Abstract: The present invention provides an improved gas transfer apparatus designed for enhanced purging of a pigtail and a process for effecting such purging. The improvement in the apparatus resides in an integrated system of components comprising: a surge chamber having a first end, a body and a second end, said first end in communication with the pigtail conduit, said body section of said surge chamber having a cross-section larger than the cross-section of said pigtail conduit and a second end in communication with said vessel containing said gas source; and, a purge gas source for delivery of a purge gas to said pigtail conduit whereby during an alternating cycle of pressurization of said pigtail with said purge gas and depressurization, optionally with application of vacuum within said pigtail conduit, impurities can be removed from within the pigtail conduit.

Abstract: A harness assembly for being removably positioned on a ball and used for retaining an elongate luminescent member on the ball is provided that includes a pair of collars positioned in spaced-apart, opposing relation to each other for receiving the ball therebetween. The harness further includes support segments adapted for receiving opposing ends of the luminescent member therein, thereby retaining the luminescent member by the ends thereof in a tensioned condition relative to the harness assembly when the harness assembly is in use.

Abstract: A harness assembly for being removably positioned on a ball and used for retaining an elongate luminescent member on the ball is provided that includes a pair of collars positioned in spaced-apart, opposing relation to each other for receiving the ball therebetween. The harness further includes retention means adapted for receiving opposing ends of the luminescent member therein, thereby retaining the luminescent member by the ends thereof in a tensioned condition relative to the harness assembly when the harness assembly is in use.

Abstract: A performance regulator program monitors and controls in real time, the performance level which an application program achieves when it is executed on a digital computer. With this performance regulator program, any external units which are coupled to the computer are prevented from being overloaded by excessive performance in the application program. Also with this performance regulator program, several models of the application program can be easily generated such that each model achieves a different performance level.

Abstract: A foldable hand-held container includes a generally frusto-conical body formed from a single sheet of foldable material having two opposed inner wall members and two opposed outer wall members each having a plurality of panels defined by a plurality of diverging, equidistant fold lines. The container may be lined with a superabsorbent material to allow the container to be used as a cuspidor. A method for forming such a container is also disclosed.

Abstract: A nailing machine for use in the manufacture of wooden pallets made from deck boards and stringers. The machine comprises a conveyor operable to convey pallet components to a nailing station at which they are nailed together. The conveyor comprises locating means by which stringers are located on the conveyor and operation of the conveyor draws deck boards out of feeding means therefor on to the stringers for nailing thereto.

Abstract: A mold handling device is provided which is suitable for use in the manufacture of articles molded in a wide variety of shapes and sizes from a plastic material such as polyurethane. First and second mold supports are provided to which mating mold portions are respectively secured. The device comprises means to provide mold opening and mold closing relative linear movements between the two mold supports, and drive means are provided to effect pivotal movement of the two supports about a pivot axis which extends transversely to the linear movement between the mold supports. One of the mold supports is mounted for independent pivotal movement about the same pivot axis whereby the arrangement facilitates access to each mold portion when the mold is open.