Abstract: The kit consists of a container holding a plurality of candles of a first predetermined size and shape such that the candles can be assembled together to form a regular geometric solid of a geometric shape different from that of the individual candles. Specific embodiments of the invention include candles shaped like triangular prisms forming a square-cross-section solid when assembled together, combinations of L-shaped and cylindrical candles forming a solid of square-cross-sectional shape, as well as candles forming solids having octagonal, hexagonal, circular, etc. cross-sectional shapes when assembled in the kit. When removed from the container, the candles in the kit can be arranged in a variety of decorative patterns, including the pattern used in the kit.

Abstract: The container has a generally pie-shaped cross section and is adapted to fit on a turntable with a number of other containers of the same shape. To facilitate molding, the container consists of at least two separate molded parts, one including the angular side walls and bottom wall of the container, and the other including the front wall of the container. One molded part includes a portion of the top wall of the container, and the other molded part includes the other portion of the top wall, which preferably is sloping and has a large opening. A second opening in the top, preferably grilled, is provided as a shaker outlet. Mounting structures are provided in each molded part for supporting an internal rotary dispenser mechanism.

Abstract: An elongated record medium, such as motion picture film, is stored and transported in a plurality of banks of successive loop-forming rollers, with smaller banks of rollers being nested within the loops formed by a bank of larger rollers, and the record medium is transferred between the banks of rollers. The invention provides a relatively high capacity storage system which is very compact. It is used, for example, in storing film for feeding through a negative motion picture film printer, and for storing negatives in release print film production, and in accumulators for use in a variety of handling uses.

Abstract: Gas flow control units in cabinets are connected to distribute process gas, on demand, to a plurality of utilization locations known as "tool" locations in a semi-conductor manufacturing plant. Each gas flow control cabinet has an exhaust duct which connects to an exhaust duct in the plant through which waste gases from the cabinet are exhausted by a fan to the atmosphere. Low flow alarm signals are generated if the exhaust flow is below a desired level. A programmable controller is provided for controlling the alarm function according to the size of the exhaust ducting from the plant so as to facilitate installation and operation of each cabinet in a variety of locations with different duct sizes.

Abstract: Strips of fabric material are attached along the edges of an array of magnetic cores on a substrate with the strips having an upstanding ridge aligned parallel to the edges of the array. The material of the fabric serves as a guide for threading wires through the cores, and also serves as an attachment support for the wires to keep them from lifting free from the support after being inserted through the cores. The guide/supports are relatively simple, strong, durable, resistant to deterioration, and provide an inexpensive guide and support for the wires of the core memory.

Abstract: A computerized video record rental system and method in which a video record unit such as a tape cassette is provided with an integral counting device for counting the number of times the record is played. Upon rental and return of the record, the counts are recorded in computer memory, together with an identification of the record unit, and the computer computes the rental fee due based on the net play count for the record unit. The preferred counting device in the video cassette uses caliper arms to detect the position of one of the tape rolls in the cassette at two points on opposite sides of the roll and drives a counter in proportion to changes in the distance between the points. This virtually immunizes the mechanism from false counts due to lateral shifting of the tape reels in the cassette housing during handling of the cassette of a cassette playing machine.

Abstract: The printer and method are particularly advantageous for use in printing transportation coupons such as airline tickets and reservation confirmations. The printer is adapted to fit into the narrow space at an airline ticket terminal and to be usable in printing single-sheet tickets or confirmations, and for recording information on magnetic stripes on the ticket forms. Preferably, the printer uses an ion deposition print engine. Forms are stored in two stacks and fed from either stack through a magnetic recording/reproducing station to the print engine which issues printed forms through an opening in the front of the unit. The form feeding mechanism has easily-removable covers containing part of the feed mechanism so that the covers can be easily lifted to remove or re-position cards when necessary due to double-feeding or other feeding problems. The printer is controlled by a computer system which produces maximum printing speed and reliability at a low manufacturing cost.

Abstract: Preferably, instant-winner lottery tickets are sold by the machine. The machine includes a bill acceptor to receive the money of the purchaser. It has from one to four windows in a front panel. Lottery tickets are displayed in the window and move past the window as they are being dispensed, thus allowing the buyer to see the messages and terms on the tickets themselves. When more than one window is provided in the machine, the buyer can select among a plurality of different instant-winner lottery games. The machine is connected electrically to a central computer for accounting and control functions. In another embodiment, representations of the tickets are displayed in a movable array on a video screen.

Abstract: A plurality of gas flow control units in cabinets are connected to distribute process gas, on demand, to a plurality of utilization locations known as "tool" locations in a semi-conductor manufacturing plant. Each gas flow control unit is connected to a single tool interface controller over a single communications cable. The status and operational characteristics of the individual units are communicated through the tool interface controller to a supervisory control computer by means of polling. Each flow control cabinet has its own data processor, and can be operated alone. Also, the supervisory computer can be used to operate each cabinet, as well as to monitor operations of the system. Gas demand and other signals are communicated from each tool location to the control units through a single cable connected to the interface controller, thus reducing the original wiring cost.

Abstract: The measuring container has a body with a bowl at one end. A sliding cover is provided with a sliding barrier member or dam which moves longitudinally in the bowl to different positions to adjust the capacity of the bowl. The sliding dam or barrier member has a cover which extends by a distance sufficient to cover the opening between the dam and the rear wall of the bowl at all positions of the barrier member so as to prevent materials from entering that opening.

