Abstract: A valve .[.disabling.]. .Iadd.operation control .Iaddend.device for use in an internal combustion engine having inlet valve means, exhaust valve means, at least one of which comprises a plurality of valves. Disabling means selectively holds the at least one of the inlet valve means and the exhaust valve means in a first state wherein part of the valves thereof are inoperative, and in a second state wherein all the valves thereof are operative for alternate closing and opening actions. Transmission state detecting means detects whether power transmission means of the engine is in a connected state wherein power transmission between the engine output shaft and a load on the engine is allowed, and is a disconnected state wherein the power transmission is inhibited.

Abstract: A venting type container to relieve pressurized carbonated liquids and the like without discharging the liquid therefrom while equalizing the interior container pressure with atmospheric pressure including a combination a flexible wall container for receiving the liquid and adapted to operatively receive a removable dispensing cap assembly which when brought into full threaded engagement with said dispensing cap assembly redefines the opening to said container; and a depressurization sealing unit which is operatively received on the dispensing cap assembly in sealing engagement to seal and contain the liquid within the container and define an interior cavity oriented between the dispensing cap assembly and the depressurization sealing unit.

Abstract: This invention provides an improved ski braking mechanism wherein the braking unit comprises a pair of Z-shaped, independently movable rods each having an outer leg attached to a braking spur, an inner leg attached to a brake pedal, and a central cross-bar forming a pivot axis. A stop is provided to inhibit the movement of the braking spurs towards the longitudinal middle section of the ski when the spurs are in the lowered braking position. Each braking spur is retractable towards the longitudinal middle section of the ski when the spurs are in the raised skiing position.

Abstract: A surface-mount power resistor may be fabricated using a power resistor of conventional design as its core. A conventional resistor is reworked so as to flatten its leads from a point near their emergence from the generally tubular body of the resistor to the ends of the leads. The reworked resistor is then encapsulated from a point of the flattened portion of one lead to a corresponding point on the other lead, with the resulting mold being shaped as to have at least two opposing flat surfaces. The ribbon-shaped portions of the leads which exit from the molded body are then shaped as desired to afford the finished product. Similar surface-mount electrical components may be fabricated for any component with axial leads.

Abstract: A light-weight, shock-absorbing chest protector worn, for example, by participants in sports, the protector allowing air circulation to a wearer's body while providing enhanced flexibility. The protector conforms to a wearer's body and flexes inwardly and outwardly and expands and contracts vertically with the wearer's movements. The protector, which is coated with a durable coating to add color as well as additional strength to the protector, is attached to a wearer's body through the use of a harness. Apertures through the protector are shaped to "grab" a ball which strikes the protector and drop the ball near to the wearer, while also reducing the weight of the protector, providing air circulation through the protector, and giving the protector the enhanced flexibility. The protector has optional hinged pads for covering additional areas of a wearer's body without inhibiting freedom of movement.

Abstract: An insulated all weather garment in male and female configuration is disclosed which includes an internal waterproof layer having sealed stitching protecting the upper legs and lower torso of a wearer from moisture penetrating from the outdoor atmosphere.

Abstract: An improved modification to a typical T-shirt, to convert it into a full headdress, by adding first and second strips of releasable, press-together bonding material, such as Velcro (trademark) in spaced-apart relation on one the shirt torso panels near the panel-sleeve seam, one set above the other, so that when the top of the shirt is folded downward, one-half the depth of the sleeves, to place the first strip on one side of the shirt and the second strip on the other side of the shirt, and the torso-covering panels draped over the wearer's head and down over the rear of the wearer's neck, the folded sleeves may be wrapped rearward about the head and brought into overlapping contact along the strips to form the headdress.

Abstract: Device for securing a hat in adverse wind conditions is disclosed: the non-permanent attachment to hat (22) can be either inconspicuous or decorative depending on preference of wearer. The device is a headband (10) with woven loop fiber pieces (14a), (14b), (14c), that attach to matching cut loop pieces (16a), (16b), (16c), in the inner band (24) of hat (22). The placement of these pieces compensates for aerodynamic affects and holds hat (10) secure. The design of the device allows the wearer to concentrate on performance and task orientation without worry about the hat blowing off.

