Abstract: A device which may be carried by and part of an unmanned vehicle which measures characteristics of manure of animals such as dairy cows that are milked and fed in a stable provided for them. The vehicle is supported by three driven wheels and carries a mechanism for analyzing manure which comprises a compression chamber for receiving a manure sample. A sieve is provided on one side of the chamber and a piston forces the manure sample through the sieve. By measuring the pressure required to squeeze the manure sample through the sieve, characteristics such as the fibrousness and the viscosity of the manure sample can be determined. The vehicle also carries an identification instrumentality for identifying the animal that provided the manure sample and may carry a temperature sensor and an inertia meter. It is operatively associated with a computer which registers data provided from analysis of each animal's manure sample and provides same as displayable data.

Abstract: An unmanned vehicle for use in a stable such as a cowshed or for use in a meadow or for use in both which is provided with detection components for determining the health and behavior of the animals in the stable or meadow. The detection components comprise an animal identification system including a radar and an infrared camera. The animals are fitted with identifying reflectors. The vehicle also has a herd control element for herding animals and for segregating one or more of the animals from other animals in the herd. Also the vehicle includes an extendible disinfecting member for disinfecting at least portions of the stable as well as parts of animals in the stable or meadow. An alarm is provided on the vehicle for alerting an operator that an animal is ill or acting abnormally. The vehicle also carries a mechanism to analyze manure on the stable floor.

Abstract: A device and method that employs prints produced by video color system thermal printers as transfers for creating personalized ceramic mugs, tiles or the like articles. The method comprises creating a mirror image print by means of a color video system with printer, applying that print to the surface of the mug or the like which has been treated with a sublimable dye absorbing compound, and applying heat (200 to 400° F.) and pressure exerted by a force of 200 to 400 pounds for period of time of about three to six minutes, to sublimate the limited dye in the print whereby it is absorbed by the coated surface of the mug or the like. The device for applying the heat and pressure is a heated press that has removable heated slidable platens which conform to the shape of the article to which the print is being transferred.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically milking animals which include a milking compartment or compartments which have a milking unit comprising an automatic milking machine secured to a robot arm which extends from under the teats of the animal being milked to outside of the milking compartment. The robot arm outside the milking compartment is supported by a sidewardly pivotal portion which includes a piston and cylinder member for raising and lowering the milking unit and a further piston and cylinder movement for pivoting sidewardly a carrier included in the portion. A rail is disposed over the milking compartment either centrally or to one side, or if there is more than one milking compartment which are disposed side-by-side, then the rail extends longitudinally between the milking compartments.

Abstract: A safety locking device for firearms disposed intermediate their firing pins and barrels which comprises a T-shaped casing with generally cylindrical, vertical and horizontal parts and having a diameter which is adapted to be received in firearms for which it is intended and containing a pair of locking deadbolts slidably extensible therefrom by means of a locking device in the vertical portion of the housing so that they can be effectively locked in place between the firing pin and the barrel of the firearm for which it is intended and cannot be removed, thus rendering the firearm inoperative as long as they are so positioned. The deadbolts are extendible in opposite directions by 180.degree. movement actuated by the locking device and a cam carrier which is turned by the locking device and carries a pair of cam actuating pins to move the deadbolts in and outwardly from the horizontal part of the T-shaped housing.

Abstract: A die casting mold part, which may be mounted on or applied to a die casting mold to provide for the molding and shaping of a variety of projections from the molded article and a simple and sure release from the mold of such projections including a plurality of projections lying closely adjacent to one another and extending outside the mold separation plane. The mold part includes segments, which are received in a bore that guides them and holds them together to form a die casting cavity, the segments together thus forming a mold at one of their ends. On their opposite end they flare outwardly and are mounted pivotally on a central control shaft so that they are caused to be opened where together they formed a mold, by relative movement between the control shaft and bore.

Abstract: A milking system for dairy animals comprising individual teat cups attachable to the respective teats of the animal's udder, a measuring device to determine the volume of milk discharged from individual teats, a central vacuum system to aid the discharge of the milk from the teats as well as to propel both the milk and the cleaning fluid through the system's fluid lines, a cooling tank, and an array of sensors to determine various parameters of the milk and milking system, including temperature sensors, milk conductivity sensors, air-to-milk ratio sensors, pressure sensors and fluid level sensors. The sensors are arranged at various points in the milking system, including in the individual teat cups, the milk measuring device and the discharge lines, and are optionally coupled to a central computer which controls both the individual components of the milking system and working parameters of the system as a whole, including an automatic cleaning system for cleaning the teat cups, fluid lines and cooling tank.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for heating injected, cold preform blanks to blow molding temperature on a conveyor path wherein they are thereafter fed to a blow mold, the preform blanks being first heated to a temperature below the blow moulding temperature, then cooled and later reheated to a temperature slightly above the blow molding temperature, whereupon the preform blanks are allowed to equalize in temperature inside and out or are caused to do so by slightly cooling their outsides. The spacing on the holders on the conveyor chain, on which are mounted the preform blanks, is selectively adjustable to avoid heat radiation losses. The neck portions of the mounted preform blanks are surrounded completely by protective sheathings so that such neck portions are not heated while being conveyed to the blow mold.

