Abstract: A rotary cutting die includes a translucent or transparent rotary die plate having an inner surface and an outer surface. A cutting rule that defines a cutting design is supported by the die plate. The cutting rule includes a cutting edge, which extends above the outer surface of the die plate, and a support edge disposed within the die plate. The support edge preferably includes a plurality of key-hole shaped notches. Preferably, a plurality of S-shaped hooks are connected to the key-hole notches, and serve to reinforce the rotary die plate and to support the cutting rule in the rotary die plate. The die plate is preferably formed from an epoxy material that, upon hardening or setting, exhibits a low shrink factor.

Abstract: A carbide-tipped circular saw blade is formed by brazing cutting tips of tungsten carbide to the teeth of a steel blade blank, thereby creating discoloration on the planar surfaces of the blade adjacent the rim. Substantially the entire surface of the blade is sandblasted with blast media to remove the discoloration while generating a substantially uniform coloration and texture to the planar surfaces of the blade. User-readable graphics are overprinted upon the blasted surface. The graphics and the surface appearance of the blasted area are selected to be at a predetermined contrast, and the carbide cutting tips retain a visual appearance different from the rest of the blade, such that the graphics and cutting tips are visually perceptible to a potential purchaser at the blade's point of sale. The saw blade surfaces are sandblasted by jets directed at both sides of the saw blade. The blast nozzles are oriented such that the vertical components of force of the jets offset one another.

Abstract: A portable, reusable combat bunker formed of rotationally molded hollow plastic modules temporarily joinable by wooden beams and metal brackets. In one form, there is a C-shaped base module and a rectangular cover or "ceiling" module. The modules are assembled at a site and at least partially filled with water or sand. When the bunker is to be moved to a new location, the water or sand is drained, the modules dissembled and moved. Double headed nails facilitate dissembly.

Abstract: A weapon system (1) having a weapon (2) with a weapon tube (3) and having an electronic system (4) for generating aiming signals for an aiming system (7) connected to the weapon (2). To ensure that the current weapon properties or tube properties are also considered in a simple manner for the determination of the aiming signals, the respective weapon-specific data are stored on a chip card (13) associated with the weapon (2) and are transferred via a chip card reader (11) to the corresponding electronic system (4) required for the determination of the aiming signals. During this process, the weapon-specific data are updated on the chip card at predetermined time intervals.

Abstract: A pneumatic brake booster for providing braking assistance. The brake booster has an envelope (10) with an axis of symmetry (X-X') separated sealingly by at least one movable partition (12) to define at least a first chamber (14) connected permanently to a source of low pressure and at least a second chamber (16). The second chamber (16) being selectively connected to the first chamber (14) or a source of high pressure through a three way valve structure actuated by a control rod (30). The control rod (30) being capable of bearing, through the intermediary of a front face of a plunger (28) and a reaction disc (50) with a rear face of a thrust rod (48). The plunger (28) sliding in a bore (26) in the movable partition (12).

Abstract: A flexible actuator assembly (20) including a flexible bladder device (22) having an expandable sealed chamber (23) adapted to substantially directionally displace between a deflated condition and an inflated condition, displacing a proximal portion (25) of the bladder device (22) away from a distal portion (26) thereof. An elongated tendon member (27) includes a distal portion (28) oriented outside the chamber (23), while an anchor portion (30) extends into the chamber (23) through a distal opening (31) in the bladder device (22).

Abstract: The present invention provides a diaphragm having a generally truncated conical body for use in diaphragm actuating piston assemblies, such diaphragm comprising at least one layer of an elastomeric material selected from a group consisting of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, fabric reinforced rubber and mixtures thereof. There is further a first central opening, having a first predetermined diameter, disposed at a first edge of such diaphragm for mounting on a diaphragm actuating piston, such first central opening being formed by a bead like portion having a second predetermined diameter. There is further included a second central opening, having a third predetermined diameter, disposed at a second edge of such diaphragm for mounting on a body portion of such diaphragm actuating piston assembly, such second central opening being formed by a bead like portion having a fourth predetermined diameter.

