Abstract: A compact high speed food depositor comprises a pump driven by a first servomotor to feed food product through a multi-tube outlet to a stationary housing. A second servomotor drives a rocking cut-off valve within the housing to feed food product through three apertures in the housing. A computer with a touch screen controls the servomotors and calculates the required weight deposit along with the speed and placement of food product in the moving trays.

Abstract: This invention relates to cooking facilities and particularly to a new, inexpensive and versatile rack for grilling or cooking a variety of meats in a new and improved manner. The unique rack of the present invention comprises a unitary wire structure with a substantially rectangular base wherein the formed wire comprises three sides of the rectangle and a wire cross bar is welded at each end to the formed wire to form the fourth side of the rectangle or square. Members extend upwardly and outwardly to form slots for chicken legs, etc., at a spaced distance above a grill. The wire slots also provide a holder for beer cans and engage a skewer for cooking various meats and vegetables.

Abstract: A forming apparatus to produce nonsymmetrical three-dimensional shaped products from a food extrusion device includes a vector drive controlling an induction motor through current flux control, which selectively actuates an iris diaphragm. Food product is pumped to the diaphragm, which shapes the product in accordance with settings from an encoder. The flux drive permits variable control of the diaphragm motor in segments of a 360° revolution. Alternatively, a servo drive may be used to drive a synchronous motor to operate in accordance with instructions from an encoder-shaping product from a food pump as it is forced through the diaphragm.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing co-extruded pasta such as stuffed rigatoni and for providing the ability to make a plurality of end crimps with a single die. The method involves distributing pasta dough from an extruder to multiple co-extrusion die inserts that are arranged in a straight line. The straight-line design allows the co-extruded dough strands to drop directly into a single crimp/cut die that has a selected straight, angular or other cut. The invention may be adapted and utilized on any new or pre-existing pasta dough extruders.

Abstract: A decorating applicator for use in a decorating kit comprises a self-feeding hollow plastic tube or wand having a sponge foam rubber applicator tip at one end and a base at the other end of the tube. The applicator tip is held in place with a plastic plug or cap mounted in the open end of the tube. A food dye is placed within the tube, water added and the plug with the applicator extending therefrom is sealingly mounted in the tube opening. The colored liquid is drawn onto the sponge tip through an aperture in the plug. The tip has a specific tapered configuration to facilitate decorating.

Abstract: A rack for grilling chicken legs comprises a unitary wire structure including a base and inclined upwardly extending members at each end of the base and a transverse/portion joining the tops of the members. A plurality of substantially U-shaped members are mounted to the transverse member at the legs forming the open end of the “U”. The legs of the U-shaped members form a parallel slot between adjacent members to engage and support a plurality of chicken legs in a vertical position above grill.

Abstract: A handheld oyster and clam opener includes a pair of cooperating pivotal members. One member includes a handle and a curved toothed portion to hold a clam or oyster in position at one end. The opposing member includes a handle and a knife-like wedge along which a protruding wedge is slidable. The protruding wedge is used to open oysters and is moved to one end to open clams with the knife-like wedge both operations requiring a single stroke. A scoop mounted to the toothed portion is used to remove the clam or oyster from the shell.

Abstract: A device and method to measure individual or grouped cell voltages to monitor fuel cell performance for diagnostic or control purposes. More particularly, the present invention involves a device to make attachments to individual cells or groups of cells of a fuel cell stack which measures the voltage or the differences of voltages at a plurality of points of these individual cells or groups of cells, the relationship of these voltages to other fuel cell stack operating parameters, or the fuel cell stack current relationship, transient response, or frequency response of these voltages and uses these measurements to report on the performance of the fuel cell stack, to control fuel cell system parameters based on this performance data, or to isolate individual cells or cell groups. The method further relates to the control of a device to modulate the load current of the fuel cell stack in tandem with the said measurements.

Abstract: An acoustic signaling system comprises a transmitter, which has frequency stability to create sounds which can reliably be received and which is loud enough to be heard by a receiver. The receiver includes an electret microphone, a limiting amplifier which has high gain, high frequency roll off and produces a maximum output for any input above a minimum value and a Schmitt trigger circuit to square up the output of the limiting amplifier and function as a zero cross detector. A micro-controller measures the times of the zero crossings and performs the detection and decoding algorithms to determine what code is being received. Each code consists of an anonymous repeating sequence of tones, which are transmitted for a certain duration followed by a silence, which allows room echoes to decay. The system creates acoustic sound codes, which are pleasant, sounding, can reliably be received and convey sufficient information to activate toys or dolls.

Abstract: This invention relates to a hydrant locator that facilitates the location of a hydrant by firefighters, particularly in an emergency. The low profile device wraps around the hydrant cylinder for mounting purposes and a switch in an emergency vehicle sets off strobe lights on the device upon activation to alert firefighters to the hydrant location. The locator device comprises a plurality of solar powered strobe lights that are strapped about the hydrant alternating with solar panels. A locked latch secures the locator belt of strobe lights and solar panels to the hydrant. A shatterproof shield is mounted over the strobe lights and solar panels. A receiver is also mounted within the locator to activate the strobe lights upon receipt of a remote signal. A remote switch located in an emergency vehicle is coupled to a transmitter to activate only those hydrant locators within a given range of approximately 1500 feet. The switch can activate a different color strobe light to indicate the closeness of the hydrant.

Abstract: A self-contained portable toothbrush comprises a plastic head having a plurality of bristles extending outwardly therefrom on one side and a hemispherical water pocket on the other side connected to the bristles by a plurality of channels extending through the head. The water pocket is composed of compressible plastic that ruptures a seal when pressed forcing water onto the bristles that contain dehydrated dentifrice. The head is joined to an intermediate coupling portion at one end which is joined at the other end to a detachable hollow handle portion contained water or mouthwash. After use, the toothbrush is discarded.

Abstract: The invention comprises a compact high speed food depositor which includes a pump driven by a first servomotor to feed food product through tubing and a second servomotor rotating a cutoff nozzle mounted about the tubing to deposit a predetermined accurate amount of food product in a tray moving along a belt. A computer with a touch screen controls the servomotor and calculates the required weight deposit along with the speed and placement of food product in the trays.

Abstract: This invention relates to children's sound books and in particular to books having a fabric covering with sound chips positioned therein and an overlapping cover which closes and locks due to hook and loop fasteners. This invention involves a folding cloth covered book that is appealing to children, pleasant to touch and stretches out into an elongated representation of the book subject matter. Sound chips and a controller are mounted between cloth layers and are coupled to a controller similarly mounted to emit sounds when a particular representation is contacted. The books are intended for children 6 months old and above.

Abstract: An apparatus for the portioning and depositing of food products in form/fill/seal machines and other food packaging machinery into pockets that are then evacuated and sealed. A food pump outlet is connected to a manifold which has a number of outlets corresponding to positions over the pockets. A cutoff knife blocks the flow from each outlet. A programmable logic controller activates a first knife causing it to open with a single accurate portion of food product being pumped through the outlet and then cut cleanly by the knife. The operation continues for the remaining pockets which are provided with a single distinct and accurate portion for each pocket. Optionally, a double cut operation may be programmed into the logic controller. Once the pockets are full, the controller signals the packaging machine to index.

Abstract: A tampon applicator comprises inner and outer hollow members with a tampon mounted within the outer member. The inner member is telescopically mounted within the hollow outer member with one end surface adapted to contact the tampon and its other end surface extending outwardly to act as a plunger. A lubricant is located within the outer member secured therein by inner and outer seals. The tampon with a lubricating coating is ejected with the application of force to the slideable plunger.