Abstract: Smearing of indicia (30,36) or deterioration of a label may be eliminated in a label form that provides protection for the imaging (30,36) in a construction that includes a sheet of transparent face stock (12), a layer of transparent pressure sensitive adhesive (14) on one side of the stock sheet (12) and a sheet of transparent release liner (10) releasably adhered to the one side of the face stock sheet (12) by the adhesive (14). A die cut (18) is located in the release liner sheet (10) and defines a first removable frame section (20) and a second label defining section (22). The first section (20) surrounds the second section (22) so that when removed, a pattern of the adhesive (14) will be exposed. Reverse image printing (30) is disposed on the release liner second section (22).

Abstract: A composite filament reinforced clevis includes a pair of apertured ends and a central hub area with a pair of clevis arms extending between the hub area and the apertured ends. The clevis is fabricated by winding reinforcing filaments around a pair of end mandrels and toward the central hub area. The end mandrels and the filaments wound thereon are rotated relative to the central hub area to a collinear orientation. The reinforcing filaments are cured with a bonding matrix while in the rotated orientation.

Abstract: An improved heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the ambient and a refrigerant that may be in a liquid or vapor phase. The same includes a pair of spaced headers with one of the headers having a refrigerant inlet and the other of the headers having a refrigerant outlet. A heat exchanger tube extends between the headers and is in fluid communication with each of the headers. The tube defines a plurality of hydraulically parallel refrigerant flow paths between the headers and each of the refrigerant flow paths has a hydraulic diameter in the range of about 0.015 to about 0.07 inches.

Abstract: Overflow of bowling pins in an automatic pinsetter (26) having a distributor (44) for distributing pins to a plurality of pin positions (90) may be substantially reduced by utilizing additional switches (150) in pin spotting cells (120) at each pin position to provide indications of whether a pin is loaded in the associated spotting cell (120), which information may be processed by a CPU (108) and used to deenergize a relay (230) controlling power to the distributor (44), a pit conveyer (34) and a pin elevator (38) to halt operation of such components when pin delivery is not required.

Abstract: A connector and fastener are used particularly for a Christmas light string. The connector has a wire holding portion and a socket-engaging portion. Locking keys are formed on the wire holding portion and receiving holes are formed on the receiving portion for engagement with said locking keys when said wire holding portion is inserted into said socket-engaging portion. The fastener has at least one snapping element disposed on a socket of another Christmas light string and a corresponding number of flat tongues formed on the outer periphery of said connector for snap fitting when said connector is engaged with said socket. The connector may be configured to connect two wires respectively to two Christmas light strings or may be a connector with a socket to be inserted with another connector or an electrical gadget.

Abstract: A polymer composite contains colorant molecules dispersed therein. The colorant molecules can be dispersed in the polymer or bound to the polymer molecules. When the polymer is a polyamide, the polyamide is in a noncrystalline state due to the inhibition of crystallization imparted by the size and shape of the colorant molecules because the colorant is separated on a molecular level. A high colorant availability is obtained. A method of producing the polymer composite includes the steps of forming a metastable polymer resin layer, applying a film of colorant to the layer, stabilizing the layer, dissolving the stable layer in a solvent, aspirating the solution to remove impurities and aggregates and then removing the solvent. A polymer composition can be produced by mixing the polymer composite with a polymer.

Abstract: A growth medium that is capable of supporting plant life includes a water retention component and soil. The water retention component can be a water retaining grain polish, bran or cut, short mineral wool fibers. A method of making the growth medium includes the steps of providing the water retention component and the soil, applying the water retention component to the soil and admixing the water retention component into the soil to distribute the water retention material within the soil to improve the water retaining capabilities of the soil. Vegetation matter, especially when mixed with animal excrement, will also contribute to the water retention property of the growth medium in addition to its slow release nutrient.

Abstract: A method of repositioning at least one of an organ and a vessel by performing the steps of: providing an instrument having an elongate section with an exposed surface; directing the elongate section into one of an organ and a vessel with the elongate section in a first state; and reconfiguring the elongate section to a second state to thereby cause the exposed surface of the elongate section to bear against the one of the organ and vessel to thereby effect positioning of the one of the organ and vessel.

Abstract: A quick connect fitting for connecting a plastic or metallic tube (42) in a fluid circuit includes a fitting body (20) having an interior cavity (22) opening to the exterior of the body (20) via a generally circular port (36). A peripheral step (48) is located in the port (36) and an O-ring (50) is abutted against the step (48). A washer (52) is located in the port (36) and has a central opening (54) slightly larger than the outer dimension of the plastic or metallic tube (42). A peripheral flange (56) is disposed on the washer is directed away from the O-ring (50). A retaining ring (62) is disposed in the port (36) and nominally abuts the flange (56). The retaining ring (62) has a central opening (64) substantially greater than the outer dimension with a plurality of resilient, radially inwardly directed, angularly spaced fingers (66).

