Abstract: Dimethicone copolyol sulfosuccinate compounds obtained from silicone-based monoesters. The dimethicone copolyol sulfosuccinates are obtained by reacting the ethoxylated polyether side chains of dimethicone copolyol with maleic anhydride to form a monoester and then converting the monoester to a sulfosuccinate by sulfonation of the double bond with a metallic sulfite, an amine or with a combination of a metallic sulfite and an amine. Dimethicone copolyol sulfosuccinates are silicone-based compounds which are useful as surfactants for improving the mildness and foam enhancing and stabilizing properties of shampoos and other personal care products.

Abstract: A fastener, and a process and apparatus for coating fasteners, in which a resin type material is applied to the fastener is disclosed. A stream of resin type material is directed to each fastener and the threads of each of the fasteners, the threads may be covered over an arcuate variable length including complete 360.degree. coverage. The resin type material applied may be a masking material, a lubricating material and/or an insulating material enabling an accurate and consistent torque-tension characteristic to be maintained during coupling of the fastener in a variety of post-processing environments. Furthermore, the resin type material applied to the fastener is substantially resistant to the deposition of corrosion resistant or preventative materials.

Abstract: An inexpensive fluid flow indicator capable of use in low flow conditions in a variety of environments, including but not limited to laboratory, industry, and medical applications. Flows are visually indicated by the rotation of balls loosely retained in a longitudinal passageway of the indicator's transparent housing by a flow guide and an outlet port. The flow guide imparts a circumferential or transverse direction to the axial flow of the fluid which causes the balls to revolve about the center line of the indicator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for spraying powder material from a plurality of nozzles. A powder material feed control section and a manifold section provide a uniform flow rate and uniform density pattern for a powder material feed stream sprayed from a plurality of nozzles.

Abstract: The invention is a document printing aid for microcomputer printers. The invention includes a flexible mask of material, larger than the document to be printed, with an outline of the document on the face of the mask. The printing aid is inserted into a microcomputer printer. The document is placed behind the printing aid and is aligned with the outline. The document, held between the printing aid and roller, is positioned for printing. Apertures in the printing aid allow the printing element to contact the document.

Abstract: A building, the outer walls of which are formed of prefabricated panels of cementitious material having hollow sections extending substantially continuously throughout the height of the panels in closely spaced apart relation, and a footing adapted to enable the panels to be mounted thereon with means for securing the panels onto the footing, and to each other, to provide a strong, sturdy and inexpensive assembly of outer building walls.

Abstract: A container including a neck portion leading to an outlet from the neck located outwardly thereof, the cross sectional area of the outlet being greater than the cross sectional area of the neck portion thereby providing a shoulder in the neck which in a pouring operation causes liquid flowing from the container to separate from an upper portion of the outlet and a duct communicating between the neck and the interior of the container whereby as liquid empties from the container in a pouring operation the resulting pressure differential arising between the interior of the container adjacent the inlet of the duct and the atomosphere draws air in an unimpeded manner into the container.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing a cooked food product and producing a plurality of cooked food product portions is disclosed. The method includes the steps of positioning the cooked food product in an extrusion location, extruding the cooked food product through an extrusion plate and dividing the extruded cooked food products into a desired thickness and/or weight. The disclosed apparatus includes a positioning element which positions the cooked food product into an extrusion location, as well as an extrusion assembly which extrudes the cooked food product prior to presenting the extruded food product to the dividing apparatus for division into a plurality of portions having a desired thickness and/or weight. Apparatus is also disclosed for selectively varying the shape of the food product portions, as well as apparatus which provides for selective adjustment of the operational parameters of the apparatus to vary the thickness of the cooked food product portions.

Abstract: A towing apparatus of the wheel lift variety is provided with wheel support members that move horizontally of vertically relative to a fixed-position support beam. The support members are mounted to the beam by pivotable, tapered collars and include a depending retainer that has both an extended height and depth to contact a substantial portion of the wheel circumference. The apparatus also provides means for rotating the support beam both above and below the horizontal. All of these features facilitate use of the towing apparatus.

