Abstract: Gimballed scanning devices are an important aspect of space science. To achieve a scan pattern some means must be provided which impart to the devices an oscillatory motion. Various forms of machines have been employed for controllably conferring scan patterns on these scanning devices. Although they have included control moment gyroscopes, reaction wheels, torque motors, reaction control systems, and the like, rotating unbalanced mass (RUM) devices are a new and more efficient way to generate scans in gimballed devices or payloads. But they require power consuming and frequently complex auxiliary control systems to position and reposition the particular scan pattern relative to a target or a number of targets. Herein the control system is simplified. In the suspension system provided for payloads rotatably supported in gimbals payload rotation is restricted by a flex pivot so that the payload oscillates, moving in a scan pattern.

Abstract: A single powered dual movement motion device preferably mounted on the distal end of a boom and connected to a platform adapted to carry a wheel chair of a handicapped person. The motion device has a base frame that mounts it on the boom. A first extension frame is pivotally connected to the base frame and a second extension frame is hingedly connected to the first extension frame. A reversible rotatable drive assembly is fixed to the base frame and is driven by a reversible power source. The reversible rotatable drive assembly includes a release and lock means whereby an arcuate path will be given to an extremity of the second extension frame in the release mode and a straight forward path in the locked mode. A reversal of the power source will reverse the sequence of events.

Abstract: A system that will indicate tire inflation and vehicle velocity. An array of strain gage sensors is used to determine the distribution of contact forces along the width of a pneumatic tire. A neural network may be employed to classify the patterns of force sensed in this manner. Additional processing of the data permits vehicle velocity to also be determined.

Abstract: A finish broaching tool for finish cutting helical splines on the interior of an annular workpiece has a multiplicity of groups of circumferentially disposed teeth. Each group of circumferentially disposed teeth is formed on an individual wafer adapted to be mounted on the trailing end of a conventional broaching bar. The teeth of each wafer are formed on a predetermined helical angle and are adapted to helically align with the teeth of the other wafers. The wafers are sized so as to provide contact between the teeth of two or more wafers throughout substantially the entire finish broaching process.

Abstract: A socket wrench has a rotatable cylindrical body with an elongated interior channel for storing a plurality of nuts. The channel has a nut opening at a first end for receiving and removing nuts from the channel. A longitudinally slidable and axially rotatable roller grip assembly is provided on the exterior of the body. The roller grip assembly is attached to an interior backplate that moves longitudinally within the body channel. The roller grip assembly allows an operator both to urge the stored nuts toward the nut opening of the wrench, eject the nuts from the chamber, and to hold the wrench while the body is rotating.

Abstract: An extensible wrench handle that can be used with a removable wrench head. The wrench handle has a cross beam shaped primary handle over which an extension may be slid to various positions for increasing or decreasing torque. The wrench handle is also provided with a flexible head that is pivotal about a forward end of the primary handle. The flex head has a substantially square drive post which protrudes from a flat surface of the flex head, the edges of the drive post being convex curved surfaces. The wrench head is an open end wrench that has upper and lower jaws that are joined by a web. A neck is joined to the web and has a drive hole which extends through the neck. The drive hole is defined by sidewalls which are convex arcuate surfaces.

Abstract: An eccentric-shape machining apparatus as well as an eccentric-shape machining method are provided which can efficiently and accurately bore, contour or thread a workpiece about any position other than the rotational center of the workpiece. The workpiece is rotatably driven while controlling the rotational phase of the workpiece. A rotating tool spindle adapted to mount a cutting tool is rotatably driven while controlling the rotational phase of the rotating tool spindle. The rotating tool spindle is mounted on a cutting head which is controllably fed and positioned in Z-axis extending parallel to X-axis perpendicular to the axis of the rotating tool spindle. During one complete revolution of the workpiece, the rotational phases of the main spindle and rotating tool spindle and the movement of the cutting head in the X-axis direction are simultaneously controlled such that the cutting tool is brought into contact with the inner and outer peripheries of the workpiece by a given depth of cut.