Abstract: A coffee maker includes a reservoir for accommodating a quantity of water to brew a coffee beverage; a filter basket for accommodating ground coffee to be brewed therein; a water quantity sensor for producing a first signal representing the quantity of water in the reservoir; a coffee quantity sensor for producing a second signal representing the quantity of coffee in the filter basket; and a comparator for comparing a ratio between the first and second signals. The comparator has a first input which is connected to the water quantity sensor and to which the signal is applied; and a second input which is connected to the coffee quantity sensor and to which the second signal is applied. A display device is connected to the comparator for being actuated thereby as a function of the ratio between the first and second signals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gravity-flow displacement beverage brewing apparatus with a water flow control device. The water flow control device is attached to a rotatable lid and is opened and closed by the device user. Rotating the lid to an open position allows the user to pour cool water into a fill basin, and simultaneously closes the flow control device, so heated water cannot flow into the brewing basket. When the lid is rotated to a closed position, the user is prevented from adding more water to the fill basin, but the flow control device is opened, allowing heated water to flow into the brewing basket.

Abstract: The pressure cooker with a system (3) for locking the closure of the lid (2) on the pan comprises an elastic locking collar housed in the recess (2b) in the lid, clamping the rim (1a) of the pan, a release trigger (5) and a transmission mechanism (7) from the trigger (5) to the collar (4), which has a dividing gap (4a), while its section is flat and angled. The transmission mechanism (7) is housed inside the handle (6) of the lid and it has a member (15), jointed to the trigger (5) and connected to the ends of the collar (4), for the expansion of said collar via a rack (15a).

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing a disk of pizza dough ready for filling and baking using centrifugal force. Expanding of pizza dough under the influence of the centrifugal force is known, and the pizzaiolo applies such force by twirling a disk of dough overhead in a the room for expanding its diameter. Other known mechanical systems for this purpose provide very complicated devices equipped with radially oscillating levers which guide the dough in its radial expansion. According to the present invention the expansion of the diameter of the disk of dough under the influence of the centrifugal force is effected using an apparatus of very simple design including two plates arranged coaxial, one supported by the other.

Abstract: A rice vending machine includes a housing, a rice container, a packing unit and a controlling unit. The controlling unit and the cooperative packing unit make it possible to adjust the amount of the purchased rice as necessary. Therefore, the rice can be more freshly and hygienically reserved without waste. Without man, the rice vending machine can sell the rice without limitation of site and business time so as to lower rice selling cost.

Abstract: A fryer for food products such as battered and breaded pieces of meat has a main conveyor with forward and return belt paths inside the fryer pan, the belt return dragging the pan bottom sweeping fines to one end for removal. A submerger conveyor prevents products from floating in the cooking oil which enters the fryer from above through oil inlet weirs. A plurality of weirs supply curtains of hot cooking oil in non-turbulent flow onto the food product covering the product as the product is conveyed on the main conveyor. The cooking oil is returned along defined lanes in the pan for reheating outside of the fryer. The food products are removed from the fryer in a cooked condition with the bread coatings intact.

Abstract: A trash compactor having a compactor unit and a separable trash storage container is provided that accommodates liquid within the trash that is compacted. The liquid is admitted into a reservoir within the storage container of the trash compactor where it is isolated from the compacted trash. When the storage container is removed to a disposal site, the compacted trash is emptied and the liquid from the reservoir is also emptied at the disposal site. For trash that has a large volumetric quantity of liquid, an overflow tank may be provided in the storage container to receive the overflow from the reservoir within the storage container. The overflow tank may also receive liquid that accumulates in the compactor unit while the compactor is operating.

Abstract: A device for collecting waste or used masters and applicable to a stencil printer or similar printer is disclosed. The device includes a waste master box accommodating a compression plate therein. The compression plate is rotatable at least more than 90 degrees about a shaft on which it is mounted. Every time a waste master peeled off a print drum is introduced into the box, the compression plate rotates over the above angular range in order to compress the waste master. The box prevents consecutive waste masters sequentially compressed by the compression plate from being localized.

