Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously bending or creasing sheet material as the material travels along a path. The invention creases and decurls the material; that is, compensates for a natural tendency to curl in the opposite direction, and serves as a drag on the trailing portion of the sheet material, thereby providing positive sheet control. It is characterized by an air pressure gradient which forces the material into a zone between a pair of parallel, spaced, elongated support surfaces as the material is drawn over the support surfaces.

Abstract: An improved and simplified combination sheath and rigid handle for small, elongate tools such as knife blades, saws, small chisels and the like is disclosed herein. The structure of the invention is combined with a tool such as a knife blade having a butt end which is provided with a pair of side-by-side hinge elements having axes which are disposed transversely of the longitudinal center line of the knife blade or other tool. Swingably connected to such hinge elements are a pair of cooperating sheaths and handle members such as elongate bars or plates of somewhat greater length than the knife blade or tool, and of width greater than the width of the tool for protecting the same in one of the operative positions of the device.

Abstract: A tote box having a rigid reinforcing rim extending around its top periphery is provided with a removable lid which is secured in place by a rigid locking tongue biased into locking engagement with an exposed locking segment of the reinforcing rim. The lid is also preferably strengthened by a rigid rim to which the locking tongue is affixed. Downwardly depending side panels on the lid are folded to define pockets within which the lid rim is contained, and corner retention bar members on the lid rim are engaged under exposed corner segments of the box reinforcing rim to cooperate with the locking tongue in holding the lid securely locked in place.

Abstract: A method and apparatus adapted for processing tags, cards, or the like are disclosed herein. The apparatus preferably comprises a magazine for storing a predetermined quantity of tags and an associated slotted gate, feed dispensing system for automatically moving tags out of the magazine. In one form of the invention a swinging arm for moving tags outputted from the feed gate to a desired external station is provided. The feed gate preferably comprises a slidable push plate which reciprocally, slidably moves within an elongated channel provided adjacent the magazine. Each time the push plate goes through a cycle a single tag (or group of tags) is outputted from the magazine through the feed gate dispensing apparatus to a position external of the tag feeder. In one form of the invention a printing device is associated with the feed gate for printing information on tags before delivery to the desired external station.

Abstract: A low profile auger and hopper assembly for use in conveying and distributing a granular product such as animal feeds or the like is disclosed herein. The apparatus preferably comprises a hopper for receiving the product such as feed or the like and an associated auger assembly for distributing the hopper contents. The hopper preferably comprises a rigid, planar surface which is oriented substantially parallel with the ground or other surface for supporting the apparatus and a plurality of sidewalls which extend integrally upwardly from the planar surface and are rigid therewith. The auger assembly includes a tubular housing member having a rotatable auger disposed therewithin, and it is received by the hopper and oriented substantially obliquely with respect to the planar hopper surface. The lower end of the auger includes a tapered flighting portion positioned substantially adjacent to the planar surface of the hopper so that mechanical contact between the planar surface and the auger is obviated.

Abstract: A container of generally rectangular shape is formed with a self-locking bottom wall from a single blank of cut and scored fiberboard material. A pair of bottom panels fold inwardly and upwardly from the bottom edges of one pair of side walls to form the bottom of the container; and a pair of reinforcing panels simultaneously fold inwardly to upright, strengthening positions against the inside faces of the other pair of side walls. The interconnected bottom and reinforcing panels are locked in place by hold down flaps folded downwardly from the reinforced side walls over the reinforcing panels.

Abstract: Apparatus for harvesting row crops utilizing forwardly inclined gripping wheels mounted on the receiving end of a harvesting machine to lift crop stalks out of the ground and hold them for severing by a cutting blade. A low level drive shaft below the gripping wheels drives them through power transmitting means positioned completely below the wheels.Baffle members behind and under each pair of gripping wheels prevent harvesting crop materials being conveyed laterally on a harvesting machine receiving platform from being caught by the revolving pickup wheels and thrown back on the ground. Flexible, brush skirts depending from the stalk gripping wheels assist in moving crop materials rearwardly of the wheels onto a receiving platform.

Abstract: A process for truing bonded, diamond and boron nitride grinding wheels utilizing a special tool made of molybdenum, or closely related metals including tantalum and columbium as the truing or dressing tool. Such a special tool is held in frictional contact with the peripheral work surface of the diamond or boron nitride grinding wheel as it rotates on a spindle, with the tool either being stationary, or movable through a predetermined path to form a work surface of particular shape on the periphery of the diamond grinding wheel.

Abstract: A bearing puller includes a pair of slotted semi-cylindrical sleeve elements which may be clamped over a bearing race mounted on a shaft. The sleeve elements are provided with inwardly projecting radial flanges at opposite ends, which are engageable in the annular groove of the bearing race. A cylindrical sleeve retains the sleeve elements in clamped relation with respect to the bearing race, and a pulling tool engages in the slots of the sleeve elements to permit the bearing race to be forceably pulled from the shaft.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus for filling a plurality of drinking containers positioned in predetermined locations on a tray dispenses ice, water, or both. The apparatus has a storage hopper for containing a supply of ice, the hopper having a discharge opening at the bottom which communicates with a gate for controlling the flow of ice from the discharge opening. A plurality of generally upright chutes is positioned below the gate and extends from the gate to a receiving chamber near the base of the apparatus. The tray and drinking containers are positioned in the chamber and receive ice from the chutes, the outlet of each chute being positioned over one of the drinking containers. Ice flow from the hopper to the chutes is selectively arrested by the gate which includes a plurality of rigid, elongated members, all of which are disposed in side-by-side relationship with their longitudinal axes being parallel.

