Abstract: A door closer has a cam and follower mechanism for transmitting movement between a spring and an operating member which is connected with a door. Guide elements for the cam follower can be adjusted relative to a housing to adjust the orientation relative to the housing to which the operating member is urged by the spring.

Abstract: A handgrip for attaching to a link chain to shield a user's hand from injury caused by pinching a flesh, comprised of an elongated sleeve having diametrically opposed recesses therein. The recesses being open at their bottoms for the passing of a threaded fastener therethrough and through a link in the chain passing through the sleeve. A nut received in an associated recess and threaded to the threaded fastener.

Abstract: A handle for turning on and off a faucet has a push button release for removal of the handle from a stem of the faucet structure. Pressing down upon the push button causes a latch attached to the handle to disengage from a slot in the stem allowing removal of the handle. Following removal of the handle, the faucet structure and/or the handle can be repaired and/or cleaned if necessary. The original handle or a new replacement handle can then be quickly and easily put back into place by reengaging the latch on the handle with the slot in the stem.

Abstract: A gear hinge having a thrust bearing which is less likely to wear. The hinge may include, in various combinations, gears having relatively small, rounded teeth, hinge members having anodized surfaces, bearings which may be produced by a gas assisted injection molding process and bearings which are relatively hard.

Abstract: Panels (10, 12, 16, 20) are joined on several hinge axes (14-22, 18-24), and may fold around either axis. A spherical ball (26) fits within a ball receiving socket (28) in the corner of each panel. Sealing against leakage, from one side of the panels to the other, is accomplished at this multiple axis point.

Abstract: A butt hinge pin lock is provided for securing standard butt hinges against tampering, by removal of the hinge pins. The device described herein is attached to the door, in a manner, and location, that interferes with the removal of the hinge pins by unauthorized persons. It consists of a locking member, which is mounted on the door, using two or more tamper resistant bolts, and employs hardware on the inside of the door, that allows the device to be easily removed from the inside of the room, when necessary. No modifications to the hinges are required, and modifications to the door consist only in the drilling of access holes for the mounting hardware of the invention.

Abstract: Process for the reduction of fiber bales. The fiber bales are set up in several long parallel rows and are reduced by a reducing element travelling along the rows of bales. The reducing element reduces the material in closely adjoining, overlapping paths. The individual offset width may be less than the bale length and several paths can be reduced at the same height level.

Abstract: A device is provided for feeding fiber material into a textile machine, comprising a horizontal transport channel (10), a feeding chute (2) branching vertically downward from the transport channel (10), an air-collecting chamber (3) separated by an air-permeable intermediate wall (9) from the feeding chute (2) connected with the transport channel (10), the air collecting chamber (3) being provided with a closable blow-off opening for discharging the flow of transport air, and a fiber transport device (18) at the lower end of the feeding chute (2), wherein at least one blow-off opening (6) is arranged at the lower end of the air-collecting chamber, alternately suddenly blowing off or shutting off the flow of transport air (7).

Abstract: In order to open the start of a wadding from a wadding lap, a current of air is produced by a nozzle in the unrolling direction of the wadding lap substantially tangential of the wadding lap and with a spacing to the periphery of the wadding lap. The current of air is generated across the width of the wadding lap. In addition, a guide plate extends from the nozzle to guide the start of the wadding to a joining apparatus. The nozzle and guide plate are pivotally mounted about an axis of a lap roller to facilitate guidance of the opened start of wadding to the joining apparatus.

Abstract: A neckwear anchoring device (10) for retaining neckties (23) and the like in their intended position along the front portion of the wearer's garment (12). The anchoring device is received by the tie loop (22) and attaches to the button threads of selected buttons (24 and 26) on the shirt or blouse of the wearer. The device (10) engages the button threads by sliding behind the button without the need for inserting the button through a buttonhole. The device (10) is easily installed and removed by the wearer.

Abstract: A cord stopper releasably fastens a cord thereto. The cord stopper has a front body and a housing attached to a rear side of the front body. The housing has a through hole and a seat formed around the through hole. An annular spring rests on the seat. The annular spring is slightly less in diameter than the through hole so that the inner peripheral part of the annular spring appears beyond the periphery of the through hole. The cord is joined to the annular spring so that the cord is retained against the front body.

