Abstract: Method and apparatus for semi-automatically packing packages being supplied by automatic packaging apparatus at a rapid rate, characterized by the steps of or means for diverting the packages sequentially into one or more chutes; accumulating the packages from all chutes on a gate; transferring the packages from the gate and in a desired position into a receiver; providing clearance in the receiver for a next package or packages transferred from the gate; repeating the above steps until a predetermined number of packages have been accumulated in the receiver and thereafter removing the predetermined number of packages to make room for the next predetermined number of packages.

Abstract: Composition of matter and process effecting a nitrogen-containing material that flows freely and resists caking even on prolonged storage. It can be manufactured to yield a desired percent nitrogen upon analysis characterized by the nitrogen-containing material in its normal manufactured form having on the external surface thereof an amount that is sufficient to reduce its normal caking tendencies an alkene sulfonate containing from 6 to 26 carbon atoms, inclusive. Further reduced caking tendency is effected by including on the surface of the nitrogen-containing material an inert material, such as clay. Also disclosed are the effective and optimum amounts of the respective materials that are added, the amounts being given as an average percent by weight basis.

Abstract: An improvement in furniture, such as a church pew, for a reverent atmosphere characterized by resilient padding on both front and back of the back rest and a fabric cover over the resilient padding. Preferably, individual speakers are included in the respective pews and covered with fabric for low overall noise level but improved ease of hearing and reverence. In church pews, it is preferred that the back rests of the pews also have a fabric covered book rack for reduced noise. Also disclosed are preferred structural embodiments in terms of location and structure for housing the speakers.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a reversible air cycle heat pump, or conditioner that provides cooling and heating options. A condenser plenum and an evaporator plenum are separated by a compartment. The compartment has a vertical partition transverse to the condenser and evaporator plenums. A single damper is carried horizontally within the compartment, and has a co-acting portion on either side of the partition. One end, or outdoor portion, of the compartment has outdoor discharge and suction chambers on either side of the partition. The other end, or indoor portion, of the compartment has indoor discharge and suction chambers on either side of the partition, with the damper dividing the indoor portion from the outdoor portion. Windows on one side of each of the condenser plenum and the evaporator plenum communicate with the compartment. The damper is pivotal about an axle axis carried transverse to the partition.

Abstract: Plastic elements, such as conduit, and method and apparatus for joinder of same characterized by respective regions, or surfaces, of hot-to-cold plastic adjacent regions of hot-to-hot plastic for forming a substantially immediate physical fixation of the hot-to-cold regions and followed by a more nearly perfect sealing fusion of the hot-to-hot regions to form a strong sealing joint. In a specific embodiment, a tubular end is joined to a fitting in which the fitting has one or more annular recesses about its bore for allowing expanded, excess molten plastic to flow thereinto and become solidified for a strong sealed joint. This also eliminates forming streamers that frequently caused leaks in the joints heretofore. Also disclosed are the details of the apparatus for heating the respective regions, or surfaces, of the plastic elements.

Abstract: Method and apparatus of refuse collection in a city for disposal in a landfill characterized by the steps of sending portable collecting and baling units on routes throughout the city for collecting refuse and simultaneously baling the refuse into large bales, then periodically discharging the bales along the route. A transport unit which is capable of carrying several bales is then notified to pick up the bales and transport them to a landfill. The baling unit has a hopper collector for manually dumping the refuse, a ram for compressing the refuse within a compaction chute into a bale once the refuse fills the hopper collector. After the bale achieves a selected size, wires previously threaded through guides are tied and the bale ejected. An attached conveyor extracts the bale and carries one or two bales temporarily until at a satisfactory place along the route they are unloaded for later pickup by the transport unit.

Abstract: A bracket for mounting an acoustic transducer to a boat or the like to allow the transducer to be used as a depth sounder or as a scanning device. The bracket comprises a shaft; support means for coupling the shaft to a boat with the shaft located with its lower end in the water; a transducer supporting mount pivotally coupled to the lower end of the shaft for pivotal movement about an axis transverse to the shaft; means for rotating the shaft 360.degree. about its axis; and means for pivoting the mount between different angular positions to allow vertical and generally horizontal signal transmission and reception.

Abstract: A method of making available economical fuels from arctic environments without melting the permafrost along a transportation right of way characterized by preparing a liquid fuel having a viscosity below 2 centipoises at 32.degree.F; cooling and transporting the cold liquid fuel, with or without the admixing of a solid fuel therewith to form a cold slurry, through a pipeline at a temperature below 32.degree.F through the frozen permafrost to a destination. The liquid fuel may be methanol synthesized from coal when the solid fuel is coal; or it may be a petroleum fraction where solid fuel deposits are adjacent an oil field or the like. Also disclosed are specific processes and systems for carrying out the invention.

Abstract: An applicator for applying chemicals to the soil and the like characterized by a section of main tubular conduit for being connected into a conventional farm irrigation line; a main container disposed adjacent the tubular conduit and having respective filling and draining ports; a fluid inlet conduit disposed along the bottom of the main container for spraying water onto the bottom and keeping the chemicals agitated; an effluent conduit for conducting the fluid containing the chemicals into the main tubular conduit; and an admixing nozzle means connected with the terminal end of the effluent conduit interiorly of the main tubular conduit.

