Abstract: Analytical devices such as chromatographs are disclosed wherein an intrinsically safe source of electrical energy is used to heat analytical elements of the devices, and optionally to power other circuits of the device.

Abstract: Sonic type leak detector system for liquid storage tanks or the like. It uses a hydrophone to convert sonic waves in the liquid to electrical signals. The electrical signals are divided by two band pass filters. The division is into one band which contains any leak signals, and another band which contains only noise signals. Then both bands are blanked whenever the noise signal amplitude exceeds a predetermined amount. There is a differential amplifier that acts on the outputs of both band pass filters to amplify the difference after averaging of each, whenever signals are not blanked. And, there is an indicator to show when a leak is present. The indicator is actuated whenever the output of the differential amplifier exceeds a predetermined amplitude.

Abstract: A method for detecting the fouling tendency of a liquid which method comprises heating the liquid, adding to it a solution or suspension containing one or more inorganic and/or organic foulants to give an enhanced concentration of foulant in the liquid, passing the resulting liquid through a heated tubular test section and measuring the increase in pressure drop and/or the decrease in temperature across the test section over a period of time.

Abstract: This application discloses an apparatus and electrical system for sensing the wear within an engine by detecting the presence of metal pieces which have become dislodged from the engine. The metal pieces are detected by collecting them upon a filter which is located generally within an inductor. The permeability of the inductor is measured as a function of the inductance, and the inductance becomes a measure of the number of particles collected by the filter.

Abstract: An aircraft-speed indicating instrument has an index which is movable against a scale to provide a reading of airspeed, and a digital indicator which is selectively operable to provide a digital reading of either Mach number or the airspeed. The index and the digital indicator are driven by respective control systems supplied with a multiplexed electrical signal containing information representative of both Mach number and airspeed. Each control system includes gating means which is operable to pass only those parts of the multiplexed signal necessary for the associated control means to provde the desired reading.

Abstract: A torque correlation ring is disclosed which forms a part of a test stand useful in measuring performance of aircraft turboshaft engines. The torque ring assembly comprises two annular rings separated from each other by four short equally spaced beams. One of the annular rings is fixedly attached to the frame of the test stand. The engine casing is attached to the second ring. Attachment is such that the engine is axially suspended within the annular rings with the propeller shaft on one side and the turbine exhaust on the other. Torque reaction forces on the engine casing stemming from supplying power to a propeller will be passed from the second annular ring to the frame mounted, first annular ring via the four beams. The magnitude of this torque is measured by means of strain gages mounted on each of the four beams. The electrically combined signal from the strain gages represent an accurate measurement of the torque forces being supplied to the propeller by the engine under test.

Abstract: An input shaft is provided with a cylinder and an output shaft is provided with a rotary wing piston in the cylinder. The rotary wing piston has two arms and together with two diametrically opposite cylinder cams forms two pairs of pressure chambers. Depending on the direction of torque, a pressure medium is supplied to one of the pairs of pressure chambers by means of two three way valves provided on the cylinder wall. The slits between the frontal surfaces of the cams and the opposing surfaces of the rotary wing piston throttle the outflow of the pressure medium out of the chamber pair. As a result of the automatically adjusting equilibrium between the applied torque and the compressive force in the pressure chamber pair, the pressure of the pressure medium supplied by a pump is a measurement for the magnitude of the transferred torque and can be read on a manometer.

Abstract: A hydraulic test stand for testing of shafts, couplings, gears and gear transmission systems. A pair of hydro-units are provided, one of which functions as a pump and the other one of which functions as a motor. Each of the hydro-units has a shaft thereon. A reversible drive motor is provided for driving the shaft of the hydro-unit functioning as a pump. High pressure lines and low pressure lines are connected in circuit with the hydro-units to provide an oil circulation circuit. The setting member has a pair of rotatable shafts thereon interconnected therewith. A driving rotation of either one of the shafts effects a driven rotation of the other shaft so that the torque output on the shaft from the hydro-unit which functions as a motor is included into the power flow consideration of the test stand and is used to drive through the test member the hydro-unit which functions as a pump so that the drive means must then only yet balance out the occurring losses within the system.

