Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for loading articles into bags formed from a known roll of web material delineated by perforations at desired intervals. The web includes a first and second sheet of material. A sensor detects a perforation line and activates a sheet separator which opens or tears only the first sheet along a perforation line. The second sheet remains intact and preserves the web. A stream of air is directed at the open edge to inflate a bag. The bag is stabilized on a platform while articles are inserted. After articles are loaded, the second sheet is separated so that the bag is removed from the web and can be closed as desired.

Abstract: A loader inserts articles into a conveyor from underneath. Each article is received in a gripper and depends thereform. The gripper is supported from the conveyor facing down at the point of loading (insert station). A predetermined number of articles (here, three plastic preforms to be heated then blown into plastic bottles) is fed by gravity down a chute to a reception point where they are temporarily stopped forming a queue. The reception point is upstream of and lower than the grippers. The loader has a device to grasp a group (the first three in the queue) from the side (or cross-machine direction) and move the group horizontally and lineally downstream to the insert station underneath a corresponding number of grippers while at the same time increasing the center-to-center distances to the same as the center distances spacing the three grippers in the group.

Abstract: A compact police radar warning receiver is provided having an antenna in which some of the mixer and oscillator components are secured to the antenna by a cantilever structure formed integral the circuit board overlying a portion of the antenna and to which the components are electrically and mechanically coupled.

Abstract: The mold clamping force exerted in a toggle plastic injection molding machine is measured by determining the amount the tie rods stretch. A link is clamped on a lower tie rod near the backing platen and supports a contact that is adjustable in the direction of tie rod stretch. The contact in turn engages a probe portion of a sensor that is secured to the machine base. The contact, hence the sensor probe, move the amount that the tie rod stretches at the point of clamping. The motion is directly proportional to clamping force which latter can then be adjusted by operating the adjusting nut drive motor a suitable amount.

Abstract: A device and method for preventing transfusion of incompatible blood comprises a means for performing the following procedures. Upon admission to the hospital, a rapid blood type test is performed in the presence of the patient and, immediately thereafter, a wrist band with a key or other releasing means corresponding to the patient's blood type is secured to the patient's wrist. A locking mechanism is provided on all blood bags in the blood bank at the time of the blood donation which corresponds to the blood type contained in the bag and is color coded. Blood is dispatched from the blood bank for a patient upon request after the usual crossmatching. Upon arrival at the patient's location, the bag is unlocked using the key attached to the patient's wrist band and the blood transfusion is administered.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for controlling the execution of functions associated with the automatic operation of a manipulator. While traditional function execution has been associated with arrival of a workpoint at or proximate to a predetermined point, the present invention provides for plural function execution between predetermined points. Two alternative embodiments are provided: a first embodiment controls a single output interface type and is unrelated to functions associated with predetermined points; a second embodiment provides multiple executions of any function normally associated with a predetermined point. Spacing between function executions associated with either embodiment is controlled as a function of distance specified by the operator. To produce a desired spacing, feedrate reduction is automatically effected in the event a programmed feedrate is incompatible with a specified function execution interval.

Abstract: A pallet has a plurality of reciprocable spindles mounted thereon. Each spindle can be reciprocated and has an improved bearing support and bias means urging the spindle to one end of its reciprocation path. An improved spindle nose is provided to mount on the spindle as an exchangeable chuck thereby changing the size of the workpiece that can be handled. The spindle nose features an improved means to maintain seal with the preform finish that includes a base from which protrudes a flexible skirt which is extending from the other side of said base, said skirt being sufficiently resilient to maintain sealing engagement with the inside diameter of the preform finish during blow molding; and an air passage extending completely through said locating stud, base, and skirt region.

Abstract: A linear actuator comprising a ball screw, ball nut, and an endless ball circuit disposed between the two has an improved end closure body having a guide portion extending to approximately one revolution of the helical path around the screw out of the nut, where the balls then depart from the helical screw path and are received in a nonlinear ball passage formed within the closure. The ball passage has a first portion tangent to the ball screw groove and a second portion extending out of the end face of the closure in line with a longitudinal hole in the ball nut so that the balls may be smoothly returned through the nut to the opposite end, for reentry into the helical ball path.

Abstract: An improved FM receiver is disclosed incorporating improved oscillating limiter circuitry having an electrically tunable bandpass filter and variable attenuator in regenerative feedback relationship around the limiter. The electrically tunable bandpass filter is responsive to DC components and high frequency noise components of the demodulated video baseband signal. The variable attenuator is responsive to the carrier-to-noise ratio of the received FM signal whereby the amount of regenerative feedback around the limiter will vary inversely proportional to charges in the carrier-to-noise ratio.

Abstract: An endless chain in which there is one row of a plurality of H-shaped link elements across the width of the chain and an adjacent row of similar elements, the legs of the Hs of adjacent rows being interdigitated and provided with aligned openings which receive a connecting pin. This arrangement is continued along the length of the chain to whatever extent is desired. Bit carrying lugs are mounted on the H-shaped link elements so as to establish any bit pattern desired. The H-shaped link elements may be provided with bit carrying lugs that are skewed with respect to the direction of chain travel so as to make the chain more efficient. Such link elements may also be provided with load bearing lugs at their sides so as to give increased support for the chain.