Abstract: A stencil printer capable of printing a multicolor image on a sheet of the present invention includes a plurality of drums arranged side by side in an intended direction of sheet transport at a preselected interval. Ink of particular color is fed to the inner periphery of each drum carrying a respective master around its outer periphery. An intermediate transport device transports a sheet from an upstream drum to a downstream drum. A controller controls the sheet conveyance speed of the intermediate transport device and/or the print conveyance speed of the downstream drum in accordance with the size and/or the position of the sheet. The printer allows a minimum of double printing and misregister to occur by making up for a delay of transport of the sheet to the downstream drum.

Abstract: A support and tensioning frame for a stencil to enable solderi paste to be applied to printed circuit boards and other electronic substrates comprising a support frame having four side members with at least two opposing side members having a stencil support surface which the stencil abuts and over which the stencil is flexed by two displaceable mounting bars disposed within opposing side members. The mounting bars are engaged with the stencil by a plurality of projections extending from a terminal edge of a mounting plate comprising each mounting bar which are sized for receipt by a plurality of apertures disposed along at least two side edges of the stencil. Each mounting bar is biased in an outwardly position by a plurality of compression springs disposed along each side member.

Abstract: An inking-pad printing press has at least one container (1) for inking a printing plate and a press device for pressing the container against the printing plate. The printing plate (2) and the container are moved in a mutually reciprocating manner by a drive mechanism in order to ink a printing block of the printing plate. During the inking process, the position of the container relative to the longitudinal axis of the printing block and hence to the printed image is varied by a further relative movement. This further relative movement is, for example, an oscillating, rolling, swaying, swinging or thrusting movement.

Abstract: There is disclosed a hand stamp including a self-inking device and comprising an inverting mechanism (10) for a character unit, the inverting mechanism being arranged in a housing (1) and including an inverting axle (9), wherein the inverting axle (9) extends through slots (24) in the housing (1) and is mounted with its ends in legs (8) of an actuating bow (2) guided on the housing (1), the ends of the inverting axle (9) being secured against axial displacement by aid of safety elements; for a simple mounting and dismounting of the inverting axle (9) and its stable support in axial and radial direction, it is provided that at at least one leg (8) of the actuating bow (2), a shaped body (12) provided as safety element is capable of being snapped into a recess (11) of the leg (8), and that the inverting axle (9) is held partly in the leg (8) and partly on the shaped body (12).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing ink to an ink fountain of a printing press. A flexible bag of ink is utilized and is compressed for forcing the ink into the fountain, and a sensor determines the level of ink in the fountain and thus controls the force on the bag, that is, the compressor on the bag. The flexible bag of ink is subjected to a compressor, which can be a flexible air-filled bladder which forces against the ink bag to compress the ink therefrom and into an ink fountain.

Abstract: A fixing device for a wet type master sheet making apparatus for making a master sheet has a heated panel for fixing and drying a developed image on the master sheet while the master sheet moves on the panel, and a cleaning web placed between a surface of the panel and the master sheet to absorb extra developing liquid on the master sheet while the master sheet moves on the panel. The fixing device has web winding means for winding the web to move the web along the surface of the panel, and actuating means for selectively actuating the winding means by one of manual and electrical operations. Therefore, the user can easily and quickly tension the cleaning web to make the cleaning web tightly contact the surface of the panel by manually actuating the winding means when the cleaning web is replaced.

Abstract: Deposits are removed from the end of a spray dampening nozzle which is used to spray pressurized fluid that is delivered to the nozzle end. This fluid is activated by ultrasound before it exits the nozzle end. The activation of the fluid can be accomplished upstream of, or at the nozzle end. An ultrasound vibrator is used to activate the fluid and is either directly or indirectly connected to the fluid by a vibration transmitter.

Abstract: A sabot pressure wad has a unitary sabot portion and an integrally formed pressure wad portion. The sabot portion has a payload receiving compartment which may receive a payload, such as a cylindrical slug, with an interference fit. The pressure wad portion has a gas seal and a shock absorbing device, such as a plurality of chevrons. A separating disc may be positioned between the gas seal and the sabot portion. The gas seal, the separating disc, and the sabot portion all have substantially the same outer diameter. The sabot pressure wad may be a single piece injection-molded part, and may be received within a shell casing along with the payload. The sabot pressure wad remains attached to the payload upon discharge from a firearm until impact with a target.

