Abstract: A process of treating an animal manure slurry susceptible to aerobic composting and anaerobic microbiological degradation with the production of a fuel gas, comprises: separating the slurry into a first, solids concentrated, fraction of relatively coarse particle size, and a second, solids dilute, fraction of relatively fine particle size; carrying out on the first fraction an aerobic composting reaction which is exothermic; carrying out on the second fraction an anaerobic microbiological reaction in which a fuel gas comprising methane is produced; and utilizing heat from the exothermic reaction to promote the fuel gas producing reaction.

Abstract: A solar heated building structure comprising an exterior shell including side walls and a roof section with the major portion of the roof section comprised of light transmitting panels or panes of material to permit passage of sunlight into the attic section of the building structure. The structure is provided with a central vertical hollow support column containing liquid storage tanks for the circulation and collection of heated water from a flexible conduit system located on the floor of the attic compartment. The central column serves as a heating core for the structure and communicates by way of air conduits or ducts with the living areas of the structure. Fan means are provided for continuously or intermittently circulating air over the hot water storage tanks in the core to transfer heat therefrom and distribute the heated air into the living areas.

Abstract: Adjustment of the position of a limp, generally tubular garment item, such as a hosiery blank to be toe seamed, is performed by gripping the garment either internally or externally while it is on the carrier, moving it therealong firstly past the desired position and then back towards that position, and then automatically releasing the grip exerted on the garment when a photodetector senses the arrival of an identifiable feature of the returning garment at the said desired position.

Abstract: An improved process for producing durable, wash resistant, light-reflective fabrics for use in garments and wearing apparel to enhance their nighttime visibility without significantly detracting from the daytime visual appearance of the fabrics, comprising the steps of applying to a surface of a textile fabric constructed from differentially dyed or dyeable yarns or fibers a liquid paste composition containing a uniform dispersion of binder-coated, reflex-reflective, magnetically orientable particles suspended therein, and a carboxyvinyl polymeric thickener in the composition to maintain a composition viscosity of between about three thousand to seventeen thousand centipoise, applying a magnetic force field to the fabric to magnetically orient the particles in the paste composition to dispose their light-reflective surfaces generally outwardly from the surface of the fabric, treating the fabric to activate the binder of the particles and adhesively secure the particles to the fabric surface, and subsequently

Abstract: A fuel economizer system for an internal combustion engine comprising a fuel supply tank, a main fuel supply line connecting the tank to the carburetor of the engine, and a fuel pump in the supply line for delivering fuel to the carburetor, an adjustable fuel metering valve positioned in the fuel supply line between the fuel pump and the carburetor, and means for automatically adjusting the metering valve in response to changes in load conditions on the engine to provide minimum fuel pressure and fuel to the carburetor inlet during idle and no-load conditions, while increasing the fuel pressure and amount of fuel supplied to the carburetor in response to increases in the load condition on the engine.

Abstract: A yarn carrier is described and claimed herein suitable for use for winding textile yarn thereon and dyeing same at full length or while the carrier is in a collapsed condition. In the collapsed condition, adequate and uniform dye flow from the inside of the tube outwardly is permitted to evenly dye the yarn wound thereon. A tube having terminal flanges or rings is provided with an initially rigid intermediate structure that has an open network to permit passage of dye therethrough and that is capable of axial compression with respect to the length of the tube upon receipt of a predetermined amount of force. Axially extending rigid members are provided throughout the intermediate tube structure to provide the initially rigid tube with at least certain of the axial rigid members being deformable when subjected to sufficient axial force with respect to the tube to deflect or rupture and thus permit axial collapse of the tube.

Abstract: Flocked fabric products having a woven corduroy appearance, including method and apparatus for producing such fabrics wherein an indefinite length substrate sheet is transported in a generally horizontal path of travel through a coating apparatus where a mass of viscous adhesive material is applied to the upper surface of the sheet while support means located beneath the sheet prevent displacement of the sheet from its path of travel and provide dimensional stability thereto. Immediately downstream of the support means the upper surface of the sheet and the adhesive material thereon is contacted by the notched edge of a knife blade to dispose the adhesive mass in a plurality of parallel upstanding ribs having upwardly tapered sides in transverse cross-section.