Abstract: A string instrument of the invention is capable of producing a stable amount of sounds from a low sound region to a high sound region. A vibration mode is measured when the frequency of a basic vibration of strings becomes equal to that of a basic frequency of a top plate, and two stiffeners of predetermined lengths are attached on the rear surface of a top plate along two nodal lines appearing on the top plate in that vibration mode. The stiflenets do not affect in a low sound region but causes the vibration mode to change in a high sound region, thereby making it possible to produce increased amounts of sounds in every sound region, particularly that on E-line which has been thought to be difficult for a conventional violin to produce.

Abstract: A guitar belly for a guitar body including a rear or reverse plate and a side plate around and standing up from the rear plate, which are integrally formed of the same plastic material. A separate cover plate is attached over the edge of the side plate to close the guitar belly. Reinforcing ribs are integrally formed of the same material as and along with the reverse plate. These include two or three longitudinal ribs extending from at or near the top front end of the reverse plate to the bottom end thereof, two horizontal ribs, one at the narrower width part and one at the greater width part of the belly, and two oblique ribs, each extending obliquely from the center of the belly and toward the one end of the belly and respectively outward from the center of the belly in opposite directions. Some or all of the ribs also extend up the side wall of the guitar belly. The ribs cooperate to prevent distortion of the belly due to string tension or other causes including playing the guitar.

Abstract: A work station and support for quitars such that they are held in a safe and convenient position while being tuned or repaired in which an elevated base wall supports the guitar butt while an elevated cradle longitudinally disposed therefrom enables the guitar neck to be supported at a higher level.

Abstract: An air flow valve positioned along the air flow path in a wind instrument. The valve includes three air conduits and is shiftable between a first position wherein the air flows substantially straight through the main air passage to the bell, and a second position wherein the air flow is diverted to a slide loop and thence back to the main air passage. The valve includes a manual actuator which is easily accessed by the musician to shift the valve between its first and second positions during playing.

Abstract: A drum beating assembly including a first frame including first pedestal structure; first, second and third bearings carried by the first pedestal structure, in spaced coaxial relation; a primary axle carried by the first and third bearings, and a primary drum beater carried by the primary axle; a secondary axle carried by the second and third bearings, and a secondary drum beater carried by the secondary axle; the primary and secondary axles being independently rotatable, there being a first pedal operatively connected to the primary axle to rotate the primary axle and the primary drum beater in response to pedal pivoting; and a first base plate integrally supporting the first pedestal structure, the first plate also supporting the first pedal for pivoting relative thereto; there being auxiliary structure operatively connected to the secondary axle to rotate the secondary axle and secondary drum beater, the auxiliary structure including a tertiary axle and a single pedestal which is the only pedestal support

Abstract: An electronic tuning device has selectable width tuning ranges wherein selected pairs of the LEDs in a single row of LED's are activated, such as being turned on, blinked or flashed, so that the spacing between each activated pair of LEDs indicates the width of the tuning range during a range indicating mode. The sensing of a fundamental frequency of an input tone causes the operation of a corresponding LED in the row of LEDs to indicate the nearest note along with in-tune and out-of-tune conditions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for representing musical information as guitar fingerboards dynamically maps the guitar fingerboards to their associated chord notations as the fingerboards are being displayed or printed. The transposition and mapping of the chord symbol onto the fingerboard is accomplished using an array of fingerboard record that represent a chosen set of fretting combinations for a fingerboard and a system for matching the musical information represented by the associated chord with the appropriate fretting combination for that chord.

Abstract: Multi-layer tubular braided structures are produced by apparatus including a plurality of generally concentric pairs of serpentine, intersecting bobbin carrier-guiding tracks. A bobbin carrier driving gear group is associated with each pair of tracks, adjacent gear groups meshing at a plurality of bobbin carrier crossover points. According to the method, multi-layer tubular braided structures are produced by circulating a first group of bobbin carriers exclusively along one track of a first pair of tracks, circulating a second group of bobbin carriers exclusively along one track of a second pair of tracks, and circulating at least one other group of bobbin carriers exclusively along at least portions of the other tracks of said pairs of tracks via the crossover points.

