Abstract: Disclosed is a novel print element for a serial impact printer having a novel character set which permits the typing of text as well as chemical symbols and formulae with a small number of character elements. Closed ring structures may be formed with the character set which may be expanded to various sizes. Also disclosed is a serial impact printing system using the aforementioned printing element which automatically subscripts small numerals when the printing element is positioned without further action on the part of the typist.

Abstract: An ink ribbon cartridge for a printer drives an endless loop of ribbon by passing the ribbon between a feed roller having teeth of one pitch and a pinch roller having teeth of another pitch.

Abstract: A typewriter space bar touch control apparatus comprises a bell crank member, mounted on a support frame, which supports the space bar and a lever member which engages the bell crank when the space bar is depressed more than a small initial displacement. The motion of the bell crank is resisted by a helical tension spring and the engagement of the bell crank by the lever causes an operator to sense a sudden increase in resistance to displacement. Position transducers are provided on the support frame to sense the position of the lever member and the initial small displacement of the space bar corresponds to single space operation and larger displacement corresponds to repeat space operation.

Abstract: A mechanical pencil including a buffer spring is disclosed. The mechanical pencil has a chuck whose chucking point is elongated in the direction towards the front of the pencil so that if the lead is broken at the chucking point, the length of broken lead within the pencil is minimized, thereby reducing the amount of wasted lead. The buffer spring is located either adjacent the fastening ring or within the lead case. In either embodiment, the buffer spring buffers the impact of the chucking point against the fastening ring. In the embodiment where the buffer spring is located within the lead case, the lead case and an intermediate connecting member, together with the distance therebetween, form a buffer spring operating mechanism.

Abstract: A retractable mechanism for a writing element especially the expendable refill of a ball-point writing pen, is disclosed. A manually depressible plunger (4) advances a latch member (7) biased to retract the plunger (4). The latch member (7) has a pair of latch arms (11,12) one of which in an advanced or retracted position thereof engage a latch means (5,6). Depression of the plunger (4) releases the engaged latch arm (11 or 12) from its latch means (5,6). The resultant of the force on the plunger (4) and bias on the writing element (1) then laterally aligns the other latch arm (12 or 11) with its latch means (6 or 5). On release of the plunger (4), the bias on the writing element (1) brings a co-operating notch (16) and pivot edge (15) of the aligned latch arm (11,12) and latch means (5,6) into register for pivot action therebetween.

Abstract: A spigot assembly for attaching a knuckle of a vehicle to a relatively movable part of the vehicle by way of a bushing having a bore and ends adapted to be held within the knuckle. The major parts of the assembly include a spigot having a base arranged to be rigidly secured to the vehicle part and a tubular projection extending from the base. The projection includes an outer end defining a first annular surface facing axially outwardly of the projection. A tubular cap is provided having on its inner end a second annular surface and engageable in abutting relation with the first annular surface of the projection. A centering and aligning means is located at the inner end of the cap to ensure registry of the first and second annular surfaces.

Abstract: A slack adjuster assembly for coupling a brake shaft to a power actuator comprising a bushing member fixed to the brake shaft and having an annular flange therearound and having an annular bearing surface next to the flange which carries a series of teeth on a shoulder facing toward the bearing surface, a lever having a hub member journaled on the bearing surface and having a toothed shoulder interengaging with the teeth on the flange when the hub member is moved toward the shoulder, a spring urging the hub member toward the flange to keep the teeth normally engaged, and a pawl carried in one of said members and having lugs engageable with teeth of the opposite member to separate the teeth by compressing the spring and to advance the engagement of the teeth in a direction determined by the direction of rotation of the pawl.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a joint for trusses having members comprising tube-like hollow bodies, comprising a core member to which is welded a plurality of transition pieces to which free end a tubular member can be welded, the cross section of the transition pieces changing between the free end of these and the end which is welded to the core member.

