Abstract: A device for anchoring beams, together or to one or more other structural elements. A wedge-shaped beam attachment (10) is intended to straddle respective beams and can be fitted in any selected position along the beam. The attachment includes a short leg (12) and a long leg (14) which define an angle or 90 degrees with one another. An angled collar (16) on the short leg (12) is bent through 90 degrees and the outer end of the long leg (14) is bent to an angle of about 75 degrees. This bent outer end of the long leg (14) forms an abutment spring (18) which consequently defines an angle of approximately 75 degrees with the long leg (14) and which functions to urge a wedge (23) resiliently against the side edge of a beam.

Abstract: The composite anchoring device consists of an anchoring rod (7) and a cartridge (3) capable of being crushed by the anchoring rod (7). The inner container (5) extends over the length (1) of the cartridge (3) and advantageously includes a central section (8), end sections (10) at each end of the inner container and conical sections (9) connecting each end section (10) with the central section (8). The inner container sections are crushable in succession as the anchoring rod is driven in. The individual container sections (10,9,8) have different volumes and are designed with first breakpoints (11) and second breakpoints (9') of graded resistance so that they are crushed in succession from the ends of the inner container towards the middle starting with the first breakpoints (11) in the end sections (10), and release water held in the respective inner container sections to the surrounding hardenable bonding agent to provide a stronger fixing.

Abstract: A rafter-to-support-member connection apparatus includes a single-piece, substantially two-dimensional blank which includes a longitudinal portion and a transverse portion projecting transversely from the longitudinal portion. The longitudinal portion includes a first end region and a second end region. The transverse portion includes transverse connection apertures. A plurality of indicia are located at predetermined crease line locations on the longitudinal portion. The transverse portion and the first end region and the second end region of the longitudinal portion are adapted to be bent with respect to each other along predetermined locations on the transverse portion and the longitudinal portion to form a three-dimensional structure. In one embodiment, the rafter-to-support-member connection apparatus provides an adjustable fascia rafter connection apparatus to connect a wood or metal fascia to the plumb end of a structural metal rafter.

Abstract: A support member for a concrete structure comprises a T-shaped insert defining a T-shaped internal volume. A nut is inserted in the transverse portion of the internal volume and end caps are placed over the ends of the insert to fully seal enclose the internal volume. The insert is then placed within a form for a concrete structure such that the base surface of the T-shaped insert will be coplanar with a surface of the concrete after the concrete has been poured into the form and set. The base wall of the insert is then removed, thus exposing the T-shaped volume. The distal end of a bolt can be inserted into the insert and fixed to the nut. The proximal end of the bolt extends out of the insert and beyond the surface of the concrete and can be attached to equipment or other structure which is to be supported on the concrete structure.

Abstract: Device constituting packaging for quantities of a glutinous substance, including first and second superposed sheets soldered together, of which a first, formable sheet has, for each quantity, a deformation extending away from the junction surface joining the two sheets and exists as a cavity forming a volume which holds the quantity of glutinous substance. The device also includes a duct for expelling the quantity of glutinous substance, which duct is open at one end thereof and which has a second end which opens into the cavity, as well as a flexible membrane forming a seal and producing a separation between the cavity and the duct in the area of the duct, the seal is attached to the first sheet so as to constitute a fragile seal at that site.

Abstract: A wrapping machine for applying a paper or a plastic film to a roll, such as a paper roll, is disclosed. The wrapping machine includes a frame having opposed side members and an upper top member. A turning assembly for receiving and rotating a roll is positioned below the top member. A header assembly, including horizontally movable headers is mounted adjacent the turning assembly. A pair of opposed, vertically movable and rotatable crimper paddles are positioned above the turning assembly. A lift is provided below the turning assembly for vertically lifting the roll.

