Abstract: In one embodiment, an article sorting system includes successive coarse and fine singulators and a recirculating loop for processing a disordered stream of items including three-dimensional non-flat articles. A coarse singulator includes cascaded ramped conveyors, preferably operating at progressively greater speeds. A detection system, such as a vision system, for monitoring the stream of articles and identifying and/or tracking individual items passing through the system is used in conjunction with a fine singulator such as a chevron, hold-and-release or strip conveyor downstream from the coarse singulator. A control system is utilized in connection with the vision system to regulate the flow of articles through the system by, for example, diverting doubles or clusters for separations.

Abstract: A drill head for an apparatus for directional boring according to the invention includes a bit, a holder for a device for detecting angular orientation of the bit, and a hammer including a striker for delivering impacts to the bit, wherein the bit assembly, holder and hammer are connected head to tail with the bit at a front end. The bit of the invention has a frontwardly facing main cutting surface having a plurality of main cutting teeth disposed thereon and a gage tower extending radially outwardly from the main cutting surface, which gage tower has at least one frontwardly facing gage cutting tooth thereon suitable for cutting over an angle defined by less than a full rotation of the bit. The device for detecting angular orientation is in a predetermined alignment with the gage tower so that it determines the orientation of the gage tower relative to the axis of rotation of the drill head.

Abstract: The invention provides a rock drilling bit with a plurality of cutting teeth raked into the cut of the drilling bit. Such teeth are oriented at an angle of at least about 30 degrees relative to an imaginary line normal to a front surface of the cutting head from which the cutting teeth project. Such an arrangement provides the desired shear cutting force against the rock face while simultaneously reducing the shock and vibration applied to sonde housing and the drill string. The bit according to the invention may further incorporate a rear, frustoconical crushing surface that defines a space or zone crescent-shaped in cross-section that narrows from front to rear, and an improved replacable tooth for use on a rock drilling bit.

Abstract: A passive discharge mechanism for discharging articles from a trolley at selected locations is disclosed. The trolley may be equipped with on-board intelligence for communicating with an external controller, monitoring the trolley's location, and signaling actuation of a moveable member for engaging the passive discharge mechanism as the trolley reaches a selected destination for an article conveyed by the trolley. In one aspect the passive discharge mechanism comprises a transverse conveyor; in another aspect the passive discharge mechanism includes a tilt-type tray. A trolley for conveying articles along a monorail having arcuate portions includes a rigid frame having a longitudinal axis and opposed ends is also disclosed.

Abstract: In a process for sorting mail pieces according to the invention using a priori or first sort pass derived information, a sorting machine is used having a first array of pockets and a second array of pockets physically separate from the first array of pockets. The first and second arrays are swept of mail pieces by separate sweepers. The number of mail pieces sorted to each array are equalized in order to equalize the volume of mail pieces swept by each sweeper. In particular, where each pocket corresponds to a destination code and a total number of mail pieces per destination code is known in advance for each sort scheme to be carried out on the sorting machine, the equalizing step involves assigning destination codes to specific pockets to different sweeper zones in a manner that equalizes the volume of mail pieces swept by each sweeper. Mail is then swept from the pockets to trays stored on a vertically and horizontally extending rack having rows and columns of compartments containing trays.

Abstract: The invention provides an orthodontic bracket having a base portion configured for attachment to a mounting device such as a bonding pad that is directly secured to the tooth of a patient. A central portion of the bracket adjacent the base portion has a pair of sides that taper to a minimum diameter at a midline of the central portion, preferably giving the bracket an hourglass shape. A pair of single tie wings extend in gingival and occlusal directions respectively from the central portion, which tie wings define outer end portions that are wider than the central portion and have undersurfaces positioned for mounting archwire retaining bands therein. An outwardly opening archwire slot elongated in the mesial direction is formed in the central portion, which slot extends at an acute angle relative to an imaginary line extending in a buccal-lingual direction such that the slot opens closer to the gingival tie wing than the occlusal tie wing.

