Abstract: A module is disclosed for use with a franking machine for the entry of data into the machine. The module includes a memory and security means operative in response to an interrogation signal from the franking machine to return a signal to the franking machine that the module is authorised for use with the franking machine for the input of data thereto.

Abstract: A shelving construction which includes upright members having a U-shaped cross-section and a plurality of shelves connected between the upright members, is improved by providing at least one stiffener plate extending between and into two upright members disposed so that the flanks of each upright member extend toward the other upright member. The stiffener plate has an effective width so as to be snugly received within the upright members. Each upright member defines at least one bridging portion, and the stiffener plate has, for each bridging portion, two spaced-apart protrusions such that the bridging portion can snap into place between the protrusions when the stiffener plate is inserted into the respective upright member.

Abstract: An intermittent gas-insufflation apparatus insufflates a quantity of the gaseous fluid into an entrance of a respiratory system of a breathing patient during an exhalation interval of an immediate breathing cycle and into a subsequent inhalation interval of a successive breathing cycle. The intermittent gas-insufflation apparatus includes a valve assembly, a sensor and a controller. The valve assembly actuates between a closed state to prevent the gaseous fluid from flowing from a source of gaseous fluid to the patient and an opened state to establish gaseous fluid flow to the patient. The sensor detects changes in breathing pressure of the patient throughout the immediate breathing cycle and to generates sensor signals characteristic of the changes in the breathing pressure thereof.

Abstract: A device for the inspection and repair of a roll of web material includes an unwind mandrel, a rewind mandrel, an inspection area and a splice area. A flaw in the web is detected at the inspection area, whereupon the web is braked to a halt. Where the splice area is adjacent to or coincident with the inspection area, the flawed portion of the web can pass well beyond the splice area before the web comes to a halt. Provided herein is a web-indexer device that includes a reciprocating indexer shuttle having idler rolls mounted thereon, with further idler rolls mounted to the machine such that the web material can be between them in a substantially boustrophedonic configuration. Control is provided to allow the operator who has caused the web to be braked to a halt upon detecting a flaw, to move the indexer frame so as to retrieve a portion of the web so as to bring the flaw back to the splicing station for repair, without having to reverse the rotational direction of the unwind mandrel or the rewind mandrel.

Abstract: In order to detect the presence of a marker, an electronic article-surveillance apparatus includes a transmitting circuit coupled to a transmit antenna, a receiving antenna juxtaposed with respect to the transmit antenna, such that an electromagnetic signal is generated within a controlled area, the signal being received by the receiving antenna, such that when the marker is located within the controlled area, a disturbance is created in said electromagnetic signal and is picked up by the receiving antenna. The disturbance is the marker signal. An electronics module receives the electromagnetic signal picked up by the receiving antenna, and a feedback conduit, linking the electronics module with the transmitting circuit, can provide to the electronics module an input to the transmitting circuit which controls the amplitude of the electromagnetic signal so as to maintain the marker signal at a substantially constant amplitude and shape.

Abstract: A tank interceptor for rain water and waste-water includes a container divided by a partition into an upper by-pass compartment and a lower treatment compartment. An inlet and outlet for the container are located in the side wall adjacently above the partition. The partition defines a raised weir which constrains liquids entering at low flow rates to pass downwardly through an adjacent opening through the partition, to collect in the treatment compartment below the partition. A second opening through the partition is located adjacent the outlet, and pipes are associated with both openings. One of the openings is made large enough to allow passage of maintenance personnel, thus obviating the need for a further access opening and a liquid-tight seal for that further opening. An access opening at the top of the container is generally aligned with the large-diameter opening through the partition, thus allowing inspection, sampling and pumping out, without requiring maintenance personnel to enter the container.

Abstract: A franking machine is provided with means to communicate with a postal authority station and with sensors response to mis-treatment or mal-function of the franking machine. The machine is operated periodically to establish communication with the postal authority station periodically and if any sensors have been set by mis-treatment or mal-function, a signal indicating mis-treatment or mal-function is transmitted by the franking machine to the postal authority station. The communication may be effected each time the machine is operated to frank a mail item or may be effected less frequently, for example in respect of a franking operation in which a plurality of mail items are franked or each time the machine is powered up.

Abstract: High specific gravity, lead free shotshell pellets are produced by preparing an iron-tungsten alloy having a specific gravity of at least 8 g/cc, melting the alloy at a temperature of about 1550.degree.-1760.degree. C., pouring the melted alloy through at least one orifice of a sieve having a specific sized opening so as to produce a desired final product size, and allowing the melted alloy to fall by gravity through a gaseous medium to form drops of molten metal, and cooling the individual molten drops to form spherical metal pellets. A plurality of orifices of different sizes may be used in order to form a desired distribution of shot pellet sizes.

