Abstract: A pressure sensing transmitter is provided that has high overpressure protection. The transmitter includes an housing having a first cell, a second cell, a sensing chamber, first and second pressure signal receiving means, and a differential sensor chip for measuring the pressure differential between the first and second pressure signal receiving means. Each cell further includes a cylinder with a clearance of an overpressure diaphragm mounted on the housing, an isolation diaphragm mounted on the other face, and a channel coupling the overpressure and isolation diaphragm and further coupling one cell to the first pressure signal receiving means and the other cell to the second pressure signal receiving means. Each overpressure diaphragm is positioned such that an overpressure protection cavity is formed between it and the housing. The first cell cavity is further coupled to the second pressure signal receiving means and the second cell cavity is further coupled to the first pressure signal receiving means.

Abstract: A device for monitoring the fatigue life of a structural member composed of a predetermined material, and a method of making same. The device is a substantially flat fuse composed of a material similar to the predetermined material and mountable on a structural member during use. The fuse has cut out portions which define fuse elements which also have reduced thicknesses to effect failure at different times in sequence because of fatigue and prior to the failure of the monitored structural member when the fuse and the monitored structural member are subjected to substantially the same stress history.

Abstract: Notching methods and machines are provided by this invention for preparing notches in mechanical testing specimens. The notching machines razor element for creating a notch in the specimen and mechanical actuation elements for substantially linearly contacting the razor element with the specimen in a direction which is either substantially normal to the surface of the specimen receiving the notch or substantially normal to a stress created in the specimen during testing. This actuation forms a notch without any significant residual stresses forming ahead of the notch.

Abstract: A device and a method using such a device to monitor torque or force applied in automatic capping machinery, comprising a dummy body, a neck part on the dummy body and torque or force indicator means. The dummy body is shaped to perform as a container body in such capping machinery. The neck part has the form of the neck of a container which is capped by such machinery. The torque or force indicator means are connected to the neck part of the device and are incorporated in the device so as to provide an indication of a torque or force applied to the neck part.

Abstract: A tube magazine for a sampling system has a plurality of sampler tube receiving spaces for receiving sampler tubes. The sampler tubes can be separated from the system as a unit, and transported to another location for analysis. A first part of the system includes a plurality of introducing devices disposed for introducing gaseous fluid into corresponding ones of the sampler tubes; and a second part which forms with the sampler tubes a replaceable magazine which is readily removable from the first part, whereby the corresponding introducing devices and receiving spaces are simultaneously brought into fluid communication when the first and second parts are connected together.

Abstract: A sample collecting apparatus includes a housing, sample container, and handle. The housing is open at front and rear opposite ends and has a semi-cylindrical portion defining a bottom discharge opening located between its opposite ends. The container is mounted within the housing for sliding movement along and rotational movement about a common longitudinal axis of the housing and container. The container has a semi-cylindrical middle portion defined between front and rear cylindrical end portions. The container has a pair of spaced circular walls disposed at opposite ends of the semi-cylindrical middle portion defining a semi-cylindrical sample holding cavity. The handle is connected to the front end portion of the container and extends axially forwardly therefrom through the interior of the housing and from the open front end thereof. The handle is gripped to slidably move the container along and rotate the container about the common longitudinal.

Abstract: An assembly including a tray-like member having a multiplicity of parallel adjacent elongate troughs. Each of the troughs has a major portion adjacent a first edge, and a minor portion adjacent a second edge; and the assembly includes a transparent polymeric sheet sealed over the minor portions of the troughs to define receptacles for liquid. After the major portions of the troughs are positioned beneath the spray zone at a specific distance from the nozzles with the troughs extending transverse of the elongate spray zone and after liquid is sprayed through the spray nozzles upon its upper surface, the assembly can be tipped so that the liquid collected in the troughs will run into the receptacles and the comparative resultant levels of liquid the receptacles will provide a visual indication of the uniformity of the amount of liquid being delivered by the nozzles along the spray zone at the specific distance.

