Abstract: An actuating mechanism is proposed for the hook and feed dog in a portable sewing machine of the type employed for sewing bags of jute, paper, and the like. In the proposed mechanism, a single cam determines both the compound movement of the hook, which is spring loaded against the cam and provided with at least one ball for reducing the frictional resistance, and of the feed dog by means of a connecting rod journalled at one end to a vertically adjustable support such as to allow the length of the seam stitch to be varied.

Abstract: A system for metering and film packaging of bitumen and like materials that are solid at room temperature and molten liquid when heated. The packaging film is thermoplastic, having a melting point not exceeding the temperature of molten bitumen. The material of the packaging film in liquid form is compatible with bitumen without deleteriously affecting the characteristics of the bitumen. In the system, bitumen in a hot molten state is pumped at a filling station into empty molds that are lined with release material. The fluid bitumen is metered at the filling station to supply a predetermined quantity in each mold. The filled molds are conveyed through a lengthy cooling station that may include a water bath and after a suitable time, e.g. 2 to 4 hours, the bitumen solidifies into slabs.

Abstract: A data transmission system including a transmitting station (13 to 15 and T) wherein three-state signals representing data are converted to two-state signals so that the data can be transmitted via a transmission line adapted to transmit only two-state signals such as a fibre optic transmission line.

Abstract: The effects of wind noise signals from fence-mounted transducers are overcome by basing alarm indications on signal components in at least two narrow frequency bands centered on, say, 120 Hz and 240 Hz.

Abstract: For the purpose of generating oscillations having a plurality of different frequencies, a read-only memory stores a plurality of binary words which are read cyclically. The individual pulse signals supplied by the read-only memory, each such signal representing a succession of corresponding bits read from the read-only memory, are used to control latches and the required oscillations are obtained by filtering pulse signals supplied by the latches. To guard against equipment failure, the read-only memory and latches are duplicated, the pulse signals supplied by the two sets of latches being combined by means of gates before filtering.

Abstract: A radome aberration correction system in which data relating to the aberration over a range of angles of incident radar signals is stored in a digital data store. The apparent direction of a radar source is corrected by the addition of an aberration value stored in respect of the particular apparent source direction.

Abstract: A pinch valve for throttling or terminating the flow of a fluid through a pipe or the like. The valve features two cam bodies within an extension of the valve body. An inner cam body is cammed into non-rotational translational movement in a direction towards and away from the flexible and resilient sleeve of the pinch valve by the cam surface of an outer cam body of circular cross-section which is at least partially rotatable by displacement of a turn handle. The handle may be partially turned about the axis of the outer cam body, to partially constrict or throttle fluid flow, or further turned to completely pinch the sleeve shut and totally terminate fluid flow.

Abstract: A current source in which the output current from an output amplifier stage (2) is controlled by an input signal, originating in a signal source (11), to an input amplifier stage (1) incorporates, additionally to a negative feedback path from the current input path of the output stage (2) to the input amplifier (1), monitoring means (5) in the signal input path to the output amplifier (2) and control means (4) in an input path to the input amplifier (1). Monitoring means (5) monitors the current flow in the input path to the output amplifier (2) and applies, via control means (4) a signal to the input amplifier (1) such that the dependence of the current flow in the current output path on the gain of the output stage (2) is reduced. A circuit is described, as well as an application to driving a telephone subscriber line and using two current sources working in push-pull mode.

Abstract: The closed end of a toothpaste tube is inserted into an internal cavity of a self-supporting toothpaste dispensing device, and a key is manually turned to coil the tube within the cavity. The cavity walls are resiliently yieldable and constantly bear against different contact zones on the coiled tube to empty its paste contents.