Abstract: A composition for short cut, synthetic polymeric staple fibers that are u in a wet lay application for the production of nonwovens is disclosed and claimed herein along with a fiber having the finish thereon and the process for dispersing the fiber in an aqueous medium. Synthetic polymeric filaments are cut into staple lengths, generally in a range of from about 1/4 to about 3 inches in length, and are dispersed in an aqueous medium in conjunction with a composition that includes as an essential ingredient, an ethoxylated primary emulsifier that contains at least five moles of ethylene oxide, and exhibits a surface tension of at least 30 dynes per centimeter in a 0.10 weight percent aqueous solution at 25 degrees Centigrade plus or minus 2 degrees Centigrade. Optionally, a lubricant may be added to the finish composition to improve processability of the fiber during manufacture. The lubricant should be compatible with the primary emulsifier.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the high speed, multicolor dyeing of yarns to obtain uniformly dyed lengths of different color along the length of the yarns, wherein a moving strand is collected in a plurality of layers on the surface of a winding drum while a plurality of streams of dye of different color are continuously applied in metered amounts onto the outer surface of the yarn on the drum to form radial bands of color in the collected yarn. The drum is rotated at high speed to cause radial outward flow of dye from inner yarn windings into the outer yarn windings on the drum, thereby providing uniform penetration and coloration of the yarn by the dyes. Dye centrifugally expelled from the outer surface of the yarn is collected and removed by an outer housing peripherally surrounding the drum. The traverse speed of the yarn traverse mechanism of the drum is independently variable to permit the dyeing of yarn sections of selectively variable lengths.

Abstract: An improved ventilator construction for use in masonry wall openings to ventilate interior spaces of a building, such as a basement or crawl space of a home, wherein the ventilator construction is particularly adapted for installation in an existing masonry wall opening without the need for concrete or mortar to retain the ventilator in place in the wall opening. The ventilator construction comprises a ventilator box having adjustable louvers for automatically controlling the access of air through the ventilator in response to changes in temperature, and a support frame for the ventilator box having a flanged peripheral opening for overlying the opening in the masonry wall.

Abstract: Crop uprooting and cultivating apparatus which includes at least one bar having at least one angled edge thereon that extends from a support at least partially across a row to be cultivated or from which crops and/or foliage are to be uprooted. The bar is rotatably supported by a support structure in cantilever fashion, leaving an outer end of the bar free. The bar may extend across a crop row in a direction generally transverse to the direction of movement of the apparatus along the row, or may be angled rearwardly with respect thereto to provide a self-cleaning action. The bar rotates beneath the surface of the soil and uproots crops and foliage as it moves along, the direction of rotation being in a direction opposite the direction of travel of the apparatus. A pair of bars may be provided, one being located on each side of a row being cultivated or where crops are to be uprooted with at least one of the bars extending a distance of more than 50 percent of the width of the row.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed and claimed herein for cutting logs into predetermined lengths with primary use in a hardwood veneer plant. A log conveyor is provided, preferably in two sections, with a cutting station located therebetween. The cutting station is equipped with a pivotally operated chain saw or circular saw which cuts the logs as desired. A log clamp means is provided immediately adjacent the cutting station to engage the log on two sides, preferably top and bottom, with the diameter of the log being irrelevant within wide ranges. When a log is first clamped, the cutting saw passes to square off the forward end of same. Located downstream of the cutting station are a plurality of individually operated log stops that are located in the path of travel of the log moving along the conveyor. A particular stop, depending upon the length of log cut desired, is actuated to move into the path of log travel.

Abstract: A device operable for engagement with selected tree portions to convert rotary motion to a linear shaking motion for use in a fruit harvesting operation. The tree shaker includes tree gripping elements with a motion converter operatively connected thereto, the motion converter including a rotary mass having an input drive thereto operable to displace the mass in a first direction with control means to effect a counter-rotation of the mass in response to the first direction displacement, whereby the combination drive control results in a linear reciprocating motion of the mass which is transferred to the associated gripping means for shaking the tree portion. The apparatus can include a single motion converter for use in shaking a tree or limb or a pair of motion converters for use in shaking a tree trunk or a large tree limb.