Abstract: In carrying out the method of sampling gas with our novel apparatus, a user will blow air into an elastic fluid impervious diaphragm which extends into the mouth of a rigid container. As the elastic diaphragm expands inwardly it forces air or gas outwardly of the container through a valve-controlled port, the diaphragm will eventually engage and adhere to substantially the entire inner surface of the container and the valve-controlled port will then be closed. The container will then be placed in a sampling zone and the valve-controlled port will again be opened to communicate with the sampling zone to thereby permit gas to enter and fill the container. The valve-controlled port will then be closed.

Abstract: Apparatus for handling and feeding large hay bales comprising the separable, cooperative, combination of a coupler unit adapted to be attached to a three-point lift hitch on a tractor, and a lift fork unit which can be readily converted into a bale feeding container by removably securing a pair of upright wall assemblies to its opposite sides. The wall assemblies have feeding spaces therein through which livestock may project their heads to reach a large hay bale supported inside the container on the lift arms of the lift fork unit. A latch device on the coupler unit is releasably engaged with coupling means on the lift fork unit in such a way that the operator of a tractor on which the coupler is mounted may actuate controls to release the latch from the tractor operator's seat.

Abstract: A livestock feeder having a plurality of animal feeding openings includes feed-holdback apparatus for preventing unnecessary waste of feed. The feeder comprises a support frame having a floor surface and at least one vertically extending side wall comprised of elongated upwardly extending pipe segments. A feedreceptive enclosure is defined between the side wall and the floor surface and is accessible to the livestock through a plurality of animal feed openings disposed within the vertical walls between the pipe segments therein. The holdback means comprises substantially C-shaped brackets which include an upper and lower horizontal portion and an integral vertical portion extending between the horizontal portions. The horizontal portions of the holdback structures include means for attaching same to the vertical segments of the side walls. The holdback apparatus defines a feeding compartment into which livestock may extend their heads for eating feed within the apparatus.

Abstract: A truck trailer has a movable load-supporting floor including a conveyor belt for fore and aft movement of cargo along the truck trailer, permitting cargo to be loaded into or unloaded from the trailer with minimal expenditure of human labor. The conveyor utilizes a pair of rigid, elongated members positioned along the sidewalls of the truck, spaced from one another, and generally parallel to one another. A plurality of elongated parallel rollers are closely spaced to one another and have their ends rotatably mounted to the elongated members, permitting rotation of the rollers about their longitudinal axes. The conveyor belt is supported by the rollers and mounted thereon for fore and aft movement along the trailer as the rollers rotate about their axes. Sprockets are fixed to the ends of each individual roller. A pair of endless chains extends along the lateral sides of the belt and engages the sprockets at each end of the rollers to rotate the rollers.

Abstract: An apparatus for the biological treatment of waste water comprises a tank having a plurality of overlapped revolvable, partially submerged, circular discs positioned in the tank. The waste water is caused to flow longitudinally through the tank and along the surfaces of the revolving disc, whereby the waste water will be continuously treated by the aerobic bacteria growing on the surfaces of the discs. The tank is preferably provided with a cover or housed in a building for covering those portions of the biological disc which project above the surface of the water.

Abstract: A silo door structure having a ladder rung assembly on which the door is supported, the rung assembly including vertical pivot pin extensions received within vertical apertures formed in the top and bottom cross beams of the door frame. The weight of the door and ladder rung assembly is transmitted to the door frame through the pivot pin extensions as well as through offset, generally horizontal segments on the bottom end of the ladder rung assembly which rests on the bottom sill beam of the door frame when the door is closed.A locking bar swingably mounted on the door is held in tight engagement with the outside face of the door frame by camming members on a pivotal clamp arm so as to draw the door in tightly against a sealing gasket plastered in place around the periphery of the door frame opening.

Abstract: Tetra.sup.125 Iodo-di-tyramine of digitalis derivatives having the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is hydrogen or hydroxyl; and process for producing the same.

Abstract: A prosthesis adapted to be implanted in the penis for simulating an erection is disclosed herein. The prosthesis includes an elongated, malleable rod portion which is housed within a generally tubular, physiologically inert plastic body. The malleable rod portion enables the prosthesis to be conformed to a variety of shapes by bending or twisting same. During intercourse the prosthesis will maintain the penis in an erectile state, and afterwards the penis may be positioned and maintained by the prosthesis in a convenient, comfortable position.

Abstract: A portable, open top, mail collecting container constructed and shaped from lightweight material for removable insertion inside of a mail collection box through the box access door. The upper edges of the container incline downwardly from the rear end wall towards the front end wall to facilitate insertion in and removal through the restricted access opening in the side of a mailbox. A moisture impervious bottom wall on the container is provided with liquid drainage apertures and is supported on vertically extending projections to permit any liquid which might fall into the container to drain through the bottom and to protect mail collected in the container from exposure to moisture when the container is rested on the ground in the course of handling.

Abstract: An elastic, fluid-impervious storage tank includes a pair of end tank sections and intermediate tank sections, the latter being provided an inlet or filler pipe. Each end section is formed from a single blank of a fiber-reinforced elastomer which is cut and folded so that the corner portions thereof are of rounded configuration.