Abstract: A belt cartridge that is releasably attachable to a manicuring machine having a drive roller that is insertable into the belt cartridge for engagement of the drive roller with flexible belt contained in the cartridge includes a retainer for holding the flexible belt in close proximity to a predefined circuitous path when the cartridge is not installed on the manicuring machine. The retainer eliminates any need for manipulating the flexible belt before or during attachment of the cartridge to the manicuring machine. A protuberance on the back wall of the cartridge is provided for engagement with a recess in a mounting face of the manicuring machine to inhibit movement of the cartridge with respect to the manicuring machine. This engagement between the protuberance and the recess locks the cartridge onto the manicuring machine during normal use without the need for a separately actuated locking pin.

Abstract: A belt cartridge that is releasably attachable to a manicuring machine having a drive roller that is insertable into the belt cartridge for engagement of the drive roller with flexible belt contained in the cartridge includes a retainer for holding the flexible belt in close proximity to a predefined circuitous path when the cartridge is not installed on the manicuring machine. The retainer eliminates any need for manipulating the flexible belt before or during attachment of the cartridge to the manicuring machine. A protuberance on the back wall of the cartridge is provided for engagement with a recess in a mounting face of the manicuring machine to inhibit movement of the cartridge with respect to the manicuring machine. This engagement between the protuberance and the recess locks the cartridge onto the manicuring machine during normal use without the need for a separately actuated locking pin.

Abstract: A manicure device which is well suited for filing or buffing the convex top surfaces and the outer convex edges of fingernails and toenails includes a flexible, textured belt disposed in a cartridge which is detachably secured to a housing containing a high speed electric motor. The casing includes bearings over which the belt passes when the device is being used, and a belt opening which exposes a portion of the textured surface of the belt so that a fingernail can be pressed thereto. The machine allows the belt to be pressed against a convex surface or edge of a fingernail or toenail, so that the belt will conform to the convex shape thereof and provide uniformly smooth filing or buffing. The cartridges are relatively inexpensive and easily replaced, which facilitates and promotes replacement of the cartridge whenever the machine is being used to file or buff the fingernails or toenails of a different person, whereby better hygiene is achieved.

Abstract: A system for automatically detecting sidewall and dimensional defects in a transparent container includes a laser scanning system positioned astride a conveyor in a production line. In an upstream inspection zone a laser beam vertically scans a portion of the side wall of the container. Photosensors positioned in a detection chamber detect the specific effect which any defect has upon the laser beam by determining the location of light passing through the container and comparing its intensity against pre-set thresholds. A flaw signal is generated when a threshold is exceeded. The number of flaw signals is counted and when the count equals a pre-set value a reject signal is generated to eject the defective container from the conveyor. If a container is not rejected, it passes through a rotator assembly which rotates the container precisely 90.degree..

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the supply of alternating electrical power to the electrodes of an electrical glass melting furnace in a manner eliminating or significantly minimizing any d.c. component. Reverse-poled controlled rectifiers are connected between an a.c. source and the electrodes to provide successive periods of alternating electricity to the electrodes, and the firing or gating of the rectifiers is controlled by a circuit in a manner causing each succeeding period of alternating electricity supplied to the electrodes to begin with a polarity opposite that of the alternating electricity supplied during the immediately preceding period. Any d.c. component will be cancelled to zero when averaged over two adjacent periods.