Abstract: A clamp includes a U-shaped member having a pair of legs, with each leg having a cavity in the side of the leg facing the other leg; and a clutch for receiving and restraining the legs of the U-shaped member. Pads are attached to the insides of the legs for clamping an article between the legs to deter the theft of such article. The clutch includes a housing defining a pair of longitudinal channels for respectively receiving the legs of the U-shaped member and a chamber between the channels, with the chamber being open to the channels; two bails disposed for movement within the chamber; a highly magnetically attractive plunger disposed within and at one end of the chamber; and a spring for biasing the plunger to move into such contact with the balls as to force the balls against respective inclined surfaces disposed at the other end of the chamber for respectively guiding the balls toward different channels.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for creation of moire fabric. This can be achieved by placing a first piece of fabric against a support member and directing at least one stream of fluid at the surface of said first piece of fabric to provide lateral yarn displacement. Then delivering said stream at a peak dynamic pressure in excess of about 300 p.s.i.g. and less than 4,000 p.s.i.g. and selectively interrupting and re-establishing contact between said stream and said surface in accordance with pattern information in order to pattern said first piece of fabric. This is followed by combining said patterned first piece of fabric with an unpatterned second piece of fabric in overlapping relationship and applying pressure by means of calender rolls having smooth surfaces to said combination of said first piece of patterned fabric and said second piece of unpatterned fabric.

Abstract: During assembly of one or more stacks of piezoelectric drive elements along the major axis of the elliptical shell (30) of flextensional transducer the conventional technique is to apply pressure along the minor axis of the shell (30), insert the stacks together with pre-tensioning wedges, and then release the minor axis pressure. The invention provides a method for assembly flextensional transducers by applying pressure uniformly over the entire outer surface of the elliptical shell (30) so as to extend the major axis of the shell (30); inserting and locating the stack(s) within the shell; and removing the pressure. The shell (30) inserted within the enclosure (34) such that access to its interior is available for insertion of the piezoelectric stacks and sliding movement of the shell (30) relative to the enclosure (34) is possible.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of building a machine system having a plurality of cutting machines involves a taking of the final print tolerance and budgeting and using the tolerances for fixtures and machines in a manner to determine stiffness requirements and tolerances for such as tool cut depth, tracking of feed slide and perpendicularity of the spindle face. To gauge very fine tolerances, special reference datum surfaces are provided on the fixtures and machines to provide a "granite" plane from which very precise measurements may be made to set up initially the machine with the assigned tolerances. Indicators can be mounted on the spindle to sweep the targets on the fixture to level the spindle face to very fine tolerances. An indicator traveling with cutting head along a feed slide may sweep targets on the fixture and a tracking means may be adjusted to a precise tracking tolerance.

Abstract: A rivet setting tool for use with double headed blind rivets comprises a collet assembly adapted to engage a pulling head of the rivet, and abutment members movable between an open position, in which the pulling head of the mandrel of the rivet may be passed through the abutment assembly to be engaged by the collet assembly, and a closed position in which the abutment members provide an abutment to engage the rivet head. The abutment members are mounted for generally axial movement and when a double headed blind rivet is presented axially to the tool, the head of the rivet engages the abutment members, and on the rivet being pushed into the tool so that the pulling head is engaged by the collet assembly, the abutment members are moved axially and are caused to close firmly about the mandrel.

Abstract: Using a relatively simple four piece conversion kit consisting of a replacement control bracket, and vertically enlarged top housing portion, drive bay and expansion card cage replacement structures, a relatively small frame personal desktop computer is converted to a larger frame computer having upgraded expansion card and drive installation capacities. The upgrading process is effected simply by removing the existing top housing portion, drive bay, expansion card cage and control panel bracket, installing the replacement drive bay, expansion card cage and control panel bracket on the existing bottom side portion of the computer, and then operatively connecting the vertically enlarged top housing portion to the existing housing base wall. Other than the four components of the conversion kit, all of the components in the original computer are reused in the resulting upgraded computer.

Abstract: First and second aligning portions each having a plurality of parallel downwardly sloped grooves, are inclinedly arranged to communicate with a chip box containing a plurality of chip parts at random. The chip box and the first aligning portion are supplied with vibration, to serially align the chip parts in the grooves of the first aligning portion. The chip parts are then received in the grooves of the second aligning portion. The first of the chip parts thus received in the second aligning portion are received in a plurality of receiving cavities provided in a separable portion respectively, so that the chip parts received in the receiving cavities are simultaneously discharged by a suction chuck.

