Abstract: A process and apparatus for forming a series of plastic laminate samples one-by-one in a semi-continuous manner. Samples pass continuously one after the other through a series of heating, compressing, and cooling steps. Each sample is heated and pressed for a predetermined interval in a first compression press, then passed through a series of levels in a stack in a stacking press. The sample is passed from the last level of the stacking press to a cooling press, where it is cooled for the same predetermined interval of time. Thus samples are stepped one after another through the apparatus, with samples at each step moving simultaneously to the next successive step at predetermined intervals.

Abstract: A wide-range load cell is installed within a press in line with the work load. The load cell measures the actual force applied to the load irrespective of any friction, binding or drag in the press mechanism. The sensitivity of the load cell is adjusted in order to provide an accurate measurement over a wide range of pressures. In some embodiments of the load cell the least sensitive of the pressure or traction bearing elements become active as the applied force approaches the maximum limit of the more sensitive element. In other embodiments of the invention the most sensitive of the pressure or traction sensing elements are switched out of operation as the applied force approaches their maximum limits. A hydraulic version of the load cell uses a combination of pressure-sensing transducers of different ranges and sensitivities.

Abstract: A retractable comb having metallic tines or teeth, each of which are attached to a separate pinion gear and each pinion gear being rotatably carried by a sheath having a slot in the top portion thereof and being coplanar with the tines. A rack slidably carried by the sheath and having gear teeth in engagement with the pinion gears for rotating the pinion gears into an exposed position with the tines extending vertically out of the sheath and through the slot in the sheath and rotating the pinion gears in an opposite direction whereby the tines are rotated to a retracted position.