Abstract: For safely opening drums that may contain hazardous materials, a remotely controllable drum opener attachment is provided, which is powered by air or electricity from a distance by means of a long power cord. The attachment is clamped in position on the drum by an appropriate frame.

Abstract: An easy to use and inexpensive programmable electronic control system is provided for control of glue guns to spot glue on controllable positions on a carton blank, being conveyed past a glue station. The controls are synchronously related to the position of a workpiece on a conveyor platform by means of a rotary shaft in the conveyor mechanism to which a rotating timing wheel is coupled for precisely and synchronously identifying positions along the length of the workpiece. One or more solenoid actuated glue guns, may be positioned in preselected lanes across the width of the workpiece. By means of markers rotated by the timing wheel and an optical sensor coupled to a position adjacent the moving marker controls the glue dispensers. By means of a small diameter fiber link between the optical sensor and the marker, precise timing and control of glue dot positions is achieved for high fidelity and high speed response.

Abstract: An occlusion system is provided for retaining pivot rods of modular link belts in residence in journalled positions within the designated sets of aligned link end apertures with particular advantages in reducing belt wear and maintaining belt lengths more stably in the presence of load and slack conditions. Thus the pivot rods are confined in journalled positions in pivot apertures in the link modular link ends by way of a belt edge occlusion member which is a stiff integral modular member that covers a significant portion of the journalling aperture area. The occlusion member has a notch shaped as a cylindrical segment for mating with a headless flexible pivot rod to guide it into a journalled position with a set of apertures as it is bent to pass the occlusion member in entering or leaving a journalled position within a set of apertures.

Abstract: A brake lever for an S-cam brake has a worm wheel (3) engaging the S-cam shaft and a worm screw (4) meshing therewith. A clutch wheel (6) on the worm screw forms a clutch (8) therewith under the bias of a compression spring (9). A control movement is transmitted from an external reference point to the clutch wheel via a pinion (15), a carrier wheel (16) and a control screw (18), the common axis of these three parts being perpendicular to the worm screw, wherein the control screw meshes with the clutch wheel. The carrier wheel can be turned relative to the pinion an angular distance corresponding to the desired slack and is biassed to one end position by a torsion spring (17), which is also used to engage a one-way clutch (19) between the carrier wheel and the control screw.

Abstract: A method for producing ductile iron in a single reactor without the utilization of further processor like converters, tundishes, plunging etc. is disclosed. The method is applied in a modified induction furnace with a removable bottom injection device stainless steel tuyere type wherein it is possible to inject different gases like nitrogen, argon, chlorine, natural gas and solids like Magnesium, alloying, innoculants, desulfurization agents etc. through pneumatic transportation.

Abstract: Plastic modular link belt conveyors are provided with an inner drive belt system disposed along a variable length of the conveyor belt at one or more positions to produce various advantages including operation of longer belts and those which have curved conveyance paths. The modular characteristics of these drive systems permit custom design in the field for different conveyor loadings, paths and loads. Thus, belt life and performance is enhanced by driving a belt with a belt drive system. The system advantageously uses standard modules of one type in both the driven and driving belts. Thus the modules have similar manufacturing tolerances and temperature characteristics. Pivoted link modules with oblong apertures in the belt drive system permits choices of modules for belt constructions compatible with curved paths. The modularized belt systems are versatile for adaptation to such applications as wide bricklayered modular belts and non-conventional conveyor needs.

Abstract: Green concrete products, such as building products, are placed on pallets. Those pallets are transported to a kiln for curing and from the kiln after cure by an overhead crane. Pallets are lowered into and removed from open top kilns layer by layer being supported by movable support ledges, for example rotatable toggles, at each layer position which permit vertical entry and removal of the pallet layers. Three kiln compartments permit continuous production, one being filled, one being emptied and the third curing a load of pallet layers.

Abstract: Movies and like video programs are distributed electronically from a program storage and processing center in encrypted format over a satellite channel upon custom order for private viewing of one paying subscriber or a small group of subscribers. Thus, charges may be shared to lower the processing, transmission and royalty costs involved for custom rental of unscheduled programs available from a large storage library facility. The transactions for ordering, paying and receiving a decryption key are made over a two-way interactive wireless satellite network in communication with a nationwide network of subscribers and the video program storage and distribution center. Software controlled subscriber stations permit the monitoring and control of the private viewing conditions to meet various copyright and recording criteria. The transmission is preferably in digital format, and thus may be easily stored in encrypted format for a single private viewing session at a time chosen by the subscriber.

Abstract: Word processing in a pocket sized alphanumeric programmable computer is made possible by means of a self contained movable magnetic recording medium and a keyboard accomodating touch typing with as few as twelve keys operable for a wide range of alphanumeric and computer instruction entries. The keyboard thus takes up little room to share panel space with a visual display for generating temporary text being processed by the computer and therefore providing panel room for a multiple line alphanumeric display for recall and editing of text in the word processing mode of computer operation.

Abstract: A collapsible wheelchair assembly is provided that may be folded for storage with attached toilet seat. A waste pan is interlocked with wheelchair braces to sit under a flexible plastic seat, having a toilet opening, that hinges when the wheelchair is folded. Thus, a portable collapsible toilet facility is afforded incontinent patients for use in transit whenever necessary.

