Abstract: A conveyor belt composed of a plurality of interconnected modules, each of identical construction and end to end mateable. Each module includes a multiplicity of elongated parallel spaced link elements terminating in first and second link ends. An intermediate section between the link ends is of grid-like structure providing a box beam across the width of the module for structural strength. This intermediate section also includes angled surfaces which define sprocket recesses located midway between the pivot axes and which are adapted to mate with corresponding sprocket teeth of an associated sprocket wheel. These intermediate sprocket recesses provide the benefit of minimizing chordal action and scrubbing between the mating surfaces of the module and sprocket.

Abstract: A transmission or conveyor chain composed of a plurality of interconnected identical links which are attachable and detachable without need for pivot pins or other separate connecting hardware. Each link is preferably molded as a unitary structure of plastic material.

Abstract: A mold and process for integrally forming a modular helical shaped device such as a screw conveyor. The mold has a center operating axis (26) and includes a first section (20A) which forms a portion of the axial member (33). The first section (20A) also forms one of the helical surfaces (36A) disposed around the center axis (26) which has an amount of rotation no greater than 360 degrees. In a similar manner, a second section (20B) is adapted for reciprocating movement along the center axis (26) between an open and closed position with respect to section (20A). The second section (20B) forms the other one of the helical shaped flight members (41). Thus, the two mold sections define a substantially enclosed cavity having an elongated axial portion and a helical shaped flight portion with a selected cross-section that forms the helical shaped device.

Abstract: Apparatus for more efficiently pre-cooking and peeling cold water shrimp such as the species Pandalus borealis is disclosed. The apparatus includes a conveyor for moving the shell-on or unpeeled shrimp up and out of a feeder tank. A perforated horizontal conveyor then carries the shrimp over a steam manifold with a multiplicity of apertures such that steam escapes from the manifold and rises through the perforated belt and surrounds the shrimp.A cooking chamber which completely encloses the horizontal conveyor except at the bottom, contains the lighter-than-air steam such that the raw shell-on shrimp are at least partially cooked by the surrounding steam. Since the lighter-than-air steam excludes all air from the cooking chamber, less oxidation of fats occurs and consequently a higher quality product is obtained.

Abstract: Alphameric electronic computers are made with fewer keys in keyboard assemblies for selection of a large range of input characters and instructions. To achieve this the computer and keyboard operates in two modes with one providing for example decimal digit processing from single keystroke entries and the other providing for example alphabetic character processing from two successive keystroke entries. The keys, strokes and instructions are cooperatively integrated by means of a visual display integrally located on the computer with coded indicia representing the entries and identifying the key or keys to be stroked and in the case of successive keystrokes representing the sequence of stroking. Accordingly reference to external manuals for computer operating or data entry instructions is rarely necessary.

Abstract: A screw conveyor composed of a plurality of modules mated end to end and of identical integrally molded construction. Each module is molded of a suitable plastic material and has integrally formed therewith a cylindrical body, a coaxially disposed tube within the body, and a web helically disposed between the coaxial tube and the cylindircal body. The module includes ends mateable with corresponding ends of like modules to provide a screw conveyor of intended length and which is rotatable as a single unitary structure. Each module may have a sheave integrally molded thereon for mating with a V-belt drive. Alternatively, the modules can be of open form each having a helical web molded on a central tube preferably having a non-circular and adapted for end to end mating with like modules to provide a screw conveyor of desired length. This open type of screw conveyor can be readily retrofitted to systems having conventional metal conveyor screws.

Abstract: Lines of various slopes and positions are generated simply in a computer aided manual drafting system. Such lines may be drawn with a modified puck manually movable over a surface to control the position of a cursor in an electronic computer display, and may be stored for later adoption in a manually directed computer aided drafting step. The puck senses two spaced positions on a surface over which it moves, thereby to define the slope of a line positioned with a datum point at the cursor location positioned by the puck in a conventional manner. Lines in this system are defined by two points in a coordinate system, namely a datum position point and a slope position point. This format affords simplified entry, processing and storage of line data in a computer.