Abstract: The multilayer printed wiring board of this invention consists of a base substrate, a plurality of multilayer interconnections formed by lamination of metal wiring layer and insulation layer on the base substrate and ceramic substrates provided with through holes for electrical connection of the multilayer interconnections and inserted between two multilayer interconnections. The manufacturing method comprises lamination of metal wiring layers and insulation layers on both sides of ceramic substrates to form multilayer interconnections, forming of a multilayer interconnection on the base substrate by laminating a wiring layer and an insulation layer, and integration of the ceramic substrates with metal wiring layers and the base substrate placed together under heated and pressurized conditions.

Abstract: A wire-bonded substrate assembly is made up of a substrate having a first surface and a second surface which is opposite to the first surface, and a plurality of elements mounted on the first and second surfaces of the substrate. The elements at least include resin encapsulated integrated circuit chips which are wire-bonded and encapsulated by a synthetic resin. A first one of the resin encapsulated integrated circuit chips is mounted at a first region on the first surface of the substrate, while a second one of the resin encapsulated integrated circuit chips is mounted at a second region on the second surface of the substrate. The second region is other than a region on the second surface opposite to the first region on the first surface.

Abstract: A continuous molded electronic component assembly process in which a continuous line of components are supplied on reels for assembly and insertion. The supply reels of electronic components are made by an injection molding process, reeled and supplied to assembly and insertion machines. The assembly and insertion machines provide the means for removing, assembling and inserting the electronic components. Examples of the process, but not limited to, are shunts, wire end terminals and pilot posts.

Abstract: A method of repairing utility a pole having a section damaged by an accident or decay includes the steps of severing the utility pole above the location of the damage; removing the section of the utility pole including the damaged portion, and replacing the lower section of the utility pole with a steel stanchion having a platform thereon with a split socket disposed above the platform. The upper section of the utility pole is then laterally slid onto the platform through a window provided by opening the split socket upon removing one of two shells forming the split socket. The split socket is then closed by bolting one shell to the other. A space between the outer surface of the upper section of the utility pole and the inner surface of the split socket is then filled with urethane foam. The stanchion is made of a steel which forms a protective iron oxide coating, which coating is brown in color so as to match the brown color of the utility pole.

Abstract: A nozzle extraction tool for removing a worn nozzle insert from a steelmaking vessel. The nozzle extraction tool including a support frame, a gripper assembly, and a drive piston for applying a force to the gripper assembly. The gripper assembly includes pivotal gripper arms and a rod assembly for pivoting and rotating the gripper assembly 360.degree. about the longitudinal axis of the worn nozzle insert. The rod assembly enables the gripper arms to be securely seated against the uneven surfaces of the worn discharge bore extending through the nozzle insert.

Abstract: A method for constructing a seat for a wooden deck. Right triangular metal braces are attached between the deck floor and respective risers. At the deck floor, the braces are attached to anchor brackets which are secured to a cross stringer beneath the deck floor boards. The risers are attached to the perimeter of the deck via side brackets. The braces attach directly to their respective risers. Planks are then attached to the top sides of the braces and across the risers to form the seat portion and back portion, respectively, of the deck seat.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing rings, cylinders, hemispheres and spheres having a elatively strong central working field. The manufacture of complex magnetic structures is greatly simplified by a method of cutting wedge shaped portions radially into sections, rotating the bonded sections about a radial axis prior to magnetization, magnetizing the sections in a uniform magnetic field, rotating the magnetic sections into their original positions thereby forming the resulting desired permanent magnet structure. In another embodiment, another method of making a hemispherical or spherical magnet structure using rings ground into wedge shaped portions and reassembled is disclosed. In another embodiment, a method of manufacturing a cylindrical quadrupole is disclosed whereby sections of a magic ring are removed and collapsed to form half a cylinder and combined with an analogously collapsed magic ring forming a second half cylinder and combined to form a quadrupole.

Abstract: A work station table wherein inventory articles to be integrated into a product are placed on the table, with each type of article being located next to one of a plurality of detector cards set in the table (one type of article per card). Each detector card is capable of detecting movement, and when an operator reaches across a detector card to retrieve the inventory article located next to that sensor, the movement of his or her hand or selected article is detected by the sensor. The movement causes a light emitting diode (LED) in the detector card to light, thereby indicating that the inventory article corresponding to that detector card has been selected. The table further includes an accumulator card having an LED display and numbers corresponding to each of the detector cards. In addition to registering at each of the sensors, retrieval of an article from a particular inventory point will cause a corresponding number to light on the accumulator card.

