Abstract: An icemaker incorporating a hot gas bypass system for introducing a supplemental quantity of refrigerant from a condenser into a compressor of the icemaker during a harvest cycle. The system includes a harvest bypass valve disposed in a bypass conduit coupled between an input port of the compressor and the inlet of a remotely disposed condenser. The harvest bypass valve is opened by a system controller of the icemaker during a harvest cycle which allows refrigerant in the condenser to migrate back into the input port of the compressor during the harvest cycle. In this manner, it can be insured that a sufficient quantity of refrigerant is available to carry out the harvest cycle. The adding of a supplemental quantity of refrigerant is further accomplished through a single valve and does not add appreciably to the overall cost or complexity of the icemaker.

Abstract: A method for preventing the formation of icy slush within the sump of an ice maker. The method includes the steps of monitoring the temperature of the water being circulated through the ice maker and detecting when the temperature reaches about 32.degree. F. When the water reaches about 32.degree. F., the water pump is turned-off to allow residual water on evaporator plates of the ice maker to freeze and form ice crystals thereon. The water pump is turned-off for a predetermined period of time sufficient to allow the residual water remaining on the evaporator plates to freeze, which is preferably about 40 seconds, before it is turned back on. Thereafter, circulating water gradually freezes to the ice crystals formed on the evaporator plates. This prevents the water in the sump from cooling below about 32.degree. F. which would cause an icy slush to form in the sump. The above cycle is repeated after ice is harvested from the evaporator plates.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling an ice making machine by monitoring water level in a sump used for water recirculation over an evaporator plate. Self-diagnostic means are also provided for automatic shutdown upon detection of malfunction during various cycles.

Abstract: A metallic bead of appropriate size and shape for use as the head of a fishing fly has a bore for accepting a hook shank. The bore is of a smaller diameter at the front end and of a larger diameter at the rear end for approximately two thirds of the length of the bead. The bead is cut off at each end so that the overall length of the bore is 85% of the major diameter of the bead itself.

Abstract: The present invention concerns improvements in electric defrost heaters used in frozen carbonated beverage machines. The frozen carbonated beverage machine includes freeze cylinders used to produce the frozen beverage. One or more tubes are secured in heat exchange relationship along the exterior of the freeze cylinder. Cartridge type heating elements are releasably insertable into the tubes to provide for defrosting of the beverage in the freeze cylinder.

Abstract: A fly tying film constructed by the lamination, coloring, and stretching of sheets of low-density polyethylene plastic stretch wrap film. Layers of the stretch wrap film are pressed together either, with or without paint sprayed between them. The combined layers are then stretched just short of the failure point. This stretching work-hardens the fly tying film and eliminates the resilient characteristics of the unprocessed stretch wrap. Pieces of the fly tying film are secured to a fishing hook in combination with other materials to build an artificial fishing fly for use in the sport angling pursuit of game fish. Pieces of the fly tying film can be pre-cut to the required shape or it may be formed and trimmed to the desired appearance as part of the fly tying process.

Abstract: The present invention is a beverage dispensing system for providing the parallel connection of a plurality of refrigeration sources responsible for the cooling of associated beverages dispensed from a plurality of dispensing valves. A coolant fluid, such as carbonated water, is cooled by each refrigeration unit and is then co-mingled in a common outflow manifold prior to distribution to each of the valves. Likewise, each similar beverage cooled by each refrigeration unit can be co-mingled in a particular manifold before distribution to each of the dispensing valves. Thus, the failure of one refrigeration unit does not to require the shut-down of a valve or valves, as carbonated water and beverages cooled thereby are co-mingled with the carbonated water and same beverages continuing to be cooled by the remaining functioning refrigeration units prior to delivery thereof to the valves.

Abstract: The present invention concerns improvements in the electronic control of frozen carbonated beverage machines and improvements in electric defrost heaters used therein. A control scheme is shown that provides for accurately determining the viscosity of a semi-frozen beverage as a function of the torque of a drive motor used in the harvesting and mixing thereof. The torque is first calculated based upon the current and voltage to the motor and the phase difference there between. The torque is adjusted to compensate for motor efficiency after which the net torque value is converted to a viscosity scale. The viscosity scale has a zero value relating to the net torque experienced by the motor when the beverage is known to be completely liquid. Viscosity is maintained within a narrow range based upon pre-defined three level low, medium and high viscosity sets, and wherein compressor short-cycling is eliminated.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for making, cooling and dispensing carbonated water or beverage wherein the method has the steps of providing a single supply of condensed refrigerant, discretely routing a first portion of the refrigerant to a precooler and precooling the water only to an intermediate moderate temperature of about 40 degrees F. (5 degrees C.) with the first refrigerant portion, carbonating the water before or after precooling, transferring the precooled and carbonated water to a final cooler of the ice bank type and final cooling the carbonated water and syrup to as close to 32 degrees F. (0 degrees C.) as is possible, and discretely routing a second portion of refrigerant to the ice bank. The discrete flow of refrigerant to the precooler and the discrete flow of refrigerant to the ice bank final cooler are each discretely controlled and portioned and routed, with this method and apparatus having extremely high efficiency and making very cold carbonated water reliably and without freeze ups.

Abstract: In a self-loading scraper, an elevator is provided with a linkage assembly for upward movement of the elevator about an axis offset from the center of the elevator. Spaced fixed stops are carried by the scraper bowl with a member on a bracket carried by the frame of the elevator engaging one of the fixed stops to limit downward movement of the elevator and a second member is movable with said bracket for engagement with the second fixed stop to limit upward movement of the elevator.

Abstract: In a self-loading scraper, an elevator is provided with a linkage assembly for upward movement of the elevator about an axis offset from the center of the elevator. Movable stops carried by the elevator engage with spaced, fixed stops carried by the scraper bowl so as to limit the upward and downward movement of the elevator relative to the cutter blade on the bowl.

Abstract: A guard is removably secured to the sidewall at the leading edge of an open-ended scraper bowl of a self-loading scraper and extends inwardly towards an elevator mechanism centrally disposed at the open end of the scraper bowl. The guard is disposed rearwardly of a rod of a hydraulic lift cylinder for shielding the rod from loose noncohesive material in the scraper bowl and for aiding in the retention of such material in the scraper bowl.

Abstract: The tool of an earthworking machine has a support and load transfer lug attached to the internal surface of the tool at the cutting edge by an attaching portion and a cylindrical mating portion extending forwardly and overlapping the cutting edge. A tooth adapter is mounted on the lug by means of a cavity in one side of the adapter, the cavity overlapping the attached portion of the lug, and a cylindrical bore communicating with the cavity closely fitting on the mating portion of the lug. The tooth adapter extends forwardly and carries thereon a tooth. A bolt extends through a rearward extension of the tooth adapter and the cutting edge of the tool to detachably affix the tooth adapter to the tool.