Abstract: The present invention is directed to a leak resistant battery cover for storage batteries. The battery cover provides a labyrinth of passages which provide a path from each cell vent to the atmospheric vent. The labyrinth is configured to provide a portion of each path above a level in which the electrolyte in the respective cells attains when the battery is tipped on any one of its sides or rotated ninety (90) degrees from an upright position. The labyrinth configuration prevents electrolyte from reaching the atmospheric vent and spilling out of the battery.

Abstract: A grid keying fixture for installing grid keys in a nuclear fuel assembly spacer grid having a matrix of cells, at least some of the cells including a soft stop in a first axis and a soft stop in a second axis. The grid keying fixture includes a frame assembly having a plurality of fixture pegs affixed to the frame assembly and each arranged and adapted to enter a respective cell of the grid. Each of the fixture pegs is operable to simultaneously deflect the first axis soft stop and the second axis soft stop of the respective cell without bearing on a hard stop in the respective cell opposite one of the first axis and second axis soft stops. In the preferred embodiment, alignment pegs are affixed to the frame assembly for aligning the fixture pegs with the respective cells.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing apparatus includes a fluid reservoir comprising a flexible bag-like enclosure. The fluid reservoir includes a discharge valve connected to a fluid output for dispensing fluid from said fluid reservoir. An electronic controller selectively opens and closes the discharge valve to dispense a predetermined volume of fluid from said fluid reservoir. The fluid reservoir is flexible so that it expands and contracts to maintain the internal pressure of the fluid reservoir constant. In an alternate embodiment, the fluid reservoir has a rigid wall and is provided with an external bladder which expands and contracts to maintain the internal pressure of the fluid reservoir constant. The fluid dispensing apparatus can be configured either as a volumetric filler or as a time pressure filler.

Abstract: A process of decorating fabric includes the step of imparting wrinkles to the fabric oblique to the warp and weft directions and heat setting the wrinkles into the fabric. The wrinkle imparting step may include moving the fabric longitudinally and simultaneously moving portions of the fabric from side to side by frictionally engaging the fabric to an oscillating means such as an elastomeric pad or interleaved fingers and oscillating the pad or fingers from side to side. Heat setting of the fabric includes exposing the wrinkled fabric to heat at a sufficient temperature and for a sufficient duration to set the wrinkles in the fabric. Desirably, the wrinkled fabric is in contact with a transfer print paper while the fabric passes through the heat setting step to set the wrinkles and fix color on the fabric. The longitudinal movement is desirably coordinated with the side to side movement to obtain aesthetically pleasing results. The invention also includes apparatus and the product.

Abstract: At least one circular ridge, which projects upwardly beyond the surface of the navel of the thread delivery device, is placed in the path of yarn being removed from the peripheral wall of the spinning chamber and delivered to the throat of the navel. The ridge has a height of at least 0.003" and is radially so located in proximity to the edge of the navel that the yarn being formed and lifted from the wall of the spinning chamber first engages the navel at the ridge.

Abstract: A filter for removing hazardous particulate matter from an aqueous flow. The filter includes a rigid support housing having an input port for the aqueous flow, an exit port for the aqueous flow, a brace to securingly engage a filter vessel for the aqueous flow, an internal seal and an external seal, and a disposable filter cartridge configured similarly to the housing and sized to be substantially entirely received within the housing and sealingly engage the internal seal and having a filter medium that extends across a path from the input port to the exit port when received in the housing, the cartridge having a terminal seal located to sealingly engage the cartridge to the aqueous flow filter vessel outside of the housing when the cartridge sealing engages with the internal seal.

Abstract: A solid necktie including a rounded coupling segment which has apertures extending therethrough. Also included are a plurality of supplemental segments. Each supplemental segment has a pair of apertures which extend therethrough and positioned as continuations of the apertures of the coupling segment wherein the apertures of the supplemental segments are in communication with the apertures of the coupling segment. Further included is an elastic cord material which has a central section positionable around the neck of a wearer and with portions thereof extending first through apertures of the coupling segment and then through apertures of the supplement segments for holding the segments in a generally planar orientation when worn.

Abstract: A guided outlining system to assist the user in developing strategy-specific outlines for business communications. The user is prompted to enter the target audience, purpose and specific content entries for the business communication. One strategy choice from a predefined list of strategy options is also selected by the user. Strategy guidelines are displayed for the user to assist in the organization of the content entries based on the selected strategy. The user is then prompted to assign type attributes and ordering criteria to each content entry. The content entries are then sorted and displayed to the user.

Abstract: The present invention provides a improved corrugated cardboard box formed from a single pre-cut and pre-scored blank. The box can better support vertical and lateral loads, such as are present when many like boxes are stacked in a column, making the box ideal for packaging and shipping easily damaged produce such as tomatoes. The box is typical in that it includes a bottom panel, two side panels, two top panels, and two end panels. The improvement resides in the provision of a corner support post at each corner of the box. Each corner support post includes a vertically extending corner support panel, which is attached to the side edge of the end panel, and an interior bracing panel which extends from the corner support panel to the inner surface of the end panel. In a preferred embodiment, the post also includes a connecting panel disposed between the corner support panel and the interior bracing panel.