Abstract: Input/output areas of device elements are provided at opposite ends of the original substrate, and two function areas are provided between the opposite input/output areas. The original substrate composing a large-size device is cut along lines in such a way that the input/output areas and the function areas are separated from one another. As a result, those portions of the original substrate where no function areas are to be formed are reduced, thereby contributing to effective utilization of the surface of the substrate for increasing the number of sensor substrates that can be yielded from it. The process is improved in the shape and layout of the substrates for electronic devices to be obtained by cutting the large-area device formed on the substrate and it hence is capable of yielding a greater number of electronic device elements from the large-area device.

Abstract: Improved vie-filling compositions for producing conductive vias in circuitized ceramic substrates, particularly multi-layer substrates, without cracking and/or loss of hermetic sealing. The via-filling compositions comprise pastes containing a mixture of (a) ceramic and/or glass spheres of substantially- uniform diameter between about 0.5 and 6 .mu.m, (b) conductive metal particles or spheres having a maximum dimension or diameter between about 1/3 and 1/4 of the diameter of the ceramic and/or glass spheres, and (c) a binder vehicle. The formed conductive via bodies comprise a uniform conductive skeletal network of sintered metal particles densely packed within a uniform matrix of the co-sintered ceramic and/or glass spheres, which matrix is hermetically fused and integrated with ceramic layers forming the wall of the via in the ceramic circuit substrate.

Abstract: A method of forming a camshaft tube having a plurality of thinner wall sections adjacent to thicker wall sections. The diameter of a hollow tube is mechanically reduced with a retractable mandrel inserted in the hollow tube. The retractable mandrel has a first portion having a larger diameter than an adjacent second portion. To form a thinner wall section, the larger diameter first portion is positioned under a reducing tool. To form a thicker portion, the smaller diameter second portion is positioned under a reducing tool.

Abstract: A manifold for a heat exchanger is formed by placing a blank having a siamesed pair of tubular passages supported by a first mandrel into a die cavity which receives the blank and defines at least one riser channel extending from the cavity. Each riser channel includes a core such that when a punch forces the blank into the die cavity, the blank is formed as desired and a portion of the blank is forged into the riser channel and around the core. The portion of the sidewall of the blank adjacent to the tubular risers is thickened such that the sidewall of the resulting manifold is substantially uniform after forging. After forging, the blank is removed from the die and the first mandrel is removed. The manifold is completed by inserting a second mandrel including holes in substantial alignment with the tubular risers and forcing punches into the tubular risers to remove the remaining material which separates the risers from the passages.

Abstract: A new and improved automatic shaving apparatus includes a handle assembly which includes a pressurized foam dispensing assembly and an electric valve control assembly. A shaving head assembly is connected to the handle assembly and retains a razor blade assembly. The handle assembly serves as a handle during shaving and also serves as a housing for the pressurized foam dispensing assembly and the electric valve control assembly. The pressurized foam dispensing assembly stores and dispenses shaving foam from the shaving head assembly. The electric valve control assembly controls release of shaving foam from the pressurized foam dispensing assembly. An electric power source powers the electric valve control assembly. A switch assembly is placed in circuit between the electric power source and the electric valve control assembly for controlling electric power to the electric valve control assembly.

Abstract: A hand held tool for stripping cable jackets and wire insulation with an adjustable cutting blade applying either longitudinal or ring cuts to the jackets or insulation.

Abstract: A device for subdividing a workpiece, typically a citrus fruit, into segments. The device comprises a blade support structure having an opening with a plurality of blades sharpened on two edges projecting from the circumferential surface of the opening toward the middle to juxtapose attacking points and edges forming a channel through which a plunger mechanism urges the workpiece into contact with the attacking points and sharpened edges thereby subdividing the workpiece into segments.

