Abstract: A tooth shade comparator comprises a viewing tube having a removable base at one end thereof and having an eyepiece at the opposite end thereof. The base is constructed for placement over a tooth in the mouth of a patient and has an opening for exposing the tooth to the interior of the viewing tube while excluding ambient light from the tooth. The base also has a slit for receiving a shade guide element that is placed side by side with the patient's tooth. The tooth and the shade guide element are illuminated by an electric lamp through an opening in the side wall of the tube. The eyepiece includes a lens that provides a magnified image of the tooth and the shade guide element. Half tone filters may be inserted in a light path between the shade guide element and the eyepiece. A set of removable bases having different arrangements of openings and slits provides versatility for shade comparison with different teeth.

Abstract: Apparatus for trimming a lateral edge of a moving continuous sheet including a hold down plate selectively movable to positions spaced from the lateral edge of the sheet and covering the lateral edge, a cutting blade carried on the hold down plate selectively movable between an inoperative position within or above hold down plate to an operative position extending beneath the hold down plate to trim the lateral edge of the sheet as the sheet moves past the cutting blade and a latch mechanism locking the cutting blade in the operative position and responsive to movement of the hold down plate to the spaced position to unlock the cutting blade to permit the cutting blade to automatically return to the inoperative position.

Abstract: In a method of rendering subject matter which is printed on one surface of a computer paper sheet unintelligible, an alpha-numeric interference pattern is printed over substantially the entire printing area of the surface of the sheet carrying the printed subject matter, the density of the interference pattern being sufficient to render the printed subject matter unintelligible. One particular use of the method is in the overprinting of computer print-out paper having printed information on one surface, so that the paper may be reused by printing on its opposite surface without permitting access to the information on the first-printed surface. A machine is disclosed for this application of the method.

Abstract: A low-cost disposable tab applicator and method of applying reinforcing tabs to the margin area of a sheet in a loose-leaf binder between a hole in the sheet through which a binder ring passes and an adjacent edge of the sheet, without the necessity of removing the sheet from the binder.

Abstract: A rotary impact tool such as a socket wrench has an anvil member at one end of a shaft for providing rotary movement to a tool body, and a striker non-rotatably and slidably mounted on the shaft for impacting the anvil member and imparting rotational forces thereto through complementary inclined striking surfaces on the anvil member and striker, respectively. The anvil member is mounted for limited rotational movement on the shaft between first and second extreme positions and can be biased to one or other of such positions to properly orientate the respective striking surfaces of the anvil and striker members.

Abstract: A water-saving device for use in the tank of a flush toilet has a movable latch member for supporting the inlet valve float in an elevated position upon initiation of a flush cycle. A secondary float within the tank controls the latch member and releases the main float to allow opening of the inlet valve only after the tank water level has dropped by a predetermined amount. The delay in opening the inlet valve reduces the amount of water used in the flush cycle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically applying reinforcing tabs to sheets in a loose-leaf binder includes a projecting tab guide sized to fit within a ring of the loose-leaf binder and adapted to apply a reinforcing tab between the edge of the sheet and a hole in the sheet through which the ring passes. Pressure-sensitive adhesive-back reinforcing tabs are separated from the carrier strip as the strip passes around a deflecting edge adjacent to an end of the tab guide. An inclined pressure foot presses the separated tab onto the sheet to attach it thereto.

Abstract: Compaction apparatus in which a material receiver chamber and a container are supported upon a carriage which tilts out of a cabinet to permit material to be inserted into the receiver chamber and which returns to a rest position within the cabinet for the compaction operation. Hydraulic rams pull a cylindrical compaction blade downwardly through the access opening of the receiver chamber, and the initial movement of the blade locks the carriage in its rest position. A carriage door permits the removal of the loaded container, and a latch holds the carriage in its rest position when the container is removed. A system of electrical interlocks ensures safe operation.

Abstract: Compaction apparatus in which a material receiver chamber and a container are supported upon a carriage which tilts out of a cabinet to permit material to be inserted into the receiver chamber and which returns to a rest position within the cabinet for the compaction operation. Hydraulic rams pull a cylindrical compaction blade downwardly through the access opening of the receiver chamber, and the initial movement of the blade locks the carriage in its rest position. A carriage door permits the removal of the loaded container, and a latch holds the carriage in its rest position when the container is removed. A system of electrical interlocks ensures safe operation.