Abstract: A screen assembly for mounting on the outlet end of an extruder for removing foreign particles from an elastomeric material being discharged from the extruder. The assembly includes a screen support member having a plurality of spaced elongated ribs formed integrally with or removably mounted on a surrounding member. The spaced ribs form a plurality of elongated slots therebetween which provide flow paths for the elastomeric material, and preferably are concavely-shaped in the direction of travel of the extruded material. A mesh screen formed of a high tensile strength, work hardened stainless steel wire cloth is formed complementary to the concavity of the ribs and is mounted in juxtaposition to the ribs for removing the foreign particles as the elastomeric material passes through the screen.

Abstract: A workpiece end locator which provides a linear analog voltage indicative of the workpiece location relative to a reference plane. The output of the end locator can be utilized for positioning the workpiece at a desired location or for providing position information to the machine control system which will automatically compensate for the workpiece position. The disclosed end locator utilizes a rotatable shaft having a probe arm extending from one end thereof. A probe tip on the probe arm contacts the workpiece whose position is being detected. A rotary transducer is connected to the other end of the rotatable shaft for providing a linear analog signal representative of the angular shaft position. A pair of stops are provided between which the rotatable shaft can rotate. A pair of air actuators are provided, one of which biases the rotatable shaft toward one stop and the other biases the rotatable shaft toward the other stop.

Abstract: A fruit analyzer for testing fruit and fruit juice samples to automatically obtain test data relating thereto and for using the test data so obtained to compute and print out characteristic parameters indicating the nature and quality of the fruit tested, including per cent acid and soluble solids content. A computer controlled testing unit has a suspended plummet soluble solids testing means including plummet weight and temperature transducers as well as an acid testing means including liquid weight and PH transducers for automatic titration of the contents thereof. A network of valved conduits deliver and drain juice, rinse solution, and cleaning solution at the appropriate time into and from the soluble solids and acid testing means. A separate network of valved conduits is provided to deliver alkali at the appropriate time to the acid testing means.