Abstract: A mechanism and method for applying adhesive to a sheet at an adhesive applying station from a mechanism adjacent the adhesive applying station for applying adhesive. A sheet support mechanism is provided adjacent the adhesive applying station. A moving mechanism is provided for moving a portion of a sheet in one direction relative to the sheet support mechanism from an initial position to a position adjacent the adhesive applying mechanism in order for adhesive to be deposited on the sheet. A mechanism is also provided for moving the portion of the sheet with the adhesive thereon away from the adhesive applying mechanism in an opposite direction beyond the said initial position.

Abstract: A mechanism for applying adhesive to a sheet comprising a plurality of glue applicators comprising valves or nozzles adapted to form a charge of adhesive at the tip of each. The sheet is moved toward the nozzles to permit adhesive spots to be deposited on the sheet. The nozzles have periods of deactivation after which they are reactivated. A cleaning and moistening sponge (or a tray with appropriate fluids) is provided to maintain the adhesive in the nozzles in usable condition during periods of deactivation so that the adhesive may be immediately used and deposited on the sheet upon reactivation of the nozzles.

Abstract: A plug valve having a body with an inlet, an outlet and a plug-receiving opening which intersects the inlet and outlet. A plug is mounted in the opening and has an outer wall and an orifice extending therethrough. The plug is movable from an operative position in which the orifice connects the inlet to the outlet to allow fluid to flow to an inoperative position in which the orifice is disconnected from the inlet and outlet to prevent the flow of fluid from the inlet to the outlet. The plug outer wall has a seal-receiving portion which is spaced from the orifice and which is adapted to removably receive a seal retainer assembly. A seal is interposed between the seal-receiving portion of the plug and at least a portion of the seal retainer assembly to form a seal.

Abstract: A foot element with exterior threads on a portion of its surface is die cast or injection molded. Two half sleeves are die cast or injection molded, and are each half cylindrical in shape and have threads on the inside surfaces of the half sleeves and one end is fully or partially closed off. The foot insert can be enclosed between the two sleeve halves and be adjustably extended out from or withdrawn into the completed sleeve.

Abstract: A mechanism and method for applying adhesive to a sheet at an adhesive applying station from a mechanism adjacent the adhesive applying station for applying adhesive. A sheet support mechanism is provided adjacent the adhesive applying station. A moving mechanism is provided for moving a portion of a sheet in one direction relative to the sheet support mechanism from an initial position to a position adjacent the adhesive applying mechanism in order for adhesive to be deposited on the sheet. A mechanism is also provided for moving the portion of the sheet with the adhesive thereon away from the adhesive applying mechanism in an opposite direction beyond the said initial position.

Abstract: A light sequencer for a toy having a simple way for individually varying the on and off times of each stage of a chain or ring. Each stage has a light controlling amplifier/switch whose gain is individually controlled by a hysteresis element. When the voltage across the hysteresis element is below its set breakdown voltage, it non-conducts, thereby causing the amplifier/switch to have negative gain, and the controlled light is not lit. When the voltage across a hysteresis element equals or exceeds its set breakdown voltage, it `fires` into a highly-conductive state, causing the amplifier/switch to have very high gain, and the controlled light is lit. The hysteresis element remains in its conductive state until the voltage across it drops below recovery voltage level. Then it switches back to non-conductive state, causing the amplifier/switch to have negative gain, and the controlled light is not lit. The difference between breakdown or `firing` voltage and recovery voltage is the hysteresis factor.

Abstract: A support binder in the form of a scrim having a plurality of spaced frame elements forming openings. Foam material surrounds said frame elements and extends into some of said openings. The foam material has a pressure-sensitive adhesive coating thereon. Preferably, the foam material comprises support pillows which extend into and substantially close alternate openings to give a checkerboard configuration to the support binder.

Abstract: A tower spray dryer for spray drying a product having a vertically oriented drying chamber. A spray nozzle is provided above the drying chamber which sprays a product into said drying chamber. A heater is provided for supplying hot air to a plenum tube above the drying chamber. The hot air is passed into the drying chamber to enable the product and hot air to be thoroughly mixed together. Cool air is also introduced into the drying chamber at low velocity. The exposure time of the product to the hot air is short and the hot air is introduced to the drying chamber at high velocity.

Abstract: A utility knife having a main body formed from a pair of body halves which are assembled together. The main body has an opening at the front with means to prevent the pair of body halves from spreading apart and with means to prevent the blade from swaying from side to side. In addition, means are provided to hold the body halves together without the necessity of using special tools or fastening means.