Abstract: A pressure-responsive instrument such as an indicator or recorder for use with a bubbler type of sensing probe for monitoring liquid depth or flow in a sewer pipe or the like. The instrument housing contains means for regulating the rate of bubble release to such probe and also contains means for diverting the bubble release temporarily to an adjacent bubble rate test location. The same housing also preferably carries a manifold for supporting bubble fluid containers and means for regulating the resulting bubble fluid pressure in the manifold, for connection to such probe.

Abstract: A species of fiber-optic thermometer, employing a gas-sealing movable reflecting element trapping a sealed gas column in a capillary as a temperature-sensitive medium, transfers a proportion of fiber-optic input light to a fiber-optic output as a single-valued function of temperature. This species provides a miniature thermometer exhibiting high temperature sensitivity.

Abstract: A species of fiber-optic thermometer, employing input and output fiber-optics immersed in a given liquid partially filling a capillary, transfers a proportion of fiber-optic input light to the fiber-optic output as a single-valued function of temperature. This species can provide a miniature thermometer exhibiting high temperature sensitivity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the level of a liquid in a storage tank having a predetermined reference level. A liquid level sensor is located in the tank so as to monitor the upper level of liquid over a predetermined height range at a plurality of locations within the tank. The sensor is interrogated at each location to determine the corresponding sensed level and the sensed levels are compared to see if their values are close enough to indicate that the measured level approximates a plane parallel to the predetermined reference level in the tank. Only when the sensed evels are close enough in value, is one of their level values read as a measure of the level in the tank.

Abstract: The invention provides an array of spaced thermocouples inserted into the kiln as a unit to provide the temperature profile of the kiln on a continuous basis. The output signals from the thermocouples are multiplexed and displayed on a CRT device. A horizontal line across the face of the CRT screen provides a temperature reference for the profile when a digital thermometer is driven with the horizontal line generating voltage. To reproduce a desired temperature profile, the invention provides a temperature profile synthesizer comprising a resistor-ladder network and a voltage source for simulating the small voltages developed by the temperature monitoring thermocouples in the array. By displaying the synthesized temperature profile on the CRT at the same time that the actual measured temperature profile is being displayed, the kiln can be more easily controlled to provide the desired synthesized profile.

Abstract: A controlled carrier current measuring sensor/transducer signal amplifier system comprising a carrier oscillator for providing a carrier voltage oscillatory signal of known frequency and fixed voltage magnitude. A differential amplifier has the carrier voltage oscillatory signal supplied to one of its inputs. A reference impedance and a variable impedance sensor transducer are connected in a series circuit across the output of the differential amplifier and a first feedback signal is fed back to a second input of the differential amplifier with the first feedback signal comprising the sum of the voltage across the reference impedance and the variable impedance sensor transducer. A buffer amplifier has its input connected to the juncture of the reference impedance and the variable impedance sensor/transducer for deriving an output voltage representative of the instantaneous value of the voltage across the variable impedance sensor/transducer.

Abstract: An electronic thermometer utilizes a microprocessor, a bridge circuit containing a temperature responsive transducer, a charge and discharge circuit, and an interrupt signal generating circuit, to provide an accurate temperature measurement while reducing the size of the measuring apparatus. A counted value corresponding to a reference temperature is added to a counted value corresponding to the time it takes a capacitor connected to the bridge circuit to discharge, and the result is converted to a temperature degree displayed after operation in the microprocessor.

Abstract: A pressure sensor includes a pressure transducer which has an electrical element therein in the form of a pressure-affected capacitance which is electrically connected to an electronic circuit which is operable to provide an electrical signal representing fluid pressure applied to the transducer. The transducer and the electronic circuit are packaged in a housing and are isolated from each other within the housing by a seal constructed of a material having a very low temperature coefficient of dielectric constant. The housing includes a metal can having a closed end with an aperture therein for connection to a fluid system to be monitored. The electrical leads extending between the pressure sensitive variable capacitance and the electronic circuit extend through the dielectric seal spaced from each other and spaced from the metal can so as to be shielded and prevent stray capacitance from the affecting operation.

