Abstract: In a system for applying material to a substrate, a first material is applied to the substrate and the substrate coated with the first material is drawn between a pair of rollers to form a material layer. The roller which contacts the first material is grounded and an electrostatic charging device sprays electrostatically charged particles of a second material onto the roller such that the particles are evenly dispersed on the surface of the roller. The particles of the second material on the roller tend to prevent the first material from adhering to the roller and are preferably incorporated into the second material.

Abstract: A shoulder bow carrier comprising an adjustable shoulder strap made of flexible material, having loops at each end of the shoulder strap for receiving and supporting the ends of a bow and joining the ends of the shoulder strap by a flexible, stretchable piece of material which is within a fixed-length flexible tube assembly.

Abstract: A multi-functional pack frame assembly which can be assembled and disassembled while selectively functioning as 1) a backpack support assembly; 2) an adjustable chair assembly; 3) a gun rest assembly; and 4) a table assembly. The multi-functional pack frame assembly includes 1) a pack and ground support assembly; 2) a table and gun rest assembly connected to the pack and ground support assembly; 3) a back rest support assembly connectable to the pack and ground support assembly when functioning as a backpack support cushion or chair support member; 4) an adjustable elevation support assembly connectable to the pack and ground support assembly to provide adjustable elevational support thereto; and 5) a shoulder connector and support assembly connected to the pack and ground support assembly for attachment to shoulder portions of a camper/hunter member for conveyance thereof.

Abstract: There is disclosed a transfer closure valve for safely filling and emptying containers of any type with a liquid, pasty or powdery medium. The medium flows from a barrel into another container without escaping into the environment. The closure valve has a first housing in which is arranged a rotatable or slidable second housing which is fixed to a filler pipe. The second housing is provided with a lifting mechanism for lifting and lowering a lifting cap which opens or closes a lower outlet opening of the first housing. In a first position of the second housing the lifting cap closes the outlet opening, whilst in a second position of the second housing the filler pipe is brought into register with an upper connecting piece of the first housing and the lower outlet opening of the first housing.

Abstract: A waste collection system for receiving contaminated fluids in a manner which helps to prevent splashing of fluids or spilling them while they are being collected, thereby increasing protection to personnel, and which also keeps the fluids safely contained until ready for permanent disposal. In one presently preferred embodiment, the waste collection system includes a receptacle in which an absorbent pad is placed. The top of the receptacle is then sealed with a lid in an essentially fluid-tight fit. The surface of the lid is concave and slopes inwardly to a point at which an opening is formed, and a circular foam disc is placed at the opening. The foam material is provided with slits so that fluid can be introduced to the interior of the receptacle by either injecting a device such as a syringe through the slits or by permitting fluid to directly contact the foam material of the disc, which provides absorption and wicking action so that fluids will readily pass through the disc.

Abstract: The apparatus relieves the weight of a garment from a wearer's shoulders and transfers the weight to the wearer's midsection, including the hips. The apparatus comprises a belt adjustable to conform to the wearer's waist, an adjustable length upright attached to the belt and supporting shoulder pads at the ends of a beam extending from the upper end of the upright. The upright is adjusted so that the shoulder pads are close to but not touching the wearer's shoulders.

Abstract: A rotary switch which includes a rotary actuator, a linear switch having a linear actuator and a rotary to linear translator interconnecting the rotary actuator to the linear actuator. Rotation of the rotary actuator causes the translator to move linearly and, in turn, to move the linear actuator.

Abstract: Apparatus for the preparation and dispensing of liquids which are used in developing machines for photosensitive material has a vessel with an upright partition over which a freshly formed mixture containing at least one liquid substance can overflow from a mixing chamber into a storage chamber. The latter has a bottom wall disposed at a level below the bottom wall of the mixing chamber and provided with an outlet which discharges mixture into a collecting container. A pump is provided to circulate the liquid substance along an endless path extending in part through the mixing chamber, and the partition has an opening slightly above or at the level of the bottom wall of the mixing chamber to permit direct flow of mixture between the two chambers when the mixture in the storage chamber reaches a certain level. The flow of mixture through the opening is controlled by a valve including a float.

Abstract: An actuating mechanism for a plunger-type switch having alternative open and closed conditions and having a plunger movable between an extended position and a retracted position whereby said switch condition is changed by the movement of said plunger comprises a flat spring, having a first spring end, a second spring end and a middle portion, and a housing having an upper surface wherein the plunger-type switch and spring are positioned within the housing such that the first spring end is positioned in closely spaced relation to the plunger in the extended position and the middle portion of the spring bows above the housing upper surface such that application of a force to the middle portion of the spring and directed towards the housing upper surface compresses the spring advancing the spring first end toward the switch a distance sufficient to move the plunger to the retracted position and upon removal of the force the first spring end advances away from the switch a distance sufficient to allow the plunger

Abstract: A vaportight seal door assembly mounted in the upper end of a vehicle fuel system filler pipe. The seal door is normally biased to a closed position to create a vaportight seal between the fuel tank and the filler pipe inlet, normally closed by a cap. The seal door yields upon insertion of a dispenser nozzle to permit refueling. The seal door is provided with pressure relief structure to vent fuel vapor from the fuel tank to the upper end of the filler pipe at a predetermined pressure differential when the seal door is closed.

