Abstract: When the accelerator pedal is fully depressed, shifting points at which the automatic power transmission shifts to another gear ratio are suddenly moved toward the higher vehicle speed to readily achieve the downshift of the transmission even during a relatively high vehicle speed. The downshifts are continued until the magnitude of the throttle pressure which is substantially proportional to the output of the engine is decreased to a predetermined level even when the accelerator pedal is permitted to return to its partially depressed position.

Abstract: Apparatus for coating moving web material includes an open trough containing a fluid coating agent over which a tensioned web to be coated travels. A pair of rotatable doctor rods are supported by the narrow edge areas of open channels across which the rods lie, the channels and the doctor rods extending widthwise parallel to the trough and adjacent each side thereof, with the rods forming upright extensions of the opposite sidewalls of the trough, so that the web contacts the rods sequentially as it traverses the trough. The rod on the far side of the trough relative to the moving web wipes the coating picked up from the trough by the web to desired thickness, and the channel support for the rod enables the rod to be wiped and cleaned by the narrow edge areas, which may be made from replaceable thin doctor strips that extend beyond the channel sidewalls.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for collecting solar energy involving exposing a mixture of a fluid carrier and heat absorbing particles to the rays of the sun in a container having a transparent cover facing the rays of the sun, and circulating the mixture to a thermal accumulator or sink. The fluid may be a liquid or gas, or a mixture of liquid and gas; and the particles preferably have a specific gravity different from that of the carrier so they naturally separate if circulation of the mixture stops. The container is dimensioned so that, upon separation of the particles, they no longer are exposed through the transparent surface of the container. Mixture flow control means are provided within the container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for recording information by deformation on a recording material having a photoconductive thermoplastic layer supported by a flexible transparent backing layer, characterized by the provision of electrostatic attraction means for stabilizing the recording material against lateral displacement during the continuous transport of the recording material through an exposure station. To this end, there are provided corona means for electrostatically charging the recording material prior to the transport thereof through the exposure station, and a stationary conductive layer of a given potential is arranged beneath the recording material opposite the charging and exposure stations, whereby the charged recording material is attracted to the conductive layer. A further conductive layer of given potential may be provided for stabilizing the charged recording medium during transport through a read-out station.

Abstract: Disclosed are fiber-reinforced articles made of chemically-modified protein, such as sausage casings, and a method of producing such articles characterized by the steps of reacting a solution of a protein such as casein with at least two types of chemical modifying agents.

Abstract: A shaped article, especially a tube-shaped article, including a chemically modified cellulose hydrate and water which comprises:(a) a chemically modified cellulose hydrate which comprises a reaction product obtainable by reacting a cellulose derivative selected from the group consisting of a cellulose hydrate, a chemical reaction product of a cellulose hydrate with an alkylamido-bis-dimethylene-triazinone-tetramethylol, a chemical reaction product of a cellulose hydrate with an alkylamino-bis-dimethylene-triazinone-tetramethylol and mixtures thereof, with a synthetic polymer containing recurring oxyalkylene units and at least one terminal group having the formula --CH.sub.2 --O--CO--NH--CH.sub.2 -OH and(b) water,Is disclosed. Such articles can be prepared by treating a shaped article wherein the cellulose derivative is in the gel state with a solution of the synthetic polymer prior to drying the article under heating. Tube-shaped articles are particularly suited as sausage casings.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the chemical modification of a water-soluble cellulose ether, which comprises reacting the ether with a chloroformic acid ester in an aqueous organic medium containing alkali hydroxide, whereby the cellulose ether is rendered at least partially insoluble in water. The modified cellulose ether may be easily dispersed in water and redissolved to form a smooth solution of the original water-soluble ether by adding sufficient alkali to the dispersion to reuse its pH to at least about 11, preferably to about 12.

Abstract: A semi-automatic coarse-fine focusing apparatus for microscopes adjusts the focus of a microscope through rotation of a shaft which rotates a pinion that drives a rack to reciprocate. The rack carries a specimen being observed by the microscope. The shaft which rotates the pinion is in turn driven by a gear that is meshed with a helix formed on a cylinder by a helical thread disposed therearound. The helix is non-rotatably mounted on another shaft that includes a knob which is manually turned to turn the helix and thus rotate the gear for coarse adjustment. The helix is preferably rigidly mounted on the shaft and the shaft is slidable. One arm of a bell crank engages an end face of the helix to reciprocate the helix and thus rotate the gear for fine adjustment. The other arm of the bell crank is engaged by a cam which pivots the bell crank according to the position of the cam. The position of the cam is determined by an electric motor which is preferably controlled by signals that vary with image contrast.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sheet conveying mechanism for an original to be reproduced in a reproducing apparatus, comprising means, including a rotatable drum having an air-permeable circumferential shell surface, for supporting the original; non-rotatable means disposed within the drum for dividing the space within the drum and the circumferential shell surface of the drum into three separate regions; means associated with the drum for selectively producing positive and negative pressure within each of the separate drum regions; means for exposing and scanning the original, positioned adjacent a first one of said separate drum regions; means, associated with the drum and being responsive to movement of the original around the drum, for controlling the pressure-producing means; and first and second means, cooperating with the drum and located adjacent the circumferential shell surface of the drum in the area of a second one of the separate drum regions, for transporting the original around the drum.

