Abstract: An improved basket assembly and method of making same of the type designed for use in a sugar centrifuge that includes an annular mounting flange containing an upwardly-flared frustoconical seat and an open-bottomed conical element adapted to mate in assembled relation with the aforementioned frustoconical flange seat. The apparatus is characterized by shaping the opposed surfaces at the lower end of the cone and base of the seat so as to cooperate with one another in assembled relation to define an upwardly-opening and inwardly-flared continuous annular groove for the reception of a weld. The apparatus also includes a circumferentially-spaced series of apertures in the wall of the cone opening onto the conical surface of the seat when assembled to receive a corresponding number of plug welds.

Abstract: This invention relates to an electroplating electrode characterized by a drum having a longitudinally-extending groove therein that constitutes the groove of a first tongue and groove connector, the tongue of which comprises a second tongue and groove connector adapted for insertion into the groove of the first.

Abstract: A fluid control valve having a pair of blades arranged one above the other in superimposed relation for relative movement in parallel planes, each of said blades including means having a generally concave edge, and said concave edges when arranged in opposed overlapped relation cooperating with one another to define an opening whose size varies with the degree of overlap. Simultaneous movement of both blades is such that the edges of the openings therein move either toward or away from one another to vary the size of the opening without appreciably displacing the center thereof. A suitable reciprocating actuator serves as the means for simultaneously actuating both blades, one of said blades being directly connected thereto while the other is operatively associated with the blade so-connected by a rigid link.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for extracting sugar from sugar cane in which a blanket of fiberized cane is passed through a series of compression and maceration operations. The compression is performed at low pressures (for example, 40 to 160 pounds per square inch) between a pair of rollers. During compression, the extracted juice is removed through the perforate surface of the lower roller. The extracted juice removed during compression is supplied as imbibition liquid to a prior operation.