Abstract: A gas-propelled line deployment device is operable for orthogonally deplog two antenna lines to a distance of greater than one hundred feet. The device includes first, second and third tubes, closed at one end and open at one end, the first and second tubes being arranged perpendicular to each other and the third tube being arranged along the resulting vector of the axes of the perpendicular tubes. The first and second tubes have wire-carrying projectiles received therein and the third tube has a recoil piston received therein, said projectiles and piston making a gas tight seal with their respective tube. The recoil piston has a larger cross-sectional area than each of the first and second wire-carrying projectiles. The device further includes a retainer mechanism which is operable for retaining the wire-carrying projectiles and the recoil piston within their respective tubes until a predetermined gas pressure is achieved.

Abstract: A removable cartridge seal and dilatable collet retainer for a hydraulic plunger is provided to permit ready removal and replacement of the plunger and seal in a hydraulic intensifier device or the like.

Abstract: A fryer having a readily mountable or demountable protective cover for preventing the deposit of spray on the mechanisms for controlling the heater. The mechanisms are mounted on a control panel on the front of the cabinet of the fryer. The protective cover is a hood-like integral structure including a channel member covering the front and sides of the control panel and a top for covering the top of the panel. The top has a lip which effectuates the protective function by the cover. The protective cover has slots for engaging slideably the upper edges of the side walls of the cabinet extending from the panel to suspend the protective cover removably from the cabinet.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing dough is provided for automatically processing a large mass of dough into a plurality of smaller, shaped dough pieces. A dough divider is used to receive the large mass of dough and to divide the large mass into smaller dough pieces. A dough rounder is used to receive the smaller dough pieces, round the pieces into dough balls and eject the dough balls serially from a discharge outlet thereof. A first conveyor is provided to receive the ejected dough balls from the discharge outlet and to deposit the dough balls in a predetermined spacing on a second conveyor. The second conveyor intermittently carries the dough balls along a length of the second conveyor. A prepressing device is arranged with a portion for engaging the dough balls being carried on the second conveyor when the second conveyor is stopped, so as to deform the dough balls into thick dough disks.

Abstract: Flat cooking-vessel bottom the outer surface of which is provided with equidistant concentric grooves in the form of circles and coated with two overlying layers the first of which is in contact with the metal and consists of a material with, high radiation heat absorption capacity distributed uniformly over the entire bottom surface and the second layer consists of an enamel or silk-screen paste resistant to abrasion and scratching distributed nonuniformly and preferably in segments and only on the lands between the surface grooves.

Abstract: Apparatus for raising and baking bakery goods, comprising a raising rack (1) with fixed raising planes (2), a grate oven (3) and a transport means (4) for transporting the bakery goods to said raising rack, thence to a grate oven and out from said grate oven, said transport means featuring a transport plane (6) provided with a round-going belt (5) and which can be lifted and lowered and horizontally moved into desired position. The raising rack (1) comprises closable and openable hatches (7) individual to each raising plane. Moreover, the point (8) of the transport plane (6) of the transport means (4) is provided with a round-shaped sliding surface (9), the belt running around said point when bakery goods are being taken up on the transport plane and when they are given off therefrom.

Abstract: A juice extractor includes a main body equipped with a motor, a gear box having a first shaft and a second shaft to which torque of the motor is transmitted, a housing having a flange connecting surface at the front of the main body, and a pair of squeezing rollers accommodated by the housing and connected to the second shaft so as to receive torque therefrom. First and second clutch gears are alternatively connected to the first and second shafts by a clutching fork extending into the gear box. A connecting gear is connected to the clutch gears. A threaded portion extending to the front of the gear box from the connecting gear is received in a threaded hole in the housing to enable the housing to be separated from the main body.

