Abstract: A merchandiser-holder (10) is adapted to display at least one wine bottle (11) to customers on a table in a restaurant or the like. The holder (10) comprises a base plate (12) having a centrally disposed post (17) secured thereon and a retaining plate (15) is spaced above the base plate and mounted on the post. An extension (23) of the post functions as a fastener to releasably secure the retaining plate (15) on the post (17) and the wine bottle (11) in the holder.

Abstract: A mobile transfer and transport vehicle is adapted to move a barrier system, having a plurality of interconnected and closely spaced modules, on a roadway or the like. The vehicle includes a conveyor having series of guide and support rollers for engaging, supporting, lifting and transferring the barrier system from a first side of said vehicle to a second side thereof. At least some of the rollers are spring-biased into engagement with the modules when they move through curved portions of a serpentine-like transfer path through the conveyor.

Abstract: A touch panel generates any of a plurality of different signals that are selected by touching different specific areas of a panel member. Spaced apart supports at the edges of the touch sensitive area hold a panel member in spaced apart relationship to the underlying surface. Force sensitive circuit elements, such as strain gauges or pressure sensitive resistors, sense the force which the panel member exerts on each support when finger pressure is applied to the member. Additional circuit components compare the forces exerted on each support to determine the location on the panel that is being touched and generate the particular signal that correlates with that location. The touch panel may be used to enter instructions and other data into a computer or the like or to transmit selected control signals to other types of equipment. The panel may be transparent and be attached to the screen of a visual data display enabling entry of menu selections or other data by simply touching the screen.

Abstract: Improved methods of operating batch or continuous blenders 10 having tub (11) and two agitators (17 and 18) extending parallel to each other, each agitator having horizontal shaft (19) and agitator ribbon (21) wound helically around the shaft. For batch-blending, the two agitator ribbons are wound in the same direction around the shafts, and the shafts are rotated in opposite directions for folding the product into the middle of the tub for mixing. The agitators are periodically reversed in direction of operation to prevent the build-up of product at end corners (36 and 37) of the tub and the consequent mechanical breakdown of ingredients which has occurred with previous blenders. For continuous blending to be carried out in a tub with twin agitators, the agitator ribbons are wound in opposite directions on their shafts. The agitators are rotated in opposite directions to fold the product into the center of the tub for mixing, with both agitators moving the product in the same direction lengthwise in the tub.

Abstract: A refrigerator door assembly is mounted on a stationary frame of a refrigeration unit and comprises a door frame integrally molded about a thermo-pane in sealing relationship therewith. The door frame is hingedly mounted on the stationary frame of the refrigeration unit by a pair of upper and lower hinge pins. A torsion bar, integrally molded within the door frame and secured to one of the hinge pins, functions to constantly apply a closing force on the door frame to move the door assembly into sealing contact with the stationary frame of the refrigeration unit.

Abstract: A double-wall composite pipe comprises a permeable annulus structure separating impermeable inner and outer walls. The permeable annulus structure has micro-fractures formed therein that function to reduce the flow rate and pressure of fluids leaking through the inner wall to thus inhibit fluid leakage. The annulus structure resists the stresses produced by internal fluid pressures and other service loads. The inner and outer walls will remain permanently impermeable while the pipe annulus structure undergoes stress-induced dimensional changes. A coupler assembly mechanically connects each longitudinally adjacent pair of pipes together and comprises two semi-cylindrical half-couplers, a compressible seal ring, a cylindrical retaining sleeve, and a flexible boot that encloses and seals the assembled half-couplers. A leak detecting sensor may be located at the coupler assembly. A preferred method and apparatus for making the pipe and coupler assembly are also taught.

Abstract: An improved regenerative absorption cycle using a super-pressure boiler to achieve a high coefficient of performance (COP). In the basic cycle, an ammonia/water solution is boiled in high-pressure boiling conduit (66). Boiled-off high-pressure ammonia vapor is condensed (96), expanded to low-pressure (99), and boiled in evaporator (101) to extract heat from a refrigerating fluid going to cooling load (104). Low-pressure ammonia vapor from evaporator (101) returns to regenerator (28) and is absorbed back into low-pressure liquid. The low-pressure solution from regenerator (32) is then cooled in absorber (56) to reject heat from the cycle, and is then pumped (58) back to the high-pressure boiling conduit (66). In the present invention, the liquid solution from high-pressure boiling conduit (66) is pumped up to an externally-heated super-pressure boiler (11).

Abstract: A method for and a device to insert filters into disposable pipette tips uses a turntable adapted to receive a plurality of tips adjacent its circumference and powered by a stepping motor to incrementally rotate pipette tips to various positions for appropriate actions. After a tip is placed in the turntable, it is moved successively to a position where a filter of predetermined size may be inserted into the tip. The filter is then tamped into the desired final position at still another position. After checking for the presence of a filter, the pipette is removed from the turntable.

Abstract: An electro-acupuncture system comprises a transmitter for emitting high frequency magnetic energy pulses and a receiver, sealed within an implantable "thumb-tack" shaped device, for receiving and converting such pulses into stimulating pulses of current. The device comprises a head having an exposed ring-electrode (anode) secured therein and a needle-like electrode (cathode) having a proximal end secured in the head and a distal end adapted to pierce body tissue. The latter electrode comprises a metallic tube secured in the head and a metallic wire inserted through the tube to position and fix an exposed tip of the wire at a preselected location and depth in the body tissue, in accordance with method steps taught herein.

Abstract: A dispensing pouch comprises a pair of superimposed panels sealed together to define a reservoir, adapted to contain a high viscosity liquid therein. A spout is formed on a lower end of the pouch and has a pump disposed therein that defines a charging chamber, communicating with the reservoir, to retain a pre-measured charge of the liquid therein. The liquid is discharged from the charging chamber in response to the external application of pumping pressure onto an outer side of the spout. The pouch is adapted for mounting in a dispensing unit, having a dual-action pressure plate, for periodically pumping and dispensing the pre-measured charge of liquid from the charging chamber of the pump. The pump is preferably defined by a separate insert, sandwiched between the panels of the pouch. A method for making the pouch is also disclosed.

Abstract: A holster is described that may be used for holding articles, such as a gun or a tool, in a relatively secure position at or near one's waist. The holster is configured so that it may be easily hooked over one's belt yet be removed simply and quickly. A pair of flexible straps are provided that permit various combinations of a hold-down for the article. The straps include a snap fastener to affix one to the other and hook and loop fasteners to fix the hold down straps to the holster pouch and belt retainer.

Abstract: A can star drive for a fish-canning machine in which a turret 11 and can star 75 are separately driven, with the can star 75 being rotated through its 120.degree. advance in each cycle during half again as much time as it takes for the turret 11 to advance through its 120.degree. advance. The slower rate of rotation of the can star 75 reduces the exit velocity of the filled cans as they are discharged from the machine to avoid ejection of fish from filled cans. In addition, the can star 75 rotates through its 120.degree. continuously in a one-step advance, rather than through a two-step advance with an intermediate stop as in prior machines.