Abstract: A headband comprising an imperforate piece of cloth having edges, a nominal fold axis, and ends of reduced width at the ends of said axis which can be tied together to form the headband. A message strip along the axis can carry a message on one side of the fold. A tassel strip is on the opposite side of the message strip from the fold. At least one tassel is fixed to it. When the cloth is properly folded, the tassel strip is against the head and the message strip is on the outside with its message visible. The tassel hangs fully exposed below the headband.

Abstract: A flexible sun shield detachably connectable around the circumference of a hard hat or military helmet for shielding eyes, face and neck from excessive sun exposure. The sun shield includes a brim formed of a curved length of flexible, pliable flat material formed generally into the shape of a portion of an oval ring in-the-flat and an upstanding flexible flange connected along the inner margin of the brim. The flange is releasably connectable circumferentially around the hard hat such that the brim extends outwardly and slopes downwardly from the hard hat.

Abstract: A helmet having a molded cover shell for decorating and protecting the exterior surface of a helmet body is formed from a helmet body and a thin clear plastic sheet of material molded in the shape of the upper exterior portion of the helmet's body and painted or colaminated on the interior surface of the cover prior to being fitted and affixed to the helmet's body, thereby giving the cover's decorative design a deep luster, and protecting both the helmet's exterior surface and the cover's decorative appearance.

Abstract: A self-ventilating toilet is provided with an air intake chamber superposed above a water discharge chamber. A tubular member leading to the water discharge is vertically disposed and extends through the air intake chamber and is provided with apertures to allow the water flowing in the tubular member to flow through the air intake chamber and clean the latter.

Abstract: A canister for cakes of deodorant/disinfectant material that is used in combination with a trailer or recreational vehicle having a water tank, a pump, a toilet not having a water tank, and tubing connecting the respective components together in series. The canister is connected between the pump and the toilet. The canister has a vertically elongated cylindrical body having a removable top lid. An inlet port boss member extends outwardly from the cylindrical body adjacent its bottom end. An outlet port boss member extends outwardly from the cylindrical body adjacent its top end. In one embodiment, a disc-shaped platform is supported inside the cylindrical body a predetermined height above the bottom wall and it supports the cakes of solid chemical deodorant/disinfectant. In a second embodiment, a measuring bucket for cakes of deodorant/disinfectant is removably inserted into the interior of the cylindrical body.

Abstract: A power assisted toilet seat including a toilet seat lifting and tilting structure in which the seat is disposed between and below a pair of armrests for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal transverse axis with a power assist means being provided to move the toilet seat in a path closely approximating the movement of the hips, buttocks, thighs, knees and lower legs which occurs when a person moves between a standing position and a sitting position with the contacting relationship between the user and the seat and between the user and the armrests providing a stable and secure relationship between the user and the power assisted toilet seat during movement of the toilet seat and armrests as the user moves between a standing position and a sitting position.

Abstract: An emergency shut-off for a flush tank having a liquid replenishment valve is connected to the liquid replenishment valve for moving the valve to a closed position if liquid level in the tank has not reached a predetermined height within a predetermined time after the tank has been flushed. Broadly speaking, the emergency shut-off comprises a container, a buoy, and a valve connection mechanism. The container extends downward in the tank from at least the predetermined height and includes a valve for allowing liquid in the tank to enter the container and for allowing liquid within the container to egress into the tank at a predetermined rate. The buoy in the container raises and lowers with the liquid level in the container and contacts the valve connection mechanism when the liquid in the container is at a predetermined shut-off height. The valve connection mechanism is connected to the valve for closing the valve in response to contact by the buoy.

Abstract: A bathtub having one panel which slides down, allows entrance for a handicapped person in a wheelchair or on a trolley without having to climb over the side. The bathtub permits a handicapped person to be independent and not rely on others. One fixed vertical side is joined to two end walls extending up from a bottom surface to form a bathtub, a sliding panel, representing the other vertical side of the bathtub in a raised position, is mounted in tracks in the two end walls, the tracks extend down allowing the sliding panel to be lowered to a lowered position to permit entry and exit. The sliding panel can be raised and lowered between the lowered and raised positions, and a seal is provided to seal the panel in the raised position.