Abstract: The casing wall about the aperture through which the Bourdon tube socket connection is received in a pressure gauge cooperates with at least two contiguous surface areas spaced apart on the socket to form a bidirectional casing-to-socket interlock thereat. By means of fasteners securing the casing to the socket, the bidirectional interlock is maintained as to afford the casing increased resistance against a percussive blow of potentially bending magnitude received in either direction.

Abstract: A hand-operated multi-purpose tool mounted on a stand having a projecting support, with a movable tool assembly attached to the support. A pivotal handle is coupled to the tool assembly, the handle reciprocably positioning a plunger having at least one flat edge surface, the plunger passing through a triangular guide member in the tool assembly and being adjustably clamped thereto by means of a clamping plate bearing against the plunger flat surface. A plurality of different tools, jigs and fixtures may be attached to the reciprocable plunger for numerous working functions.

Abstract: A variable speed drive for a riding lawn mower or the like has a double pulley variable speed sheave assembly coupled between a driving pulley and a driven pulley by first and second V-belts, respectively. The sheave assembly is carried at one end of a bell crank which is centrally pivoted to one end of a pivot arm. The pivot arm is pivotally connected to the vehicle frame and is biased to urge the sheave assembly toward an operating position with the belts under driving tension. A mechanical control linkage is connected to the other end of the bell crank, and is operable to shift the sheave assembly with respect to the driving and driven pulley to alter the sheave assembly drive ratio in a manner such that belt tension varies with variations in operating speed. The control linkage is operable to move the sheave assembly between a stopped position with both belts declutched and a range of low to high speed operating positions, and is springably biased to urge the sheave assembly toward said stopped position.

Abstract: A low tolerance device for converting the rotary motion of a motor shaft into linear motion for use in influencing the stitch bight and work feed mechanisms of a sewing machine. The shaft of a motor is provided with a worm rigidly attached thereto. Two half nut sections are clamped around the worm and are urged against it by a leaf spring. The half nuts are connected to a drive arm by a pin which freely passes through one half nut and the drive arm and is rigidly connected to the second half nut. The leaf spring acts as a guide for the half nuts and prevents their rotation about the worm. Rotation of the motor in either direction causes the half nuts to translate along the axis of the worm. The translation of the half nuts is transferred to the drive arm through the pin.

Abstract: An anti-skid protective cap for actuating pedals, such as brake pedals and the like, of a motor vehicle with a single downwardly projecting deflecting surface constructed so as to provide good sliding characteristics. This deflecting surface accomodates the sliding of the operator's shoe sole edge therealong during a pedal change. The deflecting surface is provided on the side of the protective cap facing a gas pedal, whereby the operator's shoe is prevented from getting stuck under the actuating pedal. The shoe-engaging portion of the cap may be artificially aged by applying a coating of an aqueous solution of sodium hypochlorite, or it may be provided with a coating of an elastic lacquer.

Abstract: A high-speed inertial energy storage rotor having improved spoke elements which connect a fiber-reinforced composite ring to a central hub. The spokes are tension-balanced by the addition of loading weights to their outer ends. These weights increase the centrifugal loading on the spokes such that their elongation at the operating speed of the rotor matches the dilation of the rotor ring. This minimizes radial loading imposed on the ring by the spokes and resulting shear and flexure stresses in the rotor ring and the spoke-to-ring bond. The spokes are pre-shaped to follow a catenary curve at operating speeds so as to place the spoke in pure tension and avoid undesirable bending moments and flexure stresses which would otherwise result.

