Abstract: A ballast water monitoring and reporting system for seagoing vessels includes a sensor for monitoring a selected parameter of a ballast water system component and transmitting an electronic signal indicative of a condition of the parameter, a distal acoustic modem for receiving the signal from the sensor and for transmitting an acoustic signal equivalent to the electronic signal received, a shipboard metal structure extending substantially throughout the vessel and adapted to carry the acoustic signal, a proximal acoustic modem adapted to receive the acoustic signal from the metal structure and to transmit an electronic equivalent thereof, and a shipboard data acquisition computer adapted to receive the electronic signal from the proximal acoustic modem and to generate at least one of a display, a report relative to the selected parameter, and a recording of data relative to the selected parameter.

Abstract: A fluid flow transducer module includes a fluid flow conduit having an inlet for receiving fluid, a transducer for measuring rate of flow of the fluid, an interface in communication with the transducer and adapted to receive rate of flow measurements from the transducer, the conduit having an outlet for flowing the fluid from the transducer to a reservoir, the outlet extending transversely of the conduit, a housing for the conduit, conduit inlet, conduit outlet, and transducer, the housing having opposed first and second walls, each wall having an opening for the outlet therein, and at least one of the walls being adapted for stacking engagement with a second transducer module of a same structure, such that the outlets of the modules are aligned to form a common conduit, and the interconnected modules form a flow transducer assembly having a plurality of fluid flow conduits and transducers.

Abstract: A weld wheel assembly for disposition on a membrane welding machine, and for positioning a weld wheel adjacent a nozzle hot air outlet for pressing an overlying roof membrane heated by the nozzle against an underlying roof membrane heated by the nozzle, for welding the membranes together. The assembly includes a weld wheel rotatably mounted on an axle which is moveable toward and away from the membranes, and pressure exerting structure mounted on the machine and operable to bias the axle toward the membranes during operation of the machine.

Abstract: A method for attaching thermoplastic strips to a roof of thermoplastic roof membranes includes the steps of providing strips of thermoplastic material, the strips each comprising an upstanding central portion extending lengthwise thereof, and opposed flange portions extending widthwise from the central portion, positioning the strip proximate a selected position on the roof for attachment to the roof, providing a self-propelled apparatus having means for affixing the strip onto the roof, and directing the apparatus along a line delineating the selected position on the roof to guide the strip into position adjacent the line and to affix the strip onto the roof membrane alongside the line.

Abstract: A nozzle for directing discrete streams of air along separated and parallel first and second paths includes a chamber for receiving air of a selected temperature, a first outlet arm extending from the chamber and having a first outlet at a distal end thereof and in a first outlet plane, and a second outlet arm extending from the chamber and having a second outlet at a distal end thereof and in a second outlet plane, an axis of the second outlet arm being generally parallel with an axis of the first outlet arm, the second outlet plane being offset from the first outlet plane.

Abstract: A stretcher frame assembly for supporting a painting canvas includes a frame having side members fixed to each other at ends thereof, a front face defined by the frame side members declining inwardly from a peripheral surface thereof, and inwardly-extending portions of the frame side members defining inwardly extending flanges having front and rear planar surfaces. A stiff front panel is fixed to the frame with outer peripheral portions of the front panel disposed on and connected to the flange front surfaces. A stiff back panel is fixed to the frame with outer peripheral portions of the back panel disposed on and connected to the flange rear surfaces.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the content of predetermined ingredients in products (3) of solid and nonhomogeneous consistency, preferably foodstuffs, in which a measuring head is guided with its front face over an outer surface of the product in a sliding manner while in continuous and direct contact with the surface.

Abstract: A device for supporting a flexible bag comprises a generally elliptically-shaped first loop of rigid wire-like material, the first loop being adapted for engagement with a support surface. Legs of the same material upstand from the first loop. A generally elliptically-shaped second loop of rigid wire-like material is fixed to upper ends of the legs which maintain the second loop spaced from the first loop, in a plane parallel with a plane of the first loop, and disposed centrally of the first loop in plan view. The legs incline from the first loop to the second loop and are operative to lock a bag on the device as the bag is filled. The first and second loops are each provided with straight side portions parallel to each other.