Abstract: A portable bed assembly for use on a pick up truck, camper, station wagon or other recreational vehicle includes an elongate framework having a width designed to fit between rear wheel wells on a motor vehicle, and a length which fits snugly within the vehicle when the rear thereof is closed. The portable bed is mounted on rollers which ride on rails mounted on the original deck or bed of the motor vehicle. The framework includes a pair of foldable leg assemblies with one mounted on each end of the portable bed assembly. A locking mechanism maintains the portable bed assembly in mounted position along the rails on the original motor vehicle bed or rear deck. When the locking mechanism is released and the rear of the motor vehicle is opened, or the tailgate is positioned horizontally, the portable bed assembly will roll outwardly of the back of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A bed rail support and mounting mechanism for attachment to a bed frame comprising a folding multi-link framework, a folding diagonal locking linkage and a spring counterbalance whereby a bed rail may be easily lowered or raised and locked in position. A bed including the mechanism is also disclosed.

Abstract: A blanket for covering a child in a car seat fitted with a harness for restraining the child in the seat. The blanket comprises a plurality of apertures through which restraining members of the harness can be passed, thus enabling the harness to be fastened tightly around the child, and the blanket then to be wrapped around the child and the harness.

Abstract: A liner assembly is provided for covering a support surface. The liner assembly includes a film sheet for covering the surface, the film sheet allowing rays to pass therethrough, and a dispenser for storing an unused portion of the film sheet to permit a user to dispense a section of the film sheet onto the surface prior to each use. The liner assembly ensures that the surface is in a clean and sanitary condition prior to each use.

Abstract: A fluid impermeable envelope for covering a patient carrier or backboard to protect it from contact with body fluids. The envelope completely encloses the patient carrier and has apertures therein aligned with the handholds in the patient carrier. A second embodiment of the envelope has continuous upper and lower surfaces with bag-like projections on either side of each handhold in the patient carrier. The upper bag-like extension can be telescoped into the lower bag-like extension to form mittens continuous with the envelope surface for gripping the patient carrier. Resilient safety belt guides are also provided for attachment to opposite sides of a covered patient carrier and for providing guides for safety belts about a person on the covered patient carrier.

Abstract: By providing a utility knife with an elongated slot which is formed in the housing thereof and longitudinally extends in the same plane as the cutting blade, a multipurpose utility knife is achieved which is capable of being cooperatingly employed with any conventional flexible ruler or measuring tape for attaining precise measurements for accurate blade cutting. By employing the present invention, the angled tip or leader of a conventional flexible ruler is securely retained within the elongated slot, thereby enabling accurate, directly measured positioning of the blade for cutting.

Abstract: Bridge comprising a bridge floor, said floor consisting of an upper boom (4) which may form a road section, a lower boom (5) which may be formed by a tubular succession of sections, and diagonal linking girders (6), joining the booms, their axes converging on that of the lower boom. Those elements subjected to high stress are preferably to be provided with individual pretensioning elements. The gussets (15) linking the diagonals with the upper boom carry advantageously the attachment elements of the supporting stay cables (2).

Abstract: Spliced structural members for supporting a traffic deck on a short span bridge. A spliced structural member includes a plurality of metal box-shaped girder segments placed end to end and splice channels nested around the adjacent ends of the girder segments. A spliced joint is formed by connecting the splice channels to the adjacent ends of the girder segments. The spliced joint has at least 75% of the flexural and shear strength of the girder segments and provides continuity for structural strength and rigidity for the spliced structural member.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for deburring the surface of a printed circuit board passing along a moving conveyor. The apparatus comprises a rotating brush head for abrading against the first surface of the printed circuit board. A three phase wattmeter is utilized to sense the power consumption of the motor driving the rotating brush head and generate a signal in response thereto. A control circuit is connected to the three phase wattmeter and regulates the elevation of the brush head in response to the three phase power consumption of the motor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for deburring the surface of a printed circuit board passing along a moving conveyor. The apparatus comprises a rotating brush head for abrading against the first surface of the printed circuit board. A three phase wattmeter is utilized to sense the power consumption of the motor driving the rotating brush head and generate a signal in response thereto. A control circuit is connected to the three phase wattmeter and regulates the elevation of the brush head in response to the three phase power consumption of the motor. A sensor, such as an optical sensor is provided to sense the thickness and/or surface characteristics of circuit boards before they meet the rotating brush head. A sensor output signal is generated and utilized to preadjust the height of the rotating brush head before it meets the surface of each incoming surface of each incoming surface circuit board.

Abstract: The apparatus for vibratory cleaning the surface of an article from foreign matter, comprising at least one exciter (1) of mechanical pulses, including an electromagnetic inductor (2) with a plate (3), a frame (7) and at least one striking surface to be cleaned in an area or areas of the most probable location of the foreign matter, fixedly mounted on the frame (7). Each electromagnetic inductor (2) with the plate (3) closely adjoining this inductor (2) is fixedly mounted on the frame (7).