Abstract: In a multi-speed planetary gear including a planet gear carrier connected to one of the primary or secondary shafts, planet gears mounted thereon, each including at least two gear sections at different diameters and at least three annular gears, i.e. sun or ring gears engaging said gear section, each of the annular gears including a friction coupling for fixing the same relative to the casing, and a servo-motor non-rotatatively mounted in the casing for controlling each of the friction couplings. A multi-position control valve controls the flow of pressurized fluid separately to each of the servo-motors. A low capacity high pressure pump delivers pressurized fluid to the control valve and a non-return valve connected in parallel with the low capacity high pressure pump opens when the servo-motor is filled.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a spherical bearing seat cutter machine for cutting large spherical bearing seats, such as, those used in equipment which is installed in power-generating stations and other like plants. The apparatus includes a pair of spaced supports, each of which is adapted to be connected to a workpiece. A drive shaft is rotatably mounted in the supports. A rotary drive is connected to the drive shaft for rotating the drive shaft in the supports. A cutter assembly is mounted on the drive shaft, which cutter assembly includes a cutting tool which travels on an arcuate track for cutting a spherical bearing seat. The cutter assembly includes a counterweight opposite the cutting tool. An arcuate drive is connected to the cutting tool for moving the cutting tool along the arcuate track as the drive shaft rotates. The machine also includes an axial drive for moving the cutter assembly axially along the drive shaft for making a straight or cylindrical cut.

Abstract: Sheet material is moved along its length from a supply to a take-up spool and the material is inspected as it is moved. A garment pattern image is projected on and is moved with the material. The operator determines where the material is to be cut either from the length accumulated on the take-up spool or from the image projected on the material, and if a flaw in the material is detected, the operator determines if the flaw should be removed by identifying the pattern part in the garment from the image projected on the material where the flaw will appear. If the flaw is to be removed, the operator cuts the flaw out and splices the cut ends of material together at splice marks in the image projected on the material. The spools loaded with sheet material with this procedure are loaded in a creel, and the ends of the sheets of material from the spools in the creel are aligned in a vertically stacked arrangement and moved to a cutting apparatus where the garment pattern is cut in the stacked sheets of material.

Abstract: A unique preferably Y-shaped tear line-forming perforation is formed in the sealed marginal portion of a flat bag made of confronting panels of synthetic plastic material sealed together at marginal portions thereof. The perforation is formed with a unique bag-puncturing tool having a faceted, tapered tool head having preferably only three straight longitudinally extending bag-cutting edges converging to a bag-puncturing point at the end of the tool head.

Abstract: A band cutting apparatus for cutting a fabric web to produce a web-like article by the agency of a cutting means to which said fabric web is guided. There is provided a guide means including at least one fabric guide means provided with a flattening means for flattening an inwardly directed curl at the edge of said fabric. Said fabric guide means is arranged relative to the direction of advancement of said fabric web ahead of said cutting means.

Abstract: The horizontal platform between the feed roll nip and the rotary cutter pelletizing nip in a dicer is arranged to feed soft, limp webs of plastic without crumpling, buckling or sidewise movement by providing a multiplicity of closely spaced ribs and grooves on both the platform and on the hold down fingers, extending in the direction of feed. Friction is thus reduced in the feed direction while sidewise control is maximum for a given feed resistance. To prevent the soft plastic from wrapping around the lower feed roll it is formed with a multiplicity of small diamond protuberances separated by channels.

Abstract: A guard mechanism for a radial saw having a motor powered saw blade mounted in a housing slidable on a support arm of a frame shiftable between a rearwardly non-cutting position and a forwardly cutting position. The guard mechanism comprises a guard pivotally mounted to the housing for covering a front portion of the blade, and means carried by the housing to contact the frame for raising the guard whenever the housing is shifted to its rearward non-cutting position.

