Abstract: An apparatus and method for narrowing and moving a workpiece from a fruit or vegetable through an opening in a container wherein the workpiece is relatively wider than the opening is provided. The apparatus has a plunger with an extension portion slidably movable within a bore formed in a loader. The loader has a base portion mountable over the opening. In one preferred embodiment of this invention, the apparatus includes a compression plate for compressing the fruit or vegetable into a slicer, forming a plurality of workpieces. The slicer, holding the workpieces, is aligned with the plunger and one workpiece is plunged through a first bore and into a container.

Abstract: Holders (20) for articles such as newly-formed packets or groups of cigarettes are used to constrain and protect the articles while being conveyed by handling apparatus (22), e.g. in a packing machine (10). Holders (20) of similar external shape, adapted to interface with the handling apparatus, may be provided with differing internal features (28), adapted for receiving different articles, so that the articles may be readily conveyed by the same apparatus. The apparatus may be employed at the exit end of a cigarette packing machine to maintain the shape of newly-formed packets in a packet stabilising region. This region may comprise a reservoir including a series of compartmented drums (24,26) in which each compartment receives a line of abutting holders which is indexed in an axial direction during rotation of the drums.

Abstract: Blank feeding apparatus, particularly in a hinged-lid cigarette packing machine, includes rotary blank pick-up means (36-42), and support means (44-50), rotatable with the pick-up means, for engaging and supporting the base of a blank stack in a magazine (2) between each pick-up operation. The pick-up means (36-42) may each comprise a pivotable arm (20-24), movable as it rotates by means of a pivoted follower member (60,62) engaging a fixed cam track (54). The blanks may be retained in the stack in the magazine (2) by pivotally-mounted support fingers (4,6) which are successively retracted to release a blank as the pick-up means (36-42) passes.

Abstract: Apparatus for transferring rod-like articles such as cigarettes comprising a series of hoppers (2, 4, 6) which deliver rows of cigarettes to fluted planetary wheels (8, 10, 12) which are mounted on a rotating carrier and driven around a central drum (20), by gearing between the planet wheels and the drum. The drum is provided with pockets (22, 24) etc each of which is three rows deep so as to accommodate the output from three of the planet wheels. In this way the cigarettes are grouped into bundles for subsequent packaging.

Abstract: A tank within a ship providing for both fuel storage and water ballast, has external walls enclosing compartments formed between internal intersect walls having flow regulating openings therein that are located and sized to establish separate interfaced flow paths along which segregated flows of fuel and water are concentrated to minimize mixing of fuel and water during refueling operation and reduce retention of water within the tank.

Abstract: A die for the toolpack of a wall-ironing apparatus for forming metal cans is laterally displaceable for accommodating misalignment of the wall-ironing punch from its central axis. Restoring force to return the die to its own central position is provided by pneumatically operated biassing elements. For increasing the restoring force available, those biassing elements which are on the upstream side of lateral die movement are rendered ineffective on the die by engagement with stops located at the central die position. Usually, as described, the die is one of a pair of dies coupled for lateral movement together.

Abstract: A press having a frame, a tool support 41 mounted on the frame, a ram 8 movable toward and away from the tool support, and a blank holder 20 surrounding the ram for movement towards and away from the tool support by a crosshead 21 has a crosshead plate 45 guided during motion towards and away from the tool support by pillars 42, 43 operably engaged with the tool support. The blank holder is adjustable to align with the tool support 20 and ram 8.

Abstract: A composition comprised of at least one surface active phospholipid, hyaluronic acid or a water soluble salt thereof in saline solution for use as a lubricant, in particular, for physiological use such as the lubrication of joints. The composition can be used to reduce the coefficient of kinetic friction between surfaces in contact with each other, particularly load-bearing surfaces.

Abstract: Three balance mechanisms for a press machine are described. The first balance mechanism for a press machine comprises a balance weight 91 mounted on a crankshaft 86 of the press machine, a balance weight 92 mounted on a balance mechanism shaft 93, a motor for rotating the shaft 93 and a control system for the motor. The control system ensures that the balance mechanism shaft 93 rotates in the opposite direction to, but at the same speed as, crankshaft 86. The balance weights 91 and 92 balance the primary shaking forces which arise in the press machine along the axis of movement of its ram 83. In the second balance mechanism, balance weights are mounted on two separate shafts rotated by a motor and connected by a gear mechanism. In the third balance mechanism, one balance weight is mounted on the crankshaft, another balance weight is mounted on a shaft rotated by a motor, and a further pair of balance weights are mounted on a pair of shafts rotated by a motor at twice crankshaft speed.