Abstract: A load having top and bottom caps is stretch wrapped at a wrapping station having turntable and a dispenser for dispensing stretch wrap packaging material, and a corner board placer for placing a corner board having tapered top and bottom edges on each corner of the load. With the load positioned on the turntable, the corner board placer is controlled by a controller to perform the steps of forming an acute angle between first and second portions of the corner board, and moving the corner board toward the corner until the first and second portions have been inserted between the top and bottom caps.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to packaging methods for preserving a comestible, and for extending the shelf-life thereof, while simultaneously providing a freshly baked and locally packaged appearance. The package includes a retractable panel located at an inconspicuous place on the package which panel is pressed inwardly by atmospheric pressure, after the essentially inert modified atmosphere within the package has been partially absorbed by the comestible contained there within.

Abstract: A packaging system indexes a pouch web, packaging web, and base web for forming a bag with an attached pouch enclosing an article such as literature or a merchandising sample. The preferred apparatus attaches the pouch web to the packaging web to form a pocket that opens adjacent respective edges while the base web remains unattached. An article is dispensed into the pocket with each indexing movement of the webs and the pocket then sealed inboard of the bag section edges to form a pouch enclosing the article. A bag handling mechanism holds and conveys the bags for accumulation into a bundle.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for registering the level of contents in a packaging material tube which is formed in a packaging machine and is continuously supplied with contents and sealed-off transversely for the formation of individual packaging containers filled with contents are previously known and include, int. al. sensing devices located in the packaging material tube. In order to facilitate cleaning and sterilization of the packaging machine, use is made, in the method according to the present invention, exclusively of sensing devices located outside the packaging material tube (6), in the form of a device (15) sensing the outside temperature of the packaging material tube (6), the device being, via a master unit (17), connected to a feeder device (12) which, in response to the signal of the sensing device (15) via the master unit (17), is regulated so that contents (18) are supplied at a suitable rate to the lower end of the packaging material tube (6).

Abstract: A continuous motion, end loading packaging machine forms article groups of a predetermined number and configuration using a flight type article selector. The packaging machine is flexible in its ability to package articles of different heights and diameters in various product configurations. The packaging machine includes adjustable guide rails to selectively change product infeed lane widths. The machine also phase adjusts the selector flights, and allows for easy selector flight replacement.

Abstract: A horse hoof sandal which has a substantially triangular pad dimensioned and configured to occupy at least a portion of the area adjoining the frog of a horse hoof. The pad is kept against the frog by one or more support bands which are directly attached to the substantially triangular pad. A hoof growth promoting substance may be applied to promote hoof growth and attendant healing of damaged hooves. A hoof growth promoter is also provided having an elastic band and a hoof growth promoting substance which is applied to the coronet of a horse's leg.

Abstract: A mobile green fodder conditioner operable to produce a forage mat of nearly uniform thickness and good coherence, the conditioner including at least one mechanically deformable cylinder disposed on a horizontal axis transverse to the direction of travel.

Abstract: A mowing device for stalky stem products has a cutting disc rotatable about a substantially vertical axis, and a transporting disc rotatable coaxially to the cutting disc at a distance from the latter and having a plurality of pocket-shaped recesses on its periphery for receiving stalky stem products. The cutting disc and the transporting disc are driven in opposite directions. A drive drives the cutting disc and the transporting disc in different directions. Also, the cutting disc on the upper side over its periphery can be provided with approximately gap-less elements suitable for preventing falling of stem product stalks cut by the cutting disc.

Abstract: A leaf clipping collector including a bottom wall made of rigid plastic and having an out edge defining a generally circular periphery, a generally vertically extending sidewall rigidly fixed relative to the bottom wall, the sidewall having a lower edge integrally formed with the outer edge of the bottom wall and having an upper edge an opening, the sidewall having extending therethrough a pair of slots, and a strap extending through the pair of slots and having opposite ends.