Abstract: A dual-knife device for scribing or scoring a wood workpiece before sawing it with a motorized circular handsaw or other saw. The scoring insures a clean saw cut without splintering the wood at the edges, as is required in trimming veneer doors and wall panels. A guide bar is clamped to the workpiece to guide the saw and the scoring device. Prior to sawing, the scoring device is drawn by hand across the workpiece, guided by the same guide bar. The scoring device comprises a pair of knife blades mounted close together on a frame. The knife blades cut two parallel scribe lines or scores into the wood surface, one on each side of the kerf to be sawed. When the saw cut is made, the score lines prevent the saw blade from splintering or feathering the surface of the workpiece along the kerf line, insuring a clean cut.

Abstract: A transposing and intramanual coupling control circuit for an electronic keyboard instrument in which the status of the keys are scanned in groups by a group counter, each group corresponding to the twelve notes of an octave. The keys in each group provide status signals on a corresponding number of time-shared output lines as each group is scanned. If any key in a particular group has changed status, the scanning of the groups is interrupted and the individual keys in the particular group are scanned by a note counter to determine which keys have changed status. If a key has been depressed, the note number and octave number in the respective counters are stored in an assignment memory for assignment to a tone generator. Transposition is provided by shifting the phasing between the key scanning by the note counter relative to the output lines by a predetermined set amount at the start of each group scanning step.

Abstract: A frequency divider for a tone source for an Arabian scale in an electronic organ of the type wherein musical tone signals for a standard musical scale, musical tone signals higher than the same by 50 cents and musical tone signals lower than the same by 50 cents can be obtained from the output signal of a main oscillator. The output signal of the main oscillator is frequency-divided by at least one frequency divider to obtain an output signal. The aforesaid frequency divider comprises a counter and an AND circuit. An input terminal of the frequency divider is connected through the counter to an input terminal on one side of the AND circuit and is connected directly to an input terminal on the other side of the AND circuit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a touch operated capacitance switch which may be used in connection with a digital arpeggio system for an electronic organ that through the use of digital techniques permits arpeggios, note sequences as well as strum, multi, organ, and normal modes of operation to be played automatically. Two counters scan by counting through an 8.times.8 matrix of 64 words covering the 61 notes of an organ in rapid sequence upon the playing of one or more organ keys. Each word is fed to a corresponding one of 61 decoders, one for each note of the keyboard. If a corresponding key has been played, the decoder provides a signal to a corresponding pulser circuit which enables a corresponding keyer to transmit an audio signal from an audio oscillator corresponding to the played key to an output system and loudspeaker.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument in which a keyboard circuit generates scale tone voltage signals corresponding to depressed keys of a keyboard. Plural musical tone signal forming sections are connected respectively to plural output terminals of the keyboard circuit which has plural series-connected resistance circuits. Each of the resistance circuits has series-connected resistances which, in turn, are connected at one end to an electrical source. Key-switches are provided to move with the keys of the keyboard, and these key-switches are connected so that when plural keys are simultaneously depressed according to a chord, respective scale tone voltage signals corresponding to the respective keys are generated at respective connecting points of the resistances in the series-connected resistance circuits, and they may be respectively transmitted from the plural output terminals.

Abstract: In an electronic musical instrument comprising a keyboard including a plurality of keys, a frequency information memory device for storing frequency informations corresponding to respective keys, a plurality of musical tone forming means including a waveshape memory device for forming musical tones in response to the output of the frequency information memory device, and a shift circuit interposed between the frequency information memory device and the musical tone forming means for effecting a footage change of an octave unit, there is provided a preset circuit for applying a plurality of preset footage signals to the shift circuit and for applying another preset signals which are necessary to form musical tones to the musical tone forming means.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system for encoding of bass and treble expression effects while recording from the keyboard of an electronic player piano wherein the intensity of the music being recorded is reflected in variations in the power of the acoustic waveform produced thereby. The key note or key switch actuations are multiplexed in a serial bit stream of data and stored in a shift register and then separately combined with the bass and treble expression data bits in a format which, upon re-creation of the original musical presentation, results in a more faithful rendition of the original performance.

