Abstract: A dental implement for dispensing amalgam includes a handle on which are mounted at least one amalgam dispenser and a plugger corresponding to each amalgam dispenser for condensing the amalgam dispensed by the dispenser.

Abstract: A dental implement for dispensing and compacting amalgam includes separate dispensing and compacting assemblies at opposite ends of a handle. The assemblies each have an amalgam carrier cooperating with a plugger portion which extends from an end of the handle. A spring-biased lever maintains the amalgam carrier in a normally lowered position capable of receiving amalgam. Each assembly features a lock for releasably retaining the amalgam carrier in a raised position whereby the plugger portion extends beyond its respective amalgam carrier for tamping the amalgam into a tooth cavity.

Abstract: A circuit for safely admitting fuel to a burner, igniting the fuel, detecting the presence of flame at the burner, and preventing the escape of unburned fuel from the burner if ignition is not accomplished or the flame is interrupted. An initiation circuit operates a control signal generator during a time delay period and a valve operating circuit opens a fuel valve to admit fuel to a burner. An igniter circuit is operated in response to energization of the valve operating circuit to produce sparks for ignition of the fuel. A flame detector circuit powered by the valve operating circuit detects the presence of flame and, in response, the operation of the control signal generator is maintained and the operation of the ignition circuit is interrupted. The operation is fail-safe, the detection of flame is reliable despite power supply variations, and no power supply transformer or valve operating relay is required.

Abstract: A detachable gas valve--switch assembly intended especially for a domestic gas range, in which the valve includes a body has a control element movable by a rotatable valve stem and the switch having a contact operating means rotatable by the stem. The switch is constructed and arranged for releasable retention in a position closely adjacent the front end of a gas valve. It is also apertured for mounting on the stem and for movement in one direction axially of the stem to said position and in the opposite direction for removal from said position. The switch and valve include axially extending resiliently engageable quick attach-detach coupling structure of novel construction for releasably and firmly retaining said switch axially in said position upon movement in one direction into said position, and includes also switch contact operating means engageable with said driving portion of said stem when in said position. Movement in the opposite direction disengages the switch retention and contact operating means.

Abstract: A valve adapted to be connected in a fluid line for shutting off flow in response to fluid pressure in excess of a predetermined pressure. The valve includes a housing provided with inlet and outlet ports separated by a valve seat. A pressure chamber in the housing is defined by a diaphragm subjected to the pressure of fluid flowing through the housing. The diaphragm is a unitary, homogenous, fluid impervious snap disc movable between two over center stable positions. A valve member cooperating with the valve seat is connected to the diaphragm by a stem, and the valve is open in one diaphragm position and closed in the other diaphragm position. A spring biases the valve member toward the closed position and is adjusted to preload the diaphragm so that when fluid pressure exceeds a predetermined value the diaphragm moves from the valve open to the valve closed position. A reset member is carried by the diaphragm and permits manual reopening of the valve.

Abstract: Apparatus (1) for automatically selecting a "secondary" sheet (6) of copying paper of a desired size from a store (7) containing secondary sheets (6) of different size arranged in groups (10) of the different sizes and for automatically aligning and associating the selected sheet (6) with a "primary" sheet (3) to be copied, the primary sheet (3) being inserted in the apparatus (1) and the size of the primary sheet (3) being sensed by the apparatus to determine the selection of the secondary sheet (6).Alignment is effected by bringing the leading edges (4 and 8) of primary and secondary sheets (3 and 6) into abutment with stop means (11 or 12) so that the leading end portion (8) of the secondary sheet (3) is provided with a wave-shaped portion upstream of the leading end portions (5 and 8) of the primary and secondary sheets (3 and 6).

Abstract: A combined stem assembly and removable handle for a rotary control device such as a valve. The handle interlocks with an indexing member and is secured by a hollow nut that screws onto the stem over and enveloping the nut holding the stem assembly together.

Abstract: A thermostatic gas valve includes a thermostatic valve for regulating the temperature of a burner and a manually operable valve for regulating the flame height. The operation of the manual and thermostatic valves is controlled by a stem. The valve includes a shaft coupled to the stem that is axially movable from an off position to a first position. In the first position the shaft is rotated to rotate the manual valve. The shaft may then be axially moved to a second position and rotated to rotate the thermostatic valve to the desired position. The shaft is locked in a first non-rotatable position and prevented from being axially moved by a locking element.