Abstract: A feeding apparatus for animals, such as dogs or cats, has an inclined platform and a hingedly connected lid which seats on the upper surface of a food container to close the container. When a weight is applied to the platform such as when an animal stands upon the platform, the lid pivots to an open position as the platform moves downwardly to provide access to the contents of the container.

Abstract: The invention proposes the following method of producing reactive melts which are especially useful as hotmelt adhesives:a) suitable meltable hydroxy functional or amino functional polymers or polymer mixes (A) which become liquid at temperatures above 40.degree. C. are inhomogenously mixed withb) powdered, solid, surface desactivated polyisocyanates (B) or a suspension of such polyisocyanates (B) in a low volatility carrier fluid,c) in approximately stoichiometric proportions at a temperature of at least 40.degree. C. in a static mixer so that the resultant mixture of substances exhibits partial areas in which the ratio (1) of polymer (A) to (2) solid isocyanate (B) and desactivating agent (C) is different from the average ratio of these substances or mixtures thereof within the entire mix,d) the inhomogenous mixture is extracted in a form suitable for the intended use and solidified by cooling to below the mixture's softening point.

Abstract: A fastener assembly for fastening a vehicle hood shield to a vehicle hood, the hood shield having a mounting flange with spaced apart slots therein and the hood having spaced apart mounting apertures. The fastener assembly includes an insert or plug which has a head and legs depending from the head and receivable in the hood apertures. The insert or plug also has lugs for receipt in the hood shield slots. A screw fastener screwed into the insert or plug causes the legs to move outwardly and engage a hood mounting aperture and also serves to secure the hood shield to the insert or plug and thus the hood.

Abstract: An intermittent gas-insufflation apparatus insufflates a quantity of the gaseous fluid into an entrance of a respiratory system of a breathing patient during an exhalation interval of an immediate breathing cycle and into a subsequent inhalation interval of a successive breathing cycle. The intermittent gas-insufflation apparatus includes a valve assembly, a sensor and a controller. The valve assembly actuates between a closed state to prevent the gaseous fluid from flowing from a source of gaseous fluid to the patient and an opened state to establish gaseous fluid flow to the patient. The sensor detects changes in breathing pressure of the patient throughout the immediate breathing cycle and to generates sensor signals characteristic of the changes in the breathing pressure thereof.

Abstract: A means for curing heat-curable paint on vehicle panels includes an elongate pipe defining an internal combustion chamber with a fuel burner at one end of the pipe and means for removing combustion products from the other end of the pipe. The pipe is clamped in a substantially horizontal position and has "bellows" means allow for thermal contraction and expansion. Two part-cylindrical baffles are supported at opposite sides of the pipe but spaced therefrom and from each other so as to define an upper elongate opening. Ignition means are provided to ignite fuel within the burner, to initiate combustion whereby the outer surface of the pipe emits radiant heat primarily through the upper elongate opening, while convective heat is transferred to air passing upwardly between the baffles and the pipe.

Abstract: An insert is provided for a metal stud, the insert being sized and configured to be snugly but slidably received within the stud. The insert further includes an elongate slot in each side wall, located so as to allow fasteners to secure a sheet of covering material to the stud without interfering with the ability of the insert to move longitudinally with respect to the stud, in the event of overloading, earthquake, etc.

Abstract: A mailing system is disclosed in which a mail item includes or carries a smart device. The smart device stores data relating to postal information and destination address. A mailing machine similar to a franking machine is used by a user to enter data in the smart device and to account for postage charge used. The postal authority uses the data recorded in the smart device to handle the mail item from a mail receiving station to its destination address and to track passage of the item to its destination address.

Abstract: A mail transport for a franking machine is disclosed in which mail is fed toward a printing head by input rollers, is fed past the printing head by an impression roller and is ejected from the franking machine by ejection rollers. Drive to the input rollers is controlled to initially feed the mail at a transit speed toward the print head, to feed the mail item at a printing speed, during a printing period, lower than the transit speed and initially in an ejection period after the printing period to feed the mail item at the transit speed. When the mail item is released from the input rollers, the ejection rollers are driven to feed the mail item at a higher speed than the transit speed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a door sealing mechanism for sealing specifically the horizontal gaps between bottom rail and sill and between top rail and lintel. The door sealing mechanism comprises a sealing member including a flexible, elongated blocking portion having a length greater than the height of the horizontal gap. A retractable mounting piece is used to mount the sealing member thereon and which is retractable when the sealing member is subject to an external force. An elastic member as a spring is coupled to the retractable mounting piece, which exerts a force on the sealing member when the retractable mounting piece is in retracted position and also allows the retractable mounting piece to restore to original position after the external force on the sealing member is removed.

Abstract: The plug arrangement (1) has two individual plugs (2, 2') that can be extracted solely by actuating a single release lever (3). At the same time, this release lever connects combines the plugs to a duplex plug unit. To improve axis parallelity. a connecting element (6) is additionally snapped onto both the plugs.