Abstract: A device for reducing peelable products such as potatoes in size to a predetermined shape, consisting of at least one pair of mutually adjacent rotatably driven reducing elements, the outer surface of which has at least one constriction such that two oppositely situated constrictions form a passage opening between the elements for the reduced product, wherein the surface of at least one element is provided with a reducing surface, wherein the constriction is formed such that, as seen in top view, the passage opening acquires a predetermined shape in order to obtain a product with an associated revolutional shape, for instance spherical, elliptical or any other composite form.

Abstract: A can liquid extractor for removing liquid from a pre-opened cylindrical can containing solids packed in a liquid medium, comprising a can support base having engaging elements which retain the can and lid in place, an inverting apparatus which allows a can to be inverted while retaining the can and its lid in place, and a compression apparatus comprising a handle, pivotable compression arm, and ram assembly for exerting force upon the lid and can held in static relation, whereby water is expelled from the can interior around the edge of the lid.

Abstract: A method of printing color images which includes the formation of a pattern of three primary color separated halftones of the image from a medium applied to a substrate. The medium is embossed to form a surface relief configuration on each halftone image. Each surface relief configuration reflects one specific primary color at a specific angle. In one embodiment, the medium is applied to a substrate in the pattern of color separated halftone images in a single printing pass by a composite offset printing plate. The medium is then embossed by an embossing plate to create the surface relief configurations thereon. In a second embodiment, the medium is applied to the substrate and embossed by a single plate in a single printing pass. In a third embodiment, the medium is applied to the substrate in a relatively continuous layer and thereafter embossed to simultaneously create a pattern of color separated halftones of the image and a different surface relief configuration on each halftone image.

Abstract: A manually set bar code generating device is easily attachable to a mail container such as an envelope. A housing rotatably mounts a series of concentric circular rings which are imprinted with bar code characters on one side and with alphanumeric characters on a diametrically opposite side. The housing includes diametrically opposed windows that expose a bar code character on one side while exposing its alphanumeric counterpart on the other side. Each single ring thus sets up a single character of a bar code sequence. The series of rings sets up the desired sequence of bar code characters in one window as the desired sequence of alphanumeric characters is dialed into place in the opposite window. The side-by-side rings are independently rotatable about a central axis of the housing. Rotation of the individual rings is accomplished by inserting a pointed instrument into one of a series of depressions in the ring.

Abstract: A letterpress printing method is disclosed wherein a printing plate, having plastic surface with a critical surface tension in the range of approximately 18-35 mN/m, is engraved or otherwise provided with raised ink-bearing impression sites and the printing plate is used for printing in a letterpress printing machine. As examples, the plastic surface of the printing plate may comprise a fluoropolymer, polytetrafluoroethylene or a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and hexafluoropropylene. The low surface tension is shown to enhance the printing quality in this environment.

Abstract: A gripper assembly is provided for use within a printing press having an impression cylinder and one or more printing stations. The gripper assembly includes a main shaft, gripper clamp arms mounted to the shaft, and gripper blocks mounted to the shaft in alternating sequence with the gripper clamp arms. Each of the gripper blocks includes a projection overlying a portion of the adjoining gripper clamp arm. A spring is positioned between each projection and adjoining gripper clamp arm for urging the gripper blocks about the axis of the shaft. A gripper is mounted to each of the gripper blocks. Each gripper has a generally flat, Z-shaped body, one end of which is adapted for engaging a sheet of paper. The main shaft is coupled to a cam follower for causing rotation of the main shaft, thereby opening or closing the set of grippers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mounting flexible printing plates on a forme cylinder utilizes one or more insert bars that are positioned in cylinder grooves. Each insert bar has a pair of tensioning bars which are biased circumferentially toward each other. An inflatable tube is positioned between the tensioning bars and upon inflation will spread plate engaging hooked ends of the tensioning bars apart from each other.

