Abstract: An improved valve assembly having a material inlet, a metering chamber and a port. A valve element reciprocates within a valve passageway, such that in a first condition, a flow path is created for material to flow from the inlet to the metering chamber and the valve element forms a metal-to-metal seal of the flow path to the discharge port. The valve element then slides to the second condition, to unseal the passageway to the discharge port, and forms a metal-to-metal seal of the flow path to the inlet. A piston forces the material out of the metering chamber, and because the flow path to the discharge port is unsealed and the flow path to the inlet is sealed, the material is directed from the metering chamber, to the discharge port, where it can be dispensed as desired.

Abstract: A gaming machine is disclosed having indicia of a plurality of spinning reels in a first set of reels and indicia of a plurality of spinning reels in a second set of reels. A determination is made as to whether the outcomes of the indicia of the plurality of spinning reels in the first and second sets of reels are winning outcomes. Award-multiplier indicia of a first shared spinning base game award-multiplier reel is positioned between the first and second set of reels. The first set of reels, second set of reels, and the base game award-multiplier reel form a contiguous set of reels having a common axis of rotation. The base game award-multiplier indicia modifies the winning outcome on the first set of reels, modifies the winning outcome on the second set of reels, includes a secondary game trigger symbol, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transporting containers to be processed in a manufacturing operation includes a transfer assembly that transfers containers from a load area on an upstream conveyor assembly to a discharge on downstream conveyor assembly for further processing. The upstream conveyor assembly may include longitudinally extending first and second conveyors oriented at an angle to one another. The transfer assembly may include a rotating wheel that picks containers from a chute and moves them, one at a time, to the downstream conveyor assembly. The downstream conveyor assembly may be in the form of an elevator that has bays that are sized to receive individual containers. The bays are formed by vanes on a moving belt. The method includes steps inherent in the structure, including receiving a bulk supply of containers, moving them horizontally, columnizing them into a single file, elevating them and thereafter discharging them.

Abstract: A transport assembly and method for containers includes an actuator arm coupled to the drive shaft of a motor and extending radially therefrom so as to be driven between two angular positions. A load arm carries a transport head that releasably engages a selected container at a first station. The load arm is coupled to the actuator arm and is driven in conjunction with a constraining mount that controls its motion. The transport head can grip the container such as with a vacuum. The transport head lifts the container from a first station, moves it to a desired location and places it in a second station. A cam-driven plunger assembly is also shown and operates to seat the container in the second station. The method includes steps performed by this structure, and the application of a seating force to mate a container in the second station.

Abstract: A transport assembly and method for containers includes an actuator arm coupled to the drive shaft of a motor and extending radially therefrom so as to be driven between two angular positions. A load arm carries a transport head that releasably engages a selected container at a first station. The load arm is coupled to the actuator arm and is driven in conjunction with a constraining mount that controls its motion. The transport head can grip the container such as with a vacuum. The transport head lifts the container from a first station, moves it to a desired location and places it in a second station. A cam-driven plunger assembly is also shown and operates to seat the container in the second station. The method includes steps performed by this structure, and the application of a seating force to mate a container in the second station.

Abstract: A drive mechanism especially useful in assemblage with a harmonic drive transmission for providing a desired rotational input to the wave generator of the harmonic drive transmission, and allows for a wide speed range selection while minimizing component wear, instability, and heat generation problems. Such a harmonic drive assembly is particularly useful in powering a controlled infeed or chill stand in a printing press and permits the precise adjustment of the tension of the continuous paper web moving through such a press. The drive mechanism supplies rotational movement from the input shaft of the harmonic drive transmission to the wave generator tuner shaft and includes pulley means operatively coupled to the input shaft, an arm assembly mounted for pivotal movement about the tuner shaft, and a positioning mechanism for precisely pivoting the arm assembly as desired.