Abstract: A trolley car for conveying articles along a monorail having arcuate portions includes a rigid frame having a longitudinal axis and opposed ends.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the weight of a moving object is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a platform for supporting the moving object to be weighed, means for permitting the object to move smoothly over the platform, a weight sensor for measuring a force applied to the platform by the moving object and generating a weight sample that reflects the measured force value, a detection sensor that generates a signal upon detecting the moving object on the platform, a processor having a memory, which processor receives samples from the weight sensor and stores weight values based on the samples; and means for calculating the weight of the object using a succession of the stored values when the detection sensor generates its signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for providing a user with task-specific information that includes a portable instruction system that may be worn by a user, and includes, a computer sufficiently lightweight and designed to be worn by a user to which a memory has been connected. The system includes a display device that can receive display signals from the computer for visual display to the user and an input device by which the user enters commands to the computer. An instructional program is provided that the computer accesses and stores in memory in response to a user command and displays information concerning a task to be performed by the user on the display device in response to commands from the user.

Abstract: Amusement ride that allows for enhanced control of the ride path and, thus, the riders' experience. In one embodiment, the ride allows for manual control of the acceleration, speed and direction of the carrier into which at least one rider is secured. In one embodiment, the ride also allows for selection of one from a plurality of pre-programmed ride paths.

Abstract: A method is provided for removing an expander from a ground piercing tool of the type having an elongated tubular tool body with a front nose and a striker disposed for reciprocation within an internal chamber of the body to impart impacts to an impact surface for driving the tool forwardly through the ground. The expander is tightly fitted onto the nose of the tool body. The method of the invention uses a pulling device comprising a pair of arms ending in hooks and mounted at ends opposite the hooks to a yoke having a threaded hole therethrough, and a screw including a threaded stem inserted through and threadedly coupled with the hole. Suitable means are provided for engagement with a device for turning the screw.

Abstract: A package substrate suitable for use with a ball grid array according to the invention includes an electrically and thermally conductive heat sink having a top surface and a bottom surface, the heat sink having a slot formed therethrough which opens onto the top and bottom surfaces. A dielectric layer is formed on the bottom surface of the heat sink proximate the slot, preferably directly thereon without an intervening adhesive layer. A circuit is selectively formed in a circuit pattern on the dielectric layer. An electrically resistive soldermask is disposed on the dielectric layer and the circuit, which soldermask has openings therethrough which expose bond pads of the circuit. Such a substrate according to the invention permits the integrated circuit die to be mounted over the slot in the manner of a lead-on-chip package, but provides bond pads to which solder balls can be mounted in order to form a ball grid array.

Abstract: An impact boring tool according to the invention suitable for using with a directional boring machine has a tubular housing and a head mounted at a front end of the housing. The head preferably includes a chisel configured for breaking loose rocks and stones encountered in soil. A striker is disposed within the housing for delivering an impact force to the head, either directly or through one or more intervening parts. A trigger mechanism causes the striker to deliver an impact to the head and chisel only when an external force exerted on the impact tool in its lengthwise direction exceeds a predetermined level. This predetermined level generally coincides with a maximum effective amount of pushing or pulling force for moving the tool through the ground exerted by an external device such as a directional boring machine.

Abstract: A tissue traction device according to the invention includes an elongated tube defining a vacuum passageway, which tube has a proximate end defining a first opening, a distal end defining a second opening, and a third opening between the ends. A shield covers the distal end of the tube, the shield having a plurality of openings providing communication between the vacuum passageway and an exterior surface of the shield. The shield prevents the tissue from being pulled deep into the tube, thereby protecting the tissue from damage. Each of the openings having a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of the vacuum passageway. The tube and shield are configured for use in surgery, such that when suction is applied to one of the first and third openings, the level of suction through the second opening can be controlled by varying the extent to which the other of the first and third openings is uncovered, whereby the suction causes the shield to selectively hold tissue against the shield.

