Abstract: A disposable package assembly for storage and subsequent microwave heating of a food item. The package assembly includes a container body having one or more raised lands integrally formed on the bottom surface thereof. The one or more raised lands support a microwave browning disk, and a food item is supported upon the browning disk. The one or more raised lands create an air space between the bottom of the container body and the browning disk to promote even circulation of heated air. A lid is disposed over the container body to enclose the food item.

Abstract: A quick release tool holder assembly including a tool holder defining a circular well, a pair of pads positioned on the tool holder and presenting inboard faces intruding into the well, and a wedge block member movable radially into and out of the well in response to rotation of a hand knob. The associated tool includes a wedge recess sized to receive the wedge tip of the wedge block. The pads are positioned within an angular range of 180.degree. as measured about the central axis of the tool and tool holder and the wedge block is positioned centrally within the remaining 180.degree. as measured around the central axis. The tool may be removed for refinishing or replacement simply by withdrawing the wedge block, moving the tool slightly laterally within the well, and then lifting the tool vertically out the well.

Abstract: A gun for firing pellets using compressed gas having a breech, a hammer mechanism slidably mounted in the breech, which mechanism includes a hammer and a spring mounted to drive the hammer forwards when the gun is fired, and a trigger pivotally connected to the breech. A sear device having a front and a rear end is mounted on a sear pin in the breech. A sear spring biases the sear device so that the front end thereof pivots downwardly after the hammer is released. This sear device includes a sear detent slidably mounted in the front end. A small spring biases the sear detent to move to a forward position in order to be engageable by the trigger. The valve mechanism of the gun is mounted by a pin about which extends an elastomeric bumper. This bumper reduces shock loading on a top frame of the gun.

Abstract: A progressive broaching apparatus comprising a base, an index table mounted on the base and defining a plurality of circumferentially spaced work stations, first and second columns mounted on and independently upstanding from the base, and first and second rams mounted on the first and second columns in overlying relation to respective spaced portions of the index table and operative to coact with the work stations in response to indexing movement of the work table to progressively transform an unfinished workpiece into a finished workpiece. A track is mounted on one of the columns to define a linear path extending between the columns in overlying relation to the index table and a trolley is mounted for movement on the track to facilitate the delivery of unfinished workpieces to the work stations and the removal of finished workpieces from the work stations.

Abstract: A method for decontamination of steel components contaminated with radioactive material comprises the steps:(a) providing a mass of material including:(i) a proportion of steel carrying radioactive material; and(ii) a mass of slag forming material;(b) melting the mass of material, to provide a volume of molten steel and a volume of slag, the radioactive material originally present on the steel migrating to the slag; and(c) separating the slag from the molten steel. The mass of slag forming material is selected to provide a predetermined concentration of radioactive material in the slag. The concentration may be selected to be sufficiently dilute to allow disposal of the slag without restriction.

Abstract: An ozone generator (10) has top and bottom chambers (12, 14) interconnected by a vertically extending elongated tubular assembly (16). Assembly (16) has a control electrode (18) within a conductive tube member (20) and separated therefrom by an annular dielectric member (22) which only partly fills the space between items (18, 20). The dielectric member (22) is suspended by an O-ring at its upper end within the top chamber (12) and is free from contact with both the electrode (18) and the tube member (20). Gas flow between the top and bottom chambers (12, 14) is along radially inner and outer annular passageways within the assembly (16) and the top chamber (12) is partitioned into two chambers which respectively communicate with these passageways. The generator (10) may have a plurality of similar assemblies (16) extending in parallel between common top and bottom chambers (12, 14).

Abstract: Spatially variant apodization is a digital image processing technique for eliminating sidelobes produced by Fourier transform of finite data sequences without compromising mainlobe width. This process allows each sample or pixel in an image to receive its own frequency domain aperture amplitude weighting function from an infinite number of possible weighting functions. In its simplest form the weight is a function of the negative of the current sample divided by the sum of the neighboring samples, and the function is limited to a predetermined range such as the range between zero and one half.

Abstract: A group of cabinets or other units each have a solenoid operated lock controlled by an electronic lock accessible by one or more electronic keys. The locks are linked together in a chain by power and data lines so that power is supplied through a single 12 volt transformer, and key codes are transmitted from a lock that reads a key to other locks, to open any cabinet programmed with an access code matching the transmitted key code. To limit power requirements, when one solenoid is being energized a busy signal is transmitted to prevent concurrent operation of other solenoids. A user installed master code stored in the lock and a corresponding master key are used to permit programming or erasing of other access key codes. A factory installed permanent reset code is stored in the lock and a secret algorithm known only to the manufacturer can derive the reset code from the cabinet serial number.

Abstract: A process for removing sulfur dioxide (SO.sub.2) from a waste gas stream and recovering the sulfur values as sulfuric acid. The sources of the waste gas stream include effluent vent, flue or exhaust gases from power plants, sulfuric acid plants, ore roasters, and solid waste incinerators. The purpose of the process is to achieve economies of operation, provide a useful byproduct, and minimize environmental pollution.

Abstract: A sunroof assembly of the lift-up type in which the panel assembly is movable between closed, vent, and opened positions. The cam member coacting with the panel assembly to impart lifting movement to the panel assembly is arranged to undergo angular movement about the longitudinal axis of the track on which the cam member is mounted so that the resultant vertical movement imparted to the panel includes a component corresponding to the vertical rise of the cam member cam surface and a further augmenting component attributable to the angular movement of the cam member.

