Abstract: An expansion joint filler strip and cover assembly for a joint formed by spaced structural sections includes elongate base members secured to respective structural sections and having a joint therebetween. The base members have spaced apart, upstanding first and second and third walls with the third wall being substantially contiguous with the joint forming wall surface of the respective structural section. The first and second wall portions define an elongate, channel therebetween and the second and third wall portions define an elongate, recess therebetween with the third wall portion terminating in an edge spaced below the terminating edges of the first and second wall portions. A replaceable, elastomeric strip extends across the joint and has side portions secured to the base members with at least one side portion having an elongate flange received within the elongate recess and an outer surface even with the terminating edges of the first and second wall portions.

Abstract: A roof construction having supporting purlins or the like. It includes a plurality of support clips secured to the purlins, with each support clip having a flat upper portion having a slot therein. A plurality of roof panels having an upstanding seam portion along each long side thereof, with each seam portion overlaying at least two of the support clips and each of the seam portions having downwardly facing shoulders. The construction includes a plurality of generally spear shaped fastener clips inserted between the adjacent seam portions of two adjacent panels, with each of the clips extending downwardly through one of the slots engaging one of the support clips. The upper ends of each of the fastener clips have means for engaging the two adjacent seam portions to thereby secure the panel to the support clips. An elongated cap is provided for covering the adjacent seam portions and engaging the shoulders presented by the seam portions, to seal the seams.

Abstract: A decorative building panel is disclosed for mounting on a wall surface. Particularly, a panel in the form of an imitation shutter. The panel is more rigid than present types of simulated shutters, also the panel may be shipped to the site in kit form and easily assembled in the field. The panel has a plurality of slats arranged side by side and at least two spaced apart straps extending across the slats. Connecting means are provided at each of the intersecting positions between the straps and the slats, the connecting means being integral with each of the straps for rigidly connecting the straps to the slats, and spacer means at each of the intersecting positions for spacing the panel from the wall surface.

Abstract: A fastening device for securing adjacent double-skin foam-core wall panels to the structural framework of a building. One panel has a channel formed in the outer skin which extends laterally inwardly of a gap presented between the adjacent edges of the inner and outer skins. The adjacent panel has a tongue formed along the outer skin which is engaged in the channel. The fastening device includes a clip member and a fastener. The clip member has an edge strip engaged with the channel, a flange penetrating the core terminating proximate to the inner skin, and a medial strip connecting the edge strip to the flange. The medial strip is offset from the plane of the edge strip to provide space for the head of the fastener. The fastener extends through the medial strip, the core and the inner skin and secures the panel to the subgirt. The clip member may be mechanically connected with the channel to increase the suction load resistance of the joint.

Abstract: The disclosure teaches a firmly joined composite applicable for joining objects of various shapes, including flat plates, curved plates, cylindrical objects, pipes and rods of circular and other than circular cross section. The joined composite is simple to prepare and can be made hermetically tight if desired.

Abstract: A support member or tie bar for supporting and connecting T-shaped flooring members. The support member has an integral one-piece body with an elongated base and a number of support structures or bridges extending upwardly from the base. Each support structure has a relatively wide bottom and a narrow upper section. The upper section has a ledge formed on each transverse side thereof for supporting an edge of the horizontal portion of the T-shaped member. The base and the adjacent transverse sides of each pair of adjacent bottoms form a groove for receiving and supporting a bottom edge of the flooring member. Each support structure and the underlying base forms a trapezoid shape as seen in longitudinal cross-section and the center of the trapezoid is hollow. Each ledge is located a short distance below the top of the support structure.

Abstract: A method for adhesively attaching carpet sections to one or more sheets of flexible permanently magnetized material which are in turn magnetically adherent to underlying metal plates, so as to make it possible to remove the carpet and underlying plate with ease and without distortion or damage to the carpet, while maintaining the pleasing texture and visual effect of the carpet.

Abstract: A machine for automatically applying transfers such as tax stamps to multiple packages contained in a carton is disclosed. The transfer applying machine comprises a conveyor for intermittently and sequentially advancing cartons through an opening station, where the carton is opened to expose the packages therein, through a stamping station, where tax stamps in the form of heat or water transfers or ink printing are applied to each of the packages, and through a closing station where the carton is closed and resealed. The machine is adjustable to accommodate a variety of carton and package sizes and to apply the transfers to each package in the carton accurately while using stock rolls of transfers on which the transfers are mounted with a predetermined spacing that does not necessarily correspond to the spacing of packages within the carton.

