Abstract: A transport machine includes a frame for cyclically receiving a plurality of containers from an unloading station and for transporting them to the discharge region. The discharge region is spaced apart from the unloading station by a predetermined distance. The machine includes a platform connected to the frame, and is operable in a first position thereof adjacent the unloadiing station for accepting the containers, and pivotably movable thereafter about an axis to a second position angularly spaced away from the unloading station; it is movable subsequently from the second position to a third position adjacent the discharge region for temporarily storing the containers thereat; the platform is operable thereafter, and upon having temporarily stored the containers at the third position, to move to a fourth position spaced away from the discharge region, and similar to said second position, and thereafter operable to execute a pivotable return movement from the fourth position to the first position.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a mechanical motion control mechanism which in one form may comprise an input shaft drivingly connected to an output shaft in such a manner that continuous rotation of the input shaft produces varying rotational movement of the output shaft characterized by an initial dwell period, an acceleration period, a constant velocity period, a deceleration period and another dwell period. The input and output shafts may be drivingly connected by means of a gear secured to the input shaft which is in meshing engagement with a second gear supported at one end of a pivot arm, the other end of which is secured to the output shaft. Rotational and revolving movement of this second gear is controlled by the interaction of a plurality of cam followers engaging a cam surface so as to allow rotational, revolving, and various desired combinations of such movements in response to rotational movement of the first gear.

Abstract: A beam-type transfer mechanism for moving workpieces step by step along a row of stations through the dies of a press to progressively form a blank into a finished part. A pair of laterally spaced beams extend parallel to the row of stations, having opposed work holding fixtures cooperable to grip the workpiece. The beams are movable in operation laterally toward and away from each other, vertically up and down, and longitudinally, to simultaneously advance the workpieces one step at a time from station to station. The dies would ordinarily be removable and replaceable through the front of the press except for one of the beams which occupies and obstructing position throughout its entire operative movement. Means are provided to lift the beams sufficiently to enable the removal and replacement of the dies through the front of the press without obstruction.

Abstract: A heating device (20) is provided that may be utilized in either a film packaging machine or a thermoforming machine. Heating device (20) includes a frame (32) that carries a plurality of eyelets (36) that are utilized to suspend an elongated ribbon heating element (34) so that apart from contact with the eyelets (36), the elongated ribbon heating element (34) does not contact any other portions of the heating device (20). This construction provides for very rapid heating and cooling response times resulting in an energy savings and a simplified packaging or thermoforming device, while providing accurate heat control.

Abstract: In a digital processing system in which a plurality of control units communicate with each other and with memory over a common bus, an arbitration circuit associated with each of the control units tests for priority among the units requesting access to the bus, granting access to the highest priority unit as soon as the bus is not busy. Priority is determined by priority numbers assigned to each unit. Priority is tested simultaneously in each unit in synchronism, each unit using common lines on the bus for both input and output to establish which unit has highest priority.

Abstract: An improved distributed input/output system is disclosed for controlling numerous high speed peripheral devices (both low speed, medium speed, and high speed) and the transfer of data signals, status signals, and control signals between those devices and a general purpose digital computer. The control system described includes a direct-memory-access multiplexer which can accommodate a plurality of low or medium-speed input/output services and also high-speed input/output devices under the control of separate programmable microcoded peripheral-unit controllers. The direct-memory-access multiplexer of this invention is fully compatible with controllers that can also be used with an indirect-memory access multiplexer. Each controller, being an element of a distributed system, is adapted to be located at an individual peripheral device and each is connected to the multiplexer by an identical ribbon cable.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns a continuous mixer for plastic material and of the type which permits control of the pressure on the material being mixed in the mixer by resisting the flow of mixed material displaced from the mixer when unmixed material is fed into the mixer. The resistance to the discharged flow is effected by one or more elements which engage the flow and which are movable.

Abstract: An apparatus including feeding and assembling mechanisms by which a strip of terminals will be fed into a work station where a plurality of such terminals are separated from the strip and are forcibly inserted into a terminal holder that has been properly indexed in a receiving position. The apparatus provides a single drive source consisting of a plurality of operational cams for sequentially completing the assembly.

Abstract: A special broadcast communication link is provided between a central processing unit and plural computer peripheral devices, the communication link being in addition to normal data and addressing communication lines, and providing a distributed control channel which is used to inhibit selected classes of interrupt signals from controllers associated with the peripheral devices in accordance with an interrupt classification system. This communication channel permits the central processing unit to issue a data command which selectively inhibits the peripheral devices from issuing selected classes of interrupt signals.

