Abstract: A cap assembly is provided for a container that defines a reservoir for power steering fluid. The cap assembly has an outer cap adapted to be secured to an open mouth of the container and an inner cap secured to the outer cap and adapted to extend through the open mouth into a neck of the container. The inner cap has an O-ring adapted to seal against a neck of the container. A build-up of air in the reservoir is vented to the outside atmosphere through a passageway in the cap assembly. A filter in the passageway is adapted to pass the air but not to pass a mist emanating from the power steering fluid.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating organic devices that may have mixed small molecule organic layers are provided. A method of fabricating an organic light emitting device is provided. A first small molecule organic material is deposited to form an organic layer over a first electrode. A second small molecule organic material is solution deposited on and in physical contact with the first small molecule organic layer to form a second organic layer. Mixing of the first and second organic layers may occur. A second electrode is then deposited over the second small molecule organic layer. Another method of fabricating an organic light emitting device is also provided. A mixture of a first small molecule organic material and a second small molecule organic material are solution deposited over a first electrode, such that the first and second small molecule organic materials at least partially separate into first and second small molecule organic layers.

Abstract: An adhesive bandage for the treatment of warts on the human skin is provided, comprising an upper layer of polyethylene coated cloth having a color and texture resembling a conventional bandage and visible upon application to the skin, the upper layer further including a center section and at least one side portion extending from the center section; and a lower layer permanently bonded to and coextending with the center section and the side portion, the lower layer having a rubber-based, waterproof, and nonbreathable adhesive material. The rubber-based adhesive material includes adhesive qualities identical in all respects to that of conventional duct tape. Optionally, the rubber-based adhesive material may be present only directly beneath the center section, while a skin-releasable adhesive material is present only directly beneath the side portion. A method of using the bandage for the treatment of warts is also provided.

Abstract: An improved case packer machine is disclosed, of the type where containers are dropped through grid fingers to an empty case positioned on a lift table. The case packer machine of the present invention includes a flap opener which includes a pair of shoes mounted to an air cylinder. The shoes are extended by the air cylinder to contact and open the leading flap. The lifting table of the present invention is motor driven and controlled to limit the shock loading experienced by the containers as they are positioned within the cases. The lifting table includes a pair spur gears driven by the motor in meshing arrangement with a pair rack gears each mounted to a table and a novel gear guide to maintain proper engagement between the racks and gears and further to provide for backlash adjustment between the gears.

Abstract: An improved case packer machine is disclosed, of the type where containers are dropped through grid fingers to an empty case positioned on a lift table. The case packer machine of the present invention includes a flap opener which includes a pair of shoes mounted to an air cylinder. The shoes are extended by the air cylinder to contact and open the leading flap. The lifting table of the present invention is motor driven and controlled to limit the shock loading experienced by the containers as they are positioned within the cases. The lifting table includes a pair spur gears driven by the motor in meshing arrangement with a pair rack gears each mounted to a table and a novel gear guide to maintain proper engagement between the racks and gears and further to provide for backlash adjustment between the gears.

Abstract: A system for heating fluid in an internal combustion engine. The system includes a portable universal battery pack having an output voltage of a specified voltage rating. Additionally, the system includes a receiving unit that is adapted to removably receive the battery pack and transfer power from the battery pack to an immersion heater. The immersion heater includes a heating element that is at least partially immersed in the fluid. Power from the battery pack is utilized by the heater to heat the heating element, thereby heating the fluid in the engine. The system is adapted to readily use any number of different battery packs from a related line of battery packs, wherein that the various battery packs can have different output voltages.

Abstract: The packaging machine includes: a plurality of lane guides, the plurality of lane guides being spaced apart to form a plurality of lanes; a moveable conveyor belt having a first end and second end, the first end located beneath one of the plurality of lanes, the movable conveyor belt delivers the product to each of the plurality of lanes; a support device located at the plurality of lanes; and a shifting assembly attached to the plurality of lane guides. The method for packaging a case with a product includes: conveying a first plurality of the product to a first lane; supporting the first plurality of the product within the first lane; conveying a second plurality of the product to a second lane; shifting the first lane and the second lane in a first direction; and dropping the first plurality of the products into the case.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing the cost of producing a brushless DC motor (58) is presented. The brushless DC motor (58) provides higher power density and efficiency with an increased tool run time. The brushless DC motor (58) includes a rotor assembly (72) that has an unmagnetized permanent magnet (74) affixed to a shaft. The permanent magnet (74) remains unmagnetized until the motor is partially assembled. A plurality of coils (94) for producing a magnetic field are wound about the rotor assembly (72). The coils (94) include end turns that enclose the rotor assembly (72) such that the rotor assembly (72) is not removable. Since the windings (94) are wound with the rotor assembly (72) already enclosed, the windings (94) do not require large end coils to allow subsequent insertion of the rotor (72). Minimizing the end coils reduces the length of wire required per turn, thereby reducing the resistance of the winding (94).