Abstract: An assembly for tamping ballast supporting a track having two rails fastened to ties comprises a vertically adjustable tamping tool carrier and a pair of tamping tools mounted on the carrier for reciprocation towards and away from one another in the longitudinal direction of the track, each of the tamping tools being pivotal about a swivel axis extending in the direction of elongation of the ties and including at least one tamping pick arranged at the lower end of the tamping tool and intended for immersion in the ballast upon vertical adjustment of the tamping tool carrier, the tamping pick being mounted on the tamping tool for pivoting about a pivot axis extending perpendicularly to the swivel axis.

Abstract: A strong, flexible and vandalism-resistant panel is provided. The panel includes a flexible wire skeleton structure such as a chain link structure embedded in a layer of polymer material such as rubber, synthetic rubber or another suitable polymer material. The chain link structure is made from parallel flat helical link sections connected by curved cross-sections. The panel of the present invention is particularly useful as a curtain for a roll-up door or for panels used to cover the space disposed between two adjacent railroad car sections. The formed panels are flexible, cannot be dented, are substantially cut-proof and are highly vandalism-resistant.

Abstract: A single circular or cylindrical door is provided which covers a pair of horizontal discharge openings in a hopper car construction transversely of the longitudinal axis of the rail car. Each circular or cylindrical door is pivotally mounted to the rail car body on each side of the rail car. A fluid operated cylinder is connected to each door at the central span thereof. The other end of the fluid operated cylinder is connected to the center sill of the rail car. A directional valve controls the direction of fluid flow to the fluid operated cylinder to cause the door to rotate from a closed position blocking the pair of discharge openings to an open position whereby both discharge openings may simultaneously discharge material from the hopper car.

Abstract: A stackable pallet for transporting gas containers is provided. The pallet includes a frame structure for supporting the gas cylinders. The structure includes a lower end having a lower locking structure. The upper end has an upper locking structure shaped and dimensioned to be mateable with the lower locking structure of another like pallet to lock the pallets in a stacked arrangement. The pallets may form part of a stackable pallet system which includes a plurality of pallets, some of which may be locked together in a stacked arrangement to the bed of a trailer or other vehicle.

Abstract: A method of operating a combustion unit of a coal-fired power plant operating according to a slag tap furnace firing method, which includes supplying a titanium-containing material in addition to coal to a melting chamber for accelerating coal burn-up, burning the titanium-containing material together with the coal in the melting chamber at a temperature above 1500.degree. C., and generating fly ash and molten ash as a result of combustion in the melting chamber. Additionally, a combustion unit for a coal-fired power plant, including a melting chamber that has a combustion zone for receiving coal. The combustion zone produces fly ash.

Abstract: A method of charging a pyrolytic gas-producing reactor with waste fuel wherein the waste fuel is forced into the reactor by a ram and wherein air is prevented from entering the reactor and pyrolysis gases are prevented from escaping from the reactor by means of an ablative seal which is positioned between the fuel and the ram and which is forced by the action of the ram on the fuel charge into the reactor whilst in sealing engagement with the internal walls of the reactor, the seal being made of a material which will resist the high temperature and chemical conditions in the reactor for at least as long a period as is required for the seal to perform its sealing function and which is thereafter thermally decomposed into products which are not detrimental to the pyrolytic process or to the pyrolytic gases produced by the reactor.

Abstract: In a process for gasifying and burning waste materials, the waste materials are introduced into an incinerator (1) and end up on a burning grate (6) to which combustion air is conducted through various undergrate forced draft chambers (8a to 8e). In the first area combustion air is introduced at a superstoichiometric level in order to ignite the waste materials. Then, via the undergrate forced draft chambers (8c to 8e), oxygen is mixed into the air which is used for the gasification, thereby establishing a substoichiometric level which results in gasification of the waste materials. The combustible gases which result from this process pass via a waste gas flue (12) into a second furnace (2), in which the gases are burned at a superstoichiometric level through the introduction of combustion air. The resulting waste gases pass to a heat exchanger (3).

