Abstract: The invention comprises a package comprising 50 shirred essentially cylindrically shaped shirred food casing strands. The strands are oriented in the package such that longitudinal axes of the strands are parallel. Within the package external surfaces of the strands contact external surfaces of adjacent strands and ends of the strands terminate in approximately the same plane. In a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the strands, lines passing through the central axes of strands located proximate the external surface of the package intersect to form a hexagon. Strands internally within the package, i.e., which would not have an exteriorly exposed surface if a wrap for the package were removed, contact six adjacent strands. The package consists of nine strand rows. The first row contains four strands. The second row contains five strands. The third row contains six strands and the fourth row contains seven strands. The fifth row is the center row and contains six strands.

Abstract: A food emulsion casing end-closure, and the method of making it, are disclosed. The end-closure is formed of a twist knot through which an air escape aperture is extended. The twist knot forms part of a wadding which is stuffed into the bore of a shirred casing stick and interference fitted therewith. The wadding acts as a shock absorber for the initial shock of extruded food emulsion and serves as means to enhance the consistency of that initial portion of extruded food emulsion. The twist knot is sufficiently tight that it can serve as a permanent end-closure or it may readily be opened by untwisting. Also provided is a lock means for maintaining the twist knot as such.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for synchronizing radio transmitters in a paging network. A synchronization order of base stations is determined based in part upon the relative geographic locations of the stations, and is communicated to the base stations via a command signal transmitted by the paging network unit. A predetermined first base station transmits a synchronization signal to base stations to be synchronized. Subsequent sequences of synchronization signals may be transmitted from synchronized base stations until all base stations have been synchronized. The synchronization signals may be transmitted via radio waves, and the synchronization order is determined so as to minimize the number of synchronization sequences and maximize the number of base stations synchronized simultaneously in parallel. Transmitted synchronization signals are corrected to compensate for propagation delays caused by the distance between base stations and for delays which occur within an individual transceiver.

Abstract: A process for the formation of a force field comprising cooling at least one crystal selected from potassium tartrate, cesium nitrate, rubidium nitrate, tartaric acid, cadmium nitrate and thorium nitrate to a temperature below about 110K. The force field comprises an electric field and a mass attraction field which maintains its intensity over long time periods. The crystal is encapsulated in, e.g., nonconductive epoxy.

Abstract: The invention is a container for storing and transporting a plurality of beverage containers and the like. The container includes a substantially frusto-pyramidal housing having four supporting walls and a top wall supported by the supporting walls. The container has at least one storage chamber extending downwardly from the top wall, and the supporting walls are arranged to telescopingly engage supporting walls of an identical container and each chamber nestles within a corresponding chamber of the identical container when the container is stacked upon the identical container and the identical container is empty of beverage containers. Means are provided for securing identical containers together in a stacked arrangement for easy transport.

Abstract: A process for the formation of a force field comprising cooling at least one crystal selected from potassium tartrate, cesium nitrate, rubidium nitrate, tartaric acid, cadmium nitrate and thorium nitrate to a temperature below about 110K. The force field comprises an electric field and a mass attraction field which maintains its intensity over long time periods. A method is also provided for establishing a force field at a location remote from the cooled crystal by means of an electrical connection to the cooled crystal by an insulated electrical conductor. The invention includes a device for forming the force field.

Abstract: An adjustable bed and interchangeable drive unit therefor, which includes a bed frame, a plurality of separately adjustable bed sections pivotally secured to the frame, a corresponding plurality of controller shafts wherein each shaft controls one of the adjustable bed sections, a manual drive unit comprising a plurality of handcranks for individually driving each of the plurality of controller shafts, a powered drive unit comprising at least one electric motor operatively arranged for individually driving each of the controller shafts, and quick disconnect/connect means for interchanging the manual drive unit and the powered drive unit, wherein only one of the drive units is secured to the bed at any one time.

Abstract: A procedure for the breaking up of a stack formed from material in sheet form, in which the stack, which rests on a support, is bent out of the initial plane formed by the position of the support, a pressure element is applied to the stack, on that side of the latter which faces away from the support, at least in the area of one end face of the stack and, with the pressure element acting, the support is moved in the direction of the initial plane. The invention also relates to a device for the implementation of the procedure.

Abstract: An arrangement of probes is described, which comprises a carrier formed as an intermediate flange, in which a plurality of radially extending mounting openings are provided. The inner surfaces of the carrier are provided with an electrically insulating corrosion resistant layer, which is preferably an enamel layer. The carrier is having a polygonal outline and plane mounting surfaces surrounding the mounting openings. Measuring probes provided with a mounting flange can be exchangeably and sealingly attached to the mounting surfaces. By arranging different probes a large number of different measurement functions and supervision functions can be achieved. As an example, carrier sleeves comprising a window can be built in, so that a visual observation or a turbidity measurement can be performed.

