Abstract: A high strength cover for an underground utility box of the type that is normally installed on streets and driveways and is subjected to substantial vehicle loads. The cover structure includes a fixed rectangular frame the upper edge of which is installed substantially flush with the ground level. Below the ground level the frame defines bearing surfaces throughout the periphery of the frame, the inner edge of the bearing members defining the access opening. Two structural frameworks, dimensioned to be, in combination, substantially coextensive with the access opening are provided to span the bearing surfaces. The frameworks have sufficient vertical dimensions to afford the necessary strength. The frameworks are hinged for pivotal movement about axes along two opposite ends of the frame so that they can be moved to an upright position to afford access to the box.

Abstract: An electronic tachometer that includes an integrator for producing a speed signal by integrating a signal representative of acceleration of a body and a differentiator for producing a speed signal by differentiating a signal representative of the position of the body, the differentiator being formed by a passive RC circuit and operatively associated with circuitry for alternately supplying to the differentiator two signals representative of position, one of which is inverted so that signals of a single polarity are supplied to the differentiator, and further circuitry for connecting the differentiator output to the integrator feedback circuitry so as periodically to update or reset the speed signal produced by the integrator, which is formed by an operational amplifier having a capacitive feedback which is shunted by a resistor when the differentiator output is active to update the integrator.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing halogen gas from gaseous or aqueous halogen acid, wherein the halogen is mixed with a slurry of electrocatalytically active particles and pumped into an electrochemical cell. The slurry of said particles is then electrochemically treated employing said slurry as a dispersed halogen electrode. Under the influence of an applied potential, halogen is released at the slurry electrode while protons migrate to the counterelectrode to form and release hydrogen gas. The process is particularly applicable to the production of chlorine from gaseous or aqueous hydrochloric acid using an aqueous slurry of circulating particulate carbon as the chlorine electrode.Apparatus for carrying out the above process is also provided. The process can also be applied to the production of hydrochloric acid from chlorine and hydrogen.

Abstract: An impervious bag formed of plastic or the like and a semirigid foldable band secured around the mouth of the bag. The band has a linear portion which conforms to a ground surface to afford transportation of ordure thereover into the bag. Remote from the linear portion the band defines foldable gripping portions which enables the user to grip the band exterior of the bag and to manipulate the linear portion for efficient and sanitary use. Joined to the linear portion is a second ply which enhances the rigidity thereof, there being a segment joined to the second ply along a perforated line. When the device is marketed and stored the segment forms with the ply an enclosure for the kit and when the segment is removed from the ply by tearing along the perforated line, the segment in conjunction with a rigid handle forms a pusher for transporting the ordure over the linear portion to the bag interior.

Abstract: A portable illumination source for photographers which can be worn on the head of the photographer and there retained without attention by the photographer so that he can use both hands for manipulating his camera. The device includes a rigid frame on which is mounted a light source such as a photoflash to produce light rays on a path and a diffuser secured to the rigid frame within the path to diffuse light toward a subject that the photographer is facing. A suspension system for securing the rigid frame to the head of the photographer such that the apparatus can be employed without attention from the photographer.

Abstract: A solar energy reflector formed of a rigid frame that supports a thin reflective sheet and retains the sheet in a parabolic or like concave shape notwithstanding severe wind or like loads. The frame includes rigid end plates that define slots that have portions concentric with the focal axis of the parabolic surface so that the reflector can be installed onto and removed from a fixed water carrying pipe without disturbing the plumbing connections to the pipe. A drive system and solar energy sensor circuit connected thereto for assuring that the reflector is aimed at the sun throughout its traverse of the sky from dawn to dusk. A protective cover for the solar collector which both protects the highly reflective surface against deterioration and contributes to the overall strength of the collector.

