Abstract: An insert assembly for a muffler of a high-performance motor cycle, having an insert with a filling of compressed heat-resistant, sound-absorbing material mounted on a removable hollow tube having an inside diameter greater than the outside diameter of the perforated core of the muffler. The filling includes a bulked-up continuous filamentary material. Once the insert has been introduced into the muffler by sliding the tube along the core, the tube is then withdrawn leaving the insert behind in the muffler. Removal of the tube allows the filling to relax towards its intended density. The first subsequent exposure to hot exhaust gases causes certain portions of the insert to degrade, allowing further relaxation of the filling to assume its intended density. Further, the tube precludes potential damage to the insert during its introduction into the muffler.

Abstract: An electric shaver, and in particular an electric shaver wherein are included blades which while rotating around their own centers also orbit around another axis, thus providing that the blades sweep a large area.

Abstract: A vandal and weather resistant sign is disclosed including a support plate having a plurality of regularly spaced rectangular openings and replaceable tiles carried by and fixed to the plate. The plate is adapted to be fixed to a mounting surface such as a utility pole or the like with the reverse face of the plate against the mounting surface. The tiles are fixed to the reverse face of the plate wherein indicia on the obverse face of the tile is visible through the plate openings. The edges of the tile are concealed and protected by the plate so as to make the tile edges less susceptible to attack by vandals.

Abstract: Sheet feed apparatus including a scuff feed for reliably transporting sheets from different types of sheet stacks and different types of sheets within the stack. The apparatus comprises a sheet feed roller and a retard device in contact with the feed roller. A nudging device, contacting a paper stack, is used to feed single or multiple sheets into the nip between the feed roller and retard device. The feed roller, retard device, and nudging device all have a surface layer of 35-28092-N-GY-A, which gives them a much longer useful lifetime. A method for maximizing the efficent use of these rollers and of testing and using these rollers is also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrical discharge machining (EDM) apparatus and method is disclosed that utilizes a rotating electrode for performing the EDM operation to form a desired profile in the work piece surface. A dressing tool located at a side of the rotating electrode opposite from the work piece is operable to dress the surface of the rotating electrode. Operation of the dressing tool is controlled in part by a monitor that monitors changes in the character and condition of the surface of the rotating electrode from certain starting parameters and initiates a dressing operation as needed to restore the starting parameters.

Abstract: A low pressure foaming nozzle assembly having a modular construction for permitting the ready interchange of nozzle tips. The foaming nozzle assembly may be constructed of two pieces, with a first configuration employing a flow body and an engaging nozzle tip and a second configuration employing a pair of mating halves, wherein each mating half includes a portion of a venturi, a throat and a nozzle tip. The assembly cooperatively engages a foaming liquid source such as a wand, and upon pressure on the foaming liquid source, a foam is generated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for anaerobic treatment of organic wastes in a liquid filled vessel wherein particles of the waste are buoyed and form a floating bed in the liquid by the gasses generated by the anaerobic digestion of the wastes. The bed forms to an upper stratum of the least digested, least dense waste and a lower stratum of the most digested, most dense waste. Liquid from beneath the bed is continuously sprayed over the upper surface of the bed through a series of discharge ports which expands to bed downwardly. Each spraying period is followed by a quiescent period to allow the bed to reform. Over time the floating bed is moved from an inlet end to an outlet end of the vessel where the most digested waste is removed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a buffer disposed to receive cut sheets from a first workstation operating at a first slower speed, deskew the sheets and deliver them to a second workstation operating at a second faster speed. The buffer has a guide defining a path of travel extending from driven inlet rollers at a buffer inlet to driven exit rollers adjacent a buffer exit. The guide includes a trap that opens to accommodate a service loop formed of the cut sheet that is longer than the path of travel. The inlet rollers are driven at the first slower speed to move cut sheets into the buffer and up to the exit rollers and the exit rollers are selectively driven at the second faster speed to deliver cut sheets to the second workstation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of preparing a cellulose solution suitable for extrusion as a seamless tubular film by providing a pulp of substantially open-ended fibrillated softwood fibers having a mean fiber length less than 2.0 mm and then dissolving the pulp in a suitable solvent to produce the cellulose solution. In addition, the present invention provides a method of preparing a cellulose food casing from a cellulose solution of the present invention.

Abstract: A method for securing a counterweight guiding system in performance rigging in places of entertainment. An elongate guide rail has a cross-section which interlocks with a clip, the clip extending transversely beyond the guide. The guide rail is secured to a support by fastening the clip to the support, the guide itself not requiring any specific fastening points.