Abstract: A utility knife comprising, in combination, a handle having a first handle portion and a second handle portion and coupling means to releasably join together the handle portions so as to be readily grasped by an operator during use, a central plane extending longitudinally through the handle and defining on opposite sides thereof a first blade-receiving chamber in the first handle portion for receiving a first blade holder and a second blade-receiving chamber in the second handle portion for receiving a second blade holder; and a first blade holder located in the first handle portion for supporting a first blade and a second blade holder located in the second handle portion for supporting a second blade, the blade holders being independently reciprocable in planes parallel with the central plane but on opposite sides thereof, each blade holder having an individual actuator extending to exterior of the handle whereby an operator may move either blade holder or both between a retracted inoperative orientation w

Abstract: A blade for a utility knife is provided which has a trapezoidal shape with a cutting edge and a pair of side edges which converge towards a blunt back edge. A safety edge joins each of the side edges with the cutting edges. The safety edges intersect with the cutting edge at an obtuse angle and provide substantially blunt surfaces. Safety corners are formed at intersections of the safety edges and the side edges. The safety corners are disposed at the outermost distal ends of the blade relative to the cutting edge. Cutting corners are formed at the intersections of the safety edges and the cutting edge. The cutting corners are disposed inwardly along the cutting edge relative the safety corners. This way, inadvertent contact between an operator and a safety edge would not be likely to cause injury since the safety corners would be contacted first.

Abstract: A glass cutter is provided having a rectangular body preferably of a transparent plastic. A cutter wheel is mounted inward from the forward edge of the body. The lower surface of the forward portion of the body is inclined upwardly and outwardly to the upper surface of the body to allow the glass cutter to be held at an angle to glass being cut. Additionally, the body of the glass cutter may be of a transparent material and may include an aperture to facilitate viewing a line along which a cut is to be made.

Abstract: A scriptwriting guidance device for use by individuals who are visually or otherwise impaired, the device acting to guide the writer's pen or other writing implement along a straight, horizontal path across a writing surface to form complete letters and other characters without interference from the device. The device includes a backboard having a shaft mounted for rotation adjacent one side edge thereof. Slidable along the shaft in incremental steps is a slide from whereby is cantilevered a guide element formed by a rectangular frame that overlies a paper sheet lying on the backboard. Disposed within the window of the frame is a rectangular template of smaller dimensions, the template having a narrow slot that defines a straight, horizontal path. The opposite ends of the template are coupled by springs to the corresponding ends of the frame whereby the template effectively floats within the window and is free to shift laterally.

Abstract: An electronic three-probe measuring system with both compact structure, light and small, and spacial method, which views the dimensional changes in the measuring roundness error step to contain both roundness error and vibration for accurately measuring roundness error, concentricity, crown, shape, taper, sag and vibration of cylindrical rolls used in flat rolled product mills.

Abstract: A mechanism is described for adjusting the skew angle of inclination of a printing plate engaging the periphery of a plate cylinder, by means of a lever system which adjusts the edges of the printing plate in opposite directions. For this purpose, the two clamping bars are provided on a common baseplate which is lifted at one end prior to releasing the printing plate.

Abstract: A hexahedronic case (12) with a singular face extension (20) and swingout arm pair (14L, 14R) for housing a conventional, flexible measuring tape (26). A carpenter's extensible-retractable measuring tape is housed in a six-faced case which has a pair of parallel, pivotally outward swinging arms and a flange (20) extending from the rear face thereof. Several faces of the case are indexed by marks at the center (24) only of the face edges which have a consistent dimension (Z). On one face, that opposite the flange-bearing face, there is a set of indices (22) which equally divide an edge of the face upon which they appear. The divisions, in respect of the aforementioned consistent dimension, correspond to various pitches or elevations above the horizontal, or angular deflections from the vertical, that are employed in layout work in the building construction field. An example of layout for roof rafter (40) preparation is also presented.

Abstract: A measuring device, such as a micrometer or other form of dimensional measuring instrument, is provided which is operable to indicate dimensional measurements made thereby in numerical form on a display, such as an electronic digital display. The measuring device or micrometer is controlled to generate digital electrical signals which are indicative of a measurement, which signals of each measurement are recorded in an electronic memory which may be supported by the device or connected thereto. The memory is employed to both indicate each measurement as it is made and to record all or selected measurements made for future reference. Other information generated, for example, by a suitable input means such as a keyboard, and defining such variables as part number, part lot, time and date of measurement, etc. may be recorded in such memory along with the recording or recordings of data defining the measurements made.

Abstract: An instrument or gauge for measuring a parameter of a surface feature of a member such as a weld at the junction of two members of an oil rig. The instrument comprises a body adapted to be secured to the surface of a member during measurement, and a probe assembly carried by the body for angular and linear displacement with respect to the body and having relatively movable probe assembly parts and, and a datum for determining relative movement of those parts and, and an arrangement adapted to allow linear movement of the probe assembly relative to the body at a particular angular displacement of the probe assembly relative to the body. The instrument is portable, hand held and hand manipulable, and at one end of the body there is a pivotably mounted carrier in the form of a substantially cylindrical boss having a hole therethrough in which the probe assembly is slidably mounted and by which the probe assembly is carried for angular displacement with respect to the body.

