Abstract: A tray and seat are adjustable vertically with respect to a base on a baby walker. Connecting means extending from the tray to the base is associated with a pawl having teeth meshed with a rack on the bottom surface of the tray. The meshed teeth are shaped so that the tray and seat can be elevated with respect to the base only by applying an upward force on the tray.

Abstract: The conventional process of manufacturing hollow bodies with multi-layer walls using extrusion and blow molding techniques is improved by first making a preform of a thermoplastic carrier layer with an adhesive layer on one or both sides and then applying the additional layer or layers to the adhesive layer(s) in a separate operation. The additional layer(s) has properties different from the carrier layer and serves as an insulation or barrier layer to shield the carrier layer from substances to be contained by or which will surround the hollow body. Among other advantages, the improved process allows recycling of waste and surplus preform material, stronger heat-seal seams in the hollow bodies, less complicated extrusion equipment and more economic use of expensive barrier layer materials.

Abstract: This invention concerns a process for the continuous separation of fatty substance from butter, wherein molten butter is irradiated with microwaves. A layer of molten butter in a condition of laminar flow is irradiated, the thickness of said layer being less than the depth of penetration of the microwaves and the amount of energy imparted to the molten butter by the microwaves being such that irradiation raises the temperature of the molten butter only by a few degrees Celsius at maximum.

Abstract: A chip for a game such as bingo includes a transparent or translucent circular disk surrounded by a ring. The ring has discrete flanges overlying and contacting the outer periphery of the opposite side faces of the disk. The ring is made from a smooth magnetizable sheet material.

Abstract: Furnitrue in the form or a chair, love seat or couch is provided with a frame having at least one removable cushion. The cushion has oppositely disposed grooves. Each groove is adapted to receive a tongue on a frame. A latch mechanism is provided within the cushion for cooperating with mating structure on an associated tongue whereby the cushion may be removed and replaced by another similar cushion or may merely be flipped over and replaced.

Abstract: The cryogenic refrigerator includes a movable displacer within an enclosure having first and second chambers of variable volume. A refrigerant fluid is circulated in a fluid path between said chambers by movement of the displacer. A spool valve controls introduction of high pressure fluid and low pressure fluid. The displacer movement is controlled by fluidic pressure instead of an electric motor.

Abstract: In a driverless vehicle conveyor system wherein a driverless vehicle rides on tracks, two straight sections of the tracks have adjacent ends spaced by a gap. A transfer vehicle is provided in the gap for supporting and transferring driverless vehicles across the gap. The transfer vehicles are mounted for oscillation about an upright axis from a receiving position adjacent one end of the gap to a discharge position adjacent the other end of the gap.

Abstract: A driverless transfer truck includes a chassis having two bogies for riding on rails. Each bogie is provided with at least one drive wheel which is pressed against a drive shaft so that the force for propelling the truck is produced by the friction engagement between the drive wheel and the drive shaft. By attaching the drive wheels to the bogies, the truck can negotiate a curved section of the rails having a smaller radius than is otherwise possible.

Abstract: The cryogenic refrigerator includes a movable displacer within an enclosure having first and second chambers of variable volume. A refrigerant fluid is circulated in a fluid path between said chambers by movement of the displacer. A spool valve controls introduction of high pressure fluid and low pressure fluid. The displacer movement, at least at top dead center and bottom dead center is controlled by an electric motor.

Abstract: The cryogenic refrigerator includes a movable displacer within an enclosure having first and second chambers of variable volume. A refrigerant fluid is circulated in a fluid path between said chambers by movement of the displacer. A spool valve controls introduction of high pressure fluid and low pressure fluid. The displacer movement is controlled by an electric motor.

Abstract: A power supply is provided for an electromechanical device of the type employing ultrasonic frequency vibratory energy for bonding materials. An automatic frequency control varies the output frequency of the power supply until the ratio of the maximum to minimum amplitudes of a standing wave produced in the mechanical vibratory member falls below a pre-set maximum. The frequency of the power supply is set by a voltage controlled variable frequency oscillator. A sweep generator produces a periodic voltage signal having a frequency substantially less than the frequency range of the voltage controlled oscillator.Means are provided for coupling the voltage signal from the sweep generator to the control input of the voltage controlled oscillator whenever the standing wave ratio exceeds a pre-set value, and for holding the last voltage signal received by the control input of the voltage controlled oscillator whenever the standing wave ratio is equal to or less than the pre-set value.

Abstract: A moving web is divisible into a leader having a first set of registration marks and a trailer having a second set of registration marks. At a transition between the first and second sets of registration marks, a target is applied adjacent the initial mark of the second set. The target is sensed and tracked electronically to a shear. During an order change or a roll-to-roll change within an order, the web is automatically severed transversely by the shear two or more times to chop out a portion of the leader and trailer including the transition between the sets of marks. The leading edge of the trailer is tracked to a station intermediate the shear and the cut-off machine. The cut-off machine knives "crop" cut the trailer at the first registration mark following the leading edge of the trailer and thereafter cut the trailer automatically into blanks in synchronization with the second set of marks.

Abstract: A lighting unit for indirect illumination of an area. The unit has first and second reflective surfaces contoured to direct reflected light rays from a source generally upward at predetermined angles for reflection by a surface above the lighting unit providing a symmetrical substantially uniform intensity of light over the area to be illuminated. The lighting unit may have cut-off baffles for redirecting the light rays away from nearby or adjacent vertical surfaces providing an asymmetrical substantially uniform intensity of light over the area to be illuminated.

Abstract: An ironing board has adjustable legs providing a multiplicity of heights of the ironing surface to suit the height of the ironer. The ironing board is compact and may be folded flat for easy storage in confined spaces.

Abstract: A continuous process for producing quick cooking rice is provided herein. Such rice only requires approximately 5 minutes swelling time in hot, not boiling, water to prepare for consumption. The rice produced by this process is also high in nutrients in that very little removal of starch or other nutrients occurs, with consequent minimal water fouling. The process involves contacting rice, preferentially fissured rice produced by preheating, with water and steam such that the rice is completely gelatinized and has a moisture content up to about 70 weight percent. Such gelatinization is preferably accomplished by spraying the rice alternately and progressively with water and steam. The gelatinized rice, without stirring, is then dried to a final moisture content of between about 10 weight percent and 14 weight percent.

Abstract: A task lighting apparatus produces glare-free illumination of a work area. The apparatus includes a light source, a reflector and light-directing louvers to provide a controlled light pattern of high illumination levels and high efficiency. The apparatus has a compact size and shape which enables it to be used in confined quarters.

Abstract: A glass container has an opening closed by a quick-release plastic cap. Each of the cap and bottle have double pitch threads in mating engagement. Lugs on the cap are in contact with lugs on the bottle which interfere with unthreading the cap. A lower end portion of the cap is deformable radially inwardly for causing the cap lugs to disengage from the bottle lugs whereby the cap may be unthreaded.

Abstract: A gate valve having a top inlet and bottom outlet is provided with a horizontally disposed head slidable between closed and open positions. The valve body includes a seat concentric with an inlet passage and adapted to cooperate with a sealing surface on the head. An annular sleeve is provided within the inlet passage with one end of the sleeve being in contact with the sealing surface on the head. The sleeve and seat cooperate with the valve body and head to define an annular space. A means is provided to pressurize the space immediately prior to contact between the head and the seat. The head is biased to a closed position in the event of power failure. The valve is particularly designed for controlling downward flow of high temperature particulate material under high pressure.