Abstract: A rod connector assembly for removably securing a control rod to a spider structure and adapted for use in conjunction with a crimping tool. The rod connector assembly includes a tubular boss fixedly secured to the spider structure, the boss including at least one access hole and interior threads formed on an interior surface of the boss. A securement structure includes a coupling adapted to be fixedly secured to the control rod. The coupling includes a shaft having external threads, an upper end, and a lower end, the lower end of the shaft adapted to be fixedly secured to the control rod; a deformable collar projecting upwardly from the upper end of the shaft; and a cap adapted to be fixedly secured to an upper end of the boss and including at least one groove corresponding to the access hole(s).

Abstract: This invention teaches a method for forming a tempered, coated, grooved and/or beveled decorative glass sheet. The decorative glass sheet includes a coating on a surface thereof and a groove or bevel formed in the surface. The coating is substantially registered with at least on peripheral edge of the groove or bevel such that the coating is not disposed within the groove or bevel. The decorative glass sheet is formed by applying a coating, preferably by screen printing, to a surface of the glass panel. The coating is fired so as to set the coating into the glass panel. A groove and/or bevel is formed in the coated surface. The glass panel is then tempered. Preferably, the step of firing the coating is followed by the step of cooling the glass panel at a rate sufficient to temper the glass panel and, more preferably, at a rate sufficient to induce heat strengthening.

Abstract: A repair sleeve for installation in a parent tube by a sleeve expander of the type operable between an expanded state and an unexpanded state. The sleeve includes an elongated sleeve member having an outer wall and a bore sized and configured to receive the sleeve expander when the sleeve expander is in the unexpanded state. An engagement structure extends radially outward from the outer wall of the sleeve member for engagement with the interior surface of the parent tube. The engagement structure includes a plurality of circumferential teeth located along the outer wall of the sleeve member and at both ends of the sleeve member which are inclined to each other with respect to each of the ends. A plurality of peripheral lands are formed on the outer wall of the sleeve member, wherein the plurality of teeth are disposed between at least two of the peripheral lands located at each end of the sleeve.

Abstract: A liquid alkali composition for use in fiber reactive dyeing of cotton and cotton blended fabrics or the like. The liquid alkali is a solution of an alkali metal hydroxide and its carbonate formed by reaction of liquid CO.sub.2 with the alkali metal hydroxide solution. The resulting supersaturated solution has a high enough Total Alkalinity to achieve reaction between the dye and fiber but is sufficiently buffered to achieve this reaction slowly so that the fiber reactive dyes fix in a level, uniform fashion. Preferably the composition is a mixture of potassium hydroxide, potassium carbonate, potassium citrate, and potassium polyacrylate. The citrate and polyacrylate act as dispersants in the dyeing process and also act as crystallization inhibitors in solution. The use of the carbonate compounds of the present invention in place of conventional silicates or phosphorus prevents the discharge of untreatable toxic wastewater into natural waterways.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming simulated flowers from cut-out sheets of a confectionery material such as gum paste. A kit for forming the simulated flowers includes one or more template cutters formed in the shapes of the leaves and/or petals of an actual flower, a male mold having an exterior surface cast from the interior of the actual flower, and a flower holder having a surface that generally conforms to the exterior or interior of the flower. The flower holder preferably comprises either a female or male mold or a deformable material having indentations therein. Optional components of the kit include a stamen mold for forming a simulated stamen and a ruffling tool for ruffling the peripheral edges of the simulated flower.

Abstract: A nozzle configuration capable of handling several cleaning mediums including two sets of discharge nozzles, each of which is associated with a respective cleaning medium. The first nozzle set discharges cleaning medium fluid of relatively higher pressure, while the second nozzle set has nozzles of relatively larger throat diameter for the discharge of relatively lower pressure medium. The nozzles of the second set are arranged coaxially with and downstream from the nozzles of the first set, whereby cleaning medium fluid discharged from the first nozzle set passes through the throats of the nozzles of the second set without substantial obstruction therein.

Abstract: An apparatus for receiving a garment piece at a first workstation and moving the garment piece to a second workstation where the garment piece is seamed together. The apparatus includes a garment piece transfer system located adjacent to the first workstation for engaging the garment piece at the first workstation and for moving the garment piece to the second workstation. A vision and control system is located adjacent to the first workstation for determining the position of the garment piece at the first workstation and sending a control signal to the garment piece transfer system to engage the garment piece at the first workstation and move the garment piece to the second workstation. A sewing machine is located at the second workstation for seaming the garment piece together. The vision and control system also determines a parameter value for a selected parameter of the garment and places the garment into a reject or a non-reject class based on a comparison of the parameter value and a reference value.