Abstract: A turf care implement includes a frame mounted on a pair of opposed wheels. The frame supports a pair of lift arms which are mounted at an angle to the direction of travel of the implement. The lift arms support a plurality of rakes on mounting arms. The radial-type wheel rakes which have tines extending radially outward from a central hub. A series of cables and pulleys connects from the lift arms to a lift handle by a forward portion of the frame for raising and lowering the arms and positioning the arms at various heights.

Abstract: In a ring-spinning machine having a frame and a spindle bank holding a row of bobbins, a bobbin-changing apparatus has a gripper beam engageable with the bobbins of the spindle banks and movable between an upper and a lower position and a scissor linkage pivoted on the frame and on the gripper beam extendable for raising the beam and collapsible for lowering the beam. The linkage has a pair of arms both of which have lower ends, one of which is long and has an upper end pivoted on the beam and the other of which is short and has an upper end pivoted on the long arm below the beam. One of the lower ends is pivoted on and fixed against longitudinal movement on an abutment. A guide is longitudinally displaceable on the frame and the other lower end is pivoted on it. A spring-biasing unit exerts torque on one of the ends of one of the arms for upwardly biasing the beam at least in the lower position of the beam.

Abstract: The reverse stranding apparatus and method provides elongated elements drawn from supply reels through a divider device, torsion tubes surrounding a central element peripherally and rotatable periodically in opposite directions about the central element and a twisting head rotatable in opposite directions into a nozzle. To achieve a constant pitch and to adjust the tension, the elements are guided to pass about an input capstan before the dividing device and a stranded cable is passed about an output capstan immediately after the nozzle. The input and output capstans are rotated so that the peripheral speeds thereof are constantly higher than the speed of the cable.

Abstract: An aircraft engine start system eliminates the need of a separate exciter field inverter by rearranging the exciter field windings and by utilizing external AC power. The aircraft engine is started by external AC power and once the engine has started, the engine can supply power back to a variable frequency AC bus as well as back to a constant frequency AC bus through the start/generator converter mode.

Abstract: An electron acceleration device uses thermionic fission cells, an electromagnetic scoop coil, and/or microwaves for power. A power control junction and electron injector control and feed free electrons in packets into the acceleration components that consist of a series of either induction module units, or radio-frequency linacs module units, having quadrapole magnet units in series between the induction module units or RF linac units. The RF linac and quadrapole series are surrounded by a Klystron series. At the high speed electron exit from the device, deflector plates control the exit path of the electrons to direct the course of a craft or electrons to a work area.

Abstract: A pulse detonation apparatus utilizes an inner housing which rotates relative to an outer housing. The inner housing has spherical inner seal surfaces that rotate with it. The outer housing has mating spherical seal surfaces that rotationally receive the inner seal surfaces. Ports extend through the inner seal surface and the outer seal surface. These ports register at least once per revolution. An inlet supplies a fuel mixture to the interior of the inner housing and each time the inner and outer housing ports align, the fuel mixture is transmitted into an annular detonation chamber where an igniter ignites the mixture to create a detonation wave. Circular seals surround the outer housing port to provide sealing against the high pressure, high temperature detonations. Purge air is admitted into the detonation chamber, a new fuel mixture is delivered to the detonation chamber, and the cycle is repeated.

Abstract: A flight vehicle scramjet combustor is provided having two spaced-apart, generally opposing, and generally longitudinally extending walls extending forward and aft. One of the walls includes a generally aft-facing step, a forward wall portion extending generally longitudinally forward of the step, and an aft wall portion extending generally longitudinally aft of the step. The step further includes a first section and an interconnected second section, where in the first section is attached to the forward wall portion and the second section is attached to the aft wall portion. The second section includes a main or primary fuel injector discharge orifice and a plurality of secondary fuel injector discharge orifices positioned adjacent thereto, the primary and secondary fuel injector discharge orifices each having a fuel discharge axis aligned generally perpendicular to the second section which projects both generally toward the other of the walls and longitudinally aft.