Abstract: A processing apparatus for use in the processing of transverse fish body sections includes a support frame and a video camera for providing a video image of a transverse fish body section to be processed when aimed at the fish body section along a preselected line of sight. A fish section support is provided for supporting the transverse fish section substantially over its area. The support can be invisible on the video photo image and preferably includes a plurality of spaced apart beams which are of a small dimensional width so that they do not appear on the video photo image that contains the fish body sections. A fluid jetting knife is movable with respect to the transverse fish body section for cutting the section with a pressurized fluid stream and positioned to traverse both the fish section and the support means during the cutting operation.

Abstract: A stairway fabricating apparatus includes a structural machine frame that can support an elongated linear stringer work piece thereupon. A plurality of tread supports include multiple work stations which are movably supported by the frame for simultaneously supporting multiple, selectively pre-spaced stair-step treads in a position against the stringer so that the tread and stringer can be connected to define thereafter horizontal stair-step positions of staircase treads that are of a pre-selected spacing and of a pre-selected angular position with respect to the stringer. Connection of the treads to the stringers can be accomplished by welding, for example, once the correct linear spacing and the correct angular position of the treads are selected.

Abstract: A module for forming a conveyor belt (22) having a variable and selectable conveying surface and which is comprised of a plurality of identical modules (36, 38, 40, 42 and 44) preferably formed by injection molding is disclosed. Each module (36) has a top side and bottom side, and includes a plurality of elongated elements each of which has first pivot ends (36A) and second pivot ends (36B) formed integral with an intermediate section (54). Each of the plurality of pivot ends define pivot holes (62) which have axes (64 and 66) aligned such that the pivot ends of other modules may be pivotally connected by a pivot rod (46 and 50). Modules of a conveying belt receives a driving force which is applied to the module orthogonally to the pivot axis and substantially parallel to a first plane defined by the first and second axis (64 and 66).

Abstract: A conveyor belt composed of a plurality of interconnected modules, each of identical construction and end to end mateable. Each module includes a multiplicity of elongated parallel spaced link elements terminating in first and second link ends. An intermediate section between the link ends is of grid-like structure providing a box beam across the width of the module for structural strength. This intermediate section also includes angled surfaces which define sprocket recesses located midway between the pivot axes and which are adapted to mate with corresponding sprocket teeth of an associated sprocket wheel. These intermediate sprocket recesses provide the benefit of minimizing chordal action and scrubbing between the mating surfaces of the module and sprocket.

Abstract: A conveyor belt composed of interconnected identical modules of integral plastic molded construction. Each of the modules includes a multiplicity of elongated parallel spaced link elements having first and second pluralities of link ends and an intermediate section of a grid-like structure between the link ends. The link ends each include a portion projecting from one side of each of the link elements along the pivotal axis of the module. The portions extend from the same facing side for each group of link ends, such that when adjacent modules are linked together the projecting portions of adjacent link ends are rotated 180.degree. with respect to each other, in that the projecting portions of the link ends of each adjoining module extend in opposite directions. Thus, the flat sides of the linked ends of mated modules are in engagement to provide only a very small offset in the line of pull through the adjacent link elements to minimize bending forces in the links and link ends.

Abstract: A transmission or conveyor chain composed of a plurality of interconnected identical links which are attachable and detachable without need for pivot pins or other separate connecting hardware. Each link is preferably molded as a unitary structure of plastic material.

Abstract: An improved heat exchanger is shown for indirect heat exchange between two fluid media. The heat exchanger has thin metallic walls and a multitude of convoluted or tortuous shaped internal flow passages to increase the effective contact time during which heat is transferred between the media. The heat exchanger is particularly suitable for heat exchange between fluids having low differential temperatures or specific heats, due to the thin wall structure, the elongated tortuous internal flow path created by the core structure and the absence of welds, soldering or other thick areas which tend to inhibit heat transfer due to their relatively greater mass. The heat exchanger is produced by a novel technique. A support matrix is assembled from a plurality of low melting point forms, each of which has angled internal passages. The passages of each form are positioned in register with the passages of adjacent forms.

