Abstract: A spark plug derives an extended lifetime because a large plurality of sharp edges are provided on the center electrode, the ground electrode, or both to enhance spark propagation. In a first embodiment, the ground electrode has a conventional cantilever shape, but the center electrode extends into coplanar relation to a distal surface of the electrode so that sparks propagate from the cylindrical side walls of the center electrode. In variations of the first embodiment, the number of cantilevered ground electrodes is increased, with the ground electrodes being circumferentially and equidistantly spaced about the center electrode. In another embodiment, the ground electrode has an annular configuration and includes a cylindrical annular wall spaced radially outwardly of the cylindrical sidewall of the center electrode, in concentric relation to the center electrode.

Abstract: A spray gun for spraying fluent materials having a high concentration of particulate matter. The spray gun is connected to a source of pressurized air and a source of spray materials. The air and spray materials mix in a nozzle, atomizing the fluid in the spray materials before the mixture is discharged from the spray gun. A valve is provided to control the flow of the spray materials. A conduit passes through the valve to provide a secondary source of air to atomize the fluid in the spray materials. The valve is also configured to ensure that no spray materials can enter the chamber of the valve when the valve is the closed position.

Abstract: A spray gun for spraying fluent materials comprising a valve chamber, a nozzle connected to the chamber at one end thereof, inlet and outlet ports communicating with the valve chamber, and a valve element having a hollow interior displaceable in the chamber between closed and open positions. The valve element is operable in the closed position to extend between the inlet and the outlet ports to allow flow of material through the inlet into the hollow interior of the valve element and out through the outlet. The valve element in the open position is operable to split the flow through the inlet into: a first partial flow through the hollow interior of the valve element and out of the hollow interior and the valve chamber through the outlet; and a second partial flow through the spray nozzle, whereby the flow through the outlet is uninterrupted when the inlet is receiving the material under pressure.

Abstract: A coin recognizing selector (3) is followed by a buffer coin box (5) serving as a temporary store for newly inserted coins. The buffer has a stepping motor-indexable, bottomless and topless, circular loading magazine with P+2 radial cells bounded by radial walls, within a stationary cartridge. The cartridge has a bottom opening two magazine cells wide, equipped with a bolt (36) operable to either close off the opening completely or close off either its right or left side. N identical coin stores (6 to 11) are arranged coaxially one below the other to make change, are supplied from the buffer (5) and feed either a coin collection box (12) or a coin return tray (4) arranged in parallel beneath the storage decks. The bolts (36) are controlled to release coins from the stores to the coin box (12) or return tray (4), or from the buffer (5) to one of the stores (6 to 11), each store being assigned coins of a specific denomination.

Abstract: Active dried baker's yeast is prepared by selecting a yeast strain stable to drying, cultivating the yeast strain in several aerobic fermentation stages and selecting conditions for the last stage that produce a compressed yeast having preferred gas release characteristics, harvesting and carefully washing the yeast from the last stage to obtain compressed yeast having the preferred gas release characteristics, adding to the compressed yeast an emulsion of an emulsifying agent, dividing the resultant mixture into fine particles, and drying the particles by flash pneumatic conveyor drying and/or fluidized bed drying to obtain active dry yeast having greater than 92% dry matter content. The dry yeast have an activity almost equal to fresh yeast on non-sweetened dough or on sweetened dough.

Abstract: Fermentation of acid-containing dough in bread-making is carried out with a baker's yeast in the form of compressed fresh yeast or dried yeast that has reduced inhibition to acid in the dough. The yeast is preferably prepared by selecting a strain of quick yeast, adapted to maltose and stable on conversation and drying, and cultivating the yeast by a process wherein during a last discontinuous cycle of multiplication of the yeast, a discontinuous flow of molasses is carried out by brief interruptions of flow.

Abstract: A dry yeast composition in particulate form containing at least 92% dry matter is prepared consisting essentially of active dry bakers' yeast capable of fermenting sweetened doughs containing more than 5% sugar and an emulsifying agent having an HLB value of between 3 and 11. The emulsifying agent is added to the yeast before drying and protects the yeast during drying.