Abstract: A circular seed plate for use with a tilted, cylindrically shaped hopper includes a plurality of cells formed in, and spaced around, the circumference of the plate. Each seed cell includes an end surface which extends radially inwardly from the outer diameter in a direction toward the center of the plate, a trailing shelf surface which extends forwardly in the direction of rotation of the plate from the radially innermost end of the end surface, and a leading shelf surface which extends forwardly from the trailing shelf surface also in the direction of rotation of the plate. Ideally each leading shelf surface is substantially longer than its corresponding trailing shelf surface. The edge defined by the intersection of each leading shelf surface and the upper face of the seed plate is beveled along substantially the entire length of the leading shelf surface.

Abstract: An improved sorting apparatus for separating loose debris, rocks and clods of dirt from root crops such as potatoes includes a channelizing conveyor, a take-away conveyor having an inlet end positioned below the discharge end of the channelizing conveyor, and a plurality of diverter paddles aligned with the channels of the channelizing conveyor. The channelizing conveyor includes an endless series of segments, each segment comprising a bar having hook portions at the ends thereof and an elastomeric molding formed thereon. Each molding includes several uniformly spaced, wedge-shaped projections, and the projections are longitudinally aligned to form channels for the potatoes, rocks and clods. The segments are interconnected with the hook portions thereof being engaged upon the trailing segment.

Abstract: A herbicide spray system comprising a rotary lawn spreader in combination with a spray system comprising a fluid reservoir, pumping means and means for coupling said pumping means to said rotary spreader. The fluid reservoir is removable from the spreader load carrier and requires no substantial modification thereof to adapt the pumping means to be driven by the spreader.

Abstract: A fish-sorting apparatus for use on board a fishing vessel of the type including fish-storing bins. The apparatus includes a surface for sorting fish, by category, into different selected ones of the bins, or overboard (for rejected fish), through ports and adjustable chutes which communicate with the surface.

Abstract: To sort first bodies from a mixture of first and second bodies in which the first bodies, for example potatoes or other root crop, are less dense than the second bodies, for example stones harvested simultaneously with the root crop, the mixture is dropped down a vertical pathway onto an energy absorber. This comprises spaced resilient strips disposed side by side in a common plane transverse to the vertical. The impact of the denser second bodies bends the strips down sufficiently to allow the second bodies to continue along the pathway past the energy absorber. But the less dense first bodies only bend the strips to a lesser extent and are halted thereby. On resiling the strips flick such halted first bodies from the pathway.

Abstract: The invention relates to the measurement of the shade of a particle. The particle is illuminated with light of variable intensity and viewed against a background level of illumination. A measurement is made of the ratio of time for which the intensity of light from the particle exceeds the intensity of the background to obtain a measurement of the shade of the particle.

Abstract: In a seeder for singulating wet seeds, a seed capture nozzle dips into a reservoir of seeds suspended in water, and captures a seed on the nozzle by means of suction applied to a suction tube. The nozzle then moves from the seed reservoir to a release location, and releases the seed by application of a pulse of water to a pressure tube. The suction tube and pressure tube meet at a junction in a conduit in the movable capture head. The suction is applied continuously to the pressure tube, and release of the seed is achieved by applying at the pressure tube a pulse of water under pressure sufficient to overcome the applied suction. In a preferred form a seed reservoir may include an inlet bore in the base of a well for supplying an upwardly directed jet of water in the seed suspension for carrying a stream of seeds upwardly toward the surface of the water. This produces a fountain of seeds at the surface and the nozzle captures a seed from a concentration of seeds at the tip of the fountain.

Abstract: A pumping assembly for dispensing product from a container is provided with a lever having a catch which locks with a lip on a closure to hold the lever in a depressed position.

Abstract: The device comprises (FIGS. 1 and 2) a fixed plate 1 provided with radial paths 2 having axes 3; along each path there is disposed an assembly 4 which comprises a wire-holder with a wire guide 10 for the wire 12 and means for moving this wire-holder radially. The paths having axes a, b, c, d, e, f converge at A, those having axes h, i, j, k, l, m at B and that having axis g passes through C without passing through A or B.In a variation, the device (FIGS. 3 to 7) has a common delivery zone for each of the article-holders. Each article-holder comprises, in addition to a stopping position for taking up and a delivery position, a third stopping position for waiting which is located between these two above-mentioned stopping positions, in the vicinity of the delivery position.

Abstract: An improved pipe guiding apparatus for vertically aligning pipe section joints in a derrick having a worktable and an elevator for vertically suspending at least one pipe section above the worktable. The apparatus is comprised of a rotary axle for horizontal attachment in the derrick, a frame attached to the rotary axle, a power cylinder for rotating the rotary axle, a pair of guide jaws pivotally attached to the forward end of the frame, a cylinder for moving the guide jaws between open and closed positions attached thereto and control for remotely operating the power cylinder for rotating the axle and the cylinder for moving the guide jaws so that that frame can be selectively moved to a position whereby the guide jaws are adjacent a vertically suspended pipe section and the guide jaws thereafter closed on the pipe section.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing articles, particularly, but not necessarily, packaged food articles which are warmed within the apparatus. The apparatus comprises a storage zone, a dispensing zone and a conveyor for conveying articles between the storage zone and the dispensing zone. Articles are loaded into vacant holders in a loading zone and such loading is controlled by a detector which detects for the presence of articles in holders which are at any one time approaching the loading zone. A further detector detects for a vacancy in the dispensing zone and, if such vacancy exists, an article is transferred from an associated holder to the dispensing zone.