Abstract: An automatic filling system for a compressed gas tank includes a controller that measures the rate of fill of a tank being filled in order to provide an accurate estimate of the fill time for the tank, given available source pressure. Compressed gas flow is controlled with on/off valves that are driven open by a motor/gearbox/clutch combination to reduce thermal and physical shocks associated with opening of the valve. Whenever power is removed from the clutch, a spring automatically drives the valves closed quickly to provide fail-safe operation.

Abstract: A backpack hip-brace assembly is disclosed, which individual hip-brace is interchangeable and operable upon either backpack frame side; is slidably positionable along the frame; and is laterally displaceable with respect to a wearer's body so as to pivot the backpack for redistribution of the load.

Abstract: A removable insulating jacket for the body section and funnel section of a bottle carried in a cage affixed to a bar of a bicycle in which the insulation for the body section is formed from foam having skin on at least one surface that is compressed to form flaps that are used to secure that portion to the bar and tabs for closing off the rear end. The insulation for the funnel section is formed from an arcuate sheet of foam that is connected end to end to form a frustum having ridges therein to enable a cyclist to obtain a good grip thereon when the bottle is to be removed from the cage.

Abstract: A filling pipe for use in a filling machine for filling in particular valve sacks, comprises a pipe body with an end piece which a closure ring defining an outlet opening and made of a filter material. The closure ring is surrounded by a ring chamber which is in fluid communication an air conduit for allowing evacuation of the ring chamber after termination of a filling process and, optionally, admittance of air after fitting an empty valve sack onto the pipe body.

Abstract: A low profile electronic pushbutton switch, useful for computer keyboards, is provided having stabilization in both of its horizontal axes, thereby preventing binding of the switch's bearing surfaces and preventing tilting of the upper surface of the switch while being operated. The stabilization is achieved by a pair of yokes that are positioned at 90.degree. angles from one another, and which provide stability to keep the upper surface of the pushbutton switch normal to the direction of depression as the switch is actuated. The yokes are mounted via a "living hinge" to the base surface of the keyboard and to a moveable frame portion that is rigidly attached to the upper cap of the pushbutton switch. The yokes are also movably attached, via a pair of stems, to horizontal slots in the moveable frame portion and to the base. As the switch is depressed, the stems of the yokes will move in the horizontal direction within their horizontal slots to allow stabilized vertical movement of the moveable frame portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a way for the do-it-yourself oil and filter changer to safely and cleanly drain used oil from the filter, and sealing and storing both filter and drained filter oil in the same container that crankcase oil is stored while keeping the drained filter dry and separate from the drained and collected oil. The invention solves a recent problem that has become apparent as used oil filters have become a culprit of land and water pollution. By allowing the do-it-yourselfer a convenient, safe and clean means to manage his used oil filter along with his used oil, it hampers the tendency to improperly dispose of these recyclable wastes by allowing more convenient and cleaner transport of these wastes to a collection center. This reusable container also eliminates the disposable items currently being used to transport used oil filters, thus eliminating these oily wastes from the wastestream.

Abstract: A movable electrical contact assembly forms a potentiometer and includes at least one strip of electrically conductive material having a significant resistance, a conductive rolling contact device in contact with the strip, a mechanism for moving the rolling contact device along the strip, and the rolling contact device or the strip being made of a deformable conductive material. In one preferred embodiment, two strips are provided at least one of which has a significant resistance. Also in one embodiment, the rolling contact device is deformable and is defined by a conductive elastomeric contact roller.

Abstract: A handle actuator is provided for a circuit interrupter that has a handle or toggle pivotally movable between operative positions. The handle actuator has a pair of pins that fit tightly on the handle, a pair of retainers coupling the pins in a rigidly spaced parallel relationship, and a pair of flanges fixed to the circuit interrupter via a base. The flanges are disposed on opposite sides of the handle and have arcuate slots that guide the pins coaxially with the pivot axis of the handle. The ends of the pins extend through the arcuate openings of the flanges and are received in the retainers. Connecting links pivotally couple the pins with a drive input for selectively driving the pins against the handle to move the handle between the operative positions. The relative position of the pins on both sides of the handle is constant, preventing wear on the handle due to rolling of the pins against the handle, impacts with the handle permitted by lost motion, or bending and twisting forces.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for distributing granular material within a container. The apparatus includes a base member for uniformly distributing the granular material within the container by absorbing momentum from the inflow of the granular material. The method includes forming at least two flow paths for the inflow of granular material and then changing the flow of granular material through each of the flow paths to cause a substantially even distribution of granular material within the container.

Abstract: A shoulder belt for suspending a camera, a bag or the like comprises a belt body made of a thermoplastic synthetic resin material, and an accessory member, for example, a shoulder pad or a writing object, e.g., letters or pattern, made of a thermoplastic elastomer, which is rigidly secured to the belt body as an integral part thereof by fusion welding. The shoulder belt exhibits good durability and has beautiful appearance. In addition, the productivity is improved, and the production cost is reduced.