Abstract: In this invention, a continuous elastic ribbon is fed to a diaper assembly station in a stretched condition while, at the same time, an adhesive is continuously applied to the elastic ribbon. Simultaneously, absorbent batts, as well as webs of moisture-impervious backsheet material and moisture-pervious top-sheet material are fed to the diaper assembly station. Further, and simultaneously, while the webs are traveling to the assembly station, a release medium is applied to one of the said webs in selected areas thereof in a manner so as to overlie pre-determined, isolated portions of said stretched, elastic ribbon. At the assembly station, the stretched elastic ribbon is adhered to the moisture-impervious backsheet web along portions of the elastic ribbon which intervene the selected areas of the web where the release medium is located.

Abstract: This invention resides in a closed system, with permanently fixed end plates, which permits the pump-motor of the present invention to operate either as a combined pump-motor, or as a pump only, or solely as a motor. Rotators of this invention have parallel axes normal to the end plates which they intersect at fixed coordinates. That makes possible direct drive to or from a rotator shaft extension or the enclosing cylindrical rotator.In the device of this invention, the end-plates are non-rotary, but the cylindrical shell or housing always rotates. The plurality of rotators within the cylinder define a plurality of fluid pressure zones. Some of the rotators have a relatively smooth surface; the others have relatively gear-like surfaces. When the unit operates as a pump, a shaft extension of one of the rotators protrudes through one of the end plates and is coupled with an input power source such as the crank or pedals of a bicycle.

Abstract: A solar energy concentrating collector having a concave paraboloid reflector surface supported on a plurality of segments, said segments being parabolically-shaped on the top edge and extending radially from a circle near the central axis of revolution to the periphery, and arranged to coact with a reference means which is equidistant from the central axis at all points of revolution.The reference means may be a protrusion coacting with a cutout or other indentation on the bottom edge of a semi-parabolic shaped support whereby to insure accurate placement of reflector components for high focusing accuracy after assembly.

Abstract: A solar energy collector is shown which is comprised of an underlying support, a support surface, and a combined reflector and heat absorber. The combined reflector and heat absorber is formed from a continuous sheet of material to provide contiguous parabolic reflectors, each reflector having an upstanding heat absorber centrally located therein in the form of a fluid conduit. The absorber-fluid conduit is closed along one edge by the support surface or by a spacer between support surfaces. A pair of manifolds are operatively connected at the ends of the heat absorbers to enable heat-absorbing fluid to flow in from one manifold, through the absorber-conduits, and out the other manifold. The continuous formation of the parabolic reflectors and heat absorbers from one sheet provides production economies, manufacturing efficiencies and reduced weight and cost of the solar energy collector.

Abstract: A felting needle having a wedge-like tip with an open double barb formed in the leading edge of the tip. The double barb includes a pair of opposed outwardly diverging fiber-engaging surfaces with precisely formed angles. One outwardly diverging barb angle extends to one side of the needle, and the other outwardly diverging barb angle is disposed symmetrically and diametrically opposite thereto. Unlike ordinary barbs formed in a lateral edge of a felting needle, the double-barb of the present invention allows fibers to slip off to either side of the needle and thus prevent fiber damage.

Abstract: A cutting method and apparatus using a plurality of impact-type laser or water jet cutters mounted on a framework above a moving web. The cutters are disposed in a spaced relationship to each other along a line parallel with the direction of web travel. By spacing the cutters a distance substantially equal to the desired product length, each of the cutters simultaneously cut from the web similar portions of one side of each of two consecutive products. The cutters are arranged so that as the web moves one product length, each of said cutters cuts from the web on the other side of a substantially central axis similar portions of the other side of said products. Embodiments include means to increase or decrease velocity of the cutters when mounted on a second framework which is also movable in a direction parallel to the direction of the web movement.

Abstract: An air purifier which includes an air intake with electrically charged plates for ionizing particles of smoke, dust, and impurities entrained in the air, a fan or other air-moving device to move the polluted air through the intake and over the ionizing plates and to discharge the air against a collector which is spaced from the charged plates and is electrically grounded and upon which the ionized pollutants will deposit, and an air outlet through which the purified air can be discharged, leaving the pollutants behind on the collector element.