Abstract: There is provided an improved core element for use in converters, especially catalytic converters. The core is characterized by two portions one of which portions is capable of being electrically heated, and the other of which is isolated from the first portion electrically and thermally and is called a light-off portion. A plurality of core elements is wrapped about a central rigid metallic pin and the assembly tightly spirally wound about the pin to form the core, part of which is electrically heatable and the other of which is not heated electrically. The core is formed from a plurality of composite core elements, each including a corrugated strip backed up with a flat two-member strip, one band of the two-member flat strip being of generally relatively narrow width, contiguous with the leading portion of the corrugated strip, and the other band contiguous with the trailing portion of the corrugated strip and usually being of relatively greater width.

Abstract: Device for the precipitation of carbon particles present in exhaust gases having a voltage generator whose poles are connected with at least one electrode and the shell comprising separate internal zones where the following phenomena take place mixing of exhaust gas with air in a first zone, ionization in a second zone of the gas & air mixture coming from said first zone, ignition and precipitation in a third zone of said carbon particles present in said gas & air mixture coming from said second zone, and exhaust of the gas in which said carbon particles have been precipitated.

Abstract: A number of embodiments of exhaust systems for outboard motors including a combined catalyst bed and exhaust manifold forming member affixed within the cylinder block of the engine so as to be readily detachable for servicing. This combined member is provided with a separate cooling jacket for its cooling.

Abstract: A handle extension for an air powered tool. The extension has been designed for use with a nail gun, but the mechanism is suitable for any air powered hand tool. The device includes a jointed, tubular extension that is affixed to the tool. The device further includes a trigger mechanism that controls the operation of the tool, and a grip to allow the user to more easily support the weight of the tool.

Abstract: A control device provides a reliable way of pressure controlling a hydraulic distributor and an associated first hydraulic circuit when pressurized hydraulic fluid is simultaneously supplied to at least one other hydraulic circuit. Pilot pressure oil enters and exits the distributor through inlet and outlet passages in the pilot line. An apparatus for regulating pilot oil flow rate is interposed between the pilot line inlet passage and the hydraulic fluid line. The device includes a pressure head detection apparatus having inlet ends connected to the pilot line inlet passage and to the hydraulic circuit and an outlet end connected to the hydraulic fluid source for controlling the flow rate of the hydraulic fluid based on the highest pressure requirement.

Abstract: An anti-cavitation hydraulic manifold for hydraulically coupling the hydraulic input and output of two, drive coupled, reversible hydraulic motors to a reversible source of hydraulic power is described which includes: (i) two high pressure hydraulic input/output (I/O) chambers receiving hydraulic input from a reversible hydraulic power source, each hydraulically coupled to a separate input/output (I/O) line of one reversible hydraulic motor; (ii) a common translation passage hydraulically communicating with each high pressure input/output (I/O) chamber and hydraulically establishing a common input/output (I/O) or bypass line for the respective reversible hydraulic motors; (iii) a shuttle ball within each high pressure input/output (I/O) chamber seatable upon a valve seat terminating the end of the translation passage for isolating the common translation passage and bypass line and directing high pressure hydraulic input from the reversible hydraulic power source to the separate input/output (I/O) line for `dr

Abstract: A valve mechanism for use in a hydrostatic transmission including a closed porting system for hydraulic fluid and a sump is provided. The valve mechanism includes a valve body mounted to the hydrostatic transmission whereby the valve body is open to the closed porting system at one end thereof and open to the sump at the other end thereof. The valve body has a first open position whereby hydraulic fluid is pulled into the closed system from the sump when the pressure of the fluid in the closed system is below a first pressure, a second open position whereby hydraulic fluid exists the closed system to the sump when the pressure of the fluid is at a second pressure higher than the first pressure, and a closed position when the pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the closed system is at a third pressure higher than the second pressure.