Abstract: A gas-driven turbine starter (10) is provided with a slip clutch comprised of a radially inner portion (58,70) which is rotatable relative to the starter housing (14); and a radially outer portion (54,68) which is connected to the housing so as to be rotationally stationary relative thereto. This arrangement functionally separates the slip clutch from the power train, and provides for reduced wear of clutch discs.

Abstract: A linear drive system with an associated cover system wherein said linear drive system comprises a load, a lead screw, a lead nut operatively engaged to said lead screw such that said lead nut can travel along said lead screw by virtue of rotation of the lead nut, a load engaging structure means connecting the lead nut to the load such that as the lead nut travels along the lead screw, the load is moved, and motor means operatively engaged with the lead nut such that said motor means operates to rotate the lead nut, thereby moving the load.A cover system an opening formed by two surfaces. Said cover system has a bridge structure, which can be a roller assembly, which is supported by structural means over and across the width of the opening. A band is positioned to cover the opening and is also mounted over the bridge structure. As the bridge structure is moved along the opening, the band is lifted from the opening, thereby allowing access to the opening by a device.

Abstract: A reversible drive system is provided that is particularly adaptable to low-power drives in which precision mechanical control must be obtained with the lowest possible cost and the highest reliability. The drive is described as incorporated in a lead screw drive in which a control nut reciprocates between two fixed positions. At the end of the movement in one direction, the control nut strikes a fixed abutment that stops the motion thereby increasing the load on the drive motor and causing an increase in the current drawn by the motor. This increase in current is utilized to disconnect the power source from the motor. In such systems, in particular where there is a large reduction in the speed between the motor and the driven object, as with the use of a lead screw drive arrangement, it is desirable to store energy at the end of each stroke that is available to decrease the starting torque required to reverse the direction of motion.

Abstract: A rapid locking device including: a handle formed with a curved portion at one end, two lugs at another end, a first hole between said two lugs, and an opening below the hole; a fixing member with a threaded hole and a second hole; a center rod threadedly engaged with the threaded hole of said fixing member; an axle extending through the lugs of said handle and said fixing member; a spring-loaded pin inserted into the first hole of said handle; and a button disposed within the opening of said handle and connected with a lower end of said spring-loaded pin, whereby the handle may be firmly and quickly kept in a fixed position.

Abstract: A steering bearing assembly includes a head tube, a steerer tube that has a first end which is connected to a front fork of a bicycle and which extends through the head tube, and a bearing assembly disposed between the head tube and the steerer tube. A truncated cone-shaped inserter is disposed in a second end of the steerer tube and has an axially extending threaded bore formed therethrough. A C-shaped resilient member with an inner tapered wall is press-fitted into the steerer tube above the inserter. A threaded bolt is disposed on the second end of the steerer tube and is threaded into the inserter. When the threaded bolt is tightened, the resilient member expands radially to abut frictionally against the steerer tube and to compress downward simultaneously a stem that is disposed on the head tube around the steerer tube.

Abstract: A handlebar attachment that can be clamped onto the existing handlebar of a bicycle or the like. The handlebar attachment permits the rider of the bicycle to assume an improved aerodynamic position while riding and places the rider in a position for permitting increased lung air intake. The attachment includes hand area elements, sliding elements and joint element for joining the hand area elements and the sliding elements. The assembly is attachable to existing handlebars with adjustable clamps.

Abstract: A handle assembly is to be mounted detachably on one end of a bicycle handlebar and includes a resilient sleeve member that is sleeved on the bicycle handlebar, an integrally formed handle unit that is made of a composite plastic material, and a bolt unit. The integrally formed handle unit has a clamping portion and a handle portion that extends upwardly from the clamping portion. The handle portion has a generally vertical section that extends from the clamping portion, and a generally horizontal section that extends from a distal end of the vertical section. The vertical section of the handle portion is formed with at least one longitudinally extending reinforcing strip that is connected to the clamping portion. The clamping portion has a generally C-shaped section that confines a through-hole and that is sleeved on the first resilient sleeve member.

