Abstract: Spent filter media material may be blended with a classic material, such as high-density polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene succinate, or polylactic acid, to form a filled plastic composition. The spent filter media may include spent diatomaceous earth, spent perlite, and/or residues thereof. The composition may be performed by co-extruding a mixture of the plastic material and the spent filter media. Surprisingly, the spent filter media may be used as-supplied and without the need to dry the material. The resulting plastic composite material has numerous uses, including, for example, litter scoops and eating utensils.

Abstract: A take-out arbor (35) for receiving strip material (S) in a strip accumulator (20, 26) of a strip processing line includes a main mandrel (36) and a secondary mandrel (37) carried by the main mandrel (36). A plurality of rollers (67) are carried by the mandrels (36, 37), one end of each roller (67) being supported by the main mandrel (36) and the other end of each roller (67) being supported by the secondary mandrel (37). The main mandrel (36) is pivotally mounted to a frame (27 or 87) of the accumulator (20 or 26), and when the mandrels (36, 37) are pivoted, the secondary mandrel (37) rotates with respect to the main mandrel (36) such that the other end of each roller (67) pivots with respect to the one end of each roller (67) to align the rollers (67) with the strip material (S). The take-out arbor (35) can be utilized with both a vertically oriented accumulator (20) and a horizontally oriented accumulator (26).

Abstract: A system (10) for supplying strip material (S) to a processing line includes a strip uncoiler assembly (11) and a strip take-out assembly (12). The uncoiler assembly (11) carries a plurality of adjacently positioned coils (C) of strip material (S) with the trailing end of the strip material (S) of each coil (C) being attached to the leading end of the strip material (S) on the serially adjacent coil (C). The uncoiler assembly (11) also includes a drive mechanism (26) to rotate the coils (C) as the strip material (S) is payed off to the take-out assembly (12) which has a take-out arm (44) movable by an indexing device (73) to always be aligned with the individual coil (C) currently paying off strip material (S). Take-out assembly (12) also includes a dancer roller (57) which moves in response to the demand of the processing line to control the speed at which strip material (S) is payed off by the uncoiler assembly (11).

Abstract: A system (10) for supplying strip material (S) to a processing line includes a strip uncoiler assembly (11) and a strip take-out assembly (12). The uncoiler assembly (11) carries a plurality of adjacently positioned coils (C) of strip material (S) with the trailing end of the strip material (S) of each coil (C) being attached to the leading end of the strip material (S) on the serially adjacent coil (C). The uncoiler assembly (11) also includes a drive mechanism (26) to rotate the coils (C) as the strip material (S) is payed off to the take-out assembly (12) which has a take-out arm (44) movable by an indexing device (73) to always be aligned with the individual coil (C) currently paying off strip material (S). Take-out assembly (12) also includes a dancer roller (57) which moves in response to the demand of the processing line to control the speed at which strip material (S) is payed off by the uncoiler assembly (11).

Abstract: An extendible merchandise shelving display embodies an elongated, stationary shelf support which extends laterally from and is connected to at least one vertical support. An elongated, movable shelf support extends alongside and is slidably connected to the stationary shelf support. The movable shelf support is adapted for sliding movement relative to the stationary shelf support selectively to an extended position spaced from the vertical support and to a retracted position adjacent the vertical support. Cooperating locking members are carried by the movable and stationary shelf supports in position to engage each other and limit sliding movement of the movable shelf support while in its extended and retracted positions.

Abstract: An arbor (28) for a strip accumulator (10) includes a hollow generally cylindrical body having an outer curved surface (60) and closed ends (62, 64). The curved surface (60) is provided with a plurality of apertures (82) arranged in a helical pattern around the curved surface (60). Air under pressure is provided to the inside of the arbor (28) and passes through the apertures (82) to support strip material (S) as it travels around the arbor (28) on the helical path.

Abstract: A shelf is supported by at least one shelf support from at least one vertical support having vertically spaced slots therein. The rear edge of each shelf support carries upper and lower extensions which fit into the slots. Abutting surfaces between the upper and lower extensions extend at angles to each other and abut, selectively, the adjacent surface of the vertical support. A downwardly opening notch in the lower edge of each upper extension engages the adjacent portion of its vertical support between the slots therein while the shelf is horizontal. An upstanding projection on the upper edge of each upper extension engages the adjacent portion of its vertical support between the slots therein while the shelf is tilted. Depending projections on the lower extensions abut adjacent portions of the vertical support between the slots therein while the shelf is horizontal and are adapted to move over the portions of the support between the slots upon upward movement of the rear portion of the shelf.

Abstract: A merchandise shelving display embodying a downwardly inclined shelf panel supported from a supporting frame. At least one downwardly inclined track unit is integrally formed to provide a pair of upstanding outer rails extending in spaced parallel relation to each other and a pair of upstanding inner rails between the outer rails and extending in spaced parallel relation to each other and the outer rails with the upper surfaces of the outer rails being at an elevation different from the elevation of the upper surfaces of the inner rails. Each track unit is detachably secured to the upper surface of the shelf panel so that a plurality of laterally spaced track units may be carried by the shelf panel.

Abstract: A control device for a continuous processing line which is fed material from a coil utilizes information regarding the outside diameter of the material on a coil having a constant inside diameter as a basis for its control functions. A typical application is in the control of a strip accumulator (15) in a strip processing line wherein strip(s) on a revolvable coil is drawn from an uncoiler (10) by the revolvable pinch rolls (16) of the accumulator at which point a certain quantity of material is stored so that when the end of a coil is reached a new coil may be attached to the old coil without stopping the line. In such instances it is highly desirable that the accumulator be substantially filled so that a maximum time is available to attach the new coil. The control device includes means (31) providing a signal proportional to the revolutions of the pinch rolls and means (30) providing a signal proportional to the revolutions of the supply coil.

Abstract: A strip accumulator includes a frame and means for forming and supporting outer and inner sets of convolutions of strip material. The means forming the outer set of convolutions includes a flexible band which carries rollers thereon, the band being mounted to the frame in such a manner that as the convolutions of strip build up against the rollers, the band will expand. The means forming the inner set of convolutions includes arcuate plates which carry rollers thereon against which the convolutions of strip are formed. Means are provided to move the plates toward and away from each other.

Abstract: A control device for a continuous processing line which is fed material from a coil utilizes information regarding the outside diameter of the material on a coil having a constant inside diameter as a basis for its control functions. A typical application is in the control of a strip accumulator (15) in a strip processing line wherein strip(s) on a revolvable coil is drawn from an uncoiler (10) by the revolvable pinch rolls (16) of the accumulator at which point a certain quantity of material is stored so that when the end of a coil is reached a new coil may be attached to the old coil without stopping the line. In such instances it is highly desirable that the accumulator be substantially filled so that a maximum time is available to attach the new coil. The control device includes means (31) providing a signal proportional to the revolutions of the pinch rolls and means (30) providing a signal proportional to the revolutions of the supply coil.