Abstract: A batch sterilization system is disclosed for first loading containers to be sterilized into cars, transferring the loaded cars into one of a plurality of retorts arranged in horizontal rows and vertical columns, sterilizing the containers while in the retorts and discharging the containers from the cars, discharging the cars from the retort, unloading the cars and thereafter repeating the cycle. The system includes a plurality of single or double door retorts in horizontal and vertical rows thereby minimizing floor spaced. Different horizontally and vertically spaced retorts may process products requiring different sterilization times in the retorts. A programmable computer is preferably used for performing the several functions of the sterilization system and for keeping track of the location of the containers during and after processing.

Abstract: A structured light scanning system observes, interprets and provides structural feature size, position and movement data in automotive service equipment applications where such feature characteristics must be determined either preliminary to or ultimately for measurement of quantities affecting automotive performance, such as tire/rim assembly balance, runout and alignment or brake surface planarity and smoothness.

Abstract: A laser welding apparatus having a sky window in a device for pressing two materials together during a welding operation. The pressing device holds a plastic lid material snugly against a plastic container during the welding operation. A laser-transparent window in the pressing device allows a laser beam to be directed through the pressing device to a junction between the lid material and the container. The laser beam is converted into heat to weld the lid material to the container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for transferring cylindrical articles such as glass or metal containers from a position supported on their cylindrical surfaces to a position supported on one of their flat ends. The apparatus includes an intermittently driven feed conveyor for feeding containers between stationary guides which positions the flat ends of containers upon a pair of narrow flat belts trained around annuluses secured to a driven starwheel having equally spaced carriers thereon which move between the guides and push the containers onto a linear upper run of the belts which are driven at a higher arcuate speed than the annuluses for assuring the upper ends of the carriers do not contact and cause the containers to be dislodged from their flat surfaces.

Abstract: A power driven tracked amphibious vehicle is disclosed for moving troops from ships to shore at speeds in excess of 25 miles per hour. The vehicle includes a pair of hydrofoil assemblies each pivoted to the vehicle for movement between an operative water mode position with the hydrofoils and inline water jet propulsion units submerged in water for propelling the vehicle while in water, and a land mode with the hydrofoils and water jet propulsion units raised above the tracks for propelling the vehicle on land. When in the water mode the tracks are raised a short distance, and the track covers and bow flaps are positioned below the tracks for minimizing drag on the vehicle.

Abstract: A rotatable gravity filler capable of high speed filing of containers sealable with lids having a sprocket for providing stable support for each container, a shield disk to catch and removed drips, and a gate arrangement which closes tightly to prevent drips but is easily removable for cleaning.

Abstract: A single turn induction coil which provides uniform sealing of lids to plastic containers. A first end of the coil overlaps a second end of the coil with the ends being tapered to form a single complete ring. An electrical current is coupled to the overlapped portions of the first and second end of the coil so the electrical current flows for more than 360.degree. around the coil. This provides an induced electrical current around a container lid adjacent to the coil and provides heating of the complete circumference of the lid. A variety of shapes of containers and matching lids can be used with the present invention.

Abstract: A water jet propulsion module is generated about a central axis and has an inlet opening and a discharge opening concentric with said axis. The module includes a stator having an inner wall and an outer wall with curved stator vanes connected between said inner and outer walls. An impeller shroud is adjustably connected to the outer stator wall. A motor secured to the stator drives a planetary gear drive attached to an impeller by a parabolic impeller cone. The impeller draws water into the inlet opening and drives the water past the stator vanes out of the discharge opening along a substantially linear path at high speed and pressure.

Abstract: A pair of integrated water propulsion and hydrofoil systems capable of moving through water at speeds of at least 20 miles per hour are disclosed, each hydrofoil system having a hydrofoil and a mounting leg removably secured to a water propulsion system. The mounting legs are supported on opposite sides of the watercraft for moving the hydrofoils between a water mode and a land mode. The water propulsion system may be an inline water jet, and the hydrofoils may be formed from interconnected lightweight hollow beams with power operated flaps on the trailing portions of the hydrofoils for adding more lift when moving at slow speeds through water. The watercraft may be a military amphibious vehicle weighing about 30 tons.

Abstract: A mobile plant harvester for harvesting plants having foliage or vines such as cucumbers, includes an inclined main conveyor having an upper run and an inclined gripping conveyor supported by a vertically adjustable sub-frame and having an arcuate lower and upper end portions and parallel upper and lower runs. The foliage gripping conveyor includes a plurality of foliage gripping bars which open when moving around the lower arcuate end portion to gently gather the foliage and crop and then close to grip the foliage and transport the foliage and crop upwardly for release onto the main conveyor with a minimum of crop loss. The harvester also includes means for cutting the foliage horizontally, and means for maintaining the foliage gripping conveyor and foliage cutters at the desired height when moving over rough ground are also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved watercraft and propulsion system is disclosed for moving a watercraft such as an amphibious vehicle or a speed boat from 0 velocity to speeds in excess of 20 miles per hour. Each watercraft includes water propulsion systems which are preferably pivotally mounted on or near the rear end of the watercraft for pivotal movement between a transversely aligned stowed position above the vehicle and an operative position within the watercraft and below the vehicle. Hydrofoils may be connected to the water propulsion system, and bow or transom flaps plus the planing hull of the vehicle aids in providing adequate lift when in the water.