Abstract: Ammunition for an electronically activated simulated firearm includes a combustible powder contained in a plastic casing having electrically conductive pins which mount in a barrel portion of the firearm. The powder charge is less than 2 grains of an oxidizer, a fuel, and a color enhancer to provide the smoke and flash of a real weapon without producing any significant noise or creating danger.

Abstract: A fuze or igniter provided with an adjustable electronic unit (24), a separate energy supply (40) as well as a mechanical safety device (26). In order for this fuze to be independent of the weapons system and not be bound to a particular type of payload, the adjustable electronic unit (24) and the mechanical safety device (26) are accommodated in the essentially cylindrical, watertight housing (22) of a basic module (20) that has two end faces (28, 30). The energy supply (40) can be mechanically and electrically connected with the basic module (20). In the region of one of its end faces (28), the basic module (20) can be connected with either a programming device (136) in order to program in an ignition time and a sterilization time (desensitization time) or a payload (42) that is independent of the weapons system employed and is not ammunition specific.

Abstract: An activity table is made from a plurality of stackable cots and a top surface which is placed on the uppermost cot. The activity table may clamp onto particular components of the formed cots. The top surface applies as a cover on to the top of the stacked cots, and this surface may also include walls to define a basin which may hold water, toys, or even an infant. The top surface of the cots may also include other indicia, such as to form a game board, or the like. The activity boards are removably connected to the sides of the table by means of clips or brackets which engage frame members on the cots. Additionally, the activity boards are constructed to clamp onto other supporting structures, such as a table, cart, rails or balusters of a staircase.

Abstract: A multi-level foldaway display structure comprising a first component which takes a planar orientation when disassembled or an inverted boxlike shape when folded and having apertures, a second component which takes a planar orientation when disassembled or a inverted boxlike shape when folded and having apertures at the margins which align with apertures in the first component when the second component is positioned on the first component, a third component on the form of a planar sheet having apertures inboard of a periphery for coupling with the first component when the first component is positioned on the third component.

Abstract: A refuse burning equipment with a heat energy utilizing system includes a first burning room and a second burning room connected with the first one with a burning gas passageway. The first burning room have two tubular fences made of a tube bent into many parallel tubes of horizontal or vertical direction for condensed water to flow through to cool it. Refuse is conveyed through a distributor and pushed down by a screw pusher to be piled in the tubular fences as a thin and high of refuse wall, which then is dried and lowered down gradually by a roller above a furnace grate and then ignited by fuel oil sprayed out of a nozzle. Time for the refuse drying before unload on the grate and chance of refuse to contact with combustion gas are augmented to lower the excess air ratio required in the burning and the temperature of the combustion gas is greatly increased and thus the thermal efficiency improved.

Abstract: A method for combusting a fossil material so as to produce an exhaust stream having a low level of pollutants. The fossil material is introduced into a fluidized bed combustor which is operated at a temperature of at least approximately 1775.degree. F. to produce a partially cleansed exhaust stream having a low level of N.sub.2 O. SO.sub.2 is removed from the partially cleansed exhaust stream outside of the fluidized bed combustor to produce a cleansed exhaust stream having a low level of SO.sub.2. An apparatus is provided for performing the method of the invention.

Abstract: A method of destroying organic waste in a bath of molten metal and slag contained in a vessel (3) is disclosed. The method comprises injecting organic waste into the bath to form a primary reaction zone (13) in which the organic waste is thermally cracked and the products of the thermal cracking which are not absorbed into the bath are released into the space above the surface of the bath. The method further comprises injecting an oxygen-containing gas toward the surface of the bath to form a secondary reaction zone (17) in the space above the surface of the bath in which the oxidizable materials in the products from the primary reaction zone (13) are completely oxidized and the heat released by such oxidation is transferred to the bath.