Abstract: An foot pedal switch assembly including a panel for mounting a foot pedal and a switching mechanism, wherein the panel includes a debris fence surrounding the switching mechanism and the pedal has a cap structure molded in the bottom to telescopically engage around the debris fence forming a substantially continuous barrier to the entry of dust and debris into the switching mechanism.

Abstract: A ratchet block comprised of a frame, moveable sheave assembly, ratchet assembly and cam wherein the ratchet automatically engages under load permitting rotation of the sheave in only one direction, and disengages when the load is removed permitting rotation in both directions. This automatic engagement and disengagement of the ratchet to increase or reduce friction when a rope or wire is run through the sheave does not require the user to disengage the ratchet mechanism with a conventional switch.

Abstract: In a method for downshifting of an automatic transmission of a vehicle according to an increase of throttle opening, a delay time between a judgement of a requirement of downshifting of the transmission and the execution of the downshifting is determined to base upon change rate of the throttle opening, and when the delay time was counted up, a requirement of downshifting of the transmission is again judged before the execution of any downshifting.

Abstract: A control apparatus for controlling a stepless transmission which changes the effective diameter between a primary pulley and a secondary pulley by cyclically controlling a change rate toward a target value to be set in advance based upon the characteristic set in advance. The apparatus detects the throttle opening degree TVO, a RANGE signal, the revolutional frequency of the secondary pulley Ns and the like, and detects whether the vehicle is in a transitional status of an acceleration operation or a deceleration operation. At a point in time during the transitional period, the apparatus sets a first target value based upon the signals such as the TVO signal, the RANGE signal and the Ns signal, and sets a second target value based upon the difference between the first target value set in the current control cycle and the second target value set in the previous control cycle, at the same time, sets a change in the second target value to be smaller than that in the first target value.

Abstract: A particular shift control system is provided for an automatic transmission having a primary transmission, changeable to at least three primary gear ratios, and a secondary transmission, changeable to at least two secondary gear ratios. The primary and secondary transmissions combine to shift the automatic transmission to a plurality of forward speeds. The control system monitors the progression of change in the primary transmission gear ratio. In a specific automotive drive condition, the primary transmission changes from one primary gear ratio to another primary gear ratio via an intermediate primary gear ratio between the two primary gear ratios. This produces an increase or decrease in a primary gear ratio. At the same time, the secondary transmission decreases or increases, respectively, a secondary gear ratio so as to shift the automatic transmission from one forward speed to another, skipping an intermediate speed between the two forward speeds.

Abstract: A method of assemblying a hammer from a handle, a wedge unit and a hammer head unit. The handle has a top end having a neck portion that has a pair of vertical slots that intersect each other at substantially 90 degrees to each other. The wedge unit is formed from an x-axis wedge and a z-axis wedge section that are oriented to each other at substantially 90 degrees. The hammer head unit has a hammer portion a central portion and a claw portion. The central portion has a bore hole that extends from its top surface to its bottom surface. An arbor press is used to press the wedge section into the grooves on the top end of the handle.

Abstract: An automated wire stripper has a forward wire-gripping assembly, a rearward insulation-pulling assembly, and a rotatable knife hub assembly positioned intermediate of the forward and rearward assemblies. The knife hub assembly includes a pair of thermal knife elements which are spring-biased to normally close upon the end of a wire. Pneumatic actuators open the knife elements against the bias of the springs. The rearward assembly is operable to clamp and pull a section of outer jacket or insulation covering from the wire after the knife hub has cut around the its circumference of the jacket.

