Abstract: A container inverter for use in a conveyor flow path, and particularly adapted for use with open, upright cereal-type boxes, includes a ferris wheel mechanism within a cylindrical housing which is aligned along the direction of conveyor flow. The apparatus sequentially receives containers, incrementally translates them in an inverting arc transverse to the axis of conveyor flow while vigorously shaking the containers, and returns the containers to conveyor flow in an upright position. A rotary indexing system, including solenoid activated pneumatic relays, a sensor at the receiving station and a timing control, assures that the ferris wheel holds position when receiving containers in order to prevent undesired jamming.

Abstract: A hydraulic safety valve is disclosed which is operative to automatically block a liquid fluid path upon the loss of fluid pressure and to maintain the fluid path in a blocked condition until manually reset. The valve comprises a cylinder, a piston disposed within the cylinder defining multiple spool gates for selectively blocking a valve aperture in the side of the cylinder and for dividing the cylinder into at least a main chamber and a variable volume balancing chamber at one end of the piston. A relatively short fluid path conduit is provided between the balancing chamber and the main chamber. A manually actuable plunger axially aligned with the piston is provided for urging the piston into a valve open position. A biasing means is provided for urging the piston into a valve closed position. In operation the valve is maintained in an open position by downstream back pressure directly through the relatively short pilot fluid conduit coupling the main chamber with the variable volume balancing chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus for handling glass jars with lids as they move toward a labeling machine to receive labels thereon. The jars are initially disposed in a crate which holds a number of layers of the jars and, after being unloaded from the crate, one layer at a time, the jars are moved by a conveyor along a generally horizontal path and are subjected to a hot water spray for a predetermined time. In this way, the jars are preheated so that the labels will more positively adhere thereto. Also, the spray removes dust and water spots from the lids of the jars. After passing through the spray, the jars are directed, one by one, through the labeling machine.

Abstract: A chunky-style peanut spread sweetening agent composition is provided having at least 5 weight percent based on solids of sweetening agent and a long shelf life substantially free of syneresis.The composition is prepared by combining at an elevated temperature a mixture of milled peanuts, additional edible oils, an emulsifier, fortifying materials, and a stabilizer with the sweetening agent having a small amount of edible hydrophilic substance. When the resulting mixture is blended, additional granulated peanuts are then fed into containers and the containers sealed.

Abstract: A ready-to-eat, protein rich, cereal product prepared by cooking a moist, free flowing blend, extruding the cooked blend with a generally uniform cross-section and slicing the extruded blend into thin flakes. A sugar composition, containing those vitamins such as thiamine and lysine that are destroyed by high temperature, is useful as a coating for the extruded product.

Abstract: A plant turntable having a power supply for the rotation of a potted plant and the like. The turntable includes an imperforate disc supported by a ring-mounted ball bearing assembly for the support of the potted plant which is driven by the shaft of a geared motor mounted directly below in a base. A transverse pin through the drive shaft engages a slot in the turntable axle to provide the driving torque for rotating the turntable. The base forms a motor and battery enclosure. The top of the base includes a ridge adjacent to the periphery of the base beyond the rim of the disc to capture water which may gravitate from a potted plant resting on the disc, and further includes a ridge about the motor shaft to protect the motor from water leakage through the shaft hole. The top further includes a plurality of openings for draining water therefrom.

Abstract: A method is disclosed herein where a wet, pre-cooked baby food formulation having a pH below about 4.5, is thickened by including a tapioca starch that has been modified by heating above the gelatinization temperature thereof, but with insufficient moisture to produce gelatinization. Further advantages are obtained by including minor amounts of other grain starches. The formulation exhibits excellent consistency during prolonged storage periods.

Abstract: A rotator for a hanging display such as a mobile, hanging plant or the like having a self-contained power supply. The apparatus comprises a cylinder for containing flashlight batteries adjacent one another and for containing motor means to drive a geared shaft by which a display is suspended and rotated. Off-on operation and series battery interconnection are effected by the positioning of a rotatable, electrically conductive circular top plate confronting the ends of the batteries. An opening in the rotatable plate is provided for replacement of the batteries. A tab on the top plate permits the plate to be rotated and to be suspended.

Abstract: An improved envelope suitable for interleaving with the pages of a magazine and to be sewed or otherwise bound to the spine of the magazine. The envelope has a front and a back and an entrance for receiving sheet or other material. The back has a lip projecting outwardly from the entrance and a relatively large flap hingedly connected to the outer margin of the lip. When the envelope is moved through a conventional envelope stuffing machine, the lip is held clamped against upward movement as the flap is beneath and contiguous to the back, thereby permitting a suction or other force exerted on the front to lift the latter and thereby open the entrance to facilitate insertion of the material into the envelope.

