Abstract: A rotor assembly machine which transports electric motor rotor laminates from a conveyor to a skewing nest where slots in the laminates are engaged by a plurality of vertical skew blades having a composite structure with two slightly separated spring steel vanes. The reduced width of the slot when the laminates are skewed is accommodated by the vanes of the skew blade flexing together. A particularly novel skew setting mechanism causes the skew blades to be tilted at a predetermined angle which is adjustable by varying the vertical distance between a higher fulcrum member and a lower blade pivot which rotated a predetermined angle causing the laminates to be skewed by an angle inversely related to the distances between the pivot and fulcrum, which distances in a multi-station machine may be separately adjusted thereby producing rotors from different stations with different skew angles.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for mass soldering electrical and electronic components populating both the top and bottom surfaces of substrate circuit boards or the like in a single pass is described. The circuit boards pass through a mass soldering station first, and after a timed interval the circuit boards pass through a solder reflow station. The timed interval allows heat transfer through the circuit boards to reach its maximum.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring eggs continuously conveyed in spaced-apart, aligned relationship by a conveyor to a receiving station at which eggs are packaged according to their individual physical characteristics. A frame on which solenoid-actuated plungers are mounted is disposed adjacent the conveyor at the receiving station for releasing eggs having the same physical characteristics from the conveyor in a predetermined sequence at the receiving station. The frame is movable with respect to the receiving station according to the speed of the conveyor.

Abstract: Contact of a soldered board by a soldering oil supplied from within a solder wave takes place immediately following deposition of molten solder onto the board. The oil causes relocation of solder on and/or removal of excess solder from the underside of the board, and any interconnections, component leads and/or component bodies carried thereon before the solder solidifies as shorts, icicles or bridges.

Abstract: Foundry apparatus for mixing sand with binder ingredients to produce a composite mixture suitable for foundry molds includes a first premixing chamber enclosing a first bladed shaft mounted for rotation about a substantially horizontal first axis operable for conveying and commingling sand with a first binder ingredient to produce a first sand/binder ingredient mixture. A second premixing chamber, separate from the first premixing chamber, encloses a second bladed shaft mounted for counterrotation about a second axis, substantially parallel to the first axis, for conveying and commingling sand with a second binder ingredient to produce a second sand/binder ingredient mixture. A final mixing chamber includes agitators for receiving the sand/binder ingredient mixtures and blending them into a composite mixture while simultaneously transporting the composite mixture to a final discharge station.

Abstract: A spraying apparatus for spraying a particle-laden fluid upon a workpiece. The apparatus includes a spray compartment, spray gun means in the compartment, exhaust means for exhausting air-entrained particles, and means for flowing air past the spray gun means to prevent air-entrained particles from returning to the spary gun means. The exhaust means may include means for abruptly changing the direction of air entraining the sprayed particles from a direction generally toward the workpiece to be sprayed to a direction generally away from the workpiece, whereby the air-entrained particles are urged into contact with the workpiece.

Abstract: A chair construction in which a rotating seat causes counter rotation of a mirror secured to an arm extending upwardly from underneath the seat. Cam means disposed in the rotating mechanism of the seat retain the face of the mirror during rotation of the seat tangential to a circle having its center forward of the center of rotation of the seat. The angular adjustment of the mirror face is transmitted from the cam means and a flexible shaft to a rotatably mounted post, forming a part of the upstanding arm, to which the mirror is secured.

Abstract: A milk weight metering apparatus (10) is disclosed which uses a standard glass milk weigh jar (14) which is suspended from a load cell weight measuring unit (15). A hydraulic output line (16) extends from the weight measuring unit (15) to a pressure transducer (17) at a position remote from the cow being milked, preferably outside the milking parlor. As milk accumulates within the milk weigh jar (14) greater pressure is provided on fluid sealed within a chamber defined by a load cell body (55) and a diaphragm (63), which pressure is transmitted through the hydraulic line (16) to the pressure transducer. The change in weight of the suspended weigh jar (14) after the milk has been accumulated therein will be proportional to the change in the pressure in the hydraulic line (16), allowing the weight, and thereby the volume, of the milk from the cow to be determined and recorded. The production from the cow may also be correlated with the cow's identity and the time of milking.