Abstract: A new packaging method and apparatus for positively nesting at least one workpiece in a base member comprised of permanently deformable material such as cellular urethane foam. The base member is electrostatically neutralized, cleaned and then moved onto a rotating table-like arrangement defining a circular work path and which is adapted to be selectively indexed between a plurality of individual work stations. Disposed above the work path and selectively movable toward and away therefrom is a frame member. This frame member advantageously includes individual work performing means at spaced intervals therearound adapted to be placed in operative association with selected ones of the work stations in order to achieve the desired workpiece nesting in the base member. These work performing means may facilitate various aligning, performing, compression nesting and ejection operations in any sequence which may be desired and/or necessary to accommodate different workpiece types and styles.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for wrapping up the ends of a roll in a wrapping paper which has been wrapped to encircle the roll and which being longer than the roll extends cylindrically from both ends thereof, which device is characterized by having a plurality of tucking members disposed at given intervals on the outer peripheral surface of the wrapping paper extending from the ends of the roll and by having a plurality of projecting members disposed on the inner peripheral surface of the wrapping paper spaced to fall one between each adjacent pair of tucking members. By moving the plurality of tucking members toward the center of the roll and at the same time gradually drawing in the plurality of projecting members, the extended portion of wrapping paper is formed with alternate ridge portions and groove portions and is pressed onto the ends of the roll.

Abstract: A method of forming a package for products wherein the basic pack is formed from one piece of plastics material suitably shaped to receive products, the products are placed in the shaped basic pack and then the plastics material is folded over to enclose the products and the ends of the plastics material are joined together.

Abstract: This invention relates to method and apparatus for producing a composite container having a neck label or tubular sleeve mounted temporarily thereon adapted to be shrunken into final surface covering position. The tubular sleeve is preformed of relatively-stiff material and flat-folded until ready for use when it is partially opened and conveyed into axial registry with a container therebeneath. The sleeve preform of heat-shrinkable plastic material is telescopically assembled onto the container while the latter is firmly retained at an upper region. The retention device for the container serves to both fully open the sleeve preform and align the preform and container into axial arrangement. A reciprocatable head contacts the preform while so retained and telescopes the preform at least partially over the container.

Abstract: A sealed container is formed by positioning a length of heat shrinkable film above the open top of a container, grasping a corner of the film, and heat shrinking the peripheral portion of the film into fluid tight compressive engagement with the upper portion of the container while the film corner is grasped. The unshrunk gripped corner of the film provides a pull tab for removing the closure, when desired. As the peripheral portion of the film is heat shrunk, the remainder of the film is tensioned across the open top of the container, and minute perforations are then formed in the tensioned film to define frangible sections which may be ruptured by a straw when the contents of the container are to be consumed with the closure in place.

Abstract: A flame retardant thermal insulation material comprising a dry, shredded cellulosic material, such as newsprint, which is coated with a dry phosphorous-containing, flame retardant composition. The composition is one which is capable of decomposing near the ignition temperature of the shredded paper, which is between 120 degrees and Celsius and 250 degrees Celsius and preferably includes a plurality of compounds which decompose at different temperatures spaced within this range to provide the stagewise release of combustion inhibiting agents. The composition can be a single compound such as calcium phosphate but preferably is a combination of similar compounds such as (NH.sub.4).sub.2 HPO.sub.4, CaH.sub.4 (PO.sub.4).sub.2, CaHPO.sub.4 and triple super phosphate. Further, the phosphorous composition is preferably combined with urea. Elemental sulfur powder may be included with any of the previous compositions as a smoke retardant.

Abstract: A device for compressing crop, for example grass, hay or the like, into bales comprising a baling chamber and a ram adapted to reciprocate therein, provided with at least one retaining member operating in the compression chamber and removable therefrom, in order to prevent that after compression the crop rebounds so that part of the empty space between the crop already compressed and the retreating ram is re-occupied by the rebounding crop, the freshly introduced quantity of crop being thus reduced.

Abstract: The invention relates to an agricultural implement comprising at least one upright shaft coupled with an agricultural tractor and allowing crop working members to rotate about the same, said shaft bearing on the ground by means of a support at the lower end; the invention has for its object to provide a supporting member of comparatively light weight, whose supporting point on the ground is located at a minimum distance from the operating working members so that the working members follow the unevennesses of the ground as closely as possible; for this purpose the invention provides an agricultural implement having a dish-shaped supporting member which is arranged eccentrically with respect to the upright shaft in the direction of the operating working members.

