Abstract: A textile yarn creel having a circular supporting framework and plural yarn package supporting members mounted removably and circumferentially slidably thereabout and axially thereof, the supporting members having plural radially inwardly extending pins for mounting of yarn packages thereon for radially inward yarn withdrawal. Guide eyelet members are mounted in a circular arrangement on the circular framework radially inwardly spaced from the package supporting members for receiving the yarns and for direction therefrom to an associated textile machine e.g. a multi-feed circular knitting machine. The package supporting members may be selectively mounted at substantially any locations and spacings circumferentially about the framework for selective expansion and reduction of the creel capacity without changing the floor space occupied.

Abstract: A firewood log storing and dispensing apparatus including a furniture-type cabinet housing having an upright log storage compartment in which logs are vertically stacked, a log delivery opening at the lower end of the compartment of a predetermined size adapted for passage therethrough of one log, and a closure mechanism mounted in the housing to extend across the delivery opening for selectively obstructing and opening the delivery opening to permit gravitational dispensing of logs from the compartment. A log cradle is movably arranged below the delivery opening to be vertically moved between a raised log receiving position at the delivery opening and a lowered log dispensing position spaced therebelow. An opening is provided in the cabinet for access to the cradle at its dispensing position for log removal therefrom.

Abstract: A bag formed of a flaccid material for receiving and containing merchandise, the bag being formed by a sheet of such material folded along a fold line to provide two juxtaposed or overlapping generally rectangular wall panels having the side edges thereof joined together, such fold line being tucked inwardly between such overlapping wall panels to form a gusset, and a separate strip of material folded along a fold line extending along the length thereof and disposed within the gusset to extend across the entire width thereof with the fold line of the separate strip of material lying adjacent to the inwardly tucked fold of the sheet of material, the ends of the strip of material being joined to the overlapping portions of the wall panels by a heat seal extending diagonally at a forty-five degree angle across the corners thereof.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing knitted cut-pile fabric on a conventional circular knitting machine having a cylinder containing conventional latch needles and a dial containing dial elements each having a hook, a yarn cutting edge spaced from the hook and a yarn supporting surface extending therebetween, each dial element being radially movable between adjacent cylinder needles. Body yarn is progressively fed to the cylinder needles and pile yarn is progressively fed to the needles and the dial elements, the needles and dial elements being manipulated to form stitches of body yarn on the needles, to associate the pile yarn in the stitches and form pile loops on the dial elements, and to cast-off the needles the associated stitches and pile yarn to anchor the pile yarn in the stitches.

Abstract: A shock-absorbing wheel assembly having an annular cast iron core member disposed concentrically about an annular bearing seat in spaced relation thereto, with the core member having passageways extending radially therethrough. A continuous integral mass of moldably polyurethane is provided to cover the exterior surface of the core member with a predetermined thickness, to fill the passageways in the core member, and to fill the spacing between the core member and the bearing seat. A method of forming the wheel assembly is provided, which includes locating the core member and bearing seat within a cylindrical mold cavity, permitting flowable polyurethane to flow into the interconnected spacings and passageways, and allowing the polyurethane to cure.

Abstract: A self-cleaning filtering apparatus for use in a material treating system of the type in which treating fluid is recirculated through a treating vessel. The apparatus includes a filtering chamber through which treating fluid flows from a pump to a heat exchanger. A cylindrical perforated filter element in the chamber filters particulate contaminant, such as lint in a textile processing system, onto the element, and a reciprocating cleaning member cleans the contaminant from the surface of the filter element by drawing fluid through an annular slot in a head of the cleaning member, with the fluid being drawn across and through the filter element to remove contaminant therefrom. The contaminant containing fluid is conveyed from the cleaning member back into the treating vessel where it is discharged into a large fabric bag that allows the fluid to filter through into the vessel and obstructs the contaminant for collection in the bag.

Abstract: A power hammer for driving piles and the like which includes a housing having a ram carried therein for reciprocating vertical movement to strike, during its downward movement, an anvil slidably carried within the lower portion of the housing. The portion of the housing in which the anvil is carried is formed with an annular recess, and the anvil includes an annular flange projecting into the recess to form an enclosed chamber beneath such flange. Air pressure generated by the ascendency of the ram is transmitted to the enclosed chamber to impose an upwardly directed force on the anvil whereby the weight of the anvil is utilized to oppose the upwardly directed force imposed on the power hammer during the ascending movement of the ram.

Abstract: A folding sofa bed frame structure including four bed sections pivotally connected end-to-end and an operatively associated linkage arrangement by which the bed sections are mounted and which controls their relative movement between a retracted, folded position and a horizontally extended position. The forwardmost end bed section in the extended position folds to be horizontally uppermost in the folded position and includes spaced fixed cross-members which move pivotably therewith and between which a sinuous spring fabric assembly extends to provide strong, firm seating support in the folded position of the bed frame structure.

