Abstract: A pinch valve control system for regulating the flow of water through the water distribution network of a building. Remote-controlled, fluid-operated pinch valves are spaced at various locations throughout the water distribution network of the building and may be selectively operated from a remote station to stop the flow of water in any pipe throughout the building's water distribution network. The use of pinch valves permits water flow to be increased or decreased gradually and reduces or eliminates water hammer. The pinch valve is operated by compressed fluid which enters the sleeve around the pinch valve to stop the flow of water in the pipe. To resume the water flow, the fluid in the pinch valve is released.

Abstract: A modular system for automatically controlling the operation of a water faucet comprises an electrically operable valve for installation in line of a water supply line to the faucet for controlling water flow to the faucet; a sensor for detecting the presence of an individual within a predetermined range of the sensor; a controller for connecting to the valve and the sensor for receiving a detection signal from the sensor and for operating the valve in response to the signal; and releasable connectors for connecting the valve and the sensor to the controller.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus that can be connected to one of the flanges of a spool with wire for the purpose of axially taking off wire from the spool and at least comprising two spaced apart annular elements that are coaxial with the axis of the spool and that have an outside diameter that is larger than the outside diameter of the flange in question of the spool and a cylindrical bearing surface being provided between the two annular elements that is coaxial with the spool axis for a band of slightly stretchable material loosely fitting round it, whereby one of the two annular elements is rotatable on its axis and the other is fixedly mounted and in that the cylindrical bearing surface is fixedly connected to one of the two annular elements.

Abstract: A vehicle is described, the body of which comprises at least one cross-member delimiting a vehicle engine or luggage compartment and defined by a box structure which is made fluid-tight to retain a liquid in its interior, and is provided upperly with a filler closed in a fluid-tight manner by a removable stopper, and lowerly with means for withdrawing from the interior of said box structure a liquid contained in it, so that the box structure acts as a storage reservoir for a wash liquid for the vehicle windows.

Abstract: A dolorimeter apparatus comprises a member having a property which varies according to pressure applied to the member. A device is provided for securing the member to a hand of a user so the member fits under a finger of the user. The member is dimensioned to fit between the finger and an object touched by the user while permitting substantial tactile communication to the finger. A device is provided for quantifying the variance in said property from said member.

Abstract: A crystallization apparatus 2, in particular for crystallizing proteins at zero gravity, comprises a crystallization cell consisting of an elastic tube 8 of which the ends can be sealed. Using a clamp means 10the tube cavity can be reversibly divided into several cells 14, 14', 14" to receive various solutions depending on the particular crystallization.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a signal to indicate liquid level above a pre-determined level in a container. The apparatus includes a device for defining a fixed reference level. An alarm unit having an alarm and an alarm actuator is connected to the defining device. A float is connected to the alarm unit and rests on the surface of the liquid. The float actuates the alarm actuator to activate the alarm when the surface of the liquid reaches the pre-determined level.

Abstract: A recirculating ball screw-nut screw coupling wherein the nut screw is defined by a cylindrical body having an internal helical groove for a number of balls located between the screw and nut screw, and two substantially radial holes each larger in diameter than the helical groove and each engaged by a plug having a hole facing the aforementioned groove; both plugs being connected integral with the opposite ends of a U-shaped fastener fitted on to the outside of the nut screw and having an internal recirculating channel connecting the holes in the plugs to each other, as well as externally via a radial loading hole.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for handling a solid/liquid mixture, for example for conveying fish immersed in a fish/water mixture. The apparatus has a receiving chamber to receive the mixture through an inlet valve thereof when the chamber is subjected to low pressure, and to discharge the mixture through an outlet valve thereof when pressure in the chamber is increased. A quantity sensor is responsive to a pre-determined quantity of mixture within the chamber to isolate the chamber from low pressure when the pre-determined quantity is reached. The inlet and outlet valves are responsive to pressure differences thereacross. The inlet valve is positioned adjacent an upper portion of the chamber above maxium upper level of mixture within the chamber and has seat clearing structure to clear the inlet valve of solids when flow therethrough ceases. Inlet and outlet flow sensors are responsive to flow through the inlet and outlet valves respectively.

Abstract: The method of making a friction locking fastener of the type having in the thread grooves a first deposit formed of a mixture of an uncured epoxy resin and a radiation-curable, film-forming material, and a second deposit of a fluid curing agent and a radiation-curable, film-forming material. The deposits are made in the thread grooves at circumferentially spaced locations so that a very thin coating of the radiation-curable, film-forming material develops at the surface of each deposit. The deposits are subjected to high intensity ultraviolet radiation for a few seconds to transform the coatings developed on the surfaces of the deposits into thin, continuous, flexible, non-tacky protective films which cover the still fluid deposits in the thread grooves of the article. Alternatively, when one or both the resin and curing agent are micro-encapsulated. They may be contained in a single mixture which includes the radiation-curable material.

Abstract: A scratch-off game piece which contains a fragrance which is released during the game play action. The game piece is constructed by application of layers of fragrance containing material and scratch-off material over a support layer of printed sheet material such that when the scratch-off material is removed by the player, the fragrance containing capsules are ruptured and fragrance is released.