Abstract: A hot water collector to be erected on the sloped roof of an enclosure so that solar energy, i.e. the rays of the sun, will shine on the collector and heat water flowing therein. The collector features a plurality of parallel generally rectilinear channels arranged on the roof, extending transversely to the pitch of the roof and extending horizontally and transversely across the sloped roof. Water flows from one end of a channel to the other and then down to the next lower channel. The water is heated by the sun as it flows along successive channels, and heated water is removed from the lowest channel for space heating or other uses. A specific configuration of solar hot water collector consisting of an elongated metal strip and a plurality of metal mounting brackets is also disclosed, as well as a method of installing a solar hot water collector on the sloped roof of an enclosure using a plurality of elongated metal strips.

Abstract: A soap dish liner is inserted with snap-type engagement into a bathroom fixture soap dish recess which is integrally built into a bathroom wall that is located adjacent to a bathtub and/or shower area. The liner has wall portions which shield the soap in its interior soap compartment from water, thereby preventing soap dissolution.

Abstract: An electrical measuring apparatus comprising a current domain magnetometer (C.D.M.) (1) and summation means (2) for summing the output pulses from the C.D.M., the sum of the summation means representing the integral of a predetermined function of the voltage and magnetic flux applied to the C.D.M. with respect to time. The predetermined function may be proportional to the product of the voltage and magnetic flux and the apparatus may produce measurements of voltage, magnetic flux, power or phase angle.

Abstract: A system for recovering heat from combustion flue gas, which transfers heat from the flue gas into combustion-supporting air, which is then used to burn a fuel in a combustion zone in a furnace or the like, so that useful heat is generated and a hot combustion flue gas is formed. Two heat sinks are provided, each for alternate absorption of heat from the hot flue gas, and desorption of heat into ambient combustion air so that the air is preheated. A reversible fan or blower is associated with each sink. The hot flue gas is passed successively through one heat sink and fan to atmospheric discharge for a finite time interval, while concomitantly passing cold and usually ambient combustion air successively through the other fan and heat sink so that the air is heated and a preheated combustion air stream is formed, which is subsequently passed to the combustion zone. After the finite time interval, the reversible fans are reversed for another finite time interval usually equal to the first time interval.

Abstract: An N,N, disubstituted p-phenylenediamine salt of a phosphoric acid selected from the group consisting of ortho-phosphoric acid, pyrophosphoric acid and polyphosphoric acid. Such a phosphate is incorporated as a color developing agent in a liquid packaged developer concentrate which subsequently is mixed with other materials contained in a multi-package receptacle and the mixture is diluted with water to form a color developer working solution (bath) for developing a colored film. The developer concentrate has the advantage that the color developing agent therein does not tend to deteriorate upon standing, as do present-day widely used commercial N,N, disubstituted p-phenylenediamine color developing agents in developer liquid concentrates, e.g.

Abstract: A stripe for magnetically receiving encoded information; the stripe is bonded and adhered to any type of document having a paper substrate onto which the magnetic stripe is deposited, usually in the form of a narrow rectilinear strip, which is raised above the original surface of the paper substrate by embossing the latter during deposition of the magnetic stripe. Basically the invention entails the provision of a flexible sheet for use in forming a magnetic recording medium in the form of a magnetic stripe on a paper substrate, e.g. a document such as a bank passbook. The sheet includes a first layer of magnetic-particle-free thermoplastic material, which is bonded to the paper substrate by application of high temperature and pressure to a local narrow rectilinear area thereof. Above the first layer and permanently bonded thereto is a middle layer of magnetizable material consisting of a plurality of discrete magnetizable particles dispersed in a matrix.

Abstract: A latch mechanism for controlling relative movement of two hinged members about an axis, e.g. a helmet and visor. The mechanism comprises a first part (19) fixed to one hinged member and a second part comprising a first member (25) fixed to the other hinged member (13) and a manually operable second member (27). On application of pressure the second member (27) pivots on the first member (25) against a spring bias (43) to disengage the second member from the first part (19) and allow the second latch part (25, 27) to move angularly with respect to the first latch part (19) under continuing pressure on the second member.