Abstract: A quality improver for producing bread, comprising at least one component (i) selected from malt, rice fermentation product, and wheat fermentation product and (ii) biotin. Preferably it further contains mevalonolactone and/or mevalonic acid or a lactic acid fermentation product of soy bean. A seed dough is obtained by kneading cereal powder, yeast, and the quality improver for producing bread and subjecting the mixture to primary fermentation. The bread has a sufficient volume, a good shape, a soft feeling upon eating, a good flavor (fragrance and taste), excellent storage stability and contains vitamins, proteins and minerals abundantly. The seed dough containing the quality improver can be circulated.

Abstract: Methods and products for thermally degrading unwanted substances is provided which involves contacting such substances with a particulate metal composition in the presence of water and an alkali metal salt, and causing sufficient heat to be generated during such contacting to degrade the substance. The particulate metal compositions include respective quantities of particulate iron and magnesium, and optionally quantities of particulate aluminum and zinc. The compositions generate temperatures on the order of 300-550° F. during such thermal degradations, along with quantities of hydrogen gas and water vapor.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for the application and even spreading of flowable roofing materials such as bituminous mastics which includes an elongated, hollow delivery bar (14) adapted to be pulled across a roofing surface and having a plurality of material delivery openings (40) along the underside thereof, as well as a material spreader (16) positioned adjacent the bar (14). The spreader (16) includes first and second elongated, generally side-by-side brooms (42, 44) in trailing relationship to the bar (14). The first broom (42) is generally concave, whereas the second broom (42) is substantially rectilinear). A tubular handle (32) is coupled with the bar (14) for delivery of heated material thereto. A temperature gauge (36) is mounted on the handle (32) in close adjacency to the bar (14), allowing the user to closely monitor material temperatures at the point of application. An alternate delivery bar (14a) has individual nipple-valves (82) affording better material flow control.

Abstract: A live animal trap (20), having a trap wall (22), a closure mechanism (24), and a trip mechanism (26) is utilized to trap animals. The closure mechanism (24) includes a slicing closure door (56) which closes in a slicing direction (65) substantially perpendicular to an entry direction (67) into an internal chamber (28) defined by the trap wall (22). The trap wall (22) and the door (56) are substantially continuous to limit a trapped animals view thereby reducing agitation when the trap (20) is approached. The trap wall (22) is sized to inhibit a skunk from lifting its tail to spray.

Abstract: A teatcup liner (1) which is intended for being mounted in a teatcup shell (2) comprises a tubular head portion (4) forming a passage for receiving a teat. The passage extends between a first and a second axial end of the tubular head portion. The tubular head portion has an annular lip (8), which in the mounted as well as the non-mounted state of the teatcup liner (1) extends radially inwardly from the tubular head portion. Furthermore, the teatcup liner comprises a tubular shaft portion (5), which extends from a second axial end (7) of the head portion, and a member (14), which is arranged to provide a radially outwardly directed pretension in the lip in the mounted as well as the non-mounted state of the teatcup liner (1), and is located outside said passage. A method of manufacturing such a teatcup liner comprises the steps of moulding the teatcup liner, expanding the head portion, and providing the pretensioning member.

Abstract: Iron-complexing or scavenging compositions are provided having particular utility as downhole well treatments or as a part of regenerating media for cation exchange resins. The compositions may be in dry or liquid form and preferably include stannous chloride, an acid selected from the group consisting of phosphorous acid, phosphoric acid and mixtures thereof, and sodium hexametaphosphate.

Abstract: A laboratory incubator (10) having an improved temperature control assembly (14) that more effectively maintains the temperature within the incubator in a desired range and more accurately controls the rate of heat loss from the laboratory incubators as ambient temperatures rise. The incubator includes a housing (12) having an enclosed incubation chamber (18) therein; a heater (22) positioned within the housing for heating the chamber; a cooling device (24) positioned within the housing for cooling the walls of the housing; and a controller (26) for controlling the operation of the heater and the cooling device to maintain a temperature in the chamber within a set temperature range. The cooling device includes an electrically operated peltier device operable to both cool the chamber and to assist the heater in heating the chamber.

Abstract: An improved power operated tool holder and actuator unit (10) is provided which permits use of conventional, manually operable pivoted dual-leg tools (e.g., pliers, nippers or crimpers) and eliminates the need for specialized tools of this character. The unit (10) includes a tool holder (20) operably coupled with an actuator (18) which can be controlled by a foot switch (14). The holder (20) has upper and lower tool leg clamps (78, 82) which respectively hold the ends (178, 180) of a dual-leg tool (172). The lower leg clamp (82) is coupled via an operator (80) to a pneumatic piston and cylinder assembly (30) controlled by switch (14). In use, a charge of pressurized air delivered to the assembly (30) effects movement of a piston rod (40) which in turn moves leg clamp (82) so as to close the work performing ends (182, 184) of the tool (172).

