Abstract: Apparatus and method for inspecting the inside bottom surface of glassware for tramp glass by irradiating said surface with light having an angle of incidence of approximately 15 degrees and sensing any light transmitted through said surface as an indication of the presence of tramp glass.

Abstract: A microstrip antenna radiator is disclosed which includes three edges spaced around its periphery defining three corresponding active slot areas wherein each slot has a different respectively corresponding resonant dimension associated therewith along a direction substantially transverse to the edge which defines the radiating slot. At least two dimensions of an essentially equilateral triangular shape are altered so as to provide the three different resonant dimensions for the radiator. Typically, at least two sides of such a triangular structure are altered such as by the formation of tab extensions or, alternatively, at least two apices of the basic triangular structure are truncated so as to produce different resonant dimensions in the radiator. Various combinations and permutations of such shape alterations may also be employed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting defects in articles of manufacture such as glassware having lettering, mold marks and coloring is disclosed with the apparatus including a semi-diffused light source positioned adjacent one side of and optically spaced from the article being inspected for illuminating the article. A video camera is positioned on the opposite side of the article from the diffused light source and scans the illuminated article in order to produce a video signal indicative of the difference in the refraction characteristics of the article to thereby indicate the presence or absence of defects in the glassware sample. Circuitry is disclosed for discriminating between true defects and lettering, mold marks and coloring normally associated with the article. In the event there is a defect, an electrical processing circuit connected to the video camera and responsive to the video signal is provided for actuating a glassware rejection mechanism.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing food which significantly reduces the time required for cooling. A stream of water is directed onto selected metal lids of jars without risking breakage thereof, while at the same time eliminating the need for an air compressor to maintain the pressure within the pressure cooker during cooling. Pressure within the jars is reduced before or at the same time as the pressure of the steam in th pressure cooker, thus preventing loss of liquid from the jars. The lids are securely sealed to the jars as the jars complete their cooking cycle.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved apparatus and method for locking printing plates to a support, e.g., saddle or cylinder, wherein the support includes a body portion having at least two anchoring means as an integral part thereof, at least one of the anchoring means being incorporated on a spring-mounted bar movable under spring tension to engage and lock printing plates to the support. The invention also relates to apparatus and method for mounting printing plates onto a support comprising an actuating assembly for the spring-mounted bar and which is adapted to move the spring-mounted bar between expanded and compressed positions for the mounting. The spring-mounted bar actuating assembly is mounted beneath the peripheral surface of the support and comprises a pivot arm pivotable at or near its midpoint about a pivot block which is mounted beneath the peripheral surface.

Abstract: A conformal microstrip antenna structure formed by a plurality of separated spaced-apart electrically conducting elements on a dielectric substrate overlying a ground plane. The innermost edges of the separated conducting elements define two sets of two intersecting radiators which are fed by microstrip transmission circuits disposed within the space between the separated conducting elements to individually feed the various radiators and/or segments thereof from the common feed point. The dimensions of the conducting elements also determine the resonant frequency of the radiators and their relative phases such that dual frequency operation as well as circular and/or elliptical polarization of the received/transmitted electromagnetic radiation can be conveniently achieved.

Abstract: A programmable automatic controller for operating machines having a plurality of components which operate in a timed or sequential relationship with one another. The controller includes a timing means for generating cycle clock pulses in synchronism with the operation of the machine, wherein the cycle clock pulses provide an instantaneous indication of the time elapsed in each cycle of operation of the machine. A COS/MOS running storage means stores the relative times during each cycle of machine operation when each of the plurality of machine components are to be enabled and/or inhibited. When the time elapsed in a cycle corresponds to a component actuating time stored in the running storage, an actuating signal is generated by a comparator. This signal is coupled to a machine component addressing arrangement which provides a component enable or inhibit command signal to the addressed component whose actuating time compared to the cycle time lapsed.

Abstract: An electronic whistle in the form of broad band radio frequency interference generator. A broad band generator generates a coherent or random noise signal which is modulated by an audio signal which corresponds to an audible warning signal such as a whistle or a siren. The modulated signal is then utilized to modulate a carrier signal and amplified and transmitted so that the radios in vehicles in the immediate area will receive an audible interference signal regardless of the particular channel to which the radio is tuned. The audible interference signal may be an intelligible reproduction of the input audio signal so that the driver of the vehicle can determine whether the warning signal is generated by a train whistle, a siren or a human voice.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved apparatus and method for locking printing plates to a support, e.g., saddle or cylinder, wherein the support includes a body portion having at least two anchoring means as an integral part thereof, at least one of the anchoring means being incorporated on a spring-mounted bar movable under spring tension to engage and lock printing plates to the support. The invention also relates to apparatus and method for mounting printing plates onto a support comprising an actuating assembly for the spring-mounted bar and which is adapted to move the spring-mounted bar between expanded and compressed positions for the mounting. The spring-mounted bar actuating assembly is mounted beneath the peripheral surface of the support and comprises a pivot arm pivotable at or near its midpoint about a pivot block which is mounted beneath the peripheral surface.

Abstract: A plurality of range increments are sequentially pulse-illuminated and energy reflected therefrom is received by a gated light amplifier. Timing circuitry sequentially varies the range viewed, by adjusting the time between illumination and gating on of the light amplifier to achieve enhancement, suppression or apparent uniform illumination of preselected range increments such that all ranges of interest are viewed by the light amplifier within a single integration period of a recording device.

Abstract: A microstrip antenna structure is provided wherein a plurality of relatively narrow elements, resonant in their longer dimensions, are organized into two staggered or offset sets of interleaved elements with each set being fed from opposite sides of the structure through a corporate microstrip feed line from a common feed point. The aligned radiating ends of the two offset sets of elements simulate four line sources of radiation. The preferred embodiment produces an efficient end-fire radiation pattern from this relatively compact structure which may, in turn, constitute an individual end-fire radiator in a larger array structure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for palletizing articles such as, for example, hollow cylindrical containers or the like is disclosed herein and includes an apparatus section positionable adjacent a support member such as a pallet and defining a receiving station and a sweep station for receiving a plurality of the containers and transferring the same to the support member. A conveyor extending from the receiving station into the sweep station and terminating adjacent the pallet is adapted for continuous movement during the operation of the apparatus so as to convey a first group of the containers from the receiving station to the sweep station and to aid in the transfer of the first group from the sweep station onto the pallet. A first overhead assembly, positioned above the sweep station and adapted to move along a predetermined at least partially angularly deviating endless path, is provided for engaging behind and with the group of containers located at the sweep station for pushing the group onto the pallet.