Abstract: A method for removing a reflective decal from a vehicle's body surface, especially a baked enamel surface as would be found on a truck or an automobile. The method includes the steps of contacting the decal, for a period of time sufficient to loosen the decal from the surface, with a composition consisting essentially of methylene chloride, a lower alkyl alcohol, a lower aliphatic symmetric or unsymmetric ketone, methyl cellulose and polyethylene glycol, and separating the loosened decal from the surface with a high pressure stream of liquid.

Abstract: Process for producing artificial fire logs from a mixture comprising wood material and a binder, particularly a resin binder. Each log is formed in an individual mold, and a batch of mix required for a single log is divided into two approximately equal portions for loading into the mold. The mixture within the mold is compressed, and the mold is then closed. The closed mold is heated, and curing of the resin takes place within the capped mold. The finished log is then removed from the mold, which is reusable.

Abstract: A dictation system having means for providing a signal for indicating when dictation which the system has been made operative to record on a recording medium is not being recorded on the recording medium because of a malfunction of the system or the improper operation of the system. The system includes means for providing a signal when the audio input to the dictation system and the audio input of dictation recorded on the recording medium are not in a predetermined relationship and means for providing said signal when dictation which the system has been made operative to record on the recording medium is absent from the recording medium for a predetermined length of time.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for measuring out liquid asphalt gravimetrically. The apparatus comprises a plurality of tanks for containing liquid asphalt, each tank being suspended from a load cell, a series of pipes, valves and a pump for selectively filling the tanks with asphalt and a series of pipes, a valve and a variable rate pump for selectively removing the liquid asphalt from the tanks. The load cells are connected to a control circuit which converts the signals from the load cells into the corresponding weight of the tanks and the liquid asphalt contained therein. The control circuit is also connected to the variable rate pump to control the rate at which liquid asphalt is removed from the tank in response to the load cells.

Abstract: A tufted carpet product including a woven or non-woven primary backing material, a layer of foam compound adhered to the undersurface of said primary backing, rows of yarn elements tufted through the primary backing and the layer of foam compound to form a face of yarn on the upper surface of the primary backing and loop backs on the undersurface of the backing and foam compound, and optionally a thin layer of adhesive compound applied to the loop backs of the yarn elements.

Abstract: An activated oxygen product produced by irradiating oxygen with electromagnetic radiation of wavelength less than 200 nanometers, and having an unusually high oxidation potential and unique spectral properties. The product may be used to treat water in order to reduce surface tension, oxidize wastes, reduce manganous ion concentration, and disinfect water without creating carcinogens.

Abstract: A collapsible and adjustable gage apparatus comprising a plurality of wear link members adapted to engage the inner walls of pipe, which members are pivotally attached through articulated mechanical arms to a rotatably adjustable collar and to a slidable, releasable collar. The gage apparatus may be adapted to different diameters of pipe by varying the distance between the adjustable collar and the releasable collar. The gage apparatus may be collapsed for easier withdrawal from a pipe by actuating the catch mechanism which holds the releasable collar in a fixed position, permitting the releasable collar to slide away from the adjustable collar, thereby collapsing the wear link members and articulated arms so as to reduce the effective diameter of the apparatus to its smallest possible size.

Abstract: Novelty game apparatus for predictably and alterably selecting alternate activities. The apparatus comprises a base printed with indicia to indicate alternate activities. A pointer rotatably attached to the base alternately indicates one of the alternate activities. Magnets disposed on the base and the pointer operatively attract and repel the pointer to select a predetermined category of activities.

Abstract: Drum mix asphalt plant apparatus connected to a fiber filter dust collector for removing dust and other light particulate matter produced by operation of the drum mixer. Asphalt material is added to the drum mixer in a manner to minimize smoking of the asphalt material due to high temperature within the mixer, and the resulting dust and other fine particulate matter evolved from aggregate material within the drum mixer is withdrawn and collected in a fiber filter dust collector system such as a baghouse. The collected dust is returned to the drum mixer to be coated with asphalt material therein, so that the returned dust becomes admixed with the asphalt aggregate contents of the drum mixer.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting sheets of carpet into a number of rectangular swatches comprises a gang slitter including a plurality of disc cutting blades mounted on a single shaft for making a plurality of parallel cuts in the sheet of carpet moving through the blades, thus cutting the carpet into a plurality of long strips of predetermined width, and a cross cut blade which moves across the sheet of carpet to make a cut in the carpet perpendicular to the plurality of parallel cuts, thus cutting the long strips of carpet material into shorter rectangular swatches. The sheet of carpet material is automatically fed through the gang slitter and stopped for the cross cut, and the swatches are discharged from the apparatus.

Abstract: A slot nozzle for a flow medium is formed by a pair of side walls joined together by a connecting wall with a weakened zone that forms a hinge between the side walls. The slot width of the nozzle is adjustable by relative adjustment of the two side walls defining the slot, on the one hand by the pressure of the flow medium disposed in the slot nozzle acting in the sense of opening the slot and on the other hand by the counter pressure of a fluid acting in the sense of closing the slot.

Abstract: A reusable apparatus for disposal of animal feces. The apparatus comprises a collapsible and reusable cardboard container, a supply of disposable sealable plastic bags which can fit as a liner within the cardboard container, and a small disposable scoop or paddle associated with each plastic bag.

Abstract: The improved tire repair device includes a disposable protective tip which protects a plug being inserted into a tubeless tire from damage caused by belts under the tire tread, especially by steel belts. The tip is cone-shaped and is optionally constructed of flexible material in a manner which allows the tip to collapse to conform to the size and shape of small injuries to the tire.

Abstract: A subscriber loop extender for a telephone system in which a variable shunt conductance (41) is placed across the loop in response to a loop current indicating an off hook condition (32). An optical coupler (39) using a photo-resistor (41) or a photo-transistor as the variable conductance and a light source (40) responsive to loop current raises the value of the shunt conductance until sufficient current flows through the shunt to activate a central office relay (25). An SCR (48), the gate (47) of which is sensitive to the shunt current, extinguishes the light source thus removing the shunt from the loop. Loop current must fall to a level below the relay holding current to extinguish the SCR, thus providing hysteresis to the circuit. False ring trip is avoided by removing the shunt during each positive ringing pulse before its value increases so as to draw current to trip the ring. A second SCR (69) is provided to defeat slow decay of the photo-resistor conductance during dial pulses.

Abstract: Poultry gizzards with gut and stomachs attached thereto are moved in sequence along a path, first with the gut and stomach suspended freely below the gizzards. As the gizzards continuing to move along the path, the gut and stomach are cut from the gizzards, a cut is made upwardly into the lower portion of the gizzards, and the cut-apart lower portions of the gizzards are lifted and separated to remove loose matter from inside the gizzards. The gizzards are then peeled. A pair of side-by-side parallel rolls with externally protruding spiral threads are used to initially orient the gizzards and locate the gut and stomach below the gizzards and chain conveyors subsequently move the gizzards through the system as the gut and stomach are severed from the gizzards, the cut is made upwardly into the gizzard, and the cut side portions of the gizzards are lifted for cleaning.