Abstract: The present invention provides a knife with a replaceable blade which is spring-biased in the retracted position. The knife is designed such that the blade can only be extended by exerting a downward force and by turning the handle with respect to an inner housing. The handle has a tab affixed to the inside wall of the handle. The inner housing has an angled slot in its wall adapted to receive the tab. When the blade is fully retracted, the tab rests on the shoulder at the top of the inner housing. A straight downward pressure on the handle causes the tab to engage the shoulder and will not allow the blade to extend. When the handle is rotated, the tab enters the slot and the blade is forced downward. As this occurs, the blade extends through a slot at the bottom of a blade cover. When the blade is removed from the object to be cut, the spring forces the handle to move with respect to the inner housing and causes the blade to retract within the blade cover.

Abstract: A sheet of inkjet printed photographic images having orthogonal fiducial marks extending along a leading edge of the printed field and along a lateral side of the printed field. The fiducial marks register with the printed field and provide information regarding the location of the images in the printed field relative to the larger sheet. The registration of the lateral side fiducial mark and print field is accomplished by exercising the nozzles of the print head at each pass of the print head during the printing of the photographic image.

Abstract: A flare holder that is attachable to a traffic cone or other upright support structure for holding a lit flare at an elevation higher than a roadway surface. The flare holder includes a lower portion that is attachable to the upright support structure and an ash receptacle that is pivoted at one end to the lower portion. The ash receptacle is can be pivoted up and over the top of the support structure from a stowed position wherein it is suspended from the pivot to an operative position located between 180° and 270° from the stowed position. In an operative position, the flare holder supports a flare at an upward inclination wherein the ash receptacle has an end portion extending outwardly from the pivot and disposed to receive ashes falling from the lit end of the flare.

Abstract: A model railroad crossing gate includes a base, a crossing gate mounted on the base for movement between a raised position and a lowered position, a spring coupled to the crossing gate biasing the gate to the raised position, a string attached to the crossing gate and the base for pulling the gate against the spring, and a tensioner engaging the string for pulling the gate from the raised position to the lowered position. A controller is coupled to the tensioner for controlling the position of the gate. The controller is preferably is also coupled to a limit sensor and a motor for operating the motor to move the gate from the raised position to the lowered position or vice versa and then stop the motor.

Abstract: A buffer for transporting a flexible work piece such as a printed sheet between a first and a second workstation having different operational speeds. The buffer has drive rollers arranged along a path of travel from the outlet of the first station to the inlet of the second for moving the work piece through the buffer at a constant speed that may be different than the operational speeds of the workstations. A slip clutch limits the torque applied by the drive rollers should the constant speed of the buffer be greater than the speed at which the sheet is moving through the first work station and a one-way clutch allows the drive rollers to overrun a drive shaft to permit the sheet to move into and out of the buffer at a speed greater than the constant speed.

Abstract: A method providing for the exercise of one or more nozzles of an inkjet print head and simultaneously forming fiducial registration marks on a sheet of print medium. The exercising and forming of the fiducial registration marks both occur in the course of forming inkjet printed images on the sheet of print medium so that the prints and fiducial marks are in registry. Preferably exercising of the nozzles occurs at the beginning and end of each pass of the print head so that there are two such fiducial marks, one along each lateral edge of the image. A segment of a print medium including printed images and a fiducial mark composed of the exercise of the inkjet print head nozzles is also disclosed.

Abstract: A photofinishing system and method for utilizing otherwise wasted space on a sheet of photographic paper. The system includes a printer such as an ink jet printer, laser printer or digital silver-halide system for printing a set of desired images on a larger sheet of photographic paper. The system nests the images on the larger sheet so as to minimize wasted space. The amount of wasted space is determined and, if the space is large enough, the system prints an extra image in the space. The extra image can comprise a diagnostic pattern, promotional literature or an additional copy of at least one of the desired images.

Abstract: A combination mailer and a pocket file is disclosed. The combination includes a first file panel and a second file panel foldably connected together along a first fold line. The second file panel is foldably connected to a first mailer panel along a second fold line. The second file panel includes a separation line intermediate the first fold line and the second fold line. A second mailer panel is foldably connected to the first mailer panel along a third fold line, whereon a closure flap is foldably connected to the second mailer panel along a closure fold line.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mandrel structure for extruding a tube composed of a non derivatized cellulose. The mandrel includes a hollow sizing portion having openings which gather gas bubbles that may evolve at the interface between the extruded tube and the sizing portion and allows the gas to pass into the hollow interior of the mandrel.

Abstract: A kit for converting a conventional bicycle to a self-propelled snow bike. The kit includes a ski, an elongated member for mounting the ski to the front fork of a bicycle and a bias means for urging the ski to maintain a proper orientation as the ski pitches with respect to the elongated member. When the kit is attached to the front fork, the front end of the bicycle is raised so as to place more weight over the rear wheel for improved traction. Elevating the front end also provides greater ground clearance for the bicycle pedals so the bicycle may be pedaled even though the bike may settle into snow covered ground.