Abstract: There is presented a device for operating a valve handle in an underground location spaced from a ground surface, the device having brace means for preventing rotation of a housing portion thereof during operation of a turning portion thereof. The brace means includes two body portions, each substantially flat on an upper surface thereof and adapted to receive a foot of an operator so as to bring the weight of the operator to bear on the brace means which engage the ground surface.

Abstract: A folding tool set includes a handle formed of two opposite oblong cover plates connected by a first screw bolt and a second screw bolt, a set of left-handed tools respectively pivoted about the first screw bolt between the cover plates, a set of right-handed tools respectively pivoted about the second screw bolt between the cover plates, a plurality of oblong spanners made to slide between the cover plates at different elevations and set to cover the sets of left-handed and right-handed tools within the handle, and at least one hexagonal tool bit respectively received within the handle between the set of left-handed tools and the set of right-handed tools.

Abstract: A bicycle pedal crank dismantling device includes a locating member which comprises an inner thread through the length, an outer thread on one end for threading into the axle mounting hole of the crank to be dismantled, and a hexagon head on an opposite end; a driving rod which comprises a screw rod on one end threaded into the inner thread of the locating member for permitting the locating member to be turned upwards along the screw rod to carry the crank away from the bottom bracket axle, a hexagonal rod on an opposite end for turning socket head crank lock screws, and a hexagonal collar in the middle for turning with a spanner; and a socket retained to the hexagon rod of the driving rod by a clamp for turning hexagon head crank lock screws.

Abstract: An initial curvature is cut into a lens blank in a lens making machine, such as a lathe, and the curvature is subsequently finished by a finishing tool. The finishing tool has curve characteristics which correspond to those of a prescription within a prescribed tolerance. The curvature of the finishing tool is measured on a digital gauge, and those measurements are fed to a digital controller which actuates the lathe. As a result, an initial curvature is cut into the lens blank having characteristics which correspond to those of the finishing tool. The finishing operation can thus be performed more quickly, since less material needs to be removed from the initial curvature during the finishing operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for holding and positioning objects for a single diamond point turning operation. The objects which may include liquid phase epitaxy films are mounted on multiple platforms (10, 46). The platforms (10, 46) are securely connected to a base (20). The platforms (10, 46) are positioned, independently from one another, for elevation and orientation relative to the base (20) while the platforms (10, 46) are securely connected to the base (20).

Abstract: A bar feeder for a machine tool, comprising a first guide and first pushing member for feeding bars in alignment with a spindle of the machine. A second bar guide and a second pushing member are laterally arranged to the first pushing member. A drive slidably moves the pushing members in a feeding direction of the bars. The first pushing member and second pushing member conjointly with the second bar guide are reciprocally alignable with the first guide. A programmable control unit (PLC) sequentially actuates the pushing members in an aligned condition with the first guide to forward a bar and insert it in a spindle maintaining an inoperative condition of the machine, and to forward by steps the bar along the spindle at each working cycle of the machine.

Abstract: A guide bush is described, having a bush-holder and a quill integral with the bush support. The device has a clamp capable of rotating a workpiece, means for opening and closing the clamp and regulating means adapted to monitor the opening and closing means in order to compensate for changes in the dimensional tolerances of the workpiece, wherein the bush regulating means are adapted to operate the opening and closing means of the clamping means very quickly as a direct result of variations in the dimensional tolerances of the workpiece in order to provide a substantially constant pressure of the clamp on the workpiece. The bush is for use with a machine tool such as a travelling headstock automatic lathe.

Abstract: The invention relates to a guide-bar tube for an automatic lather. The guide-bar tube includes a centering traveler comprising balls distributed in two parallel planes in a manner which allows the centering traveler to be locked either to the guide-bar tube or to the rod of a feed piston. This arrangement allows the displacement of the feed piston both for advancing the bar stock towards the lather and for retraction of the piston towards the rear of the device by vacuum. The presence of the traveller, which is normally mounted on the rod of the feed piston, eliminates buckling and floating of the bar stock and of the feeder rod in the guide-bar tube. This structure results in a considerable increase in the number of turns of the bar and a great reduction of noise.