Abstract: A ground piercing tool has an elongated tubular tool housing and a striker that reciprocates within an internal chamber of the housing. The striker impacts a front impact surface and drives the tool through the ground. An air distributing mechanism causes the striker to reciprocate in response to a supply of compressed fluid. An anvil providing a front impact surface is disposed in a front end opening of the tool housing. The anvil has a rear frustoconical portion that engages a like-shaped forwardly tapering inner wall of the housing and a lengthwise bore that has an enlarged diameter portion. A chisel is slidably disposed in the bore of the anvil and has an outwardly opening annular groove. A spring is confined in compression in a space defined by the annular groove of the chisel and the enlarged diameter portion of the anvil bore. The spring urges the rear end of the chisel to protrude rearwardly from the bore of the anvil a predetermined distance.

Abstract: A ground piercing tool of the invention includes an elongated tubular housing having front and rear openings, a head including an anvil secured in the front opening of the housing, a striker disposed for reciprocation within an internal chamber of the housing to impart impacts to a rear impact surface of the anvil for driving the tool through the ground, a reciprocation mechanism for reciprocating the striker, and a tail assembly mounted in a rear end opening of the housing that secures the striker and reciprocation mechanism in the housing. A plastic tube forms the body of the housing, and the plastic tube is secured to the head. The reciprocation mechanism is preferably an air distributing mechanism that uses compressed air to reciprocate the striker.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved apparatus for directional boring and in particular an improved system for boring through hard and rocky substrates frequently encountered when boring under obstacles such as roadways. According to one aspect of the invention, a directional drilling apparatus includes a drilling head having a front face angled relative to the lengthwise axis of the tool and configured for steering the drilling apparatus, a housing having an internal chamber for mounting an electronic locating device therein rearwardly of the drilling head for transmitting a signal indicating the orientation of the angled face of the drilling head, and a joint at which the drilling head is removably mounted to the housing of the locating device.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for mounting an electronic device therein for use in an underground boring machine. Such an apparatus includes an elongated housing having means at opposite ends of the housing for connecting the housing to other components of the boring machine and an elongated internal chamber configured to receive an electronic device such as a sonde therein and having an elongated access opening which extends along an exterior surface of the housing. A cover sized to close the access opening has edges that fit beneath one or more flanges of the housing. A retainer such as a roll pin is sized for insertion into openings in the cover and housing, which openings become aligned when the cover is positioned with the edges beneath the flange of the housing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new intravenous catheter stabilizing device comprising a disposable catheter assembly and a reusable strap having a hole or aperture therein. The catheter assembly includes a hub portion and a catheter, as is conventional in the art. The aperture or hole in the strap is configured such that the hub of a catheter assembly may extend at least partially therethrough. The strap of the present invention has attachment means located thereon and proximal to the aperture for attaching the catheter assembly to the strap such that the hub portion of the catheter assembly extends at least partially through the aperture of the strap. The strap further includes fastening means for securing the strap around a limb of a patient. When the device of the present invention is assembled and used as intended on a limb of a patient, the hub of the catheter partially extends through the aperture in the strap thereby allowing attachment of an intravenous tube with a standard luer lock mechanism.

Abstract: A method for selecting an optimum time period from an inventory of available time periods, where each time period has a predetermined duration including selected and unselected time portions and an associated cost includes determining the total amount of time in each time period and the total amount of unselected time in each time period. A calculation is made for each time period to generate an inventory utilization index ratio based upon the total amount of time in each time period divided by the total amount of unselected time remaining in each time period. A table is prepared for all time periods in the inventory ranked numerically by the inventory utilization index ratio. A cost range is determined for each of the costs associated with each of the time periods. The table of time periods in the inventory is revised by removing time periods from the inventory which are not within the desired cost range. A time period is selected from the table based upon the ranking of the time period.