Abstract: An apparatus for mixing photographic process chemicals, and supplying the mixed chemical to a film processing unit. The apparatus provides a chemical holding tank having a water supply inlet and a chemical discharge outlet thereon. The tank is provided with submersible pumps for agitating the contained chemical. Sensors on the inner portion of the tank detect when the process chemical reaches a minimal level whereupon water is added through the water inlet to fill the tank to its maximum whereupon the water supply is automatically shut off. In the preferred embodiment, an operation can add dry chemicals or liquid concentrate to form the finished process chemical. The sensors can be adjusted to vary water levels as needed for adapting the system to different chemical-water mix ratios as specified with the concentrated chemicals supplied by different manufactures.

Abstract: A sterilizer or aseptor for contact lenses and the like is disclosed, which provides a capsule adapted to both carry and sterilize a single set of contact lenses. The sterilizer includes a well adapted to receive the capsule, and when the well is heated, sterilizing action occurs within the capsule. A cover is locked into a closed position to prohibit access to the capsule and well when the well is heated to an elevated temperature.

Abstract: A seed sensor for sensing seeds flowing along a path is provided with an electromagnetic transducer having a movable diaphragm. An arm is secured to a generally peripheral portion of the diaphragm and extends into the seed flow path to be struck at random by the seeds. The arm has a portion operatively engageable with a mid portion of the diaphragm and functions as a mechanical amplifier to actuate the diaphragm when struck by the seeds for producing usable output signals.

Abstract: A programmable rhythm unit is disclosed for electrically simulating sounds of a plurality of rhythm instruments being played in selected ones of a plurality of different rhythmic patterns. A variable frequency oscillator cooperates with a counter/divider and decoder circuit to provide a predetermined number of beats or pulses per measure at a tempo which may be varied by the user. Also provided is a plurality of keyed audio circuits which each produce a characteristic burst of output signals that simulate the audible output or voice of a corresponding rhythm instrument. Switching means are provided whereby the user can select any of the voices to play at any beat position. In addition an alternate beat pulse source is provided which can be selected by the switching means to play any of the voices at a particular beat position every other measure. A pseudo-random generator is also included which may be selected to play any of the voices at a random beat position in each measure.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is surface-passivated by a multi-layer film which includes a base coat of substantially undoped polycrystalline silicon in intimate contact with the substrate and bridging the semiconductor junction. A top coat of polycrystalline silicon is doped with oxygen and disposed overlying the base coat.The method of passivating a semiconductor device includes initial formation of a base layer of substantially undoped polycrystalline silicon from a controlled atmosphere of a silane material. This is advantageously followed by a deposition of oxygen-doped polycrystalline silicon in continuation of the atmosphere of silane material with the added introduction of a gaseous oxygen donor.

Abstract: An electrical coil assembly comprises a rectangular, flat annular coil and a flexible annular covering of, for example, fibre board sheet surronding the coil so as to provide a substantially dustproof seal. The covering is formed by folding and glueing a blank around the coil. The blank comprises a rectangular annular portion a first pair of flaps extending one from each of two opposite outer peripheral sides of the annular portion, a second pair of flaps extending one from each of two opposite sides of the inner periphery of the annular portion and further flaps extending from the outer periphery of the annular portion. The annular portion is provided with fold lines and is of a size, when folded, to overlie opposite faces of the coil and the flaps fold around the inner and outer peripheries of the coil to provide a substantially dustproof seal.

Abstract: A modular termination system includes one or more first terminal block modules aligned side by side and second terminal block modules spaced vertically below the first modules. Jumper routing modules are interposed between the first terminal block modules and second terminal block modules and between the two rows of second modules for orderly routing of jumper wires. The second modules are hingedly mounted to a base which also mounts a plurality of cable connectors and cable guides disposed for orderly arrangement of cables running to the cable connectors. The hinges allow access to the backs of the terminals on the second terminal block modules, and to conductors wired to the back sides of the terminals from the cable connectors. The first terminal block modules are mounted upon panel-supports which also mount similar cable connectors which are joined by conductors to the back sides of the terminals on these terminal block modules.

Abstract: A mobile dental unit is disclosed which provides physical support for dental operations during a long period of time when the operations are conducted in remote or out-of-office areas. A wheeled cabinet defines a lower compartment containing a source of compressed air, a vacuum chamber and a vacuum pump. The upper compartment contains a storage space, a pressurizable water reservoir, and an amalgamator. The source of compressed air illustrated here is a tank of the variety offered for use in self-contained underwater breathing apparatus. This source tank provides air for direct use in dental operations and also operates the pneumatic drives of dental handpieces. A patient support structure can be associated with the unit to permit an infirm patient to be treated in a supine position.

Abstract: A rectifier and brush assembly for an alternator has a rectifier comprising two parallel spaced phase plates carrying respective sets of diodes. The terminals of respective diodes of the sets are soldered to respective connectors. One terminal of each of a set of field diodes is also soldered to each connector while the other terminal of each field diode is soldered to a connector common to all the field diodes. This common connector has an integral apertured flange which is secured by a screw against a conductive plate carried by a housing for the brushes. The conductive plate is electrically connected with one of the brushes in the brush housing. The brush housing also carries a voltage regulator of which a lead is crimped to an apertured electrical connector secured by the screw to the conductive plate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a machine and method wherein envelopes are removed from a supply hopper, one by one; transmitted to a cutting station wherein one edge of the envelope optionally may be severed; the envelope then being transmitted to a processing station at which the envelope is opened and held open by suction cups, for removal or insertion of contents by an operator. The envelope is thereafter transmitted to a detector station and then to a recovery station and then to a point of discharge. The dwell time of the envelope at the processing station may be adjusted as desired by the operator.

