Abstract: Apparatus and methods for pumping a uniform flow of air entrained powder at low flow settings to a diffuser of an electrostatic spray gun which disperses the powder and cools the spray gun. A single or double stage pump with a bleed port design draws powder into the pump from a powder container when compressed air directed into the pump is above a predetermined pressure. In another embodiment, a pump delivers a constant velocity of air entrained powder to the spray gun.

Abstract: An air regulator system for a powder coating system and method of operating the system whereby air regulators constructed with inexpensive, on-off servo control valves are positioned side by side and secured to a common bracket and are operated with a pulse width modulating circuitry that quickly and accurately controls the regulator. The circuitry is carried on a circuit board which is also mounted to the common bracket.

Abstract: A method for analyzing the vibration of a tire uniformity machine having a number of rotating components uses the signals from load cells when the machine idle to output voltage signals that are then amplified and input into a computer as unfiltered, amplified voltage signals. The signals are converted into a power spectrum and selected groups of frequencies and their amplitude are compared with acceptable amplitudes for the frequencies generated by various rotating parts of the machine. When at least one of the amplitudes for different frequencies is greater than at least one of the acceptable amplitudes for the frequencies generating different rotating parts of the machine, the computer outputs an alarm signal.

Abstract: According to the invention, a system and method for controlling air flow through the interior of a powder spray booth includes a powder collection system for collecting oversprayed powder from the interior of the spray booth. The powder collection system includes a powder collector with a powder collection chamber, a pulse plenum chamber, and a fan plenum chamber containing a motor driven fan for drawing the air-entrained powder into the fan plenum chamber so that the oversprayed powder is collected on the cartridge filters and filtered air is exhausted from the fan plenum chamber through one or more final filters. A control system automatically adjusts the speed of the motor driven fan in response to pressure changes in the pulse plenum chamber and the fan exhaust chamber so that a substantially constant air flow is maintained through the powder collector.

Abstract: A baby bottle carrier is constructed of a container with a plurality of interconnected compartments having a complementary cross section and shape corresponding to a bottle adapted to being received therein. A lid, detachably mounted to the container, closes each of the compartments. Cup shaped spacers are detachably secured to an underside of the lid to project into the compartments and abut against baby bottles of various sizes to insure that they are securely held in place, even when the carrier is moved from one location to another. Further in accordance with the invention, the baby bottle carrier is placed within a flexible closable bag with a shoulder strap and outwardly folding flap to close the bag.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for automatically spraying a mist of mold release into the space between a tire and a bladder in a tire molding machine so that the mold release covers the outer surface of the bladder or the interior surface of the tire and does not get onto the walls of the mold.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for recharging various types of battery cells are enclosed involving alternating periods of charging and discharging of the cells, a reference charge cut-off voltage, a comparator for comparing cell voltage with cut-off voltage, and a circuit for stopping charging activity when cell open circuit voltage is at least a desired minimum voltage. Charge activity is terminated following the achievement of a minimum acceptable state-of-charge so as to limit the total current delivered to the cell in order to prevent cell degradation.

Abstract: A battery charging system and method of operating the system is provided which can charge either NiCd and/or NiMH batteries with significant permanent recombinant capacity sufficient to permit cell charge completion, as well as charge maintenance, in an acceptable period of time.

Abstract: A bulk unloader for emptying powder from an original box-shaped shipping container has a support platform with a cradle angularly mounted thereto for holding the containers in a tilted position so that one of its corners is lower than the others. A vibrator, attached to the cradle, loosens the powder to facilitate movement of the powder towards the container's lowest corner. A pump connected to the outlet end of a hollow pick-up tube, having an inlet end positioned adjacent the container's lowest corner, draws powder from the container, into the inlet end of the pick-up tube, and then transfers the powder to a powder spray gun. The lower end of the pick-up tube is designed to prevent the plastic bag lining the shipping container from blocking the inlet end of the pick-up tube. A vibration dampening isolation mount is provided between the cradle and the support platform to prevent vibrations from being transferred from the cradle to the support platform.

Abstract: According to the invention, a system and method for controlling air flow through the interior of a powder spray booth includes a powder collection system for collecting oversprayed powder from the interior of the spray booth. The powder collection system includes a powder collector with a powder collection chamber, a pulse plenum chamber, and a fan plenum chamber containing a motor driven fan for drawing the air-entrained powder into the fan plenum chamber so that the oversprayed powder is collected on the cartridge filters and filtered air is exhausted from the fan plenum chamber through one or more final filters. A control system automatically adjusts the speed of the motor driven fan in response to pressure changes in the pulse plenum chamber and the fan exhaust chamber so that a substantially constant air flow is maintained through the powder collector.

