Abstract: In extrusion blowing a hollow member, a preform is extruded and then blown in a mold to produce the final member. The weight of the hollow member is determined after its removal from the mold and compared to a reference value, thereby to adjust the size of the extrusion discharge opening to control the amount of material in the preform. The length of the preform is detected to control the movement of the mold thereby to keep a substantially constant length of extruded preform, while the time required to produce a preform is also maintained at a substantially constant value.

Abstract: A radioactive fuel cell storage rack is comprised of structural elements including elements which are hollow and cruciform in section. Each leg of the cruciform structural element includes a neutron shield therein. The free end of the legs of the cruciform structural element converge so as to have an included angle of approximately 90.degree.. The rack is comprised of such cruciform elements as well as cooperating elements which are generally T and L shaped in section.

Abstract: At a transition between first and second sets of registration marks on a web, a target is applied adjacent the initial mark of the second set. The target is sensed and tracked electronically to a shear station. During an order change or a roll-to-roll change within an order, the web is automatically severed transversely by the shear at the transition between the sets of marks, and the target is tracked to a station intermediate the shear and the cut-off machine. The cut-off machine knives "crop" cut the web at the target and thereafter cut the web automatically in synchronization with the second set of marks. Operation of the cut-off machine knives in the cut-to-mark mode is maintained without loss of synchronization across the transition in the web. Operator intervention is eliminated, and scrap is minimized.

Abstract: A single facer machine for making a corrugated web is provided with a vacuum means for retaining a corrugated medium on one of the corrugating rolls. Said one corrugating roll has a core through which a heated fluid may flow. The core is surrounded by a sleeve which contains peripheral longitudinally extending flutes and valleys meshed with corresponding flutes and valleys on the other corrugating roll. A suction housing is juxtaposed to the outer periphery of said sleeve.

Abstract: A conveyor system such as one having chain propelled driverless vehicles is interfaced with a conveyor system such as one having rotating shafts propelling a driverless vehicle. The last mentioned driverless vehicle is provided with a contact arm which extends transversely of its vehicle and is selectively operated so as to cause both vehicles to move at the same speed. While both vehicles are moving at the same speed, one or more events may take place such as transferring goods from one vehicle to another on the fly.

Abstract: An article handling apparatus including a generally vertical plate is disclosed for contacting and pushing articles along a generally horizontal surface. The plate is connected to a movable endless cable which is carried about the periphery of a pair of spaced wheels. A hollow dividing rail is supported upon the horizontal surface. In the preferred embodiment, a plurality of dividing rails are supported on the surface and divide the surface into a plurality of lanes. A pair of said wheels are rotatably mounted within each hollow rail adjacent opposite longitudinal ends thereof.

Abstract: In an apparatus for the assembly of microcomponents semiconductor devices, an improvement is provided for the step involving wire bonding of thin gold wires between conductor pads on the semiconductor chip and the external leads. In this type of apparatus generally, the wire bonding step involves the bonding of thin gold conductor wires between the conductor pads and the external leads. In the type apparatus wherein the present invention is provided, a lower anvil articular upward to a position underneath and supporting the semiconductor chip during the bonding process and then articulates downward away from the chip after bonding. The wires are placed and bonded by a capillary tube which articulates between positions above the bonding pads of the chip and the leads. The improvement comprises a wall disposed from the lower anvil and surrounding the chip between the conducting pads and the leads, whereby the wires are supported by the wall as they are withdrawn from the capillary tube.

Abstract: An intensity control for fluorescent lamps of the type wherein a triac in series with the lamp provides control of the lamp current. Triac gating is controlled by a novel phase-lock circuit. In the phase-lock circuit, voltage squaring means are provided for producing unipolar square waves having a pulse width equal to a corresponding half cycle of the a.c. input power. Ramp waves generated from the square waves are applied to the base of a PNP transistor. Current through the lamp is sampled and produces a proportional voltage signal which is superimposed on a parallel path of the square waves to create a phase reference signal. An intensity control potentiometer supplies a selectable d.c. intensity control signal of polarity opposite the phase reference signal, and the intensity control signal and phase reference signal are algebraically added together. The resultant signals apply to the inverting input of integrating amplifier which reverses the polarity and integrates the resultant signal.

Abstract: A process for making asphalt concrete comprises mixing starting materials including aggregate and binder material and optionally, other additives, to a final temperature of about 60.degree. C. to about 150.degree. C. in an indirectly heated mixing chamber which is sealed. The moisture content of the asphalt concrete mixture is controlled as a function of the moisture content of the starting materials. Apparatus for performing the process in a continuous or batch operation is also set forth.

Abstract: A laminate to extend the life of photographs and prevent them from gradual deterioration due to environmental conditions comprises a laminate made of a transparent film of ultraviolet-stabilized polyethylene terephthalate or ultraviolet-stabilized acrylonitrile and a transparent silicone or acrylic adhesive bonded to the film, the laminate being adapted to be bonded to the image surface of a photograph by the adhesive. Alternatively, to provide even greater protection against moisture vapor and oxidation, an additional layer of a transparent fluorocarbon polymer may be bonded to the ultraviolet-stabilized polyethylene terephthalate or ultraviolet-stabilized acrylonitrile with a silicone or acrylic adhesive. Alternately, to provide a better aesthetic appearance by means of thermal texturization, an ultraviolet-absorbing polymethylmethacrylate film may be bonded to the ultraviolet-stabilized polyethylene terephthalate or ultraviolet-stabilized acrylonitrile with a silicone or acrylic adhesive.

