Abstract: A toothed gear includes an outer toothed rim 1, a hub 3 and a profiled bridge area 2 connecting the toothed rim 1 and the hub 3 as one piece. The bridge area 2 is connected to the toothed rim and the hub in different planes. The bridge area consists of uniformly spaced, spoke-like bridges 2, which are uniformly distributed over the circumference. The bridges are arranged in an alternating manner on both sides of a center plane extending through the toothed gear.

Abstract: The invention relates to a steering wheel with at least one covering element, which is preferably affixed above an insert of the steering wheel rim (3). According to the invention, at least one mechanical connecting element (11), in particular a clip-type connecting part, is placed between the steering wheel (1) and the covering element (5, 6).

Abstract: A camshaft includes a device for hydraulic adjustment of a relative rotating position of the camshaft for the purpose of influencing valve timing. The device has a drive wheel, a cell wheel, and an impeller. The impeller is disposed, by way of vanes, within cells of the cell wheel and can carry out relative motion. A locking arrangement, which operates in the starting phase of the internal-combustion engine, is provided between the cell wheel and the impeller. The locking arrangement is formed by a spring-loaded, hydraulically operated piston housed in one of the blades of the impeller and by a corresponding receiving device for the piston provided in a constructional unit consisting of the drive wheel and the cell wheel. The piston of the vane interacting with the receiving device is acted upon from a pressure duct of the vane. A reversal valve in the pressure duct is connected to pressure spaces of one of the cells.

Abstract: A spacer includes a first cam having an inclined cam surface and a second cam having an inclined cam surface. The overall length of the two cams can be changed by contacting the cam surfaces together to move the cams relative to each other.

Abstract: A balance weight has first and second margins at right angles to one another with the second margin larger than the first margin. A balance weight groove in a rotor has outer and inner wall portions, with the outer wall portions spaced a distance less than the spacing between the inner wall portions. The balance weight has a central threaded opening receiving a screw and a driving slot in the upper face of the weight. An insertion tool is threaded to the balance weight to insert the balance weight through a turbomachinery access opening into the groove. The tool is rotated to locate the second margins below the outer wall portions of the groove. By inserting a driving tool through the insertion tool, the screw is rotated to lock the balance weight to the rotor and in the groove. Upon removal of the insertion and driving tools, a staking tool is inserted through turbine access opening to stake the balance weight and rotor and the screw and balance weight.

Abstract: A safety pedal for bicycles, comprising a device for quickly coupling to a cleat fastened to the sole of as shoe. This device comprises a toe element for receiving a front end of the cleat and a rear fastening device, which is suitable for engaging the rear end of the cleat when this is pressed over said rear fastening device. The cleat is released from the pedal by turning in the general plane of the pedal so to move the rear end of the cleat laterally. The resting surface of the cleat on the pedal includes cam means for lifting the side of the cleat, which is moved away from the center of the pedal when the releasing rotation is imposed on the cleat. Said cam means are only arranged on the side of the pedal facing outwards (with reference to the fitting condition of the bicycle), so to be operative only when the rear end of the cleat is moved laterally outwards, i.e.

Abstract: With regard to an automatic transmission in which an oil passage is formed by interposing a separator plate between a torque converter case and a valve body, a housing of a bearing that supports a counter shaft is press-fitted in a recess of the torque converter case, the edge of the separator plate abuts the outer periphery of the housing, and a notch formed on the valve body superimposed on the separator plate is in contact with the end face of the housing, thereby preventing the bearing from falling out. When supporting the bearing in the recess of the torque converter case, the present invention enables the bearing having a large axial dimension to be supported without deepening the above-mentioned recess.

Abstract: A process for producing aluminum metal by carbothermic reduction of alumina ore. Alumina ore is heated in the presence of carbon at an elevated temperature to produce an aluminum metal body contaminated with about 10-30% by wt. aluminum carbide. Aluminum metal or aluminum alloy scrap then is added to bring the temperature to about 900-1000° C. and precipitate out aluminum carbide. The precipitated aluminum carbide is filtered, decanted, or fluxed with salt to form a molten body having reduced aluminum carbide content.