Abstract: A first member (7) with a tapered spline (6) and a method of making same, which tapered spline (6) provides an improved backlash-free mating with a second member (10) having a conventional straight spline (9). The method of forming the spline (6) consists of distorting a first member (7) along its central axis (14), broaching the first member (7) to form a straight cylindrical spline, and returning the first member (7) to its undistorted condition whereby the straight spline becomes a tapered spline (6).

Abstract: A rotatable member is provided with an axial bore that receives one end of an undersized shaft. To fill the space between the shaft and the wall of the bore and to center the shaft in the bore, the portion of the shaft that is in the bore is encircled by a sleeve provided with a longitudinal slot extending outwardly from its inner end. A set screw threaded in the rotatable member extends through the slot and tightly engages the shaft to rigidly connect the rotatable member and shaft together.

Abstract: The invention refers to a fastening sleeve for fastening machine members such as bearings or gear wheels to a shaft. The fastening sleeve is characterized by a body of pressed sheet metal, which is embedded or encapsulated in a housing made of plastic material. One surface of the fastening sleeve is tapering and one axial end of the body is free from moulding compound projecting outwardly beyond one axial end of the plastic housing.

Abstract: A clamping device for releasably snap joining or clamping two panels comprises a plug element and a bush element. The plug element comprises: a stem portion engageable with the walls of a hole in a panel; a body portion; a head portion formed with legs that can be resiliently moved near one another and defined by at least one longitudinal slit; a notch extended from the longitudinal slit within the body; and a slider slidable between the legs to lock the latter at widened out position.

Abstract: A metal anchor tube is driven into the ground or blacktop and defines a cavity which receives the lower end portion of an elongated cylindrical flexible marking tube extruded from a resilient plastics material. The upper end portion of the marking tube supports a light reflecting member which may be in the form of a reflective sheet located within the marking tube and visible through an opening or window within the tube. In one embodiment, the lower end portion of the marking tube is releasably coupled to the anchor tube by an internal wedge plug which compresses the marking tube against the anchor tube and is inserted and removed by means of a tool. In another embodiment, the releasable coupling is formed by an anchor tube having tabs which project inwardly into corresponding holes within the flexible marking tube.

Abstract: The road grading and tamping appliance (1) has a bottom plate (2) and at least one rotating, eccentrically-supported and driven weight for providing vibration. The bottom plate (2) is provided with a shaft (5) disposed perpendicular thereto and on which the rotating eccentric weight (10) is rotatably supported, specifically at a predetermined distance from the bottom plate (2). The eccentric weight (10) consequently rotates in a plane parallel to the bottom plate. By adjustment of the rotating eccentric weight (10) axially of the vertical shaft (5), the eccentric action, that is the leverage action, on the bottom plate (2) can be reduced or increased.

Abstract: An apparatus for preventing the blowing out of the water supply of constant pressure air storage installations for gas turbine power plants, which is intended to be installed as a preferably prefabricated unit at the upper end of a riser tube or pipe of an air storage cavern. The apparatus contains venting tubes, the lower ends of which are staggered in elevation. Further, there are provided guide elements which, on the one hand, guide part of the water-air mixture flowing out of the riser tube into the vent tubes or pipes and, on the other hand, form an extended flow channel for the remaining water-air mixture which directly flows into a compensation basin.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a support system and method which permits the self-driving supporting columns after the structure has been fully assembled in place and which utilizes the gravitational force acting on this structure to achieve self-driving of the columns in a predetermined direction (e.g., vertically). In this manner, pile driving, predrilling deepholes or preparation of concrete footings can be avoided. The support system of the present invention is also provided with means for resisting movement of the columns out of alignment with the predetermined direction as they are self-driven into the substrate and means for maintaining the structure in a predetermined elevation (e.g., horizontal) as the columns are driven. The system can also include many means for maintaining the structure at a predetermined height relative to the substrate over which it is supported.