Abstract: An improved textile spindle and yarn support tube construction for use in textile winding machines, in particular, those having a reciprocating rail, ring and traveler type winding mechanism. The spindle comprises a base portion having a conventional whorl and mounting pin, and an upper, yarn tube-receiving shaft portion of generally circular cross-sectional configuration. The upper portion of the spindle shaft is provided with radially outwardly biased elements which engage the internal passageway of the yarn tube when seated thereon to provide driving connection of the tube to the spindle. The yarn supporting tube is of elongate shape having an internal longitudinal passageway therethrough.

Abstract: A cleaning device for removing leaves and other debris from elevated structures such as gutters. An elongated support handle is provided with a quick-release coupling at an upper end thereof. A curved support member is removably secured to the elongated support member and has a power means, such as an electric motor provided at an opposite end thereof. A shaft extending from the electric motor is provided with a plurality of elongated, flexible elements to engage, dislodge, or comminute leaves and other debris in gutters or other elevated structures during operation of same. Universal joints along the curved upper support member permit the placement of the power means in such fashion to move under nails or the like that are used to support the gutters and secure same to a housing structure. Normal operation of the power means disposes the shaft vertically with the elongated, flexible members rotating in a horizontal plane.

Abstract: An elongated bar soil working apparatus constructed so that a plurality of bars are supported in a parallel relationship for rotation in one or more horizontal planes and positioned closely adjacent each other whereby the corners of one bar will cooperate with the corners of an adjacent bar to effect a severing action on vines or other foliage moving therebetween whereby the bars are self-cleaning. Power drives are operatively associated with the bars for syncronous rotation of the bars whereby the corners of the bars will be simultaneously advanced through a common plane in closely positioned relationship to effect the severing action on the vines and other foliage located therebetween and prevent vine and foliage build up on the bars. The present apparatus includes a frame which will allow the apparatus to be removably supported by conventional tractor operable tool bar whereby the bars can be advanced through the soil to perform plant uprooting or other soil working operations.

Abstract: An improved heating or cooling system based on absorption principles is disclosed and claimed herein. A closed system is provided with a refrigerant-absorbent solution where separation of the refrigerant-absorbent is accomplished by a semi-permeable membrane. The refrigerant-absorbent solution at its normal concentration is pumped under pressure to a membrane separation unit where the refrigerant is selectively passed through a membrane separator in some proportion while a remaining absorbent enriched refrigerant-absorbent solution is rejected. The membrane separated refrigerant is then circulated through a heat exchange leg of the system for heating and/or cooling of affected areas depending upon the particular treatment of the refrigerant. At the end of the heat exchange leg, the refrigerant is fed to an absorber where it is recombined with the absorbent enriched solution to reconstitute the original refrigerant-absorbent solution which is then recirculated by the pump and the cycle is repeated.

Abstract: A device for cooling the human body in seated or reclining position comprising a water-impervious flexible base sheet of sufficient length and width to contain the human body thereon, a head portion of said sheet containing pillow means for cushioning the head of the body, flexible conduit means attached to and extending along edge portions of said base sheet for directing a plurality of streams of water across the surface of said sheet to form a layer of water on the sheet surface for cooling a human body residing on the sheet, and one or more openings through the base sheet to permit discharge of excess water from the surface of the sheet.

Abstract: A strip flash welder having a guillotine shear unit which is movable from a position out of the strip flow path into a position for shearing strip ends between the main clamping dies of the machine.

Abstract: A body harness to be worn by a driver of an automotive vehicle with the harness being secured to a portion of the vehicle above a point to the rear of the driver's head to lift the body of the device slightly off the seat and thus relieve pressure on the lower end of the spine or tailbone that could normally result from extended sitting. The harness includes a girth encircling member or belt that is secureable around the body of the wearer. A pair of shoulder straps are secured to a medial portion of the belt, cross along the back of the wearer, and are secureable to buckles or the like on the front of the belt as worn. A vertical strap is secured to the shoulder straps at the crossing point of same and extends upwardly therefrom to be secureable at the top of the vehicle or the like and thus support the wearer, reducing pressure on the tailbone during use.