Abstract: A vine fluffer is provided with a middle conveyor section and a pair of outer flanking conveyor sections with the outer sections each pivotable about a respective pivot axis so as to be movable from an operative horizontal position in which all three conveyor sections are aligned to an inoperative vertically disposed position for storage and transportation. Each pivot axis passes through a pivot pin coupling the frame of a respective outer conveyor section to the frame of the middle conveyor section and a universal joint which couples conveyor motive power transmitted through the middle conveyor section to the two outer conveyor sections.

Abstract: An apparatus for bringing to rest the rotor of an open-end spinning apparatus which is covered by a cover. The rotor is mounted in a wedge gap formed by freely rotatably support rollers and pressed against the support rollers and driven by a tangential belt. An axial force arising from the support rollers presses the rotor against an axial stop. A lever is provided for lifting the shaft off of the support rollers and against stops for arresting the rotation of the rotor. Compressed air is applied to the rotor when the rotor is being brought to rest for maintaining the shaft of the rotor against the axial stop.

Abstract: A novelty yarn having a pronounced variation in linear density is obtained by passing at least one multifilament yarn through a fluid tangling zone and by alternatingly and mechanically tensioning and relaxing the yarn within the tangling zone.

Abstract: A watch movement mounting structure for fixing a watch movement in a watch case having a case body including a radially extending annular shoulder and a radially inwardly extending annular projection contiguous with the annular shoulder, which structure comprises a flexible annular support member including an annular wall adapted to rest on the annular shoulder of said case body, a plurality of circumferentially spaced, inwardly directed flange segments each of which extends upwardly of the annular wall to retain the watch movement, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced, outwardly directed flange segments each of which extends downwardly of the annular wall and adapted to engage the annular projection of the case body, whereby said watch movement is fixed in place in said case body and the axial displacement of the watch movement is prevented.

Abstract: A time indicating device for electronic digital type car clocks utilizing a battery of an automobile as a current source and provided with a time counting part and a time indicating part, wherein, in order to reduce the power consumption, the time indicating part is driven by a pulse obtained by reducing the voltage of an output from an oscillating circuit in the time counting part or an independent oscillating circuit through a transformer.

Abstract: A digital display type electronic watch, comprising a display having four or six digit display positions, two of which are adapted to selectively display the numeral or alphabet characters and the other of which are adapted to display the numeral characters, a current time information signal generator for generating an hour information signal and a minute information signal, a current date information signal generator for generating a day of the month information signal, a day of the week information signal and a month signal, a mode selector for selecting a current time display mode for displaying the current hour and minute by the display using the numeral characters in response to the hour and minute signals, a first current date display mode for displaying the current day of the week by the said alphanumeric character displaying positions of the display using the alphabet characters in response to the day of the week signal and a second current display date mode for displaying the current month by the sai

Abstract: An electronic stop watch includes a time counter circuit starting to count reference clock pulses in response to a starting signal and a digital display arrangement having a predetermined number of display sections to display the time counted or measured by the time counter circuit.A specified count detection circuit is provided to detect that a count of the time counter circuit has reached a specified value which can be displayed by the display sections of the display arrangement. A detection output signal from the detection circuit serves as a display changeover command signal to control count signals which are supplied from the time counter circuit to the display arrangement so that the display arrangement can display time, according to the count of the time counter circuit, in large units of time, for example, in "hours and minutes", instead of small units of time, for example, in "minutes and seconds", after a detection signal has been produced from the detection circuit.

Abstract: A digital display electronic wristwatch having a calculator therein includes a single actuating packing sheet of a resilient material formed with projections to register with the input keys for making electrical contact with terminals on the watch and calculator body. The packing is formed with at least one opening for viewing the digital display of time and calculator data.

