Abstract: A rotary actuator mechanism for applying torque to a shaft and comprising an actuator housing forming an actuator path that includes an actuator pinion rotatably supported in said housing and having said shaft secured thereto. The pinion having peripheral notches of a selected shape and positioned within the actuator path. The mechanism having a train of discrete actuator elements having opposite ends and positioned in the actuator path, each of the actuator elements being of said selected shape to enable reception in the peripheral notches, a plurality of the elements engaging the notches. The mechanism having at least one linear actuator supported by the housing and engaging one of the ends of the train of actuator elements, the linear actuator being selectively activated to push the train of discrete actuator elements through the actuator path to thereby serially engage the actuator elements with the notches of the pinion and thereby apply torque to the shaft.

Abstract: A low profile batter dispenser, for the housing of batter on a counter top for an extended period of time while cooling the batter to resist bacterial growth therein. The batter dispenser includes a housing, a batter container, and an ice pack assembly for holding an ice pack on the bottom of and in contact with the batter container.

Abstract: A robotic master controller having a series of linking members interconnected by pivots to each other and a hand grip with relative position sensors therein and sensing yaw and pitch of the hand grip due to movement of the user. The final linking member including an arched section that terminates in a pivot for the hand grip that is located within the user's hand during use and has an axis of rotation that generally aligns with a roll axis of rotation of the arm when the user's hand rotates between a palm up configuration to a palm down configuration. The final linking member also includes an arched section that extends over and cradles the outer palm of the hand when the hand is in the palm up configuration. The user reaches around the outside (to the right for a right arm controller) to grasp the hand grip.

Abstract: A combination for enhancing an agricultural site in which a blend of an absorbent polymer having a mesh size of 40 to 70 is combined with at least one liquid additive. When combined, sufficient amount of the liquid additive is applied to the blend so that the absorbent polymer no longer recognizes water; hence, the polymer is “saturated” with the additive. In one embodiment of the invention, two liquid additives are used; a first liquid additive including a liquid fertilizer and a second liquid additive which includes a liquid insecticide.

Abstract: A multiple station in-line product handling machine (40) is provided which has infeed stations (42-46) equipped with improved feeder and receiving units (60, 62) as well as a unique pusher chain assembly (78). The feeder units (60) include a sucker shaft (88) adapted to successively grip the leading ends (336) of the bottom products (334) in a stack thereof and to pivot such leading ends (336) downwardly without any substantial translational movement of the product (334); the downwardly pivoted ends (336) are then engaged by a cooperating nip roller (100) and feed belt assembly (71) to withdraw the product (334) from the stack. Preferably, the sucker shaft (88) and nip roller (100) are driven by respective cams (106, 108) mounted on a powered shaft (110). The receiving units (62) have receiving structure (74) together with a rotatable wheel (76) equipped with a resilient peripheral product-engaging element (174) which quickly and reliably move the fed product (334) along the length of the machine (10).

Abstract: A mechanism for opening a publication and for sensing the open or closed condition of the publication includes an opening mechanism for opening the publication into two sections, a first detector assembly for sensing the presence of one of the sections at a first location, and a second detector assembly for sensing the presence of the remaining section at a second location spaced from the first. An indicator responds to the first and second detector assemblies for indicating that the opening mechanism properly opened the publication when the sections are sensed at both the first and second locations, and for indicating that the opening mechanism missed opening the publication when the sections are sensed at only one of the first and second predetermined locations. Preferably, a piece of reflective tape is positioned at the first and second locations, and each detector assembly emits light that is directed onto the corresponding tape along a predetermined line that is angled 15.degree.-45.degree.

Abstract: A feeder for flexible sheet material includes a gripping assembly (30) provided with a hollow gripper shaft (54) and a vacuum operated gripper (52). The shaft (54) is movable through an arcuate path of travel between engagement and sheet-releasing positions. The vacuum pressure to the gripper (52) is controlled to cause the marginal portion of the lowermost sheet to be gripped by the gripper when the shaft is in the engagement position and to discontinue the vacuum to the gripper at the sheet-releasing position. A valve assembly (64) is disposed between a vacuum line and the hollow shaft (54) and is mounted for rotation on the gripping assembly (30). The valve is rotatable between open and closed positions in response to movement of the shaft through the arcuate path of travel between the engagement and sheet-releasing positions.

Abstract: An insert mechanism particularly suitable for opening multiple page, folded, flexible, lightweight "shopper" type paper publications is disclosed which utilizes a pointed pin movable through an arc relative to the path of travel of the paper section which causes the pin to penetrate and lift only a portion of the sheets on the leading corner of the section remote from the fold while the section is advanced along a transport device. The pin is radially secured to a wheel, and the wheel rotates in timed relationship to the advancement of the leading corner of the folded paper. As the pin travels through its arc, it raises the lifted portion of the sheets to a position above a proximal separation shelf. An intermittent air stream directed towards the pin separates and directs downwardly any sheets lifted but not penetrated by the pin.

Abstract: An improved, mobile, compartmentalized cart for newspaper inserts or other sheet-type items is provided which includes selectively operable brake mechanism for fixing the cart against translatory movement while at the same time allowing the cart to rotate for providing easy individual access to the respective cart compartments. The cart is preferably provided with a central, elongated, axially reciprocable, spring-biased rod having a floor-engaging brake pad on the lower end thereof, with the cart being rotatable about an upright axis coincident with the rod. A cam latch is secured to the upper end of the rod for selectively raising the pad from the floor-engaging position thereof, and for holding the pad in such position. The cam latch is especially configured for allowing the rod and pad to shift downwardly, under the influence of the biasing spring, to a point where the pad is below the level of engagement between the floor and the cart casters.