Abstract: A reinforced earth structure comprises a mass of particulate material and stabilizing members, the members being arranged in vertically spaced layers separated by layers of particulate material. The stabilizing members are made of flexible material which is relatively unresilient and each layer of stabilizing members is tensioned while the succeeding layer of particulate material is laid thereon.

Abstract: A rigid face member is held in place at the face of an earthen formation by anchor elements embedded within the formation. Deformable sections are incorporated into the anchor elements adjacent the face member to permit the anchor elements to move with the formation in the event of earthquake or settling, while maintaining the face member in place.

Abstract: A method of forming an underground pipeline comprising depositing an inner component section of the pipeline on a pipe-laying apparatus and at least partially supporting the inner component section on the apparatus. The inner component section is forced from the apparatus onto an independent support, and the apparatus is advanced to receive another inner component section. After the inner component sections have been transferred to the independent supports, a formable outer component is provided at least part way around and beneath such inner component sections to form the pipeline.

Abstract: A customer terminal for a single conveyor tube banking service pneumatic tube system. The terminal has a cabinet which can be opened by unlocking and removing a hinged front member to expose system components and terminal mechanism. The carrier receive and send housing has a hinged door and the housing communicates with the system conveyor tube. The mechanism is operative automatically to present a carrier arriving at the terminal to a customer seated in an adjacent vehicle. The presented carrier is conveniently positioned at an angle at the outer end of a pocket on the door for removal and replacement by a customer without requiring precise positioning. The carrier is returned automatically to the conveyor tube system when replaced in the door pocket. The door has safety mechanism automatically reopening the door if it encounters an obstacle on closing.

Abstract: A container is received during processing, transported in a mouth-down orientation, and then transported bottom-first through a tube for further processing, for example, stacking.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a boring device for boring internal surfaces of hollow workpieces of the kind which comprises radially adjustable insert-provided holders, there being provided pressure means, such as steering pins so as to effect radial adjustment of the insert holder from an outer active working position to an inactive position. The radial adjustment occurs by having each insert holder via said steering pins supported against a bushing of non-circular cross section actuatable by a shaft member centered within the bushing, said bushing upon its rotation effecting said radial adjustment.

Abstract: A deburring tool including an axially elongated tool holder and a cutting blade. The tool holder includes a first body portion adapted for attachment to a rotatable driving member and a second body portion extending axially from the first body portion and including a slot having seating shoulders for seating a cutting blade. The first and second body portions are joined by a flexible neck portion allowing the second body portion to flex in cantilever fashion relative to the first body portion as the tool holder is rotated. A cutting blade having seating shoulders is removably mounted within the tool holder such that the seating shoulders of the cutting blade are seated against the seating shoulders of the tool holder.

Abstract: A load stabilizer assembly for use in a pickup truck includes a pair of mutually telescoping beam members which span the bed of the truck and restrain cargo therein by engaging opposite sidewalls of the bed. A lock plate is loosely coupled in sliding relation around one of the beam members, and has a slip opening through which the beam projects. The slip opening is large enough to permit the lock plate to be moved from an upstanding vertical orientation in which the lock plate is freely movable along the length of the beam, to an inclined position wherein the lock plate is seized in binding engagement with the beam member. A lock bolt carried on the other beam member transmits a driving force against the lock plate whereby compression forces are induced within the beam members as they are driven into engagement with the opposite sidewalls of the cargo compartment.

Abstract: An adhered strip of nails that are held together, including a filament disposed under compression between the nail shanks to maintain the spacing between the shanks. The nails are also adhered by at least one adhesive tape extending across the shanks of the nail, which tape covers the filament and leaves an open area between the nail shanks other than the tape and said filament.