Abstract: A safety latch device for a paper cutter movably attached to the cutting arm of the paper cutter. The safety latch has a base catch, an arm catch and a trigger. The base catch engages with an extended portion of the base of the paper cutter to prevent a user from raising the cutting arm. The arm catch engages with a top surface of the cutting arm to prevent the safety latch from interfering with the cutting arm during operation. The trigger allows the user to disengage the base catch from the extended portion of the base so the cutting arm can be lifted.

Abstract: As a cutter having first and second cutter blades is driven toward a molded ceiling consisting of a base material and a surface material which is attached to the base material in a stretched state, the surface material is first cut by the first cutter blade which is adapted to cut the molded ceiling at a position outside of a predetermined trimming or cutting position such that the trimmed or cut end of the surface material is inclined to have a flat triangular sectional shape. Then, the inclined end of the surface material is cut off together with an excess portion of the base material by means of the second cutter blade which is adapted to cut the molded ceiling at the predetermined trimming or cutting position.

Abstract: In blanking a metal foil on a press comprising a pair of dies, a pair of punches, and a pair of piezoelectric actuators for driving the punches with are all arranged above and below the metal foil, the punches are vertically vibrated by the piezoelectric actuators, so that, while the punches being held abutted against both surfaces of the metal foil clamped between the dies, a half blanking operation and a reverse blanking operation are carried out alternately, whereby the metal foil is cut along the shearing surface through low cyclic fatigue without formation of burrs.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for improved slicing of large food sticks, loafs and the like are provided. A slicing blade having a flat top surface or top flat land width along its cutting edge provides generally longitudinal forces on the food product being sliced, which forces are in a direction generally opposite to the direction through which the food products are fed through a slicing apparatus. The slicing apparatus includes an orifice assembly or other arrangement for imparting generally laterally directed forces on the food products being sliced. The invention is particularly important in improving handling of the butt ends of those products. Fast feed rates can be practiced without experiencing jamming, yields are increased, slicing line utilization is enhanced, and sanitary conditions are more easily maintained.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying a fleece band (1) to an endlessly circulating support web (2) in contiguous coils comprises a fleece band feed device (3) movable transversely relative to the support web (2) and an edging device (10) for the fleece band run supplied to the support web (2). To ensure a uniform fleece band feed in the edge zone of the support web (2), the edging device (10) comprises at least one edging cutter (15) which moves in the vicinity of the fleece band coil adjoining the support web edge at a relative speed in relation to the feed device (3) which corresponds to the relative cross-feed of the feed device (3) compared to the support web (2), but is opposite to this cross-feed.

Abstract: To permit miter cuts clear through a workpiece, or for selected depths, a saw band carrier (6) supports a pair of saw band wheels (7, 8) above and below a workpiece support (2), and the saw band wheel carrier (6) is pivotable about a substantially vertical axis of rotation (29). The axis of rotation (29) is preferably located at the initial cutting engagement point of an endless saw band (9) looped about the saw band wheels (7, 8), and the pivoting position can be arrested at any desired pivoted or angular position. In addition, the saw band carrier can be arranged to tilt about an essentially horizontal tilt axis.

Abstract: A roll slicing machine includes an endless conveyor belt moving in a first horizontal direction and having rolls thereon, a pressure applying arrangement spaced above the conveyor which can engage the tops of the rolls, and a roll slicing knife provided vertically between the conveyor and the pressure applying arrangement. The pressure applying arrangement includes an endless belt movably supported by two spaced rollers, and a pair of rollers rotatable about horizontal axes are movably supported above the lower reach of the belt and biased downwardly into engagement with the lower reach of the belt. The rollers engage the belt at locations which are approximately aligned with each other in the direction of movement of the belt portion and are approximately adjacent each other in a direction transverse to the belt portion.

