Abstract: Disclosed herein is a venting mechanism for a battery. The venting mechanism includes a battery vent structure which is located on the battery cover and may be integrally formed therewith. The venting mechanism includes an opening extending through the battery cover such that the opening communicates with a plurality of battery cells located within the battery case. The venting mechanism also includes a vent manifold which attaches to the battery vent structure. The vent manifold includes a first opening which communicates with the battery vent structure opening and second and third openings which allow the vent manifold to be connected to two separate conduits. In this manner, a plurality of batteries may be interconnected for venting purposes, thus eliminating the need to provide separate vent lines for each battery. The vent manifold may be attached to the battery vent structure by a spin-welding technique.

Abstract: Disclosed is a battery system in which a battery is provided with a pair of quick connect electrical contact mechanisms. A battery tray, for receiving the battery, is also provided with a pair of quick connect electrical contact mechanisms which are adapted to connect and establish electrical continuity with the battery quick connect mechanisms. The battery pin assemblies may be molded into the battery cover and may be welded to the existing positives and negative battery posts. In this manner, the provision of the pins requires no additional penetrations of the battery container, thus reducing the potential for leakage of electrolyte from the container. The pins may be nested within indentations provided in the container. In this manner, the provision of the pins adds only minimally to the overall dimensions of the battery, thus resulting in a compact design.

Abstract: A cable clip for attaching a cable to a support using a plastic housing having a bottom cable receiving channel and a bore extending therethrough and a metallic surface penetrating fastening device having a stem portion, part of which is located in the bore and an integral arm portion projecting outwardly therefrom so that, when the stem portion is driven into the support, portions of the arm portion will be superposed over portions of the top and front surfaces of the plastic housing to provide reinforcement.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the opening of a solenoid actuated valve in a sealant dispensing gun are disclosed. A proximity sensor is provided adjacent a portion of the needle valve stem in order to sense when the needle valve has reached its open position. A dispense timer is initiated when the proximity sensor indicates that the needle valve has reached its open position. In this manner, the needle valve may be maintained in its open position for the desired dispense time only without regard to the response time of the solenoid device. Also disclosed is an apparatus and method for adjusting the valve open limit of a sealant dispensing device which incorporates a solenoid or motor actuated valve open limit device. A flow sensor is located in-line with the sealant supply path of a dispensing gun in order to monitor the dispense weight during each valve open cycle. A moving average of the dispense rates may then be calculated and compared to predetermined limits.

Abstract: An improved battery paste composition and a lead-acid electrochemical cell which incorporates the composition. The cell includes a positive current collector and a negative current collector which are each coated with a paste containing one or more lead-containing compositions and a paste vehicle to form a positive plate and a negative plate. An absorbent electrolyte-containing separator member may also be positioned between the positive and negative plates. The paste on the positive current collector, the negative current collector, or both further includes a special additive consisting of polyvinylsulfonic acid or salts thereof which provides many benefits including improved battery cycle life, increased charge capacity, and enhanced overall stability. The additive also makes the pastes smoother and more adhesive, thereby improving the paste application process. The paste compositions of interest may be used in conventional flat-plate cells or in spirally wound batteries with equal effectiveness.

Abstract: A gable top for a carton formed from a carton blank having an outer layer bonded to an intermediate layer by a first strength and an inner layer bonded to the intermediate layer by a second strength less than by a first strength and wherein the intermediate layer is of an esthetically pleasing color and formed into a gable top by sealing together facing portions of the inner layer so that when the gable top is separated to form a pour spout the inner surface of the pour spout will be aesthetically pleasing.

Abstract: A whistle designed particularly for outdoor use, such as in hiking or camping, wherein opposite sidewalls of the whistle are provided with openings having inwardly directed flanges so that closure devices may be press fitted therein and wherein the closure devices preferably comprise a compass, a thermometer or a molded disk, but can also comprise other environmental instruments.

Abstract: A laminate for forming carton blanks wherein a desired aesthetic holographic appearance is sandwiched between a reversed printed transparent plastic film and a relatively rigid paperboard material. In another embodiment, printed matter and a clear lacquer are imposed on spaced portions of holographic etchings on a transparent film to eliminate the holographic etchings in those areas leaving a remaining portion of the holographic etchings. A metallized substrate covers the printed matter, the clear lacquer and the remaining holographic etchings which can then be laminated to a relatively rigid paperboard.

Abstract: A can end for a two-piece beverage can including a score panel defined by an arcuate score line which comprises a score groove and a score residual portion. In order to control the opening speed of the score panel, the thickness of the score residual is varied along the score line. A thickened score residual area or areas may generally be located opposite the rivet area of the can end. The remainder of the score residual may be formed having a relatively smaller thickness, thus allowing opening of the end to be accomplished without the need for excessive force.