Abstract: Sensible heat in the hot effluent gas stream leaving a partial oxidation gas generator for the production of gaseous mixtures comprising H.sub.2 +CO i.e. synthesis gas, reducing gas, or fuel gas, is used at maximum temperature to heat a stream of gaseous heat transfer fluid comprising a portion of the product gas circulating in the substantially closed loop. The heat transfer fluid serves as the working fluid in a turbine that produces mechanical work, electrical energy, or both. Further, the heat transfer fluid leaving the turbine may be used to preheat hydrocarbonaceous feed and free-oxygen containing gas which is then introduced into the gas generator. Optionally, by-product superheated steam may be produced at high temperature levels for use in the gas generator and as the working fluid in an expansion turbine. The high steam superheat temperatures result in higher conversion efficiencies.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for recovering heat energy and kinetic energy of a gas discharged from the top of a blast furnace effectively as electric energy or other energy by a turbine and a control mechanism. An exhaust gas is supplied to a septum valve and then into a turbine connected in parallel, and the capacity or design value of the turbine is set at a mean value of the total flow rate of the exhaust gas varying with the lapse of time during the normal steady operation of the blast furnace. When the total flow rate of the exhaust gas is lower than the mean value, all the exhaust gas is supplied to the turbine to recover the energy of the exhaust gas and the top pressure of the furnace is controlled by a governor valve regulating the speed of the turbine.

Abstract: A combined cycle electric power plant includes gas and steam turbines and a steam generator for recovering the heat in the exhaust gases exited from the gas turbine and for using the recovered heat to produce and supply steam to the steam turbine. The steam generator includes a superheater tube through which a fluid, e.g. water, is directed to be additionally heated into superheated steam by the exhaust gas turbine gases. An afterburner further heats the exhaust gas turbine gases passed to the superheater tube. The temperature of the gas turbine exhaust gases is sensed for varying the fuel flow to the afterburner by a fuel valve, whereby the temperatures of the gas turbine exhaust gases and therefore of the superheated steam, are controlled. A plant load demand error signal is utilized for correcting a coordinated gas turbine load reference and for trimming a feedforward afterburner control signal derived from the sensed gas turbine exhaust temperatures.

Abstract: A flow of hot combustion gas from an open gas turbine plant surrenders heat via an intermediate forced-flow circuit to a vapor circuit system in which a hydrocarbon working medium flows. The forced-flow intermediate circuit uses a liquid heat vehicle such as a mixture of diphenyl and diphenyl oxide to transfer heat from the hot exhaust gas of the open gas turbine plant to the working medium of the vapor circuit system. This heat vehicle is passed through a plurality of successively connected tubes in the exhaust gas duct so as to reduce the amount of leakage should a leak occur in the tubes and, thus, the chance of an explosion.The waste heat transferred to the vapor circuit system can be used to drive a compressor of a refrigerating circuit, e.g. used to cool a flow of natural gas in a pipeline located in an arctic region.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved combustor liner for a gas turbine power plant which liner is constructed from a plurality of louvers that include a lip and cooling means for defining a cooling film of air flow adjacent the liner. Means are provided for preventing lip closure which in turn is detrimental to film cooling.

Abstract: Upon a landing approach, the normal compressor stator schedule of a fan speed controlled turbofan engine is temporarily varied to substantially close the stators to thereby increase the fuel flow and compressor speed in order to maintain fan speed and thrust. This running of the compressor at an off-design speed substantially reduces the time required to subsequently advance the engine speed to the takeoff thrust level by advancing the throttle and opening the compressor stators.

Abstract: An air cooled exhaust valve provided primarily for use with an internal combustion engine, or the like. The valve is of the type having an elongated stem and an enlarged head formed at one end of the stem. The stem is axially slidably mounted within a housing while the enlarged valve head cooperates with a valve seat in the housing. A fluid passageway in the housing is connected at one end to a source of pressurized air and at its other end is open to the valve stem adjacent the valve head so that pressurized air flows axially down along the valve stem and across the valve head to cool both the valve head and stem.

Abstract: In a multi-cylinder, in-line, internal combustion engine, the cylinder head has a plurality of exhaust ports, and these ports are connectable to the inlet pipe sockets of an exhaust manifold; the exhaust manifold has a respective attaching flange at each exhaust port for attaching the exhaust manifold to the cylinder head; compression straps stretch over the flanges; securement screws pass through the compression straps and through the flanges into the cylinder head; each flange having a pair of spaced apart fork lugs, between which its screw passes; these give lateral play to the respective flange which absorbs the thermal expansion and contraction of the manifold with respect to the cylinder head.The present invention relates to a device for connecting an exhaust manifold with the cylinder head of a multi-cylinder, usually in-line, internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic reversing transmission for earth moving vehicles, forklift trucks or locomotives wherein the degree of filling of each torque converter of the forward drive train is controlled simultaneously with the degree of filling of the corresponding torque converter in the reverse drive train by a reversing valve.

