Abstract: A disc record apparatus having a fixed housing including an entrance slot for a disc record and a surface to slidably receive a disc record inserted edge first in its own plane through said slot to a playing position has a drive spindle for the disc record mounted in a spindle or motor housing for translation axially of the spindle and perpendicularly relative to the plane of the disc record. The spindle is movable in tranlation from an insertion position displaced from the plane of the record to an operative position in engagement centrally with a disc record in playing position for rotating the disc record. A motor driven cam member translates the spindle housing. A movable gate is provided for the entrance slot and the motor driven cam member is connected for opening and closing the gate so that a disc record may be inserted or ejected coordinated with translation movement of the spindle.

Abstract: A cleaning device for razor cartridges, particularly of the "twin blade" type, having a casing with a socket into which a cartridge may be snapped in place, the casing having an inlet for water from a faucet and channels directing the flow of water and producing jets, the cartridge being held such that the jets are aimed directly at the space between the blades so that water flows between and around the blades and through passages in the cartridge to flush accumulated soap and shaving residue; the cleaning device is disclosed in the cap of a shaving foam dispenser and in the case in which the razors are put on sale.

Abstract: An audio-visual cartridge containing two coplanar adjacent rotatable discs, a visual disc carrying a plurality of picture transparencies mounted in a ring for successive viewing and an audio disc having sound recording tracks on a face thereof for individual sound recordings corresponding to transparencies, the cartridge being in the form of a flat envelope having a first and second internal compartment disposed in coplanar relation for accommodating the discs. An apparatus for reproducing recordings while a user views transparencies on discs contained in an audio-visual cartridge is provided with a manual selector for rotating the visual disc and a motor drive for rotating the audio disc, an optical viewer for reading the transparencies, an audio device for reading sound tracks and reproducing recordings and a circuit and mechanism for coordinating the rotation of the discs so that individual recordings corresponding to transparencies are reproduced while the corresponding transparencies are being viewed.

Abstract: A programmed control unit for a coffee machine is provided by which the number of cups and strength of coffee made by the machine may be selected. The unit controls the flow of hot water from the reservoir to the coffee in the filter depending on the number of cups selected. Also, the control unit operates to start brewing the coffee ahead of time set in by the user so that the coffee is ready at the time set into the dial.

Abstract: A mechanism for controlling the return movement of cassettes in slide-in type tape decks by utilizing a movable frame to return the cassettes and momentarily interrupt the return movement of the movable frame at a point in its travel where at least one of the drive members penetrating the cassettes in the operative position is still engaged in the cassettes.

Abstract: A video disc player having a base and a protective cover pivotally hinged on the base and adapted to be opened and closed to permit a disc to be inserted or removed from the rotary drive assembly is provided with a device for automatically turning over a disc carried by the rotary drive assembly as an incident to opening and closing the cover by powered drive units; the turning over includes a ninety degree phase in which the disc slides under its own weight between substantially vertical and horizontal positions while the bottom edge of the disc slides laterally and a ninety degree phase in which the disc pivots about the bottom edge between substantially horizontal and vertical positions; guides are provided on the underside of the cover and the base for guiding both the bottom edge and the top edge of the disc during its sliding movement and for supporting the bottom edge of the disc for pivotal movement about an axis adjacent the pivotal axis of the cover.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling tape movement to a given position by utilizing the combination of periodic determinations of tape position by calculation based on reel speed ratios, and monitoring positions represented by counts in a pulse count memory.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for synchronizing a display with tape movement utilizing a clock means for driving the display, and adjusting the rate of the clock means according to measured movement of the tape to maintain the clock and thus the display in synchronization.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for identifying a cassette inserted in a tape deck apparatus by using constants stored in memory corresponding to known types of cassettes; controlling the drive means of the apparatus to carry out a cassette identification sequence involving moving the tape to different positions and comparing actual positions to theoretical positions based on the use of a pre-selected set of constants, and selecting the correct set of constants identifying the cassette in the apparatus according to the comparison.

Abstract: There is disclosed an automatic tape cassette inverting apparatus for a tape recorder/playback device. The automatic tape cassette inverting apparatus is capable of receiving a video tape cassette in a horizontal position in a magazine, holding it in the magazine, inverting the cassette by rotating the magazine and transferring the cassette between the holding position in the magazine and the operating position in the tape recorder/playback device. The magazine includes a stop mechanism for stopping and holding the video tape cassette in the holding position while the magazine is being rotated as well as a backup stop mechanism to be assured that during rotation, the tape cassette cannot accidentally be dislodged from the holding position in the magazine. There is also an arrest mechanism provided on the magazine to arrest any inertial movement of the tape as it is transferred between the tape recorder/playback device and the magazine.

Abstract: For cassettes with memory for storing data relating to the cassette or the tape therein, memory error signal devices having two states representing that the cassette memory has an error or has no error, respectively, the memory error signal devices being operable between said states by a spindle member of a peripheral device. Two embodiments of memory error signal devices are disclosed, one embodiment having a capacitor, and circuit connections from said capacitor to terminals, the charged or discharged state of said capacitor constituting said two states of said device. The other embodiment has a signal plate mounted for movement between two positions, the two positions of said signal plate constituting the two states of the device, and the signal plate has terminals.

