Abstract: A container such as a paper cup is formed from a thick paperboard blank. The blank has a predetermined thickness and has a top edge, side edges, and a bottom edge. The regions adjacent at least one, and preferably all, of the top edge and first and second side edges are compressed along the length thereof. When the regions adjacent the side edges are overlapped, a reduced thickness side seam is formed. When the compressed region adjacent the top edge is curled to form the upper lip, a lip of lesser thickness is formed than otherwise would be formed from the paperboard material.

Abstract: An insulating paperboard contains at least one layer of cellulose fibers. The one layer is at least partially composed of bulky fibers. The paperboard is sufficiently insulated to provide a hot water ?T across the paperboard of at least 0.7° C.±2.3° C. per 0.1 mm of caliper. The paperboard may be embossed to decrease surface transmission of heat. A hot cup may be produced from the insulating paperboard.

Abstract: An insulating paperboard contains at least one layer of cellulose fibers. The one layer is at least partially composed of bulky fibers. The paperboard is sufficiently insulated to provide a hot water &Dgr;T across the paperboard of at least 0.7° C.±2.3° C. per 0.1 mm of caliper. The paperboard may be embossed to decrease surface transmission of heat. A hot cup may be produced from the insulating paperboard.

Abstract: A switch mode power converter (10) is provided. Converter (10) includes a switching cell (12) that transforms an input voltage at input port (22) to an output voltage at output port (24). Switching cell (12) is controlled by a fixed-period, variable on-time control signal from summing comparator (14). The period of the control signal is set by a driving circuit (20). The on time is set by first and second feedback circuits (16) and (18). First feedback circuit (16) provides a fast transient response. Second feedback circuit (18) provides an stable dc steady-state operating point.

Abstract: A fiber product comprises dry discontinuous fibers having a starch binder on at least a portion of the fiber surfaces, at least about seventy percent of the starch binder coated fibers being unbonded to one another, solid particles are adhered to the fibers by the binder without the binder entirely coating the particles. The fibers may be air laid into a web or formed into an absorbent structure. Superabsorbent particles are a specific example of the particles which may be adhered to the fibers.

Abstract: An attachment, adapted to mount to the front edge of an excavating bucket, includes a working structure and a base. The front edge of the bucket defines an inner surface, an outer surface, and a beveled surface oriented at an inclination to the inner and outer surfaces. The base of the attachment includes a single leg or pair of legs having opposed engagement surfaces. The engagement surfaces on the two legged attachments diverge from one another to define a gap therebetween for receiving the lip of the bucket. One of the engagement surfaces defines a convex surface which enables the attachment to be mounted to a variety of different buckets irrespective of the inclination of the beveled surface of the front edge.

Abstract: A binding agent comprising fiber strands of microbially produced cellulose is disclosed. The cellulose is synthesized by certain strains of microorganisms of the genus Acetobacter grown under agitated culture conditions to produce fine, interconnected fiber strands forming a three-dimensional reticulated structure. The binding agent is effective for binding fibers and fragments of material, such as natural and treated wood fragments and particles as well as synthetic materials, and it imparts wet and dry tensile strength to the bound material.

Abstract: An open-type air defrost refrigerated display employing recirculatory refrigerated air flow for cooling, and reverse air flow into the ambient and from the ambient for defrost, there being a return air grille opening which is bioriented, with portions oriented to receive recirculatory cold air flow from across the display access opening during refrigeration, and portions oriented to discharge reverse flow defrost air into the ambient during defrost. These second portions are aerodynamically aligned with the adjacent passage from whence the reverse flow defrost air flows.The passage means preferably includes, between the refrigeration coil and the refrigerated air outlet, damper means for restricting the recirculatory refrigerated air flow a controlled amount, while allowing unrestricted reverse defrost air flow therethrough.

Abstract: An air defrost reach-in refrigerated display case employing aerodynamic isolation of the coil from the product storage and display space during defrost. The fans and refrigeration coil are in a chamber separated from the display space, there being restricted flow flues between this chamber and the display space. Ambient air inlet and discharge ports astraddle the coil and fans, and between the cabinet exterior and this chamber enables short circuit flow of ambient defrosting air through the ports for defrosting of the coil when doors on the ports are open, without significant flow into the storage and display space.

Abstract: An energy saving refrigeration system as for refrigerated display cases in stores, free of the usual winter head pressure controls on the condenser equipment, capable of functioning satisfactorily with two-phase, liquid-gas mixtures of refrigerant inlet flow, there being a pair of valves immediately upstream of the evaporator, one being an expansion valve, and the other being a pressure regulator just upstream of the expansion valve adjusted such as to maintain a fixed discharge pressure to the expansion valve, this regulator discharge pressure set sufficiently above the evaporator boiling pressure and set sufficiently below the minimum inlet pressure to the pressure regulator.