Abstract: A method and apparatus to produce an ion mobility signature representing a wood sample provides a method of comparing signatures to identify the species of the wood sample. A method of producing an ion drift time signature representing a wood species comprises heating at least a portion of a wood sample at a temperature in the range of about 220.degree. to 350.degree. C. to desorb and produce trace vapors from the wood sample, ionize the trace vapors at a temperature in the range of about 220.degree. to 350.degree. C., pulse ions through a gate into a drift region, measure the time of arrival of the ions and the ion flux for each pulse, with a collector electrode, located at the end of the drift region to produce an ionic signal, and amplify and average the ionic signal to provide an ion drift time signature for the wood sample.

Abstract: A wood incising roller where the teeth are formed by grooves in the roller surface and where some of such grooves cross others. Each cutting tooth has a knife-like cutting edge of finite length that is in one instance perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the roller and in another instance parallel to such axis. The grooves can be formed by machine cutting, either turning or grinding or by being molded in the surface and then shaped by a grinding operation. At least some grooves preferrably spiral about the roller. The pattern of cutting teeth and shape are determined by such variable parameters as pitch, number of thread starts, angle of cutter, depth of cut and lead angle. An incisor for lumber or veneer consists of two rollers at least one of which is as described in the forgoing. The grooves can be filled or partially filled with an elastic compressible material. The incising roller of the foregoing also is used in combination with a veneer lathe.

Abstract: A method of cladding a steel roll, such as a felt roll with a non-corrosive shell, ensures that the shell is tightly fitted to the core and is free to expand and contract on the core to avoid distortion problems. The method comprises the steps of preparing two stainless steel shells each having a length equivalent to the circumference of the core plus a predetermined extra, wrapping the shells about the core, side by side, leaving a predetermined circumferential gap between the shells, heating and clamping the shells tightly around the core until the longitudinal joints each attain a predetermined longitudinal gap, welding the longitudinal gaps, and circumferential gap between the shells while the shells are hot, ensuring the sheets are welded together and not welded to the core.

Abstract: A safety mechanism for a power operated door activates limit switches for stopping an electric motor or reverses it's polarity. The safety mechanism is more compact than existing types of mechanisms and is suitable for friction drive roller garage door openers. Furthermore, indicator lights are provided that indicates exactly when a limit switch is tripped enabling field adjustment of the safety mechanism to suit specific pressures to either stop or reverse the door. The mechanism includes a worm slidably mounted on a motor drive shaft, with a cage structure around the worm to slide with the worm, two compression springs supporting the cage structure in a neutral position, an actuator member on the cage structure to activate limit switches when the cage structure slides in either direction, and adjustment screws to vary the position of the limit switches, each limit switch having an indicator light indicating when the switch is activated.

Abstract: A machine printer for marking a machine readable code on envelopes and the like allows house holders and small businesses to print the postal precode on envelopes so they can be read by a machine reader rather than a keypunch operator. The printer has an adjustable jig to hold one end of an envelope, the jig has two portions which join together in sliding relationship for different sized envelopes. Each portion has a corner slot to position an envelope, and at least one of the portions has a stencil or other marking means for producing a mark on an envelope, the stencil or other marking means located a fixed distance from one corner of the envelope.

Abstract: A connector for corrugated tubing, such as electrical conduit, provides easy installation and has superior resistance to pull out as well as high impact strength. The connector has a body with two slots on each side and a U-shaped locking element which snaps over the corrugated tubing. The locking element locks onto two portions of the circumference of the tubing, substantially symmetrically on both sides.

Abstract: A counting and batching device for items such as tablets, capsules or caplets is faster than the electronic radial feeder counters, and is more easily adjustable for different quantities, sizes and shapes of items than slat counters or disk counters. The device has a hopper with an adjustable feed gate and a first vibrator to cause items to flow from the feed gate. A V-guide sorting trough is positioned beneath the feed gate having a slot at its base to hold a single row of items, and a second vibrator funnels items into a single row moving along the slot. A moving belt receives items from the trough and transports them in a single row between stationary guides past an electronic counter to a diverter where a predetermined number of items are diverted into at least two diverter streams. Loading positions are provided under each diverter stream with provision for positioning and removing containers independently into each loading position.

Abstract: A power operating device for use with vertically sliding garage doors provides a friction drive roller that can slide laterally to take into account variations in space between the side of the upper panel of the door and the guide tracks when the door is open or closed.