Abstract: An iron-based mixed powder for use in powder metallurgy and excellent in die filling property and compressibility and without segregation, includes an iron-based powder in which alloying powder(s) is adhered to the surface by a binder and, further, a free lubricant. The iron-based powder includes a mixed iron powder of atomized iron powder and reduced iron powder.

Abstract: An alloy feedstock for semi-solid metal injection molding. The alloy feedstock is an alloy material in particulate form and has a heterogeneous structure, a temperature range at 20% of the height of the peak of the main melting reaction greater than 40° C., and having a ratio of the height of the peak of the eutectic reaction to the height of the main melting reaction of less than 0.5.

Abstract: In a high-speed fabrication process for producing highly uniform metallic microspheres, a molten metal is passed through a small orifice, producing a stream of molten metal therefrom. A series of molten metal droplets forms from the break up of the capillary stream. To achieve high uniformity of the spheres and avoid defects, the droplets are cooled before being captured. Separating the droplets, by causing them to travel in different paths than their adjacent droplets, helps to facilitate the cooling of the droplets. The droplets can be separated by electrostatically charging them as they break off from the capillary stream. The droplets are then passed through an electric field, which can be produced by a pair of deflection plates. The droplets are dispersed by varying the electric field—e.g., by rotating the plates or by varying the voltage applied thereto—or by varying the electrostatic charge of the droplets.

Abstract: A process of reduction of iron ore and/or waste oxides in the form of agglomerate containing carbonaceous reductant on the hearth of a furnace includes providing a bed of agglomerates on the hearth of a furnace, the bed having a height of at least about 40 mm and having at least four layers of agglomerates. The carbonaceous reductant contains sufficient volatile matter, the volatile matter having a weight of at least about 10% of the weight of the reductant. The bed of agglomerates is heated with a radiant heat source having a temperature of at least about 1450° C. to cause the top of the bed to reach a temperature in the range of 1530° C. to 1500° C. to reduce iron oxides in the iron ore and/or waste oxides to metallic iron.

Abstract: In a complex tool to be installed on a machine tool capable of turning machining and milling machining, a main body 21a is provided, inserts for turning machining 22, 23, 26 are installed on the main body, and inserts for milling machining 22, 25 and inserts for drilling machining 22, 25 are installed on the main body, so that turning machining and drilling/milling machining can be executed by the inserts installed on the main body without tool exchange. Turning machining and drilling/milling machining can be executed without tool exchange, and effective machining is possible, saving time and labor for tool exchange.

Abstract: A wire stripper capable of automatically grasping a coated wire, cutting the coating with cutters, rotating the cutters and stripping the cut coating away with only one electric motor. The wire stripper is provided with a reversible main spindle which is supported on a machine frame and allowed to slide crosswise so as to enable gripping operation of the grippers as well as nipping and cutting operation of the cutters. The main spindle is provided with a lead-screw shaft with which a nut block is coupled so that the lead-screw shaft advances by forward rotation of the main spindle to close the grippers and the cutters as well as to rotate the cutters. The nut block is then moved backward by the lead screw of the lead-screw shaft after the main spindle has stopped advancing and the cutters are then withdrawn to strip the cut coating away from the core.

Abstract: A wire stripper capable of automatically grasping a coated wire, cutting the coating with cutters, rotating the cutters and stripping the cut coating away with only one electric motor. The wire stripper is provided with a reversible main spindle which is supported on a machine frame and allowed to slide crosswise so as to enable gripping operation of the grippers as well as nipping and cutting operation of the cutters. The main spindle is provided with a lead-screw shaft with which a nut block is coupled so that the lead-screw shaft advances by forward rotation of the main spindle to close the grippers and the cutters as well as to rotate the cutters. The nut block is then moved backward by the lead screw of the lead-screw shaft after the main spindle has stopped advancing and the cutters are then withdrawn to strip the cut coating away from the core.

