Abstract: A system for automatically cooling and further processing chewing gum base materials is disclosed. The hot molten chewing gum base material is deposited in lined or coated pans, the pans are picked up by an industrial robot and placed into a pair of spiral cooling towers where the molten material is cooled and solidified. The same or a second industrial robot picks up the pans of cooled gum base material and transports them to a final staging and processing area. The pans of cooled gum base material are placed on a conveyor system or on pallets for further handling and processing.

Abstract: A universal joint assembly includes a yoke having an arm with an opening formed therethrough. A bearing cup is mounted on an outwardly extending trunnion of a cross. The bearing cup includes an outer circumferential surface and an end surface. The circumferential surface is received within the yoke arm opening. A retainer clip includes a base portion secured to the yoke arm and an end portion extending over a portion of the end surface of the bearing cup. A retainer element is placed between the end portion of the retainer clip and the end surface of the bearing cup to provide an interference fit to prevent the bearing cup from rotating relative to the yoke arm. If desired, a depression can be formed in the end surface of the bearing cup to seat the retainer element.

Abstract: A structure for connecting an end fitting formed from a metallic material to a hollow cylindrical drive shaft tube formed from a composite material is disclosed. The drive shaft tube has an open end and an inner cylindrical surface. The end fitting includes a cylindrical sleeve portion having an outer circumferential surface which is formed having a plurality of longitudinally extending channels. An adhesive material, such as epoxy, is applied either to the outer circumferential surface of the sleeve or to the inner cylindrical surface of the bore of the drive shaft. Then, the sleeve portion of the end fitting is inserted within the drive shaft tube, with the outer surface of the sleeve portion engaging the inner cylindrical surface of the drive shaft tube in a light press relationship. The adhesive material flows into the channels between the sleeve portion of the end fitting and the inner cylindrical surface of the drive shaft.

Abstract: A bearing cup retainer strap for a universal joint assembly prevents a bearing cup from rotating relative to an end yoke during use. The retainer strap includes a central body portion which has an inner surface adapted to extend about and engage a portion of the bearing cup to retain the bearing cup in engagement with a recess formed in an arm of the end yoke. A friction material is disposed between the inner surface of the central body portion of the retainer strap and the bearing cup. The friction material is adapted to increase the coefficient of friction between the bearing cup and the retainer strap so as to prevent relative rotation therebetween. The retainer strap is relatively simple and inexpensive, and does not require any specific orientation relative to the arm of the end yoke or to the bearing cup.

Abstract: A center bearing assembly includes a roller bearing adapted to receive and rotatably support a coupling shaft and a bracket adapted to be secured to a vehicle frame. A support member is provided which supports the roller bearing within the bracket. The support member includes a bladder formed of an elastomeric material. The bladder contains a rheological fluid which exhibits a significant change in its ability to flow or shear upon the application of an appropriate energy field. Preferably, the bladder contains a magneto-rheological magnetic fluid. By varying the power supplied to an electromagnet located adjacent the bladder, the vibration dampening characteristics of the support member may be varied depending upon the operating conditions of the vehicle.

Abstract: A non-staling, reduced density bubble gum composition is provided by a method wherein a bubble gum composition having a preselected bubble gum base composition is aerated with an inert gas in a pressurized environment. In a preferred embodiment, aeration of the bubble gum composition is achieved by the injection of nitrogen gas into the bubble gum composition during a pressurized extrusion of the gum.