Abstract: A method of separating a lighter gas from heavier gases. A series of pumps is used. A gas to be separated out from a mixture of gases is introduced at an exhaust port of one of the pumps, with the lighter gas among them traveling upstream into a container.

Abstract: A package that is unreusable and reclosable, which package may be repeatedly used by the consumer for storing the contents therein even after multiple openings of the package, with such package protecting the contents thereof in a closed-package-like manner. The package is provided with at least one strip of resealable glue, which strip is located interiorly of the peripheral heat-seals, so that, after the package is cut open by cutting away the heat-sealed edge in close juxtaposition to the glue-strip, the two facing plastic-film layes of the package may be pulled apart, thereby separating the glue-strip, and, thereby, allowing access to the interior of the pocket. A package forming apparatus for making the package of the invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: Vacuum gauge that detects and measures the partial pressure of a gas in a chamber, from pressures ranging from atmospheric to ultra-high vacuum. The gauge utilizes electromagnetic radiation, that is generated in the vacuum chamber by a electromagnetic radiation source. When the partial pressure of water vapor is being measured, the light source used emits low wavelength UV light in the 184 and 254 nanometer range. For other gases, different light sources emitting different UV wavelengths or different electromagnetic radiation are used. The electromagnetic radiation traverses the interior of the vacuum chamber, and impinges upon a detector. As this light passes through the interior space between the source and the detector, it strikes the particular, residual gas molecules that are being detected. These impacts scatter the light and/or absorb the light, so that there is less photonic energy striking the detector.

Abstract: A dart-assembly for piercing open a blockage in the opening of a ladle for holding and transporting molten steel is mounted in the outlet bore of a slide-gate associated with the ladle opening. The assembly has an outer steel housing; mounted within the housing is a dart-member having an elongated rod, which rod has a lower threaded end for receiving a threaded nut. The upper end of the rod is provided with a dart-like head-portion which actually contacts and pierces through the blockage in the opening of the ladle when the dart-member is fired. A compression spring is telescopingly mounted about most of the length of the elongated rod of the dart-member, between the enlarged dart-like head-portion and the upper, flat-surface of a stop member.

Abstract: An automated paint-batching system for producing paint cans of any size and color. The system includes a plurality of paint-batching cells, with each cell having a maching comprised of either one or two dispensing stations. When two dispensing stations are used, the two dispensing stations are: A first tint-station, where a small volumetric dispensing of the base, water-base or oil-base, of the paint is dispensed, in order to wet the bottom of the can, at which first station, thereafter, is dispensed all of the liquid colorants making up the formula of the paint can, at which the remainder of the base of the formula of the paint is dispensed, and a second base-dispensing station. Each of the first and second stations of the paint-batching machine of the invention has operatively associated therewith a weighing platform upon which rests the paint can during the dispensing at the respective station used in quality-control weighing of each dispensing.

Abstract: A bulk getter-pump, consisting primarily of large beds of heated getter-material for use in pumping down in a high-vacuum environment. The pump is designed for applications now are served by turbo, cryo, diffusion, and ion pumps. The pump consists of a meshed cage filled with bulk getter-material pellets, which cage is housed in a housing coupled to a conduit of a vacuum chamber, so that the bulk getter-material is exposed to the interior of the vacuum chamber. In use, a roughing pump is first used to bring the chamber down to a pressure of about 10.sup.3 torr, and then the bulk getter-pump of the invention is operatively coupled to the chamber for sorbing gases, in order to reach a high vacuum.

Abstract: A bulk getter-pump, consisting primarily of large beds of heated getter-material for use in pumping down a vacuum chamber to a rough vacuum. The pump is designed for applications now are served by turbo, cryo, diffusion, and ion pumps. The pump consists of a meshed cage filled with bulk getter-material pellets, which cage is housed in a housing coupled to a conduit of a vacuum chamber, so that the bulk getter-material is exposed to the interior of the vacuum chamber. In use, a roughing pump is first used to bring the chamber down to a pressure of about 2 torr, and then the bulk getter-pump of the invention is operatively coupled to the chamber for sorbing gases, in order to reach a desired vacuum.

Abstract: A linkage-actuator for the coupler knuckle-assembly of a railway passenger car which is mounted on the coupler head directly adjacent to the knuckle-assembly, which linkage-actuator does not extend along the shank connecting the knuckle-assembly to the car proper, thereby saving considerably on space and weight. The linkage-actuator allows for both manual and pneumatic actuation of the knuckle-assembly. The linkage-actuator for the knuckle-assembly is mounted directly on the coupler head. The rotatable operating rod for placing the knuckle into its lock-set or fully open position is actuated by a pivotal plate mounted on top of the coupler head. One end of the plate is urged into its non-actuated, horizontal position by a spring, while the other end of the plate is connected to an eccentric cam that is coupled to the rotatable actuating rod of the knuckle-assembly.

