Abstract: Volume control for use in a cable television set top converter or the like is calibrated for optimum television stereo channel separation. The volume control controls the volume to predetermined levels. One of the predetermined levels is a particular level calibrated for optimum stereo separation. An indicator on the converter indicates the optimum stereo separation volume level. When an internal VCR timer turns on the set top converter, the set top converter is forced to the optimum stereo separation volume level. The calibration is performed during manufacture and ensures that the indicated volume level for optimum stereo separation is indeed the optimum volume level.

Abstract: A combined blousing, stripping and sealing operation is disclosed for providing increased speed and efficiency to a form, fill and seal packaging system. An AC/DC brushless servo motor is utilized for driving the stripping/sealing carriage, as well as operating the sealing jaws to form the bags from a continuous film tube. Each servo motor drives a crank that is coupled for oscillating movement in response to a programmable index controller. Drive linkage connects the crank to the carriage/sealing jaws. The blousing function is provided by a pair of plates on the top of the sealing jaws. On the return movement of the carriage, the plates contact the bottom of the bag next in line to bulge the sides for receipt of the product. The programmable index controller provides a signal to the carriage/sealing jaws in dependence on an external signal indicative of the selected bag size being packaged.

Abstract: A self-cleaning weighing hopper to be used in a weighing apparatus is particularly adaptable for utilization with a sticky product. The hopper has two rotary doors containing a series of tined panels. One tined panel on each of the two doors extend toward each other so as to form a hopper bottom to hold a product charge. The panels on the two doors rotate in unison to release the weighed product charge into a receptacle. The hopper includes a comb scraper through which each tined panel rotates following release of the product charge. The comb scraper removes the sticky remnants of the product charge from the tines of the panels while the weighing apparatus is in operation. The doors are operated by a sliding arm in response to an actuator. A pin on the arm is guided by a spring/linkage mechanism along a slot on a guide plate and a stop is provided on the arm to insure proper actuation.

Abstract: A combination weighing apparatus and method are provided particularly adapted for utilization with difficult to handle product. A series of in-line transfer conveyors form product feed lanes with individual volumetric cups designed to receive and hold a product charge. A scale and weighing hopper is associated with each transfer conveyor. The transfer conveyors are each advanced in stepped fashion so as to deliver a product charge from one volumetric cup at any single time to the associated weighing hopper. A washer unit cleans residue and the product buildup from the cups after delivery of the product charge. Once the product charge is delivered to the weighing hopper, the weight of the charge is registered by a control unit. The control unit scans various combinations of scales, calculates the total weight of product in the combination and selects the first combination that falls within an acceptable range above the target weight.

Abstract: The drawings and description discloses an inspection and rejection mechanism for wrapped loaves of bread having one end thereof tied. The mechanism includes vacuum means for straightening out tied ends, in conjunction with suitable photo-electric means for detecting the absence of a tied end, or the presence of an open untied end, or the presence of two adjacent ends tied together. If any of the latter conditions exist, after two indexes a pusher device causes two loaves to be pushed to one side, rather than being fed through to discharge.

Abstract: A corrugated box forming, loading and sealing machine, including a first or magazine and infeed section, a second or forming and loading section, and a third or closing and discharge section. In the first section there is stored and fed one-at-a-time flat corrugated blanks consisting of bottom, front, back and two top-half panels, all with extended edge panels, while glue is applied to the bottom, front and back edge panels. In the second section a product, such as cartons or plastic bottles, and two side panels, are loaded from opposite sides onto the bottom panel. When full, the loaded bottom panel is lowered through an opening whose four edge portions cause the front and back panels, and their respective edge panels to wrap around the product.

