.

Abstract: A locking device for a firehouse coupling having a pair of generally semi-cylindrically shaped members for embracing the coupling in the manner of a bracelet, the semi-cylindrically shaped members each having projections extending inwardly of the device for retainingly engaging projections on the firehouse.A locking pin is provided for releasable securing the semi-cylindrically shaped members around the firehouse coupling with the inwardly extending projections in retaining engagement with the coupling projection.

Abstract: Apparatus for the practicing of golf swings has a club member to be swung by a user in simulation of the swinging of a golf club, the club member having a simulated golf club handgrip and a source of radiation for providing a beam extending from one end of the club member in the longitudinal direction of the club member, the beam having a flat leading side. Sensors responsive to the radiation for sensing the swinging of said club member are disposed in a predetermined array in the vicinity of a simulated golf ball impact location for providing sensor signals in response to the passage of the beam over the array. The sensor signals are processed for providing first signals corresponding to the direction of travel of the beam, second signals corresponding to the speed of travel of the beam and third signals corresponding to the orientation of the beam.

Abstract: A straight edge cutter guide for use when cutting a web such as wallpaper after it has been hung on a support surface which is normal to or inclined with respect to the horizontal plane comprises a blade, a handle and spirit level indicators. The blade is rigid and has a straight edge extending longitudinally along one edge thereof. The bottom face is flat and has a sufficient area to provide a stable base for the cutter guide. The handle is mounted on said base and has a hand grip portion located above the top face. The hand portion is accessible for use when retaining the base in any required position with its bottom face bearing against a web in use. The level indicators are mounted on the cutter guide so as to be visible when said bottom face is operably located.

Abstract: A foot zone reflex self-administering therapy apparatus, comprising a display board adapted to display foot reflexology zones corresponding to anatomical areas of the body and stimulating members adapted to be placed on the display board at a zone corresponding to an anatomical area of the body requiring therapy. The user's foot is placed on the display board over the stimulating members in order to apply a kneading, massaging action to the corresponding zone of the user's foot.