Abstract: A device for modelling and packing of an object, the device having a container adapted to be closed to enclose the object and driving means for the closing movement of the container, and wherein the driving means contains elastic elements which permit the container to close less than completely if the object is too big.

Abstract: A bird is gripped by its thighs adjacent the vent hole and is shifted toward a knife until the hole has reached a predetermined location that corresponds to a certain depth of insertion of the knife into the hole. Since location of the hole is being used as the determining factor with respect to depth of knife insertion, the knife always enters to the same extent regardless of the length of the bird. Operation of the knife once fully inserted causes the skin to be slit between the hole and the keel bone, thus making an enlarged opening to the body cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing the heads of poultry wherein the birds, each pendulously supported by its feet from shackles connected at intervals to an overhead conveyor, are delivered to place their heads below a neck engaging channel through which the necks pass, the channel being formed by two rods in juxtaposition alongside one another aligned to establish a horizontal divergence between the channel and the conveyor path between entrance and exit ends of the channel. A cutter blade at the exit end of the neck engaging channel is rotated in a vertically oriented plane extending along the axis of the channel.

Abstract: The meat tapper for making a meat tender and palatable, has a head, a blade carrier detachably secured to the head, and a blade guide, wherein the head is provided with a force absorbing means whereby a force applied to the head by hand is prevented from transmitting to the blade guide, thereby enabling the blades carried on the carrier to thrust into the meat while the blade guide stays on the meat, during which the muscular tissues in the meat are cut.

Abstract: A movable piston having a hemispherical face carries a charge of food out of a fixed cylinder member into a coaxially aligned movable cylinder member and against a hemispherical face of a fixed piston member to form a spherical food ball. The movable piston and the movable cylinder member are then retracted to release the food ball.

Abstract: A sizing control element on an automatic food casing stuffing apparatus is mounted to respond moveably to variations in casing internal stuffing pressure, and a pressure drop below a preselected pressure, such as will result from the occurrence of a casing break or a clip failure, is sensed and translated into an emulsion flow cut off control signal to shut down the apparatus.

Abstract: An electromagnetically actuated jaw clutch for torsionally driving the feed roll of a carding machine includes a pair of annular, rack-toothed face gears spring biased away from each other in opposed relation to establish a nonengaged position when the clutch is de-energized. Energization of the jaw clutch magnetically forces the annular face gears against each other into an engaged interlocked position for effective driving of the feed roll. A torque overload condition established by jamming of the feed roll causes the rack-toothed face gears to ride out of engagement and separate from each other. Such torque overload separation of the face gears is sensed by a proximity switch which deactivates the clutch electromagnet and selected portions of the carding machine.

Abstract: A fiber transfer apparatus is illustrated including a doffing and feeding apparatus wherein opened fibers after being condensed are doffed by the action of a doffing member and a drafting roll prior to being passed over the nose of a fixed plate from where they are immediately subjected to a carding action.

Abstract: A band clamp device of the invention employs a U-shaped housing for the drive worm screw, usually formed by progressive stamping from sheet metal. The separate arms of the U embrace the band edges and the respective separate arm ends extend beneath the band. The housing can have a single ear only on one of the said separate arm ends extending through a respective cooperating slot in the band to connect the housing to the band. Usually the housing will have a single ear at each end, and the single ear adjacent the screw head end is provided on the said separate downside arm end, which is the arm end that receives the maximum force tending to spread the housing arms apart as the band is tightened about an object. It is found that such a structure is able to resist the forces tending to spread the housing arms and to separate the housing from the band, and it permits a wider ear to be used, or alternatively a narrower band for the same width ear.

Abstract: Apparatus for assembling a wall module from a plurality of stretched sheets of metal laterally spaced apart by a skeletal frame with the interior of the wall module to be later filled with structural foamed plastic. The apparatus has a first and a second elongated sheet metal stretcher assembly, a pair of tower assemblies for supporting the first elongated sheet metal stretcher assembly vertically above the second elongated sheet metal stretcher assembly, and a plurality of jack screw assemblies for moving the first elongated sheet metal stretcher assembly vertically toward or away from the second elongated sheet metal stretcher assembly. Both of the elongated sheet metal stretcher assemblies have sheet metal clamping jaws longitudinally fixedly mounted adjacent one of their ends and longitudinally movable sheet metal clamping jaws mounted adjacent their other end.

