Abstract: Large blocks of cheese are formed in a container having a removable bottom, side walls, and an essentially open top. A plurality of upstanding perforated tapered posts extend from the removable bottom to essentially the desired final height of the cheese block. The posts are longitudinally and laterally spaced from one another so that the curd surrounds each post when the container is filled with curd. Pressure is then applied downward to the curd in the container which compacts the curd and causes draining of whey through the upstanding perforated posts. After the curd has been compacted to the desired height, and the whey has been drained through the upstanding perforated posts, the container is inverted and the tapered posts are withdrawn. Pressure is again applied to cause the curd surrounding each perforated post to knit together and aid in removal of any additional whey, thereby providing a cheese block of uniform texture.

Abstract: A dirty or otherwise contaminated volatile solvent or other treatment fluid including relatively more volatile non-flammable and relatively less volatile flammable constituents is recovered or reclaimed by boiling it off from its impurities. As the remainder is concentrated, the evaporated vapor becomes increasingly flammable. In a work process, a treatment tank is used for chemically treating work pieces in a volatile treatment fluid which has a liquid phase and a relatively non-flammable heavier-than-air vapor phase. In this process, heat energy is added to the fluid to maintain the upper vapor phase surface at a substantial distance above the upper liquid phase surface in the tank. When the treatment fluid becomes sufficiently contaminated with dirt introduced by the work pieces or otherwise, it must be removed from the tank and replaced with clean treatment fluid.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump driven by a single speed power source has a fixed length of flexible wall tubing circumferentially positioned between the wall of the inner chamber and an adjustable band. The flexible band has one end fixed to the pump housing and the other to an adjusting screw. Turning the adjusting screw varies the effective length of the adjustable band and consequently the degree of contact with the flexible wall tubing. Increasing the effective length of the adjustable band flattens the tubing against the wall, thereby changing the volumetric capacity of the tubing and delivery rate of the pump. Decreasing the effective length of the adjustable band has the opposite effect.

Abstract: A carving machine which has universally movable multiple work spindles mounted on a frame, and movable along rails in a normal manner. The tracing station (the station which holds the pattern used in the carving operation) is located outboard of one lateral side of the rails, and outboard of the frame, so that a worker can easily trace on large patterns at the tracing station.

Abstract: A device for perforating the edges of individual bakery products to facilitate the separation of the products into portions.

Abstract: A photographic printer includes light sensors for measuring optical characteristics of photographic film to be printed. Prior to printing, the output signals of the light sensors are monitored under one or more reference condition, and calibration values based upon this monitoring are derived and stored. During normal operation of the photographic printer the sensors provide measurements of the optical characteristics of the film, and the output signals of the light sensors are calibrated based upon the stored calibration values. The exposures are then controlled as a function of the corrected output signals.

Abstract: A bracket is connected to a base such as a deck and supports a seat and back joist of a bench-type seat. The bracket includes a quadrangular portion having a top, a bottom, and first and second sides. The bottom is connected to the top surface of the deck, and the top supports a plank which forms the seat of the deck seat. An L-shaped portion extends below the quadrangular portion for supporting the bottom end of a generally upstanding back joist. A loop is attached to the first side and receives and holds the upstanding back joist at a position above its bottom end. Back rest boards are connected between the upstanding back joists to provide the back of the bench-type seat.

Abstract: A tool for use in wood lathes which comprises a blade formed into a U shape with one edge of the closed end of the U forming the cutting edge. The tool includes suitable depth guards and a chip reflector to provide for safe and depth regulated cutting that leaves a smooth surface on the wood.

Abstract: Cut lengths or segments of photographic strip material, particularly photographic film, are stacked as they are discharged from a photographic film cutter. The device for stacking the cut lengths includes a tray, an arm, a base, and a guide. The base is connected to the film cutter, and supports the film tray with the first end of the tray positioned closely to the discharge end of the film cutter. The arm is positioned in generally overlying position with respect to the tray and is pivotally connected to the tray at the second end of the tray furthest from the discharge end of the film cutter. The arm preferably has a "W" shaped cross section which provides two lines of contact with the cut lengths of film which are deposited between the tray and the arm. The guide provides a guiding surface parallel to the path of the cut lengths along their front edges. The guide may take a plurality of positions to accommodate films of different widths.

Abstract: A special safety device prevents two fluid lines from being connected if the fluid in the first line can not be safely received by the second line. The danger of connecting the two lines may be, for example, because the fluid carried by the first line presents a safety hazard if received by the second line, or because the fluid in the first line is at too high a pressure or temperature to be safely received by the second line. The safety device includes first and second cams which are connected to the two lines. The first cam has cam keys in a first pattern which is indicative of characteristics of the fluid transmitted by the first fluid line, while the second cam has cam keys in a second, complimentary pattern which is indicative of characteristics of the fluid which may be safely received by the second fluid line.

