Abstract: A dispensing device for a beverage container, preferably a large bottle such as a 2 or 3 liter soda pop bottle has a base and separate pathways to admit make-up air and withdraw fluid. The pathways are controlled by a valve which opens the pathways separately. This invention is especially characterized by the use of an expandable bladder to prevent loss of carbonation into the headspace.

Abstract: A black-and-white silver halide photographic material has been disclosed, coated on a support with at least one light-sensitive emulsion layer, comprising a spectrally sensitized prefogged direct-positive silver halide emulsion, providing peak absorption in the wavelength range from 600 nm up to 700 nm, wherein said emulsion comprises a binder and core-shell emulsion crystals having silver bromide in a total amount of at least 80 mole %, characterized in that said emulsion is spectrally sensitized with a combination of a desensitizing dye having an absorption maximum wavelength in a range from 600 nm up to 700 nm, if present as a sole dye in said emulsion, and at least one azacyanine dye having an absorption maximum at a more hypsochromic wavelength.

Abstract: A conveyor crossover has a pivotable ramp which is moved from a horizontal bridging position across a conveyor to an upright position is which it is out of the way of material being moved by the conveyor. The ramp is raised and lowered by a control system which includes a pair of fluid actuators controlling pivotal movement of the ramp together with controls at both sides of the conveyor for adjusting a control valve controlling flow of fluid to and from the actuators. A latch mechanism is provided to hold the ramp in its raised position.

Abstract: The vehicle for collecting, sorting and reducing the volume of recyclable wastes and regular household and commercial garbage includes a large container with plural compartments mounted to the exterior of the vehicle includes a lifting mechanism for lifting the container to the top of the vehicle so that its contents can be dropped through chutes into plural bins. The lifting mechanism assures that the integrity of the sort of recyclables into each compartment of the container is maintained as the waste drops from the compartments through the chutes into individual bins. Between the chutes and the bins are crushers and shredders for reducing of volume of wastes deposited in the bins. Other wastes are placed in balers for baling. The bales of wastes are stored in a rack under the vehicle's housing. Crushing, shredding and baling not only reduces volume but allows the vehicle to collect wastes from more homes than without these on-board capabilities.

Abstract: An improved transparent media for ink printing is described. The media is a phase change ink recording media comprising: a polyethylene terephthalate support; a 1-15 mg/dm2 lower receptor layer coated on the support wherein the lower receptor layer comprises: silica with a particle size of no more than 0.3 &mgr;m and a polymer; wherein the total weight of the polymer and the silica is 82-97%, by weight, silica and 3-18%, by weight, polymer. The media also comprises an optional upper receptive layer comprising a matrix polymer, an inorganic particulate material and a soft polymer matrix.

Abstract: A magnet clamp for use with a hand tool is disclosed. The present invention provides a magnet that can be reversibly attached to an existing commercially-available hand-held tool without modification of the tool, thereby providing a way to securely hold various small metal items associated with said hand tool, while making said items readily available for use. Drill bits, saw blades, nails, screws, bolts, tacks, chuck keys, or any small objects made of or alloyed with a ferromagnetic substance such as iron or steel may be securely held by the present invention. The present invention also provides a simple and inexpensive process of manufacturing such a device from common items, including an automotive hose clamp, and from common operations, such as soldering and gluing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating and emitting amplified coherent acoustic energy. A cylindrical transducer is mounted within a housing, the transducer having an acoustically open end and an acoustically closed end. The interior of the transducer is filled with an active medium which may include scattering nuclei. Excitation of the transducer produces radially directed acoustic energy in the active medium, which is converted by the dimensions of the transducer, the acoustically closed end thereof, and the scattering nuclei, to amplified coherent acoustic energy directed longitudinally within the transducer. The energy is emitted through the acoustically open end of the transducer. The emitted energy can be used for, among other things, effecting a chemical reaction or removing scale from the interior walls of containment vessels.

Abstract: An adaptor for a ceiling fan downrod which uses a pair of concentric cylinders with a larger cylinder capable of receiving a large downrod component and a smaller cylinder capable of receiving a smaller downrod component.

Abstract: An air plunger is described. The air plunger comprises an upper barrel and a lower barrel slidably received by the upper barrel. An air seal is fixed to the lower barrel and slidably engages with the upper barrel. A nozzle is attached to the lower barrel opposite to the upper barrel. A stop mechanism prohibits the upper barrel from disassociating with the lower barrel.

Abstract: Electrical contact mat (2) with at least two plates (2a, 2b) arranged at a spacing from each other in the at-rest condition, which plates are fabricated in particular from rubber or polymers and made electrically conductive by the admixture of conductive substances such as carbon black, graphite, metal powder and the like, the spacing being established by one or more nonconductive spacers, and with a device for closed-circuit protection, which is operatively connected with the plates (2a, 2b), the spacers being designed as a substantially inelastic interlayer (2c), which has openings of such size that the inner surfaces of the plates (2a, 2b) make mutual contact when the contact mat (2) is under compressive load and thus form the switch of a tactile sensor (1) of the device for closed-circuit protection, the sensor (1) having an electrical connection (3) in parallel with the contact mat (2).

Abstract: An amphibious vehicle having a hull that includes a pod formed in the bottom of the hull for receiving the engine and drive train. The pod is concave down with respect to the balance of the hull. Foam filled compartments formed lateral to the pod assure buoyancy and stability. Truck engine, transmission, suspension and control system components are carried by the hull and used to move the amphibious vehicle on land and, using the power take off of the engine to drive a marine propulsion system, on water as well. A first drive shaft, turned by the engine, extends through the hull to connect operatively with an axle and rotate front and rear sets of wheels. A second drive shaft runs from the engine through the hull wall to the marine propulsion system.

Abstract: A Ni3Al alloy with improved weldability is described. It contains about 6-12 wt % Al, about 6-12 wt % Cr, about 0-3 wt % Mo, about 1.5-6 wt % Zr, about 0-0.02 wt % B and at least one of about 0-0.15 wt % C, about 0-0.20 wt % Si, about 0-0.01 wt % S and about 0-0.30 wt % Fe with the balance being Ni.

Abstract: A three point tractor hitch permitting an implement to be attached or detached by an operator without leaving the tractor seat. The upper hitch arm includes a linear actuator with a hand grip and a hand operated switch controlling extension and contraction of the upper arm. A latching mechanism and a hand operated latch release are mounted on the upper arm facilitating attachment and release of the upper arm to an upper attaching pin of an implement hitch mast. One of the two lower arms of the hitch can be shifted laterally by a hydraulically actuated cylinder.

Abstract: A device for sealing an open beverage can employs a cap and clamping jaws articulated from the cap which lock into the top lid of the can to push the can into secure contact with the cap. The cap may include a turret and straw for drinking from the can without removing the cap. Insulating sleeves to keep the beverage cold may be part of the cap.

Abstract: A method for the fabrication of concrete blocks (2) or concrete slabs of various forms and sizes, fabrication taking place on the basis of vibrational compaction in concrete-filled molds or dies, the block surface or slab surface of the concrete blocks or concrete slabs being subjected to at least one post-forming treatment and subsequent curing. The post-forming treatment includes gentle contact of the surfaces of the concrete blocks or concrete slabs with soft materials.