Abstract: An evaporated gas supply method in which the liquid seal of an evaporated gas can be effectively avoided, is provided. According to the present invention, there is provided an evaporated gas supply method in which an evaporated gas having a primary pressure filled in a cylinder is reduced in pressure to a secondary pressure through adiabatic expansion, and the evaporated gas having the secondary pressure is supplied to a predetermined consuming installation, and which comprises a step of cooling down an evaporated gas in a cylinder, whereby the enthalpy of the evaporated gas (2) filled in the said cylinder is increased over an enthalpy of the secondary pressure on the saturated vapor line in a pressure-enthalpy diagram of the same evaporated gas, and a step of adiabatically expanding the evaporated gas filled in the cylinder so that its pressure is reduced, and supplying the evaporated gas having the reduced pressure to said consuming installation.

Abstract: The device eliminates water droplets from adhering to an evaporator of an automotive air conditioner after the vehicle as been shut off or stopped. In order to park a vehicle, a vehicle driver switches off an ignition switch device, which also switches off an accessory switch, unfastens a seatbelt, and exits the vehicle. Thereupon, after switching off of the accessory switch, when time t elapses, a control circuit sequentially executes a series of steps to recognize the parked state from the three conditions of switching off of a seatbelt switch, a no-rider signal of a rider sensor, and switching off of a door-lock switch. Thereupon, the control circuit announces operation of a blower by means of a notification device, then sets various dampers so as to enable an inner air intake mode, heater core bypass mode, and face mode, and operates the blower at high. Thereupon, water droplets adhering to an evaporator are blown away and removed by means of blown air from this blower.

Abstract: An automotive air conditioner shutoff system that disengages the air conditioner compressor when the value of a parameter indicative of the vehicle's performance is below a certain variable threshold. The threshold varies as a continuous function of accelerator pedal position or throttle valve position. In addition, the air conditioner fan may also be controlled by the air conditioner shutoff system of the present invention. Further, the air conditioner shutoff system of the present invention may act to shut off the air conditioner when the engine is overheated or when the engine has not yet warmed up or stabilized. Additionally, the vehicle operator can modify the value of the variable threshold for the performance indicating parameter, and entirely override the air conditioning shutoff system.

Abstract: A control system for generating a pulse width modulated control signal for an electrically operated refrigerant valve. The controller receives inputs from evaporator inlet and outlet temperature sensors (T.sub.in, T.sub.out) and "fuzzy" logic to compute the discrete value of pulse width change needed, based upon the difference .DELTA.T=T.sub.out -T.sub.in and the time rate of change of .DELTA.T.

Abstract: An energy-efficient refrigeration system includes an electrically controlled thermal expansion valve disposed in the refrigerant piping so as to control flow of refrigerant in the refrigeration system, and an expansion valve controller coupled to the expansion valve to provide control signals to the valve. The controller includes a refrigerant temperature sensing device coupled to the refrigeration system so as to sense a flow control temperature corresponding to the refrigeration temperature at a flow measurement site so that the controller generates control signals to control valve position to provide optimum refrigerant flow for a particular operational mode of the system. The thermal expansion valve includes a heating element that is responsive to control signals from the controller and that is thermally coupled to a thermal expansion medium so that the medium expands upon application of heat from the heating element.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a novel design of a container consisting of wall elements bordering a container interior space, which form at least one front element, two side elements, at least one rear element, at least one cover element, and at least one bottom element, and which are detachably connected to one another by connecting pieces.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerating compartment disposed above a freezing compartment, with a horizontal divider wall disposed therebetween. A vegetable compartment is disposed below the freezing compartment. A kimchi chamber having its own heater rests on the divider wall. An air flow discharged from the kimchi chamber is combined with an air flow discharged from the refrigerating compartment, and those combined air flows are directed to the vegetable compartment. That combining of air flows occurs within the divider wall.