Abstract: The sound board assembly is made up of a sound board, a plurality of ribs attached to one face of the sound board, two bridges attached to the other face of the sound board, a sound board liner and two cut-off bars. One cut-off bar is attached to the sound board and at each of its ends to the liner. The other is attached to the sound board and at one of its ends to the liner. The end attached to the liner is attached near an end of the rib near the end of the treble bridge which supports the highest treble string. The acoustically free end is positioned near the end of the bass bridge which supports the highest bass string.

Abstract: An attachable accessory for a hand-held, stringed musical instrument, such as a guitar, the invention comprises a hammer arm with a hammer head at one end which pivots at the opposite end. Actuating rods, which are struck by the fingers, press the hammer arm downward causing the hammer head to strike the strings of the instrument. The apparatus is clamped to the bridge pins of the guitar or are otherwise removably attachable to the instrument. The instrument is playable in the conventional manner with the apparatus attached. A bias means returns the hammer arm to its initial position after displacement by the actuating rod.

Abstract: A set of hand-held plastic laminated disks which provide for visually displaying selected combinations of musical information such as musical notes of scales and chords. The display is composed of two disks. The top disk functions as a template and is fastened to the lower disk at the center by a metal eyelet. The lower disk displays the twelve notes of the chromatic scale on several concentric circles. Apertures on the top disk display subsets of the chromatic scale as diatonic scales or chords. By rotating the bottom disk relative to the top disk, the notes of all twelve diatonic scales and their associated chords are displayed.

Abstract: A chain wrench for engagement around a circumference of a threaded workpiece such as a pipe and the like and disposed at a right angle to the length of the workpiece. The chain wrench may be used for tightening the threaded workpiece on a threaded coupler or used for loosening the threaded workpiece on the threaded coupler. The chain wrench includes a chain wrench body with the front of wrench body having a plurality of teeth for releasably engaging and gripping of the workpiece. A first end of a chain is adapted for tightening on wrench body. A second end of the chain is releasably mounted on the wrench body so that a length of the chain can be adjusted when received around different sizes of the workpiece. The wrench body further includes a first attachment block extending upwardly from the top of the wrench body. The first attachment block is adapted for receiving one end of a handle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for reducing the recoil and muzzle climb from the discharge of a firearm. A hollow cylinder member having a front end with a restricted opening forming a gas chamber is attached to the muzzle end of a firearm and serves to rearwardly divert the highly pressurized gas produced from the combustion of gunpowder. The cylinder member is provided with rearwardly angled holes along both its top and bottom surface which act as jets to create a forward propulsive force from the expelled gas. This forward force counteracts and reduces the backward force of the firearm's recoil. By providing a greater ratio of top holes to bottom holes, thereby effecting a downward force greater than the upward force, muzzle climb can also be effectively reduced. The apparatus can be constructed for quick attachment to the muzzle of the firearm.

Abstract: A semi-automatic piston construction of blow-back type configuration to effect directing of projectiles from within includes construction of the pistol to employ application of the breech bolt within the upper receiver, with a return spring arrangement mounted to the breech bolt in an axially spaced and parallel relationship relative to the firing pin. The upper receiver includes a generally U-shaped trough projecting from the receiver into the handle portion of the lower receiver to accommodate the main spring and magazine holder structure.

Abstract: To preclude a rolling diaphragm forming together with a metallic diaphragm plate the movable wall of a vacuum brake force booster from being detached from a groove accommodating the radially inward area of the rolling diaphragm, it is provided, in the practice of the invention, that the contour of a supporting face for the diaphragm plate formed on the control valve housing and the contour of the radially inward area (sealing bead of the rolling diaphragm correspond to the curved shaped of the radially inward area (curvature) of the diaphragm plate, and that both the contour of the supporting face and the one of the radially inward area (sealing bead) of the rolling diaphragm correspond to the curved shape of the radially inward area (curvature) of the diaphragm plate, and that the groove with the axial dimension thereof extends into the bearing area of the diaphragm plate of the support face.

