Abstract: An articulated power lifting machine has a tool at the end of its working arm. The position of the sections of the working arm is sensed and made to operate a tool levelling system. That same sensor is made to move counterweights in a system which achieves simplicity by treating the need for counterweighting as equal, except for reference point of movement, as equivalent to the need for levelling. The arrangement lends itself to use with a transporter which is constructed building block style.

Abstract: An interactive video disc system employs discs in which video presentations are arranged in parallel in a single spiralled track by being arranged in adjacent turns, or portions of turns, of the spiral. Additional capacity for interaction is achieved by the use of multiple heads and switching from one presentation to another during the formation of picture lines. Different scenes of video information are arranged in an interleaved format on the disc. This format permits special effects involving superimposition of the different scene data to obtain a combined smooth flowing scene without any disturbance in display of the combined scene.

Abstract: A heat conductive material in solid form which is readily excoriated whereby it can be applied by rubbing on the surface to which it is to be applied is formed, in the preferred form, by mixing finely divided heat conducting solids in a waxy material. That material is formed of waxes, or certain fats, and is solid in the range of normal room temperatures. In preferred form, it becomes molten at temperatures in that range just above normal room temperature at which heat generating electronic semi-conductor devices often operate.The mixture is applied at normal room temperature in sheet insulator form by rubbing, or at elevated temperature by painting. It is applied to the surfaces to be mated and across which heat is to be conducted whereupon the surfaces are mated with the coating between them.

Abstract: A display package for small, high value objects such as gem stones utilizes a double sided adhesive insert between a pair of cover members each of which is bonded to a respectively associated one of the adhesive sides of the insert. The article to be displayed is sandwiched between window elements, and in some forms cushion and background elements which are themselves bonded to respectively associated adhesive sides of the insert.

Abstract: Conventional porous labyrinth type filtering is combined with ambient air and conduction of smoke past the filter element in a cigarette holder wherein a selected portion of the tar and nicotine products are to be removed from the cigarette smoke. In its preferred form, a generally cylindrical porous filter element formed with an axial recess opening at one end of the filter is provided with an outwardly extending flange which serves to prevent passage of smoke past the filter when the filter element is fitted into the cylindrical interior of a cigarette holder. The addition of flutes on the exterior surface of the filter element, and of bypass passages formed in the flange, and air inlet openings of the holder itself, provide a unit which can serve as an element of a smoker's withdrawal kit or as a disposable holder for a smoker whose objective is to minimize tar and nicotine intake rather than to withdraw from the smoking habit.

Abstract: A dispenser of chewing gum and other stick-shaped products includes a rectangular container having an upper cover whose central region is cut away to afford access to the stick product which rests atop a false bottom. The latter is urged upward by bias springs so that the sticks may be dispensed by engaging the upper surface of the top stick through the opening with the user's thumb and pushing it through a dispensing opening with a rubbing motion of the thumb. The cover is retractable to permit reloading of the dispensing.

Abstract: A reference electrode (102), standard calibration solutions (72 and 76) and a sample solution (80) are all placed in liquid contact with one another and a reference solution (70). Contact between the reference solution (70), the sample (80) and the calibration solutions (72 and 76) is made through salt bridges (82, 74 and 78). A special conical shaped solution container (FIG. 5) having a porous plug or other salt bridge extending through the container wall at the apex provides special advantage.

Abstract: A filter for cigarette smoke is formed by a generally tubular member (10) having a primary barrier wall (24) extending across the midregion of its interior. Smoke is accelerated from the upstream chamber to the downstream chamber (50) in the filter through a small accelerating opening (26) in the midregion of that barrier. A downstream target, or barrier (28), whose surface area is no greater than the cross-sectional area of the accelerating opening is placed downstream from the opening at a distance which is preferably no greater than the diameter of the accelerating opening. Collection vanes (52-56) at the upstream end of the downstream chamber (50) are formed downstream from the barrier (24) combine with the action of the target (28) to separate liquids and semi-solids from the smoke, and to collect them, at the upstream end of the downstream chamber (50).

Abstract: A light directing system includes a reflector whose shape in the direction from pole to open end varies from parabolic to elliptical with successively nearer remote foci. The output of the reflector is focused to a common focal point in a lens whose magnification varies from negative to positive in the radial direction from central to outer regions of the lens. The marginal part of the output beam is added to the central part of the beam in a mirror system. The resultant beam is then divided and recombined in an amorphics integrating lens system and then transferred to a film gate and projection lens set.

Abstract: An improved respiratory apparatus for conducting flow of supply and exhausted respiratory gas between a ventilator and a tracheal tube incorporates features and combinations of features, including aspiration, periodic pressure relief immediately downstream from the tracheal tube connection, coaxial flow conduits, to improve the form of pressure variations at the tracheal tube.

Abstract: A temperature probe is formed by enclosing a thermistor in a sensor sheath one of whose ends is closed and in engagement with the thermistor, and by biasing the thermistor into engagement with the inner surface of the sheath. The biasing is accomplished by coiling the transistor wires and using them as a compression spring. A closed air space is formed within the sheath by closing its other end with the end of a coaxial cable and overmolding an outer housing.

Abstract: An improved cement for making concrete and mortar comprises a blend of ground calcium carbonate or Portland cement kiln dust, or both, and ground, granulated blast furnace slag. While its physical and chemical characteristics differ from Portland cement, it is a functional substitute for Portland cement and may be used in combination with Portland cement in a wide range of proportions. The hardening and other characteristics of this slag-dust cement can be improved by the addition of SO.sub.3, ordinarily by adding ground gypsum and by the use of accelerators and high-range water reducing formaldehyde compounds.

Abstract: A tubular cigarette holder has a perforated barrier extending across its interior between the upstream cigarette receiving end of the tube and the downstream or outlet end. Ambient air is introduced in parallel with cigarette smoke through a passageway formed as one or more grooves in the inner wall of the tube at the cigarette receiving end. A rib formed on the inner wall in parallel with the groove indents the wall of the cigarettes to prevent cigarettes from entering and blocking the grooves. A tar collector depends from the barrier such that it will function to collect tar.

Abstract: A juice press includes a fixed platen and a base held separated by a frame which serves as a track. The track guides movement of a moveable platen toward and away from the fixed platen under the influence of an extension jack mounted between the base and moveable platen and return springs which connect the base and moveable platen.

Abstract: A fingernail shaping instrument in the form of an orbital sander having a head containing an eccentrically mounted weight, a drive unit containing a drive motor, a coiled tilting spring interconnecting the head and drive unit such as to permit orbital motion of the head relative to the drive unit. A separate coiled drive spring interconnects the motor and the weight.