Abstract: An improved pump for fluid is characterized by one or more turbine pumping stages each having outlet ports configured to provide a constant fluid pressure from the pump for various flow rates of the fluid. The stages are connectable in series so that each increases the pressure of the pumped fluid by a predetermined amount, and each includes a housing having a pumping chamber with an inlet thereto and outlet ports therefrom, and an impeller rotatable in the chamber to move ends of blades thereof past the ports. The ports are uniquely configured to have fluid flow areas which increase with increasing distance from the chamber, whereby the pressure of the pumped fluid remains substantially constant for all flow rates of the fluid up to a design flow rate, and a fluid bypass port of adjustable flow area is provided in at least one of the pumping stages for controlling the pressure of the fluid at an outlet from the pump.

Abstract: An apparatus for edging the periphery of an ophthalmic lens to a predetermined outline or edge configuration, is characterized by a work holder for supporting and rotating a lens while moving an edge of the lens against a grinding surface of a grinding wheel. During grinding the lens is engaged with only a portion of the surface, and to prevent a groove from being formed in the surface a sensor automatically detects the highest point on the surface and controls movement of the work holder to move the lens thereagainst. In consequence, the wheel wears evenly, it retains a substantially cylindrical shape, all portions of its grinding surface are effectively used in grinding lenses, and formation of a groove in its surface is prevented, whereby the wheel does not require retruing or reshaping and its useful life is significantly increased.

Abstract: A control system for an ice dispenser maintains an icemaker thereof continuously operative whenever an ice storage hopper is less than completely full. This is accomplished by continuing to operate the icemaker while momentarily agitating and leveling the mass of ice in the hopper whenever ice builds up around a thermostat therein, and thereafter sensing whether the ice has dropped away from the thermostat. If it has, the icemaker is maintained in operation and the cycle is repeated. If, however, it has not, then the icemaker is turned off until sufficient ice is dispensed from the hopper to again drop the ice level to below the thermostat. In this manner, the number of on-off cycles of the compressor and other components of the icemaker are minimized in maintaining the hopper completely full, which greatly increases their operating life and reliability.

Abstract: An improved fire detector has both ionization chamber and photoelectric type products of combustion sensing devices, both of which must detect combustion for an alarm to be generated. The sensing devices are each adjusted to a quiescent sensitivity, but upon combustion being detected by one of the devices the sensitivity of the other device is automatically increased. In this manner, the detector operates very reliably to generate an alarm in the very early stages of a fire irrespective of whether the combustion process generates primarily visible or generally invisible type products of combustion, yet spurious generation of false alarm is minimized.

Abstract: A dynamo-electric machine comprises an armature and a permanent magnet field structure including at least two permanent magnets and at least two field shoes. Each field shoe has an arcuate surface which forms one side of an air gap between the shoe and the armature, and is configured to direct magnetic flux from the permanent magnets to the arcuate surface in such a manner that the magnetic lines of force emanating from the arcuate surface and extending through the armature are of substantially uniform distribution and intensity, thereby providing a uniform magnetic field through the armature. This is accomplished by making the shoe of variable thickness to have a cross-sectional area varying substantially in proportion to the density of magnetic flux carried by the shoe at points therealong, so that the density of magnetic flux is substantially constant throughout the shoe and the shoe provides a substantially uniform distribution of magnetic flux across the arcuate surface and through the armature.

Abstract: Multiple ply packaging materials formed of an inner ply of substrate material superimposed between outer plies of thermoplastic films exhibit excellent gas barrier properties. The inner ply may comprise any suitable material such as nylon, but for significantly improved gas barrier properties preferably comprises either a plastic film having a metal coating on one or both surfaces thereof, or a metal foil. The inner ply is encapsulated between the outer thermoplastic plies to isolate the inner ply from the contents of the package, especially when the material is exposed to or is employed to package liquids, the outer plies of thermoplastic film being sealed about their edges outwardly from the edges of the inner ply.

Abstract: An apparatus for welding a metal grating structure is characterized by a fixture for holding a metal grating in aligned relationship with a nosing and side plates therefor, and a plurality of welding guns for automatically welding the grating, side plates and nosing together into a unitary structure. The fixture includes mounting members for receiving and holding each of the metal grating, nosing and side plates, and for then bringing the same together into aligned relationship. The welding guns are normally positioned remote from the fixture to facilitate placement of the components thereon, and are automatically movable theretoward to effect a predetermined number of welds at selected positions between the components.

Abstract: A method for making an application or dip roll for applying a coating, such as an aqueous clay and starch solution, from a trough, onto a moving web on a papermaking or coating machine. The roll comprises a roll cylinder having a hard, outer surface which is not subject to attack by the coating to be used. A plurality of minute indentations are formed in the outer surface of the roll to enhance the transfer of coating from the trough to the roll. Preferably, the roll is first provided with a smooth surface finish. Then the plurality of indentations are formed by shot blasting the outer surface of the roll with hard shot. If a shot of a material subject to attack by the coating is used, the roll may be subsequently blasted with another material, not subject to such attack, so as to remove any fragments of the first shot that might have become embedded in the roll.