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for accurately controlling the amount of NH.sub.3 to be applied to a field by measuring the NH.sub.3 flow rate without condensing or cooling the NH.sub.3. The system includes a control station 12 on the vehicle with a tachometer 12A or a GPS system for providing a vehicle speed signal to a control panel 13. The control panel includes a toggle switch 17 for adjusting the opening or closing of a valve 52 in the flow line to regulate the flow through the system, although the control panel alternatively may automatically control the valve 52. The vehicle transports a tank 20 containing liquid NH.sub.3 and a tool bar 30 for distributing the NH.sub.3 to the soil. After flowing through the flow meter 40, 60, 130, the NH.sub.3 is conducted to the soil through a series of hoses, fittings, a distributor, and tubing.

Abstract: A finger wheel adapted to follow behind and/or beside a furrow opener at varying angles to the vertical and to the direction of travel. The finger wheel is useful for covering a furrow with loose soil to retain gaseous material such as anhydrous ammonia in the soil. The finger wheel is also useful for removing dry soil from the top of a seed furrow to reduce the effective depth of seeding and improve emergence. Also provided are a gaseous material injector and seeding apparatus using a known double inclined disc in combination with the finger wheel.

Abstract: The hook mechanism 30 and the first thread guide member 24 are attached to the lower end of the needle threading shaft 21 so as to be integrally with each other. The second thread guide member 26 is rotatably supported by the needle threading shaft 21. When the needle threading shaft 21 rotates in the clockwise direction C, the second thread guide member 26 is pivoted by the link mechanism 50 in the direction toward the hook mechanism 30 and away from the first thread guide member 24. As a result, the needle threading hook 32 reaches the sewing needle 11 and penetrates through the sewing needle eye 11a of the sewing needle 11. Also, an amount of the upper thread 23 required for threading the sewing needle 11 is automatically fed from the free end portion 23a of the upper thread 23 in a simple manner.

Abstract: The present invention provides an air suction device for a threading apparatus that creates an air flow to be directed toward a needle eye in order to guide a yarn through the eye. The air suction device is comprised of:(a) an air device externally provided for generating reduced pressure;(b) an air suction pipe connected to the external air device; and(c) an air path leading to a front portion of the air suction pipe.The air path is comprised of a pair of leaf springs to horizontally hold a needle, and upper and lower elastic members which run parallel between the pair of leaf springs. To effectively direct air into the needle eye, an air-tight environment is provided around the needle eye: (1) air entry above and beneath the needle eye is prevented by the body of the needle; (2) air entry from both sides of the needle is prevented by the pair of leaf springs that hold the needle; and (3) air inflow behind the needle is prevented by rear-positioned elastic members which tightly fit the needle.

Abstract: In order to be able to dispense with the time-consuming and expensive manual cleaning of ship's hulls (4), a cleaning installation is proposed which consists of at least one cleaning roller (2, 3) which can be driven to rotate, is rotatably mounted in a rack (1) and whose roller structures are positioned at least partially below the surface of the water.

Abstract: A fairing system is disclosed for protecting a cylindrical marine element from drag and vortex induced vibration. A noncorrosive fairing shroud is rotatably mounted about the cylindrical marine element and defines an annular region between the exterior of the cylindrical marine element and the inside of the fairing shroud and at least one copper element is mounted at the annular region to discourage marine growth at the fairing shroud-cylindrical marine element interface. This enables the fairing to remain free to weathervane to orient most effectively with the current Another aspect of the present invention is a method for protecting a substantially cylindrical marine element from vortex-induced vibration in which a rotatable fairing is installed about the marine element and a marine growth inhibitor is mounted in active communication with the annular interface of the rotatable fairing and the cylindrical marine element.