Abstract: An inspection station for FIGAL containers which automatically tightens the container valves during movement along a continuous conveyor is described. The containers are clamped in a rotary indexing mechanism which rotates the containers until a discrete opening molded in a top rubber skirt of the container is indexed on a latch mechanism adjacent the conveyor. A pair of pneumatically driven socket wrenches are then lowered onto the container and are rotated to tighten the valves. After a predetermined period of time, the tightening of the valves is discontinued, the next FIGAL container moves into the indexing mechanism, and the valves of that container are tightened by the pneumatically driven socket wrenches.

Abstract: A system for attaching fins to a tubular body of a model rocket employs a base with a horizontal upper surface and upstanding fin guide plates mounted on the base. In the preferred form, the base has a central aperture that receives an engine casing projecting from the body of the rocket. Each guide plate is replaceably mounted on the base, preferably by a flange formed on one edge of each plate and a guideway formed on the base. The guide plates are radially slidable in the guideways and spaced from the rocket body. The radial position of the guide plate is adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of body and fin sizes. Each guide plate flange is offset laterally from the centerline of the associated guide plate to accept fins having either of two standard thicknesses depending on which face of the plate supports the fin.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for automatically assembling and banding together the component parts of an expansion shell of the type typically used in a mine bolt assembly. The parts are loaded into a die position in a first work station wherein a tapered wedge is supported within a central hole passing through the die and two shell sections are seated on inclined sides located on opposite sides of the hole. A thin metal U-shaped strap is placed between die mounted guides so that the legs of the strap are positioned between raised ears carried by the shell segments and the base of the strap passes over the wedge. The die is advanced into a second work station where the ears are coined against the strap.

Abstract: The bead area of a pneumatic tire is vented of trapped air by inserting an air guide into the bead area from the outer side of the tire adjacent the tire wheel rim area, whereby the trapped air is guided from the bead area along the air guide to the outer side of the tire. The air guide is an elongated flexible member provided with an enlarged head at its inner end. It is inserted into the tire by an elongated hollow shaft provided with an exterior spiral screw thread. The air guide is inserted into the hollow bore of the shaft, with the enlarged head of the guide abutting one end of the shaft. The opposite end of the shaft is secured to the chuck of a conventional low speed reversible electric drill. The enlarged head of the air guide is provided with a plurality of spaced, outwardly projecting stops which serve to prevent retraction of the head and air guide from the tire.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pipe coupling joint comprising an interference fit coupling of unthreaded pipe sections. The end of the outer pipe in a telescoped interference fit coupling is radially compressed to form a groove in the inner pipe. The crimped end is compressed into the groove to securely couple the pipe sections together. Lined pipe joints and methods and apparatus for forming the improved interference fit joint are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is provided for thermo-compression diffusion bonding first and second structured copper strain buffers, respectively, directly to the two opposed surfaces of a substrateless semiconductor device wafer. The expensive tungsten or molybdenum support plate conventionally used to provide structural integrity to the relatively fragile semiconductor device wafer is thus eliminated. The method includes sandwiching the semiconductor device wafer between copper strand type strain buffers each having a lateral extent greater than the lateral extent of the wafer, diffusion bonding the strain buffers to the semiconductor device via first and second metallic coating layers, and removing most of the overhanging portions of the buffer which are not bonded to the wafer. A step of etching and passivating the edges of the wafer is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fluid permeable electrical resistance heater element having a structure that promotes uniformity of flow of fluid through the element and a uniformity of heating throughout the element. The method comprises forming a fluid permeable body of unbonded carbonizable fibres. A latent solvent is applied to the fibres and the solvent is subsequently caused to dissolve at least a surface of the fibres so as to effect bonding of the fibres together. The carbonizable fibres are subsequently carbonized to produce a fluid permeable carbon body.