Abstract: A high intensity conditioning mill for conditioning aqueous pulp containing particles of clay and mineral impurities preparatory to subjecting the pulp to froth flotation comprising a conditioning vessel for containing the body of aqueous pulp, a plurality of generally horizontal baffles mounted within said vessel and dividing the interior thereof into a plurality of chambers, each baffle being formed with a central, circular hole, inlet means for feeding aqueous pulp to the lowermost chamber, outlet means for removing conditioned aqueous pulp from the space above the uppermost baffle, a rotatable, generally vertical drive shaft centrally positioned to rotate in said vessel and extending generally concentrically through each hole in each baffle and a plurality of impellers mounted on said shaft and generally positioned within a hole of the horizontal baffle, the impellers being of a size relative to said holes sufficient to provide passageways for the aqueous pulp from each chamber to each adjacent chamber wh

Abstract: A non-diluting flotation apparatus and process is disclosed which includes a single cell, or a series of multiple cells. Each cell comprises a non-agitated, flotation vessel having a submerged inlet in its upper portion for feeding a previously treated or conditioned clay or ore suspension in water. The suspension flows downward in the vessel to an outlet from which a combined product and recycle stream is taken. Thereafter, a recycle stream is separated and air bubbles are entrained into the recycle stream which is returned to the lower portion of the cell. In the cell the entrained air rises as very small bubbles, flushing certain mineral impurities removed from the clay with the air. The air and impurities form a froth atop the liquid surface and the froth is mechanically removed.

Abstract: A precision key pad controlled controller for a resistance welding machine is provided which may be set to deliver welding power to each of a multiplicity of welding operations on a precisely controlled repeatable basis. The controller incorporates circuitry for assuring that an accurately controlled amount of power is delivered for each welding operation by providing precise phase angle control despite variations in line voltage and line disturbances. The controller is constructed to incorporate selected numbers of steps to be performed automatically in sequence by the controlled welding machine in carrying out a particular welding operation. The duration of each step of the welding machine, the amount of welding power to be delivered, and other parameters are set for each particular welding operation by the key pad, and displayed on an associated alphanumeric display.

Abstract: A frame for forming a tray having a plurality of slats, the frame having a pair of spaced substantially parallel assemblies, each having a pair of components engageable longitudinally of each other to form a plurality of slat receiving openings facing laterally of the assembly on a first side and obstructed on a second side of the assembly; a pair of rigid members disposed in spaced substantially parallel relation extending between and engaging corresponding opposite end portions of the assemblies in substantially right angular relation to form a frame of a substantially rectangular configuration with the first sides of the assemblies facing each other and with corresponding slat receiving openings of the assemblies aligned along substantially parallel paths between the rigid members of the pair; and fasteners securing together the components of each pair and the rigid members and the opposite end portions of the assemblies in the substantially rectangular configuration and releasable for the removal of one c

Abstract: An animal training and amusement device including a ball-throwing means and a food dispensing means. Both means can be activated by the animal alone without human intervention. The device also includes a food release means which is activated by the animal placing the retrieved ball on the top of the device. The device will reset in its original position without human intervention.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for timing a plurality of participants or their vehicles to complete a designated course, and for automatically starting the participants at spaced time intervals derived in part from respective sample times taken by the immediately preceding participants to cover a selected portion of the course. Sensors at start, finish, and intermediate positions monitor the progress of each participant on the course; a crystal oscillator is selectively connected to a plurality of electronic counters to accumulate an elapsed time for each of a plurality of participants; and a digital display device displays the times of participants as they complete the course.

Abstract: In a method of keeping time by counting the cycles of an alternating current source and providing both alternating and direct current power from the alternating current source, the direct current power including a variable display voltage for illuminating the lights, displaying time using a plurality of lights and windows corresponding to the lights, generating signals from the alternating current source, counting and dividing the signals, decoding the counted and divided signals, and lighting the lights and windows in accordance with the decoding to display the time of day, and correcting, when necessary, the time displayed by the clock, the improvement comprising providing a plurality of electrical switches corresponding to the lights, the correcting being accomplished by actuating one of the switches, completing an electrical circuit upon such actuation of the switch and comparing the display voltage with the voltage applied to the light whose corresponding switch is actuated, the comparing being operative