Abstract: Improved multi-purpose metal cleaning compositions are provided comprised of 5 to 40 parts by weight ethoxylated aliphatic alcohol or ethoxylated alkylphenol, 4 to 20 parts by weight alkanolamine salt of a fatty acid, 2 to 15 parts by weight boramide, 2 to 15 parts by weight alcohol, glycol or ether glycol, 0.05 to 2.5 parts by weight antifoam agent, and 5 to 98 parts by weight water. In addition to being highly effective cleaners for the removal of grease, oil, dirt, scale and metal fines, the compositions of this invention also provide a non-sticky and non-greasy corrosion-resistant protective barrier on the surface of the metal.

Abstract: An optical sensor apparatus receives visible light and converts that light to electrical signals for use by a control system. Visible light enters the apparatus through a hemispherical "fisheye" lens which provides a 360.degree. field of view in azimuth and a 180.degree. field of view in elevation. The light exiting the fisheye lens is projected through a shutter mechanism onto a receptor of a camera. The lens, shutter mechanism, camera and a level dector are mounted on a gimbal mounting to maintain a vertical orientation of the lens and camera. When the optical sensor apparatus is called upon by the control system to provide visual information, the shutter mechanism is energized to open when the lens and camera next become vertical. Image processing is then performed to determine the position of the optical sensor apparatus relative to known landmarks in the operating environment.

Abstract: Amine complexed Mn(II) compounds reversibly adsorb sulfur dioxide and oxygen as well as nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and lower alkenes. More specifically, these compounds have the following formula:Mn(II)LX.sub.2where X represents F.sup.-, Br.sup.-, I.sup.-, SCN.sup.- or OH.sup.-. L is a ligand having the formulaN(R.sub.1).sub.n or R.sub.2 --N.dbd.N--R.sub.3wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 represents identical or different substituents generally including alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclic and heterocyclic aromatic radicals and n is 1-3. The metal complexes are used to adsorb gases as a solid adsorbent, suspended on aluminum oxide or dissolved in a non-volatile solvent. The gas can be adsorbed at a low temperature in the range of 30.degree.-200.degree. C., and desorbed at a higher temperature in the range of 45.degree.-230.degree. C. or at a lower pressure.

Abstract: An extensible boring bar is moved between fully retracted and fully extended positions proximal and distal to a machine housing. The bar is supported at a point within the housing and a snout and damper assembly is provided at the outermost face of the housing. The snout and damper assembly forms a compound damper system whereby an annular ring around an outer quill serves to damp the bar when simply supported in its fully retracted position, by damping the end support bearing directly. In the fully extended position, the bar is generally-cantilevered beyond the snout and damper assembly, and deflection of the bar will occur between the interior, support point and the snout support. Thus, the snout carries an additional annular damping chamber around the bar between the annular damping ring and interior or support point to damp the intermediate crown or deflection of the bar when fully-extended.

Abstract: An articulatable robotic machine has a forearm and wrist unit capable of handling an internal laser beam received at the aft end of the forearm and exiting at the forward end of the forearm through the wrist unit tooling plate. A laser marker galvohead and collimator are affixed to the tooling plate of the wrist, and a laser generator is affixed to the forearm of the robot machine and provided with a laser beam system to direct a laser beam into the aft end of the laser arm. The output pattern galvohead may be manipulated to a variety of predetermined positions on a workpiece.

Abstract: Data signals are transmitted at a variable information rate with variable power so the transmitted information rate and transmitted power level increase and decrease together to simulate high frequency fading and enable the data transmission to be disguised. The information rate and power vary in response to a predictable noise-like function generator.

Abstract: A printing ink particularly suitable for use in flexographic and letterpresses includes a basic dye, a polyhydric alcohol, water soluble carboxylic acid containing polymer and optionally water, thickeners, corrosion inhibitors and biocides. Preferably the water soluble carboxylic acid containing polymer is a homopolymer or copolymer of acrylic or methacrylic acid. The ink has an extremely high affinity for cellulosic and hemi-cellulosic substrates such as Kraft paper and newspaper. It forms a permanent bond to such substrates but does not easily dry out on the press rollers.

Abstract: An animal hide puller for use in a slaughtering process to remove the hide from an animal carcass, including a rotatable and vertically movable hide drum coacting with an overhead track from which an animal is supported and a stanchion for fixing the position of the forelegs. The drum is vertically driven along an arcuate path commensurate with approximate contour of the back of the animal.

Abstract: A livestock head splitter for splitting the head of an animal for recovering head organs including a plurality of circumferentially arranged head trays or holders rotatably movable through loading, head-splitting and discharge stations. A vertically reciprocal blade is provided above each tray or holder and rotatably moves with the tray or holder so that it is always aligned to split a head positioned on the tray or holder. The split heads are automatically discharged at the discharge station. A hydraulic drive system rotates the trays and drives the knives during the movement of the trays through the head-splitting station. Control means at the head-splitting station causes operation of the head-splitting knife. A protective cover encloses the apparatus and only allows an operator ingress for loading a head onto a tray as it moves through the loading station.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing dehaired hogs, including a predryer cabinet through which the hogs are conveyed and subjected to a blast of heated air and a singer cabinet through which the hogs next are conveyed and subjected to flame treatment for singeing the hog skin. The heat energy for the dryer air is derived solely from recovery of heat from the waste flue gases exhausted from the singer cabinet, thereby reducing the energy needed to effect the singeing operation.