Abstract: A structural joint for bearing a structural load is formed by a pair of wooden members fastened together by at least one metal connector plate. The connector plate is formed from a metal plate having a plurality of pairs of teeth punched therefrom. The teeth are punched from the plate so as to project in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plate. Each pair of teeth is struck so as to leave a corresponding longitudinally extending slot between the teeth. Each of the teeth has a knife edge portion that extends from the plate. This knife edge portion is thinner than the remaining portion of each tooth and has a sharp edge with a cross-sectional angle of less than 20.degree., preferably 8.degree. to 12.degree., for facilitating penetration of each of the teeth into the wooden members to be secured together. These knife edge portions of the teeth are made by a metal forming process which serves to shape such portion of the teeth and simultaneously widen and elongate each tooth.

Abstract: A spring retaining ring of the type adapted for assembly within a groove provided therefor in a housing bore or on a shaft to form an artificial shoulder for axially locating a machine part in the bore or on the shaft. The spring comprises an open-ended ring body of spring material. The body includes opposite side surfaces, each surface including a generally radial shoulder-forming portion and a groove-seating portion which is inclined at an acute angle relative to the shoulder forming portion. Either of the groove-seating surface portions are adapted to engage a correspondingly inclined wall of the groove to take-up axial play of the machine part. The length of each groove seating surface portion is from 80% to 120% of the minimum groove penetration depth for the ring.

Abstract: A currency dispensing apparatus has a plurality of customer receipt openings to which an ordered number of banknotes can be sent from a store of banknotes in response to an order signal. The banknotes are dispensed to a collector station through a first feed mechanism in response to the transmitted order signal, and from the collector station to a selected receipt opening by a second feed mechanism which cooperates with a switching device for determining the direction of feed of the second feed mechanism.

Abstract: A stacker/unstacker for receptacles such as bread pans or baskets or the like includes a pair of laterally spaced-apart endless chains having receptacle carriers mounted therebetween for conveying receptacles between an infeed-outfeed conveyor and the top of a receptacle stack. The conveyor chains are horizontally spaced-apart in a direction perpendicular to the lateral direction with the carriers mounted for rotation about two spaced-apart axes which are respectively fixed with respect to the chains so that the carriers are stably held in a predetermined orientation and undergo only translational movement along the conveyor path. The path has a transfer portion at the top of the stack wherein the carriers and carried receptacles remain stationary for a time during which the carriers are moved between support and release conditions to pick up or deposit receptacles at the top of the stack. Indexing mechanism moves the transfer portion vertically to keep it at the top of the stack as the stack height changes.

Abstract: Apparatus for transferring and manipulating a plurality of containers in a sequence is disclosed including a mechanical manipulator arm 10 having a gripping device B which automatically picks up a container at a fixed pickup position P and transfers it to a processing station.At a processing station X, the container is loaded with silicon wafers and thereafter returned by the arm to the fixed position P at the pickup and return station Y. A plurality of the containers may be processed in sequence from the fixed pickup position by providing a movable carriage 58 upon which container pedestal platforms 54 and 56 are supported, at least one of which is an elevator platform. The platforms include abutments 54c and 56c for properly positioning the containers for accurate pickup by the manipulator arm.

Abstract: Initially randomly oriented elongated articles (11) are uniformly oriented and inserted into cavities (47) of a magazine (48) in a mass insertion process. The articles (11) are first aligned in parallel grooves (32) of a rack (31), wherein they initially retain a random longitudinal orientation. The articles (11) are then translated longitudinally in one or the other direction depending on their orientation in the rack. Those of the articles extending in the one longitudinal direction are first transferred to the magazine (48) while the other articles remain in the rack. The longitudinal orientation of the remaining articles is thereafter reversed by rotating the rack about its longitudinal axis, and the remaining articles are inserted into the magazine as the complement of such first transferred articles.