Abstract: A multi-directional vibratory conveyor is disclosed which includes a vibratory base plate which supports a plurality of fingers that project through holes in an alignment grill and in an adjustable grill. An article supported on the fingers is moved rectilinearly in a multiplicity of directions by moving the alignment grill rectilinearly, and is moved along a curved path by rotating the alignment grill a small amount.

Abstract: A height control system is disclosed for use on a harvester and includes at least one lightweight wheel which rides over the crop being harvested at a location forwardly of the vehicle in an undisturbed area of the crop without damaging the crop. The wheel detects upward or downward inclined portions of the ground and controls power means which raises or lowers at least one plant handling component of the harvester for maintaining the component at the desired elevation relative to the ground. The system also includes control means which sense varying ground speed and prevents undesirable jerky raising and lowering of the conveying components in response to the wheel riding over small articles such as rocks at different speeds.

Abstract: An inexpensive method for extracting high quality juice from fruit while obtaining a high yield. The unfinished products are pressed in a small screen finisher to obtain a finished liquid and a wet pulp. The wet pulp is hard pressed in a large screen finisher to produce a pulpy liquid and a dry pulp and the pulpy liquid is recycled through the small screen finisher to produce a finished liquid.

Abstract: A plastic cutlery feeder for receiving a backlog of cutlery items from a source and for feeding individual items in proper orientation and proper phase to a flighted conveyor of a wrapping machine. The backlogged items are received in a vertically oriented position by the cutlery feeder which changes the items to a horizontal orientation with a single item supplied to each flight of the wrapping machine conveyor.

Abstract: Apparatus for the quick connect and disconnect of a welding and a cutting torch includes a plurality of quick connectors. An outer portion of a quick connector carries electrical current which provides electrical power for an electric arc welder and an axial bore in the connector carries a liquid to provide cooling of the torch. Other quick connectors carry gas or liquid between the torch and sources of supply.

Abstract: The outer surface of an elongated metal component such as a bar is rapidly heated by an induction coil and is thereafter cooled by a quenching spray while being subjected to tensile forces so high that the center portion of the bar approaches yield causing the bar to elongate slightly. The tension on the bar is released thereby obtaining high residual compressive surface stresses in the cooled outer layers of the bar which define an annulus and which shortens the bar slightly until compressive stresses in the surface layers equal the tensile stresses acting on the central sections of the bar thereby greatly improving the fatigue life of the bar.

Abstract: A filler and sealer with an endless two directional flexing chain having carriers thereon are capable of being driven about vertical axes of a rotary filler and also about horizontal axes of end discs. Each carrier movably supports a tray supporting head which is accurately maintained in filling positions relative to rotary and reciprocating tray fillers, and is thereafter accurately maintained in position to have a lid sealed on the container. Arcuate guide shoes on each carrier ride in linear and arcuate tracks to guide the carriers. A push bar conveyor includes spacer rollers which engage each carrier and push the carriers around their paths of movement at uniform speed.

Abstract: A spall backing material contiguously attached to an armor plate at least suppresses the formation of lethal armor spall from being propelled from the inner surface of the armor plate when the outer surface of the armor is impacted by a weapon with sufficient impact to release high velocity spall from unprotected armor. When the impedance of the spall suppression armor is equal to or greater than the impedance of the armor plate, the formation of lethal spall in the armor will be prevented. When the spall backing material is reduced in thickness to minimize weight and has an impedance lower than that of the armor plate, or a more powerful weapon is used, armor spallation will occur but will be suppressed by the spall backing material to minimize lethality.

Abstract: A wide angle trapezoidal periscope is disclosed having an upper trapezoidal housing and a smaller lower trapezoidal housing secured to said upper housing having optics sealed therein which include parallel upper and lower windows and parallel upper and lower mirrors. When used on military vehicles, the lower trapezoidal periscope housings are inserted within evenly and closely spaced trapezoidal openings in the rim of a hatch and are secured to the hatch with corner connectors to clamp non-parallel walls of said upper housings within about 1/8 of an inch of the adjacent non-parallel walls of the next adjacent trapezoidal housing. Each periscope provides a vertical field of view of about 43.degree. and a horizontal field of view of about 140.degree..