Abstract: A system and filter apparatus therefore are described for providing substantially bacteria-free, humidified oxygen to a breathing mask or breathing tube. The filter apparatus is hydrophobic and is inserted either at or adjacent the outlet of a humidifier, in the flow line between the outlet of the humidifier and the breathing mask, or at or adjacent the breathing mask, and can be easily replaced when contaminated after a period of use.

Abstract: A fluid actuator for 90.degree. rotating valves having a return spring coupled to an independent fluid actuated piston to assist in spring compression on the forward stroke.

Abstract: A conveyor for heat treating furnaces including a plurality of heat insulating elements mounted on a conveyor roller-chain assembly and arranged side-by-side along the conveyor path through the furnace. Articles to be heat treated are supported on the insulating elements for movement by the conveyor through the furnace. The insulating elements are of ceramic fiber heat insulating material of relatively low density and low heat storage capacity. The material of the elements is flexible and has resiliency, and the elements initially are resiliently compressed against each other so as to remain in side-by-side contact even after subsequent heat shrinkage.

Abstract: A method of forming ports in a fuel burner wherein the ports are formed in a single stroke employing a tool having a plurality of punch members arranged in an array corresponding to the configuration of the burner body that may be a complex shape. The burner body and tool structure are supported for relative movement toward and away from each other. The tool structure and body are moved toward one another to form the array of ports in the burner body in a single relative motion. This motion is terminated before the material punched by the tool is severed from the burner body.

Abstract: An infinite switch for controlling the temperature of a stove heating element is provided with a visual indicator energized when the heating element is energized. The switch has terminals connected to an electrical power source and includes a housing, a cover with a central aperture, and a rotatable, hollow spindle extending through the aperture and into the housing. A cam mounted on the spindle interacts with two sets of switch contact elements. One set of contact elements is movable by the cam from an open to a closed position thereby connecting the power source with the second set of contact elements. The second set of switch contact elements are adjusted by the cam and are operated by a thermomotive element in heat transfer relation with a thermal heating device. The thermomotive element cycles the second set of contacts between open and closed positions alternately to energize and deenergize the heating element. The proportion of on time during each cycle is determined by the position of the cam.

Abstract: A power actuated 90.degree. rotation valve in which the power actuator is coupled to the valve stem by a socket which simultaneously engages a lug fixed with the valve stem and a nut threaded to said valve stem so that the nut cannot loosen during actuation of the valve.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding a continuous web of photosensitive paper into a reprographic machine so that the leading edges of the paper and a transparent master sheet to be copied are co-incident as they enter exposure and developing stations, and to ensure that the tail end of the paper is cut, during continuous forward movement of the leading edge, so that the trailing edge of the severed paper co-incides with the tail end of the master sheet. The feed path of the paper includes a curved portion defined by an arcuate-section guide and a concentrically mounted roller. A loop of paper is formed by moving the roller out of the guide and the rear end of the paper is then held stationary and cut by a guillotine while the paper forming the loop is continuously fed forward. The timing of the feeding and cutting operations on the paper is controlled by micro-switches actuated by the leading and trailing ends of the master sheet.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding a continuous web of photosensitive paper into a reprographic machine so that the leading edges of the paper and a transparent master sheet to be copied are coincident as they enter exposure and developing stations, and to ensure that the tail end of the paper is cut, during continuous forward movement of the leading edge, so that the trailing edge of the severed paper coincides with the tail end of the master sheet. The feed path of the paper includes a curved portion defined by an arcuate-section guide and a concentrically mounted roller. A loop of paper is formed by moving the roller out of the guide and the rear end of the paper is then held stationary and cut by a guillotine while the paper forming the loop is continuously fed forward. The timing of the feeding and cutting operations on the paper is controlled by micro-switches actuated by the leading and trailing ends of the master sheet.

Abstract: The web or sheet feeding apparatus of a reprographic machine consists of first and second sets of endless bands respectively trained over co-operating pairs of driven and driving rollers. These rollers are arranged so that adjacent reaches of the bands of the two sets extend parallel to each other to define a passageway along which web or sheets are fed by the moving bands. One or more micro-switches controlling the operation of the apparatus are mounted between adjacent passage-defining reaches of bands of the first set and have actuating arms which extend into the passageway for actuation by the web or sheets. To accommodate these actuating arms, the passage-defining reaches of the bands of the second set adjacent the micro-switches are passed below spindles so as to deflect these reaches away from the micro-switches. The passage-defining reaches of the other bands of the second set pass between the spindles and the adjacent reaches of the bands of the first set and so are not deflected.