Abstract: In order to avoid disruption of a stack of signatures, particularly when a cyclically operable signature feeding apparatus is temporarily disabled, the utilization of a unique disabling arrangement is contemplated. The signature feeding apparatus will generally include a driven rotary drum having a plurality of signature grippers disposed about the periphery thereof. The signature grippers are adapted to grip signatures seriatim from a signature supply hopper. A vacuum assembly is driven by a cam for shifting signatures seriatim from the signature supply hopper to the rotary drum for gripping by the signature grippers. The vacuum assembly includes a source of vacuum operatively associated with oscillating vacuum grippers. The signature feeding apparatus further includes a cam follower operatively associated with the vacuum assembly to control operation of the vacuum assembly responsive to engagement with a surface of the cam.

Abstract: A fluid pump having a casing defining a fluid inlet a fluid outlet and first and second cylinders, a first piston mounted to the casing for movement in first and second directions with the first piston causing fluid in the inlet to be drawn into the first cylinder as the first piston moves in the first direction and causing fluid in the first cylinder to be discharged from the first cylinder towards the outlet and the second cylinder as the first piston moves in the second direction, a second piston mounted to the casing for movement in third and fourth directions with the second piston being movable in a third direction without drawing significant amounts of fluid from the inlet into the second cylinder and causing fluid in the second cylinder to be discharged from the second cylinder towards the outlet as the second piston moves in the fourth direction, and structure for driving the first piston reciprocatively in the first and second directions and the second piston reciprocatively in the third and fourth

Abstract: An improvement in a power transmission belt of the type having at least one longitudinally extending rib with a side surface to engage a drive surface on a pulley. The side surface has at least a portion that is convex with a curvature at least approximated by an arc of a circle with a radius having a center at a point outside of the one rib.

Abstract: A molded rubber pin chute for mounting on the pin deck of an automatic bowling pinsetter. The pin chute comprises an upper conical section which is canted with respect to the pin deck, a cylindrical lower body portion which extends into a pin receiving aperture in the pin deck, and a flange around the cylindrical body. A plurality of bolt holes selectively positioned in the flange permit the chute to be secured in at least six different radial positions upon the pin deck and thereby enhance its performance in guiding the bowling pins into apertures in the pin deck for receiving the same.

Abstract: The expense of fabricating an annular combustor (10) for a gas turbine is minimized by providing a combustor housing (12) including a generally axially extending sleeve (14) and an annular liner (18) disposed within the housing (12) and about the sleeve (14). The annular liner (18) has concentric inner and outer axially extending walls (20, 22) spaced from the sleeve (14 ) and the housing (12), respectively, and also has a radially extending wall (24) spaced from the housing (12 ) and interconnecting the inner and outer walls (20, 22) at one end to define a combustion chamber (26). The liner (18) is spaced from the housing (12 ) and the sleeve (14 ) to define a compressed air flow path (28) extending from a radially outer compressed air inlet (30) to a radially inner compressed air outlet (32) in communication with the combustion chamber (26) axially remote from the radially extending wall (24).

Abstract: A power transmission system having: a power transmission belt with a tensile strength such that a force of at least 17 kgf per 1 mm width is required to effect a 1% elongation of the belt; a plurality of pulleys with which the power transmission belt is operatively engaged; and an auto-tensioner having an element to engage the power transmission belt. The auto-tensioner has a damping ratio that is not greater than 20%, where the damping ratio is defined by the following formula: Damping ratio=2[(A-B)/(A+B)].times.100, where A is the force exerted by the auto-tensioner element during up-stroking of the auto-tensioner element and B is the force exerted by the auto-tensioner element during down-stroking of the idler pulley. More preferably, the damping ratio is 10-20%.

Abstract: A closure assembly for sealingly closing the open top end of a material holding drum includes a cover and a rubber gasket. The cover has a central circular wall of a size corresponding to the drum open end and a peripheral flange which defines a downwardly opening annular channel for receiving the drum top end. The channel has a pair of radially spaced sidewalls, and each of the sidewalls has an annular rib for defining a seal receiving space within the channel. An annular rubber gasket is provided in the seal receiving space and has a contoured surface seated on a rounded chime on the top of the drum. The ribs engage opposite sides of the gasket to prevent lateral displacement of the gasket when the cover is fastened to the drum. An annular V-shaped groove on a top surface of the gasket defines a void between the gasket and the cover and in which a portion of the gasket is received when the gasket is deformed.

Abstract: The problem of controlling fuel flow rate to a turbojet engine (14) is solved using a fuel control system (12). The fuel control system (12) uses an acceleration control function (66) receiving an acceleration setpoint signal (82) and an acceleration feedforward signal (90). A summer (92) calculates a difference between these two signals to develop an acceleration error signal (94) which is input to a proportional integral control (96) to develop a control signal (46) for controlling a fuel servo valve (44).

Abstract: A modular construction system includes a plurality of coupled construction modules, with each module having a number of generally upright wall panels interconnected to define an enclosed interior space of preferred dimension. Construction modules are arranged in a vertical stack, with each module having a plurality of floor panels supported by the load bearing wall panels of an underlying module. Each load bearing wall panel is formed of reinforced concrete and has a pair of spaced apart L-shaped support columns. An integral lateral beam extends transversely between the support columns and has a substantially horizontal flange for supporting floor slabs of an overlying construction module. Bottom ends of the columns extend downwardly below the lower edge of the beam to define a narrow elongated trimming, whereby vertical loads associated with a supported overlying structure are transferred solely to the corners of the construction module.