Abstract: A portable stand for being emplaced on the floor and supporting musical instruments and the like characterized by a base, preferably that includes a plurality of foldable pieces that can be extended to define a peripheral support, with a planar top to avoid entangling with cords of musical instruments and that is pivotally movable into a folded position for carrying; an extensible main support member that includes a plurality of lineal members foldable into the folded position and slidable longitudinally with respect to each other and movable into a supporting position with a retainer for retaining a set support position. A brace and latch are provided for latching the main support member into a predetermined supporting position. Instrument supports are carried, respectively, by the base and the main support member and are movable to support instruments as small as a ukulele, yet accommodate the largest guitar. Also disclosed are specific structural details of the preferred embodiment.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a method for treating a hydrophobic viscous feed, such as a syncrude fraction containing solids, to remove at least a portion of the solids having a minimum syncrude fraction therewith, characterized by a multi-step process. First, water is mixed with the feed to provide two liquid phases in the mixture. The mixture is then subjected to at least one electric field in at least one electrostatic zone to produce a first overflow containing product, such as the syncrude fraction, that is reduced in solids content as compared to the original feed, and an overflow containing water, solids and residual feed. Next, the first underflow is centrifuged to produce a second overflow containing residual feed and water and a second underflow containing primarily solids, with a minor amount of liquids. At least a part of the second overflow is returned to electrostatic zone for recovery of at least part of the residual feed.

Abstract: The specification discloses a closed system for cleaning, pressure testing, and drying fire extinguisher containers. The system comprises two tanks for holding trichloroethane and flow lines and a valve control system for flowing the liquid from one tank into the container to be cleaned, pressure tested, and dried and then from the container to the other tank. After a number of containers are cleaned and pressure tested and the second tank becomes full, the valve control system can be controlled to reverse the flow of liquid from the second tank to the containers to be cleaned, pressure tested, and dried and then back to the first tank.In a further embodiment, there is provided a universal head adapted to fit many different sizes of fire extinguisher container openings and in addition an adjustable holding device for holding the container to be tested between a support plate and the head and for inverting the container to allow the container to be emptied after the test is completed.

Abstract: Advertising and emergency sign characterized by a supported sign that has exterior illumination for night viewing and includes a central framework and two facade sides disposed one on each side and being adapted, when released, to fall away from the central framework to expose an interior message board having an emergency message thereon. The interior message board is illuminated by an interior illumination inside the central framework. The facade sides are retained in place normally, but are released by a remote switch, such as disposed inside a store or the like for closing in the event of an emergency, such as a robbery. Also disclosed are specific preferred structural embodiments, such as the hingedly mounted opaque facade sides and the flashing interior illumination for calling attention to the emergency message.

Abstract: A new supporting structure for a mobile home comprising pre-stressed concrete and a method for making same. The supporting structure comprises a rectangular floor, supported by beams on the lower surface of the floor. A pair of large longitudinal beams are formed on the lower surface of the floor adjacent the longitudinal edge of the floor. A plurality of smaller transverse beams are formed on the lower surface of the floor connecting the longitudinal beams. Both the longitudinal and transverse beams are pre-stressed. Means for attaching wheels and a towing hitch are provided. The supporting structure is cast in a single piece in a bed provided with channels for the longitudinal and transverse beams. The beams are pre-stressed in a conventional manner either by pre-tensioning or post-tensioning tendons. After the concrete has set and the tendons anchored, the supporting structure is lifted out, and wheels and a towing hitch attached.

Abstract: Conduit means characterized by having a plurality of parallel adjacent, longitudinally extending passageways within an exterior wall and having longitudinally extending ribs extending longitudinally of and exterior to the exterior wall for high flexural strength and high strength enabling bearing high external loads. The passageways have at least a portion of their interior walls in common with adjacent passageways. Preferably, the conduit, including the ribs, are formed of a lightweight, extrudable plastic. Also disclosed are structural details, apparatus, and methods, including one for making any number of passageways in the conduit.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for installing coil springs about a central longitudinal shaft, as for shock absorbers. The apparatus comprises a lever arm having one end that separates into a fork with two tines. A detachable pin is located at the end of the tines to provide a coupling with the shaft. A shank is mounted pivotally between the tines of the fork. Shoes on either end of the shank are inclined at opposite angles to mate evenly with coils of a spring. Applying force to the lever arm lowers the shoes, compressing the springs and allowing a keeper to be withdrawn.

Abstract: A method for removing a contaminant comprising at least one of arsenic and selenium from a synthetic crude oil or fraction thereof characterized by mixing with the synthetic crude oil feed (1) particles of a material that is either iron, cobalt, nickel, oxides or sulfides of these metals, or a mixture thereof, and (2) hydrogen, and heating the mixture in a reaction zone to deposit said contaminant(s) on said particles. A liquid product stream comprising the synthetic crude oil without the contaminant(s) is recovered, leaving a thickened slurry. All or a portion of the thickened slurry can be withdrawn from the process and all or a part of the slurry can be mixed with fresh synthetic feed. Also disclosed are specific and preferred process details.