Abstract: A hull configuration for the planar surface region in the tunnel area between hulls(pontoons) in a fishing type catamaran. In the tunnel bottom surface is a raised frontwardly located center section adjacent the bow forms a venturi where low pressure is formed by incoming waves passing about the squared off rear portion of the center section. Behind the center section is a raised longitudinal stabilizer running to the rear(stern) of the boat which diverts and splits incoming air coming from the bow section to each side of the tunnel. Adjacent to the center section are two raised side stabilizers which straighten out incoming air and reduce the turbulence effects therefrom. On the rear ends of the two side stabilizers and the center section are through-holes that allow for venting excessive pressure from inside the tunnel to the interior of the bilge of the boat.

Abstract: A container for supporting an anchor on its side on the deck of a boat. The container is a hollow enclosure having an enclosed bottom, sides and a top. The top of the hollow enclosure has an anchor support recess having two side recesses for the anchor flukes and a front recess for the anchor shank. The top has a central enclosure and as an anchor is raised, the line can be placed in the central enclosure and the anchor rested on the top with its flukes resting on the side support recesses and the shank resting in the front recess. A strap can be provided to hold the anchor on the container.

Abstract: A pontoon boat having a support framework that includes a number of telescoping cross members that laterally extend and retract to vary the width of the craft. Included tires rotate into and out of ground contact to permit towing without the need for a separate trailer. A motor or hand crank controls a longitudinal lead screw mounted to a reciprocating trailer tongue. Lateral control arms pivot with motion of the tongue member and laterally displace longitudinal side rails and flotation pontoons. A deck and handrails are raised and lowered as the framework reciprocates between travel and flotation positions. One of the sets of telescoping cross members separately rotates the tire support assemblies. A deck control assembly controls the alignment and separation of the deck at a longitudinal seam.

Abstract: A portable boat dock and ramp, whose overall length is adjustable telescopically, one end of which connects to a swim step of a water skiing boat or other boat equipped with a swim step and the other end of which is anchored to a shoreline, thereby providing a secure mooring of said boat to said shoreline as well as providing a bridge between said shoreline and said boat for ingress and egress of people, equipment and supplies. One section of said boat dock fits slidably inside the other section for transport and storage. In use, an inside ramp section slidably projects or telescopes-out of the outside ramp section to create a ramp whose overall length can be up to almost twice the length of a single ramp section. A cushioned, "U" shaped channel, which connects to the swim step of a boat, is fixed at one end of said dock. A polystyrene foam board is installed inside said inside ramp section to provide adequate buoyancy for floatation when a boat is not moored to said dock.

Abstract: An indicator providing visual information of the level of bulk material in a bin has rotatable visual members with bright and dark colored surfaces covered with a transparent lens. A actuator located within the bin is operatively coupled to the visual members to turn the visual member to an ON position exposing the bright colored surface to a person when bulk material engages the actuator and to an OFF position exposing the dark colored surface to a person when the actuator is free of bulk material whereby the person can determine the level of the bulk material in the bin. The visual members are also provided with a device that triggers a sensor that activates a remote indicator providing data as to the level of bulk material in the bin.

Abstract: A filament guide assembly is provided with a support rod carrying a plurality of filament guides each for guiding a respective one of a plurality of filaments. A pair of support blocks mount the support rod at each end thereof to allow for (i) rotational movements between a raised position, wherein the filament guides are spaced from a respective one of the filaments, and a lowered position wherein the guides are in contact with the respective one of the filaments, and (ii) lateral shifting movements between an operative position, wherein the guides are aligned with the respective one of the filaments, and a rest position wherein the guides are laterally misaligned with the respective one of the filaments. Most preferably, the guide assembly is employed in combination with a finish oil applicator so that the guides bias the individual filaments into contact with finish oil nozzles thereof, and in so doing, ensure that positive contact between the finish oil nozzles and the filaments occurs.

Abstract: A ceiling texturing device, comprising a drive, a drive shaft attached to the drive whereby the drive rotates the drive shaft, adjustable reciprocating device attached to the drive shaft such that the rotating motion of the drive shaft is converted to reciprocating motion and the amount of reciprocating motion can be selectively varied, a piston rod attached to the adjustable reciprocating device such that the adjustable reciprocating device moves the piston rod in a reciprocating motion and a ceiling texturing device attached to the piston rod such that the piston rod moves the ceiling texturing device in a reciprocating motion.

