Abstract: A method and apparatus for discharging food or feed product from a cooler. Food or feed product may be introduced in a cooler formed of a large bin. The product is cooled by drawing a low volume of air having a high static pressure drop through the product. Trough-shaped gates are positionable beneath discharge openings in a lower portion of the bin to inhibit discharge of product. Product is intermittently discharged from the openings by selectively moving the gates at least partially away from the openings to permit product to flow through the openings. In preferred embodiments, a driver moves the gates intermittently in first and second directions by causing the gates to swing about a pivotal mounting point.

Abstract: A burner for an industrial furnace has a plurality of lines passing through a furnace wall for fuel gas, burner air, and waste gas. Arranged in the furnace space is a combustion chamber (66) in which a mixture of fuel gas and burner air is combusted, and from which a flame (89) is directed into the furnace space. The combustion chamber (66) is delimited by walls (32, 65). The walls (32, 65) are arranged to be movable with respect to one another (65', 65"), so that the volume of the combustion chamber (66) is adjustable (FIG. 2).

Abstract: A gaming apparatus and method are provided which relate to a dice table game having at least two levels of wagering in cooperation with an optional jackpot wager. During operation, a player places an optional jackpot wager and a first level wager upon one of the possible dice combinations. If the player loses at the first level, both wagers are taken by the house. If the player wins at the first level, the player's jackpot wager remains and the player is paid for the first level wager based upon the odds associated with the selected dice combination. When the player wins at the first level, the player is required to place a wager upon a second level by selecting one of the possible combinations of dice offered at the second level. If the player loses at the second level, the second level wager and the jackpot wager are taken by the house. When the player wins at the second level, a payout is effected based upon the odds associated with the dice combination selected by the player and the jackpot wager is held.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus serve for drying industrial barrels (60). The industrial barrels (60) are positioned on an inclined base (12, 20) and are enclosed by a pressure-tight vacuum hood (30). A suction pipe (40) that is connected with the vacuum hood (30) extends through a bunghole (63) provided in the tilted barrel (60) at its lowest point (71) where the residual liquid quantity (70) gathers. A heating rod (55) is arranged inside the suction pipe (40). The suction pipe (40) is connected to a vacuum pump (48). The heated suction pipe (40) removes from the interior of the barrel (60) at first die liquid residual liquid quantity (70), and then the vaporizing residual liquid. Compared with conventional methods, using hot steam for drying, this method leads to cost savings and an improved drying effect (FIG. 1 ).

Abstract: An apparatus for directly determining an outcome of a game which identifies this outcome by displaying a series of indicia that correspond to the outcome. The apparatus includes a random number generator which generates a random number from a predetermined set thereof. The random number is scaled to obtain an outcome identifier from a set of outcome identifiers. The set of outcome identifiers are divided into a plurality of subsets, with each subset corresponding to one win/loss tier. The outcome identifier is evaluated to determine which of the outcomes it corresponds to by identifying the subset, into which it falls. Once the outcome is identified, a corresponding win/loss tier is identified. Each win/loss tier is associated with a unique reel combination table, each of which includes at least one series of indicia to be displayed as a reel combination corresponding to the chosen outcome.

Abstract: An exercise device is provided for improving an user's speed and jumping ability. The device includes a base proximate the user's feet and having at least opposed side members which serve as anchors. A belt is provided which is secured about the user's waist and connected to one end of each of a plurality of elastic bands. Opposite ends of each band are connected to the side members upon the base to remain anchored to the floor. The elastic bands provide resistance against upward movement and exert a downward force in addition to the natural force of gravity. The elastic bands may be interchanged for bands of different sizes to adjust the amount of downward force exerted upon the user. During operation, the user stands within the base and secures the belt around his/her waist. Next, the user runs in place, hops, jumps, performs sit ups and the like to effect neuromuscular training.

Abstract: A video lottery system for playing electronic games on multiple video lottery terminals. The system includes a central computer at a central site and at least one gaming site remotely located from the central computer. The gaming site includes a plurality of video lottery terminals which play games and generate cash tickets representing an amount won during game play. The terminals are organized into groups, each of which is managed by a site controller connected thereto. The site controllers communicate with one another via a site management ring. A unique communications protocol used on the management ring allows multiple types of logical devices (also called ring devices) to communicate with one another along the ring. Each site controller authorizes terminals within a corresponding group of terminals to generate cash tickets and is capable of validating every cash ticket generated within the video lottery system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a swing away hitch for a trailer and method of making same. The hitch is intended to allow the trailer to be parked in a building only slightly longer than the boat itself. Boat trailer hitches extend beyond the bow of the boat by some distance, and thus these trailers require a shed longer than the actual boat. To correct this problem, a swing away hitch is installed proximate the boat. According to the present method, the tubular hitch is sandwiched between top and bottom plates. Holes through the hitch and the plates are aligned with one another and a tubular casing is inserted through the holes. Thereafter, the ends of the tubular casings are "swedged" or expanded by pressing bullet shaped pins into opposite ends of the casings. The swedging effect securely fastens the components. Finally, pins are inserted through the casings to mount the swing away hitch on the trailer.

