Abstract: A wand is disclosed for launching confetti into the air which comprises an elongated hollow tube with axially extending slits forming flexible fingers at one end of the tube such that the fingers grip and hold stacks of confetti which are projected high into the air by centrifugal force upon waiving the end of the tube in an arcuate motion.

Abstract: A confetti launching device is disclosed which comprises an elongated tube or cannon filled with confetti, streamers or the like, and the tube is connected to a source of compressed gas such as a CO.sub.2 cartridge. In one embodiment, a female quick-disconnect fitting is connected to the compressed gas source, and a male quick-disconnect fitting is connected to the elongated tube whereby the tube may be quickly and easily connected to and disconnected from the source of compressed gas.

Abstract: Streamers containing confetti rolled inside the streamer are disclosed in which the confetti is released from the streamer as the streamer unwinds in the air. The preferred embodiments include PVC film for the wound streamer, a soft cushioned core to enable cutting without jagged edges to impede unwinding of the streamer, and a high-slip coating on the film.

Abstract: A paperboard processing machine is disclosed for printing and otherwise processing sheets of paperboard, such as corrugated container blanks, and in which the sheets are conveyed from one section of the machine to another section by one or more vacuum transfer systems. Each vacuum transfer system comprises an enclosure which is closed by a closure plate for creating a subatmospheric pressure, which pressure forces the sheets into frictional engagement with the reaches of a plurality of conveyor belts whereby the sheets are transported without contact of the opposite side of the sheet not contacted by the conveyor reach. In one embodiment the closure plate is imperforate, while in the second embodiment the closure plate is provided with a limited number of apertures for providing a secondary flow of air upwardly against the bottom surfaces of the paperboard sheets.

Abstract: A confetti launching wand is disclosed in which the wand comprises a relatively short barrel portion which contains the confetti, preferably in the form of a stack or bundle, and the barrel portion is connected to a relatively long handle portion. In some embodiments the barrel portions may be separable from the handle portion and may be replaced by other barrel portions designed to launch multiple bundles of confetti in different, non-parallel trajectories, and/or the handle and barrel portions may be composed of biodegradable materials such as paper and cardboard. Tapered barrels are also disclosed which may be composed of deformable materials such as thin plastic, rubber or plastic foam, or rolled cardboard or paper.

Abstract: A detonator for exploding toy balloons without the use of explosive or flammable materials is disclosed which comprises an electrically conductive filament which becomes electrically heated and explodes the balloon.

Abstract: A device suitable as a party favor is disclosed for launching confetti in which the confetti is contained in a cup, and the cup is moved rapidly upwardly by the hand and suddenly stopped, such that the momentum of the confetti ejects the confetti out of the cup and upwardly into the air to form a wide dispersion of confetti in the air.

Abstract: A form of confetti is disclosed in which each piece of confetti is four-sided, and preferably in the shape of an elongated rectangle such that it floats downwardly relatively slowly and with a distinctive fluttering motion; such confetti being known under the trademark FLUTTER FETTI. Bundles or stacks of such confetti are also disclosed with wrapping means surrounding the bundles whereby the bundles may comprise hundreds of pieces of confetti, and may be ejected from compressed gas cannons, elongated hollow tubes, or thrown by hand into the air where the bundles or stack burst into a dramatic display of color and motion.

Abstract: An aerial display amusement device comprises an elongated, hollow tube containing a plurality of pieces of confetti within the hollow interior of the tube. The user holds the lower end of the elongated tube and waves the tube forwardly in an arcuate path so as to generate sufficient centrifugal force to eject the confetti out of the tube and upwardly into the air. In the preferred embodiment, the pieces of confetti are of four-sided, tetragonal shape, and pluralities of pieces of confetti are stacked in bundles within the tube such that the bundles exit the tube upwardly in the air and then burst into an aerial display of color and motion as the individual confetti pieces fall downwardly.

Abstract: A protective mask of simple structure, to be worn easily at the scene of fires, catches and retains poisonous gas contained in smoke generated by fire. The protective mask comprises a pulp fiber structure (1) having a first fiber layer (2) wherein fibers are layered without twining and mixed with gas absorbent pellets (5), which is placed on a second fiber layer (3) having a skin crust (6) formed by hydrating, pressing and drying the surface of one side of the layer of pulp fibers that are not twined. This pulp fiber structure (1) is wrapped in wrapping material (7) and included in a mask body (8) formed with pleats (9) and provided with an aluminum strip piece (11). The first pulp fiber layer (2) is made by causing pulp fibers, obtained by crashing a pulp sheet (30) in a hammer mill, to temporarily stay in a dead air space (C) within the hammer mill; gas absorbent pellets (5), together with air, are supplied by a jet device to the dead air space (C).