Abstract: A tubular reaction chamber is mounted on an annular insulating plate disposed on a grounded metallic base plate. A cylindrical outer electrode connected to a high-frequency power supply is disposed around said tubular reaction chamber, and a cylindrical inner electrode is disposed in said reaction chamber coaxially with said cylindrical outer electrode. The cylindrical inner electrode has a plurality of inlet holes defined therein, and a lower end disposed in an opening defined in the metallic base plate and fixed to said metallic base plate. A holder is disposed in said cylindrical inner electrode for supporting a plurality of wafers at spaced intervals.

Abstract: A thermal processor for at least one semiconductor wafer includes a reactor chamber having a material substantially transparent to light including a wavelength within the range of about 200 nanometers to about 800 nanometers for holding the at least one semiconductor wafer. A coating including a material substantially reflective of infrared radiation can be present on at least a portion of the reactor chamber. A light source provides radiant energy to the at least one semiconductor wafer through the coating and the reactor chamber. The light source can include an ultraviolet discharge lamp, a halogen infrared incandescent lamp, or a metal halide visible discharge lamp. The coating can be situated on an inner or outer surface of the reactor chamber. If the reactor chamber has inner and outer walls, the coating can be situated on either the inner wall or the outer wall.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for dosing the components of a mixed fodder for feeding cattle. The straw feed is delivered onto a horizontal conveyor (6) for weighing its amount thereon. The flour is metered by means of metering mechanisms (7, M1-M4) controlled by a calculator (8a), which dose amounts of flour proportioned as desired to the amount of straw feed directly within the straw feed concurrently with the weighing thereof. The weighing result of a weighed component is reduced in real time on the basis of dosages received from the calculator (8a).

Abstract: A feed intake apparatus for a livestock feeding system is disclosed having a hopper with a feed inlet which receives feed from a feed supply source and a feed outlet, hopper having upper and lower switches regulating the amount of feed in hopper; a housing connected to the bottom of hopper having a feed inlet which receives feed from hopper and a feed outlet, housing having a body which generally converges downwardly and inwardly from said feed inlet toward feed outlet; a feed conveyor attached to housing, feed conveyor comprising a conveyor tube with a feed auger housed therein, feed auger having a multiplicity of substantially equally spaced flights and being driven within conveyor for conveying feed through conveyor tube; and an agitation device within housing.

Abstract: A feeder for butterflies, moths and birds. The feeder includes a top which can form a crawling insect guard for the feeder, and the feeder may be hung by a hanging ring. The feeder also includes a grid defining a first set of openings and a second set of openings. The first set of openings prevents access to food within the feeder by birds. The second set of openings allows such access. The feeder further includes a butterfly feeder core piece which may be positioned within the grid. The core piece has a base and a skewer upon which the food is threaded. The base has a rim that substantially covers the second set of openings when the core piece is positioned within the grid to prevent access to the food by birds. When the core piece is not used, birds may access food within the feeder. As such, the feeder is readily convertible between two configurations--one where birds may feed, another where they may not.

Abstract: An article of manufacture for a portable animal watering container having a fluid reservoir having a resealable opening for accessing liquid and where the container is capable of carrying a volume of liquid, an open receptacle coupled to and situated in the reservoir near the opening, the receptacle having apertures on its bottom surface permitting communication between an interior of the reservoir and the receptacle, and where the apertures permit entry of the liquid into the receptacle up to a low level, so as to minimize spillage of the liquid from the receptacle. In a preferred embodiment the receptacle has apertures sized to permit a small amount of liquid to enter the receptacle at any one time and has a tight lid to prevent water from escaping during transport of the container. In another preferred embodiment, the receptacle is shaped in a frusto-conical or generally cylindrical.

Abstract: A fish resuscitating apparatus includes a container of pressurized oxygen-rich fluid medium such as a gas or liquid. A valve controllably couples the fluid medium to a dispensing tip which is dimensioned to fit within the mouth of the fish. The dispensing tip is porous or perforated to allow the fluid to enter the mouth of the fish for aiding the fish in recovering from being caught. A kit of parts includes a container, a valve, and a plurality of tips of different dimensions, for use with different types of fish.