Abstract: A tape handling apparatus for storing an endless loop of tape in a bin and moving the tape from the bin exit past a reproduce head assembly to the bin entrance for use in duplication of the tape. A tape handling apparatus with a tape injection assembly at the bin entrance for injecting tape into the bin and a tape removal assembly at the bin exit for removing tape from the bin, with the tape being driven through the tape injection assembly to reduce the tape forward speed as it enters the bin, and with the tape being pulled from the bin by the reproduce head assembly through the tape removal assembly for establishing tension in the tape.

Abstract: A freezing system combining a cryogenic freezer and a mechanical refrigeration freezer, with the cryogenic vapor from the cryogenic freezer being used to lower the temperature of the air in the refrigeration freezer. The cryogenic vapor from the cryogenic freezer is passed through a heat exchanger in the refrigeration freezer with the heat exchanger positioned downstream of the evaporator coil of the refrigeration freezer and upstream of the product conveyor belt.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying heated air to an air stream including a first air flow duct having an inlet and an outlet, a blower for forcing air through the duct to the first duct outlet, and a second air flow duct having an inlet, an outlet, and a burner chamber between the inlet and outlet, with the second duct outlet connected to the first duct downstream of the blower for drawing atmospheric air through the second duct by air flow through the first duct. A gas burner in the burner chamber, an apertured refractory wall positioned across the second duct downstream of the burner, and a refractory liner for the inner surface of the burner chamber between the burner means and the apertured wall.

Abstract: A self closing hinge having a single unitary spring element which functions to maintain the hinge in the open position and to move the hinge to the fully closed position after the hinge is partially closed. A unitary hinge spring having a base section and a ramp section joined by a resilient section which is typically a C shape in cross section.

Abstract: A butterfly valve having a two piece body, an annular seat carried in the body and a disk mounted in the body for rotation within the seat. An indicator plate mounted at one end of the body and a valve actuator attached to the disk shaft and overlying the plate with a detent arrangement for indicating valve position. Outlet nozzles carried on the disk with a flow path from the exterior of the valve to the nozzles for introducing fluid flow into the pipeline, with check valves in the valve body and in the nozzles. A special disk configuration for reducing damage to the disk edge.

Abstract: A baking appliance having an oven case, a bread case in the over case, an impeller installed at the bottom of the bread case and driven by a motor, a lid unit for the over case, a heater for the over case, and a control unit for the heater and motor, with the lid unit comprising an outer lid and an inner lid joined together in spaced relation providing a lid space therebetween with vent holes for flow into and out of the lid space.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuously storing a strip of material in a coil, such as a multi-hour motion picture theatre film. The apparatus includes a flat platter with drive means for rotating the platter, a cam mounted for rotation with the platter and having a cam track with alternating sections of greater distance and lesser distance from the center of the platter, and means for applying the incoming strip to the periphery of the coil on the platter. The applying means includes a cam follower for engaging the cam track to position the strip in a coil on the platter having inwardly directed rounded cusps with arcuate outer peripheries therebetween. In order to produce or eliminate tension in the strip, a fixed roller is positioned at the arcuate outer periphery for urging the coil inward as the roller contacts the arcuate periphery.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuously storing a strip of material in a coil, such as a multi-hour motion picture theatre film. The apparatus includes a flat platter with drive means for rotating the platter, a cam mounted for rotation with the platter and having a cam track with alternating sections of greater distance and lesser distance from the center of the platter, and means for applying the incoming strip to the periphery of the coil on the platter. The applying means includes a cam follower for engaging the cam track to position the strip in a coil on the platter having inwardly directed rounded cusps with arcuate outer peripheries therebetween. In order to reduce or eliminate tension in the strip, a roller is positioned at the outer periphery for urging the coil inward as the roller contacts the coil.

Abstract: A valve for dispensing a liquid such as soap or hand lotion, from a fluid dispenser. A valve body for mounting in the fluid dispenser and having a valve chamber with a rolling diaphragm carried in the body dividing the chamber into a piston section and a fluid flow section. A piston is slidingly positioned in the piston section and a flow restrictor is slidingly positioned in the fluid flow section, with a spring in the fluid flow section urging the restrictor into engagement with the diaphragm for moving the piston to the out position. A fluid inlet and a fluid outlet are provided in the fluid flow section so that an inward movement of the piston dispenses fluid and an outward or return motion of the piston draws a new charge of fluid into the valve.

Abstract: A pipelaying system is adapted for deployment on a vessel for use in a body of water. The system has at least one reel for storage and layout of a rigid walled pipeline, a pipeline support comprising a pipe takeoff drum for mounting on the vessel for rotation about a horizontal drum axis, a pipe takeoff structure pivotally mounted on the axis of rotation of the drum, and a drive unit operably connected to the reel. Such an arrangement is adapted to permit control of the rate of layout of the pipeline.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for a holographic identification system used to determine the presence and identification of objects with tags and labels placed on persons, articles, goods, merchandise, documents, credit cards, identification cards and the like. The apparatus comprises holographic means for encoding and decoding tags and labels with ordinary incoherent light. The method comprises the steps of holographically encoding tags and labels, attaching labels to objects, and holographically decoding tags and labels wherein the encoding and decoding is done with incoherent light.

