Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for attaching a running web which is withdrawn from a first source of supply to the leader of a fresh web which is stored in a second source of supply through the use of double sticky back adhesive strips. The apparatus comprises a supply frame provided with a conveyor assembly to transport a roll of material along the supply frame and a splicing head assembly mounted to the roll frame. The splicing head assembly has a plurality of idle rollers, a vacuum member adapted to hold the leading end of the fresh web and a cutting and clamping mechanism moveably mounted to the frame of the splicing head assembly. The cutting and clamping mechanism is adapted to be pivoted by a pneumatic cylinder to clamp the trailing web end from the expiring roll to the fresh web under tension and sever the web from the expiring roll between the dispensing roll and the location where the webs are clamped.

Abstract: Numerous types of cushioning structure have been proposed as alternatives to the feather filled cushion. In order to provide a cushioning structure which is aesthetically appealing and which is comparable in comfort to a feather filled cushion the invention provides a flexible foam casing (1) within which is accommodated a stockinette bag (15) containing shredded or crumbed flexible foam pieces (17). Preferably the inner faces (11,13) of the foam casing (1) are profiled in the form of fingers.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward an apparatus for making a package from a load using a single web of stretchable film material to form the overwrap. The apparatus comprises a frame, a support assembly secured to and extending from the frame, and a film dispenser mechanism rotatably mounted to the support assembly. The film dispenser mechanism comprises an arm member, a counterbalance weight on one end of the arm member, and a film stretching mechanism mounted on the other end of the arm member adjacent to a roll of stretchable film material which is also mounted on the arm member. The film stretching mechanism is constructed with two rollers closely spaced apart and mechanically connected, with the upstream roller being driven by a drive member mounted to it or its shaft.

Abstract: The life of a joint in splice jointed conveyor belting is increased by providing a belting wherein the joint is protected by a covering of a breaker fabric having substantially different stretch characteristics in warp and weft directions. A suitable breaker fabric is a warp knitted fabric having a warp to weft elongation ratio of from 1:2 to 1:30, preferably 1:3 to 1:20, for example approximately 1:15. The conveyor belting may comprise a solid woven textile fabric core impregnated and/or coated with polyvinyl chloride and the joint may be one formed by finger splicing.

Abstract: A hanging chair with seat (1) and backrest (2) is provided for its suspension with lifting slings (23,24) a top eye and crotch straps (25,26) at the seat (1). The slings and crotch straps are formed from a single hose of the type which dilates radially for axial compression and increases its inner diameter from a nominal value in an unloaded state and contracts the diameter for an axial pulling load. A portion of the hose forming the sling (24) is taken through a hole (10) in the seat (1) under the seat and up through a hole (9) therein to form the sling (23) and lifting eye, internally along the sling (23), out from it to the backrest (2), and after passing along the back of the latter, to the sling (24), up through an opening (21) in the latter and out. Another portion of the hose forms one crotch strap (25), and is taken under the seat and out to form the other crotch strap (26 ), continues inside the sling (23) up to and out through an opening (19) therein.

Abstract: An apparatus for vessel transfer comprising a tubular outer member and an inner slidable member one of which is rigid and the other of which is flexible. After the apparatus has been inserted in the body tissue, the rigid member is withdrawn from the body leaving the flexible member in place. A vein, prosthesis or elastomeric tubing attaching structure is secured to the end of the flexible member so that the flexible member can be used to pull said vein, prosthesis or elastomeric tubing through the body tissues to an elected distant site where the tip of the flexible member has been surgically exposed.

Abstract: A pass through apparatus and process for wrapping a web of stretched material around a conveyor transported load. The pass through apparatus has a film supply assembly on opposite sides of the load, each of the assemblies comprising a film dispenser and a powered roller mechanism which takes film from the film dispenser and pre-stretches it in the powered roller mechanism prior to the application of the film around the load. Once the load passes a sensing station, it is stopped and the clamping jaws draw the tensioned film around the load and clamp together short sections of film which have not been pre-stretched by the roller mechanisms. The film is then relaxed in the sealing area and is sealed in an untensioned un-pre-stretched state. The sealed webs are then severed allowing the wrapped load to be carried away by the conveyor with the film wrap slowly recovering its original configuration increasing the holding force of the wrap on the load.

