Abstract: An air data sensor device, such as a pitot, total air temperature sensor, etc., includes an elongated probe having a sensor therein for sensing air flow parameters and a strut for positioning the probe in a desired position on an air vehicle. To avoid ice build-up on the device causing erroneous sensing of air flow parameters a substantially constant wattage electric resistive heater is provided in the probe for deicing. A PTC (positive temperature coefficient) resistive heater is disposed in the support at a location thermally isolated from the probe heater but in thermally conductive relationship to the external surface of the support. The PTC heater is connected in series with the probe heater and continuously varies heater power in response to the rate of heat dissipation at the external surface of the sensor device thereby preventing burn-out of the probe heater and erosion of the probe.

Abstract: A processor for processing undeveloped photographic film discs mounted on a spindle assembly has a conveyor to intermittently convey the spindle assembly from a first end to a second end of the processor along a generally horizontal conveyor path. The spindle assembly is conveyed to a plurality of processing stations along the conveyor path, with each processing station having a processing tank. During processing, the processing tanks move between an upward process position and a downward dump and transport position. A fluid dispenser at each processing station dispenses processing fluid to the processing tank at that processing station when a spindle assembly is positioned at that processing station. A spindle sensor at the first end of the processor provides a signal indicative of the presence of the spindle assembly in the processor. The operations of the conveyor, processing tank movement and fluid dispensers are controlled by a control apparatus as a function of the spindle sensor signal.

Abstract: A processor for processing undeveloped photographic film discs mounted on a spindle assembly has a conveyor to intermittently convey the spindle assembly along a generally horizontal conveyor path. The spindle assembly is conveyed to a plurality of processing stations on the conveyor path, with each processing station having a processing tank. During processing, the processing tanks pivot between an upward process position and a downward dump/transport position. In their upward process position, selected processing tanks are filled with processing fluids. When the spindle assembly is positioned at one of the selected processing tanks and that tank is in its upward process position and filled with processing fluid, portions of the film discs on the spindle assembly are contacted by the procesing fluid. The spindle and discs are then rotated to uniformly contact the photographic images on the film discs with the processing solution.

Abstract: An apparatus for crushing cans inserted into an opening in the housing thereof. The cans are crushed between a rotary drum and a roller rotatably mounted within the drum. A slide guide means directs the cans into the nip between the roller and drum. Crushed cans drop through an opening into a collecting bin.

Abstract: A photographic printing system including a masking card for carrying a transparency bearing an image to be printed at an aperture thereof. The card contributes to registration of the image within the printer optical path. The masking cards are carried in a first receptacle in stacking relation to others of the masking cards. A printing station is provided generally at the optical path of the printer and a card transport removes masking cards from the first card receptacle and conveys them to the printing station. A second card receptacle is provided while the printing station includes apparatus for ejecting masking cards from the printing station to the second card receptacle.

Abstract: A photographic printing system including an improved masking card. The masking card carries an image-bearing transparency at an aperture thereof. The card cooperates with a photograhic printer to contribute to the registration of the image relative to the optical path of the printer. A plurality of mark boxes are located at predetermined locations on the card with each location representing a printer exposure parameter. At least some of the marked box locations represent exposures of preselected size. Ghost character outlines of an optically readable character font are preprinted at at least some of the marked box locations. An information storage medium is carried by the card and includes a plurality of data blocks each dedicated to a printer exposure parameter, including printer exposure parameters represented by the mark box locations.

Abstract: An artificial fish habitat consisting of individual strands of a buoyant, water impervious material, such as foamed polyethylene or polypropylene, secured to a zinc anchor weight for installation on the bed of a body of water.

Abstract: A resilient ferrule cover for joining tapered tubular sections of a fishing rod wherein the ferrule cover is slid over a male ferrule portion with one end of the ferrule cover abutting a female ferrule while covering an exposed portion of the male ferrule and the other end of the ferrule cover abuts a chamfered transition between the male ferrule and its supporting rod segment. After the ferrule is repeatedly assembled, wear of the parts increases, and the ferrule cover, since it is flexible, rides up over the portion of the rod to which the male ferrule is attached, assuring a continued firm ferrule junction while covering the exposed ferrule portion.

Abstract: A carton filling apparatus supplies precise quantities of a liquid food product, such as milk or fruit juice, into an open top container such as a thermoplastic coated paperboard carton. The carton filling apparatus includes a fill tank or reservoir which holds the liquid product and a vertical passage which has an inlet at its upper end communicating with the fill tank and an outlet at its lower end from which liquid is dispensed into the carton. A pumping chamber is connected to the vertical passage to draw a controlled quantity of liquid from the fill tank and then pump that liquid through the vertical passage to the outlet. A vertically oriented linear movable valve rod or stem extends along a vertical axis downward through the fill tank and the vertical passage.

Abstract: A photographic film cutter for cutting film segments from a web of photographic film includes a knife located along a web advancement path, a splice sensor located upstream from the knife, and a notch sensor located between the knife and the splice sensor. A stepper motor moves the web along the path in fixed length steps. A step counter counts the steps to determine the length that the web has advanced since the web was cut by the knife. When a splice is detected by the splice sensor, a maximum feed switch determines, based upon the count of the step counter, whether the distance from a leading cut edge to the splice sensor is greater than or equal to a predetermined maximum distance. If the length is less than the maximum, the web is advanced until a portion of the web adjacent the splice is positioned at the knife, and the web is cut. If the length from the cut edge to the splice is greater than the predetermined maximum length, an additional cut is made.

Abstract: A hollow cylindrical prefabricated modular construction element is formed by generally circular supports and a sheath. These hollow cylinders are connected, using simple carpentry tools, at a building site to create walls, having a simulated log appearance.

Abstract: A processor of photosensitive material having a plurality of tanks for containing fluids, one of which is a wash tank for containing wash water, and a top cover, including a movable front portion for covering the tanks when the processor is in operation is provided with a spring-loaded valve for controlling draining of wash water from the wash tank. The spring-loaded valve includes a U-shaped spring attached to the top of the wash tank. Connected to the spring is a plunger which extends vertically down into the drain hole. The plunger is equipped with a gasket for sealing the drain hole when the cover is in its lowered closed position. The spring has an adjustable striker extending upward to contact the bottom of the processor cover. When the processor cover is in its normal operating position, the striker is depressed and the spring is compressed. This seals the gasket against the bottom of the tank and prevents draining.

Abstract: A solar heater includes an elongated solar collector having two fixedly connected solar panels of highly heat conductive material supported by a roof clamp on a shingled roof. The bottom edges of each of the solar panels include upturned gutter portions. One form of roof clamp for shingled roofs includes a J-shape shingle clamp member having a clamp bolt extending therethrough, and a solar collector clamp member assembled on the bolt and clamped to the bottom gutter portions of the solar panels. A bottom plate of the J-shape clamp member is slid under a shingle of a first shingle course and under a shingle of a second upper shingle course to carry the bolt into the top of the gap between adjacent shingle portions of the first course and to position a top plate of the shingle clamp member over parts of the shank portions of the first course and over a part of the one shingle of the second course. A clamp nut clamps the collector clamp member and the shinlge clamp member firmly to the contacted shingles.