Abstract: A pumping system for pumping liquid clay or slip into a filter press comprises a hydraulically-powered double-acting ram for pumping the slip and a hydraulic control circuit for the ram. The control circuit includes a pair of hydraulic pumps one of which provides a high pressure, low volume delivery and the other of which provides a low pressure high volume delivery, and valves controlling the supply of oil from these pumps to the ram according to the resistance encountered by the ram.

Abstract: A differential drive arrangement interconnects positive displacement pumps with a manual actuating mechanism of an auxiliary fluid power steering system for vehicles to compensate for variations in fluid outflow from the pumps pressurizing two servomotors through two fluid operating circuits. Check valves in the two fluid circuits are arranged to maintain operation of only an appropriate one of the differentially driven pumps through one of the two fluid circuits when a pressure loss occurs in the other of the fluid circuits.

Abstract: A fluid power system (10) for a lift truck (18) has a movable steering device (12) and a valve (14) which moves in response to movement of the steering device (12) a preselected amount to supply fluid power for steering the lift truck (18). Apparatus (30) is provided for controllably supplying fluid power to the valve (14) prior to the valve (14) moving to supply fluid power for steering. The apparatus (30) eliminates delay between the moving of the valve (14) and the availability of fluid power at the valve (14) to insure quick, responsive steering.

Abstract: A variable displacement pump supplies fluid to the single acting draft control cylinder of an agricultural tractor through a valve for controlling flow to and from the draft control cylinder. The valve houses a control rod activated valve spool that when displaced allows fluid to unseat a check valve between the spool valve and the draft control cylinder.Fluid is exhausted from the draft control cylinder when the control rod causes unseating of a main poppet by unseating a pilot valve in the main poppet. Fluid being exhausted from the draft control cylinder then passes through the valve to tank.

Abstract: An improved wave motor tank utilizes a tank having an open mouth portion disposed in a downwardmost position when residing in a body of water experiencing the effects of waves and tides. The tank is coupled to a mechanical apparatus, well known in the art, utilized in extracting energy due to the fall and rise of the tank. The interior of the tank is subjected to a negative pressure so as to tightly couple the tank to the water in which it is caused to reside. The tank is provided with a flotation chamber which contains a gas thereon, offsetting the weight of the tank and any ballast attached thereto, maintaining such tank at a near weightless condition yet effectively "clamped" to the surrounding water.

Abstract: A water wave energy transducer for converting the motion of a water wave into a controlled mechanical movement such as rotational motion suitable for actuating an electrical generator. The transducer comprises a float member floatingly moored in a water body having waves and/or tidal movement, such as a seashore. A power gear is rotatably mounted in a swing block on the float with a power shaft extending from the power gear to laterally spaced drive bevel gears mounted for rotation with the power gear. These drive bevel gears are coupled to a transmission on the float comprising one-way drive clutches transmitting rotational energy to the drive shaft of a generator or the like to provide rotational energy on both up and down movement of the float. A rack is pivotally anchored in the water body, extends up through the float and is slideable with respect to the power gear of the swing block, so that movement of the float with respect to the rack will provide rotation of the power gear.

Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, regulating a resuperheated steam turbine wherein there is carried out a reference value-actual value comparison of the rotational speed and there is derived an adjustment or control magnitude from the reference value-actual value difference, this adjustment magnitude being infed to a regulation valve arrangement. There is derived from the resuperheated pressure a feedback magnitude which, as a function of time, yields to null and is coupled into a regulation circuit opposite to the adjustment magnitude.

Abstract: A solid matrix of microporous adsorbent is utilized to provide a barrier between two bodies of a gaseous mixture of which at least one constituent is a sorbable vapor. Appropriate application of heat at the opposing interfaces of the adsorbent barrier produces a partial pressure differential across the barrier. The adsorbent material is energized from a convenient heat source; for example, solar energy. The vapor pump of the invention may be used for environmental refrigeration and may be of the open or closed type. Other uses for the vapor pump are for producing a supply of pure water from low vapor content air or for drying air by removing the vapor content.

Abstract: In a system for producing clear ice bodies by dipping freezing fingers into a tank of water and causing the water to move about the fingers as ice builds up thereon in order to remove air and salt from the ice bodies, the amount of water required per unit weight of ice obtained (since the water remaining from each batch is ordinarily discharged on removal of the frozen fingers containing the ice bodies) is decreased by maintaining the fingers stationary and producing the water movement by moving the tank so as to produce tank-wall to tank-wall waves. The top portions of the freezing fingers are covered by the water only during the crest of the waves.