Abstract: A bus suspension mating fixture assembly having a bus body overhead support assembly and a bus suspension shuttle assembly. The bus body overhead assembly comprises an elongated framework having a first pair of laterally spaced upright side beams connected together adjacent their tops by a transverse beam and a second pair of laterally spaced upright side beams connected together adjacent their tops by a transverse beam, and a pair of laterally spaced longitudinal beams that have their opposite ends connected to the upright side beams adjacent their tops. A pair of laterally spaced longitudinal overhead support rails are supported from the top of the bus body overhead support assembly and the overhead support rail unit can be raised and lowered throughout a predetermined range.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for securing a wire to a screw terminal. A wire is inserted within an aperture of a hollow shaft, and a loop is formed by turning either the wire or the shaft. The loop will have a substantially straight end portion when formed in this matter. The loop is placed about the shank portion of a screw terminal, after which it is closed by a notch of an appropriately shaped tool. The screw may then be tightened in a conventional manner.

Abstract: A two-bladed safety razor has a platform unitary with the handle of the razor. The platform movably supports a blade carrier plate which in turn fixedly carries a shaving blade unit including an upper blade, lower blade and a spacer member interposed between the upper and lower blades. A cap member overlying the upper blade is connected to the platform. Between the upper and lower blades, interposed is an ejecting member which is fixed to at least one of the cap member and the platform. Means are provided for causing a movement of the blade carrier plate and, hence, of the shaving blade unit to and from a fully retracted position relatively to the ejecting member. The ejecting member is so located that the cutting edge of the lower blade is positioned flush with or behind the front surface of the ejecting member when the blade assembly takes the fully retracted position.

Abstract: A dry-shaving apparatus comprising a circular shear plate; a circular cutting member associated with and rotatable relative to the shear plate; mechanism to effect rotation of the cutting member; and a rotatable spindle tiltably coupled at one end to said cutting member and tiltably coupled at the other end to said rotating mechanism, each such tiltable coupling including a three-point contact equi-spaced about the axis of rotation of the rotatable spindle between said rotatable spindle and the cutting member on the one hand and between said rotatable spindle and the rotating mechanism on the other hand.

Abstract: A chain saw guard including a substantially planar shield member pivotally supported to the rear end portion of the guide bar of the chain saw for pivotal movement alongside the chain bar between a lower guard position and an upper inoperative position, spring means urging the shield member downward into the guard position, latch means interconnecting the guide bar and the shield to lock the shield member in its guard position, and a downward projecting trigger element operatively connected to the latch means for releasing the latch means upon upward movement of the trigger element, such as by a log engaging the bottom of the chain saw.

Abstract: A multi-function hydraulic tool especially intended for use in automobile servicing operations comprises a hydraulic cylinder housing a piston. At least one arm is secured to the outside of the cylinder and projects axially therefrom. A seating is secured to the arm forwardly of the open end of the cylinder so as to support one member when axial force is applied by the piston to a different cooperating member so as to cause relative movement of such members. The tool can be used for a variety of purposes, for example, for removing a bearing from a shaft and its arm is usefully releasably secured to the cylinder.

Abstract: An optical device for measuring the angles formed between a line-of-sight and the normal to a planar surface intersected thereby. A solid piece of optically transparent material having a relatively large index of refraction is geometrically shaped to have a planar base surface, with a reference mark theron, and a curvilinear viewing surface with scale marks to designate angular orientations. The exterior surfaces are optically polished to create mirrored surfaces for internal reflection. To accentuate contrast, the planar surface containing the reference mark is coated with a layer of contrasting opaque material. Angles are measured by placing the planar base surface of the device on the planar surface intersected by the line-of-sight and aligning the reference mark with the point of intersection. When viewed from the observation point defining the line-of-sight, an image of the reference mark appears on the scaled surface at a location representing the line-of-sight angle.

Abstract: A span gauge for measuring the distance between a thumb hole and a finger hole on a bowling ball comprised of a plate having a curved edge fitting the contour of the bowling ball and an angle positioning post pivotally attached to the edge of the plate. The radius of curvature on the curved edge is equal to the radius of curvature of the surface of the bowling ball and the pivoting post is attached to one end of the curved edge. A calibrated scale on the curved edge permits measurement by inserting the pivoted post in a pre-drilled thumb hole to determine the point at which the finger hole is to be drilled. The pivoted post allows the span gauge to compensate for the pitch angle of pre-drilled thumb holes which may vary from ball to ball.

