Abstract: A method of detecting contraband substances in freight cargo containers in which the container is agitated to disturb particulates therein, and air containing such particulates is then sampled and the particulates collected. The collected particulates include naturally occurring particulates which have absorbed vapors of the contraband substance during the entire time that the container has been closed, and also include particulates of the contraband substance itself. The collected particulates are then heated to a temperature above 160.degree. C. to drive off vapors indicative of the contraband substance and the vapors are analyzed in a mass analyzer.

Abstract: A fermentation vessel is molded in one piece and comprises a container and a closure member. The container includes a neck portion. The closure member includes an air lock and a connection portion extending from the neck portion. In use, the connection portion is removed and discarded, to enable the closure member to be fitted around the neck portion. The vessel is made by a blow molding method.

Abstract: A washing apparatus, for use in a vehicle washing installation, has a support and first and second arms pivotally mounted to the support. The arms extend out towards the vehicle path, with one arm extending forwardly and the other extending rearwardly. Washing wheels are rotatably mounted at the ends of the arms. A drive is provided for rotating the washing wheels, in opposite directions and such as to urge the wheels away from a vehicle body. The washing apparatus can be used to wash rocker panels and wheel wells of vehicles. Optionally, a link is provided between the two arms, to cause the two wheels to move in unison towards and away from a vehicle body. In this case, the forwardly extending arm engages the vehicle first, and the link ensures that the rearwardly extending arm does not engage the vehicle body excessively.

Abstract: A panel laying machine for use as a "power assist" in installing access flooring. The machine includes a self-propelled chassis, a mast extending upwardly from the chassis and a jib turnably mounted on the mast. A panel gripper head is suspended from the mast by a cable coupled to a winch on the jib and the gripper head includes controls manually operable by an operator to raise and lower the panel, release the panel from the gripper head and move the chassis. A safety interlock is provided so that the panel cannot be released by the gripper head while the suspension cable is supporting a load above a predetermined limit.

Abstract: A stud for use in building structures is provided with a thermal break. The thermal break is formed by rows of slits with adjacent portions of the sheet material displaced relative to one another. This enables the stud to be formed by a simple rolling operation, without requiring a separate stamping operation to remove parts of the material. The stud can be formed integrally with an exterior panel, or can extend between interior and exterior panel portions of a combination panel.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of furniture typically described as upholstered furniture and relates to both individual chairs and multiple seats such as sofas, chesterfields, love seats and the like. The furniture comprises a tubular base having wire springs across the upper surface to comprise a seating surface. Supporting material may be glued to the tubular base. Fabric of an upholstered appearance is placed on the base and extends downwardly around the base and then upwardly ending adjacent the spring wires. The fabric is fixed in place by use of staple fasteners such as wire rings adjoining the fabric to the wire springs. Back and side elements are detachably affixed to the base by screws so that the furniture may be knocked down for shipment.

Abstract: A flush toilet primarily for use in recreational homes and vehicles is described. A swing drop valve mechanism is used to open and close the outlet of the toilet bowl efficiently and without abrading the seal between the valve and bowl outlet. A flush water inlet valve is mounted in a compartment at the rear of the toilet for easy access for maintenance and is readily removable from the toilet using a minimum of tools. Flushing of the toilet is initiated by a foot pedal connected to the valve mechanism and water inlet valve by cables.

Abstract: A flexible closure is disclosed for resealing opened circular-topped containers of carbonated fluids. The flexible cover has a top portion, and a sealing skirt, the sealing skirt being rigidly attached to the top portion. The top portion has a central relieved portion which is deflectable in response to pressure from carbon dioxide gas escaping from the fluid. The sealing skirt extends from the top portion and is adapted to receive the circular top of the container in sealing relationship. The sealing skirt may be rotated either radially towards the container, by deflection of the central relieved portion away from the contrainer, or radially away from the container by deflection of the central relieved portion towards the container. The flexible closure is therefore easily removed or secured to the opened container, and yet maintains a seal as a result of pressure from carbon dioxide gas escaping the fluid.

Abstract: A method of modifying luminance levels of a black and white video signal is provided. The signal is fed to a voltage controlled amplifier and to first and second clipper amplifiers. Each clipper amplifier has an adjustable gain and an adjustable clip level, which are set to desired levels. The outputs of the clipper amplifiers are fed to a summation amplifier in which they are summed to produce a control signal. The control signal is fed to the voltage controlled amplifier, to vary its gain, and thus to compress one band of luminance levels whilst expanding another band of luminance levels.

Abstract: A snorkel, for use by a swimmer, includes a mouthpiece and a breathing tube connected to the mouthpiece to enable the swimmer to breathe while submerged. A resilient container is connected to a lowermost portion of the tube, so as to collect any fluid entering the snorkel, to prevent the fluid being entrained in inhaled air. The container can be emptied by manually collapsing it to expel the contents into the breathing tube. The swimmer then exhales to force the fluid out of the breathing tube.

Abstract: A dehydrator for fluent materials includes a pulse combustor and a cyclone separator having a cylindrical cyclone chamber and a central gas discharge tube. The pulse combustor has a finned tail pipe which is contained within a casing disposed generally tangentially to a cylindrical wall of the cyclone chamber. Material to be dried is introduced into the tail pipe and is discharged in a spiral pattern that flows downwardly around the gas discharge tube. Material in the gas stream falls into a collection hopper below the cyclone chamber. Gases leave through the gas discharge tube. In an alternative embodiment, a simpler dried material collection chamber is used.

Abstract: A pressure relief wall assembly has a wall panel, one end of which is permanently secured to a frame. A plurality of elements secure a second end of the wall panel to the frame, and these elements fail when an excess pressure is applied to the wall panel. A retaining member is provided so that, when excess pressure is applied to one of the two sides of the wall panel, the second end of the wall panel is retained until a further increase of pressure occurs. The retaining member then releases the second end of the wall panel. This enables the wall assembly to be designed for different release pressures in blow-in and blow-out modes, so that no excess load is applied to a support frame in either mode.

Abstract: Various improvements in pulsating combustors for use in dehydration are disclosed. In one aspect of the invention, gas is introduced into the combustion chamber through a fuel distributor providing a bluff body within the combustion chamber so that a striated charge having streaks of gas and air is produced. The tail pipe of the combustor has an enlarged outer portion provided with an inlet for material to be dehydrated so that an injector action occurs at the point of material entry. A valve may be associated with the material inlet so that the material is introduced in timed relation to the pulse combustion cycle. Other aspects of the invention concern a rotary mechanically driven air admitting valve for the combustion chamber and a gas supply arrangement designed to provide for low- and high-fire operating modes.