Abstract: Plastic portions of a container rim and mating lid are fused together by an electrical conductor wire loop positioned therebetween when electromagnetically coupled to an induction heating coil. The wire forms a tab extending outside the closed container which may be manually manipulated to remove a lid fused in place to close the container. This container may be hermetically sealed with sanitized foodstuff or the like by concurrently sterilizing with microwave energy while fusing the lid in place.

Abstract: A desk top CRT visual display system for eliminating reflections and glare with respect to an observer having a selected eyepoint is disclosed. The system includes a CRT 18 having a viewing plane 30. The CRT 18 is oriented with respect to a nomimal eyepoint 22 of an observer such that the viewing plane 30 is at a selected angle of between 70.degree. and 30.degree. with respect to a line of sight extending from the selected nominal eyepoint 22. The system is supported by a desk top 26 which also typically supports keyboard 28 at a viewing position juxtaposed to the visual display CRT 18. The system also includes a light obstructing top shield 16 having a front edge 44 and a light absorbing under surface 46. The front edge 44 of light obstructing shield 16, and the display angle of the viewing plane 30 of CRT 18 are selected such that a light path extending from the eyepoint 22 to any point on the viewing plane 30 is reflected into the light absorbing surface 46 of light obstructing top shield 16.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for permanently joining integrally formed plastic screw conveyor modules is disclosed. A support means supported by a base supports a multiplicity of previously joined modules. A holding means also mounted to the base supports a single module to be joined to the already joined modules. The holding means supports the single module such that the axial member of the single module is aligned with the axial member of the multiplicity of modules. A melting means such as a heating plate is placed in firm contact between the ends of the modules to be joined until the plastic begins to melt. The heating plate is then removed and the modules while being supported firmly along their axis are pressed together and maintained in such a position until the melted plastic begins to solidify and thereby joining or bonding the single module to the already joined modules.

Abstract: A processing apparatus for use in the processing of transverse fish body sections includes a support frame and a video camera for providing a video image of a transverse fish body section to be processed when aimed at the fish body section along a preselected line of sight. A fish section support is provided for supporting the transverse fish section substantially over its area. The support can be invisible on the video photo image and preferably includes a plurality of spaced apart beams which are of a small dimensional width so that they do not appear on the video photo image that contains the fish body sections. A fluid jetting knife is movable with respect to the transverse fish body section for cutting the section with a pressurized fluid stream and positioned to traverse both the fish section and the support means during the cutting operation.

Abstract: Apparatus for bonding or joining confronting edges of flights of adjacent integrally molded screw conveyor modules is disclosed. The apparatus comprises means for supporting a plurality of the modules in axial alignment and with confronting edges of the module flight members in confronting relationship. Also included is a clamping means for enclosing and maintaining the confronting edges in a fixed position. The clamping means includes at least one passage extending from outside the clamp to a position inside the clamp between the confronting edges. A heated gas such as nitrogen is provided through the passage to the confronting edge to heat the edges substantially to the melting point of the plastic modules. Subsequent to heating the edges with the hot gas, a liquid plastic material under selected temperature and pressure is injected through the clamp passage and into the space between the confronting flight edges to fill the space between the edges and to bond the flights together.

Abstract: An improved metering valve, or flush valve, incorporates a rolling diaphragm mechanism of a cylindrical elastomeric material providing a smoothly transitioning flow rate control from the full open to the full close position. The rolling diaphragm sealing means is actuated by a floating cup driven by the differential pressure between the valve fluid inlet and an intermediate actuation control chamber. The valve control is spring biased to the normally closed position and is actuated by dumping all fluid from the control chamber through a poppet mechanism which is triggered mechanically through a sealing diaphragm. Upon dumping fluid from the metering chamber, the actuating cup is compressed by the pressure of the inlet fluids to roll the diaphragm to a substantially open position.