Abstract: The invention is directed to a process of inspecting a container wherein a container is positioned at a predetermined location for inspection. At least a portion of the container is illuminated over a defined finish surface, which can relate to various complete surfaces of the container design. Illuminating light is captured from an area corresponding to the defined finish surface without physical manipulation of the container. Thereafter, it is determined whether the defined finish surface of the container is within predetermined tolerances, which then can be used for quality control or other purposes. An apparatus in accordance with the invention preferably has a source of illuminating light to direct light over defined finish surface of the container, and a light sensor to capture light from an area corresponding to at least the defined finish surface.

Abstract: A golf club wedge having a hosel, a bottom wall, a top surface, a toe, a heel and a striking surface with a lower periphery defined by an arcuate leading edge extending downwardly from the heel to a forwardmost point of the striking surface and extending upwardly from the forwardmost point to the toe. The club further incorporates a leading edge which is significantly forward of the center line of the hosel (forward face progression) to improve playability from difficult lies of a golf ball.

Abstract: A metal canopy for a structure has an expansion strut which is directly affixed to a wall of the structure and at least one panel assembly for attachment to the expansion strut. More than one of the expansion struts may be affixed to the wall in abutting relationship to lengthen the span of the canopy. The expansion strut has flanges around its edges for attachment of the panel assembly or assemblies. A plurality of outwardly angled tabs are also positioned on the strut. Each of the panel assemblies has at least two panels, each of which has an upwardly extending flange along each of its sides, with adjacent panels aligned with corresponding flanges in abutting relationship. The panel assembly also has first and second end pieces affixed to an outside edge of the panel assembly along the outside edge of the outermost panels, with the end pieces having a bottom edge and a side edge.

Abstract: A hopper car is described that is a thin shelled integrated structure having a roof and a pair of sidewalls. This structure is subject to longitudinal tensile and compressive loads, and to a partial internal vacuum during unloading. Local buckling phenomena and collapse due to the partial vacuum need to be resisted. The roof assembly has lateral stiffeners to maintain its profile, and a reinforced, roll formed longituding coaming.

Abstract: A highly flame retardant, impact modified polyolefin alloy is described, the composition of which includes: at least one polyolefin; at least one halogenated organic flame retardant; at least one semi-crystalline ethylene copolymer impact modifier, the copolymer optionally being functionalized, at least one oxygen-containing metal compound wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of Group III, IV, V, and VI of the Periodic Table; and at least one fluorocarbon, at least a portion of which is fibrillated or fibrillatable. Optionally, the alloy will contain at least one of a functionalized silicone polymer, a hydrated metal silicate, a hydrated metal borate, a primary antioxidant, and a secondary antioxidant. Such thermoplastic polymer blends/alloys can be produced by combining all ingredients in a melt and applying shear to the melt through means of a high shear internal/continuous mixer or an extruder.

Abstract: A patch applicator for easy application of a transdermal patch is disclosed, wherein the applicator is especially suitable for a small transdermal patch of size 20 cm.sup.2 or less. The patch applicator includes a rigid release liner and a flexible transdermal patch releasably attached to the release liner. The release liner has a first and second poritons separated by a slit, and pulltabs affixed to the portions. The pulltabs can extend beyond an end margin of the transdermal patch, and preferably extend outwardly at an acute angle for use, so that a patch user may easily grasp the pulltabs and remove a first portion of the release liner from the patch. The patch is then applied to the skin or mucosa, followed by removal of the second portion and final application of the patch. The patch applicator reduces loss in manufacturing yield, and especially benefits the elderly population.

Abstract: A pet ball which is formed from two (2) hollow semi-spherical half members and which is readily mobile along a hard surface, for example the ground. A weight, for example, a fishing sinker, is suspended within the pet ball. The weight is suspended by an elastic member, for example, an elastic rubber band, which is attached to the inside wall of the pet ball. The weight can be attached to the elastic member in such a manner that it can move along the elastic member or it can be fixed at a stationary position along the elastic member to create different desired effects. When a force is applied to the pet ball, it will roll. With the weight being suspended from the elastic member, the center of gravity of the pet ball changes as the pet ball rolls, thus resulting in erratic movement or a path which follows no definite or consistent direction or pattern.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymer fuse apparatus that provides bypass fuse protection. A polymer bypass fuse is comprised of an electrical conductor wherein a portion of the conductor is surrounded by an internal electrode, which is then surrounded by a layer of polymeric positive temperature coefficient (PTC) material, which is then surrounded by a conductive material similar to that of the internal electrode.Various hybrid combinations are also contemplated where in-line and/or bypass fuses are combined with other circuit components. One example is, a plurality of in-line and bypass fuses combined with a differential and common mode filter, which itself consists of a plurality of common ground conductive plates maintaining first and second electrode plates between the various conductive plates, all of which are surrounded by a material having predetermined electrical characteristics to provide fail safe filter and circuit protection.

Abstract: An articulated railcar has several well car units for carrying shipping containers, highways trailers, or a combination of the two. The well car units permit the nose of a long highway trailer to overhang the articulated connection between two adjacent cars. A brake valve is located in a relief formed in the main bolster of one of the articulated units, out of the way of the overhanging trailer. Each well car unit has a side beam having a roll formed top chord reinforced by a top chord plate, a downwardly extending web, and a lower sill formed of a thick angle. The service, or auxiliary, and emergency brake reservoirs are mounted in a saddle bag configuration to the outside face of the webs of the opposite side beams of the articulated unit, tucked underneath the reinforced roll formed top chord.

