Abstract: A penile constriction ring and pump assembly wherein an inner tube is provided with a gap or groove at about 270° about a circular opening; or wherein an inner tube is provided with protrusions at about 120° and 60° about a circular central opening which protrude a distance into the circular central opening and when inflated with fluid apply pressure to the corpora cavernosa of the penis; means for automatically releasing the fluid from said inner tube responsive to a remote signal; and a method comprising pumping a pump to cause air under pressure to enter and inflate said inner tube until a firm, snug pressure is applied about the base of the penis; using an air evacuating pump to remove air from a cylindrical vacuum tube and thereby achieving an erection in said penis; and removing a cylindrical vacuum tube.

Abstract: A new alloy containing aluminum, chromium, copper, magnesium, manganese, zinc, titanium dioxide, and cast red brass is disclosed.

Abstract: A spinning toy having a hollow housing, a detachable cover, a cargo carrier in the housing, means responsive to attachment of the cover to engage first detent means, means for rotating the toy, means for retaining the cover on the housing as the toy is rotated, means responsive to centrifugal force for transferring the engagement to second detent means, and means responsive to a decrease in centrifugal force for disengaging the second detent means and means for ejecting the cover and cargo upon release of the second detent means; and a launcher that serves as means for retaining the cover on the housing during the transition from first to second detent means, the launcher having means for disengaging the toy and moving it away to spin freely.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically separating stacks of nested, cup-shaped containers having outwardly projecting lips around the rims thereof so that individual containers are continuously supplied to a point of use. The apparatus includes a separating mechanism for continuously separating the containers in a stack. This separating mechanism utilizes holding shoes for supporting the stack by means of shoes which contact the lip of the lowermost container. The apparatus also includes a conveyor mechanism which advances stacks of containers to a staging station. A gate arrangement is provided at the staging station to create a separation between adjacent stacks of containers and to drop consecutive ones of the stacks into the separating mechanism.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically separating stacks of nested, cup-shaped containers having outwardly projecting lips around their rims so that individual containers are continuously supplied to a point of use. The apparatus includes a separating mechanism for continuously separating the containers in a stack and a feed mechanism for receiving a plurality of stacks of the containers and supplying the same to the separating mechanism as a stack being separated nears depletion.The separating mechanism includes a plurality of vertically extending circumferentially spaced bars forming a channel for retaining a stack being separated. Pairs of oppositely arranged, substantially horizontally extending holding and stripping fingers engage, hold and separate the lowermost container of the stack, and a pair of oppositely arranged holding shoes support the stack when the holding and stripping fingers are disengaged from the stack during each separating cycle.

Abstract: An indexing conveyor system wherein a feed conveyor section receives items, which are rapidly dispensed from a source thereof, and transports the items, one behind the other, on a plurality of endless belts to a pivotal conveyor section. A counter counts the items moving on the pivotal conveyor section and effects rapid pivotal movement of the pivotal conveyor section when a predetermined number of items have been counted. The distal end of the pivotal conveyor section pivots between positions aligned first with one and then the other of a pair of elongated receiving conveyor sections arranged in tiers and each having a plurality of longitudinally extending, laterally spaced endless belts. A guard conveyor section closely overlies the pivotal conveyor section, is movable in unison therewith, and prevents items from being thrown off of the pivotal conveyor section when the latter pivots between its respective positions.

Abstract: A portable cage for compressing food articles during processing of the articles as by heating, smoking or the like. The cage includes means for moving a pair of trays toward each other to apply pressure on food articles between the trays and means for limiting the pressure so applied to a predetermined amount. The device is further capable of applying different predetermined pressures to articles on different trays, the amounts of such predetermined pressures being determined so as to offset the differences of the weights of the articles on the trays to thereby make the total pressures on the food articles on each tray more uniform. The mechanism is easily operable to open and close the cage for loading and unloading of the articles but is capable of developing substantial pressures when the trays are pressed against the food articles. Another feature of the improved cage is the provision of trays having spaced screens with mechanisms between the screens for bringing pressure on the food articles.

Abstract: A portable cage for compressing food articles during processing of the articles as by heating, smoking or the like. The cage includes means for moving a pair of trays toward each other to apply pressure on food articles between the trays and means for limiting the pressure so applied to a predetermined amount. The device is further capable of applying different predetermined pressures to articles on different trays, the amounts of such predetermined pressures being determined so as to offset the differences of the weights of the articles on the trays to thereby make the total pressures on the food articles on each tray more uniform. The mechanism is easily operable to open and close the cage for loading and unloading of the articles but is capable of developing substantial pressures when the trays are pressed against the food articles. Another feature of the improved cage is the provision of trays having spaced screens with mechanisms between the screens for bringing pressure on the food articles.