Abstract: A dual dispensing device to be attached to the frame of an apparatus for seed and fertilizer placement in the ground comprising an elongate body member to be pivotally connected to the frame of the apparatus, a first dispenser for fertilizer is pivotally connected to the elongate body member, the first dispenser includes a first knife to make a first furrow in the ground and a first tube to carry fertilizer to be deposited in the first furrow. A fluid biasing element is pivotally connected to the first knife and to the frame to control the pivoting of the first knife. A second dispenser for seed is fixed to the elongate body member to the rear of the first dispenser, the second dispenser includes a second knife to make a second furrow in the ground and a second tube to carry seed to be deposited in the second furrow. Prior to the seed entering the seed tube the seed passes through a seed and air deceleration and air removal chamber.

Abstract: A tufting machine having spaced apart needle modules removably mounted on a needle bar in the tufting machine, the modules having notches at opposite side edges remote from the needles. Each side edge is of a generally half U-shape configuration so that when two modules are mounted side-by-side a substantially U-shape recess is formed at the abutting sides. A clamping plate is secured by a fastener extending through each recess to clamp against the pair of adjacent modules. A cut-out at a central portion of each module at the edge remote from the needles receives a locating member which is adjustably secured to the needle bar, the locating member abutting the edges of the cut-out to precisely locate each module. In another embodiment, a tab formed as part of a gauging bar is temporarily positioned within the recess to locate modules not having the central cut-out.

Abstract: A double-thread hand sewing machine transmission mechanism including a steering gear driven by a motor, a driven wheel, a transmission gear driven by the steering gear to turn the driven wheel, an upper-thread arm reciprocated by the driven wheel to move a needle up and down in making stitches, the improvement includes an under-thread bobbin, an under-thread bar having a locating ring at one end mounted around an eccentric locating ring on the transmission gear at one side and a rack at an opposite end meshed with a toothed portion on the under-thread bobbin and driven to turn the under-thread bobbin back and forth.

Abstract: A method for handling and sewing the perimeter of upholstered articles, in which the upholstered article is fed through the sewing machine on a table with a sliding surface in one of whose sides the said sewing machine is fixed, which is characterized by having some pusher elements which protrude from the plane of the table through some longitudinal and circumference arch shaped grooves, which are driven from the lower part of said table. The longitudinal pushers assist the linear feed of the upholstered article until its corner reaches the height of the sewing machine, when they withdraw to their initial position, at the same time as the turning pushers start to work. These turning pushers make the upholstered article turn, describing a circumference arch path of ninety degrees, while the head of said sewing machine sews the corner of said upholstered article in a synchronized manner.

Abstract: There is presented an underwater vehicle tailcone assembly including a ford flange, a first tubular sheath extending rearwardly from the forward flange, and elastomer material bonded to inner and outer surfaces of the first sheath to form a forward chamber wall. The assembly further includes an aft flange, a second tubular sheath extending forwardly from the aft flange, and elastomer material bonded to inner and outer surfaces of the second sheath to form an aft chamber wall. The assembly still further includes a rigid housing wall disposed between a rearward end of the forward chamber wall and a forward end of the aft chamber wall. The forward chamber wall, the housing wall, and the aft chamber wall form a continuous tailcone wall from a forward edge of the forward flange to a rearward edge of the aft flange.

Abstract: The sailboard (1) adapted to receive on its upper surface a mast (2) adapted to support a sail and fixed by a mast foot (3) on the board (1), and foot supports (4) adapted to retain the feet of a user of the board (1) and located rearwardly of the board (1) relative to the mast foot (3). It also comprises flexible elements (6) to support the mast foot (3) cantilevered above the board (1) and to transmit to the board (1) in a region situated rearwardly of the mast foot (3) the forces transmitted by this latter. Used particularly to control the vibrations of the board during its movement on water.

Abstract: A improved launching device is provided, which consists of a structure hitched to a motor vehicle for hauling a boat to a launch ramp that extends into a body of water. An apparatus on the hauling structure is for indicating to a driver of the motor vehicle, the point of buoyancy of the boat on the surface of the body of water. The hauling structure can be backed down just the right distance on the launch ramp into the body of water, to accomplish the task of launching the boat into the body of water.