Abstract: A combined splicing tape and peg board for connecting ends of continuous feed computer paper to facilitate changing between different paper products or to add leaders so that the first serial numbered check or invoice is not lost to the feed process. The apparatus enables non-continuous feed paper products, such as envelopes or checks, to be integrated into a continuous feed paper flow. Continuous feed paper products are abutted at their ends on the adhesive side of a previously mounted tape. Non-continuous feed products are mounted on the tape and then onto the front side of the continuous feed paper in the printer. Spaced holes in the computer paper are freely received by rigid pegs positioned and sized for proper alignment of the edges of the paper. The tape has spaced holes for proper alignment over the edges of the paper. In one embodiment the tape holes are slightly smaller than the pegs to retain the tape on the board.

Abstract: A process for the continuous permanent decatizing and fixing of textile materials in web form, such as woven, knitted fabrics or the like is described. In the process the textile material is damped to a range of 20 to 100%, and pressed against part of two heatable cylinders. The surface temperature of each heatable cylinder is in excess of 140.degree. C. In a first process step the left side of the textile material is applied to the first heatable cylinder, and in a second process step the right side of the textile material is applied to the second heatable cylinder.

Abstract: A device for spreading granular and/or powdery material comprising a hopper for material to be supported and at least two distributing members rotated in opposite directions about vertical rotary axes, material feeding means provided between the hopper and distributing members for feeding material from the hopper to the distributing members so that each of the two distributing members receives the material eccentrically with respect to its rotary axis; the distributing members having such shape and being drivable in a manner, and the feeding means being constructed and disposed whereby in operation material is supplied to the distributing members so that each spreads material across a sector which substantially coincides with the sector across which the other distributing member spreads material. With such a device the material is advantageously spread uniformly and different materials may be spread in the same manner without the need for readjusting various members of the device.

Abstract: A shear pin coupling between two members has shear pins accommodated in a holder which is releasably mounted on a coupling member. The pins extend through holes in a supporting flange ring which is a component of the member. Resilient packing is positioned between the ring and the holder to prevent penetration of dirt to the pins. The resilience of the packing allows the holder to be tilted outwardly out of contact with an abutment surface of the member to allow removal of the holder.

Abstract: In a fabric treatment process, the fabric is subjected to a decatizing finishing step using a steaming and suction cylinder immediately after it has been subjected to a treatment step in which the fabric is pressed and fixed on a steaming cylinder.

Abstract: A compact electronic calculator comprising a screen, electronic circuits, a microphone, voice recognition circuits which are exchangeable depending upon the context of the verbal data to be received by the calculator and the language in which the data is provided. The calculator is thus responsive to numerals and symbols spoken in a selected language or languages and this is transformed through the circuitry of the calculator to be seen on an elongated display unit. A calculator is also responsive to action words such as "multiply", "divide", "add" and "subtract", so that the calculator carries out these functions on the displayed numerals and symbols. The calculator does not have a keyboard and is of a small size, approximately ten centimeters in length, one centimeter in width and one-half centimeter in depth. It can be incorporated in a pen form or, in a smaller version, incorporated into a wristband or the like.

Abstract: A microwave oven defrosts a food item by subjecting the food item to a first defrosting stage during which a flow of air is forced through the oven cavity by a fan, and microwave power is simultaneously delivered to the cavity, ceasing the first stage when the temperature of the air flow reaches a threshold value and subjecting the food item to a second defrosting stage during which the air flow is maintained continuously and the microwave power is pulsed in accordance with a pre-set program.

Abstract: A spreader for granular and/or powdery material such as fertilizer comprises a hopper having two delivery parts. Distribution members are provided under the delivery parts for broadcasting material fed to them from the hopper. The distribution members are mounted on a carrier rigidly supported by the hopper. This construction results in a fixed position of the distribution members (3, 4) with respect to the delivery parts, regardless of deflections which may occur as a result of the weight of material in the hopper. The distribution members may be driven by a mechanical transmission from a power take-off shaft of a tractor, or by a hydraulic motor.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for maintaining viscous liquid sealing substances such a grease adjacent and in contact with seals utilized in pneumatic cylinder-and-piston actuators for oil and gas well swabs, the structure including a piston member which is slideable on the piston rod and which includes an external O-ring for sealing engagement between the cylinders and the piston member and an internal O-ring which is in sealing engagement between the piston member and the piston rod. The piston member is resiliently urged by a compression spring towards the actuating piston and the viscous liquid is trapped between the actuating piston and the slideable piston member. A further like slideable piston member may also disposed on an extension of the piston rod on the opposite side of the actuating piston which is also urged towards the actuating piston. Viscous liquid is trapped between the latter slideable piston member and the actuating piston.

Abstract: A mowing machine having a mobile frame, made up of a portion including the mower units and a support frame, which can be coupled by means of a pivotal arm to a prime mover. During operation, the mobile frame is located behind and offset to one side of the prime mover. The pivotal arm carries drive means for driving the mowing machine through the PTO-shaft of the prime mover. The pivotal arm is constructed so that it may pivot over a broad range of angles thereby facilitating turns. To accomodate the construction of the pivotable arm, the drive means may be divided into three sections interconnected by two universal joints.

Abstract: A microwave oven has a magnetron for delivering microwave power to the oven cavity, and a fan (36) and electrical resistance heating element (38) for recirculating hot air through the cavity. The oven cooks cakes by subjecting the cakes to a first cooking stage during which hot air but no microwave power is produced, and a second cooking stage during which microwave power is produced but the electrical resistance heating element (38) is not energized, and a third cooking stage during which hot air power is applied and microwave power is produced for a certain proportion of the third cooking stage. The transitions between the stages are determined by the recirculated air temperature as detected by a thermocouple (40) positioned to detect the temperature of the air as the latter leaves the oven cavity.