Abstract: A grip offering a radical new shape to enhance performance by lessening stress to the user. Opening the hand more, yet still more securing; the grip is the objective by using an inverted, elliptical cone with recessed finger grips to accomplish this.

Abstract: Recessed head fasteners are provided with a configuration by which the force applied by the blades of the driver to the recessed wings is applied at the radially outer regions of the wings. The wings of the fastener recess may be provided with torque pads at the outer regions of the wings adapted to engage the outer portions of the driver blades. The torque pads may be defined by relieved regions on the drive walls of the recess wings. The relieved regions are formed to avoid contact with the driver blades. Stabilizing ribs also may be defined at the radially inward regions of the drive walls. A recess engageable driver may include a plurality of radially extending ribs configured to promote engagement of the ribs with the most radially outward regions of the recess drive walls. The driver and the recess are compatible with each other as well as with otherwise corresponding conventional recesses and drivers that do not incorporate the invention.

Abstract: A driver bit and a header punch for manufacture of screws comprising a screw comprising substantially vertical end wall portions of predetermined depth formed on an end edge portion of a bit fitting groove on a screw head, non-planar bottom portions raised from lower edge portions of the vertical end wall portions toward a center of the screw head, inclined groove portions extending from raised portions of the non-planar bottom portions toward a center of a screw neck, a substantially conical-shaped bottom surface formed on a bottom of the groove, the bit fitting groove being adapted to a driver bit, which has a blade adapted to be fitted into the bit fitting groove and has a lower edge portion of the blade adapted to abut against the non-planar bottom portions.

Abstract: A centering apparatus for centering a disk about a center member such as a shaft or hub includes a plurality of pairs of actuator units. The actuator units of each of the pairs faces each other through the disk. Each of the actuator units has a member which moves linearly and can come into contact with the disk.

Abstract: A lathe steady rest has a frame adjacent an axis about which a lathe rotates a workpiece, a pair of arms pivotal on the frame about arm axes parallel to the workpiece axis and having outer ends radially displaceable relative to the workpiece axis, and a slide displaceable radially of the workpiece axis on the frame and having an outer end turned toward the workpiece. The outer ends are angularly spaced about the axis. Respective rollers rotatable on the outer ends about roller axes parallel to the workpiece axis radially engage the workpiece. Respective caps mounted on the arm outer ends over the respective rollers have passages with outer ends directed radially inward against the workpiece adjacent the respective rollers. A fluid is supplied under pressure to the passages to flush particles from the workpiece. The chamber allows the respective cap to change position without losing pressure in its passages.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and article involving a onepiece, unibody spindle liner having a tubular shape with an outside diameter and inside diameter that may be sized to fit virtually any spindle of a turning machine and to readily allow for the feeding therethrough of any size or shape of bar or tube stock. This invention provides that the axial centerline of the workpiece is maintained in concentric axial alignment with the working centerline of the turning machine to reduce wobble or “whip” of the stock during the machining process. The liner's inner bore and diameter is molded to match and allow for feeding of virtually any size and shape stock being turned, including but not limited to round, hex, square, and extruded. The inner bore is molded into the spindle liner along its entire length providing absolute support of the workpiece. The spindle liner also has a flanged mounting end to allow for the proper orientation and attachment to the spindle.

Abstract: A gang punch tool assembly and method is provided for punching holes in a plurality of greensheets which are processed sequentially through the assembly. The punch mechanism is a gang punch cooperating with a corresponding die and the greensheet is automatically fed to the gang punch and die, the greensheet punched and then the punched greensheet removed from the punch area and another greensheet positioned for punching. Operation of the gang punch apparatus is efficient and effective and has a high greensheet throughput. A preferred gang punch uses a pressurizable air chamber for controlling punching of the greensheet without damage to the greensheets or gang punch mechanism.

