Abstract: A flow control device in which a plurality of flow channels converge in a two-part housing containing a free-floating and pre-biased flow control diaphragm and an injection site. The free-floating diaphragm is at the entry position of an intermediate channel which extends to an output channel of the injection site. The control diaphragm is pre-biased by a prong which extends from a base portion of the two-part housing.

Abstract: A dental appliance in which an elongated handle has a rectangular aperture at one end for removably receiving an insert with a rectangular cross section hub that has at least one elongated detent channel which is engageable with a complementary elongated protuberance within the aperture. The channel and protuberance may be perpendicular or parallel with respect to the major axis of the hub insert. The hub is rigid and protrudes from the opposite side of the handle aperture so that the insert may be expelled from the handle by applying pressure to the protrusion. Once removed, the insert may be replaced or readied for reverse installation on the handle, particularly where the portion of the handle containing the aperture is angled.

Abstract: A radiant energy sensitive device formed by a radiant energy transmissive conductor of tin oxide with an overlying radiant energy transmissive layer of zinc oxide, that, in turn, underlies a radiant energy sensitive layer, with the result that the combination of the two radiant energy transmissive layers improves the performance of the radiant energy sensitive structure with respect to energy passing through the radiant energy transmissive layer.

Abstract: Enhancement of the operability of a long-handled tool by mounting a wheel on an axle with a plurality of sleeves, which can at least partially encompass the axle; the sleeves are displaced from one another and are connected to sleeves on the handle of the tool; the connectors can be variably positioned with respect to the axle, which can be stabilized by a supplemental weight and include opposed and rotationally mounted wheels; in operating the tool with increased efficiency, the wheel is raised to control the operation of the tool at the end of the handle opposite the position where force is applied.

Abstract: A method of adapting headgear by installing removable segment members which can be thereafter removed to achieve an alternate adaptation of the headgear or by inserting a removable liner which can be enlarged or reduced in thickness in order to precisely to accommodate the head size of a user.

Abstract: Apparatus for the transport of materials by elevating a stack of materials, moving a selected group of the materials and controllably lowering the materials to an upset position, from which the group is moved simultaneously to an output position.

Abstract: Thin film electrochromic methods and devices which are rigid or flexible and employ moldable solid-state electrolytes formed by combining an organic polymer with an inorganic substance.

Abstract: A file folder capable of being suspended from a hanging storage rack, having first and second straight shank ordinary fasteners for mounting first and second hanger members upon the file folder and whereby terminal portions of the hanger members are selectively positioned inside of the file folder or outside of the folder to enable the folder to be hung within an ordinary hanging storage rack. The fasteners also bind papers to the folder at the same time.

Abstract: A supported photovoltaic array and method in which support elements are in rows spaced from one another and are bi-directionally spanned by members which mount photovoltaic modules that are separated from one another and are secured to the spanning members by cushioned load-spreading attachments positioned in the spaces between adjacent modules.

Abstract: The invention provides for placing a material to be scribed in a gaseous atmosphere and contacting the surface of the material with a non-cutting heated tip. The heated tip is rounded to prevent cutting and is moved relative to the material. The tip is heated during the scribing operation, either continuously at a prescribed level, or discontinuously in order to maintain the average temperature at a prescribed level.

Abstract: A device for cutting logs which involves swinging a chain saw about a fixed pivot to bring the chain of the saw into cutting engagement with a log while the log is supported in elevated position the apparatus includes a table having a log supporting top, and a pivoted mounting plate for the chain saw.

Abstract: Particulate semiconductor devices and method of preparation by a low temperature process. A particulate layer is screen printed on a metallized substrate and a rear contact is formed by alloying the semiconductor particules to the substrate. The layer is fired and a front Schottky contact applied. The resulting device has sharp diode IV-characteristics, low leakage current, and significant reverse break-down voltages. In the manufacture of efficient and red-enhanced particulate silicon pn-junction solar cells, prediffused particles are used, offering major advantages compared to other techniques, such as where the junction is formed after completion of a particulate layer.