Abstract: A pad for cleaning and polishing a wide variety of surfaces is disclosed. The pad includes two outer sheets made of filament material, an inner sheet made of elastic material and sandwiched between the two outer sheets, and two mesh sheets, wherein said inner sheet and said outer sheets are sandwiched between said mesh sheets. The filament material is rugged enough to effectively remove contamination that is firmly adhered to the surface to be cleaned, yet it is also fine enough to avoid damage to delicate surfaces and to be suitable for polishing purposes. Also, the elastic material is flexible enough to allow the filament material to be forced through the gaps in the mesh sheets and into contact with the surface to be cleaned and/or polished.

Abstract: An electrical connector contact cleaning device includes an elongated rectangular plastic holder body with a cleaning cavity having a cleaning pad being disposed on one end of the body for receiving and cleaning a row of male electrical connector contact pins, and a cleaning protrusion having a cleaning pad being disposed on the opposite end of the body for inserting into and cleaning a female electrical connector contact receptacle. The body has open slots defined through it between its opposite ends for facilitating gripping of the cleaning device by a user's hand.

Abstract: Tool system (10) advantageously provides tool (12), adapter (14) and extension member (16) successively coupled so that groove (34) mates with rib (44) in the assembled position. Groove (34) and rib (44) are engaged so that tool (12) is axially fixed relative to adapter (14) yet is axially rotatable relative thereto. In preferred embodiments adapter body (36) includes a shoulder (42), and adapter (36) and handle member (20) are correspondingly tapered with increasing radius from top to bottom so that the snapping, engaging action of handle member (20) on adapter head (36) is enhanced when the system (10) is assembled.

Abstract: An automobile wiper device includes a variable-driving unit capable of adjustably changing at least one of the arm pressure and the wiping area of the wiper device.

Abstract: A wiper blade assembly includes a rubber blade, a vertebrae holding the rubber blade, a yoke for supporting the vertebrae and a connector having arms for engaging the vertebrae, the rubber blade and the yoke at a common point for connecting the assembly together. The arms have projecting portions secured in openings in the vertebra with each arm having an outwardly opening groove receiving an engaging portion of the yoke and inwardly directed serrations engaging opposite sides of the blade.

Abstract: A safety interlock circuit for a vacuum cleaner system is disclosed for interrupting the flow of current through conductors of a vacuum hose and handle assembly whenever an electrical attachment accessory is disconnected from the handle assembly during operation of the vacuum. A pulse-type reset circuit is also disclosed for re-enabling current flow through the conductors of the vacuum hose and handle assembly after the electrical attachment accessory has been reattached to the handle assembly. The safety interlock circuit of the preferred embodiment comprises a relay coil, a plurality of normally open relay contacts, and a current sensing resistor, all connected in series with an AC power source and a motor of the electrical attachment accessory. A voltage doubler is also connected in parallel with the current sensing resistor for supplying a DC voltage to the relay coil.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided with a furniture guard that extends around at least a portion of the cleaner. The furniture guard is slotted so as to provide for outward ventilation of cleaner air.

Abstract: A portable hand held vacuum cleaner is disclosed as having a housing with a handle to lift and operate the vacuum cleaner, and a nozzle/debris container releasably locked to the housing. The housing contains a motor driven blower that draws air and debris (wet or dry) into the nozzle/debris container for depositing the debris therein, while allowing air to be exhausted through the blower and then through the housing to atmosphere. The blower is constructed with first and second jointly rotatable elements having a series of circumferentially spaced blower exhause passageways and a transversely extending blower passageway adjacent the nozzle/debris container, for increased efficiency. A combined filter and seal is positioned in sealing engagement between the housing and the nozzle/debris container while affording filtering of debris from air between the nozzle/debris container and the blower in the housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filtering and collecting device of solid and powder refuse for industrial and civil suction apparatus equipped with at least one flexible, removable storage bag (17) and means (4) of drawing in and conveying refuse to the storage bag (17) adapted to form a flow of air and refuse, the device comprising: an air and refuse sorting zone (16a) supplied with the flow of air and refuse, at least one filter (19) communicated with the sorting zone (16a) and adapted to allow for the escape of air from the flow, and the storage bag (17) communicated with the sorting zone (16a) and made of an impervious material of the disposable type, to be thrown away together with refuse collected therein.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner has a nozzle with an opening and a vacuum pump connected to draw dirt laden air into the opening from exteriorly of said vacuum cleaner. A shield is movably mounted to the vacuum cleaner to have a first position at which a first part of the opening is blocked from passing air and a second position at which a second part of the opening is blocked from passing air. The first part of the opening may be downwardly directed and the second part may be forwardly directed. The shield may be pivotally mounted to the nozzle.

