Abstract: The thickness of plastic film extruded from a die is maintained at a desired uniform dimension by utilizing the thermal expansion and contraction of die adjusting bolts to control the width of the orifice of the die. A thickness gauge measures the film thickness across its transverse dimension and provides a signal to a microcomputer which uses the information to calculate the desired die bolt movements. The movements are converted to bolt temperature changes to change the set temperature of each die bolt. A temperature sensing element in the die bolt provides a temperature signal to the microcomputer which controls the amount of power output to each bolt to attain the new set temperature. The temperature sensing and control system provides greater sensitivity, accuracy, and faster response to changing conditions than systems relying only on measurement of thickness variations to control power output to the bolt heaters without using bolt temperature for feedback.

Abstract: A key retaining device for capturing and selectively locking therein a portion of the working section of a key. When the key is locked in the device, its handle section is visible so that the presence of the key can be instantly determined without unlocking of the apparatus, yet the key cannot be removed from the device until unlocked with a master key. Retention of the key within the housing is accomplished by a resilient clamping mechanism employing a set of wedges which are resiliently urged toward the working section of the key and held there by a rachet spring. Insertion of a master key releases the ratchet spring allowing the wedges to release the key.

Abstract: A filament switching device is arranged to be mounted within the screw base of a conventional, dual-filament, incandescent light bulb. The device has a frame which branches around the evacuation tube of the bulb thereby allowing sufficient room for switching components within the device and yet avoiding interference with the evacuation tube of the bulb. Mounted within the frame of the switching device is a fixed contact and a cantilevered contact. The cantilevered contact can swing in a direction transverse to the evacuation tube to make electrical contact with the fixed contact. The cantilevered contact is held separated from the fixed contact by a fusible conductor. Upon failure of one of the filaments in the bulb a surge of current flows through the fusible conductor, parting it and allowing the cantilevered contact to swing into electrical contact with the fixed contact. This swing of the cantilevered contact substitutes the failed filament with the other filament.

Abstract: A tube pressure filter is provided with a filter element comprising a filter cloth sleeve which is tailored from a woven material so that the warp and/or weft filaments extend helically around the inner tubular body on which the filter element is supported whereby the filter cloth sleeve can be stretched transversely of the length thereof.

Abstract: A cylindrical tensioning device fits over a fixed shaft against a rotatable bobbin containing a supply of wire such as used in a wire braiding machine. The device includes an outer tensioning section cylinder enclosing a spring supported between two bushings. A fixed bushing at one end holds an external friction pad which engages the end of the bobbin to apply a force that controls the tension on the wire drawn from the bobbin. A locking section at the other end includes a smaller outer cylinder enclosing another spring around an inner cylinder. The spring is held between an end of the outer cylinder and a ridge on the inner cylinder. The other end of the inner cylinder includes holes holding ball bearings which are slidable along the shaft. A wedged ring fits over the inner cylinder and bearings. The other end of the smaller outer cylinder is press fit within the other bushing which is movable within the larger outer cylinder against the first spring.

Abstract: A key retaining device for capturing and selectively locking therein a portion of the working section of a key. When the key is locked in the device, its handle section is visible so that the presence of the key can be instantly determined without unlocking of the apparatus, yet the key cannot be removed from the device until unlocked with a master key. Retention of the key within the housing is accomplished by a clamping mechanism employing a pair of blades which reciprocate toward each other to clamp the working section of the key therebetween and reciprocate away from each other to permit free removal of the key, the reciprocation resulting from manipulation of the master key in a lock assembly.

Abstract: A protective cover is disclosed for the push button array of a push button dial telephone set. The cover comprises a flexible elastomeric sheet having a grid of upwardly-directed pockets, the lower-facing ends of which are open for snugly receiving and thereby overlying the corresponding array of push buttons on said telephone set. The pockets are elastically depressible independently of one another toward their open ends to permit individual displacement of the underlying telephone set push buttons received in the pockets. The sheet includes a skirt portion extending laterally beyond the grid and the sheet is continuous between its lateral edges whereby the entire push button array is overlaid by the cover and thereby protected against spilled liquids or other environmental hazards. The outwardly facing parts of the pocket portions carry readable indicia thereupon corresponding to the indicia on the underlying push buttons.

Abstract: A gasket is disclosed for use in effectively sealing to communications equipment, a protective cover for a key-actuated switching array which projects through a generally planar surface on the equipment. The protective cover is of the type comprising a flexible elastomeric sheet having one or more recessed pockets adapted to overlie and receive the array of key-actuated switches, whereby each of switches is independently depressible through the sheet. The sheet includes a skirt-like border portion extending laterally beyond the pockets, and the sheet is continuous between its lateral edges, whereby the key switch array may be overlaid by the one or more pockets, with the skirt-like border portion contacting the planar surface beyond the array. The array is thereby protected from spillage of liquids or the like. The gasket is adapted to extend completely around the periphery of the sheet in overlying relation to the border portion.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for selectively electroplating continuous longitudinally extending stripes or lines onto continuous metal base strip.

Abstract: In order to make talc more readily dispersible in an aqueous medium, it is contacted, in a finely divided form, with an aqueous solution of an alkali metal hydroxide or ammonium hydroxide, it is then washed with clean water, whereafter it is thermally dried to remove at least a substantial proportion of the water associated therewith. The talc thus treated can be suspended in water containing a dispersing agent.

Abstract: A filled elastomer composition comprises a natural or synthetic rubber and, as a filler, a substantially dehydroxylated clay which contains at least 60% by weight of particles smaller than 2 microns equivalent spherical diameter, has a specific gravity not greater than 2.4 and a spherical surface area of at least 10 m.sup.2 g.sup.-1 and which has been treated with a substituted silane. The substantially dehydroxylated clay can be obtained by "shock" calcining a kaolinitic clay.

Abstract: A video tape recorder designed so that the time for placing the tape in position to record and play-back and for activating the tape movement is materially reduced. Upon the cassette being inserted into the recorder, the tape is withdrawn and immediately positioned proximate to the record/reproduce heads. The reel torque on the supply side is increased, and the capstan shaft activated to accelerate the tape to its normal speed. This is accomplished by instructing the microprocessor in a conventional machine to perform different functions that it was designed to perform, i.e. to enter the play mode directly upon cassette insertion while shutting off the capstan motor and connecting the video output to the video input through a relay. Supply tension is also reduced. Only after the play mode is selected is the capstan activated, the supply tension returned to normal value, and the video input decoupled from the video output.