Abstract: The present invention provides:an anchor comprisinga plough portion which is generally V-shaped in plan to taper from a broad portion at one end to a holding entering point at the other end, and which is generally V-shaped in cross-section transverse to the length of the plough portion between the ends,a shank attached to the plough portion and to which an anchor cable, chainrope or rode may be affixed, andtines extending from adjacent the broad portion of the plough portion in a generally forward direction.

Abstract: A submarine trails one fiber optic cable and an undersea vehicle is contred by this first cable. A missile/torpedo trails a second cable that is to be coupled to the first cable. The second cable has a segment suspended vertically underwater between a buoyant pod and a sea anchor type buoy. The undersea vehicle, or Autonomous Undersea Vehicle, (AUV) hunts for the pod by conventional homing means. A forked cable pickup device in the nose of the AUV captures the suspended cable segment directing it into a slot so a male socket in the underside of the pod mates with a female socket in the slot.

Abstract: A propelling device comprises a floating plate and an attached floating body. The floating plate has a hole surrounded by a flange at the upper part, the flange provided along the two sides of the floating body sit on the flange of the floating plate. An electric ON/OFF switch is fixed on the floating body to control a motor provided to drive a propeller, besides, a speed switch is provided to control the speed of the motor.

Abstract: An improved system for attaching boat covers to boats is provided. In the preferred embodiment, a male/female connecting system is employed where one-half of the connecting system is attached to the cover via length-adjustable straps and the other half of the connecting system is attached to the boat via an attachment strip that provides for lateral movement of the connectors. Thus, one-half of the connecting system may be moved farther away or closer to the edge of the boat cover and the other half of the connecting system may be moved laterally along the boat side for easy connections. After all of the connections are made, the straps may be tightened to remove any slack from the boat cover and create a tight fit of the boat cover over the opening of the boat.

Abstract: A compound semiconductor thin film is grown on a compound semiconductor surface, which is cleaned by irradiating the surface with gas containing at least hydrogen molecules and by efficiently removing contaminant on the surface at low temperature. A beam containing at least hydrogen molecules is irradiated from a plasma generating room attached to a MBE chamber, and cleans the surface of a compound semiconductor at low temperature. By an additional mechanism attached to the MBE chamber, a compound semiconductor thin film of high quality is grown on the cleaned surface of the compound semiconductor.

Abstract: Installation for the crystallization of an inorganic substance in a crystal slurry, by desupersaturation of a supersaturated solution, the installation comprising a crystallization chamber which has a vertical axis and is divided into a central zone (4) and an annular zone (5), a device (9, 10) designed to bring about a vertical translation of the slurry in the central zone (4) and a translation in the opposite direction in the annular zone (5), a device (8) for withdrawing slurry, comprising a tube (23, 24) which opens into one of the abovementioned zones, a member (14) for mechanical shearing of the slurry, comprising, a disc (17) carrying a ring of shearing teeth (19), and a tube (6, 31) passing through the cover (30) and serving to introduce anhydrous sodium carbonate, the tube (31) having a prolongation inside the crystallization chamber, over which prolongation a film of water is caused to circulate.

Abstract: A method of disposing of animal excrement uses a container having a bottom wall, a front wall, a rear wall, a first side wall and a second side wall. The front wall, the rear wall and the first and the second side walls each are connected to the bottom wall and cooperate with the bottom wall to encompass a pet receiving space in an opened position of the container in which litter material is placed. The ends of the side walls and the front and rear walls, opposite the ends connected to the bottom wall are connected. The side walls each are gusseted so that the container may be collapsed to a position wherein the side walls and the front and rear walls are folded onto the bottom wall in the collapsed position of the container. The container is opened from the collapsed position to an operating position wherein the side walls and the front and rear wall each extend a distance upwardly from the bottom wall and cooperate to enclose the pet receiving space.