Abstract: A portable air tank having a safety relief venting assembly formed in the bottom of the tank. The safety relief vent includes a tubular relief frame welded to the exterior of the tank about a relief hole punched in the tank's bottom near one end thereof. The tubular relief frame includes a channel therethrough which aligns with, and surrounds, the hole punched in the bottom of the tank. The legs of the tank are formed to maintain the tank in an angled relation, with respect to a horizontal plane, to ensure that condensation within the tank collects at the relief hole. The venting assembly includes a cup-shaped plug inserted into the relief frame. A concave surface of the cup-shaped plug is directed upward toward the interior of the tank to ensure that condensation collects within the cup. The cup-shaped plug is formed with a thickness substantially half that of the tank's outer wall to ensure that the plug will corrode and fail before any other portion of the tank wall is compromised.

Abstract: A modulating device for breaking ink jets in an ink jet printing machine into trains of uniform droplets comprises a nozzle plate 24 provided with a substantially linear array of nozzles and forming one wall of an ink cavity 23; and acoustic generator in the form of an elongate body 26 projecting towards the nozzle plate to transmit acoustic vibrations into ink into the cavity. The body is shaped and tuned to vibrate substantially only in the longitudinal mode and at a resonant frequency which is within ten percent of a frequency to excite natural resonant vibrations in the ink in the cavity between the end of the body and the nozzle plate, the width of the body being less than the length of the nozzle array or of that part of the array associated with that body.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating chemical production plant process condensate such that a contaminant-rich stream and a relatively pure aqueous stream is separately recoverable from the condensate, wherein the contaminants are substantially removed from the condensate by steam stripping and subsequent rectification in a relatively low pressure stripping/rectification tower. The tower overhead is then condensed with a portion of the condensed overhead being returned to the top of the rectification section of the tower as reflux and the balance being withdrawn as a concentrated stream for reuse in the plant. In a second embodiment, separate stripping and rectification towers operate in series whereby the overhead of the stripping tower is delivered to the lower section of the rectification tower and the rectification bottoms are returned to the top of the stripping tower.

Abstract: A structure formed with a hardened outer casing shaped with a rectangular cross-section. The outer casing may be formed of concrete which includes a wire mesh core shaped to maintain the rectangular cross-section. The outer casing includes front and back walls separated by an insulating core which includes at least two insulating layers, such as styrofoam, located adjacent the front and back faces. The insulating layers are spaced apart with shims to form a dead air space therebetween. The shims and insulating layers are penetrated with tie members which traverse the insulating core and are fastened to the wire mesh shell within the front and back faces thereof. The outer casing may be formed of concrete comprising a mixture of concrete powder, haydyte gravel, styrofoam balls, fiber mesh particles, water and an adhesive agent. The top, bottom and side walls are formed in a tongue and groove arrangement in order to secure adjoining members to one another.

Abstract: A device used in liquid fuel dispensing systems to inhibit the infiltration of air into the product dispensing line due to thermal contraction. A fluid tight container is connected with the product line and supplied with fuel in an amount sufficient to make up the liquid volume loss caused by thermal contraction. A siphon line in the container opens near its bottom. A vent for the container is normally closed by a valve under normal pressures of the dispensing system. When thermal contraction reduces the product line pressure far enough to create a vacuum, the valve opens the container vent so that the fuel in the container can flow into the product line to keep it full of liquid and avoid drawing air into the line.

Abstract: A winch for securing the tie down straps used to restrain cargo transported on a flatbed vehicle. The winch includes a rigid frame having a rotatable winch drum on which the strap may be wound. A ratchet wheel on the end of the winch drum includes two sets of teeth which are axially offset and circumferentially staggered relative to each other. A pawl for locking the ratchet wheel has two similarly offset and staggered sets of teeth. The teeth of the pawl and ratchet wheel interlock at locations that are both axially and circumferentially offset to distribute the stresses and enhance the structural strength of the winch.

Abstract: A multiple layer hose which incorporates a gas barrier film and an elastomeric fill layer which is interposed between the gas barrier and a fiber mesh reinforcing layer. The fill layer isolates the gas barrier from the reinforcing fibers and fills the grid openings in the mesh to avoid pockets of trapped air in the hose wall.

Abstract: A dispensing canister for viscous fluids, such as sauces at a fast food outlet. The container includes a peripheral side wall formed of cardboard or other inexpensive material. The side walls are maintained in their proper configuration, and made more rigid, by the use of rigid rings applied to the longitudinal ends thereof. A first end of the container is closed by a plunger which is mounted within the interior of the container side walls and forms the bottom of the container. A trailing edge of the plunger is received within the ring at this first end, to be securely maintained in position. A lid is applied to close the second end of the container. The lid includes a downward depending skirt having a catch portion which engages with the rolled ring at this second end. A dispensing nozzle is formed in the lid. A bag is located within the container with the opening folded over the sidewall beneath cap.

Abstract: A machine for slicing bakery products such as rolls and buns. Buns that are arranged in clusters having at least four buns each have their two outside buns sliced from the outer edges and the interior buns sliced from a location between them. A vertical disk with a dull edge is arranged to engage the weak line between the two interior buns to create a break from the bottom that provides access for the shaft of the slicing blade to pass through the bun cluster without disfiguring the buns. The disks and the slicing blades for the interior buns are carried on a lower slicing mechanism which underlies the conveyor system for the buns. The lower slicing mechanism can be slid out to one side of the machine for servicing. The disks can be lowered to an inoperative position by an actuating linkage, and the lower slicing blades are automatically released when the disks are lowered.