Abstract: An adjustable template for locating drill hole positions primarily for cabinet doors and drawers. The template consists of a flat rectangular plate having spaced drill guide holes therethrough. The position of the plate with respect to the item to be drilled is established by way of a first elongated rod extending outwardly from one edge of the plate and a pair of spaced parallel rods extending outwardly from an adjacent edge of the plate, each rod having an adjustable edge guide movably mounted thereon.

Abstract: Support of a paper web in a high-frequency drier is disclosed. The web is supported by flowing gases without contacting and at a defined distance from the stray field electrodes. The blowing or gas directing devices for the hot gases are provided in the form of nozzle chests which are disposed in or at the stray field electrodes.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of drying agglomerated moist particulate material, the particles of which when dry have a very low density. Drying is effected by supporting the material on a screen within a retainer, and by applying heat to the material in contact with the screen by way of an electrical or heat exchange type heating element. Vaporized moisture is extracted by way of a vent which extends upwardly through the retainer from a position adjacent the screen, so that the vapour is caused firstly to flow down through the screen and then upwardly through the vent.

Abstract: A commodity dryer for removing or providing moisture and controlling atmosphere which surrounds stored commodities such as grain is provided which reduces the growth of bacteria, fungus and minimizes other deleterious conditions encountered such as in the storage of moist commodities which generally render them unfit for subsequent consumption. The commodity dryer maintains the integrity of stored commodities by creating a controlled atmosphere conducive to the removal or the addition of water by capillary action from the pores of the commodity and for controlling the moisture and temperature around the skin of the grain to achieve optimum storage conditions for the specific commodity stored.

Abstract: To secure a desired value, preferably adjustable in advance, of the moisture content at the end of the drying process, independent of the amount of articles to be dried and of the material of these articles, a tumbler dryer may be provided with a temperature sensor (G) which senses the temperature (T) of the exhaust air from the drum (TR). The tumbler dryer is provided with control members (S) which determine the value of the temperature at the time when the rate of increase of the temperature during the latter stage of the drying process starts increasing, and which terminates the supply of hot air to the drum when the temperature has risen by a preset amount, corresponding to the desired moisture content, above said value. (FIG. 1.

Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention is a gas distributor system for installation beneath a fluidized bed, said distributor system containing a sift trap chamber for accumulating solids filtering through the distributor plate gas inlet means. The apparatus contains no internal parts in direct contact with the fluidized bed, and thereby limits erosion of the distributor thus reducing greatly the cost of fabrication and maintenance.

Abstract: A dryer for removing vaporous substances from products in which the product sequentially passes beneath an array of ventilating nozzles and an array of infrared heaters. The dryer includes a generally rectangular frame forming a central drying zone having an infeed end and an outfeed end. The array of ventilating nozzles is positioned at the infeed end of the drying zone in order to quickly remove surface moisture from the product. The downstream array of infrared heaters removes residual surface moisture and moisture beneath the surface of the product. The ends of the heaters project into a pair of inlet ducts extending along opposite sides of the frame so that the ends of the heaters are cooled by air flowing through the ducts. Air flows through the ducts from an inlet near the outfeed end of drying zone to a blower manifold where the air is mixed with recirculated gases from the ventilating nozzles and air entering the infeed end of the drying zone before being conveyed to the blower.

Abstract: A "no-heat" clothes dryer is provided herein. It includes a drying chamber having an access opening. An access door is hinged to the access opening, the door being adapted to close the access opening in an hermetically sealed manner. Means, which are conventional but which are adapted to be actuated only when the door is closed, are provided to subject the interior of the drying chamber to a vacuum. Means are provided which positively interrelate the breaking of the vacuum with the opening of the access door. Such means include a door handle having a lever which is pivotally mounted to move between a closed position, where it locks the door in a closed position, and an open position, where it simultaneously opens vents to the interior of the drying chamber and unlocks the door to enable opening thereof.

Abstract: A device for teaching and refining counting skills includes a multiplicity of standards which are hit in a glissando-like movement by a flexible hand-held blade to produce a series of audible clicks. Indicia are mounted interjacent the standards and the indicia correspond to the number of clicks produced in a series of clicks. The indicia are normally hidden from view and are moved into a viewable position to indicate the correct number of clicks sounded in the series.

