Abstract: An apparatus and method for folding and crushing empty cylindrical cans such that after being folded and crushed the can end faces are essentially coplanar. The apparatus comprises a flat stationary anvil and a flat parallel reciprocable platen defining therebetween a folding compartment into which an empty can is inserted, an independently reciprocable creasing element or plunger slidably inserted in an aperture through the center of the reciprocable platen such as to enter and leave said folding compartment, and a drive arrangement simultaneously advancing the reciprocable platen and reciprocable creasing element into said folding compartment towards the can, the creasing element being advanced more rapidly than or ahead of the platen, and drive retracting the creasing element after the creasing element has nearly passed through the can without stopping the advance of the platen, and subsequently retracting the platen.

Abstract: An electrode for machining a workpiece by electrical discharges, the electrode having an active surface comprising at least 50% by weight of a metal or alloy selected from the group consisting of zinc, cadmium, tin, lead, antimony and bismuth. Preferably, the active surface is in the form of a coating electrolytically plated on the surface of a conventional metallic wire having good mechanical characteristics. The invention contemplates continuously plating a metallic filament electrode such as an electrode wire with the active surface coating after the electrode wire has been used for machining a workpiece by EDM.

Abstract: An automatic feeding device comprising a storage bin or hopper containing dry fodder, a feed delivery port or aperture at the bottom of the storage bin, a feed delivery mechanism forcing a quantity of feed through the aperture, and a prime mover, such as an electric motor, driving the feed delivery mechanism. The electric motor is controlled by a timer which, at a pre-set time, causes a delivery of a first quantity of feed through the delivery port, and, after a pause, causes a delivery of a second quantity of feed. The storage bin may be cylindrical in shape, the feed delivery port being at the far end of a spiral or tangential chute extending from the storage bin, the delivery mechanism comprising at least one rotatably driven elongated thin flat flexible blade. The automatic feeding device may also provide a feed agitator stirring the feed in the storage bin above the delivery mechanism.

Abstract: A structure for a chair comprising a pair of substantially identical modular units each consisting of at least a pair of parallel bowed arcuate ground support members each shaped substantially as an arc of a circle and maintained in spaced relationship parallel to each other at their end by a cross-bar member to which are attached spaced apart stretched elongated flat bands or straps of plastic material, leather or fabric disposed substantially along the chord of the circular arc formed by the support members. Two basic modular units are longitudinally intermeshed together and angularly disposed to form a chair having a back supporting area and a seat supporting area defined by the exposed chordal straps of each modular unit.

Abstract: A disposable adjustable headrest which can be used either as a headrest, a pillow or a cushion. According to one aspect of the invention, at least a pair of pillow units are placed in a common pillowcase. The pillow units are preferably elongated, made of resilient material and disposed in the common pillowcase at a manually adjustable distance from each other. When disposed an appropriate distance away from each other in the common pillowcase there is formed a convenient headrest supporting both sides of the back of the head of a person sitting in a chair and having placed the pillowcase against the front of the seat back or, when the pillow units are disposed close to each other in the pillowcase they form a voluminous headrest pillow arrangement for supporting one side of a head or, alternatively, for forming a convenient cushion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing a fluid in a conduit and more particularly for dispensing lubricant within an electrical conduit for facilitating pulling electrical cables through the conduit. The apparatus is in the form of a cartridge disposed in the conduit at an end thereof. The cartridge is made of a pair of sealed and separable members. One of the members is a flanged sleeve forming the casing of the cartridge, in which is coaxially disposed the other member forming a tubular support member or carrier for a mass of resilient and absorbent lubricant impregnated porous material compressibly packed between the inner surface of the sleeve casing and the carrier. A cable pulling strand, or fishtape, is passed through the tubular carrier, and the cables to be pulled through the conduit are attached to the end of the fishtape. A plug inserted in the open end of the tubular carrier prevents the fishtape and the cables attached thereto from being pulled back through the carrier.

Abstract: A play and exercising device comprising a hoop and a ball disposed substantially at the center of the hoop and connected to the hoop by at least four tensioned, radially disposed elastic strings or lines. In use, the ball is held in a hand and, through motion of the hand, the ball is oscillated back and forth thus causing the hoop to also oscillate back and forth relative to the ball, the amplitude of oscillation of the hoop being a function of the force applied to the ball and of the resiliency of the radial elastic strings or lines.

Abstract: An aeration filtration tank and system for treating raw feed water includes a first tank or chamber and a second tank or chamber within the first chamber. An annular overflow platform is provided atop the second chamber and around the periphery of said platform are a plurality of weirs.Raw feed water enters a precipitation chamber at the bottom of the first chamber and flows slowly into the second chamber. As the water rises in the second chamber it is treated, as necessary, with fluid reagents and with air.Because the overflow platform is substantially larger in area than the cross sectional area of the second chamber, the water flows relatively slowly through the weirs and any gases entrained in the water are liberated. The gases are removed from the first chamber by an exhaust fan and conduit atop the first chamber.A small third tank within the first tank is fluidly connected with a conduit to withdraw clarified and purified water from the first tank.