Abstract: A stacking apparatus for paper products comprises a supplier of an overlapping stream of paper products and a plurality of receiver elements to form a layer. A rotation device is arranged beneath the receiver elements, with the orientation of the supplied printed products being rotated through 90° with respect to the orientation of the layer on exiting the further receiver element.

Abstract: Web or sheet-fed segment processing apparatus (30, 300) is provided for high speed, extremely accurate operations such as die cutting or lamination. The apparatus (30, 300) includes a processing station (32, 300) adapted to receive a segment (38) forming a part of a continuous web (100, 102) or as a discrete sheet. The station (32, 300) includes a vacuum hold-down plate (142, 306) for holding initially fed segments (38); the hold-down plate (32,308) is shiftable as necessary along orthogonal X-Y axes in the plane of the segment (38), and/or &thgr; rotation about a rotational axis transverse to the segment plane, such movement being effected by a series of aligned, translatable eccentric drive units (178-182,346-350) coupled with plate (142,306). Preferably, the segments (38) carry positioning fiducials (44) and which are compared with fixed reference indicia (250, 252) in the station (32, 300).

Abstract: A machine for cutting a food product includes a stationary structure with a food product guide surface for guiding a food product along a path of travel. A knife wheel support which rotatably supports the knife wheel and is pivotally attached to the stationary structure so as to pivot about a pivot axis extending substantially parallel to the knife wheel axis, such that the knife wheel axis is movable along an arcuate path about the pivot axis. A plurality of adjustable stripper plates extends between adjacent circular knives which slice the food product into a plurality of strips prior to the food product being cut by a cross-cut knife, the stripper plates having an adjustable attaching mechanism connecting them to the stationary structure to facilitate the adjustment of the distance between the stripper plates and the food guide surface so as to readily accommodate a food product having a variety of thicknesses.

Abstract: A mini-blind cutter for selective manual in-store sizing of a first mini-blind product and a second mini-blind product. Each of the mini-blind products include a head rail, a plurality of slats, and a bottom rail having a different geometry and or material composition. A die assembly is movable from a first position to a second position includes a first and second region to receive the first and second mini-blind products. A blade carrier assembly includes at least two blade carriers and permits permit independent translation of the blade carriers to accommodate the different sized mini-blind products.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rotary cutting device comprising a rotatable cutting tool and a rotatable anvil roller incorporating a cutting support, wherein a cutting edge, which co-operates with the cutting support, is arranged on the cutting tool for cutting a web of material, and wherein at least one support ring with a support surface is mounted on the cutting tool for supporting the cutting tool relative to the anvil roller.

Abstract: A high-speed shear with a knife, particularly a chisel-type knife with a knife edge, arranged on at least one of two oppositely arranged drums, wherein the knife can be accelerated to the feeding speed of the rolled strip and the drums can be adjusted relative to each other for carrying out a cut. At least one drive unit provided for the drums serves to accelerate the drums to the speed of the rolled strip to be cut and at least one of the drums may be provided with a separately controllable adjusting device. The chisel-type knife of the knife drum is mounted so as to protrude from the cutting circle towards the anvil or the surface portion of the second drum acting as an anvil and to mount the chisel-type knife of the knife drum so as to be resiliently supported against a predetermined restoring force.

Abstract: A miter box is comprised of two incomplex components, namely, a base and a U-shaped guide member, which are assembled by engagement of a pivot post on the guide member within a passage extending normal to the surface of the table of the base. An assembly for clamping the workpiece against a fence member on the base consists of a lug that is engageable at each of numerous locations along the length of a channel for location proximate the fence, and a clamping piece that is rotatably mounted on the lug piece for being turned into clamping engagement with the workpiece.

