Abstract: A stacker-cutter-weigher apparatus for supplying a continuous supply of a product having a preselected weight which comprises extruding a continuous stock of polymeric material having a substantially stable cross-sectional area, cutting the stock into finite sections, and placing the sections on a scale. The measured weight is sensed by a central control which adjusts the length of the next section so as to adjust the weight thereof. A further adjustment occurs as each section is placed on the scale. This provides a final product having a substantially preselected weight.

Abstract: A shock absorber for a motor vehicle suspension includes a piston construction having flow control valving that becomes more restrictive during the life of the shock absorber to compensate for the reduction in friction damping in the suspension during usage. The piston valving includes a flow passage surrounded at one of its ends by an annular land that forms a valve seat. A valve element is urged to a closed position against the seat by the cumulative force of a primary spring and a secondary spring. The secondary spring provides a spring force countering the force of the primary spring but is constructed to progressively take a permanent set after repeated cycling whereby the cumulative force of the two springs urging the valve element to a seated condition will increase during the service life of the shock absorber.

Abstract: A shock absorber for a motor vehicle suspension includes a piston construction having flow control valving that becomes more restrictive during the life of the shock absorber to compensate for the reduction of friction damping in the suspension during usage. The piston valving includes a flow control passage and an annular land which forms a valve seat about one end of the passage. A valve element having an organic material on one face engages the land. A restrictive orifice is provided by either a recess in the facing material or a recess in the land. During the life of the shock absorber, the organic material will be plastically deformed and the restrictive orifice will be progressively closed whereby resistance to the movement of the shock absorber piston will be gradually increased during the life of the shock absorber.