Abstract: A packing member having an annular body with a circular outer wall and circular inner wall, with first and second end walls extending between the inner and outer walls includes a relatively soft upper portion formed from an elastomeric polymeric material having a Shore A hardness of between about 65 and 80 and a fabric reinforced, harder lower portion formed from elastomeric polymeric material having a Shore A hardness greater than the Shore A hardness of the upper portion. A groove, having a lower wall extends axially into said annular body through the first end wall and defines a plane perpendicular to an annular axis. The upper portion of the annular body includes inner and outer sealing lips formed adjacent to at least a portion of the groove, the outer sealing lip extending vertically beyond the inner sealing lip and the inner sealing lip having an inner sealing edge intersected by the plane defined by the lower wall of the groove.

Abstract: A bottom lift bulk bag (10) comprises one or more sidewalls (12) defining the interior (14) of the bulk bag. The lower end of the bulk bag is closed by a bottom wall (22) which is secured to the lower ends of the sidewall panels. The material of the bottom wall is extended in the form of a pair of opposed lift loops (26) which are secured in place by seams (28) interconnecting the lower ends of the sidewalls and the bottom wall. In the use of the bulk bag, rigid lifting members (66) are extended through the lift loops and are used to lift the bulk bag from the bottom.

Abstract: A process for the construction of a bulk container including a glued bottom portion. A blank is suspended in the shape of the desired container and is positioned over a bottom portion. Adhesive or glue is applied to the bottom portion in areas which will contact the blank. The blank is lowered into contact with the blank and fins are formed. The fins are either folded, cut and/or secured to complete the container in one of several ways.

Abstract: A wide, shallow slot (60) is machined in the posterior surface (48) of a ceramic bracket (20). Thereafter a narrow, deep slot (70) is formed in the bracket (20). An elastomeric member (80) is positioned in the slot (70), and a plate (82) is secured in the slot (60) to close the slot (70). After the bracket (20) is mounted on the tooth (T) of a patient, the elastomeric member (80) is removed and is replaced by an appliance (A).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing money orders at a plurality of retail establishments is provided, including one or more data collector devices connected to a host device. Preferably, each of the money order dispensers include a digital processor for controlling the overall operation thereof, a keyboard for entering transaction data to request the printing of a money order, a display for displaying the transaction data, and a dot matrix printer for printing the requested money order. Each dispenser further includes an electrically-eraseable programmable read only memory (E.sup.2 PROM) for storing a security inhibit printing code, this code being automatically changed to prevent actuation of the printer when the security of the dispenser is compromised.

Abstract: A multi-spindle CNC lathe comprises a frame assembly mounted on a base and including spaced apart, rigidly interconnected subframes defining spaced, parallel alignment surfaces. A plurality of spindles each includes a collet for rotating a stock about a spindle axis. An indexing mechanism positions the spindles in alignment with work stations located at equally spaced intervals about a central axis. Internal tool slides mounted on the alignment surface of one of the subframes each comprise a servo mechanism for advancing and retracting a cutting tool along a work station axis. External tool slides mounted on the alignment surface of the other subframe each comprise a first servo mechanism for advancing and retracting a cutting tool toward and away from the work station axis and a second servo mechanism for selectively moving the cutting tool back and forth along a path extending parallel to the work station axis.

Abstract: A vertically adjustable valve box for providing access to underground valves includes a first member having a tubular section with a bell and a peripheral flange disposed at a distal end, wherein the central longitudinal axis of the first member is oriented vertically. The invention further includes a second member having a tubular section with a bell and a flange disposed at a distal end. The tubular section of the second member is telescoped over the tubular section of the first member, wherein the respective bells and flanges are disposed on opposite ends of the assembly and the central longitudinal axis of each is vertical and substantially in alignment.An O-ring gasket is positioned circumferentially around the exterior of the tubular section of the first member. The lower end of the tubular section of the second member contacts the O-ring gasket. The O-ring is stretch-fit over the first member and prevents the second member from telescoping downward on first member past a desired insertion position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing money orders at a plurality of retail establishments is provided, including one or more data collector devices connected to a host device. Preferably, each of the money order dispensers include a digital processor for controlling the overall operation thereof, a keyboard for entering transaction data to request the printing of a money order, a display for displaying the transaction data, and a dot matrix printer for printing the requested money order. Each dispenser further includes an electrically-eraseable programmable read only memory (E.sup.2 PROM) for storing a security inhibit printing code, this code being automatically changed to prevent actuation of the printer when the security of the dispenser is compromised.

Abstract: A food breading apparatus for breading food components with a breading mixture includes a breading drum rotatable about its longitudinal axis wherein the longitudinal axis is inclined from horizontal. The drum includes an inlet opening located in an upper end, an outlet opening located in a lower end, and a plurality of openings located proximal to the lower end of a sidewall. The openings are sized to allow surplus breading mixture and lumps of breading mixture to pass therethrough but retain the breaded food product in the rotating breading drum. An inlet conveyor provides food components to be breaded to the inlet opening of the breading drum. A recirculating breading mixture conveyor provides the breading mixture to the inlet opening. A takeout conveyor moves the breaded food components from the outlet opening of the breading drum. A lump removal conveyor is positioned below the plurality of openings in the sidewall of the breading drum.

