Abstract: A centerline detector for a tubular knit fabric lay cutter table. The apparatus includes a nearside side edge compressor for determining the position of the nearside edge of the fabric lay and providing a signal representative of the nearside edge. The apparatus also includes a farside side edge compressor for determining the position of the farside edge of the fabric lay and providing a signal representative of the farside edge. A controller is connected to the nearside side edge compressor and the farside side edge compressor for receiving the signal representative of the nearside edge and the signal representative of the farside edge and calculating a first centerpoint of the fabric lay. In the preferred embodiment the centerline detector makes at least two measurements along a length of the fabric lay.

Abstract: An article of manufacture in the form of a novelty item comprising a solid spherical member having a smooth, polished outside surface. The member is comprised of a hard transparent material such as polyester, acrylic or polyurethane. A three-dimensional object having multiple voids is embedded in the transparent material. Preferably, the three-dimensional object is a model race car from which the windows have been removed. It has been discovered that when embedded in the transparent material, the model car has the appearance of having particularly clear windows.

Abstract: An integrated system including an oven and a separator for converting a grease/water mixture exiting the oven into a grease component and a gray water component is disclosed. The oven, which may be considered to be independent of the integrated system, includes a reservoir that acts as a water vapor source and a drip pan for capturing the juice and/or grease that exude from a food stuff as it cooks. A water supply line in fluid communication with reservoir provide a means for clearing the surface of the reservoir of grease slicks or a grease layer that might interfere with the humidity or water vapor content of the oven. A controller may be provided to regulate the frequency and duration of the clearing of the reservoir surface.

Abstract: An insulated flotation garment that has an insulating element and a flotation element bonded together by perimeter stitching to protect persons by keeping them warm and preventing them from being submerged in cold water.

Abstract: A speed control system for a sorting conveyor for transporting objects and unloading objects at one or more unloading stations adjacent the conveyor. Each of the tilting conveyor carts includes a trailer frame base, a carrying tray for holding the objects and a two-axis tiltable support apparatus for supporting the carrying tray above the trailer frame base and for allowing tilting of the carrying tray towards at least one side of the conveyor to unload objects into unloading stations on at least one side of the conveyor. The conveyor system includes a plurality of selectively energized linear induction motors for driving the train along the conveyor track. A speed control system including a fixed-frequency, variable-voltage transformer is connected to a portion of the linear induction motors for varying the speed of the train.

Abstract: A post system for use in installing fence posts, mailbox posts, and the like that includes a ground anchor having a tubular member with a circular cross-section of uniform diameter along its length, and a longitudinal axis, the tubular member having a lower end with a peripherally extending auger blade, and an upper end; and a post having first and second ends, and a bore extending into the post from one of the post ends, the tubular member upper end being insertable into the post bore. The lower end of the ground anchor is screwed into the ground, and a length of the tubular member approximately equal to the length of the bore is left exposed above ground level. The post is then telescoped onto the above-ground part of the tubular member by inserting the exposed part of the tubular member into the post bore. The ground anchor may be used alone as a post, and the post system, or ground anchor alone, may also be employed as a ground anchor for modular homes.

Abstract: A guide device for attachment adjacent the rear of a boat trailer to assist the driver of a towing vehicle in backing the unloaded trailer into the water. The guide device includes a mounting bracket for attaching the device onto a rear part of the boat, such as onto the front face of the rear lateral frame member, and a signal member mounted on the bracket and pivotal between raised and lowered positions. The signal member includes an elongated staff above the bracket and a flotation element attached to the lower end of the staff beneath the bracket. The flotation element is lighter than water, and has a weight greater than the weight of said staff. When the trailer is out of the water, the staff is pivoted by the weight of the flotation element to a generally vertical position. When the rear of the trailer is backed into the water, the flotation element rises to pivot the staff to a generally horizontal position.

Abstract: An apparatus for folding a continuous length of fabric extracted from a dyeing range. The apparatus includes a fabric receptacle for receiving the fabric from the dyeing range and a two-directional plaiting system for folding the fabric. In the preferred embodiment, a control system controls the speed and tension of the fabric to prevent tearing or sagging of the fabric during unloading. Also, a pulley and squeegee system receives the continuous fabric and extracting liquid from the fabric prior to folding. The pulley and squeegee system includes a first nip drive and a second nip drive, each of the drives including a pair of rollers spaced apart to allow the continuous fabric to feed through the nip drives to extract excess water from the fabric.

Abstract: A dyeing system composition for use in printing articles formed from cellulose prior to dyeing. The dyeing system composition includes the use of both a dye blocking print paste and a dye enhancing print paste to selectively decrease or increase the shade of dyed portions of a cellulose article such as a woven cotton fabric.

Abstract: A soft-gelatin, extended gelatin composition has been found, which composition comprises a non-brittle shell forming material. The wet composition comprises: a) 30-60% by weight of a film-forming material b) 5-35% by weight of a water-dispersible or water-soluble plasticizer c) 25-65% by weight purified water wherein the film-forming material comprises gelatin and gum acacia, with gum acacia accounting for 0.5-50% by weight of the total amount of the film-forming material, a dried film having 3-12% by weight of water formed from said composition having no reduced elasticity as compared to a film having the same proportions of the same water-dispersible or water-soluble plasticizer to the total weight of only gelatin film-forming material.

Abstract: An easily carried and assembled apparatus for use in moving materials between two elevated locations, such as windows of spaced building, that includes a sending assembly positionable across a window in a first building, and a receiving assembly positioned across the window in the second building. Each assembly included a pair of triangular bracing members with bases that are positioned against the interior of the wall on either side of the opening, and a crossbar that is attached at its ends to the apexes of the bracing members, and extends across the opening. A cable is stretched between the assemblies, and a material support is used to carry materials along the cable between the buildings. The apparatus may be combined with a vertical lifting assembly that is attachable within a wall opening in one of the buildings.

Abstract: A device and method for teaching children the names of household objects in which a device that includes a recording of the name of the object and a switch to activate play of the recording is attached to an object corresponding to the recorded name in a location where the device is reachable by the child, so that the name of the object will be stated when the child closes the switch, thereby aiding the child in associating the stated name with the object to which the device is attached. The device may include an electronic circuit with a recordable IC in circuit with a speaker, a power source and a switch; and a housing enclosing the circuit. The housing can have a front surface with means to close the switch, and a back surface having an attachment means for securing the housing to the object.