Abstract: The animal prod comprises one or more electrodes attached to an insulating case and is usable to apply electrical stimulus shocks to control the behavior of animals. Structures are provided to restrain the electrodes and bias the electrodes in forceable contact with electrical terminals. The electrical terminals are electrically connected to a high-voltage oscillator circuit which is actuated by a weather-resistant, flush-mounted push-button switch. The push-button switch is provided with a slidable cover to prevent unintentional actuation. The insulative case is equipped with a removable battery cover, the cover being held to the case by a retaining mechanism which includes a sliding fastener.

Abstract: The invention comprises a snow removal accessory usable with a power-driven snow thrower and includes a circular convex disc which will slide freely over snow accumulation and mounting means on the disc which suspend the snow thrower device a predetermined distance below the level of the disc so as to control the depth of cut available to the snow-thrower device and prevent its sinking to an unworkable level in deep snow. The invention permits lightweight, low-volume snow-throwing devices to be used in deep snow by cutting successively deeper into the snow on successive cuts.

Abstract: A flexible, plastic lid of the type used for closing commodity containers is provided with protrusion segments on the inside surface of its side wall to provide vent openings between adjacent, stacked lids. A stacking shoulder around the periphery of the top wall of the lid is also provided with raised ribs for further holding stacked lids in spaced apart relation. Vent passages formed between stacked lids by the protrusion segments and the ribs lessen the suction effect which normally tends to hold such lids together when stacked for handling and storage.

Abstract: A dressing for use in treating dry socket syndrome resulting from tooth extraction includes a gauze strip impregnated with a gelatinous material containing petrolatum, emulsifiers and an analgesic substance such as eugenol. In the process of making and packaging the dry socket dressing, a strip of gauze is unrolled from a roll and passed through a bath containing a gelatinous material at a rate to permit a six-inch length of gauze to incorporate approximately two grams of gelatinous material. The impregnated strip is then cut into predetermined lengths and thereafter packaged in a transparent, sealed envelope. The package containing the dry socket dressing is then treated with gamma radiation to sterilize the dressing and interior of the envelope.

Abstract: A barrier device for installation in a drain tile adjacent the outlet of the tile includes a plurality of spaced apart barrier elements affixed to a sleeve to define a perforate gate. The gate is swingably mounted on a pivot rod which projects transversely through openings in the tile adjacent the outlet of the latter. The barrier elements, which are in the form of rods, are affixed to the sleeve to normally urge the gate to a closed position by action of gravity to thereby prevent entry by small animals into the tile. The gate may swing to the open position when engaged by floating debris to thereby permit passage of the debris through the drain tile outlet.

Abstract: A sealing arrangement for a reciprocating piston pump utilizing at least two sets of seals separately supported at spaced apart locations along the length of the pump cylinder. One of the sets of seals located rearwardly from the other with respect to the discharge end of the pump cylinder is enclosed within a chamber formed by a sleeve positioned around the pump plunger. This rearward set of seals is hydraulically pressurized radially inwardly by the aforesaid sleeve during the discharge stroke of the plunger, thereby creating a sealing clearance which is kept constant and providing an accurate and effective seal.

Abstract: Spool changing apparatus for alternately pulling web-shaped packaging material from two supply spools and feeding the material sequentially to a pair of engraving rollers, a pair of conveying rollers, and a cutting device along a conveying track. An auxiliary device is provided to separate the embossing rollers as a new supply of packaging material is fed therethrough. The material is thus initially conveyed without embossing, thereby avoiding coiling of the new length of packaging material at the outlet side of the embossing rollers.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing the torso portion of the skin from the carcass of an animal, such as a hog, includes an overhead support from which a carcass is suspended during the skin removing operation. The skin is first removed from the hind quarters of the carcass and then a cut is made in the skin of the torso completely around the carcass just rearwardly of the fore limbs. A flap forming blade makes a longitudinal cut in the carcass and the longitudinal edge of the skin defined by the longitudinal cut is gripped by revolvable toothed cylinders carried by a revolvable drum to form a flap which is wound about the toothed cylinder. A carcass engaging device holds the carcass against the drum during the flap forming operation. A flexible pressurized movable blade positioned adjacent the drum progressively cuts the skin from the carcass as the drum is revolved.

Abstract: A herbicide dispensing apparatus utilizes an upright frame attached to a cultivator or other moveable farm vehicle and carries a pair of downwardly angled herbicide applicator arms which overlie a row crop and diverge laterally outwardly from the row. Wicking means is attached to the arms and conveys herbicide outwardly along each arm and applies it by contact to unwanted plants in the path of the arms. The arms are swingably received in sockets in the frame and pivot toward and away from each other so as to adjust the distance of separation between the ends of the arms so that such ends terminate over spaces between adjacent rows of crop, permitting excess herbicide to drop harmlessly into such spaces. A pair of tubes extend from a herbicide reservoir to the applicator arms, and metering clamps are positioned on each tube and cooperate with flow stabilizers within each tube to closely control the rate of herbicide flow through each tube.