Abstract: A method for producing a weak resistance injection element for introducing ases into molten metals.The injection element includes an assembly of at least two high density refractory components. At least the upper high density refractory component is made by isostatic pressing of ceramic powders followed by a double heat treating process which are selected according to the liquid metal to be melted/refined in the metallurgical vessel where the injection element is going to operate.

Abstract: Sprocket wheels for modular plastic link belts are made in two mating halves for expediting removal perpendicularly away from a coaxial drive shaft about which they are supported without disassembly of the shaft. To assure axial alignment and stability of the mating parts overlap joints between the parts are formed by securing together in surface contact laminar flange extensions from respective sprocket wheel halves joined in driving relationship about an inner shaft to form a completed sprocket wheel assembly. For critical use in food and chemical environments, the entire sprocket assembly is made of plastic, including binding clamps for holding the two mated flange surfaces of different halves together.

Abstract: Brake force is transmitted between a single axially movable push rod (6) and a brake block holder (3) by an intermediate force transmission member (22) to accommodate for movements along the wheel axis. This intermediate member (22) has cylindrical surfaces cooperating with both the block holder and the push rod end. The cylindrical surface (22') of the member (22), which cooperates with the brake block holder portion (21), is arcuate with its circle center coinciding with the center for the cylindrical push rod end (6'). A shackle (24) held on the brake block holder is biassed by springs (28) forward toward a brake application direction to retain and frictionally engage protrusions (23) extending from the actuator push rod (6).

Abstract: A force actuator arrangement comprises a force generating member performing an oscillating movement, preferably a rod (7) of magnetostrictive material, force transmitting means-in a disc brake arrangement a caliper (4,5)-, and a device (8,9) for transforming the oscillating movement to a unidirectional application movement of the force transmitting means. The oscillation frequency of the force generating member is higher than the natural frequency of the force transmitting means for enabling the movement transforming device to transmit the movement only during each oscillation stroke in the application direction.

Abstract: Sprocket drive mechanisms formed of metal lamina engage belt drive surfaces formed in a modular plastic conveyor belt. The lamina are positioned axially along a rotary drive shaft to mate with drive surfaces extending across the width of the belt. Belt wear from the metal sprocket lamina is reduced by floating at least one lamina axially along the drive shaft to conform with belt positioning under loading and other dynamic conditions. Spacers for axially separating the lamina for registration with belt drive surfaces when mounting the belt on the sprocket drive may be removed after registration, thereby keeping the metal drive assembly lighter with less inertia to further reduce wear. Alternatively light weight laminar spacers disposed axially along the shaft are interlocked to the sprocket lamina to maintain a fixed spacing while permitting the assembly and/or separate sprocket lamina to float axially on the shaft.

Abstract: A catheter sleeve assembly with a zipper-like locking structure is positioned on the outer cylindrical surface of an endoscope at a position outside the body while the endoscope is in viewing position inside the body. The zipper-like locking structure is split and the catheter-sleeve assembly is positioned about the endoscope body and locked into place. The catheter-sleeve assembly is then shuttled into and out of the distal viewing site along the body of the endoscope by manual manipulation while the endoscope remains in viewing position. Surgical stapling and tissue removal procedures can be performed with endoscopic surgical instruments passed down a lumen provided in the catheter-sleeve assembly.

Abstract: A system for curing concrete products resident in a kiln, in particularly for producing high strength building blocks from relatively dry green concrete, controls temperature and humidity in the kiln as a function of time in the curing cycle from a water pool heated by underwater grates near the upper water surface. Heated air and air/CO.sub.2 mixture also is circulated in the kiln during relevant portions of the curing cycle. Accelerated evaporation from the water well is induced by ruffling the water surface with the circulated air with enough intensity that the grates are uncovered to quickly evaporate water films wetting the grate surfaces. A baffle structure thus directs circulating air into the water surface. Individual grates are heated at critical times during the heating cycle in a manner to control temperature of different zones within the kiln by means of circulating hot liquids, such as oil.

Abstract: This invention relates to a Process for the preparation of Chelatant Organic Acids, from Pentosanes contained in corn husk, wheat seed husk, rice seed husk, oat seed husk, barley seed husk, cotton seed husk, sorgus seed husk, buffel, alfalfa and similar pastures, and harvests and residues of such.

Abstract: Apparatus for more efficiently pre-cooking and peeling cold water shrimp such as the species Pandalus borealis is disclosed. The apparatus includes a conveyor for moving the shell-on or unpeeled shrimp up and out of a feeder tank. A perforated horizontal conveyor then carries the shrimp over a steam manifold with a multiplicity of apertures such that steam escapes from the manifold and rises through the perforated belt and surrounds the shrimp.A cooking chamber which completely encloses the horizontal conveyor except at the bottom, contains the lighter-than-air steam such that the raw shell-on shrimp are at least partially cooked by the surrounding steam. Since the lighter-than-air steam excludes all air from the cooking chamber, less oxidation of fats occurs and consequently a higher quality product is obtained.

Abstract: A chain belt formed of a plurality of pivotally connected preassembled parallel links. Each link includes a driving tooth protruding from one surface of the link midway between the pivotal axes of the link. The tooth is preferably formed so that its faces are a pair of intersecting, convex, cylindrical segments of like radii of curvature, the cylindrical axes of the segments being located such that the curvature of the faces insures that there if no scrubbing action where the belt is driven by a sprocket, the teeth of which are shaped to provide an inversely curved mating surface with the link teeth.