Abstract: A method is provided for closing an end of a tubular food casing in such a way that the end so closed is made suitable for use as a hanger for the casing. In one embodiment, an end of a food casing is formed into a rigid loop suitable for hanging the casing. In a second embodiment, a die cut hole is made in a uniquely formed end of a casing, enabling the casing to be suspended by a hook inserted through the hole.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for written character recognition. The method includes thresholding an input gray level character image to derive its bilevel image, extracting stroke-based features of said bilevel image, classifying the features based upon a set of predetermined rules, determining the identity of the character utilizing the classification, and indicating the identity of the character. A method and apparatus for extracting features of a written character is also provided. This method includes raster scanning the written character to determine stroke-based features, extracting vertical strokes of the character and extracting horizontal strokes of the character.

Abstract: A method and appartus are provided for measuring left atrial pressure by inserting a sensing probe into the esophagus and positioning the probe so that pressure from the left atrium is sensed by the probe. More particularly, the invention provides a method for measuring left atrial pressure by inserting a balloon-containing catheter into the esophagus and positioning the catheter so that when the balloon is inflated, pressure from the left atrium affects the balloon; inflating the balloon; and, determining the left atrial pressure by the effect of the atrial pressure upon the balloon.

Abstract: The shirred casing disclosed is packaged in a plastic tube with the lead end of that tube formed into a combined brake/size means which applies oblique frictional force and variable size control to the food emulsion as it is being extruded into the case; also disclosed are means for permitting gas pressure build-up to be relieved and the gas to escape.

Abstract: A bowstring release device is disclosed which provides greater ease, control and accuracy in the shooting of a bow and arrow. The structure and action of the device inhibits and prevents premature release of the bowstring while being drawn, and enables a smooth, natural and accurate release once the archer has taken aim. The device includes a housing having two members. One member contains holding and release means for the bowstring while the other member includes finger recesses for gripping by the archer. The two members naturally assume a first position relative to one another while the bowstring is being drawn, and this first position prevents release of the bowstring. Once the bowstring is drawn, the archer effectuates release by pivoting the finger grip member of the housing relative to the release member.

Abstract: An infant car bed for a vehicle is provided which is particularly suitable for the transport of premature or physically disabled infants. The car bed includes an "L" shaped base member adapted to hold an apnea monitor and secured by a vehicle seat belt on a forward facing or rearward facing seat such that the base of the "L" shaped base member rests upon the seat and the vertical leg portion of the "L" shaped base member is proximate the back of the seat. A bed member having a webbed top cover is povitally secured to the upper portion of the vertical leg portion of the base member at a point above the center of gravity of the bed member.

Abstract: A temperature measuring sensor arrangement is described, which can be inserted into or removed from an enamelled built in part in a simple manner without a need for specific tools. A measuring insert with a carrier is provided, along the length of which an outwardly protruding detent element in the form of a collar is provided, and from the lower end surface of which carrier one or several measuring sensors are protruding. The carrier is slidably arranged in a longitudinal direction in a guiding tube and is biased downwardly by a spring engaging between the detent element and a shoulder in the guiding tube. A stop protruding from the inner wall of the guiding tube limits the displacement of the biased carrier.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for diagnosing the mechanical condition of a machine. The method of the invention includes the following steps: sensing reference vibrational characteristics of a machine in the time domain; creating a reference signature from the reference vibrational characteristics; saving the reference signature; sensing test vibrational characteristics of the same machine in the time domain; creating a test signature from the test vibrational characteristics; automatically computing a measured distance between at least one point of the reference signature and at least one corresponding point on the test signature; automatically comparing the measured distance against a threshold value to determine if the machine is operating normally or abnormally; and providing a signal when the comparison indicates abnormal operation. An apparatus is also disclosed for implementing the method of the invention.

Abstract: A method of attaching a hanger member to a casing is provided, including the steps of inserting a portion of the hanger into an open end of the casing and then closing the open end of the casing to occlude and retain the hanger portion within the casing.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for transporting a disabled person in a carrying means. One embodiment of the apparatus includes a dual-track structure for supporting a hoist and trolley which are controlled by the disabled person. In a further embodiment, the structure is designed to be supported by a floor and ceiling together, or by a floor alone, and is adjustable to accommodate rooms of different dimensions. A still further embodiment of the invention includes mechanical and electronic safety means for the hoist which senses a malfunction and provides an appropriate response thereto, such as sounding an alarm and/or lowering the hoist at a specific pre-programmed location and at a controlled descent rate. The embodiments may be used independently or in concert in accordance with the invention. One method of the invention comprises transporting the disabled person utilizing the dual-track structure controlled by the disabled person.

Abstract: A method of rendering defective raw programmable logic arrays usable by locating the manufacturing defects within the raw logic array, reconfiguring the columns of a mask logic array, and mapping the mask logic array onto the raw logic array so as to mask the defects. A defective programmable logic array rendered usable by this method.