Abstract: A mathematics teaching apparatus comprises at least one set of rectanguloid elements of different shapes and of dimensions equal to 1, 3, 5 and 7 times a common unit or module. The set comprises a plurality of cubic blocks having an edge length equal to 1 unit, bars of unit width and thickness and lengths equal to 3, 5 and 7 units, square slabs of unit thickness and side lengths equal to 3, 5 and 7 units and rectangular slabs of unit thickness and side length combinations 3.times.5 units, 3.times.7 units and 5.times.7 units. Preferably the apparatus comprises two or more such sets which differ in color. The apparatus is useful for demonstrating and explaining various fundamental algebraic formulations and processes, including the algebra of 3-dimensional figures, and mathematical expressions comprising algebraic and whole number terms.

Abstract: An insole for footwear has odor masking or malodor counteractant material dissolved, trapped or encapsulated in a somewhat resilient resin coating through which it will progressively migrate or bleed under application of foot loads, foot perspiration and elevated foot temperatures to the surface of the coating to be released into the footwear to mask or counteract foot odors. The material may take the form of volatile fragrances or perfumes or materials which interact with bacteria causing foot odors, such as chlorophyll, esters and salts of certain fatty acids. Release or bleeding of the material is relatively dormant until activated by foot loads, foot perspiration or elevated temperatures. Initial foot loads, foot perspiration and elevated temperatures release the material closest to the surface of the coating in which the material is trapped and then migration proceeds slowly and progressively under repeated foot loads to provide a prolonged release time.

Abstract: In safety footwear, an impact-resistant toe-cap, for example of steel, has a synthetic plastics coating by means of which it is secured to the shoe. The coating, which can incorporate a base board, has a lip which is stitched to the upper. The coating may form a peripheral flange for incorporation in a stitched welt. The coating protects the wearer against head edges of the toe-cap and protects a steel toe-cap against corrosion.

Abstract: A cylindrical drum is mounted for rotation about its axis on laterally opposed horizontal crossbeams of an open rectangular frame which crossbeams, in turn, bear on at least one end thereof, lift beams, slidable within vertical guide rails for varying the vertical height of each crossbeam and its drum relative to a barge supporting the dredging apparatus. A plurality of closely spaced radially directed pairs of guide plates extend outwardly from the axis of the drum to the drum outer periphery at given drum slots, permitting the projection of blade assemblies radially from the drum periphery. Each blade assembly includes a planar blade member bearing elongated rectangular bucket cut-out areas. To the opposite edges of the cut-out areas are hinge-mounted, interengaging main and auxiliary bucket plates which overlie each other when closed and which open to form generally right angle troughs or buckets.

Abstract: An item selection signal input system comprising a keyboard panel including a plurality of matrix aligned, transparent touch sensitive switches. An item list setting mechanism is provided for placing a desired item list below the keyboard panel in order to mark each of the touch sensitive switches. The item list setting mechanism comprises an item list carrying drum to which one end of a plurality of item lists are fixed. The desired item list is selected while the item list carrying drum is driven to rotate.

Abstract: A portable microfiche viewer is provided for viewing a selected image frame of a microfiche arranged in a cylindrical configuration. The viewer comprises a cylindrical translucent outer wall, a cylindrical transparent inner wall positioned within the outer wall and a transparent cylinder adapted to be manually rotated and axially movable within the inner wall. A microfiche to be viewed is positioned on the periphery of the cylinder and is rotatable therewith for positioning a selected column of the microfiche into a viewing path or aperture extending perpendicularly to an optical path of a lens means mounted on the outer wall. The lens means is movable in a path parallel to the viewing path to a selected row of the microfiche for viewing the selected image frame of the microfiche directly through the lens means.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved fishing rod holder which is especially useful for holding and tending a fishing rod when surf fishing from a sandy beach, or when fishing from an earthen shoreline. The invention also provides an inexpensive method of producing the fishing rod holder of the invention from readily available materials.