Abstract: An orthodontic shield comprising a strip of plastic material having a predetermined color and having predetermined length, width, and thickness dimensions. The strip of plastic material is heated sufficiently to render it malleable to the touch, and the strip of plastic material is then engaged with an orthodontic appliance and the adjacent tooth surfaces of a patient to conform the strip of plastic material to the configuration of the orthodontic appliance and the adjacent tooth surfaces. The strip of plastic material is allowed to cool within the mouth of the patient, whereby the orthodontic shield is retained in the mouth of the patient during daily activities such as diction and eating, but is readily removable therefrom for cleaning, etc.

Abstract: A conveyor system for use in a continuous proofing and baking apparatus. The system has a conveyor chain, having a plurality of links, which moves along a track. Each link supports a product supporting grid, which has four circular rings. Pole pieces are located in at least some of the rings. Each pole piece has a conical section and can move horizontally relative to the grid. A magnet in each pole piece attaches the pole piece to a product pan.

Abstract: A liner for use in flexible bulk containers includes a tubular body section with at least one continuous baffle strip extending around the interior circumference of the body section, with the baffle strip attached to the body section at spaced apart intervals to form baffles defining four triangular shaped corners in the body section.

Abstract: An elastomeric gasket comprises an annular body having an outer surface with a flanged edge, a sealing bead, and a semi-circular locking bead to facilitate insertion, and an inner surface comprising multiple, flexible angularly inwardly-extending lips that are self-sealing under pressure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing money orders at a plurality of retail establishments is provided, including one or more data collector devices connected to a host device. Preferably, each of the money order dispensers include a digital processor for controlling the overall operation thereof, a keyboard for entering transaction data to request the printing of a money order, a display for displaying the transaction data, and a dot matrix printer for printing the requested money order. Each dispenser further includes an electrically-eraseable programmable read only memory (E.sup.2 PROM) for storing a security inhibit printing code, this code being automatically changed to prevent actuation of the printer when the security of the dispenser is compromised.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a liner having baffles therein for use inside of a flexible bulk container, having a frame supporting a first feed means mounted adjacent to a feed path for feeding a sheet of liner material over the feed path at a first speed. A second feed means is mounted adjacent the feed path between the first feed means and a finishing end of the feed path for feeding a length of ribbon material over the feed path adjacent the sheet of liner material at a second speed. An attachment means is mounted adjacent the feed path for attaching the fed ribbon material to the fed sheet of liner material at spaced apart intervals. A cutter is mounted adjacent the feed path and between the attachment means and the finishing end for cutting a predetermined length of liner material having first and second ends. A folder folds the cut length of liner material in half along a fold line perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of an attached length of ribbon, such that the ribbon is inside of the fold.

Abstract: A shock damper for a boat includes an impact plate flexibly mounted to the bow of the boat and extending longitudinally along the central axis of the boat. The leading edge of the impact plate is located in front of the bow and above the surface of the water when the boat is moving forward in calm water. The trailing edge is located along the longitudinal axis of the boat beneath the surface of the water. The impact plate is angularly disposed with the leading edge directed obliquely upwards and the leading edge is displaced from the bow a greater distance than the trailing edge.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing contaminants such as heavy metals and organic pollutants from contaminated water using waste cast steel shot blast fines is described. Shot blast fines were hitherto disposed of by the iron processors at significant cost. In another embodiment, waste shot blast fines are used to fix heavy metal and organic contaminants in groundwater and water runoff from contaminated landfills and industrial sites.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enhancing the security of a check or negotiable document and deterring the generation of copies of the check or negotiable document. The signature area of a document is imprinted with a pantograph background design different from a pantograph background design covering the remainder of the face of a check. A warning clause describes the color and/or background of the signature area. The endorsement area of a document is also imprinted with a pantograph background design. A warning clause describes the color and/or background of the endorsement area.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing gusseted bulk bag liners, a continuous web of gusseted bulk bag liner material having longitudinally extending fold line is advanced along a predetermined path. Simultaneous cutting and resealing apparatus are engaged with the longitudinally extending fold lines of the length of gusseted bulk bag liner material during the movement thereof. The simultaneous cutting and resealing apparatus are positioned transversely to the direction of movement of the continuous web of gusseted bulk bag liner material in accordance with a predetermined program, thereby forming a gusseted bulk bag liner having a predetermined comprising a sidewall, a top wall, a bottom, an inlet chute and discharge chute.

Abstract: A flexible bulk container having a glued bottom portion manufactured by a process comprising the following steps: A sidewall blank having a hollow tubular configuration is suspended in the shape of the desired container and is positioned over a bottom wall located on a raised work area. Adhesive or glue is applied to either the bottom wall and/or the sidewall in areas where the sidewall blank will be permanently in contact with the bottom wall. The sidewall blank is lowered into contact with the bottom wall such that a lower portion of the sidewall blank is located below the work area and an upper portion is located above the work area. The sidewall blank is secured to the bottom wall by folding the upper portion of the sidewall blank over the bottom wall thereby containing the adhesive or glue.