Abstract: In an electronic organ system having a plurality of tone generators one for each note to be sounded, and a time constant circuit for establishing first and second decay characteristics for each note, the first of which has a longer decay period than the second, a key-down detector for sensing the operated condition of any key of the keyboard, and a circuit operative in response to the key-down detector to cause the sounded notes to have the longer decay characteristic so long as any key of the keyboard is depressed and to cause the sounded notes to have the shorter decay characteristic when all keys are released, for producing a pseudo-reverberation effect.

Abstract: A supporting bracket for guitars and other stringed instruments embodying a plate attachable to a wall surface and having a hanger member with spaced diverging arms extending at right angles thereto and projecting from the wall surface to receive a finger board portion therebetween to permit of an instrument being retained thereby and depending angularly therefrom so as to be spaced above the floor surface.

Abstract: In a system for varying the intensity of a plurality of lights in accordance with plural channel audio amplitude signals, a display comprising a housing having multi-sided openings in the form of prismatic panels through which light passes from the interior of the housing. The housing mounts a plurality of banks of lights, certain of the lights being carried by a motorized member such that the lights rotate about a vertical axis. The banks of lights include a plurality of sets connected in a parallel fashion with each set having a selected number of lights connected in a series with a flashing unit. The lights are responsive to separate channels of audio amplitude signals, with each bank of lights being responsive to the amplitude of the associated channel of audio amplitude signals. A variety of window panels are disclosed.

Abstract: A torque limiting nut assembly having a threaded nut member and a spring wrench member which are interconnected by a ratchet like construction in which the magnitude of final assembly torque is predetermined by the torque required to initiate ratcheting of the ratchet like construction and with the ratchet like construction defining a non ratcheting, positive engagement construction for disassembly torque whereby the threaded nut member can be removed.

Abstract: A device for conditioning expended shotshells comprising a support having one end thereof adapted to be connected to an apparatus for imparting vertical movement thereto. A swedge is secured to the support member and extends therefrom adapted for insertion into the expended shotshell to open the partially crimped end thereof and to remove the primer from the shell. The support includes a cup-shaped member having a ring-shaped spring mounted therein which is adapted to embrace the exterior surface of the crimped portion of the shotshell when the swedge is inserted into the shotshell. The spring smooths the crimped portion of the shotshell to facilitate subsequent loading of the shotshell.

Abstract: In a magazine-fed firearm having its barrel fixed to the frame and having a slide reciprocably mounted to the frame, with resilient means positioned between the slide and the frame urging the slide toward the muzzle, a lever rotatably mounted to the frame releasably engages notches formed in the slide, delaying opening of the breech momentarily after each firing to allow the internal gas pressure to reach a safe level, and retaining the slide with the breech open to signal the firing of the last cartridge. A resiliently biased plunger on the frame restrains the lever against rotation into and out of engagement with the notches.

Abstract: The following specification discloses a universal guide or pattern for use with a panograph. The panograph can comprise a number of arms that are interconnected at hinge points that support a spindle having a cutting tool for milling or cutting a circular, ornate, or eccentric shape, as well as angles and lines. The spindle with the cutter correspondingly follows the movement of a stylus that overlies the universal pattern that is formed with an arm that guides the stylus in either a two or three dimensional pattern. The pattern is formed in part on a plate having a centrally oriented pin or support post that holds a rotatable arm having a scale thereon. The rotatable arm has a pair of stops that can be set along its length at different locations with respect to the scale. The panograph stylus can be implaced within a stylus holder that moves along the arm between the stops or within the stylus holder that is secured by a set screw.

Abstract: A piston and cylinder device with a piston mounted for reciprocating movement in the cylinder has on the outside of the cylinder an elongated mounting element comprising two guiding members on each of which a limit switch is mounted for positioning longitudinally of the cylinder. The limit switch is formed with a switch blade of ferromagnetic material and the piston has an annular rim constituted of permanent magnetic material. The switches can be adjusted longitudinally for the purpose of adjusting the stroke of the piston.