Abstract: An ice handling apparatus effectively handles crushed, cracked, flaked or cubed ice without agglomeration or congealing of the ice. The apparatus has a hopper for holding a mass of small particles of ice and an agitator in the hopper, and in one embodiment the hopper has level or inclined shelves extending from its side walls for supporting the ice and decreasing the compressive pressures to which the mass of ice is subjected, and for cooperating with the agitator to keep the ice particles in discrete, free flowing form. The hopper has an opening spaced above a lowermost end thereof through which ice may be dispensed, and in accordance with another embodiment of the invention a ramp extends from the bottom of the hopper to the opening to smoothly carry ice to the opening and facilitate dispensing of ice from the hopper. In combination with the shelves, the ramp provides for significantly improved dispensing of discrete, free flowing particles of ice.

Abstract: An air-fuel inlet device for an internal combustion engine is characterized by a spacer having passages therethrough with recesses formed in the side walls of the passages. The spacer is positionable between a carburetor and an intake manifold of an engine with the passages establishing communication between the outlets from the carburetor and associated inlets to the manifold, and results in significantly increased engine efficiency, decreased fuel consumption and decreased exhaust emissions.

Abstract: A three dimensional corner fixture for a flexible joint or the like is prepared from a continuous belt or strip of flexible flat material. The strip is partially slitted from an edge, and an insert is secured between the opposed edges of the slit to allow the material to substantially conform to the shape of a flanged corner, preferably with a leg or tab extending from the insert and secured at least through the radius at the corner.

Abstract: An electrostatic spray coating apparatus including means for mechanically atomizing coating materials and means for electrostatically charging the atomized material for deposit onto articles, is characterized by an improved material-charging means and an improved means for sealing material passages from the remainder of the apparatus in a manner which contributes to efficient and effective charging of the material, yet minimizes the capacitance of the material charging means, whereby the energy capable of being stored by the charging means is significantly reduced. The spray coating apparatus also includes means ensuring safety of the apparatus, and enhanced overall construction of the apparatus for greater service life, more reliable and safe operation, and economy.

Abstract: A battery plate separator is characterized by polypropylene filter media material which is readily formed into pouches for receiving and encapsulating battery plates. The separator enables a free flow of electrolyte ions between adjacent plates while simultaneously preventing electrode dendrite penetration therebetween, is highly resistant to deterioration in the presence of electrolytes normally encountered in batteries, significantly extends the life of batteries constructed therewith, and provides a very thin yet highly efficient wrapping around the plates so that a greater number of plates may be packaged into a battery of given size for increased battery capacity.

Abstract: An adjustable pressure control device relies on the change of shape or position of a control hose portion responsive to internal pressure of fluid being transmitted therethrough to control the fluid pressure produced by a pump. One embodiment of the device utilizes a short piece of high pressure hose in the fluid line which is adjustably deformed. As pressure builds up in the hose, the hose tends to return to its original shape, thereby actuating a suitable control instrumentality for the pump, such as an electric switch which opens the circuit to an electric clutch or to an electric drive motor for the pump, thereby temporarily stopping the pumping action. Another embodiment, to accomplish the same function, relies on the change of the arcuate position of a control hose due to variations in fluid pressure therein.

Abstract: A display device is formed from flexible sheet material and allows one or a plurality of signs to be supported from a common core support. The core support comprises a single sheet having a number of slits at one end that define arms. The support is folded such that the arms extend at angles from each other. The arms are secured around the signs to provide a multi-face display or sign.

Abstract: A wear plate is installed on the downwardly facing surface of the pedestal opening of the side frame of a railway truck. The wear plate includes a base and a pair of lips extending upward from opposite sides of the base. The lips resiliently engage or clamp onto opposite sides of the pedestal with the base protecting the downwardly facing surface. The base is slightly bowed and is formed a convex shape relative to the downwardly facing surface before installation, such that upon installation, the base of the plate is free of undesirable distortions.

Abstract: The engine of the present invention provides a pair of piston members which rotate intermittently relative to one another within a cylindrical chamber. The piston members' intermittent rotation provides intake, compression, firing and expansion, and exhaust processes for the spaces or chambers formed in the cylindrical chamber between the piston members. The engine includes an output shaft and a mechanism for controlling the motions of the piston members relative one another and to translate or convert the non-uniform or intermittent motion of the piston members to a uniform rotation of the output shaft.

Abstract: The head portion of the frame of a racquet is provided with a conforming cover of a cushioning material or resilient pad extending around and embracing the periphery of the head, in order to minimize the possibility of injury during play.

Abstract: The apparatus herein described is operative to dispense lines and rows of cups into a plurality of spaced receptacles of a tray, whereupon the tray is moved under successive portions of the apparatus or stations in order to add ice, fill and cup each of the cups in an efficient and regular sequence. The cup dispenser includes opposed recessed stripper bars to selectively strip off the lowermost cup in a stack upon operation of an associated slide mechanism. The ice dispenser includes variable volume chambers to permit a predetermined amount of ice to fall into each of the cups. The capper includes inclined chutes presenting a row of caps which catch on the rims of the cups and are pressed down as the tray is pulled through the capping device. The entire apparatus is designed to be easily disassembled for cleaning.

Abstract: A ready-to-eat breakfast cereal product contains coarse particulate vegetable components, sugar components, and shortening, with or without other ingredients, and is substantially free of flour. The ingredients are mixed into a heterogeneous moldable mass, and the mass is die molded to form a plurality of bite sized pieces which are dried to form a crisp structure characterized by a matrix of particulate components coated and adhered together by the sugar and shortening components.