Abstract: A peanut butter sweetening agent composition is provided having at least 5 weight percent based on solids of sweetening agent and a long shelf life substantially free of syneresis.The composition is prepared by combining at an elevated temperature a mixture of milled peanuts, additional edible oils, an emulsifier, fortifying materials, and a stabilizer with the sweetening agent having a small amount of edible hydrophilic substance. The resulting mixture may then be fed into containers and the containers sealed.

Abstract: A peanut butter sweetening agent composition is provided having at least 5 weight percent based on solids of sweetening agent and a long shelf life substantially free of syneresis.The composition is prepared by combining at an elevated temperature a mixture of milled peanuts, additional edible oils, an emulsifier, and a stabilizer with the sweetening agent having a small amount of edible hydrophilic substance. The resulting mixture may then be fed into containers and the containers sealed.

Abstract: A plastic film bag for the aseptic packaging of food products in puree form for storage prior to use in a canning process. The bag is formed from a section cut from a roll of plastic film in the form of a continuous cylinder. The cylindrical section is flattened to form a generally rectangular envelope having two faces bounded by two closed edges and two open edges. One of the open edges is sealed to form a bottom seam and the other is folded over and sealed to one face of the envelope in such a way as to form two side entry pockets of triangular shape extending along the upper edge of the bag toward the vertical centerline. A filling aperture is cut in the upper edge midway between the pockets. During the packaging operation a hanger dowel is inserted into each pocket from the side to suspendably support the bag during automatic handling steps including filling, sealing, heat sterilization and cooling. The bag is filled with hot puree through the opening and then hermetically sealed.

Abstract: A container for holding a mass of a flowable solid material comprising a bottom, at least one end wall and a pair of side walls, each having a generally upright side margin therebetween to which the end wall is coupled. The end wall is provided with a pair of arcuate fold lines extending upwardly from respective side margins and being covergent relative to each other at a location near the upper extremity of the end wall intermediate the side margins. The side walls and end wall are formed of a material having sufficient flexibility to permit the sides to be moved toward each other while simultaneously allowing the end wall to flex outwardly along the fold lines so that the upper portion of the end wall forms a spout to control the pouring of the flowable solid material from the box.

Abstract: An improved vaporizer for directing water vapor into the air without causing foaming or accumulation of water at the exit orifice. A relatively large receptacle contains a subhousing consisting of two separated chambers. A first chamber, having electrode means therein for generating steam forming the water vapor and a second chamber are separated by partitions defining a serpentine path with an inverted U-shape configuration. The orifice communicates with the downstream end of the path. The steam after being generated flows along the serpentine path by rising in the first chamber, passing over the top of the partition and downwardly into the second chamber, then moving upwardly toward and through an exit orifice into the surrounding environment. During the downward portion of its path of travel, the relatively large water particles separate from the water vapor by gravity and return to the second chamber, the latter being in fluid communication at its bottom with the first chamber.

Abstract: An improved carrier for supporting a child on the shoulders of the wearer, such as an adult. The carrier comprises a frame having a pair of identical side members interconnected by a pair of vertically spaced crosspieces. Each side member has an upper part formed of a front segment and an inclined back segment. A backrest of flexible material, such as canvas, spans the distance between the back segments and is coupled at its lower margin to the upper crosspiece. A pair of straps coupled to the backrest and to the lower portions of the side members form loops for receiving the arms of the wearer. A child disposed on the carrier has a generally horizontal seat formed by the forward, lower margin of the backrest and the crosspiece in cooperation with the shoulders of the wearer. The front segments of the upper parts of the side members present side rails which confine the child on the seat.

Abstract: A process for preparing a nutritious instant infant cereal having a coarse texture, substantially free of other than specific grain cereals and various desirable food supplements. The process is accomplished by subjecting a protein-rich slurry to heating under elevated pressure and temperature.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting insecurely glued closure flaps on wrap-around paperboard cartons and for diverting defectively sealed cartons from the packaging line. A striking device in the form of an impact roller strikes the leading edge of each carton as it moves along a conveyor belt. Loose or insecure flaps opened by the impact are detected as the carton passes through a photocell station. Upon identification of an open flap condition a pivotal eject chute forming a part of the conveyor table is actuated downwardly to divert the rejected carton to a remote location for inspection and resealing or replacement.