Abstract: The flatbed of a truck that is geared for traverse of an agricultural field is provided with at least one pair of longitudinally extending tracks. Disposed in the tracks for rolling movement thereon is a plurality of roller supported assemblies which are adapted to support pallets of more or less conventional form. The roller supported assemblies are arranged to retain a plurality of pallets consolidated into a single group. An over-the-road carrier, such as a trailer or a semi-trailer, has a similar pair of longitudinally extending slots so that after the agricultural truck is loaded during transverse of the field, it can be backed adjacent to the carrier so that the tracks on the vehicle and the tracks on the carrier are in registry. A winch carries a cable which is attachable to the grouped pallets to effect transfer of the pallets from the truck bed to the carrier bed.

Abstract: A timing circuit for a track following servo system wherein an odd servo track having a series of prerecorded odd dibits thereon and an adjacent even servo track having a series of even dibits prerecorded thereon are moved with respect to a servo head to induce in the servo head signals that vary with the occurrence of the dibits and have an amplitude representative of the lateral position of the servo head with respect to the servo tracks. The servo head and its associated preamplifier produce a first signal having portions from both odd and even servo tracks and a second signal that is the inverse of the first signal. The first and second signals are processed by parallel identical circuit paths to generate a clocking signal that times the remainder of the data storage system in synchronism with the spacing of dibits on the servo tracks.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing thermoplastic material, such as hot melt glue, from a shipping container, such as a 55-gallon drum, including a heated follower and mechanism for urging the follower into the container against the surface of the thermoplastic material. A plurality of groups of conductive fins secured to the follower for transferring heat to the material so as rapidly to heat the material to a flowable condition. Each group of fins includes a plurality of parallel fins which define channels therebetween, the channels being oriented so as to afford fluid flow toward the center of the follower, a location at which the inlet of a pump is mounted in receiving relation to the heated material. The thickness of the fins and the width of the channels are established to expedite heat exchange between the heated follower and the material as well as provide a low impedance flow path for the material.

Abstract: A phase lock system for locking the output pulses of a motor driven tachometer in phase with reference pulses that recur at a prescribed reference frequency. A phase/frequency detector operates in a frequency mode when there is a frequency difference between the output pulses and the reference pulses so as to generate an error signal indicative of the frequency difference and a saturating amplifier coupled between the phase/frequency detector and the tachometer motor responds to the error signal to provide maximum drive power to the motor so as to vary the tachometer and drive the output pulse frequency toward the reference pulse frequency at a maximum rate. When frequency equality is achieved, the phase/frequency detector operates in a phase mode in which the phase error between the output pulses and the reference pulses is measured at a time when the system is still in saturation because of its high gain.

Abstract: Body massaging apparatus including two cables or like flexible members between which extend a plurality of parallel spaced apart massager units. Each massager unit has a rigid shaft on which is supported for rolling movement a rigid cylinder. On the exterior surface of the cylinder a flexible layer is secured. The flexible layer has integral resilient fingers protruding therefrom. The fingers are dimensioned so as to provide stimulation to parts of the body when the device is rolled thereover. A plastic tube circumscribes the cables, which plastic tube is employed to space the shafts apart and to afford a degree of resistance to rotation of the cylinders on the shafts, thereby enhancing the stimulative effect of the apparatus.

Abstract: A circuit for discriminating among pulses in a series of recurring pulses based on the interval between adjacent pulses which circuit is particularly useful in extracting timing information from a series of pulses such as are induced in a servo head by movement relative thereto of a prerecorded servo track in a disc pack data storage system. The circuit includes a monostable multivibrator for producing a timing signal having a duration corresponding to the time interval between two successive pulses. The monostable multivibrator output is stored, for example in a data flip flop, so as to produce an output pulse from the flip flop if a succeeding pulse in the series occurs while the monostable multivibrator output is high.