Abstract: An improved container dumping apparatus is a press adapted to hold at least one container with or without a pallet and a frame for supporting and surrounding the press where the press comprises a top hopper closure with a valve means on top, pulleys on each side, means for supporting the hopper closure on the frame, and means for pivoting the press, and a bottom support closure with a pulley on each side, and a means for attaching a cable, the frame comprises a rectangular prism with the front lateral portion missing so as to allow the press to pass through the front, having means for supporting the hopper closure and means for interacting with the press to cause the press to invert upon lifting off the frame and to right itself upon lowering onto the frame.

Abstract: A transport machine includes a frame for cyclically receiving a plurality of containers from an unloading station and for transporting them to the discharge region. The discharge region is spaced apart from the unloading station by a predetermined distance. The machine includes a platform connected to the frame, and is operable in a first position thereof adjacent the unloadiing station for accepting the containers, and pivotably movable thereafter about an axis to a second position angularly spaced away from the unloading station; it is movable subsequently from the second position to a third position adjacent the discharge region for temporarily storing the containers thereat; the platform is operable thereafter, and upon having temporarily stored the containers at the third position, to move to a fourth position spaced away from the discharge region, and similar to said second position, and thereafter operable to execute a pivotable return movement from the fourth position to the first position.

Abstract: The previous linkages for transmitting signals across an axis (21) between a first member or cylinder (20) and a second member or frame (11) have been relatively difficult to adjust and have had a tendency to bind. Herein, a roller (44) is pivotally mounted to a first link structure (36) which is itself pivotally mounted relative to the cylinder (20). The roller (44) defines a generally circular cam surface (42). A second link structure (52) is mounted to the frame (11) and a generally U-shaped member (98) has one of its legs (100) mounted to the second link structure (52) and the other leg (102) positioned to define a coacting surface (106) for action against the roller (44). An adjustment device (122) serves for adjusting the other leg (102) of the generally U-shaped member (98) tangentially and radially relative to the roller (44). Relatively straightforward and easily accessible adjustment is thereby provided. Also, binding problems are reduced.

Abstract: Under direction of a machine controller, an endless chain conveyor is incrementally passed by a plurality of loader heads. The loader heads receive a series of components taped on a reel supplied substrate, sever individual taped components from the supply, and load the individual taped components onto clip carriers of the endless conveyor, on command, in a preferred sequence. The clip carrier mounted components are then indexed past a cutter assembly for trimming the lengths of the leads and removing the substrate, and a positioning disc assembly for positioning the components in the clip carriers before being passed to a rotary transfer assembly. The rotary transfer assembly removes individual components from the conveyor and rotates to an unload position above a linear loader, which laterally transfers the components from the rotary transfer to an insert head assembly.

Abstract: A loader for a machine tool comprising horizontal track means, shuttle means mounted on the track means for relative horizontal displacement, support means including rigidly secured top, front and back walls, the front and back walls each including a pair of horizontally spaced bores, a pair of shafts selectively sized for insertion into the bores, and means for releasably securing the shafts to the front and back walls to define the bottom wall of the support means, gripper assembly means including first and second gear means each having a central bore for matingly receiving one of the shafts, first and second gripper arm means each having a bore for matingly receiving one of the shafts, means for rigidly securing the first and second gear means to the first and second gripper arm means, respectively, hydraulic cylinder means having a housing including coaxial boss means extending outwardly from the front and back walls thereof and having a selectively advanceable rod means, the first gripper arm means furth

Abstract: A turbomachine seal system includes first and second seal members spaced axially about the shaft to define therebetween a first annular chamber. One of the seal members limits the flow of oil from a first portion of the turbomachine towards a second portion thereof. The second seal member limits the flow of process gas from the second portion of the turbomachine towards the first portion thereof. Pressure reducing means is connected to the chamber for reducing the pressure therein below the pressure in the first and second portions of the turbomachine for preventing oil from flowing from the first portion from migrating into the second portion.