Abstract: A slackless drawbar system for a railway car in which there is provided an elastomeric pad that absorbs forces during buffing conditions and helps to maintain the slackless nature of the system. The elastomeric pad absorbs forces during lateral and vertical angling and serves to maintain the slackless nature of the system during these conditions. Preloading of the resilient elastomeric pad is provided by means of an adjustable wedge element, which wedge element is adjustably positionable relative to the elastomeric pad by means of a screw shaft and nut, whereby the initial loading of the pad may be achieved to meet any required operating conditions and to accommodate wear and tear.

Abstract: A computer-based system for correlating an address to the current switched network telephone number(s) assigned to and operational at the address. This Telehpone Number Administration System is a data processing system which communicates with one or more other data processing systems using any of several types of telecommunication facilities. One of the data processing systems, the User system, transmits an address to the Telephone Number Administration System. The Telephone Number Administration System includes a data storage facility containing records which relate addresses and possibly other information to the current telephone number or numbers which are assigned to and operational at each address. Upon receiving an address from a User system, the Telephone Number Administration System performs a search of the records and identifies the telephone number(s) assigned to the address or addresses which most closely match the address received from the User system.

Abstract: An automated paint-batching system for producing paint cans of any size and color. The system includes a plurality of paint-batching cells, with each cell having a machine comprised of either one or two dispensing stations. When two dispensing stations are used, the two dispensing stations are: A first tint-station, where a small volumetric dispensing of the base, water-base or oil-base, of the paint is dispensed, in order to wet the bottom of the can, at the first station, thereafter, is dispensed all of the liquid colorants making up the formula of the paint can, and a second base-dispensing station at which the remainder of the base of the formula of the paint is dispensed. Each of the first and second stations of the paint-batching machine of the invention has operatively associated therewith a weighing platform upon which rests the paint can during the dispensing at the respective station used in quality-control weighing of each dispensing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for making a leaflet having fold lines and cross folds normal to the fold lines and with an adhesive adhering a lip portion of a long leg of the leaflet to a short leg of the leaflet to avoid leaving a loose edge on the leaflet. Sheets are conveyed in a first direction to a first folding at a first folding station, and then a second conveyor feeds the sheets to travel at right angles to a cross folder at a second folding station. The cross folds are made to a lip portion on a long leg and adhesive applicator applies adhesive to the lip portion which is adhered by the adhesive to a folded panel to form a leaflet having fold lines and cross folds at its edges, thereby eliminating any loose edges. Loose edges may open the leaflet during a high speed conveyance thereof.

Abstract: An interface unit for coupling an international-type pay-telephone to a land-based or cellular telephone system. The interfacing unit of the invention has a microcomputer, and an associated EPROM in which is stored the exchanges of the telephone numbers that are accessible by that local payphone-terminal, which EPROM also stores a table indicative of the tariffing rates associated with the respective exchanges called. The invention also includes the tone-detectors for detecting the dialed DTMF digits of the pay-telephone, for the conversion thereof for storage in the microcomputer for the determination of a valid telephone number dialed in order to determine the associated tariffing rates. The tone detectors also detect the tone-signals received from the telephone system. The invention also includes "isolating" switching circuitry for isolating the coin-operated pay terminal from its couplement to the telephone system until the telephone call has been connected.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for folding sheets and for slitting the folded sheets to form adjacent parallel rows or streams of folded sheets being conveyed by belts into a stacking station. A jogger located adjacent the conveyor belts may jog folded sheets laterally to indicate a predetermined count of sheets in a column. The folded sheets in each column are fed by the belts upward against stops. A generally horizontal support holds a container to receive parallel streams of on-edge vertical folded sheets each of which is pushed into the container while on-edge and vertical by a succeeding folded sheet. The container is removed having parallel rows of on-edge, vertically positioned, folded sheets stacked therein.

Abstract: A process for koshering relatively large metallic containers used to store and transport kosher foods includes the steps of washing and rinsing the interior of the container to remove surface oils and greases, treating the interior surface of the container with a rust inhibitor, flame treating the interior surface to drive off any impregnated oils, greases or dirts and, optionally, spraying the interior of the container with a kosher epoxy/phenolic compound and thereafter curing the compound by the application of heat. The resulting container may be used to store and transport food stuffs certified to have been prepared in accordance with the kosher dietary laws. An oven for carrying out this process is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of one piece foldable boxes in the area of packaging, in particular the use of a single piece foldable and disposable boxes for the packaging of cat litter material. The invention employs a novel cover and hinge member that folds beneath the lower portion of the box for storage. The box effectively seals the contents while in a closed position with double wall thickness and a latching mechanism that doubles as a carrying device on larger boxes. The design permits uniformity of tolerance throughout box sizes and construction materials. The box includes a lower box body (or base), four side walls integrally attached to the base, and a cover (or top) with three sides that is connected to the lower box body by a novel hinge member that creates a fourth side wall to the cover only when the box is in a closed position.