Abstract: A portable campfire grill employing three identical elongate members constructed of steel or like heat resistant material. Each of the elongate members has a pair of slots, one slot being formed adjacent each end and the respective slots being oriented in opposite directions. The slots have a depth half the width of the member so that when the elongate members are engaged by interengagement at the slots, the opposite surfaces of the elongate members are in coplanar relation thereby forming a triangular shaped grill structure having a flat surface. The slots have a dimension in a direction longitudinally of the members such that the members must be stressed to effect such interengagement so that the triangular structure formed by assembling the three members is retained in assembled, operative condition.

Abstract: A helically coiled strand forms a tubular body having an outer diameter adapted to fit in an existing dipstick channel in an internal combustion engine or like equipment having a sump defining container. The lower convolutions of the helical strand are expanded axially so as to afford unrestricted liquid movement between the strands. Within the axially expanded convolutions is supported a thermoelectric element such as a thermistor. One or more conductors for connecting the thermistor to external electronic circuitry extend through the center of the helically wound member, silicone rubber or the like being provided to support and insulate the conductor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for folding the gable top of gable top containers into a flat condition preparatory to packing a plurality of such containers into a carton so as to avoid wasted volume during transport of such containers. A gable top container having an extra score line to facilitate such folding of the gable top.

Abstract: Data recording apparatus wherein the data is recorded on a sheet in a spatial arrangement or pattern corresponding to the spatial arrangement of a plurality of containers that constitute a part of a fraction collecting apparatus. The fraction collector operates by moving a nozzle carrying the discharge from a fractionating column along a path on which the containers are disposed. There is a data recording sheet and a pen supported for inscribing a graph on such sheet. The pen moves in unison with the nozzle and is displaced in a direction transverse to the path so that the spatial arrangement of the graph corresponds to the spatial arrangement of the containers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for harvesting and processing head lettuce wherein the lettuce is shredded immediately upon harvesting and before deterioration occurs. The shredded lettuce is retained in an insulated or refrigerated enclosure and then promptly transported to a mobile processing trailer where it is further cleaned and chilled and finally packaged for shipment. The practice of the method and apparatus permits the lettuce to be on its way to the consumer on the same day that it is harvested from the field.A method and apparatus for simultaneously chilling, washing and adding preservatives to the chilled lettuce in a continuous fashion. A mobile enclosure embodying the apparatus and adapted to perform the method wherein the lettuce is maintained at a reduced temperature throughout all stages of processing.

Abstract: A palletizing system for a plurality of generally parallelepiped cartons containing crushable products such as heads of lettuce. A pallet dimensioned to receive thereon a plurality of uniform size cartons in a rectangular pattern whereby orthogonal vertical confronting zones are formed intermediate the cartons. Two or more thin elongate compression resistant members and means for supporting the members on the pallet and within the zones. A rigid plate substantially congruent to the pallet for placement in bearing relation at the upper extremities of the compression resistant members so that the load from a plurality of cartons stacked on top of the plate will be transferred to the pallet and will not unduly compress or damage the cartons disposed below the plate.

Abstract: An electronic calculator having a liquid crystal display (LCD) which is supported on a transparent substrate so that light from an overhead projector or the like can be transmitted through the display to create an enlarged image of the numerals in the display that are made opaque by proper excitation of the LCD. A calculator supplied with such modified LCD wherein the rear surface of the LCD is parallel to the rear surface of the calculator case so that the case can be placed upon the projection plane of a conventional overhead projector, thereby permitting an instructor to manipulate the input keys to the calculator while simultaneously affording an enlarged view of the LCD to others in the classroom.

Abstract: A soil moisture indicator including a rigid planar base member having sufficient strength to permit its partial insertion into soil adjacent growing plants and a water absorbent member, such as blotter paper, secured to the base member. Overlying the water absorbent sheet adhesively secured thereto is a transparent water impervious layer, the layer having an increment extending beyond the longitudinal extremities of the water absorbent sheet, the incremental portions being adhesively secured to the base member so that abrasive forces on the water absorbent sheet during insertion into the soil are avoided. An improved method for manufacturing the devices in a highly efficient and automated fashion.