Abstract: A sensing device for use in a control for an alarm indicating an undesirable operating temperature condition within a refrigeration apparatus cabinet. The sensing device is mounted to have at least one surface thereof in thermal association with a liner portion of the refrigeration apparatus cabinet defining a refrigeration chamber therein. The sensing device is further responsive to the temperature of the refrigerated air within the chamber. The sensing device incorporates a time delay in responding to temperature changes within the refrigerated chamber to avoid false operation of the alarm. The device may be mounted in an insulating housing to provide a further time delay in the air temperature sensing functioning thereof.

Abstract: A refrigeration system including multiple parallel compressors for maintaining evaporator suction pressures within preselected ranges, said compressors being sequentially and cyclically operative through control switch means responsive to preselected upper and lower refrigerant suction pressures, a fluidic time delay system for operating the pressure responsive switch means comprising restrictor means interposed between the common suction header for the compressors and the pressure responsive switch means therefor to restrict refrigerant fluid flow to the pressure switches upon increases in suction header pressure, and unidirectional flow means for providing unrestricted reduction of the pressure acting on the switch means upon relative decreases in suction header pressure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a restrictor for use in a refrigeration system including the method of adapting its use to the system and more particularly to a restrictor that is formed by providing a flattened portion of tubing that is bent to establish a substantially U-shaped restrictor having diverging leg members connected at their apex by an arcuate segment. Means are provided for moving at least one of the leg members relative to the other so that the diameter of the arcuate segment is altered. Altering the diameter of the arcuate segment causes the cross-sectional area of the restrictor passageway in the segment area to change and, accordingly, the refrigerant flow through the restrictor is effectively adjusted to optimize the refrigeration system efficiency.

Abstract: A safety clutch for an earring has a body member provided with a through hole arranged for receiving a post of an earring or other article to be releasably attached to the body member. Provided on the body member is a suitable resilient biasing arrangement disposed for normally engaging with the post of the earring and holding the post secure with respect to the body member. The retainer includes a clutch pin slidably disposed in a recess provided in the body member and arranged communicating with the hole so as to cause the clutch pin to selectively come into retaining engagement with a groove provided in the post of the associated earring. A coiled helical spring or other suitable biasing device is disposed in the bottom of the recess, beneath the clutch pin, for forcing the pin toward a position in which the pin engagingly holds the post in place in the hole provided in the body member.

Abstract: A piece of jewelry for indicating mood and usable as a pendant or the like in the form of a miniature traffic light having three apertures of substantially the same size spaced in vertical alignment with one another and having a cylindrical inner surface. A carrier having a mating cylindrical surface is fitted inside of the housing. The carrier includes three vertically stacked sections colored red, amber and green which are relatively movable with respect to the housing and indexably arranged for selective individual viewing through the respective top, middle and bottom apertures. For moving the carrier it has an operator which extends through the housing for convenient fingertip manipulation to a color condition which depends upon the mood of the wearer. In the preferred embodiment of the invention the selected color is brought into register with the corresponding aperture by peripheral shifting, whereas in an alternate embodiment the desired color is brought into a condition of register by axial shifting.

Abstract: A motor drive is connected to an accessory by a splined shaft which in turn s connected to one end of a sleeve. The other end of the sleeve is threaded to a shaft associated with the accessory. The accessory shaft is also connected to the sleeve thereto by a shear pin. When the pin is sheared, the sleeve is rotated relative to the accessory shaft until the splined shaft is disconnected from the motor drive.

Abstract: A seal device having a pair of rubber seal rolls arranged in pressed contact with each other at a cloth material passing port of a drum body of a high pressure steamer adapted for hygro-thermic treatment of textile products such as a cloth material. Seal plates which are formed with a flexible and elastic metal or synthetic resin sheet and upper or lower sides of which are secured to edge portions of the cloth material passing port disposed in parallel with the pair of seal rubber rolls while the other sides are in pressed contact with the seal rubber rolls. An air chamber formed in a triangular cross-sectional shape connects a pressed contact point between the rubber seal rolls respectively to contact points between the seal plates and the seal rubber rolls, and air pressure is supplied to the air chamber through an air supply passage.

Abstract: An automatic washing machine in which an initial filling time required for filling a tub with water to a predetermined level at the start of a washing process is measured and stored in a memory, whereby time required for rinsing process is automatically determined on the basis of the measured initial filling time. Means is provided for determining the rinsing time duration on the basis of a preset rinsing time stored in the memory in place of the measured filling time when the latter is abnormally short, thereby to assure an adequate rinsing action.