Abstract: A three-position hinge, for mounting a leaf portion to a center portion of a folding table so as to be pivotable between upward, horizontal, and downward positions closely spaced to the center portion, includes a first mounting plate secured to one horizontal surface of the center portion, a recess formed adjacent the first mounting plate recessed into the center portion, a first pivot member integral with the first mounting plate having a pivot pin positioned in the recess, a second mounting plate secured to the leaf portion, and a second pivot member integral with the second mounting plate and provided with a pivot sleeve which is coaxially mounted on the pivot pin. The pivot axis of the pivot pin is positioned equidistant from the upper and lower plane surface and the lateral edge of the center portion in order to maintain the close spacing in the three positions.

Abstract: A device for boning pieces of meat, such as shoulders, hams and the like, which device consists substantially of at least one set of first and second matrices (3, 4) with separating means to be carried towards one another for separating the meat from the piece of bone and a replaceable stamp (5, 6) arranged in one of each matrix, of which the elongate, if necessary folding pressure surface coming into contact with the piece of bone displays a relief, wherein in cross section the relief of the pressure surface is raised at least along the edge zones thereof, and the raising increases in those cross sections at the edge portions having a comparatively small radius of curvature, so ensuring that during pressing the piece of bone remains enclosed an even undergoes a pressure force directed lengthwise of the piece of bone.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting breast-attached wings into segments includes a conveyor chain for carrying the wings, attached to whole breasts, along respective gaps between panels on either side of the breasts and over a rotating knife for removing the wing tips, thence over a stationary knife for removing the flat segments, and finally past rotating knives for removing the drumettes from the breasts. Fully automatic and particularly accurate cuts are obtained.

Abstract: A hand-held, power-driven trimming device, especially useful in trimming excess carcass fat, includes a cylindrical housing having a hollow interior, a rotary-driven cutter blade assembly with multiple helical cutting blades mounted for rotation in the housing, and a handle on the housing for holding the trimming device during use. The helical cutter blade assembly is mounted along the axis of the housing through a cantilever mount inside a sealed lubrication chamber in one end of the housing. The blade assembly is preferably driven from a remote power source, such as an electric motor, coupled to a flexible drive shaft passing through the handle. The flexible drive shaft powers a worm or helix gear supported by bearings inside the chamber. The worm or helix gear drives a helix gear supported in the sealed lubrication chamber by bearings on the cantilevered drive shaft for the rotary blade assembly.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method and apparatus for automatically stripping the meat from the bones of a poultry part. The deboner (11) carries a plurality of deboning modules (12) along a processing path. Each deboning module (12) includes a rotary bone holder (38) for supporting the poultry part and a stripper assembly (41) for stripping the meat from the bone. The stripper assembly (41) has stripper blades (62) which engage the meat on the bone and strip the meat from the bone as the stripper assembly (41) moves along the length of the bone. As the blades (62) strip the meat from the bone, the rotary bone holder (38) can be rotated to thus rotate the bone with respect to the meat to assist in the meat removal.

Abstract: This method makes use of a row of tools arranged along a conveyor provided with receptacles for holding poultry bodies. The design of the tools is aimed at obtaining a high quality end product with a high yield. The processing of the poultry bodies advanced by the receptacles and reliably held therein successively takes place by controllable scrapers, which sever the connection between the outer fillets, on the one hand, and the coracoid bones, the ribs and possibly the inner fillets, on the other, by means of controllable paring knives, which detach the outer fillets from the wing joints and the wishbone, by means of a retaining device detaching the outer fillets in one piece in double fillet form and by means of a tool with scrapers, with the aid of which the inner fillets can be scraped from the skeleton, after the skin surrounding the same has been destroyed by means of a tool.

Abstract: A wing removal method and apparatus comprising a conveyor (31) which a poultry carcass (9) is placed for processing the wings (7) extending downwardly below the conveyors. The back of the carcass (9) is placed upon a pair of cradles (32) and engaged by a mandrel (33) in the opening created by the prior removal of the neck of the bird from the carcass.

