Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing poultry gizzards at substantially high line speeds. A plurality of gizzards preferably with the stomach and intestines attached are directed in a random arrangement into a feeding and aligning station. Feed roll means at that station apply an initial orienting force to each gizzard and transport each gizzard along a predetermined path. Orienting means adjacent said feed roll means applys a second orienting force to each gizzard which cooperates with the first orienting force to orient each gizzard into a preselected position. Means are also provided to secure each gizzard in said preselected position. Means then remove the stomach and intestines from the tender lining of each gizzard. Slitting and spreader means slit and open each gizzard, and cleaning means flush the contaminants from the opened gizzards. Shearing means then engage and remove the residual tender lining from each gizzard, and peeling means peel the interior lining or membrane from the gizzards.

Abstract: A two part EMI/RFI shielded container for electrical components includes a transporter which has a metal layer on its inner surface. The transporter is generally tubular in shape when closed, and at least one foldable tab is formed on the transporter to expose the metal layer to the outside when the tab is bent back. The container also includes a sleeve sized to receive the transporter. The sleeve defines a metal layer on its inner surface, which is brought into electrical contact with the tab of the transporter when the transporter is slid into the sleeve. Two ends of a blank are joined together to form the sleeve, and one of these ends is folded back on itself in order to place the metal layer of the sleeve into low resistance electrical contact across the joint.

Abstract: An encapsulated length or angle measuring system includes a follower or a coupling member which extends through a slit in a housing of the measuring system. Thus slit is sealed off against harmful environmental influences by sealing elements which extend along the slit and are spread open by the coupling member in the region where the coupling member passes out of the housing through the slit. This spreading of the sealing elements can result in sealing problems. In order to provide better sealing, the sealing elements are formed as thin, resilient metal sheets which define chambers on their active sealing surfaces which contain a sealing fluid. This sealing fluid, by means of adhesion and capillary action on the follower or coupling member, seals off the extremely fine gaps which are typically present between the follower or coupling member and the sealing lips.

Abstract: A seed dispensing apparatus includes an upper grain flute housing which mounts a grain flute type seed dispensing system, as well as a lower seed plate housing which mounts a seed plate type dispensing system. Both the flute type dispensing system and the seed plate type dispensing system include respective drive shafts. By selecting and rotating the appropriate one of the drive shafts, the disclosed seed dispensing system can be used either to dispense relatively small seeds via the flute type dispensing system, or relatively large seeds via the seed plate type dispensing system.

Abstract: A zig-zag ball useful as a toy or in sports is disclosed. The ball moves in a zig-zag manner when rolled out on a flat horizontal surface. The zig-zag movement is achieved by a mechanism placed inside the ball which alters the center of gravity of the ball as it rolls. One embodiment of the invention comprises a ball containing an internal shaft with engraved left and right threads, a hollow cylinder slideably mounted on the shaft, a weight attached to the cylinder and a pin on the cylinder contacting and following the threads on the shaft as the ball rolls and the cylinder turns on the shaft.

Abstract: A guardrail end terminal including a plurality of nested fender panels and a redirecting cable for urging the fender panels laterally in response to an axial impact force. The fender panels are supported on vertical legs which are attached to slip bases and are designed to telescope in response to an axial impact force. The redirecting cable is designed to pass through the leg of the first panel and extend away from the leg at an acute angle. The panel legs and cable cooperate to direct the nose of the impacting vehicle away from the unyielding guardrail while at the same time dissipating the energy of the vehicle.

Abstract: A filter suitable for press fitting into an assembly for inline filtration is disclosed. The filter includes a base, filtration material supported on the base, and a metal collar surrounding at least a portion of the base with a portion of the metal collar embedded in the base. The leading edge of the collar and anchor tabs on the distal end of the collar are embedded in the base and thus secure the collar to the base. The collar also has a rounded entry corner which provides a smooth entry into the press fit hole when the filter is pressed into place.

Abstract: The invention is a composition for coating surfaces with a thin film containing fluoropolymer particles, a method for producing this composition, as well as a method for applying it to a surface. More particularly, the composition includes a carrier medium, such as a synthetic base stock, which has particles of a fluoropolymer, such as ground and sintered polytetrafluoroethylene, well dispersed within it. A solvent, such as 1,1,1-trichloroethane, is blended with the fluoropolymer containing carrier medium, most preferably in either a 32 to 1 ratio or an 8 to 1 ratio. The result is a low viscosity dispersion of the carrier medium, which itself has a dispersion of the fluoropolymer particles. When the composition is applied to a surface, the lowered viscosity aids in obtaining a thinner film of the grease and also enhances the penetration of the fluoropolymer particles into the surface. Advantageously, the solvent is allowed to evaporate from the surface, thus leaving an even thinner film of the grease.