Abstract: A chute feed having a vertically extending chute for collecting and densifying fiber therein, the chute being formed by a plurality of fixed, imperforate walls, and a perforated wall portion mounted adjacent the lower end of the chute for oscillating movement about a horizontal pivot shaft. Pressurized air is forced downwardly through the collected fibers in the chute and is discharged through the perforated wall portion, thereby densifying the fiber. The oscillating movement of the perforated wall portion results in the upper and lower ends thereof being alternately moved toward and away from the collected fiber to alternately compress such fibers and then release such fibers from the holding effect of the air passing through the perforated wall.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for supplementary cleaning of cotton fibers employing a housing having an interior dividing screen separating the housing into two chambers and a fan adapted to entrain the fibers in a moving airstream and direct them into the housing against the screen for passage of the airstream and debris through the screen into one chamber and retention of the fiber in the other chamber. Reciprocably pivoting vanes divert the airstream back and forth across the screen to prevent accumulation of the fiber on the wall under the force of the airstream and to permit the fiber to fall from the wall after impact thereagainst. Alternatively, the conveying conduit may be movably mounted for side-to-side emission of the airstream into the housing. Ion emitters may be located at strategic locations to eliminate electrical attractive forces between the fibers and the debris.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of mixing liquid fuel and air for an internal combustion engine includes an assembly providing a plurality of venturi passageways for accelerative drawing of ambient air therethrough by the vacuum created by the engine and an associated fuel supply conduit system and apertures in the venturis for aspiration of fuel into the air. One of the venturis communicates unobstructedly with the engine to provide a fuel-air mixture for idling operation and a valve arrangement effects opening and closing of at least some of the other venturis to communication with the engine responsive to increases and decreases in the vacuum. An enlarged chamber intermediate the venturis and the engine receives the fuel entrained airstream from such some venturis, reduces the velocity thereof, and thereby gravitationally separates therefrom the larger fuel droplets which will not quickly and completely combust in the engine. A recycling arrangement returns the separated droplets to the atomizing assembly.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for processing textile materials and, in particular, controlling the density of fiber in a carding system. A fiber feeder is provided which includes a blower and an oscillating plate, both of which act to compress fiber collected in the chute of the fiber feeder. A first sensing device is utilized at the discharge of the fiber feeder to sense the density of the batt being fed therefrom to a card, and a second sensing device is utilized at the trumpet of the card to sense the density of the fiber which forms the sliver in such trumpet. Control means is provided to regulate the operating speed of the blower and the oscillating plate in response to the signals generated by the first and second sensing devices.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing fiber from a plurality of bales including a carriage for movement along the bales and a head which is carried by the carriage for vertical movement to engage the bales and remove fiber therefrom during traverse movement of the carriage. The head includes a rotatable beater arranged with its axis of rotation at an acute angle to the direction of movement of the carriage along the bales. A control system is provided whereby the level of the bale is sensed by photocells mounted on the head, and the head can be moved upwardly and/or downwardly if the sensed bale level is above or below predetermined levels. The control system may also move the head upwardly if the head itself is moved upwardly relative to its vertical drive assembly. A suction conveyor system is provided for conveying away removed fiber, and this system includes a perforated plate for separating out any trash, dust and the like from the fiber.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for preparing belt end portions for mechanical interconnection includes a punch-press and jig assembly for precisely forming a square central opening in one end portion and opposed square side edge openings in another end portion and a cutting arrangement for slitting the one end portion longitudinally from its central opening. The belt end portions are assembled by inserting the another portion through the slit and central opening of the one portion and orienting the transverse extent of the another portion within the central opening.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning conventional contact lenses with a suitable cleansing preparation including a body formed of a soft, slightly abrasive material and having a recessed area formed therein for receiving a contact lens. A handle assembly includes a projecting portion of the same or a similar soft, slightly abrasive material which can be inserted in the recess to engage the lens and manipulate it to be rubbed on its inward and outward surfaces by the surface of the body recess and the surface of the handle projecting portion. The cleaning operation is carried out by first applying the cleaning preparation to the concave recessed surface of the body and to the convex projecting portion of the handle assembly, placing the lens in the recessed area 22 and inserting the projecting portion of the handle assembly therein and manipulating the lens against the surfaces to apply the cleaning preparation to the lens.

Abstract: A gear pump assisted screw conveyor extrusion system utilizing a cartridge heating device disposed axially within the screw and having the drives for the gear pump and the screw correlated in speed to create relatively little pressure in the thermoplastic material being extruded such that relatively little mechanical working thereof occurs. The thermoplastic material is melted in the screw conveyor primarily by heat transfer from the cartridge heater and the gear pump is utilized for conveying the melted material under pressure to a subsequent work station. A relatively deep material-conveying spiral channel is provided in the screw for maximized extrusion output per revolution of the screw and minimized mechanical energy generation by the screw. A motionless mixer may be employed intermediate the screw and the work station to homogenize the melted material for reducing temperature gradients therein.