Abstract: An article turner assembly for use with an article handling system such as a palletizer. The article turner assembly selectively turns articles conveyed in a single lane along a particular path so that each article may be turned or not as it is conveyed along that path. The article turner assembly includes a conveyor mechanism, an article turner, and a selector mechanism that acts on either the article turner itself, the conveyed articles, or both. The article turner is designed so that articles are turned without impact against their front or side surfaces or a reduction in their speed. The article turner includes two or more adjacent conveyors, which are run with a speed differential to turn articles. The orientation of and spacing between the conveyors can be adjusted to accommodate articles of different sizes and/or weights. The article turner assembly is well-suited for use with high speed palletizers because it can help form patterns of virtually any desired configuration at very high speeds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to vitamin D compounds of the general formula ##STR1## wherein: R.sub.1 is a hydrogen atom or a hydroxy group;R.sub.2 is a (C.sub.1 -C.sub.3)alkyl group, a hydroxy(C.sub.1 -C.sub.3)alkyl group, a (C.sub.1 -C.sub.2)alkoxymethyl group or a (C.sub.2 -C.sub.3)alkenyl or alkynyl group;n is 1;R.sub.3 is a branched or non-branched, saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic (C.sub.3 -C.sub.7)hydrocarbon or oxyhydrocarbon biradical;R.sub.4 is a branched or straight (C.sub.1 -C.sub.6) alkyl group or a (C.sub.3 -C.sub.6)cycloalkyl group; andA and B are each individually hydrogen atoms or methyl groups, orA and B form together a methylene group.The present compounds find use in cosmetic application and in human and veterinary pharmacotherapeutic practice in the treatment of skin and bone diseases, diseases related to cell differentiation/cell proliferation, imbalance in the immune system and inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for applying a label onto a substantially cylindrical article by using a bottom feed conveyor unit formed of two chain loops each formed from a plurality of interconnected chain links. Substantially parallel support rods extend between the chain loops and are supported by the chain links. The support rods are spaced a distance sufficient to allow an article to rest thereon. The label drum defines an article wrapping position at a lower portion of the label drum. A thin layer, heat activated adhesive backed label is fed onto the surface of the drum so that the adhesive back faces outward from the drum. The label drum is rotated to move the label retained thereon into the article wrapping position. As the label is moved, the adhesive is heated so that the adhesive obtains a sufficient temperature to melt.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for applying a label onto a substantially cylindrical article by using a bottom feed conveyor unit. The label drum defines an article wrapping position at a lower portion of the label drum. A thin layer, heat activated adhesive backed label is fed onto the surface of the drum so that the adhesive back faces outward from the drum. The label drum is rotated to move the label retained thereon into the article wrapping position. As the label is moved, the adhesive is heated so that the adhesive obtains a sufficient temperature to melt. A cylindrical article is conveyed substantially horizontally along a conveyor into the article wrapping position and into rotative engagement with the label retained on the label drum so as to transfer the label onto the cylindrical article by wrap-around labeling.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting overtravel of a brake rod. The sensor includes a first part attached to the housing of a pneumatic brake actuator, and a second part connected to the rod. One part is a body having an axial passage, with a pair of axially-extending conductors in its wall. The other part is a rod having a conductive head which will bridge the conductors to enable an electrical current to pass when the rod is in a position respective to overtravel.

Abstract: An automatic vending machine for dispensing coffee infusions wherein a quantity of coffee is duly batched and compacted, and hot water is passed over the batched coffee thereby to obtain a coffee infusion which is discharged and collected in a suitable can, comprises a batcher and a mechanism for obtaining the infusion. The batcher includes a cylindrical body with a rotary vane in which two cavities are formed, which are alternately filled with batched coffee to be hauled upon rotation, to an ejector duct reaching a receptacle, the bottom of which is formed by a lower seat. The lower seat and the receptacle are mounted on a common shaft which can travel up and down and can rotate to allow the batched coffee to be carried from the ejector duct to face a compacting piston provided in a fixed body so that a batched coffee is compacted and hot water is passed therethrough. The shaft is driven by a cylinder piston.

Abstract: In order to make it possible especially during travel for there to be water and/or food available for a pet such as a dog, a bowl has been provided which has a container portion with an open top surrounded by a skirt portion. The open top of the container portion is adapted to receive food or water therethrough with the skirt portion terminating in a ring-shaped lower edge at or below the lower most extent of the container portion in outwardly spaced relation thereto. With these features, the pet travel bowl also includes a lid for sealingly covering the open top of the container portion and a fastener for securing the bowl to a surface to prevent any movement of the bowl on the surface.

Abstract: A dolly to transport articles such as wheel assemblies and transmissions, to present them with adjustable height and inclination. Support member on a base member are both controlled by seaparate elevator means, which are separately operable to vary the height and inclination of an article supported by them.

Abstract: A foot switch operated by a driver of a vehicle such as a taxicab actuates a circuit which disables the indicating lamps in the taxi's roof light and energizes distress signaling lamps in the roof light so that it flashes on and off. The flashing roof light calls attention to the cab and informs others that the taxi is in a distress situation.

Abstract: The brush assembly for electrical motors comprises a housing cap (10) which consists of an insulating material and which closes the motor on its frontal end, the said cap's inner side (16) being provided with projections (7, 8) extending in parallel to the motor axis. These projections (7, 8) are penetrated by openings (12, 13) for the accommodation and fixation of elastic commutator brushes (1, 2). The contact lugs (32, 33) which can be inserted from the outside into the slot-shaped openings (12, 13) are coupled stationarily to the commutator brushes (1, 2) by virtue of a close-fit arrangement (36, 37) designed at the latter.

Abstract: A tubular yarn package (10) is disclosed of the type held by at least one end on a rotatably mounted plate. The plate fits into one end of package (10) and traps across the end against an inner wall of the package a length of yarn. Short length of spirally extending grooves (15) are formed in the inner wall of the package (10) adjacent to the end of the package. The yarn fits into the closest adjacent groove (15) and grips the yarn sufficiently to prevent breakage of the yarn by relative movement between the package (10) and the plate occasioned by starting or stopping the rotation of the package (10).

Abstract: A tubular yarn package (10) is disclosed of the type held by at least one end on a rotatably mounted plate. The plate fits into one end of package (10) and traps across the end against an inner wall of the package a length of yarn. Short length of spirally extending grooves (15) are formed in the inner wall of the package (10) adjacent to the end of the package. The yarn fits into the closest adjacent groove (15) and grips the yarn sufficiently to prevent breakage of the yarn by relative movement between the package (10) and the plate occasioned by starting or stopping the rotation of the package (10).

Abstract: A brake rod extension indicator in which sensor means is incorporated into the brake actuator to indicate when the brake rod overextends. This can give warning of the need for brake adjustment, need for replacement of linings, or of failure of parts in the brake system.

Abstract: An automatic gravity-actuated plant watering system receives quantities of water from a supply, collects a predetermined amount, discharges and distributes the same whenever the collected quantities of water reach the predetermined amount. Metering means are provided to regulate the quantity of water flow per unit time, and gravity-actuated cleaning means are used to prevent contaminants from obstructing the fluid flow.