Abstract: A monitor for use with a multiple row seed planter including a hopper for holding a supply of seeds, a plurality of conduits for carrying seeds to corresponding planting rows, a variable speed rotatable drum for receiving seeds from the hopper and delivering seeds to the conduits, a variable pressure air blower for supplying pressurized air to the hopper and drum to facilitate the seed delivery and a voltage supply source from a tractor or other vehicle pulling the planter. The monitor includes a plurality of sensors for providing a plurality of electrical signals corresponding to the above-mentioned planter functions.

Abstract: Artificial dentures, and a method and apparatus for preparing them are disclosed. After a dentition base plate is prepared, a temporary integral strip of gum tissue and supported teeth elements is temporarily fixed to the base plate. The assembly is then locked in a jig, the temporary tooth/gum strip is removed, and a permanent tooth/tissue strip is installed on the base plate in a position providing proper appearance and proper bite relationship with mating dentition. A jig for retaining the base plate in a given location is also provided.

Abstract: A line protector for protecting telephone lines and the like from over-voltage or over-current conditions includes a primary arrester element and a secondary arrester element that provides back-up protection upon a fail open of the primary arrester element. The primary arrester comprises a gas tube having spaced electrodes to form an arc gap therebetween. The secondary arrester includes a pair of electrodes axially aligned with the gas tube and separated by an insulating spacer to provide an air gap therebetween. The air gap of the secondary arrester is maintained at a predetermined spacing such that the breakdown voltage thereof is greater than the rated breakdown voltage across the arc gap of the gas tube but less than the breakdown voltage across said arc gap should the gas tube fail open as by being vented to atmosphere.

Abstract: A variable impedance circuit is included between the antenna and the RF amplifier stage of a radio receiver portion of a transceiver and is responsive to a phase-inverted and amplified AGC signal to automatically protect the receiver from breaking down or otherwise malfunctioning when it receives an over-input or excessive input signal level. When the input signal level to the receiver is at the typical operating level, the circuit provides a substantially infinite impedance to ground so as not to interfere with signal transmission from the antenna to the input stage and the successive stages.

Abstract: There is disclosed a fastener assembly including a fastener or screw member having a head portion and an externally threaded body portion, and an improved novel washer design pre-assembled thereon and held in captive relation by the external thread form. The washer member comprises a frusto-conical body section which includes surfaces converging in a direction away from the fastener drive head, in contrast to the normal accepted practice of employing washer which surfaces converge toward the drive head. From this reversal of design numerous manufacturing and operational advantages result, most particularly when the washer includes a plurality of axially extending teeth disposed radially about the convex face thereof. When the assembly is engaged with a nut or a workpiece to clamp or join structural elements, the fastener head portion will bear directly over the teeth of the washer member urging them into biting engagement with the adjacent surface regardless of the degree of final assembly.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for pivotally joining a cover or lid member with a base or housing member, or the like. The cover member includes a pair of coaxial and inwardly facing rod-like pivot members which are axially spaced apart and project from the lid or cover member. The base or container member includes a receptacle arrangement, including an elongate locking slot and a pair of arcuate grooves formed at either end, the grooves generally defining segments of a tubular hinge knuckle for receiving the rod-like pivot members. A locking member is employed to maintain the cover in articulate assembly, said locking member comprises a base or frame segment slidably insertable in the elongate locking slot, and having a pair of fingers extending outwardly of opposite sides of the base or frame segment, each said finger having arcuate inner surface portions defining generally segments of a tubular hinge knuckle.

Abstract: A battery charging system includes a pair of alternators having rectified outputs which are connected in parallel. The field currents of the respective alternators are controlled by respective oscillatory switching circuits which are responsive to rectified output voltages from the respective alternators. Each respective switching circuit is coupled to an output voltage sensing circuit of the other alternator, so that oscillatory switching of one switching circuit causes oscillatory switching of the other switching circuit.

Abstract: A light fitting for underwater use is of reduced size and is structured to provide easy and ready replacement of the fitting lamp. The fitting includes a housing, a disc-shaped backing plate mounted to the housing and a lens sealingly connected to the backing plate and forming therewith an enclosed chamber. A gland housing is sealingly connected in the backing plate and forms an enclosed chamber opening. An electrical connector which supports the fitting lamp is dimensioned for passing through the gland housing and is connectable to electrical power for powering the lamp by a cable which also extends into the gland housing. A seal bushing surrounds the cable within the gland housing and provides a tight seal between the cable and gland housing when acted upon by a nut which also surrounds the cable and which threadingly engages the gland housing. Ready removal of the lamp for replacement is provided by removing the nut from the gland housing and pulling the cable and the lamp through the gland housing.

Abstract: A device for applying a dental brace bracket includes a handle, one or more blades attached to the handle for holding the bracket, a resilient member such as a spring for urging the bracket and bonding agent against the tooth, a heating element attached to the handle and adjacent the holding blades and resilient members for heating the bonding material and means for controlling the temperature and the duration of the heating element.

Abstract: A mobile vehicle is selectively adaptable for carrying either bulk materials or general freight loads. The vehicle comprises a trailer including a suspension comprising at least one axle with wheels attached thereto and a platform mounted upon the suspension to be carried by the axle and wheels. At least one opening is formed in the platform and a closure or cover is provided for selectively covering or exposing the opening. A framework is mounted upon the platform and a collapsible container is attached to the platform. A hopper or a slope pan is mounted below the opening to define a bottom of the container and to permit unloading of bulk materials. The container is selectively erectable for attachment to the framework and is adapted to carry bulk materials when so erected. The container may also be collapsed and stored within the hopper under the closure so that the platform may be used to carry general freight loads.