Abstract: An optical lens selection apparatus by which an individual who engages in an activity such as welding, machining, wood working or the like, and who wishes to obtain enhanced viewing of a work piece may readily choose an appropriate lens for use with a protective eye mask. The apparatus of the present invention is comprised generally of: a box-like casing; a lens evaluation compartment fixed to the casing; a drum member situated within and movably attached to the lens evaluation compartment; a plurality of slide-like plates, each of the slide-like plates being provided with an optical lens, the plurality of slide-like plates being fixed to the drum member; and a viewing means releasably attachable to the lens evaluation compartment for use with the drum member and the plurality of optical lenses fixed thereto.

Abstract: A railcar has a substructure, a superstructure and side webwork joining the substructure and the superstructure, leaving an interior space suitable for carrying automobiles. The number of automobiles carried within the railcar structure, and the versatility of the railcar, are improved by using an adjustable decking structure which allows vehicles of different sizes to be carried. The decking is moveable to permit a lower, or main deck to be loaded before loading other decks. The decking structure is also movable between a two deck and a three deck configuration. Middle and upper decks may be adjusted and loaded in a suitable manner. Provision is made for the adjustable decks to be driven positively both upward and downward.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for supporting and positioning an anchor bolt within a masonry construction block wall to allow the frame of a building to be secured or tied to the anchor bolt. Masonry construction block walls are typically constructed so that the hollow vertical cores in the construction blocks are partially aligned so as to form a hollow channel or conduit traveling down through the wall. The apparatus includes a base designed to fit within a construction block wall to provide a support to which the lower end of an anchor bolt may be attached by clips or otherwise. This allows the upper end of the anchor bolt to extend upward through the channel and above the top layer of blocks. The base also serves to plug or fill the channel formed by the cores in the blocks so as to facilitate the process of permanently securing the anchor bolt by pouring cement into the channel around the anchor bolt.

Abstract: A children's activity book is disclosed comprising illustrated pages having openings thereon for the placement of edible candy. When the page is turned the edible candy passes through the opening and is deposited onto and completes an illustration on a subsequent page. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, edible candy is placed into a portal at one position of an illustrated page and passed through a passageway before exiting from an outlet at a second position of the illustration. The book is designed to encourage reading by making it more enjoyable. The book has the added feature of teaching young readers about change observed through the transformation of candy from one meaning on a first page to a second meaning on a subsequent page.

Abstract: The present invention is a drilling system for cutting flat bottomed holes in work pieces. The tool has two opposing angled cutting edges extending from a rotational axis, with the inner portions of these cutting edges extending upwardly to create an overlapping web at the center. The overlapping web strengthens the center portion of the cuttings edges of the tool. The angle at which the inner portion of the cutting edge is inclined can be increased to create a center point on the cutting surface of the tool. The center point adds stability to the tool as it rotates along its longitudinal axis. The cutting edge has a rake surface with a positive rake angle that lessens the forces on the insert and also allows for better formation of chips of stock material being removed. Chip breakers can be cut into the cutting edges of the insert, further aiding in the removal of stock material.

Abstract: A plant pot which not only is capable, when empty, of being conveniently and compactly stored or "nested" in a columnar formation along with other unfilled pots like itself, but also has the ability, after a plant and growing medium have been placed in the pot, to be stacked in any of a number of orderly and stable arrangements among other planted pots, also of the same construction. Stacking of plant-containing pots is made possible by a plurality of interlock stacking grooves provided on the bottom of each pot. Six (6) grooves are provided, and the sides of every other groove define an arced ledge that can be rested upon and abutted against the inner periphery of the rim of another pot so that a number of pots can be arranged to form a securely stacked structure.

Abstract: A pin is used to anchor an end of a brake shoe to a boss in a brake spider. The brake shoe has a pair of spaced apart ribs, each of the ribs having an aperture at an end thereof. The pin is a two-piece assembly with first and second elongate members. A first end of each of the elongate members has a trunnion formed on it, and the second end of the elongate members are sized and adapted to telescope one into the other. The trunnions are sized to be received in the rib apertures while an intermediate portion of the pin between the trunnions is sized to be received in the brake spider boss. The first and second trunnions can be compressed towards each other a sufficient distance to permit the trunnions to be disengaged from the rib apertures. A biaser is located inside the pin to urge the first and second elongate members apart from each other, to assist in maintaining the trunnions in the respective rib apertures.

Abstract: A patch applicator for easy application of a transdermal patch, especially a small transdermal patch of size 20 cm.sup.2 or less. The patch applicator includes a bottom release liner, a transdermal patch releaseably attached to the bottom release liner, and a top release liner releasably attached to the transdermal patch. The top release liner has a first tab which extends beyond an end margin of the transdermal patch, so that a patch user may easily grasp the tab and remove the top release liner and patch from the lower release liner. The patch is then applied to the skin or mucosa A second tab of the top release liner preferably also extends beyond an end margin of the patch so that the top release liner may be easily removed from the patch after the patch has been applied to the skin or mucosa. Alternatively, the first and second tabs are removed from the patch by peeling back the tabs from a slit between the tabs.

Abstract: An improved mouse cleaning apparatus having a cleaning ball for temporary insertion into the cavity formed on the underside of the mouse. In one embodiment, the cleaning ball includes a core which is encased within an outer shell of polymeric material such as a foamed rubber compound. This core may be metallic, polymeric, or made of another sufficiently dense material, and is provided to ensure that the cleaning ball is sufficiently heavy to properly roll in response to movement of the mouse across a mouse pad or the like. The core may alternatively be covered with absorbent fibers, which may be synthetic or organic in nature, rather than a polymeric coating. In another embodiment, the cleaning ball is made entirely of a polymeric or elastomeric material having sufficiently high weight and/or density or is sufficiently compressed such that a weighted core is not required.