Abstract: A structural band saw blade is provided having a cutting edge defined by a plurality of teeth spaced relative to each other, and a back edge located on an opposite side of the blade relative to the cutting edge. Each tooth of the band saw blade defines a tip, a rake face formed on one side of the tip, a primary clearance surface formed on the opposite side of the tip relative to the rake face, a secondary clearance surface formed on the opposite side of the primary clearance surface relative to the tip, and a tertiary clearance surface formed on the opposite side of the secondary clearance surface relative to the first clearance surface. The primary clearance surface defines a first acute relief angle, the secondary clearance surface defines a second acute relief angle less than the first acute relief angle, and the tertiary clearance surface defines a tertiary acute relief angle greater than the first and second relief angles.

Abstract: A drum includes a rigid, hollow body disposed about an axis and having first and second opposing opened ends of generally circular form. The body has an inner surface and an outer surface with the outer surface being of convoluted form defined by a plurality of channels formed in the body. The channels extend in a direction of the axis. A drum head membrane covers each of the first and second ends. A ring is mounted on each of the first and second ends so as to secure each drum head membrane to the body. Each ring includes a tensioning member receiving structure. A plurality of tensioning members are provided with a tensioning member being received in an associated channel and a first end of each tensioning member being received by the tensioning member receiving structure of each ring. The tensioning members are constructed and arranged to be moved with respect to the body to adjust tension of the drum head membranes.

Abstract: The Guitar Chord Finder is a digital device that will aid the beginning guitar player in learning the various chords needed to play the guitar successfully. This devise can be used in both learning and testing mode for the beginning guitar player. The design of the devise resembles the exact shape of the first four frets on a regular guitar, plus an additional space at the bottom of about two inches which will contain various switches to operate the unit. What is unique about this devise is that it is digital and compact in its design.

Abstract: A musical keyboard has keys arranged and marked for generating tones of a twelve-tone scale. A first register of keys generates first sets of six tones being whole tones apart in the twelve-tone scale. A second register of keys generates second sets of six tones being whole tones apart in the twelve-tone scale. The tones of each first set are disjoint and half-tones apart from the tones of each second set, and the tones of the first and second set correspond alternately to the twelve-tone scale. The keys on the first register are linearly arranged between the keys on the second register, and the keys on the second register are linearly arranged between the keys on the first register. The keys have markings arranged in units of three unique markings, and the units of three unique markings repeat identically and sequentially on the keys of the first and second registers.

Abstract: A method is designed for controlling a plurality of tone generating drivers by an integrating driver installed in an operating system to generate music tones according to performance data created by a music application software. In the method, the performance data created by the music application software is inputted into the integrating driver through an application program interface provided by the operating system. The performance data is distributed from the integrating driver to one or more of the tone generating drivers provisionally registered to the integrating driver. The registered tone generating driver is operated to generate waveform data of a music tone at a specific sampling frequency based on the distributed performance data. The waveform data is streamed back from the registered tone generating driver to the integrating driver. The specific sampling frequency of the streamed waveform data is converted into a common sampling frequency by the integrating driver.

Abstract: A server apparatus is provided for conducting an evaluation of a music piece with an external terminal apparatus. In the apparatus, a communication unit is used to exchange information with the external terminal apparatus. A first transmitting section transmits first prompt information to the external terminal apparatus through the communication unit, the first prompt information being effective to prompt a first evaluation of a music piece. A second transmitting section transmits inquiry information to the external terminal apparatus through the communication unit, the inquiry information inquiring whether or not to proceed with a second evaluation of the music piece. A receiving section receives request information from the external terminal apparatus in response to the inquiry information through the communication unit, the request information requesting the second evaluation.

Abstract: For both an automatic chord correction and an automatic composition, it is required to correct a part of a series of given chords in order to have a musically natural connection between adjacent chords. A series of chords “a”, “b”, “c”, “d”, “e”, “f” (each letter means one kind of chords) for a music is selected by a user. If two chords “c” and “d” among the series of chords “a”, “b”, “c”, “d”, “e”, “f” are changed into different ones, according to the user's preference or to make them more appropriate to the motif melody, the chord “b” adjacent to the changed “c” is automatically corrected into “b*” so that both chord connections from “a” to “b*” and from “b*” to the changed “c” can be more musically natural.

