Abstract: Supporting the forward end of a mobile frame is a rotatable drum having a number of sawtooth-shaped or beveled ribs extending circumferentially around the drum. Owing to the sawtooth configuration of the circumferential ribs, each rib opens a furrow having a sloping side and a vertical side. A plant supply tape is employed, one for each furrow to be formed, which has a series of resilient blocks secured to a nonstretchable flexible belt, the root ends of the plants to be transplanted being releasably held in the slits between adjacent blocks. A roller mechanism changes the direction of tape travel directly over the sloping side of the furrow being supplied with plants from the tape so that each slit is opened to deposit a plant on the sloping side of the furrow. A scraper blade, one for each furrow, extends downwardly from the frame to backfill the furrow immediately after several plants have been dropped therein.

Abstract: The food material to be processed is alternately transferred from two sources to an elongated treating chamber. The apparatus for carrying out the method includes rotary valve means employing two pocket areas, each pocket area including a plurality of pockets with each pair of diametrically located pockets having an interconnecting passage. The pockets of one area are angularly displaced or out-of-phase with the pockets of the other area. Owing to the out-of-phase relationship, the food material to be processed is alternately received by one pocket of one area, then by the next pocket of the other area and so on through each revolution of the valve means in which the pockets are contained, the material being discharged in the same out-of-phase relationship through the interconnecting passages and diametrically disposed pockets into the inlet of a pressurized elongated treating chamber.

Abstract: A doll or other toy animal has a permanent magnet concealed where its heart should be. A toy stethoscope includes a probe containing therein a normally open reed switch which is closed to produce a heartbeat-like sound when the probe is near the magnet.

Abstract: Individual seeds are electrostatically diverted from a continuously flowing stream of seeds. Each diverted seed is pneumatically conveyed to a seed distributor which sequentially directs each seed it receives to an appropriate delivery tube leading downwardly to a series of laterally spaced dispensers beneath which is positioned a row of fibrous planting blocks. Provision is made for releasing the conveying air just above each dispenser so that for all intents and purposes the seed is gravitationally deposited on its particular planting block. The various planting blocks are arranged in rows on a tray which in turn is carried on a movable transport table. Provision is made for advancing the table row-by-row beneath the various seed dispensers so that all of the blocks in the tray receive seeds.

Abstract: Apparatus for preparing a chip type snack is disclosed. The apparatus includes a section for preparing and sheeting dough, a section for cutting the dough sheet into a continuous ribbon of wide and narrow portions, a section for frying the ribbon in deep fat, and a section for severing the ribbon into individual chips.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for handling a column of nested, uniformly shaped snack chips. The apparatus comprises a pair of parallel, spaced elongated conveying surfaces which support an imbricated column of chips and a stationary support bar positioned therebetween. A gate engages the chips causing them to rotate backwardly transferring the support of the chips from the conveying surfaces to the bar thereby eliminating frictional drag on the articles. A second gate is provided to segregate the column into two portions.

Abstract: An apparatus for intermittently pushing a plurality of aligned carts along a predetermined path. The apparatus includes a pair of oscillating pusher bars having a plurality of aligned lugs thereon, which engage a portion of the undersurface of the carts and push them forward as the bars move in a forward direction. As the pusher bars move in the opposite direction, the lugs disengage from the cart, so as to permit the cart to remain stationary.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided which moves a column of nested, uniformly shaped chips into a reservoir thereby forming a loop array. The loop array of snack chips is then transferring from the reservoir into a package.

Abstract: A hopper into which loosened pieces of the paper collection are fed. A conveyor for transporting the loosened pieces of paper to a higher elevation. A fan for generating a stream of air to blow through the pieces of paper as they leave the conveyor at the higher elevation. A chamber into which the pieces of paper are gently floated by the stream of air generated by the fan. A vertical tube through which the pieces of paper can flutter downwardly due to the force of gravity. A divider separating the bottom of the vertical tube into a number of parts so that the pieces of paper which flutter down the tube can be separated into desired proportions.

Abstract: A chip-type snack is disclosed. A dough is prepared and sheeted. An elongated shaped ribbon of connected dough pieces is cut from the dough sheet. The ribbon is passed through a deep fat fryer and then severed into individual chips.

Abstract: An installation for continuously growing plants which includes one or more growth chambers wherein alternate periods of lightness and darkness are provided, and the environmental conditions are controlled. The plants are individually supported, and transported through the growth chambers in such a manner as to require a minimum amount of handling. A diverging track system is provided in one of the growth chambers for handling the plants in a prescribed manner and guiding them through the chamber. As the plants are moved through such chamber, increased space is automatically provided for plant growth. The installation is well suited for growing plants hydroponically.

Abstract: An anti-theft display stand for holding merchandise which is mounted on small cards. The display stand includes a number of tiered platforms which are rotatably mounted on a vertical shaft, and a number of tiered guard plates which are paired with the platforms so that a plate is superposed over each platform. The guard plates are non-rotatable relative to the shaft and platforms. The cards are mounted on the platforms so that their removal is restricted.

Abstract: A doll having a movable head, and articulated appendages movably attached to the doll's torso. An actuator and a gear transmission system are operatively connected to one of the doll's arms, for imparting incremental movement to the arm. The transmission can be placed in gear, or taken out of gear, by manually rotating the doll's head. By placing the transmission in gear and manipulating the actuator, the transmission is activated so that the doll's arm, and if desired, a light load placed in the doll's hand, can be slowly raised to an elevated position. In addition, simulated battery pack inserts are positioned in one arm, a flexible skin-like covering stretchably fits over such arm, and a wide-angle lens is positioned in the doll's head.

Abstract: A method is provided for preparing a breading material suitable for use in coating various meat and vegetable products. A mixture including flour, yeast, whey together with various other materials is fed into an elongated treating chamber under pressure. The chamber has an inlet at one end and an outlet at the other end. A flow of hot gaseous fluid from the direction of the inlet propels the mixture through the elongated chamber and out of the outlet.

Abstract: Stabilizer component for ice cream, ice milk, sherbet and like products.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating particulate heat and pressure reactive food material. The food material is fed into an elongated treating chamber which is under pressure. The chamber has an inlet at one end and an outlet at the other end. The food material is fed into a continuous flow of gaseous fluid from the direction of the inlet and propelled through the elongated chamber and out of the outlet.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for preparing a chip-type snack is disclosed. A dough is prepared and sheeted. An elongated shaped ribbon is cut from the dough sheet. The ribbon is passed through a deep fat fryer and then separated into individual chips by fracturing the ribbon.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for preparing a chip-type snack is disclosed. A dough is prepared and sheeted. An elongated shaped ribbon of connected dough pieces is cut from the dough sheet. The ribbon is passed through a deep fat fryer and then severed into individual chips.