Abstract: Herein are disclosed marking plates in which opposed edges of a plate are bent toward one another to define channels opening upon a mid-part of the plate. A row of strip-parts of uniform width, each bearing a symbol, are held to the plate by having marginal edge portions slideably held in the channels. The mid-part of the plate defines a row of mounting holes parallel to the channels such that each hole has a length, and the holes are separated by this length, equal to the width of the strip-parts. Thus, for any number of strip-parts held by the channels on the plate, the row of strip-parts may be centered so that at least half of a mounting hole extends on each end of the row of strip-parts, providing a locking orifice for securing the strip-parts to the plate and the plate to tubes, hoses, cables, and other objects.

Abstract: A stapler which includes an interchangeable staple magazine and combines desk, wall and hand stapler functions. The stapler utilizes a tensioned coil spring completely enclosed within the magazine to force a load of staples toward a staple driver, the spring varying in length less than fifty percent as the load of staples is exhausted. The self-contained nature of the magazine assembly allows space in the head of the stapler above the magazine assembly to be used for storage of spare staple loads. The head, back and base of the stapler are connected by a sliding spring rail, which allows the stapler to staple publication bindings without sacrificing stability, as well as to separate the head from the rail for use of the head as a wall tacking stapler.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus and process for finishing hosiery articles such as men's, women's and children's socks. Each sock is placed inside-out on an elongated hollow tubular member, with the toe seam covering a first open end of the tubular member. The tubular member is rotated adjacent shears so that unfinished threads extending from each sock are trimmed and removed. A stretching ram is then inserted in the first open end of the tubular member to sandwich each sock between the ram and the tubular member, and a portion of the ram then extends through the tubular member to stretch the sock and thereby straighten the toe seam. The stretching ram is removed, and pressurized air forces the sock through the hollow tubular member and out a second open end of the tubular member in a rightside-out condition.

Abstract: A remote tuner control system for responding to command signals transmitted by a user on a full-duplex communication channel. The tuner control system comprises a tone decoder coupled to the communication channel for conversion of pushbutton telephone tones generated by a user to binary numeric data; a tuner for reception of local audio broadcast radio signals; a speech generator for generating audio speech command menus and command acknowledgements; an output selector assembly coupled to the tuner and to the speech generator adapted for selection of audio information returned to the user; and an input/output interface assembly coupled to the tuner and output selector assembly. The input/output interface assembly is adapted to control reception frequency of the tuner and output selection of the output selector assembly and is coupled to a processor, the speech generator and tone decoder.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for pre-stretching a plastic film material above its yield point in a roller assembly comprising at least two rollers connected for rotation at different speeds during a load wrapping operation. The downstream roller is at least partially driven by the film web connected to a turntable while the upstream roller rotates at a predetermined speed slower than that of the downstream roller to induce film elongation between the rollers. The force on the film between the roller assembly and the load is reduced by a powered constant torque device connected to the rollers to bring the force to the load down to a level permitting the film elongation between the roller assembly and the load to be equal to (balanced) or less than the elongation incurred between the rollers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a panel assembly for use as a door or as a section of a wall and provides a preformed fixed frame accurately defining an aperture for an in-fill panel. The fixed frame is located in a main framework which is constructed around the fixed frame. Subsequently selected in-fill panel or panels can be located in the fixed frame and completion frames are used to secure the in-fill panels in the fixed frame to complete the door or wall section.

Abstract: A prefabricated fireplace comprises a firebox and flue enclosed by concrete cast as a unit. The firebox has inner walls defining a fuel box in which combustion occurs and outer walls which define a circulation space around the fuel box for room air to be heated. The fuel box is sealed from the room by glass doors which open to supply fuel and, when closed, allow light and heat to pass, and oxygen reaches the fire through an outdoor duct. The prefabricated fireplace has around its base edges a plurality of weldplates which allow quick installation by welding to metal base plates cast in the foundation. The prefabricated fireplace may also include means to interface with home forced-air and water heating systems for heating of air and water.