Abstract: An improvement in necking apparatus for forming a necked end on a can body wherein during the necking operation pressurized air moves into the interior of a can body being necked through an open end portion of a conduit in a knock out ram which knock out ram is reciprocally mounted in the necking die and wherein valve means are provided to control the amount of pressurized air flowing out through the open end portion and to retain the pressurized air in the conduit after the necking operation has been completed. Also, the flow of the pressurized air is stopped by a resilient connection between a portion of the knock out ram and a portion of the necking die.

Abstract: A nozzle actuating and adjustment system for applying sealant to a can lid member comprising a nozzle which has a sealant dispensing opening, a needle valve means, a needle valve seat surface and a sealant flow passage for enabling flow of sealant material onto the lid member. The needle valve is selectively axially movable between an open sealant applying position and a closed non-flow position relative to the needle valve seat surface. A spring means is operatively associated with the needle valve means to normally hold the needle valve means in the closed lowered position. A needle valve actuator solenoid is operatively connected to the needle valve for selectively causing axial upward movement of the needle valve from the closed position to the open position by a predetermined axial distance to provide a predetermined sealant flow gap in the nozzle means to dispense a predetermined amount of sealant material during a predetermined dispensing time period.

Abstract: A system for detecting organic contaminants in water supplies. A sampling unit is employed which includes a housing having at least one opening therein and a tubular member positioned within the housing having a central passageway surrounded by a side wall. The side wall is made of a composition designed to absorb the contaminants. In use, the sampling unit is immersed in a water supply. The water supply contacts the tubular member through the opening in the housing, with any contaminants being absorbed into the side wall of the tubular member. A carrier gas is then passed through the central passageway of the tubular member. The contaminants will diffuse out of the side wall and into the central passageway where they will subsequently combine with the carrier gas, thereby yielding a gaseous product. The gaseous product is then analyzed to determine the amount and type of contaminants therein.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for detecting the cycling of a manufacturing machine, such as a bottle manufacturing machine, without the need for a mechanical detection device. An imaging device, which may also be used to inspect products manufactured by the manufacturing machine, monitors a portion of the manufacturing machine in order to determine when the machine cycles. Also disclosed is a method for correlating a product being inspected to its point of origin, e.g., correlating a bottle to its mold cavity of origin in the case of a bottle manufacturing machine. The manufacturing machine cycle time is divided by the number of origin points, e.g., the number of bottle mold cavities in the case of a bottle manufacturing machine, to derive a product interval time. The arrival time of each product being inspected may then be divided by the product interval time in order to predict the point of origin from which the product originated.

Abstract: At least three straps, each comprising a body portion and a buckle, are linked together to be used in carrying a relatively large object. The middle strap contacts the bottom surface of the relatively large object and the strap connected to each end of the middle strap contacts portions of the bottom surface and portions of relatively large opposite surfaces of the relatively large object. At least the end straps are adjustable to compensate for differences in the physical characteristics of the persons carrying the relatively large object. In another embodiment, the linked, looped straps are arranged so that one individual can readily carry a relatively large object or objects.

Abstract: A carton blank and a leakproof carton formed therefrom which carton has an outer enclosure formed from a relatively rigid material and having an openable top portion and a closed bottom portion and a leakproof inner liner having a central body portion secured to an opposed central body of the outer enclosure, a closed bottom and an openable closed top so that after portions of the material in the carton have been removed the top portion and adjacent portions of the inner liner's central body may be separated from the central body of the outer enclosure and folded downwardly to protect the remaining material in the carton. In one embodiment, after all the material has been removed from the carton, the leakproof inner liner may be completely removed from the outer enclosure.

Abstract: Power supply apparatus according to the present invention may comprise a direct current source and a phase-shift converter circuit connected to the direct current source. A rectifier is connected to the output of the phase-shift converter circuit and rectifies a modulated output signal produced by the phase-shift converter circuit. An average current sensor connected to the rectifier senses the time average current in the rectifier and produces an average current feedback signal. A control device connected to the average current sensor and to the phase-shift converter circuit is responsive to the average current feedback signal and operates the phase-shift converter circuit in accordance with the average current feedback signal.

Abstract: A liquid injection plasma torch deposition apparatus for depositing material onto a surface of a substrate may comprise a plasma torch for producing a jet of plasma from an outlet nozzle. A plasma confinement tube having an inlet end and an outlet end and a central bore therethrough is aligned with the outlet nozzle of the plasma torch so that the plasma jet is directed into the inlet end of the plasma confinement tube and emerges from the outlet end of the plasma confinement tube. The plasma confinement tube also includes an injection port transverse to the central bore. A liquid injection device connected to the injection port of the plasma confinement tube injects a liquid reactant mixture containing the material to be deposited onto the surface of the substrate through the injection port and into the central bore of the plasma confinement tube.