Abstract: A preferred communications apparatus includes a pair of ear units coupled with a control unit that can be connected to a radio transceiver for delivery of audio signals therebetween. The control unit includes a VOX circuit. Each ear unit includes a transducer operable as an earphone, and one of the ear units is operable as a microphone. Additionally, each ear unit includes an ear piece configured for attenuating ambient sound and signal sufficiently to meet safety standards and sufficiently to prevent attenuated ambient sound from triggering the VOX circuit.

Abstract: A spacing device (20), having a compressible body (22) with an upper surface (24) and a lower surface (26), is utilized to inhibit movement of a vehicle (32) stored in a container (34) having a plurality of compartments (78). The upper surface (24) is convexly curved, and the lower surface (26) is concavely curved. An alternate spacing device (60) has a generally non-compressible and transparent body (62) with an inclined upper surface (66) having a recess (68) for receiving the vehicle (32).

Abstract: A low clearance alarm bumper apparatus (10) includes a bumper (12) that can be suspended adjacent a doorway and below the level of the header for activating an alarm circuit (16) upon being tilted in response to an impact, such as when a forklift carrying a tall load approaches the doorway. Upon impact, the preferred bumper (12) activates a pair of lamps (36, 38) and a speaker (40 to produce an audible alarm to warn the forklift driver that the load is too tall to clear the doorway header.

Abstract: An arrangement for performing an animal-related action on an animal includes a position determining component having a detector and a processing unit for determining the position of an animal part to be subjected to the animal-related action, and a performance component such as an animal handling unit or milking robot for performing the animal-related action. The position determining component is located at a first location including a station for housing an animal and the performance component is located at a second location including a station for housing an animal at a distance from the first location. A signal line is provided for transferring the coordinates of the position determined at the first location to the performance component at the second location in order to enable the performance of the action with regard to the animal part.

Abstract: A hitch socket cover (12) is provided which is adapted to be releasably secured in covering relationship over the open end (16) of a hitch socket (10). The cover (12) includes a face plate (20) and a rearwardly extending marginal sidewall (24); the face plate fully covers the open end (16), whereas the sidewall (24) extends rearwardly in closely adjacent relationship with the sidewall (15, 18) of the socket (10). One or more threaded set screws (26, 28) extend through the sidewall (24) to releasably yet securely lock the cover (12) in place.

Abstract: A dispensing valve unit (12) is provided (which may be a part of a cleaning brush unit (10)) having a stationary inner tubular assembly (22), a telescopically interfitted shiftable outer tubular assembly (24) and an inner dual valve assembly including valve body (26) operatively coupled with the outer assembly (24) and engageable with a shoulder (48) forming a part of the inner tubular assembly (22). The inner assembly (22) has a soap entry port (54) through a wall thereof, whereas the outer assembly (24) is equipped with a portion (90) adjacent the port (54) and having an opening (92) therethrough which is selectively registrable with the port (54). A cam mechanism (40, 80) between the inner assembly (22) and outer assembly (24) effects axial shifting of the outer assembly (24) upon rotation thereof.

Abstract: A milking apparatus includes a vacuum pump (1), a milking device (6) having at least one milking claw and teatcups (7, 12, 13) provided to be attached to an animal to be milked, and a conduit (5) connecting the milking claw and teatcups (7, 12, 13) to a suction side (2) of the vacuum pump and being adapted to transport a flow from the milking device (6). The vacuum pump (1) is of a dynamic type. Furthermore, a regulating device (22, 23, 24, 25) is adapted to maintain the vacuum level of the milking apparatus at a desired, constant value. Furthermore, the regulating device comprises a sensor (23) for sensing the actual vacuum level of the conduit (5) and a regulator adapted to control the vacuum level to the desired value by regulating the size of the flow through the conduit (5) and the vacuum pump (1) in response to the vacuum level sensed.

Abstract: An accumulator mechanism for stopping a carrier on an inverted power and free conveyor system when it approaches a stopped preceding carrier. A pivot arm on a leading trolley for each carrier has a retractable trolley dog which is normally driven by a chain dog projecting from a drive chain. The accumulator mechanism includes an actuator lever which is pivoted to mounting plates and carries a cam roller that acts in a cam slot formed in a pivot plate. When the actuating lever is pivoted due to contacting a preceding carrier, the cam roller acts within the contour of the slot to pivotally displace the pivot plate. The pivot plate then pulls a lift link upwardly to pull on the pivot arm and retract the trolley dog from the chain dog. The slot is arranged to effect lost motion of the cam roller in the slot to accommodate over travel.