Abstract: A method of metallizing a substrate by applying a metallic film to the substrate and measuring the film at a plurality of different lateral positions of the substrate by inducing an eddy current in the film and detecting the magnitude of the film to provide an indication of film thickness.

Abstract: An elongated arch forming member or bar supported upon a horizontal stacking station base by a movable support for permitting the stack to be lowered as the weight of the of sheets over the arch forming member increases. The arch forming member supports the sheets only at centralized portions thereof for permitting edge portions of the sheets to be pulled downwardly by gravity to form an arch, in the stack of sheets, transverse to the direction of feed of the sheets from a printer or source machine into a receptor station. The arch forming member is oriented parallel to opposite edges of the sheets and causes an angle of at least 15.degree. to be produced between the edge portions of the sheets and the horizontal plane of the base.

Abstract: A method and article providing different images from differing viewing angles. The image side of a lenticular sheet is printed with radiation curable inks and cured using a collimated radiation source located at a viewer position with respect to the lenticular surface. Uncured ink is removed from the printed surface, and the resulting clear region of the imaging surface may be processed further in a variety of ways. The clear region may be left unprinted, or printed with a second image different from the first, or a stereoscopic image that combines with its pre-printed mate to form a three dimensional image. The clear region also may be vacuum metallized or chemically plated to form a highly reflective surface.

Abstract: Pressure sensitive adhesive having favorable adhesive, shear, liquid permeability, and release characteristics. The adhesive is a crosslinked polymerization product of a methyl/phenyl siloxane gum, dimethyl siloxane gum and a polysiloxane resin. The resulting product provides suitable adhesion to a large number of surfaces and has particular utility as an adhesive between plastic film and human skin, especially for use with transdermal therapeutic devices. The adhesive characteristic mitigates damage to underlying surfaces such as human skin tissue during adhesive removal.

Abstract: A photovoltaic laminate of different semiconductor layers for providing a wide range of photovoltaic characteristics. One of the layers is an amorphous semiconductor and at least one other of the layers is of crystalline particles. Additional semiconductor layers, both amorphous and non-amorphous, may be included. The amorphous layers have a thickness of about a few microns and the crystalline layers have a thickness above about 60 microns. The various semiconductor layers can include P, N and intrinsic regions. In accordance with a method aspect of the invention, the particulate layers are produced by blowing a molten semiconductor through a nozzle or by the spin coating of emulsions. The particles are desirably accompanied by a binder in the form of a silicate, an acrylic or a cycloaliphatic epoxy.

Abstract: Apparatus for collecting tickets cut from ticket stock, and for stacking these tickets in a horizontal array. Tickets are collected and oriented to stacking position by a vacuum transport belt assembly, and uniformly aligned by a horizontal stacker. The transport assembly is mounted on a housing which includes a vacuum drum to maintain ticket engagement with the transport belts, as the belts traverse a path having a horizontal to vertical orientation about the top and front of the housing. The stacker is mounted perpendicular to the front base of the housing and incorporates a stacking surface of rollers extending the length of, and parallel to the base of a side plate. The rollers are driven in a direction which, advantageously, positions tickets which may be of varying length against the side plate. Stacker infeed disks are mounted on the transport terminus roller in a unitary arrangement which both releases tickets from the transport and feeds tickets to the stacker, to improve processing efficiency.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the metallization of support members, such as paper sheeting and other cellulosic products. A metallic film is transferred to the paper support from a cellulosic carrier and adhered to the paper by a thermoplastic material. The cellulosic carrier, with a releasably adhered film of metal, is brought into contact with a paper support and an intervening thermoplastic adhesive. Pressure and/or heat is applied to the composite which is subsequently cooled and the carrier stripped away to leave the desired metallic layer on the receiving surface of the paper support.This transfer procedure overcomes the objections associated with plastic carriers and is particularly suitable for metallizing support members, like paper, which are otherwise difficult to metallize.