Abstract: The ticket dispenser is usable to dispense a wide variety of tickets, but is particularly beneficial in dispensing lottery tickets, and other tickets stored in panels in fan-folded stacks. The leading edge of the ticket panel is thrust against a curved guide which serves as a barrier. This causes the lead ticket to bend along a perforation line and be thrust out of the outlet of the ticket dispenser at an angle to the rest of the panel. The rest of the panel is held firmly, and the ticket easily can be torn free on the perforated line along which the panel is bent. A swinging gate is provided for closing the outlet opening and swinging away to permit bending of the ticket panel, and pushing and/or guiding the ticket through the outlet opening. The dispenser is fast, simple, compact and accurate, and does not cut tickets in half, and yet does not permit strips of tickets to be pulled out of the machine by the user who has not paid for them.

Abstract: The printer and method are particularly advantageous for use in printing transportation coupons such as airline tickets and reservation confirmations. The printer is adapted to fit into the narrow space at an airline ticket terminal and to be usable in printing single-sheet tickets or confirmations, and for recording information on magnetic stripes on the ticket forms. Preferably, the printer uses an ion deposition print engine. Forms are stored in two stacks and fed from either stack through a magnetic recording/reproducing station to the print engine which issues printed forms through an opening in the front of the unit. The form feeding mechanism has easily-removable covers containing part of the feed mechanism so that the covers can be easily lifted to remove or reposition cards when necessary due to double-feeding or other feeding problems. A number of other notable features are provided.

Abstract: The low battery level indicator is provided for a smoke detector. When the battery in the smoke detector becomes so weak that its voltage drops below a pre-determined value, an elongated, flexible signal member such as a tape or cord is released from the smoke detector so that it hangs down into the room below to persistently remind the occupant to replace the battery with a fresh one. The elongated signal member can be used together with a conventioanl device which emits audible periodic beeps or has a periodically flashing light to indicate the low battery condition. However, the long flexible signal member continues to hang down and remind the occupant that the battery must be replaced, even after the battery has gone completely dead and the horn and lamp no longer function. This invention constitutes a potential life-saving device.

Abstract: A computerized video record rental system and method in which a video record unit such as a tape cassette is provided with an integral counting device for counting the number of times the record is played. Upon rental and return of the record, the counts are recorded in computer memory, together with an identification of the record unit, and the computer computes the rental fee due based on the net play count for the record unit. A central computer is provided at a location remote from the rental sites. The computers at the rental sites are connected to the central computer periodically by way of modems and telephone lines. The central computer is similarly linked to computer terminals located at the record owners' places of business. Rental information is gathered from the rental sites in the central computer, which reports rental figures to the owners.

Abstract: A multi-stage rotary inertial device and method in which rotary inertial thermodynamic impedance is used in the separation of materials according to their diferences in mass. Thus, an input flow composed of substances having two different masses is separated into two output flows having preferred concentrations, respectively, according to their different masses. Rotary inertial thermodynamic pumping is used for operation of intermediate separator stages. This can be controlled from outside the rotating device by selectively supplying heat to the rotating device.

Abstract: A computerized video record rental system and method in which a video record unit such as a tape cassette is provided with an integral counting device for counting the number of times the record is played. Upon rental and return of the record, the counts are recorded in computer memory, together with an identification of the record unit, and the computer computes the rental fee due based on the net play count for the record unit. The preferred counting device in the video cassette uses caliper arms to detect the position of one of the tape rolls in the cassette at two points on opposite sides of the roll and drives a counter in proportion to changes in the distance between the points. This virtually immunizes the mechanism from false counts due to lateral shifting of the tape reels in the cassette housing during handling of the cassette of a cassette playing machine.

Abstract: The printer and method are particularly advantageous for use in printing transportation coupons such as airline tickets and reservation confirmations. The printer is adapted to fit into the narrow space at an airline ticket terminal and to be usable in printing single-sheet tickets or confirmations, and for recording information on magnetic stripes on the ticket forms. Preferably, the printer uses an ion deposition print engine. Forms are stored in two stacks and fed from either stack through a magnetic recording/reproducing station to the print engine which issues printed forms through an opening in the front of the unit. The form feeding mechanism has easily-removable covers containing part of the feed mechanism so that the covers can be easily lifted to remove or reposition cards when necessary due to double-feeding or other feeding problems. A number of other notable features are provided.

Abstract: The printer and method are particularly advantageous for use in printing transportation coupons such as airline tickets and reservation confirmations. The printer is adapted to fit into the narrow space at an airline ticket terminal and to be usable in printing single-sheet tickets or confirmations, and for recording information on magnetic stripes on the ticket forms. Preferably, the printer uses an ion deposition print engine. Forms are stored in two stacks and fed from either stack through a magnetic recording/reproducing station to the print engine which issues printed forms through an opening in the front of the unit. The form feeding mechanism has easily-removable covers containing part of the feed mechanism so that the covers can be easily lifted to remove or reposition cards when necessary due to double-feeding or other feeding problems. A number of other notable features are provided.

Abstract: Accurate control of the lateral position and spacing of a photosensitive medium is provided for recording a succession of lines representing graphic images or portions thereof, without mechanical edge guides. The apparatus includes an optical edge detector, a film drive assembly having two independently-controlled feed units, and a deviation correction means to correct the position prior to actual printing of images. Preferably, a triangulation method is used to electronically correct the drive path of the medium. Error-correction is obtained by the combined action of the two independent feed units operated by an electronic control circuit receiving signals generated by the optical edge detector. The apparatus also includes means to maintain the image receiving section of the photosensitive medium in a flat plane.

Abstract: A dish is provided with a substantially hemispherical cavity in one side wall. The entrance to the cavity is substantially wider than the width of the tines of a standard table fork. The bowl can be used to facilitate the serving and eating of string-form foods such as spaghetti or other string-form pasta. A fork or other eating implement is inserted into the cavity and rotated so as to wind the strands of pasta on the implement to facilitate eating the pasta. The cavity guides the strands onto the tines of the fork and otherwise greatly facilitates the winding procedure.