Abstract: A loader for a forging press or the like comprising a transfer arm movable from a work pickup station to a work receiving station. A clamp is provided on the transfer arm for clamping and unclamping the work.

Abstract: A machine for cyclically receiving a plurality of containers from an unloading station and for transporting them to a discharge station, which is spaced apart from, and above the unloading station by a predetermined distance, includes a platform operable in a first position thereof below the loading station and near the discharge station for accepting the containers, and which is movable thereafter to a second position spaced substantially vertically above the first position for unloading the containers to the discharge station; the platform is thereafter returned to the first position. A control device is connected to the platform for controlling the operation thereof, and a drive arrangement is provided for moving the platform from the first position to the second position and vice versa.

Abstract: A blood bank microscope in which cell/serum-reagent reactions can be viewed, from below, directly in the cuvettes in which the reactions take place and in which the cuvettes can be rocked to cause the contents thereof to flow back and forth within the viewer's field of observation.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a mechanical motion control mechanism which in one form may comprise an input shaft drivingly connected to an output shaft in such a manner that continuous rotation of the input shaft produces varying rotational movement of the output shaft characterized by an initial dwell period, an acceleration period, a constant velocity period, a deceleration period and another dwell period. The input and output shafts may be drivingly connected by means of a gear secured to the input shaft which is in meshing engagement with a second gear supported at one end of a pivot arm, the other end of which is secured to the output shaft. Rotational and revolving movement of this second gear is controlled by the interaction of a plurality of cam followers engaging a cam surface so as to allow rotational, revolving, and various desired combinations of such movements in response to rotational movement of the first gear.

Abstract: A fixed stroke pipette having a measuring piston that controls the volume of liquid aspirated into the pipette reservoir and a larger piston that assures the expulsion of all the aspirated liquid during a discharge stroke. An improved piston arrangement provides a fixed seal for the air chamber in which the measuring piston moves and a separate air passageway to that air chamber, controlled by a spring biased check valve, through which compressed air is delivered to the pipette reservoir during a discharge stroke.

Abstract: An element suitable for attachment to a hospital wristband or patient specimen container such as test tubes or the like is disclosed which element has a coating of magnetizable material that is encoded along a circular track with patient identification and other desired information relating to the patient and the system employing such elements. The element is used to associate positively a patient with a specimen taken from him, or with medicine or treatment to be given him.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for automatically controlling the density of molded food products that are produced by a forming machine which compresses ground meat or other shapable, plastic food substances. In the disclosed method and apparatus, the density of the molded product is maintained substantially constant to produce molded products of substantially uniform weight by sensing the temperature of the food substance being molded and automatically adjusting the forming pressure utilized to compress the food substance into the molded product as an inverse function of temperature. Arrangements suitable for use with a type of food forming machine wherein the forming pressure is controlled by rotation of a stroke adjustment rod and for use with a type of food forming machine wherein the forming pressure is controlled by pneumatic or hydraulic pressure as disclosed.

Abstract: A priority arbitration circuit for resolving priority between a plurality of master devices which compete for access to one or more slave devices over a common bus. All master devices share a common Request line and a common Busy line. Priority is passed along serially from one device to another in sequence until all pending requests have been serviced, after which priority reverts to an initial device. The first device to issue a request gains priority. Simultaneous requests are resolved in the order in which the devices are connected in the priority chain. A device having a local request and receiving priority on the priority chain sets the Busy signal to lock out all other devices.

Abstract: The assembly includes a sidewall and bead plate ring mounted on a lower bladder hub plate in a press to extend generally radially therefrom for engaging the lower half of a retread matrix which is centered thereby, and a matrix register and centering ring is provided for attachment to the lower press platen after being moved into centering engagement with the lower matrix half whereby the matrix half can be removed from engagement with the said centering ring and then be replaced in centered relationship to the press by engagement with the centering ring.

Abstract: Disposable pipette tips are loosely fitted in an upright position through apertures in a tray which is supported to withstand a downward force exerted on a tip by a pipette which is inserted and wedged into a tip when attaching the same to the pipette. Means are provided to retain the loosely fitted tips in the tray during shipment of the tips to the user thereof.

Abstract: A manual pipette adapted to use disposable plastic tips into which a liquid is drawn and from which it is dispensed is provided with means for dislodging the tip from the pipette after use. The disposable tip which is normally frictionally held at the distal end of the pipette is pushed off the pipette by a sleeve member that is slideably mounted on the barrel of the pipette.