Abstract: A static shroud for a rotor comprises a shroud ring having a frustoconical inner surface adapted to co-operate with a peripheral portion of the rotor to define a small clearance therebetween. A plurality of actuators are provided to move the ring axially to vary the clearance in a predetermined manner. In order to compensate for eccentricity, the actuators are adapted to tilt the ring out of a radial plane when required.

Abstract: A turbofan engine fan blade made of composite material, and a method of making the fan, are taught. The fan blade essentially comprises an airfoil section having a root end and made of a plurality of bonded plies of composite material which are splayed and which are in a staggered condition at the root end; a two-piece platform section made of titanium or of aluminum, with one piece of the platform on each side of the airfoil section; and a steel outsert section which holds and secures the platform section to the airfoil section, with the outsert section having a triangular shaped cavity located at the root end of the airfoil section, between the splayed and staggered plies of the airfoil section. Among other advantages, the cavity eliminates the "insert plies" (or wedge) used in the prior art and the inherent disadvantages associated with such use.

Abstract: This invention relates to a bladed rotor for a gas turbine engine which comprises a disc having blade carrying slots in its periphery. In order to seal the spaces between the blade platforms and the disc an annular array of sealing plates is provided. The plates are supported directly from the disc by a rivet, pin or the like which passes through the disc in between the blade carrying slots, in this way avoiding any additional loading on the blades themselves.

Abstract: A hydraulic actuated pressure booster unit includes a differential power piston and an integral control valve controlling the pumping direction and action. The control valve has a reciprocally mounted tubular spool member in a cylindrical valve body. The spool member has a control passageway and a plurality of spaced spools, one of which mates with the power piston passage to form a first valve for transfer of oil to the pumping chamber and from a transfer chamber to an exhaust passageway. A pair of spaced spools slide in stepped control chamber forming a control bore and exhaust bore connected by the spool passageway to the pumping chamber via the first valve. A sequence valve connects the exhaust bore to the exhaust through a directional control valve. The sequence valve is controlled by the output working pressure. A pilot valve controls the load connection to the one end of the cylinder and a high pressure relief valve limits the total pressure created within the working system.

Abstract: An ink liquid supply system for an ink jet system printer comprising an ink liquid reservoir for containing ink liquid therein, and a constant flow rate pump for supplying the ink liquid to a nozzle. The constant flow rate pump comprises a first chamber for introducing an ink liquid collected by a beam gutter of the ink jet system printer and for returning the ink liquid to the ink liquid reservoir. The constant flow rate pump further comprises a second chamber for introducing the ink liquid from the ink liquid reservoir and for developing the ink liquid to the nozzle. The first and second chambers include a coaxial piston disposed therein for varying the pressure created in the first and second chambers.

Abstract: An electromagnetic fluid pump having a magnetic circuit responsive to a predetermined position of a reciprocating magnetically permeable piston is disclosed. The reciprocating piston closes the magnetic circuit at the end of its pumping stroke increasing the value of the signal produced by a hall effect switch. The increased value of the generated signal energizes a solenoid coil returning the piston to a cocked position against the force of a resilient member which urges the piston forward on its pumping stroke.

Abstract: A valve structure for a viscous material pump having a material reservoir, a pair of alternately operable material conveying cylinders, discharge conduit means, and a valve control means coupled to the valve structure and to the material conveying cylinders. The valve structure has a pair of movable swivel pipes extending between the conveying cylinders and the discharge conduit means. Each of the swivel pipes has an opening movable over one of the conveying cylinders to receive the contents discharged therefrom and a plate movable over said one conveying cylinder to block same.

Abstract: A scroll-type compressor constituted by a stationary scroll and a revolving scroll, and an electric motor for causing a revolving motion of the revolving scroll are disposed in a closed container. The scroll-type compressor has openings which are adapted to permit fluid compression pockets between two scrolls to be communicated with the space inside the closed container when the pressure in the pockets have been increased to a predetermined pressure intermediate between the suction and discharge pressures, so that the pressure in the closed container may be maintained at the same level as the above-mentioned predetermined pressure. The bottom part of the closed container constitutes an oil well where the lubricating oil is stored. This oil well is connected to the suction side of the compressor through an oil feed passage constituted by a capillary tube, so that the oil is fed to the compressor due to the pressure difference between the space inside the closed container and the inlet side of the compressor.