Abstract: The fluid-power converter of the present invention is a pump-motor having matched rollers and matched gears arranged to provide seals and displacement paths. The pump-motor includes a plurality of rotators in series-contact to define a plurality of fluid-pressure zones. At least one of the rotators has a smooth surface and at least another of the rotators has a gear-like surface. A smooth rotator and a gear-like rotator are in contact with each other to define therebetween a displacement path whereby fluid is transferred from one zone to another zone, and at least one pair of similar rotators are in contact with each other to provide therebetween (and between the pressure zones) a seal to insure fluid-flow in only one direction between the zones at a given moment. A pair of the converters, one operating as a pump and the other as a motor, provide the motive power with free-wheeling and coaster-brake features for small vehicles such as bicycles, wheelchairs, and golf carts.

Abstract: A solar energy concentrating collector having at least one reflector surface and at least one substantially planar vertical absorbing means coacting therewith for the purpose of absorbing reflected solar rays, said absorber being at least partially located in a plane coincident with the nadir of the reflector surface, the absorber surfaces being continuous and at least portions of one fluid conduit, and at least one horizontal extension of said continuous absorber surface being below said coacting reflector surface.

Abstract: This invention describes an inexpensive solar energy collector protective device that controls the flow of hot collector air within a pre-selected range. The device permits automatic opening of a vent, accomplished by a bi-metallic release or by rupturing of a separator. As a result of this construction, power failures, and the resultant failure of fluid pumping apparatus will not cause damage to the solar energy collector components. This protective device comprehends selection of inexpensive materials for internal components.

Abstract: Apparatus for the method of collecting, concentrating, and transmitting solar energy including one or more reflector surfaces for directing the solar rays to a focus area, absorption means disposed at least in part in said focus area, at least one heat transfer conduit in close proximity to but outside the focus area, said absorption means and said heat transfer conduit being operatively connected.

Abstract: This invention relates a solar energy collector device having a central heat absorber of unique shape, said absorber including planar surfaces extending therefrom, said planar surfaces connected to a tube-like central member to increase the absorption capacity thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to the construction of a solar collector reflector surface which permits the use of semi-rigid or flexible materials for the reflector surface. The basic principle involves the use of curved support members and methods for forming same whereby the members support and restrain said reflector material in a predetermined plane or predetermined curved planar surface.

Abstract: This invention relates to a solar energy collector which utilizes spaced-apart shaped reflector surface supports and a reflective surface with apertures selectively located so that the device collects a portion of the solar energy to transmit same through conductors, and also allows a smaller portion of the solar energy to be passed to the side opposite the reflector surface, this device thereby being a combination solar energy collector and light-emitting panel.

Abstract: A supply device for liquid analysis apparatus including a probe and a sample container, said probe and said container being relatively movable with respect to each other whereby liquid carried within the container may be removed by said probe when the probe is disposed within the container, said probe including a takeoff conduit with a valve disposed therein, rinse fluid supplied to said conduit through said valve, said valve preventing rinse fluid from entering said conduit when the sample is moving from said container through the probe, said rinse fluid flowing through said conduit and at least a portion thereof flowing out of said probe when said valve is opened, thereby cleansing the conduit and the probe.

Abstract: A felting needle, with thousands of its counterparts, must be identically reproducable and uniform so that consistent duplication of the finished product of felted material is possible. The method of the present invention, as well as the apparatus of this invention for practicing the method, have the capability, for the first time, of exact duplication of a felting-needle barb, with rounded contours on all faces and edges which contact the fibers, and with uniform size, shape and finish, all produced by a method which is essentially a one-step process reducing the number of steps of the manufacturing procedure to a minimum. Thus the apparatus and process provide a barb-forming tool which has a recess or cavity formed therein which is the exact mirror image or mating counterpart of the shape or outline of the barb and barb-recess to be formed in the needle, and which, with such contour-controlling and material-constraining cavity, produces an exact cavity, throat and barb each time the tool strikes the needle.

Abstract: Apparatus for and method of collecting, concentrating, and transmitting solar energy including: one or more reflector surfaces for directing the solar rays to a focus area, absorption means disposed in said focus area, a heat transfer medium external to the focus area, and a heat conduit operatively interconnecting said absorption means, and said transfer medium.

Abstract: A felting needle, having a body with a crank at one end, a tip at the opposite end, and a blade between crank and tip, the formed end of the blade having a generally "H" shaped cross-sectional configuration to provide opposed longitudinal grooves adjacent the tip, and having a slot in the tip to define two points with the slot aligned with the grooves in the blade portion.