Abstract: An absorption refrigeration and heating system has helical concentric coils for two generators (80 and 81) and recuperators (86 and 95) on a common axis (232) with a heating unit (84) at the center and allowing the hot combustion gases (245) to circulate in serpentine fashion through separate concentric chambers containing the coils.An absorber (97), condenser (100) and recuperator (107) are placed in a single module (270) and configured with a tube-in-tube or tube-in-cylinder construction with fluted inner tubes. A general purpose, divided-flow, tube-in-cylinder, heat-transfer device (400) is used to reduce the pressure drop in the circulating fluid.

Abstract: A communication chamber communicated with the downstream end of a condensing part is provided within a header. A gas-liquid separation chamber is provided beside the communication chamber for separating the refrigerant into gas and liquid phases. The height of this gas-liquid separation chamber is set to be smaller than that of the communication chamber to prevent the interference of the gas-liquid separation chamber with peripheral devices of a vehicle to facilitate the installation of the condenser. Further, a refrigerant introducing means is provided at a portion corresponding to a liquid refrigerant pool part at the lower part of the gas-liquid separation chamber within the partition part for introducing the refrigerant within the communication chamber into the liquid refrigerant within the gas-liquid separation chamber.

Abstract: A method and a system is disclosed in which soluble solids, including soluble animal proteins, dissolved in a solution are separated from the solution by passing the solution through a cooling system in which the solution is cooled to a precipitation temperature at which the soluble solids become precipitatable and then passing the cooled solution into a clarifying system in which the precipitatable soluble solids are separated from the solution thereby creating a separated solids stream and a clarified water stream. Initial cooling of the solution is accomplished by heat exchange between the solution and the separated solids stream and between the solution and the clarified water stream.

Abstract: Crystallization method and crystallization apparatus each use vertical plates for crystallization thereon. Both surfaces of the plate are used for different two liquids to flow down as films. Specifically, on one vertical surface, a feed liquid mixture containing crystallizable components therein flows down as a film, and on an opposite vertical surface, a cooling medium flows down as a film. Accordingly, the crystallizable component contained in the feed liquid mixture is cooled and crystallized to form crystal layers on the one vertical surface of the plate. The formed crystal layers are melted by a heating medium which flows down on the opposite vertical surface, and are collected as a melt. A pair of the plates may be used to form a unit to purify the liquid mixture on a large scale. A number of the units may be used to form a block which is suitable for a larger-scale crystallization processing.

Abstract: An absorption process for recovering hydrogen, ethylene, methane and heavy hydrocarbons from refinery and petrochemical off-gas streams wherein the absorption solvent is comprised of heavy hydrocarbons derived from the off-gas feed stream; no external solvent is used. The process comprises the steps of absorbing ethylene out of the feed off-gas in an absorber stripper using the absorption solvent, and fractionating the rich absorption solvent in a distillation column to produce an ethylene product stream as the overhead stream and the heavy hydrocarbon absorption solvent as the bottoms stream.

Abstract: An air separating unit which can jointly produce high purity nitrogen gas and compressed dry air of high quality freed of hydrocarbons such as methane and ethane. The air separating unit is constructed such that compressed dry air freed of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and moisture is cooled down near to its liquefying point and introduced into a rectification column (30) and nitrogen gas separated by rectification from the compressed dry air in this rectification column (30) is taken out as a product. The rectifying portion in the rectification column (30) is divided into a lower rectifying portion (34) and an upper rectifying portion (36), and in this lower rectifying portion (34), hydrocarbons such as methane are mainly removed from the compressed dry air, and the compressed dry air which has passed through the lower rectifying portion (34) is taken out as a product.

Abstract: Air is compressed in a compressor, purified in a purification unit, cooled by passage through a main heat exchanger and separated in a double rectification column comprising a higher pressure rectification column and a lower pressure rectification column. A stream of argon-enriched oxygen vapour is withdrawn from the lower pressure rectification column through an outlet and an argon product is separated from it in an argon rectification column provided with an argon condenser. Argon is condensed in the condenser by indirect heat exchange with a second stream of air at a pressure between the operating pressures of the columns. The second air stream is partially condensed and passed into a phase separator. A stream of liquid phase is withdrawn from the phase separator, is passed through a throttling valve and the condenser, in sequence. Further cooling for the condenser is thus provided.