Abstract: The specification describes a tool more especially for bending tubes and rods in which the rod or tube is acted upon by a pressing part mounted on a thrust rod. The thrust rod is arranged to be moved along its axis by means of a lever operated advancing lever which makes frictional engagement at edges engaging the thrust rod on opposite sides of the latter. Between repeated reciprocating movements of the advancing lever the thrust rod is retained by a sprag having a hole through which the thrust rod passes. This hole has diametrally opposite clamping edges for engaging the thrust rod. The thrust rod is adapted to be released by a blow against a release knob which indirectly acts on the sprag bringing it out of engagement with the thrust rod.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for developing a latent electrostatic image on an electrophotographic copying material by means of a toner dispersion. An infeed roller applies the toner dispersion to the copying material, and, downstream thereof, a distribution roller acts on the surface of the copying material. To solve the problem of reproducing fine white indicia, such as thin white lines, on a black background, a voltage, having the same polarity as the surface charge of the latent electrostatic image on the copying material, is applied to the distribution roller. Squeegee rollers downstream of the distribution roller effect removal of unused toner. Toner, which adheres to the distribution roller during application of voltage to the distribution roller, is sprayed off and recovered for recycling, the spraying agent being toner dispersion.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for transporting an original to be copied while resting on a supporting surface, preferably a drum, in a reproduction apparatus, comprising: a shaft extending across the width of the supporting surface and being arranged in spaced relationship substantially parallel therewith; a plurality of means in spaced attachment along the shaft and responsive to rotation of the shaft for clamping the leading edge of the original; a flexible strip member commonly covering the clamping means and being adapted to protect the leading edge of the original in the clamped position; means engaging one end of the shaft in an original-receiving position for opening and closing the clamping means by rotating the shaft; and means engaging one end of the shaft in an original-releasing position for opening the clamping means by rotating the shaft.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sheet feed apparatus suitable for feeding an original into a copying machine at an intake position and through the machine past an exposure station, the apparatus comprising a rotary support having a surface for supporting the original, means rotatable with the rotary support for gripping the leading edge of the original, means for selectively coupling and decoupling the gripping means with the support, means in advance of the exposure station for pressing the original against the supporting surface, means associated with the rotary support for conveying the original in contact with the supporting surface when the gripping means is stationary and means for releasing the original from the gripping means at a discharge position after the support has made a predetermined number of revolutions.

Abstract: A radar-operated collision avoidance system for a roadway vehicle comprises a radar device for sensing the vehicle speed relative to an object and its distance thereto to decide whether the vehicle is approaching the object at a dangerously high speed. A minimum allowable distance represented by a digital code is stored in a memory location within an array of rows and columns and read out in response to a sensed vehicle speed relative to the roadway and to a sensed magnitude of steering movement. The minimum allowable distance is compared with the distance sensed by the radar to determine that the decision is valid only when the latter is smaller than the former.

Abstract: A container includes a plurality of walls that define an enclosed space. One of the container walls has a frangible piercing point thereon adapted to be penetrated by an extraction device such as a drinking straw, the piercing point being defined by a depression formed in the exterior surface of the container wall, but which does not penetrate completely through the wall. The depression is surrounded by an annular ring, which marks its location, and the container walls are preferably made of a plurality of layers of laminated material.

Abstract: A method of membrane filtration of a liquid and an apparatus for carrying out such a method, the apparatus comprising at least two support members including a first and a last support member of porous material arranged in series each support member including a plurality of liquid flow passageways therethrough, whereby liquid flow from the inlet means to the outlet means is possible; inlet means for admitting a liquid to be filtered to the first support member; outlet means for withdrawing a concentrate from the last support member; a semipermeable membrane covering all surfaces of the support members in contact with the liquid; means for providing that flow of liquid from one support means to the next is only via the passageways; and means associated with each support member for withdrawing permeate from therewithin.

Abstract: A corona apparatus comprising at least one roller electrode assembly, a supporting surface acting as a counter electrode, and a generator for generating an alternating current voltage for said electrode assembly characterized in that the roller electrode assembly comprises: a central shaft, an electrode, means for mounting said electrode to said shaft, a tube, means for mounting said tube for rotation about said shaft, said electrode contained within said tube, means for electrically connecting said electrode to said generator and means for supporting said shaft whereby said tube is positioned adjacent to said counter electrode.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the manufacture of a series of photoconductor webs spaced apart from each other on a carrier web by electrically conductive spacing strips extending transversely of the carrier web, comprising (a) transporting a carrier web having an electrically conductive surface disposed thereon in a feed direction across a backing member and in close proximity to a slot die arranged transversely to the feed direction; (b) pumping a photoconductive coating solution into the slot die; (c) flowing the photoconductive solution intermittently from the slot die orifice onto the carrier web for periods of time sufficient to produce the spaced photoconductor webs, the flow of the coating solution being substantially uniform during each coating period and the entire quantity of coating solution required for each coated photoconductor web being extruded from the slot die orifice in the form of a substantially uniform stream; (d) maintaining the distance between the carrier web and the die orifice constant

Abstract: Disclosed is a process and, to implement the process, an electrostatic charging apparatus comprising means for producing a corona discharge; a counter-electrode positioned below the discharge means adapted for supporting a recording material to be charged; means for supporting the counter-electrode, including a pair of opposed vertical side walls defining a guide channel of substantially rectangular cross-section along which the recording material can pass; and a pair of elongated strip-like members of electrically insulative material extending within the channel at least from the side walls laterally along the opposed marginal regions of the counter-electrode and longitudinally along the whole length of the counter-electrode.

Abstract: A device for detaching a sheet-shaped copy support from a moving photoconductive layer by fluid pressure. The device includes a nozzle arrangement which directs pressurized fluid, such as compressed air, toward a sheet of copy paper or other copy support. The action of the fluid on the copy support creates a suction pressure which draws the copy support toward the nozzle arrangement to detach the copy support from the photoconductive layer. When the copy support has moved into close proximity and generally overlying relationship with respect to the nozzle arrangement, the fluid is passed off generally tangentially with respect to the copy support to maintain a constant suction and to avoid undesirable oscillations of the copy support. This, in turn, eliminates the undesirable noise associated with such oscillations.