Abstract: In a fixture for ascertaining pressure losses in a pressure line (3) which can be blocked for a selectable unit of time by means of shut-off valves (11, 13), in which the consumers (4, 5) are connected to the pressure line (3) and the pressure line (3) is provided with a pressure watchdog (15), the blocked pressure line (3) can have an adjustable quantity of the enclosed pressurised medium supplied into it via a branch line (24) for a unit of time, and the pressure watchdog (15) is provided with a circuit (31) by means of which the pressure line (3) can be controlled depending on the operating status of the pressure watchdog (15). By means of this embodiment, it is possible with only a very minor scope of circuitry to test the pressure line (3) at any time or at selectable time intervals and, depending on the measurement result, to resume the supply to the consumers (4, 5) or to deactivate the pressure line (3).

Abstract: This invention relates to a grid structure (1) for reinforcement in road building, with crossing strands of warp and woof. The openings of the grid are traversed by longitudinal-laminar belts of textile material, leaving free passage openings.

Abstract: Method for rapidly defrosting a container and a frozen liquid therein, including the steps of providing a block of material of high heat transfer capability and defining a bore extending downwardly into the block from an upper surface thereof, the bore having an inside configuration and dimensions substantially equal to an outside configuration and dimensions of the container, such that when the container is disposed in the bore, substantially an entirety of an exterior of the container is in close adjacency with an interior of the bore, the block being devoid of contact with any heat source other than ambient heat, placing water in the bore, and placing the container in the bore, thereby squeezing the water into a thin film between the container and the interior of the bore.

Abstract: A nozzle for directing discrete streams of air along separated and parallel first and second paths includes a chamber for receiving air of a selected temperature, a first outlet arm extending from the chamber and having a first outlet at a distal end thereof and in a first outlet plane, and a second outlet arm extending from the chamber and having a second outlet at a distal end thereof and in a second outlet plane, an axis of the second outlet arm being generally parallel with an axis of the first outlet arm, the second outlet plane being offset from the first outlet plane.

Abstract: A holder for toothbrushes, the holder comprising a bottom member having a bottom portion and a continuous upstanding first wall, and a top member having a top portion and a continuous depending second wall, the first and second walls being connectable to form a chamber, the top portion having openings therein for receiving handles of toothbrushes with the top portion supporting bristle portions of the toothbrushes, the bottom member being adapted to receive and retain a disposable cup.

Abstract: A dual axis transfer mechanism comprising a pair of motors mounted onto a frame for independently rotating a pair of threaded shafts fixed in parallel relation. Each of the shafts is threaded into a carrier member connected to one end of a respective arm, the opposite end of each arm being connected at a common pivot point. Rotation of each shaft caused by its respective motor causes movement of the carrier member threaded thereon which effects movement of the common pivot point to which a tool is attached.

Abstract: A two piece brush for dispensing and applying a material in gel form comprises a brush element having a plurality of bristles and an elongated handle pivotably secured to the brush element for movement from a position adjacent the brush element to a position substantially at right angles to the brush element. An opening is provided extending through the brush element to the bristles which aligns with an opening in the elongated handle entering into a gel retainer in the handle, when the handle is positioned at right angles to the brush element. A flange disposed on the brush element is effective to seal off the opening in the elongated handle with the elongated handle positioned adjacent the brush element.

Abstract: A container for dispensing a cosmetic product such as a deodorant in stick form comprises a one piece tubular body open at the top having a platform disposed therein movably by means of a dial shaft threaded into the platform. A single opening is formed in the bottom wall of the body through which the dial shaft extends and a washer forms the entire seal between the dial and the bottom wall of the body, while sealing means in the form of a contoured cap member which is disposed wholly within the body and a separate seal, or alternately a contoured flexible sealing element closes the top of the body. The container is filled through the top opening with a quantity of molten product while in the upright condition, the molten product passing through a plurality of openings in the platform to rest on the bottom surface of the container. The container is then closed by the sealing means and inverted with the product in the molten state and remains so during solidification of the product.

Abstract: A method for making a coil assembly for a metal detector of the type used for detecting metal fragments in foodstuffs and pharmaceuticals, the method comprising providing a frame of non-metallic material, the frame having an aperture therethrough for the passage of material undergoing inspection, winding coils of electrically conductive strands on the frame, applying a first plastic coating in liquid form to the frame and coils, less the aperture portion of the frame, applying metal in fluid form to the first plastic coating to encase the first plastic coating in a metal layer, and applying a second plastic coating in liquid form to the metal layer to encase the metal layer in a second plastic coating.