Abstract: A ventilating damper assembly particularly adapted for use in conjunction with an evaporative cooler system for architectural structures includes a duct inserted into the ceilings of rooms cooled by the evaporative cooling system to discharge air from within the room through an attic space located above the ceiling and out into the atmosphere through vents in the attic. The ventilating damper assembly has a gravity-closed pivotally-mounted lid on the upper end of the duct to keep the duct closed whenever the evaporative cooling system is not in operation or whenever backdrafts from the attic occur. Positive air pressure within the room moves upwardly through the damper assembly, opening the lid to permit air to escape from the room into the attic, thereby maintaining the air flow necessary for efficient operation of an evaporative cooler and additionally exhausting the relatively cool air into the attic space above the ceiling to further improve the cooling efficiency of the system.

Abstract: A brewing apparatus including a cup and a pair of rings sized to telescope with respect to one another and sized to telescope as a combination over the lower end of the cup; each of the rings has a shoulder to mate with one another when in telescoping relation with one another, the shoulders of each being adjacent one end for captivating a filter paper between the rings in spanning relation thereof which filter paper is adapted to be formed and shaped about the exterior of the cup to generally match the configuration and size of the cup, so that, after the rings and the form and shaped paper captivated by them are removed from the exterior of the cup, and inserted into the cup with the filter paper depending within the cup, there is a brewing chamber formed, each of the rings may include a radially outwardly extending portion to engage the mouth of the cup to limit penetration of the formed filter within the cup during the brewing operation; and the exterior of the cup is provided with an abutment surface to

Abstract: A cooking apparatus in which an endless conveyor moving through a heated cooking zone along a closed path of travel having upper and lower runs is cleaned by engagement with a guide which directs the lower run along a sinuous path. The cooking zone is enclosed by a housing having air flow passages which cooperate with a particular air flow circulating arrangement for cooling portions of the apparatus while minimizing loss of conditioned air from the building in which the apparatus is located. Provision is made for accommodating varying usage loads by selection of conveyor speed and heating levels.

Abstract: Doughnut frying apparatus has a conveyor extending lengthwise of a hot oil tank and provided with flights which provide spaces, each space accommodating a transverse series of floating doughnuts. Midway of their travel, the doughnuts are turned over by a device having a transverse shaft provided with diametrically opposed receivers. Each receiver has leading vane and trailing transverse vane with the two vanes defining an acute angle. The device is turned by the conveyor with each receiver having a first position in which the leading vane is above and the trailing vane is below the conveyor space next to the shaft on the pick-up side thereof and a second position in which the trailing vane is above and the leading vane below the conveyor space next to the shaft on the release side thereof, the leading vane having caught the doughnuts picked up by the trailing vane as they toppled forwardly therefrom and lowered the turned over doughnuts into the hot fat.

Abstract: An improved one piece cooking pan designed especially for use in baking pizza pies or like food products in a pre-heated oven, the pan having a substantially flat bottom portion with a plurality of perforations uniformly distributed over the entire extent thereof for directly exposing a substantial portion of the lower dough layer of a pizza pie or the like food product to the cooking heat of the oven. The perforations preferably have filleted upper edge portions and are uniformly distributed over the pan surface such that the ratio of the perforated surface area of the bottom portion of the cooking pan to the total surface area thereof is in the range from approximately 15 to 40 percent. The filleted upper edge portion of each perforation allows the heat to be distributed relatively more uniformly over the exposed areas of the product being cooked and avoids undesireable concentration of the cooking heat.

Abstract: A skewer for shish-ke-bob and the like comprises a cylindrically shaped handle having circumferential grooves and a concave recess near one end to provide a grip for a human hand. A shaft extends from one end of the handle. The shaft has a free pointed end and a small flange extending from the pointed end. A second shaft has one of its ends coiled about the first shaft for slidable movement with respect to the first shaft. The little flange prevents the second shaft from sliding off the first shaft. The flange can be threaded through the coil to detach the second shaft from the first shaft. A plate marker having apertures therethrough slides over both shafts. The plurality of apertures have distinctive markings. The plate is slidable along the shafts for pushing food off of the skewer shafts.