Abstract: A dual air threading nozzle apparatus is disclosed for threading a paper web through a single tier drying section of a paper making machine. The single tier drying section includes a dryer roll, a dryer felt and a vacuum transfer roll. The dual air threading nozzle apparatus emits two angular planes of airflow for urging the paper web in a first direction to prevent engagement with the doctor blade for the dryer roll and in a second direction to closely conform to the dryer felt as it traverses between each dryer roll and vacuum transfer roll.

Abstract: A shoe covering member comprises a covering member having a shape conforming to an upper section of a shoe over which it is to cover. A bottom section of the covering member is sealingly engaged with a sole of the shoe and the covering member is provided with a fold at its rear end which is fastened in a folded condition to snugly engage the upper section of the shoe. A projection extends along a side surface of the shoe sole adjacent sealing engagement of the bottom section of the covering member with the sole to protect such engagement.

Abstract: A shoe bottom (2), in particular for sports shoes, having a plurality of individual flexurally resilient carrier elements (21) which are directed transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the shoe and which are arranged at spacings one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the shoe. The carrier elements are connected to a cover plate portion (20) on the foot side and to an outsole layer (22) on the outward side. Each carrier element (21) is formed by a closed box profile with an upper web portion which extends transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the shoe, a lower web portion which is parallel to the upper web portion, two lateral support walls which connect the ends of the web portions together and bracing means supporting the upper web portion relative to the lower web portion. (FIG. 3).

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a novel shoe tongue construction wherein the tongue is made as an integral extension of preferably the heel portion of the shoe. The tongue may also be an integral extension of the quarter. The tongue construction provides greater comfort to the wearer of the shoe than do conventionally mounted tongue constructions because the tongue is integrally formed with either the counter or the quarter of the shoe rather than being stitched only to the vamp. This construction is also more economical to make because cutting and stitching requirements are reduced.

Abstract: A cleated shoe which includes a mechanism which allows for the cleats to be retracted when not on an activity surface and then to be lowered or extended simultaneously for better traction at the wearer's command. The mechanism consists of a control lever located at the back of the shoe and two sliding flexible plastic members disposed on top of one another longitudinally within the sole of the shoe, with the heads of a plurality of cleats trapped between these two sliding members. The head of the cleats remain within the sole of the shoe whereas the body of the cleat can be extended out of the bottom of the shoe sole or totally retracted into the sole. The top sliding member is grooved to drive and lock the cleat into retraction or extension while the lower sliding member uncovers or covers the cleat opening, respectively.

Abstract: A tooth assembly for mounting on the tooth horns of excavating or levelling apparatus buckets, shovels or alternative digging mechanisms. In a preferred embodiment the tooth assembly includes a wedge-shaped adapter for seating on a tooth horn, an insert removably seated in an insert cavity provided in each side of the adapter and a tooth point frontally engaging and bolted to the adapter by means of bolts threaded in the inserts, for engaging the material to be excavated. In another preferred embodiment top and bottom wear caps transversely slidably engage and bolt to the adapter adjacent to the tooth point for extending the life of the tooth assembly in the excavating or levelling operation.

Abstract: A system is described for producing small uniform pellets of predetermined size which are substantially free of fines from mechanically dewatered sewage sludge. The system includes a process and apparatus for mixing the dewatered sludge with previously dried, recycled particles of said sludge, drying said mixture in a thermal drier, separating a substantial portion of the dried solids from the drier off gas, clarifying said separated solids to separate the pellets of predetermined size, oversize pellets, and undersize pellets and particles, mechanically crushing the oversize pellets and admixing the crushed oversize pellets with the undersize pellets and particles, and recycling said mixture by mixing said mixture with incoming dewatered sludge to the drier.

Abstract: In order to provide a vacuum degreasing-drying method by which extremely small, precision metal products can be degreased and dried quickly and completely without using organic solvents, according to the present invention, an object 112 to be rinsed is put in a vacuum drier 110 after being rinsed with a hydrocarbon cleaning agent and then the air in the vacuum drier 110 is evacuated so as to degrease and dry the object thus rinsed.