Abstract: The method and mechanism for desalinating seawater and brackish water in which saline water is divided into inside and outside streams. The inside stream is moved through the inside of a transport membrane. The outside stream moves across the outside of the membrane. Ions cross the membrane from one stream to another and more ions are moved from the inside stream to the outside stream than are moved from the outside stream to the inside stream. The process is powered by an Na,K-pump in which Na.sup.+ ions are moved from the inside stream to the outside stream and K.sup.+ ions move in the opposite direction. After the inside stream leaves the transport membrane, the K.sup.+ ions are replaced by Na.sup.+ ions by a suitable ion exchanger.

Abstract: A mechanism for feeding sheets having a feed belt on front and rear rollers. A singulator assembly overlying and in contact with the feed belt. An auxiliary roller interposed between said front and rear rollers, with the singulation assembly in contact with the feed belt at a point between the front roller and the auxiliary roller. The singulator having a pair of spaced side frame members, central pressure roller between the spaced frame members, a roller rotatably mounted on each end of the frame members, and a belt surrounding the rollers and the central pressure roller, so that sheets on said feed belt are fed one by one between the singulator assembly and the feed belt.

Abstract: A spray drying mechanism for agglomerating food powders in which a standard spray dryer having a drying chamber is used. Spray nozzles extend into the drying chamber and are supplied with an agglomerating medium which the spray nozzles spray into the drying chamber. Powdered food supplying mechanism is provided for directing the powdered food against the agglomerating medium being sprayed from the spray nozzle into the drying chamber in order to agglomerate the powdered food. The agglomerating medium is sprayed in the drying chamber in a cone-shape configuration and the powdered food is directed against the cone-shaped configuration of the agglomerating medium.

Abstract: A multibin feeder having a plurality of bins. A stack of sheets in the bins. Each sheet having data thereon. A mechanism for storing predetermined data. Each sheet is fed from the bins. Reading means are provided to read the data on each sheet before the sheet is fed. The data read on said sheet is compared to the predetermined data. Mechanism is provided to prevent the sheets from moving to the next station if the data read by the reading mechanism does not match the predetermined data.

Abstract: A mechanism for controlling the air flow in a spray dryer having a plurality of air tubes for conducting air into the spray dryer. Each air tube has inner and outer edges. Movable control mechanisms are mounted each air tube which are movable beyond the outer edges of the said air tube.

Abstract: A screw conveyor mechanism mounted within the trough assembly. One end of said screw conveyor is removably mounted on the trough assembly. A drive shaft is provided for rotating the screw conveyor with the drive shaft being removably connected to the outer end of the screw conveyor. The drive shaft has a drive plate and the screw conveyor has a shaft plate, both of which are provided with an interengaging removable coupling. The removable coupling is a tongue-and-groove arrangement with the tongue on one plate and the groove on the other plate. A seal in the form of an O-ring is provided between the two plates.

Abstract: A utility knife having a main body formed from a pair of body halves which are assembled together. The main body has an opening at the front with means to prevent the pair of body halves from spreading apart and with means to prevent the blade from swaying from side to side. In addition, means are provided to hold the body halves together without the necessity of using special tools or fastening means.

Abstract: A geared air actuator comprising a piston mounted for movement within a housing. The piston has a front wall and a hollow body portion which extends rearwardly from the front wall. A spring is mounted within the hollow body portion of said piston. When pneumatic fluid is introduced into the housing and against the front of the piston, it moves the piston back against the action of the spring. When the introduction of pneumatic fluid is terminated the spring will move the piston back to its original position. The front wall of the piston is substantially thinner than the length of the body portion.

Abstract: A two-way conveyor having an accumulating station for accumulating a plurality of sheets. A mechanism for determining in which direction the sheets are to be moved is also provided as well as a mechanism for moving the sheets in one direction or the other. A thickness detecting mechanism is also provided to determine the thickness of the stack and the stack is moved in one direction or the other depending on its thickness. Gates are provided for preventing the movement of the stack in either direction which comprises gates at the forward and rearward edge of the stack and a closing mechanism is provided for closing the gate to prevent movement of the stack in either direction. Gate opening mechanisms are provided for opening one of said gates to permit movement of the stack in the desired direction. The gates are preferably pivotal gates located at the forward and rearward portions of the stack.

Abstract: Mechanism for assembling a document from a plurality of predetermined sheets having a central controller, with a plurality of modules. The sheets are moved past each of said modules. One of said modules is a feed module which feeds the sheets. The feeder module has reader means for reading each sheet before it is fed and being positioned adjacent the sheet feeder so that it reads the lower-most sheet in the feeder. A module is also provided for assembling the sheets together. Means are also provided responsive to the central controller which stop the operation of the mechanism should the sheet read by the reader be the improper sheet for the document being assembled.