Abstract: An article weighing machine having a turntable with fixed rakes for directing articles, i.e., fruits or vegetables, on the turntable along prescribed paths into side-by-side metering assemblies where successive articles are placed in successive pockets formed by opposed fingers on continuous chains, the fingers moving in linear parallel paths above cooperating parallel feed belts. Brushes over the entrance and exit of each assembly engages each article as it enters and leaves the fingers. The parallel belts receive the successive, equally spaced articles thereon and transport them successively to weighing cells where such articles are individually weighed and analog signals corresponding to the weight of the individual article are fed to a control logic which then converts such signals to digital form and transfers the logic output to a computer.

Abstract: A sorting machine has a member a part of which has a translucent viewing area. Material to be sorted is passed adjacent to but spaced from a surface on the translucent viewing area. Light passing through the translucent viewing area is viewed and in dependence on such viewing, an ejector separates. desired and undesired material. A film of washing liquid is directed over the surface of the translucent viewing area, the film then passing to a liquid removal zone which is located on another surface of the member. The liquid removal zone is disposed in a position in which the ejector does not cause the material to be wetted by the liquid.

Abstract: A mechanism for converting a two-lever gasoline dispensing pump to a single lever system. The converted single lever unit includes a frame having an upper inverted U-shaped frame section and a pair of volume and cost registers are mounted in side-by-side relation within the upper frame section. A reset mechanism is operably connected to each register and the reset mechanisms are located at opposite sides of the frame. Each reset mechanism includes a shaft and the original operating handle located on the outside of the pump is carried by a second shaft which is off-set from the reset shaft and is connected to the reset shaft through a gear drive. When the hose nozzle is removed, the operating handle can be rotated to reset or clear the register and activate the fuel valve and pump. When dispensing has been completed, rotation of the handle to its original position will deactivate the fuel valve and pump, but the register will not be cleared until a subsequent resetting cycle is accomplished.

Abstract: A dispensing compartment which is in particular provided for refrigeration units has a substantially horizontal stand surface for a plurality of identical or similarly formed articles and is provided with guide walls or strips at the sides projecting beyond the level of the stand surface as well as with a front abutment wall or strip confining the stand surface at the removal side. In order to achieve a quick and convenient removal and a direct access to the products to be removed, a rear abutment is provided which is shiftable in direction of the removal side and away therefrom and upon which a force acts directed toward the removal side. By this structure, the articles to be removed are always accessible at the removal side, and the articles located therebehind are continuously urged forwardly in the course of further removal by means of the force-activated rear abutment.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for facilitating the transfer of pipe sections between a vertical storage array and a power operated pipe elevator. A travelling block is equipped with a measuring arm to position the elevators relative to a pipe stand to be added to the drill string and taken from the storage array by a hydraulically powered pipe transfer device. After insertion of pipe by the transfer device, the elevators are automatically actuated by a contact arm mounted on the elevators. The contact arm signals the actuation of the elevators and withdraws transfer device. Pipe transfer from the storage array to the elevators and back again is semi automatic and under the supervision of the drilling crew.

Abstract: A one-piece dispenser cartridge of the type having an extrusion orifice at one end and open at the other end to receive a movable bottom plug, which is adapted to be displaced inwardly toward said orifice by the plunger of a suitable holder and thus to extrude the contents of the cartridge in selected quantities, wherein the movable bottom plug is contoured to expel virtually all of the contents and wherein the orifice is sealed with a disc which is pre-scored or pre-cut to form a multi-segmented nozzle when extrusion pressure is exerted thereagainst.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting and emptying containers or trays of cigarettes including a pair of carrier arms which are adapted to recieve the containers and pivot them through a 180.degree. angle such that the cigarettes may be emptied through an opening provided in the top of the container. After the container is emptied, the carrier is operable to return the container to its starting position, after which the carrier arms retract from the container so as to allow the same to be transported away. The carrier arms then return to the starting position to receive another container.

Abstract: At the end of a downwardly slanted track, a duct of S-shaped cross section is provided to receive tubes and rods. The duct wall members are cushioned and can be tilted apart; belts are disposed across the bottom of the duct and are gradually released to form receiving loops which increase in size accordingly, for holding and bundling the tubes or rods.

Abstract: A batch of raisins in which moldy raisins are mixed with sound ones is immersed in a hot water bath, causing the moldy raisins to assume a mushy and sticky texture while leaving the texture of the sound raisins substantially unaffected. The batch of raisins is then dropped onto a laterally inclined conveyor belt. The conveyor belt moves the raisins over a framework which is rapidly moved up and down to slap the underside of the belt, causing the raisins to bounce up and down on the continuously moving conveyor. The sound raisins, which have retained their firm texture, are bounced substantially higher than the moldy raisins, and thus, bounce down off the side of the conveyor as they move along the length of the conveyor. Because of their mushy texture, the moldy raisins do not bounce as high as the sound ones and therefore do not as readily bounce downward off the conveyor. Instead, they are carried along and off the end of the conveyor.