Abstract: A micromachined accelerometer includes two capacitors comprising a pair of fixed capacitor electrodes and an intermediate movable proof mass serving as a common electrode which is displaced under acceleration to differentially vary the capacitances. A circuit holds the common electrode at a bias voltage and a switching circuit rapidly alternating between two phases separately connects the fixed electrodes to a main reference voltage and to ground during a first phase and to a common intermediate voltage during a second phase. A charge amplifier senses capacitance changes due to acceleration to produce an output voltage and an attenuating amplifier responsive to the output voltage produces the common intermediate voltage. A compensation servo circuit responsive to the output voltage generates the bias voltage which controls an electrostatic balancing force which is applied to the proof mass during the first phase to maintain the proof mass near a rest position.

Abstract: A film drive mechanism for positioning film relative to the optical stage of a commercial printer. The mechanism includes a film drive assembly and a mount base assembly. The film drive assembly includes an elongated frame member, a feed spool mounted on one end of the frame member, a takeup spool mounted on the other end of the frame member, and guide means for moving the film between the spools along a longitudinal feed path. The film drive assembly is mounted for lateral movement on the mount base assembly. The film drive assembly is adjusted on the mount base assembly for a particular width of film by a selector knob positioned on a selector shaft carried by the film drive unit and including a plurality of tabs selectively coacting with a detent in a guide shaft carried by the mount base.

Abstract: A female blade terminal assembly including a female blade terminal having a cage structure adapted to receive a male blade terminal and a shroud of seamless tubular cross sectional configuration adapted to fit over the cage structure in surrounding relation to the beam portions of the cage structure. The female blade terminal is formed from a single piece of conductive sheet material of a given thickness and the beam portions have a thickness less than the given thickness. The cage portion further includes front and rear annular collar portions of the given thickness with the reduced thickness beam portions extending between the annular collar portions. The shroud precludes outward splaying of the cage structure in response to insertion of the male blade terminal, limits the outward deflection of the beam portions to preclude plastic deformation of the beam portions, and precludes the entry of contaminants into the electrical interface between the beam portions and the male blade terminal.

Abstract: A trolling assembly, adapted to be connected to a fishing boat by a tow line so that the assembly is drawn behind the boat and laterally to the course of the boat allowing a plurality of trolling fishing lines from the boat to be connected to spaced points on the connecting lines, employs three substantially identical planer boards. Each board is an elongated, flat rectangular and has a central slot. A pair of extending arms are pivotally joined to the slots within each board so that arms may be positioned in extending position wherein the boards are parallel to one another and spaced from one another, or a collapsed position in which the arms lie substantially within the slots and the opposed surfaces of the three stacked boards abut one another.

Abstract: A signage assembly useful for the tabletop display of an advertising message. The assembly includes a holder comprised of an upright into which the insert may be removably inserted and a base for supporting the upright upon the tabletop. An interactive device for engaging an observer, preferably in the form of a game board, disposed upon the base so that the observer will read the message printed on the insert while playing the game.

Abstract: A starter motor energized through a relay is protected from low voltages by a circuit which senses low voltages and turns off the motor relay via a transistor switch. A generator voltage sensing circuit also turns off the relay via the same switch when a generator voltage threshold is reached. For operation over a wide system voltage range, the coil of the relay is protected against high voltages by a chopper circuit which operates the transistor switch at a duty cycle of 100% at low voltages across the coil and lower duty cycles at high voltages. For a 12 volt relay the average current at higher voltages is maintained at a value approximating that obtained at a steady state 12 volts.

Abstract: An improved liquid level fuel sender of the type having a resistor card mounted in a plastic housing affixed to the interior of a fuel tank, and a float arm assembly connected to pivot relative to the housing to slide a contact wiper over the resistor card to generate signals corresponding to fuel level. The connecting structure and bearing surfaces of the components of the fuel sender are designed to increase the stability, uniformity, accuracy and repeatability of the sender over its life. In one embodiment the plastic housing defines a first pivot bearing for the float arm assembly, and the ground terminal defines a second pivot bearing for the float arm assembly spaced from the first pivot bearing to improve rotational stability of the float arm assembly. A support arm and wiper arm assembly are mounted therebetween, the support arm connected to the float arm and freely rotating on an axial bearing surface on the housing to transfer float arm motion to the conductive wiper arm.

Abstract: A switch mounted on the push rod of a master cylinder assembly and controlling in sequence several switches such, for example, as a cruise control switch, an electronic fuel injection switch, and a start interlock switch. The switch includes a hollow housing defining a central chamber through which the push rod passes and a plunger assembly carried by the push rod and mounted for axial movement within the chamber. The plunger assembly includes a primary plunger and a secondary plunger carried by and movable axially relative to the primary plunger. The initial portion of the forward movement of the push rod allows incremental forward movement of the secondary plunger to actuate a first series of switches whereafter the push rod moves further forwardly without either plunger whereafter the push rod engages the primary plunger to move the plunger assembly forwardly to actuate a further switch.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for the extraction of meat from the tails of crustacea such as prawns. An example of the apparatus described comprises a frame (10) supporting a conveyor means (12) which carry support means in the form of releasable cartridges (26) towards pressure applying rollers (20, 22) between which the cartridges pass. The lower roller (22) is preferably hollow and apertured so that the meat from prawn tails secured to the cartridges is pressed out of the tail shells and passes through the roller (22) for collection.

Abstract: A ladies leg shave plate or fixture is mounted in the shower stall or in a bathing area of the bathroom. It has a unitary body having a vertically extending mount portion and a forwardly extending, downwardly inclined foot portion integral with the mount portion. The foot portion has upper and lower surfaces, with the upper surface providing an area for the woman to place the ball of her foot to permit her to conveniently shave her leg. The angle of inclination for the upper surface is in the range of 15.degree. to 25.degree..