Abstract: A sound system and method for modeling a sound field generated by a sound source and creating a sound event based on the modeled sound field is disclosed. The system and method captures a sound field over an enclosing surface, models the sound field and enables reproduction of the modeled sound field. Explosion type acoustical radiation may be used. Further, the reproduced sound field may be modeled and compared to the original sound field model.

Abstract: The device for forwarding large-caliber shells to a heavy weapon, especially in an armored howitzer, wherein the shells are laid in a readiness tray that can be displaced horizontally along a forwarding path and the mechanism on the readiness tray axially brakes and fixes any shell laid therein. A shell support supports the shell in the vicinity of its ogive. The shell support is mounted on a supporting-lever rod in the form of an articulated-lever system that can be lowered against the force of a spring. The system's descent can be blocked by a locking mechanism. The blocking mechanism is provided with a pawl at one end of the system's second supporting lever. The pawl engages a notched rod that can be raised and lowered. The upward and downward motions of the rod are controlled by a skate that travels over a control strip while the tray is being displaced. The strip is positioned stationary below the tray.

Abstract: In order to provide a gun in which the recoil force attendant with actuation is reduced, a prototype model of a telescoping barrel gun has been designed. In this design, an inner barrel, which contains and directs the projectile, is made to slide forward within an outer barrel when the gun is actuated. The motion of the inner barrel is then stopped while the projectile moves unimpeded. The telescoping barrel design functions together with a design which requires a portion of the cartridge's propellant energy be used to produce a reduction in the force of the gun's recoil when fired. Upon firing, some of the propellant gases are channeled forward in the gun to an air space, which lies between the two concentric barrels. The forward motion of the inner barrel forces the gases in this air space from the gun through small holes located in the distal area of the outer barrel. The discharge of these gases is rearwardly directed in order to counteract the gun's recoil.

Abstract: A control valve and feedback system has three operating states including a lifting state, a neutral state, and a lowering state. The feedback control system comprises a cylinder, a pump, a reservoir for holding working fluid, and a control valve. The control valve comprises a valve body having first and second ends with a bore defined therebetween. The valve body further comprises an inlet port, a return port, a first work port and a second work port. The inlet port, return port, and first and second work ports are defined in the valve body. The inlet port communicates with the bore and the pump. The return port is in fluid communication with the bore and the reservoir. The first work port is also in communication with the bore and the cylinder in the lifting state. The control valve is plumbed backwards so that the first work port and the second work port are in fluid communication in the lowering state. The valve also comprises a check valve disposed in the first work port.

Abstract: A low density ash particle separation and collection method and device for separating low density particles, primarily frothy-solid particles with internal and external porosity and thick walled hollow particles, from the overall mixture of higher density particles including raw fly ash as produced by coal fired power plants. Specifically, the invention relates to a device and method for separating and collecting the low density fly ash fraction composed of thick walled hollow fly ash particles and frothy generally solid particles with both internal and external porosity and a relatively small amount of cenospheres from the overall mixture of ash particles composing raw ash as produced by coal fired power plants by de-energizing one or more fields of large electrostatic precipitators during electrostatic precipitation of the ash resulting in the dropping out of the lower density particles in the hoppers located below the de-energized field(s) of the electrostatic precipitator.

Abstract: A compact multiple bed pressure swing adsorption apparatus to produce a high concentration of oxygen efficiently and at minimum noise levels by using inactive pressurized adsorber beds to purge adsorbed nitrogen.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for cleaning filters in which raw gas with particles suspended therein conducted from a raw gas space to a clean gas space and through which intermittently a back-flushing gas is conducted from the clean gas space to the raw gas space, a flow dynamic control element is disposed in the clean gas space which blocks the outflow of gas from the clean gas space when a back-flushing gas is admitted to the clean gas space under a pressure, which exceeds the filter operating pressure so as to prevent excessive back-flushing gas losses during back-flushing. The flow dynamic control element is switched between an open and a blocking state by the pressure changes in the clean gas space without including any movable parts.