Abstract: Three balance mechanisms for a press machine are described. The first balance mechanism for a press machine comprises a balance weight 91 mounted on a crankshaft 86 of the press machine, a balance weight 92 mounted on a balance mechanism shaft 93, a motor for rotating the shaft 93 and a control system for the motor. The control system ensures that the balance mechanism shaft 93 rotates in the opposite direction to, but at the same speed as, crankshaft 86. The balance weights 91 and 92 balance the primary shaking forces which arise in the press machine along the axis of movement of its ram 83. In the second balance mechanism, balance weights are mounted on two separate shafts rotated by a motor and connected by a gear mechanism. In the third balance mechanism, one balance weight is mounted on the crankshaft, another balance weight is mounted on a shaft rotated by a motor, and a further pair of balance weights are mounted on a pair of shafts rotated by a motor at twice crankshaft speed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for processing produce and particularly fresh vegetables for salads. The vegetables are stored in an area near the beginning of the process line, and the storage area is partitioned by vinyl strips to create a temperature gradient for different vegetables. The vegetables are first cleaned on mesh conveyors under high pressure nozzles that spray chlorinated water at the desired storage temperature of the vegetables. A trimming table includes a lower conveyor for moving the vegetables for hand processing. An upper, cleated conveyor carries the vegetables to a slicer. Another cleated conveyor lifts the sliced vegetables vertically into a hopper where they are mixed with cooling water that then flows through a significant horizontal length of pipe. The vegetables move to shaker tables that provide the bulk of the dewatering and then vibrate the vegetables into a single layer for air drying.

Abstract: The disclosed charge transfer signal processor includes a vacuum housing having an input face and an output face, a 2-D electromagnetic input means cooperative with said input face for providing a 2-D input electronic charge signal within the vacuum housing, transfer means for imaging the 2-D input electronic charge signal in a region of the vacuum housing proximate the vacuum housing output face, and charge feedthrough means coupled to the vacuum housing output face for transferring the imaged 2-D electronic charge signal externally to the vacuum housing. In one embodiment, the charge transfer signal processor is operable as Gen-1 charge transfer amplifier. In another embodiment, a microchannel plate assembly is disposed in the vacuum housing intermediate the input and output faces, and the charge transfer signal processor is operable as a high-gain charge transfer signal amplifier.

Abstract: A ruler for use in the measurement of distances on a flat surface is disclosed herein, having an elongated base with raised edge marginal regions defining a T-shaped recess therebetween. A first edge marginal region displays a plurality of analog measurement increments in the form of transverse marked lines while numerical indicia associated with each line increment is carried at the bottom of the recess. A cursor having an inverted T-shaped portion is slidably engaged with the base T-shaped recess. The cursor further includes a guide rail on one side frictionally engaged with a track provided on a second one of the edge marginal regions while cantilevered finger having an index line thereon projects over the first edge marginal region for selected registration with the end of an object being measured.

Abstract: A blood pump apparatus and method for pumping blood and pressure treating blood for minimizing hemolysis, platelet degradation, microthrombus and bubble formation. A blood pump apparatus for pumping and pressure treating blood comprising a flaccid chamber having an inlet for accepting fluid and an outlet for expelling fluid, a pressure housing associated with the flaccid chamber for applying pressure isotropically to dissolve or crush gaseous bubbles in the blood, an inert, heavier than blood, immiscible fluid acceptable in said flaccid chamber for displacing blood from said flaccid chamber and for drawing blood into said flaccid chamber, means for displacing said flaccid chamber and a hydraulic system and associated valves for controlling the flow of the inert fluid.

Abstract: An improved technique is described for providing a mixture of a plurality gases to be used for diving and other applications. More specifically, the technique provides for the mixture of such gases as hydrogen and oxygen while decreasing the likelihood of explosion during mixing. In particular, hydrogen and oxygen bubbles are introduced into a column of liquid through needle injectors positioned in a region of turbulent liquid flow. The liquid flow is maintained such that the bubbles from the injectors are forced through a series of baffles which gradually decrease the turbulence as the gases mix by equilibriation. When hydrogen and oxygen are mixed, the hydrogen and oxygen are maintained at a ratio of 95:5 H.sub.2 -O.sub.2 such that the final concentration of gas is in the nonexplosive range. In addition, the fluid column confines any explosive mixture (produced by direct bubble contact) to the individual bubble volume enclosed by the liquid boundary.

Abstract: A process and products produced thereby, e.g., alumina tools, in which ceramic powder particles are subjected to high transmissive energy milling under dry conditions and with given ratios of impacting media to powder, the milling being conducted for a period beyond the threshold point of the powder constituents, whereby dense, composite powder particles are obtained having an interdispersion of initial constituent particles, a large internal interfacial surface within individual product powder particles, etc.

Abstract: For use in helium or other gas reclamation, a diver gas safety valve adapted for attachment to a diver's helmet and to an exhaust gas recovery system, the safety valve including a collapsible tube for expanding to transfer exhaust gas having a pressure greater than ambient water pressure surrounding the diver and for collapsing to prevent such exhaust gas transfer at exhaust gas pressure below the ambient water pressure in order to prevent dangerous, sudden outflows of the exhaust gas from the diver's helmet.

Abstract: A process and products produced thereby, e.g., ferrites, in which ceramic powder particles are subjected to high transmissive energy milling under dry conditions and with given ratios of impacting media to powder, the milling being conducted for a period beyond the threshold point of the powder constituents, whereby dense, composite powder particles are obtained having an interdispersion of initial constituent particles, a large internal interfacial surface within individual product powder particles, etc.

Abstract: A truck for a skateboard or roller skate, the truck being a unitary assembly having a structure for securing to a member for supporting a rider, the member being in the form of a skateboard or soleplate of a roller skate, the structure being generally rigid and downwardly depending from the undersurface of the rider supporting member with a lower edge lying in a plane diagonally disposed relative to the undersurface. The structure includes an axle receiving portion for receiving an axle therein with the axle being normally generally parallel to the rider supporting member and generally perpendicular to the longitudinal center line thereto. The axle receiving portion in one embodiment is connected to the lower edge.