Abstract: A stainless steel having well balanced physical properties, including good corrosion resistance, intermediate strength and good machinability and further being readily process and prepared at low cost. To achieve these properties the microstructure is primarily martensite and ferrite with a limited amount of austenite. Elemental compositional ranges are controlled along with the microstructure resulting in defining the approximate compositional/microstructural boundaries in terms of a region in a Schaeffler type Diagram.

Abstract: A vehicle transporting apparatus of the car carrier variety is provided with a platform that is pivotally mounted to the chassis of the transporting vehicle at a location forward of the centerline of the vehicle's rear wheels and above the chassis. A powered actuator is employed for pivotally moving the platform to either forwardly inclined or rearwardly inclined positions. A rearwardly projecting wheel lift boom is also pivotally mounted to the chassis below the platform and is capable of supporting a vehicle to be transported at least partially beneath the platform.

Abstract: A smoke detector having variable sensitivity to smoke levels and using one button both to test the smoke detector and actuate a mode of diminished sensitivity to smoke levels. The smoke detector is operable in a normal sensitivity mode and a diminished sensitivity mode with rapid switching between the modes. The sensitivity to smoke levels is substantially constant when in either the normal or diminished sensitivity mode.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manipulating run-length encoded rasterized images. Sizing, slanting, rotating or otherwise transforming an image outline to a new orientation is accomplished without converting image information into a bit map or discrete pixel format. An image outline is characterized in terms of visible and invisible vectors along an input raster scan line by relating run-lengths in a previous input scan line with run-lengths in a current input scan line. The resulting vector characterization allows determination of crossover points on output raster scan lines for the manipulated image by means of transform coefficients. Memory bins store these crossover points, and these bins are sorted to construct a new run-length encoded image outline.

Abstract: A monitor and governor circuit provides speed control for an engine. The governor portion of the circuit, principally a PID controller, includes a fail safe circuit to shut the engine down in the absence of signals related to engine RPM. In addition, the governor includes a high gain feature operable during start up to keep the integrator from saturating. The speed monitor portion of the circuit prevents engine damage in the event that the speed governor should fail as, for example, due to a shorted output transistor or an open speed setting potentiometer. The end user is not required to set the speed monitor since it can be preset to a selected percent of the governor set speed.

Abstract: A cathodically protected water heater which eliminates the need of a conventional anode rod. The water heater tank includes a cylindrical shell enclosed by upper and lower heads, and a gas burner is located beneath the lower head. The waste products of combustion are discharged upwardly through the tank via a flue which is mounted within openings in the lower and upper heads. The outer surface of the flue as well as the upper surface of the lower head is coated with a metal anodic to steel, and the metal coating on the flue extends continuously from the lower head to a location about the upper head. The inner surface of the shell and the upper head are coated with a corrosion resistant coating, such as glass or metal anodic to steel as well, and the upper edge of the flange in the upper head bordering the opening is welded directly through the metal coating to the flue while the outer periphery of the lower head is welded to the lower edge of the shell.

Abstract: A novel portable garment drying device for quickly drying garments is comprised of an air circulating means such as a squirrel cage fan, connected to a support frame composed of hollow tubing with holes for directing air inside the perimeter of the assembled tubing, an air permeable sheet upon which a garment is placed for drying, and means for attaching the sheeting to the support frame. The device is easily assembled and disassembled.

Abstract: A fume incineration system for an industrial process site such as a paint-drying oven (10) producing a combustible effluent. A first duct system (34, 38, 42) conveys effluent to the incinerator (14). A second duct system (44, 48) conveys incinerated effluent back to the site. A third duct system (52, 56) conveys part of the incinerated effluent to an atmospheric vent (57). Control dampers (50, 74) in the duct systems operate sequentially to handle temperature changes, and control damper (84) controls system air flow balance. All ducts and thermal devices except the incinerator are located in an insulated housing (12). A thermal incinerator (14) having an internal preheater comprising an annular tube bundle is disclosed.