Abstract: An evaporated fuel discharge preventing apparatus, in order to sufficiently adsorb and collect an evaporated fuel generated in an intake air passage at a time when an engine stops, and to prevent an engine performance from being reduced by reducing an intake air resistance in an evaporated fuel adsorbing portion at a time when the engine is driven, has an adsorbing device arranged in a passage between an evaporated fuel generating portion and an air cleaner element, and, the adsorbing device is formed by an intake air passage portion laterally arranged within the device penetratingly and communicated with the passage at both ends, an adsorbent layer arranged on an outer periphery of the intake air passage portion, and a member covering an outer surface in a non-ventilating state except a side of the intake air passage portion in the adsorbent layer, and an inner diameter of the intake air passage portion of the adsorbing device is set to be substantially equal to or more than an inner diameter of the intake a

Abstract: A coffee making machine includes a vessel that supports a fitter basket containing measure of coffee grounds for mixing with hot water in a generally conventional way. A re-circulating passage connects a bottom outlet of the vessel to a top of the basket. A pump and heat exchanger are provided in the re-circulation passage. The pump and heat-exchanger are controlled by a programmable controller unit so that brewing or coffee-making conditions are readily and adjustably controllable by a user.

Abstract: An automatic barbeque assembly is provided having a cooking oven, a conveyor mechanism mounted in the oven, a sauce tank mounted in the oven for holding sauce, a food carrying mechanism connected to the conveyor mechanism for carrying food products in the oven and into the sauce, and a bypass mechanism for preventing the food carrying mechanism from dipping into the sauce wherein the bypass mechanism can be activated from the exterior of the cooking oven using only one hand. The bypass mechanism includes a bypass lever and a bypass lever rod wherein the bypass lever is permanently affixed at points along the length of the bypass lever rod. The bypass lever rod is rotatably mounted within the oven. The bypass lever and bypass lever rod together form a trapezoidal shape. The bypass lever rod extends through an aperture in the oven and rotates within the aperture. An activation rod is mounted to an end of the bypass lever rod on the exterior of the oven.

Abstract: The vapor extraction device is disposed, for example, in a kitchen counter top next to the cooking or other hot-food area, specifically so as to be retracted in the position of rest. To operate as a suction device, the intake the vapor extraction device is moved out upward and pivoted over and above food preparation carriers disposed on the hot-food areas.

Abstract: A new and improved apparatus is disclosed which would catch drippings from an ice cream bar or ice cream treat while a user would be eating the ice cream bar or ice cream treat. The apparatus would comprise a handle and an upper cup portion, with the upper cup portion being removably mounted on top of the handle portion. The upper cup portion has a hole in the middle, which would allow the upper cup portion to be removably mounted on top of the handle portion. The handle portion would have two ends, a top end and a bottom end, with the top end having a hole. The handle portion also has an internal slot, with the top-mounted hole being an entrance to the internal slot.

Abstract: A treatment device for subjecting food products to a temperature treatment comprises a housing, at least one conveyor means, on which the food products can be conveyed along a helical conveying path, as well as air-circulation means for causing conditioned air to circulate through the device, and air-conditioning means, in which device, according to the invention, air-distribution means for distributing the conditioned air via only part of the inside of the helical conveying path are provided on the inside of the conveying belt, which air-distribution means are connected to the air-circulation means. In the device according to-the invention, the conditioned air is blown over the products from a limited open area of the air-distribution means on the inside of the helical conveying path.

Abstract: Food preparation apparatus including a housing having a top wall and a front wall. Each wall having an aperture defined therein. A passageway for warming and storing pre-packaged food products extends from an entrance at the top wall aperture to an exit at the front wall aperture. A plurality of chutes are formed within the passageway for channeling the food products from the entrance to the exit. A plurality of electrical elements for warming the food products to preselected temperature surround each chute. The warming elements maintain the food products at a preselected temperature until they are removed from the housing.