Abstract: Apparatus and method of filling tubes of flexible, large mesh, netting material with compacted rice straw, or the like. The finished straw tubes are on the order of nine inches in diameter, twenty five feet in length and thirty pounds in weight; and thus readily lend themselves to use in controlling or mitigating the effects of erosion and to promoting revegetation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for installing floor covering. The present invention provides a floor-engaging roller to the rear portion of a "kicker", used in the trade to install floor covering. The roller vertically spaces the rear, knee-butting portion of the kicker from the floor, and maintains the forward head portion in proper position, so it more effectively engages the floor covering. The roller also provides significantly reduced friction in forward movement of the kicker, reducing the work effort of the installer. Interchangeable face plates on the head of the kicker allow it to be used both on carpet and on vinyl floor coverings. A complete, new kicker and structures for modifying existing kickers in accordance therewith, and methods for using same, are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for applying a heat shrinkable film to a container having a right-circular, cylindrical sidewall section and at least one inwardly directed end section. A film segment is transported by a rotary vacuum drum past an adhesive station, where adhesive is applied to leading and trailing ends of the film. Then, the film is wrapped completely around the container by the co-operative action of a vacuum drum and an arcuate roll-on pad, leaving a free-standing portion of the label extending past the sidewall section. In the overlapping ends of the film, a first seam is formed by compressive forces between the vacuum drum and the container sidewall. A second seam is simultaneously formed by the compressive force of an active label deflector on the vacuum drum, adapted to press the free-standing portion of the label ends against the end section of the container. Heat is then applied to the label, shrinking the free-standing portion upon the container's end section.

Abstract: In order to take care of the oral hygiene needs of aged or infirm patients in health care facilities, or the like, a relatively small, compact, self-contained device can be carried by a lay operator from room to room. Fresh water in one container carried on the device is replenished from each room's fresh water faucet and waste water in another container is disposed of in the room's sink. Each patient has an individual tooth brush adapted to engage a handle connected by flexible tubing to the portable device and suitable switches enable the operator to control the operation of electrically actuated components effective to discharge fresh water through the bristles of the brush and vacuum waste water from the vicinity of the brush tip end. Particular care is built into the design of the unit to prevent cross-contamination and electrical shock hazard.

Abstract: Broccoli fleurettes are rapidly trimmed from broccoli heads by positioning the heads accurately so that the axes of the head stalks intersect the axes of rotation of special U-shaped guillotine blades shaped and dimensioned to trim fleurettes of substantially uniform size. The heads are securely but yieldably pre-positioned in an upward direction, followed by final positioning by a dome shaped cap designed so that optimum trimming is effected and the cut fleurettes are directed toward a collecting station. Denuded stalks are ejected and recovered for further use. The process is characterized by an electronically programmed operation providing both accuracy and speed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for non-intrusive testing of the rate and total amount of vapor flow through the canister purge line in a motor vehicle. The apparatus includes a clamping structure, adapted for temporary attachment to the purge line leading from the evaporative canister to the engine's intake manifold. A vapor flow sensing system is provided within the structure. Both thermal loss and acoustical phase shift detection based sensing systems are disclosed herein. An operator secures the clamp over any portion of the purge line, and the vehicle's engine is put through a driving test cycle. The output of the sensing system is displayed, recorded, and integrated, for a subsequent pass/fail determination using predetermined vapor flow values.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the non-intrusive testing of evaporative fuel vapor systems of motor vehicles. A portable pressure control and monitoring unit is inserted into the fuel filler neck of a vehicle. The vapor vent line, leading from the fuel tank to the charcoal canister of the evaporative system, is temporarily clamped off. Pressurized gas is introduced into the unit from an operator's console, expanding a ring bladder and sealing an annular volume between the unit and the filler neck. Gas is then passed through the unit into the contained volume of the evaporative system. After the neck cap is replaced, an automatic timer deflates the ring bladder, charging the remaining volume of the evaporative system. Pressure decay data is collected and stored in the unit's digital storage device. Initially, this data is used in a pass/fail determination made by a microprocessor in the unit. Later, the data is downloaded into a separate computer for archival purposes.