Abstract: A moving speed regulator for a hydraulically driven work implement capable of automatically controlling the lifting speed of a boom, and regulating the maximum lifting speed thereof in particular during earth and sand scooping operation, and also having for its object to enable the lifting speed of the boom when the boom is lifted to a position near its highest position. This regulator comprises a pilot circuit (10) having a pilot pump (P); a hydraulic circuit for driving a work implement, which includes a work implement operating valve (g) adapted to be actuated by a pilot fluid pressure from a hydraulic pilot valve (i.sub.

Abstract: A dust guard is provided for a brake actuating mechanism comprising a housing having first and second end walls, an elastomeric diaphragm suspended within the housing, a brake actuating rod disposed within the housing for reciprocating movement relative to the housing and having a first end and a second end, the second end being directed towards the second end wall of the housing, and a spring disposed within the second chamber between the second end wall and the diaphragm. The dust guard comprises a resilient tubular barrier, attached at one to the second end wall, and extending inwardly axially to engage the actuating rod, or structure connected to the actuating rod, to isolate the second end of the actuating rod from the interior of the housing.

Abstract: A lubricant sealed bearing, which is provided between a piston pin and a small end part of a connecting rod, comprises at least one rolling element and at least one grease standing ring. The grease standing ring is adjacent to an end portion in an axial direction of the small end part. A capacity of a grease pool defined by grease standing ring and an end side in the axial direction of the outer ring, is 40-60% of a theoretical amount of the grease extruded by the rolling element, the movement of the rolling element being caused by the movement of the piston from a top dead point to a bottom dead point and vice versa.

Abstract: A cooking utensil includes a container having a peripheral wall at its upper end outwardly circumscribing its open top and defining therewith an annular reservoir for receiving a quantity of water. A lid overlies the container open top and includes a depending skirt dimensioned to become partially immersed in the reservoir water and to divide the upper part of the reservoir into an inner section, and an outer section communicating with the inner section via the bottoms of the two sections The open top of the container is formed with a triangular slot permitting a small quantity of liquid to be automatically drawn from the reservoir into the interior of the container upon cooling of the container.

Abstract: A pancake maker in which several batter-filled containers are simultaneously placed within a heating device to make pancakes. All the resulting pancakes are uniformly shaped and cooked and can be quickly produced. This invention is applicable to the individual as well as the restaurant industry and greatly enhances the look, consistency, and quality of pancakes made.

Abstract: A food processing utensil for straining the liquid from food packed in a liquid and for storage of the food product once the liquid is drained therefrom and the method for using the utensil are disclosed. The plastic utensil includes a cylindrical container open at the top and bottom; a set of lids comprising a top lid and a bottom lid which can be press fit onto the container to seal the container; a strainer releasably engageable with either the top or bottom opening of the container wherein the strainer has an end wall further having perforations for the passage of liquid, and a sleeve for releasably engaging an open can, such as a can of tuna fish, for collecting the drained liquid; and, a plunger slidably receivable into the container for contacting the food in the container. A lid is snapped onto an open end of the container and a food product with associated liquid is introduced therein.

Abstract: A citrus fruit squeezing machine has a section for accumulating and feeding the fruit, a section for squeezing the fruit and respective sections for conveying and collecting the juice and the peels of the squeezed fruit. The section for squeezing the fruit includes two plates disposed laterally as well as symmetrically to a cutting blade. The plates are supported in such a way as to be convergent and inclined downwards and towards the cutting blade. The cutting blade is fitted on a support plate having its lower part pivoted on the framework of the machine. The support plate is also connected with a toggle compound lever which can be manually driven or driven by a motor. The toggle compound lever moves the support plate towards the plates which are both straddled by the cutting blade when they are in the starting position. At first, the cutting blade moves toward the piece of fruit and cuts a fairly good part of it.