Abstract: An apparatus for carrying out a method for gutting fish is provided, which comprises in combination a conveyor including a number of segments at given intervals in a direction substantially perpendicular with respect to its moving direction and operating at a given speed in a certain direction, a rotary cutter for cutting off a head of a fish placed and carried on the conveyor while the venter located within the segment leads and the head is projected from one side edge of the conveyor, a retainer for retaining the fish to be beheaded in place, a plate for forcing the dorsal region of the beheaded fish onto the conveyor by the action of a spring, a guide plate fixed at a position where it comes into engagement with a cut end of the beheaded fish forced onto the conveyor by the plate, and a guts squeezer member formed of an elastomer adapted to be forcedly slid over the venter of the fish from the anus toward the cut end, the fish being now in engagement with the fixed guide plate and forced by the plate.

Abstract: In an opening device for opening pressed fibre bales, e.g. cotton and viscose fibre bales and the like, by means of a reduction device, e.g. a milling device, being translationally movable over the surface of a bale or a row of bales, the reduction device having at least one milling roll with pressure rolls (17, 18) being disposed axially parallel on both sides of the reduction device, opener discs (14), provided on the milling rolls (3,4) meshing with a grate (10), the grate bars (11) of which lie between the opener discs (14) that engage the bale surface, and with a metal detector device, it is provided that the grate bars (11) are extended towards the pressure rolls (17, 18) to the immediate vicinity of the pressure rolls (17,18), and that the metal detector device is formed by the grate bars (11) and said pressure rolls (17, 18), the grate bars (11) forming a first contact surface and the pressure rolls (17, 18) forming a second contact surface.

Abstract: A machine for cleaning textile fibres including a casing, a horizontal opening roller rotatably mounted in the casing, the roller being fitted with beater elements and at least one group of grate bars arranged below the underside and approximately parallel to the opening roller. Textile fibres in the form of flocks are fed to the opening roller in a current of delivery air through an inlet located above and at one end of the opening roller. An outlet for removing the delivery air is arranged above and at the other end of the opening roller. A clearance between the grate bars and the opening roller is adjustable. Therewith, the machine can be optimally suited to the type of textile fibre material to be cleaned. The grate bars can also be further adjustable on a axis parallel to their own longitudinal axis, so that the setting angle of the grate bars, with reference to the current of delivery air, can also be adapted to the type of the textile fibre material.

Abstract: An improved fiber opening, mixing, and flow regulating apparatus and method are disclosed. The apparatus includes a textile fiber feeder (F) which opens, mixes, and regulates the flow of fibers from a ball (B) inside the feeder. A primary opening element is provided by a stationary spiked apron feed (I), and a secondary fiber opening element provided by a movable spiked apron (S). A gap (G) is defined between the opposing pins of the primary and secondary opening elements (I,S) which regulates the flow of fibers delivered by the feeder. By moving secondary opening element (S) in either linear or rotational motions, gap (G) may be modulated and the flow of fibers regulated. A controller (E) may be provided to receive a speed signal (54) representing the operational speed of a textile process downstream of fiber feeder (F) and a fiber quantity signal (16) may also be processed by controller (E) as well as various and other signals.

Abstract: A card feed is disclosed in which, in order to prevent machine stoppages from causing the formation of permanent impressions in a fiber web delivered from a feed chute, a displaceable delivery roller is movable on the occasion of a machine stoppage by means of a pressure-operated reciprocating actuator from an operative position, in which the fiber web is being compressed between a pair of delivery rollers, into another position in which the fiber web is no longer compressed to an extent such that a permanent impression would be produced in it during the period of machine stoppage.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus positioned within an automatic change-over system for cans at the exit of a drawing frame, gill box or similar machine. The apparatus prevents the escape of fibre sliver from the full cans, those latter being fitted with a semicircular strip pivoted at two diametrically opposing points below their upper rim. The apparatus has a mechanism for positioning the semicircular strip frontally forwards in the exit direction of the cans and a manipulator provided at its end with a gripper which embraces and grips the semicircular strip to raise it and arrange it above the can for the purpose of compressing the top layer of fibre sliver towards the inside of the can. This action prevents the sliver escaping from the full cans during their transportation to storage zones or during their distribution to the production departments for subsequent processing.