Abstract: An apparatus and method for first reliably and accurately aligning the shafts of golf clubs in consistent orientation relative to corresponding club heads during assembly thereof, and second for performing inductive curing on the aligned golf club. A golf club is supported in an address position in a combination alignment/inductive cure station. The club shaft is supported by an inclined V-shaped channel, and the club head is supported in a club head support which includes a gel-filled trough for conforming to the sole of the club head. The leading edge of the club head is aligned against two substantially vertical alignment posts extending from the club head support, and reference graphics on the shaft are used in combination with an alignment panel to visually obtain the desired relative orientation of the shaft and club head. The club is then clamped in place, and an inductive heating element heats the joint of the shaft and club head to activate a bonding agent.

Abstract: In order to permit a method of determining the shape of a body, which comprises the step of detecting a contour of said body, to be executed rapidly and with little computing effort, the contour of the body is converted into a contour function which is independent of the position of said body, and said contour function is compared with a predetermined reference contour function for a known shape.

Abstract: A midstream urine collector is disclosed having an open-ended funnel-shaped body with a cup mounted therein, the cup having an upwardly-directed mouth over which a cover of water-soluble material extends. The cup is substantially smaller than the flow passage through the body so as to permit the downward flow of urine through the passage past the cup. A deflector in the form of a disc-shaped shield is mounted within the funnel-shaped body above the water-soluble cover to protect the cover against rupture that might otherwise occur if the cover were impacted squarely by a forceful stream of urine as a patient commences voiding into the collector.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling logs of convolutely wound webs which includes providing a rewinder-tail sealer wherein a glue stripe is applied to a predetermined circumferential location on a partially unwound log and the log rewound by rolling on itself toward and into a pair of spaced-apart rollers, providing a path from the roller pair to log receiver wherein logs sequentially roll in the path, the path having fixed dimensions, operating the rewinder-tail sealer to develop logs of a first nominal diameter to enable the roller pair to controllably rotate each log for positioning the glue stripe at a first angular orientation, which in combination with the fixed dimensioned path enables each log to be received in the receiver with its glue stripe in a second angular orientation, changing the operation of the rewinder to develop logs of a second nominal diameter, and by correlating the second nominal diameter with the fixed dimensioned path to enable each second nominal diameter log to be received in sai

Abstract: A transport star in which movable expanders with multiple self-locking positions, which can be selected with a control apparatus, engage the radially inward-directed counter-arms of several gripping pliers with pivoting clamps positioned along the perimeter of a rotating basic structure. This provides a design for a device which is relatively simple and reliable, and can be adjusted quickly and easily to accommodate different-sized containers.

Abstract: A method and system for calcining gypsum to recover gypsum in a form consisting essentially of calcium sulfate anhydrite is disclosed. The method includes the steps of feeding the ground gypsum material into a first kettle and heating the ground gypsum in the first kettle to the first predetermined temperature. The first predetermined temperature is preferably below 400.degree. F. so that the gypsum will still contain a sufficient amount of chemically-combined water so that it will self-fluidize by release of water vapor so that it will flow through the apparatus. The ground gypsum is then overflowed through at least one subsequent stage and heated to a final predetermined temperature to produce an anhydrite product. To produce insoluble calcium anhydrite or dead burn material, the final predetermined temperature is greater than 900.degree. F. and preferably within the range of about 900.degree. F.-1300.degree. F.

Abstract: A railway crossing installation for a pair of spaced apart elongated rails each having in transverse section a bottom horizontal flange, a vertically extending bight and a top ball. A plurality of relatively elongated concrete panels are provided, with each panel having a top surface generally aligned with the ball upper surface, each panel having elongated sides disposed adjacent the rails and ends disposed in confronting relation to any adjacent panels. The panel side adjacent a rail has an integral elongated projection spaced below the panel top surface, with the projection extending toward the bight and having a vertical side spaced from the bight. A resilient, elongated extrusion extends along each panel side between the projection side and the rail bight, the extrusion having a body part compressively stressed between a ball lower surface and a projection side, the body part when unstressed overlying the projection.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing patterned tread plates including the steps of providing a press having a path for advancing a sheet therethrough, the press being equipped with a progressive die including a plurality of gaggable dies and punches arranged in a plurality of rows in the path to sequentially engage the sheet when the same is being advanced therethrough in the path, operably associating with the press a CPU having a large capacity secondary data storage device, introducing a multiplicity of codes into the secondary data storage device with each code corresponding to a different tread pattern, some of the codes including gagging instructions for the operation of the dies and punches, selecting a first set of codes and operating the CPU to control the press so as to optionally produce a predetermined number of tread plates according to the first set of codes, and thereafter selecting a second set of codes and operating the CPU to produce a predetermined number of tread plates having a different pattern th

Abstract: A golf bag includes a generally tubular bag portion with an elongate body, a bottom and an open top. A carrying strap that lies secured to the elongate body extends continuously from a first position at a top portion of the body to a second position a predetermined distance below the top portion. At least at one of the two positions, a connection secures the strap to the body and allows sliding movement of the strap a predetermined distance over the surface of the body between two stops.