Abstract: A portable bag-closing sewing machine is provided with a self-oiling system which includes an oil reservoir connected to the machine and oil-delivery means to direct oil from the reservoir into the inner chambers of the machine where oil is distributed by gravity flow, capillary action and movement of machine components, the oil moving along through the machine components and through a series of channels, troughs, and reservoirs within the housing to distribute oil throughout the machine. During operation, the rotating and reciprocating machine parts fling oil outwardly within the chambers to directly oil machine assemblies and to create a fine mist of oil throughout the chambers so as to further lubricate machine components. Also disclosed is an improved and self-lubricating feed dog assembly and thread chain cutting device.

Abstract: A portable, hand-held test weight scale for testing the bushel weight of grains. A slide beam having weight increments marked along its length is joined at one end to a grain cannister of predetermined volume. Means are provided for pivotally suspending the scale at a point of pivotal attachment to the beam, and a weight slidably supported on the beam is slidably adjusted thereon until the scale is balanced. A balanced condition is indicated by the level orientation of the beam as it is pivotally suspended.

Abstract: A hook inserter device is used for positioning a distraction hook for spinal distraction systems in the treatment of spinal deformities and fractures. The hook inserter device comprises an elongate bar including a handle portion and a hook mounting portion, the latter being of reduced cross-sectional size to permit a distraction hook to be mounted thereon. A positioning member on the bar prevents rotation of the distraction hook during application of the hook to the spine. A retaining member on the bar engages and holds the distraction hook on the mounting portion during placement of the hook but permits ready release thereof after placement of the hook.

Abstract: A grain pickup for use with combines in harvesting windrowed crops is formed of a cylinder with a plurality of cylindrical, interlocking tooth modules located thereon, each of the modules having a plurality of pickup teeth extending radially outwardly therefrom.

Abstract: An upright stop member having a container contact surface on at least one of its opposed side walls for holding containers in place on a refrigerator shelf. The stop member may be removably secured in place between a pair of spaced apart, parallel rods of a refrigerator shelf by means of a pair of aligned recesses on the opposed side walls of the stop member which are laterally spaced apart a predetermined distance so as to receive a pair of refrigerator shelf rods in snug, frictional engagement therewith. Lowermost side wall segments of the stop member side walls extend below the aforesaid recesses and are spaced apart by a predetermined width greater than the lateral spacing between the recesses and between the adjacent rods of a refrigerator shelf. With the stop member in place, the lowermost side wall segments will extend downwardly below the pair of refrigerator shelf rods with which the stop member is engaged and be retained below the rods to assist in holding the stop member in place.

Abstract: A skinning apparatus includes a suspension device and a skinning device suspended by the suspension device for easy manipulation by an operator in removing the skin from the ham area of a hog carcass which is suspended from an overhead support. The skinning device includes a revolvable tooth roller and blade which cooperate with each other and which are dimensioned to progressively remove the skin from both ham areas of a hog carcass in a single pass. The suspension device permits easy manipulation of the heavy skinning device in following the contours of the ham areas of the suspended hog carcass during the skinning operation. Control means on the hand grips of the skinning device control operation of both the skinning and suspension device.

Abstract: The instant invention provides a method and apparatus for the verification and calibration of pumping rates in systems having a volumetric pump drawing fluid from a tank. An effluent valve is connected to the base of the tank and in turn the valve is connected to the base of a calibrated column. The column is also connected at its top to the top of the tank thereby providing equalized pressure conditions within the column and the tank. A sight level gauge mounted on the calibrated column, or a transparent calibrated column alone, may be used to determine the liquid level. The liquid levels in both the calibrated column and tank are continually at equilibrium during normal pumping operations. In order to operate the invention, the effluent valve is closed and the decrease in the level of the fluid in the calibrated column is measured during a timed interval to determine the pumping rate.

Abstract: A mounting adapter provides a quick attachment means for mounting or removing an electro-mechanical scale with respect to the lift frame of a fork lift truck. The scale comprises a scale frame, which supports the lifting forks, and also includes a plurality of deformable bolts each having strain gages thereon to sense deformation of the bolts when a load is placed on the forks. Circuit means produce output signals caused by deformation of the bolts and the circuit means also converts the signals to perceptive weight readouts. The mounting adapter includes transverse frame members to which the deformable bolts are secured. Clamping means clamp the frame members of the mounting adapter to the lift frame of the fork lift truck.