Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for use in opening bus doors and the like comprising a touch bar supported by having its ends received in a pair of housings within one or both of which is mounted a reciprocal electrical switch mechanism responsive to lateral movement of the touch bar in any direction relative to a housing containing the switch mechanism. Switch actuation is obtained by providing opposed concave surfaces in fixed association with the touch bar and associated housing with the surfaces operated by a round element, such as a ball. Any rolling of the ball from centered position causes parting movement of the elements defining opposed concave surfaces and linear movement of one of the elements useful for switch actuation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a touch bar switch apparatus useful for the opening of bus doors and the like which may be included in an electro-pneumatic door-operating system of a vehicle. The apparatus includes an elongate touch bar and a pair of housings mounted for receiving the ends of the touch bar, and switch mechanism within at least one of the housings responsive to any lateral movement of the touch bar relative to a housing containing the switch mechanism wherein, as electrically-conductive switch terminals, an elongate, coil spring may warp laterally into contact with a normally concentric sleeve.

Abstract: A heating device having a screw rotatable within a barrel therefor, such as a part of an extruder, especially constructed to circulate and heat a granular or particulate work load of fusible material while still in its particulate condition. The essential purpose is to heat the material to a uniform temperature just under plasticization in preparation for entering melting apparatus, such as a downstream melting section of an extruder. The screw has a core and a main thread defining a main channel in which the portions of the core surface extending side-by-side longitudinally of the channel deviate from an average core diameter throughout the length of the heating device to circulate the work load transversely of the channel and to heat the work load while in a granular condition.

Abstract: Apparatus including a plurality of pressure pads arranged in two series thereof at opposite sides of a web path and constructed with openings for discharging a gaseous medium against opposite sides of a web advanced along the path. The openings are of types and sizes which enable the two series of pressure pads to dispense the gaseous medium in a manner which achieves good heat transfer but avoids substantial variation in velocity and pressure as measured transversely of the web path in the impingement of a gaseous medium on the web.

Abstract: Web coating apparatus wherein a liquid coating material is pressure fed upwardly into the nip of rolls rotating in opposite directions through the nip by structure which prevents contact of the coating material with the atmosphere, enables desired temperature control, and enables vacuum degasing of coating material prior to being pressured into a region adjacent to nip. This coating apparatus is particularly suitable for applying molten resinous compositions to webs.

Abstract: The conveyor system to be disclosed is an apparatus arrangement wherein a procession of beverage cans or like articles enter the system as a single file stream which is redistributed into a multiple-row stream of articles standing on end on a slowly moving wide-belt conveyor. Essential elements of the system are a feed conveyor for progressing the articles in single file order into a transfer region, a wide-belt conveyor for transferring the articles in a lateral direction from the feed conveyor outwardly of the system, and a transfer conveyor capable of picking up groups of single file-articles and depositing them to form multiple rows on the wide-belt conveyor.

Abstract: A fluid pressure regulator adapted to receive a supply of fluid through a check valve system thereof which prevents admission of fluid above a preselected operating pressure, and discharge of fluid from an apparatus served thereby below, a fail-safe pressure upon complete failure of the pressure supply source.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cargo container spreader arranged as an articulated assembly of which a main frame or spreader portions supporting a cargo container may be shifted in substantially universal angular movements relative to a spreader supporting facility, such as a crane, through suspension of the main frame on a pair of spaced upright subframes with respect to which the main frame is horizontally movable in its transverse direction. Skewing of the main frame occurs when it is shifted relative to the subframes in opposite transverse directions.