Abstract: An air conveyor moves light objects from one location to another and may also act as an accumulator for storing objects transported thereon. The conveyor has an elongated primary plenum and one or more elongated body members disposed over and in communication with the primary plenum through openings in the bottom wall of each body member. Each body member has a generally planar top deck disposed thereover. Each body member defines a secondary plenum between the top deck and the bottom wall of the body member. The top deck has a plurality of directional orifices formed therein. Blowers in communication with the primary plenum supply air to the secondary plenum through the primary plenum. The air from the secondary plenum is delivered through the directional orifices in the top deck and creates a current, or cushion, of air on which the objects move.

Abstract: A drum assembly and method for conveying magnetically susceptible can bodies from a first location where the can bodies are generally vertical to a second location where the can bodies are generally horizontal. The drum assembly includes a hollow, non-magnetic, generally cylindrical drum; an axle for rotating the drum; and a fixed magnet inside the drum. Can bodies are attached to the drum outer surface portion by magnetic attraction at the first location; rotated to the second location; and separated from the drum at the second location by limiting proximity of the fixed magnet and the drum to an arc of only approximately 90.degree.-110.degree..

Abstract: A sheet metal end closure for a container of pressurized products, which closure includes a substantially planar central panel, a countersink around the central panel, a chuckwall around the countersink and a seaming flange around the chuckwall. It further includes an annular downwardly stepped portion between the central panel and the countersink and a coined zone in the panel radius which connects the stepped portion to the countersink. The invention includes a method and apparatus for forming such a sheet metal closure wherein the panel radius between the central panel and the countersink is coined around at least a portion of the circumference of the central panel before the periphery of the central panel is reformed. In accordance with this invention, a major portion of the central panel is moved away from the countersink by depressing the outer peripheral portion of the central panel along with the countersink and chuckwall.

Abstract: An apparatus for intermittently feeding a series of like articles along a path so as to present them in succession to a plurality of operation stations, where operations are performed upon the articles in sequence. The apparatus is provided with at least a pair of space drums mounted on parallel axis and a one piece non-metallic, substantially nonstructurable belt passing around the drums. The surface of the driven drum is textured to cooperate with the inner surface of the belt to prevent slippage therebetween. Longitudinal ribs may be formed in the inner surface of the belt.

Abstract: An apparatus for intermittently feeding a series of like articles along a path so as to present them in succession to a plurality of operation stations, where operations are performed upon the articles in sequence. The apparatus is provided with at least a pair of space drums mounted on parallel axis and a one piece non-metallic, substantially non-stretchable belt passing around the drums. The surface of the driven drum is textured to cooperate with the inner surface of the belt to prevent slippage therebetween. Longitudinal ribs may be formed in the inner surface of the belt.

Abstract: An improved easy open can end having a retained tear strip extending diametrically partly across the can end defined by a score line, and a graspable pull tab adjacent and outside the open end of the score line. The pull tab is attached to the can end by means of a rivet, the can end around the base of the rivet being deformed so as to slightly tilt the rivet toward the finger end of the pull tab. Accordingly, initial lifting of the pull tab is fully directed to the initial fracture of the score line immediately in front of the rivet, thereby ensuring desirable venting action of internal pressure and allowing opening of the can end with less effort.

Abstract: An improved easy open can end having a retained tear strip extending diametrically partly across the can and defined by a score line, and a graspable pull tab adjacent and outside the open end of the score line. The pull tab is attached to the can end by means of a rivet, the can end around the base of the rivet being deformed so as to slightly tilt the rivet toward the finger end of the pull tab. Accordingly, initial lifting of the pull tab is fully directed to the initial fracture of the score line immediately in front of the rivet, thereby ensuring desirable venting action of internal pressure and allowing opening of the can end with less effort.

Abstract: An apparatus for reforming an end shell includes a stationary tooling assembly having a reform punch for engaging an interior surface of the central wall portion of the end shell. A reciprocating tooling assembly includes spring-loaded pressure pad complimentary to the reform punch for engagin the exterior surface of the central wall portion. A reform ring, mounted circumferentially about the pressure pad, includes an annular nose for fully engaging and supporting the exterior surface of the frustoconical wall portion of the end shell. At the bottom of the reforming stroke, the central wall portion is simultaneously supported by the reform punch and the pressure pad.

Abstract: A press for forming cans from a metallic sheet includes a first work station having a blanking and drawing punch for cutting a blank from the sheet and drawing a cup from the blank. A second work station includes a redrawing punch for redrawing the cup to a smaller diameter to form a can. The redrawing punch travels through an opening formed in the sheet when the blank is cut from the sheet and acts in concert with the blanking and drawing punch. When the redrawing operation is complete, the redrawing punch reciprocates out of the opening in the sheet, as does the blanking and drawing punch, so that the sheet can advance to the next station. Other subsequent work stations act in concert with the blanking and drawing punch and redrawing punch by passing through openings formed in the sheet when a blank is punched at the first work station.