Abstract: A method of producing an indicia transferring surface including affixing an inert material in the shape of indicia to a base sheet containing a curing inhibitor coating. A curable compound is placed on the surface of the base sheet in contact with the indicia shaped inert material and is allowed to cure. After a curing period, the curable compound is separated from the base sheet. The curable compound includes a cured portion and an uncured portion. The uncured portion is removed, leaving raised areas of the cured compound that were in contact with the indicia shaped inert material. The raised areas may then be used to transfer the impression of the indicia to another surface.

Abstract: A load transport carriage, designed to be carried by a truck, having two pairs of wheels, one being a front pair which is located at a relatively higher level and the other a rear pair which is at a lower level. The wheels of the lower pair are hinged to a carriage frame that is pivotable and lockable in its upper position. Locking mechanism is provided for locking the carriage in an upright position, this locking mechanism including one or more feeler wheels which engage the rear of the truck as the carriage is moved onto the truck and which operate to adjust the length of an adjustable strut connected between the pivotal legs carrying the rear wheels and the carriage frame. The locking mechanism may be either a mechanical locking mechanism or a hydraulic locking mechanism involving a check valve which permits fluid to flow in only one direction into a piston chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a log splitting apparatus utilizing a hydraulic cylinder mounted onto a main frame member and having a movable pusher portion that forces log sections against an upright cutting blade. The main frame member is tubular and also forms the hydraulic reservoir for the hydraulic system used with the cylinder. The entire splitter assembly is mounted onto mounting brackets which permit the splitter assembly to be placed onto a graden tractor with the axis of the power cylinder crossways to the longitudinal (fore and aft) axis of the garden tractor for compact assembly. The splitter assembly is self-contained and is powered directly from the power take-off of such garden tractor.

Abstract: A lifting jack has its upward and downward traveling distance controlled by means of a limit switch. The lifting jack has a base, an upright outer member rigidly connected to the base and an upright inner member movable coaxially within the outer member. An up stop and an adjustable down stop are rigidly attached to and move with the inner member. An adjustable mount is mounted in a fixed position on the outer member, and the limit switch is mounted in fixed position on the mount. A guide shoe assembly is pivotally connected to the mount and is oriented generally perpendicular to the direction of travel of the inner member. A stop engaging member at one end of the guide is positioned to engage the up stop and the down stop, and an arm guiding portion at the opposite end engages and guides an actuating arm of the limit switch.

Abstract: A volumetric infusion pump useful in intravenous feeding includes a detector which provides an alarm when the supply bag or reservoir becomes empty or an occlusion occurs between the supply bag and the pump. The pump includes a first pumping chamber having a cylinder, a piston, a first flexible diaphragm and first and second valves. The piston is driven by a first cam through a first cam follower which is connected to the piston. The empty supply bag detector senses contact between the first cam and the first cam follower. During normal operation, when the first valve opens and the second valve closes the first pumping chamber fills due to the head pressure of fluid from the bag, and the cam follower remains in contact with the cam.

Abstract: A power operated surfboard which has a raised rear hollow portion at the rear in which is disposed an impeller housing having an impeller therein and a water discharge passage extending rearwardly from the housing. An internal combustion engine is supported above the impeller housing and has a short vertical axis connected to the impeller which rotates about a vertical axis. Surrounding the impeller housing is an exhaust gas housing which communicates with the exhaust gas passage of the engine and with a discharge chamber beneath the floor of the surfboard. The exhaust gas housing is gas tight and provides a gas cushion which retards the entrance of water through the discharge chamber into the exhaust passage of the engine, when the surfboard is not being operated. This is aided by a flexible valve disposed at the discharge outlet of the discharge chamber to retard the entrance of water into the discharge chamber.

Abstract: A rapid opening valve assembly utilized in high rate specimen test systems which require that an actuator load a specimen at rates in the range up to one thousand inches per second and with deflections up to three inches. The high rate valve utilizes a poppet or valve piston member that rapidly opens once it is triggered. The ports may be very large and as shown the valve body is used in connection with a closely coupled accumulator pressure source that is ported directly to the actuator to provide adequate flow capacity. The specimen is generally for testing of metals, plastics, and elastomers under tension or compression.

Abstract: A microcomputer controlled digital thermostat has a two-digit display which normally displays room temperature and a plurality of function and temperature keys for storing control information in the microcomputer. The function keys include a TIME SET key, a HEAT SET key, an AC SET key, and an AC OFF key. The temperature keys include keys for each of a plurality of temperature ranges such as 59.degree.-59.degree. F., 60.degree.-69.degree. F., and 80.degree.-89.degree. F. Time and temperature settings are entered and stored in registers of the microcomputer by a slew entry arrangement through use of the function keys and temperature keys, together with the display. Recall of the stored settings is provided by rapidly contacting the function keys.

Abstract: An adjustable trouble lamp support which includes a hook, a friction swivel and a clamping bracket for attaching the support to a trouble lamp. The hook includes a curved section and a shank section with the hook sufficiently large to substantially extend beyond the periphery of the trouble lamp cage at any angular position.The friction swivel includes a portion of the shank section that is attached on an incline to the center of a disc, a spring located around this portion of the shank section and a housing enclosing the spring and shank section whereby the spring is compressed and a frictional force is produced between the disc and housing.