Abstract: A load cell combines the outputs of a plurality of strain gauges to measure components of an applied load. Combination of strain gauge outputs allows measurement of any of six load components without requiring complex machining or mechanical linkages to isolate load components. An example six axis load cell produces six independent analog outputs, each directly proportional to one of the six general load components.

Abstract: The advent of high-speed fabric cutters has made necessary the development of automated techniques for the collection and sorting of garment pieces into collated piles of pieces ready for assembly. The present invention enables a new method for such handling and sorting of garment parts, and to apparatus capable of carrying out this new method. The common thread is the application of computer-controlled shuttling bins, capable of picking up a desired piece of fabric and dropping it in collated order for assembly. Such apparatus with appropriate computer control relieves the bottleneck now presented by the sorting and collation procedure, thus greatly increasing the overall rate at which garments can be assembled.

Abstract: A retort crate is positioned adjacent the outer edge of a dead plate at one end of a conveyor by a horizontal positioning assembly (HPA). A floor cylinder raises and lowers the retort crate bottom and the containers therein. Jar load and unload sensors control indexing the floor cylinder to the proper heights. During loading, HPA positions the crate so its upper edge lies underneath the dead plate and behind its outer edge while the conveyor pushes jars into the retort crate. A semi-circular sweep ring, overlying the retort crate upper edge, acts as a jar boundary during loading. After being filled, HPA moves the retort crate away from the dead plate a short distance providing seating space for imperfectly clamped jars. The containers are then indexed down one level. HPA then moves the retort crate edge back under the dead plate and the load cycle repeats.

Abstract: A semi-automatic retort crate loader and unloader is disclosed. A standard retort crate is positioned adjacent the outer edge of a dead plate at one end of a conveyor by horizontal positioning assembly which includes a clamp and a pair of crate sensors. A floor cylinder raises and lowers the bottom of the retort crate and the containers therein. Jar load and unload sensors control indexing the floor cylinder to the proper heights for loading and unloading layers of containers into and out of the retort crate. During loading, the horizontal positioning assembly positions the crate so that the inner surface lies underneath the dead plate and behind its outer edge. A jar clamp, located above the dead plate and having a resilient lower surface, clamps jars to the outer edge of the dead plate after the retort crate is filled. The horizontal positioning assembly then moves the carriage and retort crate therewith away from the dead plate a short distance providing seating space for imperfectly clamped jars.

Abstract: A device for indicating when one or more fluorescent lamps in a bank of fluorescent lamps burns out requiring only a single indicator is disclosed. The device includes a voltage divider connected to a terminal of each lamp to produce a signal proportional to the voltage supplied by a ballast to the terminal of the lamp. These signals are then summed at a common summing terminal. The voltage at the summing terminal is approximately equal to the largest voltage of the individual signals produced at each lamp. The signal at the summing terminal is modified, typically through an adjustable voltage divider, to produce a third signalwhich is applied to the gate of an SCR. The adjustable voltage divider is designed so that when any one of the lamps goes out producing a substantial rise in the voltage applied by the ballast to the lamp, the SCR will be triggered. An indicator bulb is connected to the anode of the SCR so that when the SCR triggers, the bulb lights indicating one or more of the lamps are burned out.

Abstract: A device designed to duplicate the clicking sound made when a convex, thin, flexible diaphragm, such as a raised safety dome on a hermetically sealed food container, is flexed is disclosed. In canning food products, such as baby food, there is a partial vacuum created within the container. If the seal on the container or jar is not tight, the vacuum will be lost. To check for this vacuum, baby food jar lids generally have a safety dome which will be depressed inwardly only if the vacuum is present. Jars, or even boxes of jars, can be subjected to a positive external pressure by a device called a dud detector. If a clicking sound is heard, a dud (a jar without enough vacuum to keep the dome depressed) is present. The dud detector senses this clicking noise and the jar or jars are rejected. The device consists of a flexible metal plate clamped adjacent to one end of an electromagnetic coil. The coil is energized by an SCR controlled circuit which releases a charge stored in a capacitor through the coil.