Abstract: The high speed depositor allows the manufacturing plant, e.g., a modern large bakery, to double the production of the batter, filling and icing lines. The depositor is comprised of a food quality positive displacement pump, a high torque stepping motor, a microprocessor based controller and a depositing manifold with individual valves. Other supporting apparatus, which are inputs and outputs of the controller, include a rotary encoder to measure the degrees of revolution of the pump, an air solenoid valve to apply air (motive force) to the stepping motor and an on/off switch to start and stop the depositing operation. Each nozzle on the depositing manifold has a flow control device to equalize the flow and therefore each cup weight of product deposited into the baking pan. A feed tank or hopper supplies a constant flow of product to the suction of the depositor pump. The manifold is typically mounted a few inches above a conveyor which carries baking pans underneath the manifold nozzles.

Abstract: A means and method of controlling the muzzle velocity of a gun launched projectile to ensure that the muzzle velocities of several rounds of the same type tend towards the same value or that of an individual round approaches some nominal value. A sensor means measures a parameter related to the muzzle velocity of a projectile and a control means instructs an electrothermal energy unit to discharge a fixed amount of energy into the gun barrel after a certain time delay, the time delay being derived from the measured parameter and being such to ensure that discharge causes the projectile to achieve a controlled muzzle velocity.

Abstract: A spinal plate is provided that has two components of curvature in the lower surface that opposes the spinal vertebrae. This lower surface preferrably has the shape of a toroidal segment. A series of plates may be taken from a principal "s"-shaped template of similar shape on its lower surface. For convenience of manufacture, the shape of the curvature of the "S"-shaped template along the sides of the template is circular. A special hole pattern is also disclosed in respect of a tapered thoracic portion of the template.