Abstract: A key duplicating machine and the method of operating the machine wherein one or more key cutters move linearly along an axis perpendicular to the rotation of the key cutters. The linear movement enables the cutters to precisely cut a single sided or double sided key blank to a profile corresponding to the key to be duplicated. In addition, the key to be duplicated and the key blank are clamped together in a single operation in one clamping unit with one clamping force.

Abstract: A spray nozzle assembled from a nozzle tip of a hard abrasive resistant material and having a plurality of splines about an outer peripheral surface being press-fit into a nozzle adapter formed of a softer, more machineable material to mechanically lock and form a liquid seal between the nozzle tip and the nozzle adapter.

Abstract: A battery charger for charging alkaline zinc/manganese dioxide cells is disclosed.The battery charger contains means for producing a direct current voltage at 25 degrees centigrade of from about 1.6 to about 1.7 volt as well as means for individually and independently limiting the voltage delivered by the battery charger to each of the cells. The charger also contains means for individually and independently limiting the current applied to each of said cells by said battery charger as well as means for individually and continuously varying the current applied to each of said cells.Once any of the cells in the charge has reached its desired voltage, the charger reduces the current supplied to said cell substantially to zero current.

Abstract: A rotary atomizer having a low capacitance, cup-shaped, atomizing head mounted for rotation about an axis of rotation has a coating material flow surface forming a forward cavity. A rotary drive coupled to the atomizing head rotates the atomizing head about the axis of rotation. High voltage electrostatic energy is conducted through the rotary drive directly into the atomizing head whereby changed coating material flows outwardly across the flow surface. In another embodiment, a semi-conductive ring is mounted on the front end of the atomizer to transfer the high voltage electrostatic energy into the atomizing head and/or to dissipate the electrostatic energy in the rotary drive or in the atomizing head.

Abstract: The invention is directed to several embodiments of metallic cord for the reinforcement of tires wherein one or more coaxial layers of metallic filaments are arranged around the metallic core filaments and twisted in the same direction at the same pitch. In one embodiment, the ratio of the diameter of the core filaments to the layer filaments is at least 1.28. In another embodiment, two of the core filaments have a first diameter and the third core filament has a second diameter smaller than the first diameter daimeter. In still another embodiment, two of the core filaments have a first diameter and a third of the core filaments has a second diameter smaller than the first diameter while the coaxial layer filaments have a third diameter equal to the second diameter. In another embodiment, the core has three core filaments twisted about each other and a coaxial layer of eight layer filaments arranged around the core filaments.

Abstract: A center finding device for locating the geometric center of a workpiece having substantially parallel side surfaces including a pair of crossed arm members pivotally secured to each other by a tubular member with a marking pin received therein and secured at one end and in slidable-pivotal relation to a longitudinal slot in each of a pair of side guide arms whereby when the guide arms are moved into engaging relation with the parallel side surfaces of the workpiece, the crossed arm members are automatically slidable into a position with the tubular member being in a geometrically centered position with respect to the workpiece. In addition, the center finding device can be used in conjunction with an accessory for locating the geometric center of a workpiece having substantially non-parallel side surfaces.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for quickly and easily detecting trace amounts of metallic or non-metallic, electro-active substances, and in particular trace amounts of metals, such as lead in a portable, hand-held detector system with single potential control.

Abstract: An inner tubular assembly positioned in telescoping arrangement with an outer tubular protective assembly forms a chamber for a fluid receptacle in a hypodermic syringe; it supports a hypodermic needle and a piston plunger to inject fluid from or draw fluid into the receptacle. Biasing means acting between the inner and outer assemblies urge the inner assembly including the outer end of the needle to a retracted position. Levers in the form of finger pieces are pivotally mounted on the outer assembly; the levers are biased to urge the lugs formed at their ends through apertures in the outer assembly and into engagement with a shoulder at the lower end of the inner assembly to latch it in retracted position. When the finger pieces are grasped to use the syringe the latch is actuated to released position. Other lugs at the upper portion of the finger pieces aaaare engageable with a shoulder on the upper portion of the inner tubular assembly to retain the needle in exposed position ready for injection.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a strip of ply or belt stock reinforced with steel monofilaments fed from a plurality of reels (60, 60', 60") mounted on the spindles (54) of a reel support structure (18). The article of manufacture which results from the method is a uniform strip of reinforced ply or belt stock of higher epi, smaller gauge and fewer splices than possible with prior method and apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for encasing a sanitary napkin in a pouch which eliminates the need for release paper strips and provides for the disposal of the napkin.