Abstract: Improvements in molding apparatus and method for forming a plurality of patties from a mass of agglomerable edible material such as, chopped meat, fish, poultry, vegetables, or the like. The molding apparatus includes a rotatable turret having a plurality of mold cavities positioned therein with a piston reciprocably mounted in each cavity. Upward piston reciprocation forms a mold in the lower portion of the cavity. An improved food-feeding mechanism having an enlarged end opening in communication with the cavity pushes the edible material into the mold over a wide portion of the turret rotation. The piston reciprocates upwardly while in communication with said food-feeding mechanism to draw food material into the mold and avoid air pockets in same. As the turret rotates and the piston reciprocates downwardly to expell the patty, an improved continuous wire band patty cut-off mechanism cleanly separates the patty from the piston to which it typically sticks, without deforming the patty.

Abstract: A molding apparatus and method are provided for forming patties from an agglomerable edible material such as meat. The apparatus includes a turret which rotates between a feed station where the edible material is fed upwardly under pressure into one of a plurality of mold cavities and a discharge station where each formed patty is ejected by a piston. An improved sealing means is provided for effecting sealing engagement of a feed spout assembly with the bottom surface of the rotating turret. An improved cut-off band is also provided for separating the formed patties from the turret at the discharge station. Reciprocation of the piston in each mold cavity is regulated by a control means which includes means for limiting the free upward movement of the piston until the cavity opening is fully aligned with a feed opening in the feed spout assembly.

Abstract: An animal exerciser especially well suited to horses that provides means for straight line exercising and positive turning in apparatus including a carriage, means for reciprocally moving the carriage in a substantially straight line, means for attaching the animal to the carriage, and means for supporting the operative elements at a desired height. A preferred embodiment has an endless belt and means connecting an anchor point on the belt to alternating positions on the carriage whereby the direction of travel of the carriage is reversed at each end of the line of travel.

Abstract: An improved molding apparatus is provided for forming patties from an agglomerable edible material, particularly meat in frozen flake cut form. The apparatus includes a rotating turret with a plurality of mold cavities and reciprocable pistons. The turret rotates between a feed station where the edible material is fed upwardly under pressure into the mold cavities and a discharge station where the formed patties are ejected and separated by a continuous cut-off band. An improved cut-off band is also provided in which the band is disposed at a slight angle to facilitate its entry into the interfaces between the bottom surfaces of the pistons and the formed patties. The leading corners of the pistons are chamfered to receive the blade. The band is looped between a pair of pulleys on adjustable supports for providing the desired inclination of the band. Scrapers and spray nozzles are provided to maintain the cleanliness of the band and the pulley grooves.

Abstract: Improvements in molding apparatus and method for forming a plurality of patties from a mass of agglomerable edible material such as, chopped meat, fish, poultry, vegetables, or the like. The molding apparatus includes a rotatable turret having a plurality of mold cavities positioned therein with a piston reciprocably mounted in each cavity. Upward piston reciprocation forms a mold in the lower portion of the cavity. An improved food-feeding mechanism having an enlarged end opening in communication with the cavity pushes the edible material into the mold over a wide portion of the turret rotation. The piston reciprocates upwardly while in communication with said food-feeding mechanism to draw food material into the mold and avoid air pockets in same. As the turret rotates and the piston reciprocates downwardly to expel the patty, an improved continuous wire band patty cut-off mechanism cleanly separates the patty from the piston to which it typically sticks, without deforming the patty.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming uniform patties from a mass of agglomerable edible material. The apparatus includes a supporting frame, drive means for operating the apparatus, a hopper, and a rotatable turret including a plurality of cavities radially aligned therein. Each cavity has a barrier means mounted for reciprocal movement therein including a working surface which together with a portion of the cavity forms a mold. Means in said hopper moves material therethrough and into each mold as it is rotated on the turret to a position in communication with the hopper. The patty is formed as the turret continues rotation and then the mold moves out of communication with the hopper. The barrier means reciprocates in the cavity and discharges the patty therefrom while maintaining its shape as formed The barrier means is removable and may be combined with a stationary core for changing the shape of the mold.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming rings which are made from a formable food mass, made, for example, from onion pieces and a binder. The apparatus includes a hopper for containing the food mass. A rotating cylindrical member is horizontally mounted within the hopper and annular openings are preferably provided in the outer periphery of the cylindrical member for receiving the food mass at a first position. A ring is reciprocally mounted within each of the annular openings, the rings being reciprocated between the loading position and a discharge position, at which the rings are moved towards and beyond the periphery of the cylindrical member. To separate the formed rings from the cylindrical member, a moving cutter is provided near the discharge position.