Abstract: A hand powered carpet stretcher is provided with the improvement of an anti-sway device to prevent lateral or transverse movement of the stretcher tubes during stretching while permitting sideways relocation and longitudinal adjustments of the stretcher between stretching operations. The anti-sway device comprises connecting means for rotatably connecting the stretcher tubes to the head and tail block of the stretcher and at least one carpet gripper tube which is adapted to be mounted on the stretcher tubes for rotation therewith and is provided with spiked wheels for engaging a carpet surface, the axis of rotation of each spiked wheel being orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the stretcher tubes.

Abstract: A marine operations structure for use in arctic seas having steel/concrete composite ice walls positioned to permit multi-year ice ridges to be broken up with lower vertical forces imposed on the structure than heretofore possible. The structure provides for simultaneous contacting and fracturing of both surface ice floe and multi-year ice ridges by proportioning of the ratio of the annular dimension of a first sloped surface to the radius of the structure within the range of about from 0.15 to 0.30. The structure is fabricated by modular construction techniques which lowers total construction costs. The structure is in the form of a sixteen-sided polygonal sloped walled marine structure with internal ballast tanks for providing gravity founding of the structure on the sea floor. Modular drilling equipment is provided for and supported by the structure for use through two rectangular shaped moon pools extending vertical throughout the central core of the structure.

Abstract: A solvent recovery system in a low temperature dryer constructed so that hot air is blown into a tumbler housing from a heater, and through a tumbler drum to a cooler in a condenser compressor, a gas evaporator, a gas condenser coil, an expansion valve, and valves and piping provide the circulation of cooled and pressurized refrigerant between the heater and the cooler.

Abstract: A reel pipelaying vessel having multiple reels for laying operational lines in a wide range of water depths. An operational lines laying device is mounted on the vessel in order to provide supporting means for the simultaneous layout of a plurality of operational lines at a common velocity and in a predetermined relationship to one another. Motive means are interconnected to the multiple reels in order to control the rate of layout. Separate or combined straightening and tensioning devices can be employed for handling the rigid walled pipeline contained within the operational lines. The straightening and tensioning devices can be mounted for pivotal movement with respect to the vessel deck or can be operated in fixed planes with respect to the deck. Six or more operational lines can be simultaneously laid out with the vessel described.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for handling pressurized spray paint containers having a spray control nozzle at the top with an internal transport tube attached to the nozzle and extending to the bottom of the container, with the containers being maintained in a controlled position in a rack with the container axis generally horizontal whereby the paint solids in the container are away from the inner end of the tube.

Abstract: A static monitoring system for use with an electronic manufacturing work area, typically a conventional work bench having an electrical conducting strap for connecting the operator's wrist to earth ground, and including a circuit for indicating when there is an earth ground connection and circuitry for indicating when an electrostatically charged object, such as another human, approaches the work station. An antenna is positioned at the work station spaced from the working surface and from the operator, with the antenna connected as an input to an amplifier circuit which measures the change in electrostatic field strength and hence the approach of a charged object, with an indicator providing a visual or audible alarm or both. An oscillator provides an ac signal to each input of a differential amplifier, with one input connected to circuit ground through a capacitor and the other input connected to a wrist strap or the like on the operator.

Abstract: An inflatable catamaran which may be constructed principally of plastic sheet stock and plastic tubing and be easily assembled for use and disassembled for storage and shipping. A catamaran with inflatable pontoons having fore and aft pockets on each side thereof and spreader members with depending ends spaced laterally for inserting into the pontoon pockets joining the pontoons and spreader members in a rectangular catamaran configuration. A deck may be formed between the spreader members, and mast and keel are attached to one spreader member and a rudder to the other spreader member.

Abstract: A semiconductor device wafer base wherein devices may be fabricated in silicon carbide, the base having a compatible substrate and a beta silicon carbide overlay layer epitaxially related to the substrate, the beta silicon carbide layer being unpolytyped, single crystal, uncracked, without twins, and having integrated circuit quality surface morphology. Preferably, the substrate is a single crystal of titanium carbide, which is the same cubic lattice-type as beta silicon carbide with a lattice parameter different from that of beta silicon carbide by less than about 1%. Additionally, the thermal expansion coefficients of beta silicon carbide and titanium carbide are nearly the same, minimizing the creation of thermal stresses during cooling and heating. The beta silicon carbide is useful in fabricating semiconductor devices for use at much higher temperatures than is silicon, and for use at high power levels, at high frequencies, and in radiation hardened applications.