Abstract: A case for holding a magnetic tape cassette comprises a case body and a cover pivotally joined together by a pair of pivots fitted in corresponding pivot-receiving holes, with arcuate protuberances formed respectively around the pivots and pivot holes in such a manner that, when the pivots have been fitted in the holes, the both protuberances coact to keep the opposing side walls of the case body and the cover apart from each other, the protuberances themselves being arranged so as not to overlap each other. The pivots protrude inwardly from the side walls of the case body, the pivot holes are formed in the side walls of the cover, and the arcuate protuberances are formed, one for each, on the inner faces of the side walls of the case body and on the outer faces of the side walls of the cover. The protuberances of the case body are formed to extend semicircularly through an angle of 180 degrees around the pivots, and the protuberances of the cover extend through an angle of 90 degrees around the pivot holes.

Abstract: A line controllable model airplane has a main delta wing to provide an aerodynamically induced lift force directed upwardly when the airplane is flying horizontally. An elevator is mounted on the airplane for pivotable movement in a manner to modify the airstream over the delta-wing thereby to vary a vectorial property of the lift force. A pair of control lines are operatively connected to the elevator for effecting pivotable movement thereof. The control lines extend away from one side of the flying device in an unkinked condition and at an angle to the direction of flight. The angle is continuously variable independently of effecting pivotable movement of the elevator. An air deflector is provided to effect an aerodynamically induced lateral force on the airplane in a direction extending away from the other side thereof and at a magnitude sufficent to render any tensioning effect due to centrifugal force in the control lines unnecessary to sustain flight.

Abstract: A playing card dispenser comprising: (a) at least two compartments each appropriately sized to accommodate a stack of playing cards; (b) an exterior opening leading from each compartment and from which playing cards can be withdrawn one at a time; (c) a cover selectively placeable about any compartment from which playing cards are not to be withdrawn to block such withdrawal; and (d), as in a preferred embodiment, a roller mounted within a housing and disposed in each compartment behind each said stack, said roller gravitationally rollable on the floor of said compartment to maintain the stack of playing cards tightly stacked.

Abstract: An adjustable temperature sensor control device wherein mercury in a well is displaced upwards in a capillary with one electrical contact within the well and another electrical contact positioned within the capillary. The displacement of the mercury is accomplished by rotating a knob which is screw thread connected to a stem. The stem moves within the well to displace mercury through the capillary.

Abstract: A lubricant sheet for a magnetic tape cassette characterized in that at least one side of a base incorporating an antistatic agent is provided with a release type silicone coating. This lubricant sheet combines the transparency derived from the use of the clear base and coating materials with the low friction characteristic and the antistatic property to suit the application as such for transparent tape cassette cases.

Abstract: First and second arms for holding a blank mold are pivotable about a shaft between an open position and a closed position by means of a motor. A motor operated cam cooperates with rollers on the arms to apply a clamping force to prevent premature movement of the arms toward an open position.

Abstract: The drive shaft assembly comprises first and second telescoping shafts supported above ground level. A motor is coupled to the first shaft for extending it in an axial direction. Another motor is connected to the second shaft for rotating the second shaft about its longitudinal axis. These shafts are connected by a coupling so that the second shaft rotates the first shaft in all positions of the first shaft. The first shaft terminates at a free end in a frictional engageable end portion.

Abstract: The exercising device includes a rigid central rod having transverse rigid headers fixedly connected at the ends of the rod. At least two strands of extensible cord are attached at their end portions to the rod. At least one end portion of each strand is releasably secured to the rod whereby a large number of different exercising devices may be performed.

Abstract: An improved reciprocating dock for coupling and uncoupling a toy semitrailer and a toy tractor. The dock includes a reciprocable slide and a rotary cam arrangement. During an uncoupling operation, the slide is contacted and displaced by the semitrailer from a fully extended position to a retracted position. During this movement of the slide, the semitrailer travels over a roadway ramp which lifts the semitrailer, uncoupling the semitrailer from the tractor. A spring returns the slide from the fully retracted position to a partially extended position, and the rotary cam arrangement arrests the slide at the partially extended position. During movement of the slide to the partially extended position, the slide moves the semitrailer to a prescribed position such that the semitrailer remains elevated with respect to the tractor and poised for a re-coupling operation.

Abstract: A childproof package has multiple pharmaceutical products in spaced relation within a receptacle. An open side of the receptacle is closed by a tough closure layer sealed to a flange on the receptacle. The receptacle includes a wall which facilitates moving one of the products toward the other until they are sufficiently juxtaposed whereby the products cooperate to apply a combined force sufficient to rupture the closure layer as the package is bent along an imaginary transverse line.