Abstract: Gasket insertion apparatuses with bendable arms that provide quick, safe and efficient alignment and installation of gaskets between opposing flanges of a flange assembly. Methods to install gaskets between opposing flanges by aligning gaskets within a flange assembly using alignment arms of an insertion apparatus.

Abstract: A gasket insertion cradle with a bottom frame portion configured to align a gasket between opposing flanges of a flange assembly and capable of being removed from the flange assembly by simply rotating the frame portion free once the gasket is within ring grooves of the opposing flanges. Gasket insertion devices may have a top portion hinged to the cradle and configured to secure a gasket between the top portion and the cradle during installation.

Abstract: A yarn entanglement strength tester includes first and second rolls that apply incrementally increasing elongation levels on a yarn in order to remove entanglements from the yarn. The yarn entanglement strength tester also includes a third roll, where the second and third rolls apply a constant tension on the yarn which enables optimum diameter measurements of the yarn by a camera. The camera captures images of diameters of the yarn after each of the incrementally increasing elongation levels is applied to the yarn. The yarn entanglement strength tester further includes a computing device that controls operation of the camera and the first, second, and third rolls, and determines an entanglement strength of the yarn based on the captured images of the diameters of the yarn after each of the incrementally increasing elongation levels is applied to the yarn.

Abstract: A gasket insertion cradle with a bottom frame portion configured to align a gasket between opposing flanges of a flange assembly and capable of being removed from the flange assembly by simply rotating the frame portion free once the gasket is within ring grooves of the opposing flanges. Gasket insertion devices may have a top portion hinged to the cradle and configured to secure a gasket between the top portion and the cradle during installation.

Abstract: Gasket insertion apparatuses with bendable arms that provide quick, safe and efficient alignment and installation of gaskets between opposing flanges of a flange assembly. Methods to install gaskets between opposing flanges by aligning gaskets within a flange assembly using alignment arms of an insertion apparatus.

Abstract: Gasket insertion apparatuses with bendable arms that provide quick, safe and efficient alignment and installation of gaskets between opposing flanges of a flange assembly. Methods to install gaskets between opposing flanges by aligning gaskets within a flange assembly using alignment arms of an insertion apparatus.

Abstract: A yarn entanglement strength tester includes first and second rolls that apply incrementally increasing elongation levels on a yarn in order to remove entanglements from the yarn. The yarn entanglement strength tester also includes a third roll, where the second and third rolls apply a constant tension on the yarn which enables optimum diameter measurements of the yarn by a camera. The camera captures images of diameters of the yarn after each of the incrementally increasing elongation levels is applied to the yarn. The yarn entanglement strength tester further includes a computing device that controls operation of the camera and the first, second, and third rolls, and determines an entanglement strength of the yarn based on the captured images of the diameters of the yarn after each of the incrementally increasing elongation levels is applied to the yarn.

Abstract: A yarn entanglement strength tester includes first and second rolls that apply incrementally increasing elongation levels on a yarn in order to remove entanglements from the yarn. The yarn entanglement strength tester also includes a third roll, where the second and third rolls apply a constant tension on the yarn which enables optimum diameter measurements of the yarn by a camera. The camera captures images of diameters of the yarn after each of the incrementally increasing elongation levels is applied to the yarn. The yarn entanglement strength tester further includes a computing device that controls operation of the camera and the first, second, and third rolls, and determines an entanglement strength of the yarn based on the captured images of the diameters of the yarn after each of the incrementally increasing elongation levels is applied to the yarn.

Abstract: A yarn entanglement strength tester includes first and second rolls that apply incrementally increasing elongation levels on a yarn in order to remove entanglements from the yarn. The yarn entanglement strength tester also includes a third roll, where the second and third rolls apply a constant tension on the yarn which enables optimum diameter measurements of the yarn by a camera. The camera captures images of diameters of the yarn after each of the incrementally increasing elongation levels is applied to the yarn. The yarn entanglement strength tester further includes a computing device that controls operation of the camera and the first, second, and third rolls, and determines an entanglement strength of the yarn based on the captured images of the diameters of the yarn after each of the incrementally increasing elongation levels is applied to the yarn.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is a method and apparatus for installing a post mount. In one embodiment, a method for securing a post mount to a support surface includes assembling the post mount, where the post mount includes: a support pipe having a first end and a second end, a first support block coupled to the first end of the support pipe, and a second support block coupled to the second end of the support pipe. At least one fastener is then inserted through the first support block and through the support surface.

Abstract: A computer-controlled device for determining relative yarn hairiness. Yarn is moved past a light source to create a yarn shadow, and an imaging device captures the yarn shadow. The imaging device includes a number of separate, closely-spaced light sensing elements, each with an output level related to the amount of light shining on the element. A selected sensing element output level is established as indicative that an element is blocked by the yarn. The width of a number of closely-spaced portions of the yarn is determined, at two different selected sensing elements output levels, to distinguish the yarn hairs from the yarn core.