Abstract: In a tape transport having a bidirectional drive for movement of tape at playback speed and fast speed in either direction, including a reversing mechanism, signal detection circuit means for receiving audio signals from one or the other sets of head channels and for producing actuating signals in response to a silence interval of predetermined minimum duration in audio signals indicating a silence period between recordings on the corresponding set of recording tracks, a control for the drive including a member having two states representing the respective directions of tape movement, connected for switching the sets of head channels to accommodate the direction of tape movement upon reversal of the drive, and disconnected from switching the sets of head channels upon reversal of the drive for movement of the tape at fast rewind speed, so as to maintain the same set of head channels enabled when the drive is shifted to fast forward or fast rewind in order to playback the same tracks for detection of silence i

Abstract: Cassette loading apparatus for video machines, the apparatus having a movable housing which carries the cassette into engagement with the tape driving, play back and recording components of the video machine, and a cassette transport mechanism which transports the cassette from its insertion or rest position into the housing, the cassette transport mechanism being self-powered by a drive motor which moves the transport mechanism and thereby the cassette inward from its insertion position to an intermediate position within the housing. The housing is then moved as a unit to carry the cassette into its operative position. A protective door provided on the front edge of the cassette to protect the tape is displaced from the cassette automatically as an incident to movement of the housing to carry the cassette into its operative position, and is returned to the protecting position when the housing returns the cassette from the operative position.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining automatically the type of tape carrier introduced into a device designed for transferring a tape between two reels. Two positions of the tape are compared and a signal is generated which is representative of this comparison. The comparison signal is compared with an interval or a reference value and as a result of this latter comparison, the indication of the type of tape carrier is either corrected or not corrected.

Abstract: Cassettes of recording tape are provided with an electronic memory including semi-conductor circuits mounted in the cassette housing for storing data relating to the cassette or tape therein. A memory error signal device is also provided in the cassette housing having states representing that data stored on the cassette memory has an error or no error. Devices for a tape deck apparatus for cooperation with the cassette memory circuits and error signal device are also disclosed.

Abstract: A bi-directional magnetic tape recording and playback apparatus having means for assuring the correct operation of the take-up reel. A solenoid-controlled intermediate gear in the drive train to the reel spindles is moved between two operative positions in order to transfer the magnetic tape from the tape supply reel to the take-up reel whatever the direction of motion of the tape. The apparatus includes a mechanical element associated with the intermediate gear for producing an electrical indication of the intermediate gear being in an operative position. This electrical indication is processed by an electronic circuit for producing an output signal when the positioning of the intermediate gear is incorrect.

Abstract: A powered atomizer that repeatedly actuates a conventional manual pump-type atomizer. The powered atomizer is a motor driven unit contained within a housing which holds the atomizer spray head and pump stationary, and provides a mechanism to reciprocate the atomizer container relative to the stationary spray head and pump to actuate the atomizer. The housing is comprised of two separable sections that permits disassembly of the housing and replacement of spent containers. The atomizer container is reciprocated in the housing by means of an electric motor with a motor shaft. The rotary motion of the motor shaft is transformed into reciprocating vertical translatory motion by a cam and follower mechanism. An on-off switch controls the supply of power to the motor, and the container returns to its lowermost position when the motor is stopped, so that it can be manually operated.

Abstract: A bidirectional tape transport for tapes stored in cassettes with a control for starting the drive in a preferred direction when a cassette is inserted in the apparatus. For reversing the direction of tape movement, the polarity of the supply voltage to the motor is reversed and the tape drive and the drive train to the reel spindles are reversed in such a way as always to drive the take-up spindle. Such operations are achieved by energizing a reversing solenoid by an electrical pulse, which may be produced manually or automatically by a reel rotation detection circuit.

Abstract: A tape transport for tapes stored in cassettes, where the loading and unloading of the cassette is carried out by a single in-and-out movement of the cassette in its own plane, and where tape and reel drive elements, as the cassette is loaded and unloaded, are brought into and out of penetrative engagement with the cassette in a direction substantially perpendicular to the face of the cassette. The tape transport is of the movable frame type in which a movable frame carrying the tape and reel drive elements is supported on a fixed frame for translation perpendicular to the plane of cassette movement while simultaneously following the in-and-out movements of the cassette.

Abstract: A method for controlling the transfer of a flexible web member from a supply reel to a take-up reel, according to which the rotational speeds of the supply reel and the take-up reel are measured and whereby the ratio between these measurements is established independently of the speed and direction of the movement of the web member. The method comprises the steps of storing reference information representing the characteristics of different types of reel and web, releasing the reference information corresponding to the reels and webs used, generating intermediate signals which represent the said ratio combining these intermediate signals with the released reference information and generating output signals in dependence upon the momentary position of the web in relation to one or other ends thereof, and using these output signals for the purpose of visually displaying the position of the web and/or of controlling certain operations of the apparatus.