Abstract: A measuring system for measuring the relative position of two objects is provided with a scale which defines reference marks absolutely allocated to a graduation. The graduation and the reference marks are scanned in a scanning unit by associated scanning fields of a scanning plate. For the clear and unambiguous scanning of the reference marks, and for the optimal scanning of the graduation, (1) the optical path length of the light rays between the graduation and the associated scanning fields and (2) the optical path length of the light rays between the reference marks and the associated scanning fields are provided with a phase difference. In this way, the optical path length for multiple scanning paths can be individually optimized.

Abstract: A wound closure device includes an elongated strip which defines first and second end sections and a central section. The central section includes a resilient element which defines a convex, generally cylindrical shape. In use, the entire strip, including both the end sections and the central section, is adhesively affixed to the skin with the resilient element flattened. Then the resilient element is allowed to return to its initial convex shape, thereby everting the skin in order to align both the epidermis and the germinal layer of the skin across the wound.

Abstract: The invention is a composite polycrystalline diamond compact comprising at least one layer of diamond crystals and precemented carbide pieces which have been pressed under sufficient heat and pressure to create composite polycrystalline material wherein polycrystalline diamond and the precemented carbide pieces are interspersed in one another. Preferably, this composite material layer is disposed as a transition layer between the layer including the working surface of the compact and the substrate for the compact. In addition, the layer including the working surface may also be comprised of the composite material, with the general requirement that the volume percent of the polycrystalline diamond component in the layer including the working surface be higher than in the transition layer.

Abstract: In a position measuring system for measuring the relative position of two objects, a scale having a graduation with a graduation period P is scanned by a scanning unit in order to generate a periodic analog signal having a bandwidth N. In order to generate harmonic-free Fourier coefficients of the fundamental wave of the periodic analog signal, a scanning plate included in the scanning unit includes a first scanning group with first and second scanning fields as well as a second scanning group with first and second scanning fields. The first scanning group is offset with respect to the second scanning group by P/4. The first scanning fields are offset with respect to the second scanning fields by P/2. Each scanning field includes N partial fields which are offset with respect to one another by P/2N in the measuring direction. The widths of the partial fields are varied in the measuring direction according to a sine function.

Abstract: An improved low-profile inline filter unit comprising a housing unit and filter frame. The filter frame being adapted to fit substantially within the housing so that the filter frame may be sonically welded to the housing unit. The housing unit and filter frame cooperating to provide a visible indicator for determining whether an internal hermetic seal is present between the housing unit and filter frame.

Abstract: An encapsulated measuring system includes a follower coupled to a scanning unit which extends through a slit in a housing of the measuring system. This slit is sealed against lubricants and coolants by a pair of multipart sealing elements. Each multipart sealing element includes a sealing profile proper, along with a supporting element. The sealing profiles perform the sealing function, and the supporting elements provide the necessary permanent elasticity and stability of form. Because of this division of function, the sealing profiles themselves can be made of materials that are resistant to aggressive media such as lubricants and coolants, but themselves do not provide sufficient elasticity or stability of form to be used alone.

Abstract: A power grip insert attachable to a handled instrument or to a user's hand, with one side contoured to accommodate the handle shank to be gripped, and an opposing side contoured in accordance with the musculature of hand palm. The palmar surface area includes dished areas for supporting the thenar and hypothenar eminences, and another depressed area into which the finger tips fit when clenching the instrument handle and grip insert together in the fist. Yet another contoured edge surface permits the thumb to close in cooperation with the fingers and effect a power grip around both the instrument handle and the grip insert.

Abstract: A priority switching circuit for providing a minimum voltage to a voltage sensitive load while charging a second load drawing a high current includes a battery, comparator, capacitor, and a voltage regulator. The output of the comparator causes the battery to be connected to the capacitor whenever the voltage across the capacitor drops below a predetermined minimum and causes the battery to be connected to the high current load when the voltage across the capacitor rises to a predetermined maximum. The circuit provides a varied switching frequency as the internal impedance of the battery increases with age. The voltage regulator provides a constant reference voltage which is used by the comparator to provide the switching control signals.

Abstract: Audio power amplifier in which dynamic power output can be increased without increasing continuous power output. The apparatus includes an amplifying means for receiving an input signal and for producing an amplified output signal, first means for supplying a first, relatively low supply voltage to the amplifying means, second means for supplying a second, relatively high supply voltage to the amplifying means, and control means for supplying the first supply voltage to the amplifying means when the level of the amplified output signal is less than the first supply voltage and for supplying the second supply voltage to the amplifying means when the level of the output signal exceeds the first supply voltage. The invention thus provides an amplifier apparatus having relatively low power dissipation and high efficiency and that will avoid any output signal clipping that will distort the output signal.