Abstract: A startup system for a steam-driven turbine type power plant is disclosed in which auxiliary steam from an external source is heat exchanged against a circulating fluid so as to supply heat to the main steam generator during startup. In one preferred embodiment, auxiliary steam is also used to heat an inert gas which is circulated through the main superheater or reheater of the power plant to heat the superheater or reheater during startup. In another preferred embodiment, steam from a main superheater, or reheater, is used to heat a fluid in an auxiliary generator, and the heated fluid in the auxiliary generator is circulated to supply additional heat to the main steam generator during startup.

Abstract: Cross cuts for forming the ends of a tab on a sheet, for example a glue tab on a corrugated paperboard container blank, are performed by independent rotary cutter units. Each cutter unit has a spirally convoluted blade which, as it rotates, cuts progressively inwards from an outside edge of the sheet towards an opposite outside edge. As the sheet is conveyed along, a downstream cutter unit cuts the leading end of the tab, and an upstream cutter unit cuts the trailing end. After each cut, the cutter remains at rest with its blade in an inoperative position out of the path of any oncoming sheet. A sensor senses the next oncoming sheet and initiates the cutting via a computer. These rotary cutters mitigate skewing of the sheets while being cut.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus, for example for flexographic printing and die-cutting of corrugated paperboard container blanks, has first and second successive processing sections connected by a transfer section. The sheets are successively passed through the various sections in positional registrations therewith. A sensor senses a sheet while in the transfer section and provides a signal representative of the positional registration of the sheet in the transfer section. A computer system determines from the signal whether the sheet would enter the second section in correct positional registration for processing by the second section, and adjusts as necessary the positional registration of the sheet while in the transfer section to cause the sheet to enter the second section in correct positional registration therewith.

Abstract: An amusement device is disclosed in which one or more rolls of lightweight material include a plurality of separate, unconnected strips which are coiled in the roll such that, when the roll is deployed in the air, the unconnected strips separate from the roll of remaining strips, and the separated strips tend to return to their original, coiled shape, thereby forming ring shapes which then tumble downwardly and the tumbling ring-shaped strips appear to the eye of the observer as a plurality of falling bubbles.

Abstract: A form of confetti is disclosed in which each piece of confetti is shaped as an elongated rectangle such that it floats downwardly relatively slowly and with a distinctive fluttering motion. Bundles of such confetti, known under the trademark FLUTTER FETTI, are also disclosed with wrapping means whereby the bundles may be ejected into the air and the pieces of confetti burst from the bundle in a dramatic display of color and motion.

Abstract: A stator assembly of an electric motor includes a lamination stack, a field coil, an end cap having a plastics body fixed to the lamination stack, a brush box made of electrically conducting material, mounted on the plastics body, housing brushes resiliently biased towards the axis of the assembly, and a plurality of electrical conductors in the form of strips of predetermined configuration located on the plastics body for making electrical connections between components of the motor. The electrical conductors include a first conductor extending from the brush box; a second conductor extending from a termination of the field coil and a conducting means, which incorporates an inductance, connects the first and second conductors. The inductance in the connection is altered by altering the inductance of the conducting means. The first conductor is wrapped around the brush box to give a good and reliable electrical connection.

Abstract: An antivibration guide is disclosed for use in removably mounting printed circuit cards in metal racks. The guide is composed of plastic, having a U-shaped cross section for receiving and holding the P.C. card; and the guide includes at least a pair of vibration dampening buffers. Each buffer includes a pair of vibration dampeners, located on opposite sides of the P.C. card, with each dampener including: a pair of flexible legs connected to the side walls of the guide, and further including a midportion having a pair of vibration dampening surfaces which engage the side edges of the P.C. card and reduce the vibration of the P.C. card.

Abstract: A motor driven lawn scarifier or cutter has a body which houses the motor and the scarifying/cutter assembly and also wheel or roller mountings. With a view to simplifying manufacture and assembly of the tool and eliminating corrosion problems, the body is moulded in one piece from plastics material and is shaped to provide a chamber (34) for the motor (50) and a forward chamber for the scarifying/cutter assembly (4). A roller (6A), located in a rearward chamber in the body, is mounted in openings (23) in the sides of the body and wheels (5) are mounted in openings (24) at the front of the body. A cover (8) which is also moulded in one piece from plastics material closes the motor chamber (34).

Abstract: Described briefly, according to a typical embodiment of the invention, a roller has a core comprising plurality of relatively hard and rigid segments fastened together in a stack and rotatably mounted to a shaft. The roller core has internal baffled passageways established by grooves in abutting faces of segments, so that, when paint is supplied to a cavity in the center of the stack, it will depart through these passageways in the roller in a controlled manner. A diaphragm seal assembly is provided to prevent leakage of pressurized paint. A replaceable sock-like cover is received on the roller stack and secured by end retainers. The roller can be easily and completely disassembled for cleaning.

Abstract: A functional unit for a motorized electrical appliance consists of a supporting block, an electric motor, power take-off means and means for supplying electric current to the motor. The various elements are assembled on the supporting block and therewith comprise a readily assembled, low cost sub-assembly adapted for use in a variety of appliances.A method of assembling the functional unit and the application of the unit to a hand-held cordless vacuum cleaner are also disclosed.