Abstract: Hollow lures are ballasted by fluid means to achieve an optimum density for surf casting or trolling so that the lure can stay at the desired level for the game fish to be lured. Such a lure has a means for filling and emptying the body of the lure, to control the density. More particularly, the lure has one or more bulkheads to strengthen the hollow lure and to contain the fluid. These bulkheads may be perforated to any desired degree to control the flow of the fluid fore and aft within the lure. This provides a tail-heavy lure for maximum casting stability, and a level riding lure for its progress through the water. A valve in the body of the lure may also be used to release a controlled amount of fluid--for example a chemical chum--during the progress of the bait-fish lure towards shore.

Abstract: A fishing lure of the spinner type including a shaft defining an axis of rotation and a spinning element formed of elongated pliable material mounted on the shaft for rotation about said axis.

Abstract: An animal trap comprises a base member with two jaws pivotally connected thereto. Rings extend slidably about adjacent side members of the jaws and springs bias the rings away from the base member and towards end members of the jaws to move the jaws from a horizontal, open position to a vertical, closed position. A bell crank is pivotally connected to the base member and has an upwardly moveable portion where bait is secured. An elongate rod is pivotally connected to the bell crank at one end and engages one of the side members at a second end, when the jaws are horizontal, to maintain the trap in the open position. When an animal tugs on the bait, the rod disengages from the one side member and the trap closes to trap the head of the animal.

Abstract: The invention disclosed by this application relates to a device for producing, preserving and displaying a bubble which comprises a casing which is at least partially transparent, a bubble forming conduit mounted within the casing and having an inlet and a bubble forming outlet, means for applying a bubble forming film to the outlet, and pressurizing means for increasing the pressure within the conduit to a point greater than the pressure within the casing, so that a bubble forms on the conduit outlet.

Abstract: Hand-held apparatus for flying a tethered aerodynamic device such as a toy airplane or the like. The device includes a pair of control members interconnected for mutual adjustment, and a tether cord which engages both control members, so that the effective length of the tether cord can be varied in response to varying the relative position of the control members.

Abstract: A pair of arched wings are secured together at their inner ends by a connecting member to form a body portion. A weight is secured to the body portion to provide proper balance in flight. The wings have an upwardly arched configuration which may be accomplished either by molding them in such configuration or by constructing them from a blank which has a curvature therein such as from a cylindrical tubular member. In one embodiment, the wings have a reduced radius toward the front to provide a hang glider type construction which requires no tail.

Abstract: Toy figurines including toy dolls are disclosed that have skins or exterior surfaces repeatedly capable of reversibly changing color. The skin is coated with a sealant/primer base coat of flexible, hydrophobic film-forming polymeric material. Applied over the base coat is a color layer which is either continuous or of desired geometric configuration. The color layer contains acid-base indicating material, preferably microencapsulated, matrixed in a mixture of polymeric material. A top coat applied over the color layer protects the color layer against abrasion and is water permeable. The coated skin portions thus change color in response to changes in the pH of aqueous solutions applied to them.

Abstract: A guide rod, for rolling a toy hoop, formed of a squared U-shaped guide portion with a short shaft portion arranged approximately perpendicular to the plane of said guide portion and integral with the free end of one of the legs of the guide portion. An elongated pole-like handle is releasably connected to the end of the shaft. The guide portion is made in interchangeable left and right hand configurations, by arranging the U-shape on its side, to open sideways, with the shaft formed on the free end of the upper leg, and with the shaft extending approximately perpendicularly away from the plane of the U-shape in either one or the opposite direction to form either a left or right handed guide, either of which may be interchangeably used with the same handle. The U-shaped guide portion further includes a magnet embedded therein for magnetically attracting a magnetically responsive hoop.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating crops in rows to destroy weeds in and adjacent to the crop rows. First and second probes are provided, preferably connected up to a high voltage source of electricity, and mounted so that they extend into crop row from opposite sides thereof. A frame mechanism mounted for movement in a given direction is provided, and the probe mounting structures are pivotally mounted to the frame mechanism for movement about a vertical axis with respect to the frame mechanism. The probe mounting devices are operatively tied together by a turnbuckle assembly or the like, so that the probes will move with each about their respective vertical axes and engage crops in the rows, the crops centering the probes. The probes are also mounted for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis so that they will move out of the way of unyielding obstructions they might encounter.