Abstract: A rotary fluid pressure device (11) is disclosed of the type including an internal gear set (17) wherein the toothed members (23,27) define expanding and contracting volume chambers (29). The device further includes relatively movable valve elements (19,55) having engaging valve surfaces (71,73). One of the valve elements defines fluid passages (67) communicating with the volume chambers and the other valve element defines a plurality of valve passages (63,65). There is provided a secondary valving including a fluid passage (7) defined by the first valve element and a fluid passage (77) defined by the second valve element, the secondary fluid passages being in fluid communication when the respective volume chamber is approaching its minimum volume position to prevent trapping of fluid, and as it is leaving its minimum volume position, to prevent cavitation.

Abstract: A rotary fluid pressure device is disclosed of the type including a valve housing (19) defining a pair of fluid ports (41,43) and a shuttle port (85). The device includes a fluid pressure actuated displacement mechanism (15), and a rotatable valve member (53) which provides fluid communication from one of the ports to expanding volume chambers (27) of the displacement mechanism, and from the contracting volume chambers to the other fluid port. The device includes a shuttle valve assembly including a shuttle piston (97) having end portions (103,105) disposed within a pair of fluid chambers (77,79). A dampening sleeve (115,121) is disposed about each end portion of the piston and cooperates therewith to define a dampening orifice (127,129) to prevent hunting during low pressure operation.

Abstract: A gear pump with reduced power requirement for conveying viscous liquids, especially thermoplastic fiber-forming polymer melts or a viscose spinning liquid, with intermeshed gear wheels rotatably mounted on parallel shafts while encased or circumscribed in a pump housing, i.e. enclosed on either side of the gear wheels and around the periphery thereof with an inlet opening for liquid feed means leading into the meshed point or area where the gear wheels disengage or become unmeshed and with an outlet opening for liquid discharge means leading away from the meshing point or area where the gear wheels engage or become meshed, the liquid thus being conveyed by the gear teeth from the inlet opening on one side of the meshing point around the outer portion of each gear to the outlet opening on the other side of the meshing point. A normal pressure-sealing or backflow-inhibiting radial gap is provided over at least a portion of each gear wheel periphery, i.e.

Abstract: A machine for extruding dough, typically of the bagel variety, about a food, such as a frankfurter, is disclosed. Typically, the frankfurters are loaded into a magazine. The magazine feeds a star wheel at the bottom. The star wheel singulates, rotates and discharges the frankfurters into a chute. Once the frankfurters are deposited in the chute, an endless chain with propelling pawls propels each sequential frankfurter through the chute concentrically to an extruder. The extruder continuously dispenses bagel dough concentrically around the frankfurters and is supplied with bagel dough under pressure by an auger flight extruder or other propelling mechanism. Extrusion occurs from an extrusion head having a frankfurter passageway centrally thereof. Dough is extruded into first and second extrusion chambers and out first and second immediately concentric extrusion annuluses about the frankfurter passageway.

Abstract: The invention relates to the manufacture of a body of a cellular structure by extruding a ceramic material through a die. The die comprises a succession of coaxial components (6, 10) fitted one round another, with two adjacent components defining between them longitudinal ducts (2) whose downstream ends communicate with an annular duct (3) and wherein the bottoms of said coaxial components fitted one round another have essentially radial notches (4) level with the annular ducts, the width of said notches being less than that of the longitudinal ducts, so that the ceramic material which flows through said longitudinal ducts is evenly distributed in the annular ducts and in the radial notches to form a body with a cellular structure directly on extrusion.The invention has application to thin-walled honeycomb ceramic structures.