Abstract: An improved material flow rail construction of the type employed to transmit containers or articles from one location to another gravity force. The improved material flow rail comprises a substantially U-shaped channel within which a multiplicity of mounting bolts are attached. Individual bearing assemblies are placed on the mounting bolts. By placing the individual bearing assemblies closely adjacent one another in a longitudinal direction with respect to the support channel, the flow rail has the ability to transmit parts having very small "footprint" areas since a large space between rollers is not presented for parts or components thereof to become caught. By providing a loose fit between the bearing inner races and the supporting mounting bolts, the inner race is permitted to rotate slightly with respect to the mounting bolts thereby presenting new wear surfaces as the flow rail is put into use.

Abstract: A transfer drive mechanism (10, 62, 81, 116, 136, 166) for use in conjunction with work transfer apparatus is disclosed which is operative to provide extremely smooth rapid acceleration/deceleration while substantially eliminating the high stresses and potential workpiece dislocating jerk often associated with such drive systems. The drive mechanism comprises a planetary gear (26, 52, 76, 93, 128, 160, 178) having an eccentric follower means (30, 56, 80, 97, 162, 176) which is adapted to be revolved around a stationary sun gear (28, 54, 70, 88, 130, 138, 180) which imparts a rotating motion thereto.

Abstract: A mechanism for converting rotary drive motion into reciprocal rectilinear motion including structure for varying the length of the rectilinear stroke.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for advancing eggs from a candling station through a plurality of weighing stations in an egg grading apparatus. The eggs are received from the candling station by elongated guide members and are advanced continuously on the guide members through the weighing stations by advancing bars disposed vertically above the guide members. After weighing, the eggs are advanced to a plurality of holding stations disposed in alignment with and downstream of the guide members and weighing stations. Pairs of eggs are lifted from the holding stations and horizontally adjacent pick-up locations by a rotatable and reciprocal lifting mechanism which rotates about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the guide members so as to facilitate engagement and vertically upward lifting of the eggs during upward rotational movement thereof.

Abstract: An egg handling system for an egg grader in which eggs carried by a conveyor in spaced-apart, aligned pairs are released at a receiving station into at least one rotating resilient cylinder for transfer to an egg packer. A support member is disposed below the rotating cylinder for guiding eggs delivered to the cylinder downwardly and away from the cylinder to the egg packer.

Abstract: An automated milking system is disclosed in which the milking vacuum applied from a vacuum line (18) through a milk flow valve (13) and the milk hose (17) to a teat cup cluster (12) is initially shut off after automatic detacher controls (11) provide a signal indicating the end of milking. Milk sweep controls (10) provide a signal to the drive cylinder (24) of the milk flow valve (13) either a selected period of time after the end of milking or upon receipt of milk sweep initiate signal from a condition responsive sensor in the parlor to cause the milk flow valve to be shifted to the position in which vacuum is applied to the milk hose (17) and teat cup cluster (12), thereby drawing out rest milk remaining in these components.

Abstract: A pattern recognition system for providing automatic alignment capability for a semiconductor wafer or other object. The system includes an integrator for electronically smearing input data representing the reflected light level of a scanned object, means for digitizing the smeared data, and processor means for determining the best match between the smeared, digitized data and predetermined stored data, thereby representing proper alignment of the wafer or other object.

Abstract: A machine adapted to receive in a continuous order the finished manufactured parts for inspection as to completeness and operativeness, for rejection of part failures, and sorting by proper orientation the accepted, tested, finished work pieces.

Abstract: An egg transfer system suitable for advancing eggs in an egg grader from a candling station to a weighing station at which the eggs are each deposited and individually weighed. The grade of each individual egg is recorded after which the eggs are advanced to a lifting apparatus adapted to rotatably lift and transfer the eggs to a conveying conveyor for delivery to predetermined packers disposed downstream thereof.

Abstract: A coagulation instrument for determining clotting times of plasma as an indication of various blood factors. The instrument is adapted to use three or more different reagents which are added selectively to plasma samples in accordance with a code on a cuvette in which the plasma sample is carried through the instrument. Different clotting time tests may be performed sequentially in random order as determined by the coded cuvettes.

Abstract: A golf putting aid comprises a plastic molded body exhibiting a set of spaced wheels and a sighting device in the form of a simulated golf ball mounted to and between the wheels. The spacing between the wheels is such that the wheels can be stroked simultaneously by a putter, in which case the aid is propelled along a straight path. If not addressed correctly, the aid is propelled along a curved path, the curvature being indicative of the degree of incorrect putting. Weight members in the form of metal washers are provided on each wheel in order to improve the rolling characteristic of the golf putting aid.