Abstract: Decompression and toxic fume protection apparatus comprising an inner chamber adapted to surround the head of the wearer, an inflatable and concentric outer chamber, a gas reservoir, means for removal of carbon dioxide and passageways for the circulation of gas through the apparatus.

Abstract: A cargo hook for releasably carrying a load includes a support frame, a load beam and latching mechanism for releasably engaging the beam in a load secured position. The latching mechanism includes a contact roller carried by the beam and an interference shaft rotatably mounted to the frame. In the load secured position, the roller abuts the interference shaft. Load release occurs when the interference shaft is rotated to a position which permits the load beam to pivot downwardly past the shaft.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of connecting tubes using a connector which comprises a body 41, through which is positioned a screw 43 having a head 44 and a threaded stem 45. A resiliently deformable member 413 is positioned on the threaded stem and a washer 46 is positioned on the threaded stem 45 the opposite side of the resiliently deformable member 413 from the body 41. A second washer 412 is positioned between the resiliently deformable member 413 and the body 41. In the method of the present invention the connector is inserted into a tube and a screwdriver is inserted into a groove in the head 44 of the screw 43. The screw 43 is thus rotated so that the washer 46 is threaded along the threaded stem 45 towards the body 41, thus compressing the resiliently deformable member 413 so that the resiliently deformable member 413 bulges outwardly and thus establishes a friction grip on the inner surface of the tube, thus securing the connector in relation to the tube.

Abstract: A lamp wrapper is formed from a blank having four side wall panels and a joint forming flap interconnected by a set of spaced, substantially parallel fold lines and adapted to form a tubular sleeve. An axial central partition is formed by a partition flap formed in part from and foldably connected to a first top wall panel and adhesively connected at its opposite end to a second partition flap formed from and foldably connected to a second wall panel located on the opposite side of the wrapper to the first panel. The partition is evenly spaced from opposite longitudinal ends of the sleeve and functions to separate the base ends of a pair of light bulbs packaged in the sleeve. In a second embodiment the second wall panel is extended and is foldably connected to yet another wall panel which in turn is connected to a second top panel which connects to the first top panel and defines a second sleeve in side by side relationship with the first sleeve.

Abstract: Compositions of the formula MX.sub.2 :Y, wherein MX.sub.2 is a layer type transition metal dichalcogenide, M is a metal selected from the group consisting of niobium, tantalum, molybdenum and tungsten, X is a chalcogen selected from the group consisting of sulfur and selenium and Y is a material located between layers of MX.sub.2. The compositions may be prepared by the steps of first forming a suspension of the MX.sub.2 in a body of water. A liquid which is immiscible with water is added to the suspension. The suspension and immiscible liquid are agitated together to form a temporary emulsion. The emulsion is allowed to rest until the water and the liquid separate with an interface therebetween. A sheet-like composition of MX.sub.2 :Y forms at the interface. Preferably, the MX.sub.2 is in exfoliated, singular molecular thickness layers suspended in the water.

Abstract: The invention provides a shipping container apparatus for bulk granulated material, the apparatus having a lower wall with discharge openings therein. Doors are provided for opening and closing the discharge openings, the doors being actuated by an actuating structure which is mounted for vertical movement relative to the container apparatus. The actuating structure has upper portions which serve as conventional lifting connectors or receptacles at corners of the container, which cooperate with conventional hooks or dogs of a conventional container lifting apparatus, so that raising the actuating structure opens the doors, and lowering the actuating structure closes the doors. This permits granulated material within the container to be dumped into a lower container or conveyance without requiring any specialized lifting or opening equipment.

Abstract: A cargo container which includes a plurality of elongated frame members each having an outer surface and an interior region opposite the outer surface, two elongated channels opening to the interior region on either side edge of the frame member and an elongated recess adjacent to and parallel with each of the channels. A plurality of coupling members are removably engagable with ends of the frame members and a plurality of panels are affixed to openings defined by the frame members. Panel edging is affixed around a periphery of each of the panels. The edging has a projecting portion removably insertable into the channels and an elongated recess around the perimeter thereof such that, when said edging is engaged with corresponding channels in said frame members, the edging recess in combination with corresponding recesses of said frame members form an elongated slot around the perimeter of said edging.

Abstract: A carton or package for packaging semi-fluid material which can be hardened by freezing, such as ice cream, sherbet, and the like, is formed from specially constructed integral carton blank and a special process for assembling the same. The carton blank has a front panel, a bottom panel, a rear panel, a cover panel, and a front cover sealing flap articuated one to the other in the order named. With end-forming flaps and glue-flap extensions extending laterally therefrom adapted to be glued together to form inner and outer walls and side-cover flaps. The bottom outer wall-forming flap is glued to the inner wall-forming flaps by glue strips along the side edges of the latter, where they are joined to the front and rear panels, and the side-cover flap has a tuck-in tab adapted to be tucked in under the bottom outer wall-forming flap between the glue strips.