Abstract: A handle assembly for carts and wheeled luggage includes a pair of tube assemblies disposed in substantially parallel relation and connected by a handle member. The tube assemblies carry locks that cooperate with the tubes to releasably lock the tube assemblies in an extended or a retracted position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for making and transferring natural skin sausages formed in coherent chains to a smoke stick. To design a device of this type in such a manner that it is suited for automatically or semiautomatically transferring chains of natural skin sausages to a smoke stick, the filling tube has arranged downstream thereof a transportation device to which the natural skin sausages are transferred with the aid of a transfer chute which is provided with an access space for an operator's hand.

Abstract: An adhesive wafer for an ostomy pouch, and the combination of such a wafer and pouch, in which the adhesive layer of the wafer is composed of a hydrocolloid-containing skin barrier material and is contoured to provide a relatively thick body portion surrounded by a relatively thin peripheral portion, are disclosed. The wafer has a stoma-receiving opening, and the adhesive layer is of developed shape so that most, if not all, of the relatively thick body portion is located immediately below and to the sides of the stoma-receiving opening. The relatively thin peripheral portion of the adhesive layer is preferably embossed to provide a pattern of discrete, non-connecting depressions separated and isolated from each other by flat-top ridges dimensioned and arranged so that a skin surface engaged by said embossed surface primarily contacts only such ridges.

Abstract: An adhesive faceplate for detachable connection to an ostomy pouch is disclosed. The faceplate has an integrated convex pressure ring for promoting stomal protrusion and a so-called floating flange (i.e., coupling ring) for mechanical attachment to the mating coupling ring of an ostomy pouch. The convex pressure ring is provided with a deep annular recess behind the faceplate's coupling ring to accommodate a user's fingers during a coupling operation, thereby facilitating attachment of a pouch. The recess is also useful because it may accommodate the flexible web (which is preferably pleated to allow greater movement of the faceplate's coupling ring) when the coupling ring is immediately adjacent the remainder of the faceplate.

Abstract: The invention concerns a container filling machine with a supply chamber for a fluid and a compressed gas, onto which at least one filling device is attached. This device possesses a discharge opening, a fluid valve, a compressed gas valve body arranged on its valve body and a probe which determines filling height held on this compressed gas valve body. It leads out of the lower end of the compressed valve body in a gastight arrangement. Hereby is a container filling machine achieved with higher filling accuracy, greater versatility, more cleanability and low production costs.

Abstract: A cam follower mounting assembly includes a mounting member, such as a rotary indexer output mounting plate, having first and second cam follower mounting surfaces and a bore between the mounting surfaces, and a cam follower mounted on the mounting member wherein the cam follower includes a mounting shaft received in the bore of the mounting member and having a cam follower member rotatably disposed on a first shaft end proximate the first cam follower mounting surface in a manner to be engaged by a cooperating cam track and a second shaft end proximate the second cam follower mounting surface. The second end of the mounting shaft includes a threaded bore extending from an second end surface substantially coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the mounting shaft.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for winding an elongate web into a convolutely wound roll either on a core ensleeved on a mandrel or on the mandrel itself and which include providing a center wind rewinder defining an upstream to downstream path having in sequence a web direction changer and a turret indexably rotatable about a first axis and equipped with a plurality of orbiting circumferentially spaced rotatable mandrels. The rewinder has an articulatable arm member indexably rotatable about a second axis outside the orbit of the mandrels.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a metered amount of aerosolized medication and/or for measuring breathing function includes a casing that defines a cavity, a first or discharge opening from which a subject inhales from the cavity or exhales into the cavity, a second or air opening through which air enters the cavity, and a third opening in fluid communication with the cavity between the first and second openings. The casing also defines an open pocket for receiving a pressurized canister and a fourth or medication opening through which the contents of the canister discharge into the cavity of the casing. A pressure transducer in fluid communication with the third opening senses the pressure of breath moving through the cavity. Alternatively, a fan and photocell assembly may replace the pressure transducer and sense the flow of gas through the cavity.

Abstract: A linerless label product, method of making, apparatus and method for dispensing the product wherein a convolutely wound web roll has one face coated with pressure sensitive adhesive while the other face is coated with a release material, the adhesive is interrupted in longitudinally spaced areas to provide transversely extending bands free of pressure sensitive adhesive with the web areas between bands being labels embodying alpha shapes, numeric shapes, graphics, thermally activated material and/or self-contained material; the preparation method including providing signal-stimulating means for each band and the apparatus and method of dispensing employs sensing of the signal-stimulating means to transversely sever the web in the bands.