Abstract: An upstacker reject device includes a reciprocating plunger connected to a selectively oscillating shaft. A bellcrank is adjustably connected to a press ram and a rotatably mounted cylinder. A clutch is engaged to transfer rotary motion from the cylinder to the shaft. As the press ram travels downwardly, the cylinder and shaft are rotated, thereby causing the plunger to travel upwardly and engage an article carried by a transfer belt. A cylinder assembly and motion restriction cooperate with the clutch to insure that the plunger is retracted before the belt is advanced.

Abstract: A metalworking press for forming easy open can ends. The metalworking press includes a primary ram for suspending an upper tooling member and designed to vertically reciprocate; a primary press bed stationarily positioned beneath the primary ram for mounting a lower tooling member; a seconary ram positioned beneath the primary press bed for suspending another tooling member and designed to vertically reciprocate; a secondary press bed stationarily positioned beneath the secondary ram for mounting another lower tooling member; driving rods secured to the primary ram and the secondary ram so that the rams move in unison; and a device to vertically reciprocate the primary ram so that when the device moves the primary ram downwardly the secondary ram moves downwardly, and when the device moves said primary ram upwardly, the secondary ram moves upwardly.

Abstract: A resilient tool support for mounting either an upper or lower tooling member on a press ram or stationary press bed for performing a variety of operations on easy open can ends. The resilient tool support comprises a metallic member having a longitudinal central bore with vertically spaced overlying pairs of diametrically opposed angularly oriented segmental slots extending inwardly through the sides of the resilient tool support block reaching the central bore. The resilient tool support may be positioned between either the press ram and the upper tooling member, or the stationary press bed and the lower tooling member. The resilient tool support is designed to yield and absorb excessive pressure of the press ram as it performs the various operations on the easy open can ends.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding a series of like articles from one operating station to the next including a moving endless belt having an aperture slightly larger than the like articles and including a pad positioned beneath the endless belt. Associated with the pad is apparatus to vertically move the pad toward and away from the endless belt.

Abstract: A thin layer of a non-stick coating having a low coefficient of friction and a low solar reflectivity producing a non-wettable surface is applied to the reflecting face of an inclined dish receiving antenna to prevent the build-up of ice or snow on the reflecting face of the antenna.

Abstract: An easy open can end having a retained tear strip extending diametrically partly across the can end defined by a score line, and a graspable pull tab adjacent and outside the open end of the score line. The pull tab is provided with a nose portion to initiate a tear along the score line upon lifting of the pull tab. The edges of the nose portion are curled into a cylindrical cross-sectional shape to provide a high beam strength and to rigidize the nose portion and to prevent failure by bending before the tear strip is opened. A method for manufacture of the pull tab includes forming at least one relief knotch in the peripheral edge of the pull tab blank at the nose end thereof, whereby to relieve compressive forces when the edge is curled, and curling the peripheral edge of the nose portion in successive steps to form an edge portion of continuous cylindrical cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: An alignment gage for accurately positioning the azimuth and elevation angles of a fixed receiving dish antenna. The alignment gage is mounted to the dish and includes a gravity actuated pendulum cooperating with an arcuate scale for setting the elevational angle. A magnetic compass having a graduated scale is used to set the azimuth angle of the antenna. In one embodiment, the compass surmounts the pendulum so as to remain in a horizontal position. The gage is particularly adapted for use by unskilled persons for use in installing home dish antennas.

Abstract: An absorption refrigerator having a generator selectively heated by an electrically operated resistance heater or a flammable gas operated burner. In the gas mode of operation, a monitor electrode positioned above the gas burner automatically senses the absence of the burner flame and commences a restart sequence to reignite the burner. If reignition fails or the burner cannot be ignited within a predetermined time, further ignition attempts are inhibited and an indicator lamp on the front of the refrigerator enclosure above the freezer door provides a visual indication that cooling is not being supplied to the refrigerator. Different colored visual indicators are also provided to show that the refrigerator is being operated by gas or electricity. In another embodiment, the refrigerator may be selectively operated from alternating current, direct current or flammable gas, with colored indicator lamps showing the type of power source used.

Abstract: An easy open can end having a retained tear strip extending diametrically partly across the can end defined by a score line, and a graspable pull tab adjacent and outside the open end of the score line. The pull tab is provided with a nose portion to initiate a tear along the score line upon lifting of the pull tab. The edges of the nose portion are curled into a cylindrical cross-sectional shape to provide a high beam strength and to rigidize the nose portion and to prevent failure by bending before the tear strip is opened. A method for manufacture of the pull tab includes forming at least one relief knotch in the peripheral edge of the pull tab blank at the nose end thereof, whereby to relieve compressive forces when the edge is curled, and curling the peripheral edge of the nose portion in successive steps to form an edge portion of continuous cylindrical cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: A joint connection for connecting two metallic members to prevent relative movement between the members. One of the members is provided with a hollow deformable boss having inwardly sloping sides which is configured to slip fit partially within a cooperating aperature in the other member. The members are squeezed together by a nut and bolt such that the boss deforms and makes metal-to-metal contact with the other member and with the shank of the bolt. A first embodiment describes the joint connection with a hollow tube and U-shaped bracket. A second embodiment describes the connection for securing flat plates in parallel overlapping relationship.