Abstract: An improved case packer machine, of the type where containers are dropped through grid fingers to an empty case positioned on a lift table. The case packer machine of the present invention includes a flap opener which includes a pair of shoes mounted to an air cylinder. The shoes are extended by the air cylinder to contact and open the leading flap. The lifting table of the present invention is motor driven and controlled to limit the shock loading experienced by the containers as they are positioned within the cases. The lifting table includes a pair spur gears driven by the motor in meshing arrangement with a pair rack gears each mounted to a table and a novel gear guide to maintain proper engagement between the racks and gears and further to provide for backlash adjustment between the gears.

Abstract: The asset monitoring system and associated method includes an asset monitor for providing a remotely located central station with information relating to a container, such as a trailer, both during tethered periods in which the energy storage reservoir of the asset monitor is electrically connected to an external power source, such as the electrical system of a tractor or truck, and during untethered periods in which the energy storage reservoir of the asset monitor is electrically untethered or disconnected from the external power source. As a result, the energy storage reservoir is recharged by energy received from the external power source during tethered periods and supplies energy to the asset monitor during both tethered and untethered periods. The asset monitor also includes a controller for controlling its operations. The controller includes tether status determining means for separately identifying tethered periods and untethered periods.

Abstract: A packer is provided with a continuous flow of side-by-side columns of plastic bottles that move down an inclined ramp and into a load station where groups or slugs of bottles are deposited into trays or cases. An overhead flight bar conveyor provides a gap between each such group and the cases move by line pressure through the load station. Neck ring guides are provided above the flight bar path to control the descent of the bottles into each case. The path of the flight bars assures that each slug or group is closely controlled, initially by the steep entry angle and as a result of the shallow V-shaped path defined by the angularly related linear active runs on the flight bars prior to entry into the load station and by a second active run forming an abrupt V at the entry to the load station and inclined toward the neck ring guides at the same angle defined by the first run.

Abstract: In a packaging line adapted to feed articles into a packer and including lane guides defining lanes for columns of articles fed under line pressure to the packer, the lane guides are provided with an offset portion adapted to create a back pressure for reducing the line pressure at the packer. The offset portion provides sufficient resistance to the flow of articles so that the articles entering the packer are more readily accommodated, particularly articles of the type which are compressed by excessive line pressures and tend to upset the operation of the packer as a result of excessive or varying line pressure. The reduced line pressure permits operation of standard packing equipment for the handling of relatively soft and compressable cylindrical plastic bottles.

Abstract: Round bottles are moved between side walls in a tightly packed configuration by an underlying conveyor in a packaging line that requires the bottles to be divided into a plurality of side-by-side lanes for entry into the packer. The divider has selectively movable panels that normally form a divergent funnel for the bottles to allow them to expand and to move into the lanes. Void detectors in each of the outside lanes provide a signal to move one or both panels outwardly to clear a jam of bottles in the funnel. After a delay, the panels return slowly to their normal positions where they remain until the void detectors signal another jam in the funnel.

Abstract: An offset printing press, having a raised horizontal catwalk platform along one longitudinal side, uses a spray powder to help keep them separated within a stack of sheets in a sheet discharge section of the press. Only a portion of the spray powder is used and excess spray powder is present in the air as powder-laden air. The present invention comprises a system for removal of excess spray powder from the powder-laden air and includes a containment chamber, a powder removal section and an air handling unit. The containment chamber is formed by providing first and second side panels which combine with a rear panel of the sheet discharge section to provide a general containment for removal of powder-laden air from the sheet discharge section. A downward flow of air through at least one exhaust vent into a filter unit of the powder removal section is made possible by the air handling unit.

Abstract: Improved reinforced plastic tanks and novel mandrel processes for producing them are disclosed. One aspect of the invention is concerned with an external support rib and a method for producing it. According to the invention, the rib is fabricated on a hollow rib form secured to the exterior of a tank with resilient netting and thread. The structure comprises chopped fibers and a resin which does not require a source of external heat to cure. The tank with the rib form secured to it is rotated as the lay-up is applied. Netting and threads are supplied to the rib form and they wrap around the rib lay-up and hold it in place until it cures.Also disclosed is a method for producing a double wall tank incorporating the novel rib. According to this aspect of the invention, the ribs are cured until they are at least tacky. Then, thin flexible panels are wrapped around the outside of the ribs and held in place by a wrap.

Abstract: The rib form comprises a cardboard blank folded into a trapezoidal shape and having overlapping opposite longitudinal edge portions of the blank glued together and forming the shorter of the two parallel sides of the trapezoidal shape. Peripheral slots evenly spaced along the rib form are cut through the longer of the parallel sides and through the two angular sides of the trapezoidal shape.