Abstract: In an EDM apparatus in which the relative displacement between an electrode tool and an electrode workpiece is effected by a servo motor, a control system for the servo motor to effectuate the relative displacement of the electrodes at a speed depending from the machining conditions at the gap between the electrodes and from the difference between a reference position signal and a signal representing the actual relative position of the electrodes, such as to limit the relative displacement of the electrodes until a predetermined final relative position has been reached.

Abstract: A paint shield for masking the edge of a carpet or of a floor. The paint shield is provided in the form of a roll of a flat strip of thin resilient plastic material which is preformed with a bent over longitudinal edge flange such as to be generally L-shape in section. The strip is rolled flat and springs back to shape when unrolled from the roll. Alternatively, the paint shield is supplied in the form of a rolled pre-scored flat strip, which, when unrolled, is manually shaped to form an edge flange along the score line.

Abstract: A plug for obturating the lift hole of poured concrete drain pipes or conduits. The plug, preferably made of a plastic molding, comprises a generally thin head in the form of a plate and a shank projecting from the lower surface of the plate. The shank has at least two substantially thin fins extending radially from a common centerline, each having a lateral edge engageable with the rim of the hole obturated by the plug. Preferably, the shank is cruciform and is provided with three or more fins.

Abstract: A fishing reel having a non-circular winding surface on which the fishing line is wound. The non-circular winding surface provides uneven pull on the line during retrieving of the bait attached to the end of the line, thus causing the bait to be pulled through the water with a realistic uneven motion or "action" which readily attracts fish.

Abstract: An EDM process and apparatus for effecting a cut in an electrode workpiece by means of an electrode tool wire, wherein consecutive current pulses are caused to flow through a machining gap between the electrode wire and the workpiece, and the electrode wire is maintained under traction in the machining zone and is displaced longitudinally and fed laterally through the machining zone. The electrical resistance of the wire is measured through the portion of the wire disposed in the machining zone, and the machining current or the force stretching the wire by exerting a traction thereon, or both, is adjusted such as to maintain the electrical resistance within a predetermined range. This adjustment insures a continuous control of the mechanical and thermal constraints exerted on the electrode wire as well as preventing rupture of the wire.

Abstract: A candle lamp comprises a reservoir base in which there is a quantity of combustible fuel. A cover over the base supports a structure on which is mounted coaxially with a passage through the structure two spaced apart concentric tubular members. The outer tubular member is formed as an ordinary wax candle or in other desireable shape. The inner tubular member supports at its upper end an adapter. Through the adapter passes a wick that extends into the reservoir base. The wick forms with the wall of the bore through the adapter at least one axial channel.A decorative chimney of translucent substance is supported on the top of the reservoir and surrounds the concentric tubular members.

Abstract: An articulated deformable panel structure, for lining the walls of excavation trenches, formed of a plurality of individual panel elements co-planarly disposed side by side in interlocked relationship and interconnected by means of ties permitting each panel element to be displaced longitudinally relative to an adjacent panel element such as to progressively deform the panel structure by progressively displacing one panel element relative to the next one to insert the whole panel structure into the ground by applying pressure alternatively on the top of the panel element at one end or the other of the panel structure, and to remove the panel structure from the ground by pulling on the panel element at one end or the other of the panel structure.

Abstract: A transparent indicia bearing plastic laminate embodying in one integral portion thereof general information and in firmly bonded relation therewith a second portion incorporating specific data directed to a particular individual and which may be a medical history and a photograph, or as an alternative, product specifications and various other forms of visual data. The novel article of this invention is produced by a minimum number of relatively simple and low-cost steps by locating in one section of a carrier member a portrayal of general information such as organization or corporation identity or the like, and in a second section of the carrier member specific data which may include the individual's medical history and photograph accompanied by a fraud-proof signature, or for other applications, product description and operating data, or if a credit card is the purpose, account number, financial background, photograph and signature. The carrier member is sequentially exposed to a 35 mm.

Abstract: A removable and disposable back and head sheet attachable by an edge to the top of a chair or seat back and draping over the front of the seat back for engagement with the back of the head of a person sitting in the chair or seat of a mass transportation vehicle. The head and back sheet of the invention is provided with an arrangement indicating clearly whether the sheet has been placed in use by or for a person having sat in the chair or seat such that another person intending to sit in the chair or seat is informed whether the back and head sheet is fresh or used, and the personnel in charge of cleaning the vehicle is enabled to change and replace only the sheets which have been used. The use or non-use of the back and head sheet is indicated by unfolding a fold, breaking a seal and unfolding a fold, or by any other indicator such as a detector of body heat, perspiration or the like.