Abstract: A cryogenic rectification system employing a double column and two auxiliary reboilers associated with one or two auxiliary columns wherein both lower purity oxygen and higher purity oxygen is produced.

Abstract: A circular sliver knitting machine having a manifold for controlling multidirectional airflow. The manifold includes a first and a second air nozzle unit for directing air onto the plurality of needles from radially opposed sides. The manifold includes a cross bar having attachment bars for attaching the cross bar to the frame of a circular sliver knitting machine. The cross bar has a first cross bar aperture located lo therein so as to receive air from an air supply unit. A cover is secured to the cross bar forming a seal therebetween, such that the cover cooperates with the cross bar to form a first plenum and a second plenum therebetween. The cover has a cover aperture for receiving air from the air supply unit. The cross bar also has a first and a second adjustable valve for controlling the flow of air from the air supply unit to each of the first and second blowing units.

Abstract: An interlock circular knitting machine for knitting a double-knit fabric in which multiple yarns are knit into cylinder needle and dial needle wales, by two types of cylinder needles and two types of dial needles supplied by yarn carriers with multiple yarns, and controlled by a needle selecting cam system through first and second processes which cause the needles to move between high-tucking, holding, clearing and welt positions so that two yarns are knit together into stitch loops in each wale, the stitch loops in adjacent wales in each course being knit of one yarn from the stitch loop in the adjacent wale in the same course and a yarn from a stitch loop in the adjacent wale from an adjacent course.

Abstract: In knitting parts (a guide, needle, tongue, sinker, separator, jacquard guide needle and the like) of a knitting machine, a covering of a hard carbon film 15 of a preset film thickness d on a surface of a portion of a parts base material 10 frequently contacting with knitting yarn and, at the same time, a film thickness changing area 16 where the film thickness of the hard carbon film decreases gradually is formed from an area where the covering of the hard carbon film 15 of the preset film thickness d is formed to an area where such a covering is not formed. A ratio (L/d) between length L of the film thickness changing area 16 toward a film changing direction and the preset film thickness d of the hard carbon film 15 is controlled to be at least 5:1.

Abstract: A conversion kit for converting a clothes washer to a dishwasher by removing the agitator and installing a dish holding basket and a plurality of horizontal dividers with fingers to support dishware. A plurality of vertical dividers are inserted between the individual dishware pieces to prevent damage thereto. A hot air drier structure is mounted in the washer to dry the dishes when the clothes washer is used as a dishwasher.

Abstract: An automatic washer having an enclosure surrounding an imperforate tub including an access opening and a perforate wash basket rotatably disposed within the tub about a horizontal axis wherein the tub access opening is provided with a flexible tub door for selectively closing the tub access opening. The flexible tub door is slidably supported by the tub for selectively closing the access opening wherein the tub door is positionable in a closed position and an open position. A spring is interconnected with the tub door for biasing the tub door toward an open position. A door catch is provided for engaging the tub door in a fully closed position against the biasing force of the spring and means are provided for selectively actuating the door catch such that the tub door may be selectively engaged in the closed position or released for movement to a fully open position. During the tub door closing operation, the rotatable wash basket is coupled to the tub door.

Abstract: A washing machine has a door mounted for rotation between open and closed positions. An electrical solenoid is connected to the door by means of a wire so that when the wire is pulled by the solenoid, the door is opened from a closed position, or closed from an open position. A torsion spring is connected to the door for storing energy while the door is being opened or closed, and then releasing the stored energy to maintain the door in the open or closed position. The wire is flexible to enable the door to be manually opened without actuating the solenoid.