Abstract: The invention disclosed relates to a foam-forming composition, for suppression/containment of blast from explosive devices. The composition comprises, a) a surfactant 40-80% w/w b) a foam stabilizer 0-7% w/w c) a polyalkylene glycol 10-30% w/w d) water, balance to 100%.

Abstract: A pneumatic servomotor for providing an assisted braking of a motor vehicle. The servomotor includes a plunger arrangement with a unidirectional clutch device (56). The clutch device (56) has a coaxial sleeve (58) that slides on a plunger (46) and a substantially ring-shaped key (60) with a given clearance around the sleeve (58). The key (60) is driven by a moving piston (22) in response to a predetermined rate of speed being applied to a control rod (38) by an input force. The predetermined rate of speed causes the key (60) to rock and lock the sleeve (58) with respect to the piston (22) independently of the control rod (38). The unidirectional clutch device (56) comprises at least one locking transverse face (76) for engagement with the sleeve (58). The face (76) is axially directed rearwards from a front end of the sleeve (58) to form a stop for a peg (78) located on the key (60) that extends radially towards the sleeve (58) for axial indexing an end locking position for the sleeve (58).

Abstract: The pneumatic cylinder includes a tubular body defining a piston chamber for a piston member, closed by front and rear heads; each head is provided with an inlet-outlet port for pressurised air, which opens out towards an annular slot coaxially arranged and communicating with the piston chamber. The piston is provided with a rod which extends through a guide bush in the front head. A pneumatic cushion is provided to control the movement of the piston at the ends of its stroke; the cushion of the front head includes a narrow passage for venting the air, and a sleeve protruding from the piston, to penetrate into an annular slot disposed coaxially around the guide bush for the piston rod.

Abstract: Disclosed herewith is a structure for supporting a swash plate at the maximum tilt angle in a swash plate type compressor. A support projection is formed at a predetermined position of the front surface of the swash plate to define the maximum tilt angle by coming into contact with the rotor of the compressor. When a connecting line passing through the center of a bore, into which a piston in the maximum compression stroke state is inserted, designated by LC, the support projection is situated on an acting line LP, which is spaced apart from the connecting line LC by a predetermined horizontal distance LF in the rotational direction of the swash plate, so as to define the maximum tilt angle of the swash plate.

Abstract: A hydrostatic variable displacement pump has a swash plate (3), which is used to adjust the stroke of displacement pistons in a cylinder block. The swash plate has its angle position pivoted in relation to the stroke direction of the displacement pistons by means of a servosystem. The servosystem is fitted on the housing (6) of the variable displacement pump. The servosystem (4) has a pressure cylinder (18) and a servopiston (7), which together form a servocylinder pressure chamber (8). The servopiston (7) operates in the pressure cylinder (18), is subjected to compressive loading by means of a spring assembly (9,10) and has a piston with at least two servopiston surfaces (11, 12) subjected to the action of pressure.

Abstract: A piston packing has a mounting surface and a seal surface. The seal surface and the mounting surface are fitted with a head and an annular groove portion, respectively, of a piston.

Abstract: A piston assembly for a compressor that reduces the temperature experienced by a compressor cup seal during operation of the compressor. The piston assembly includes a piston sleeve having a top portion and an interior. A valve plate is supported by the top of the piston sleeve. A compressor head includes a compressor head plate, which is offset from the valve plate. The offset between the compressor head plate and the valve plate defines a cooling chamber. The interior of the piston sleeve communicates with the interior of the compressor head via openings defined in the valve plate and the compressor head plate and conduit associated with these opening and traversing the cooling chamber.

Abstract: A drip-type coffee-maker includes a water reservoir (1) supplying a water-heater with continuous circulation (6), and a device (9) for treating the water in the reservoir with a water-soluble scale preventive agent. The water treating device (9) includes an element (10) for measuring out an amount of scale preventive agent (23) which is determined on the basis of the volume of water supplied to the water-heater (6) and which is injected into the water.

Abstract: A brewing apparatus for an electric coffee maker includes a plunger unit and a sleeve unit, which can be driven by a driving unit to move horizontally on a machine base. When an unsealed chamber is defined among a coffee-discharging unit, the plunger unit and the sleeve unit, ground coffee beans can be fed into the unsealed chamber. Subsequently, a sealed chamber is defined among the coffee-discharging unit, the plunger unit and the sleeve unit such that the ground coffee beans are received within the sealed chamber, thereby permitting flow of hot water into the sealed chamber. Finally, the plunger unit and the sleeve unit are separated from the coffee discharging unit, thereby permitting dropping of consumed ground coffee from a space between the coffee-discharging unit and the assembly of the plunger unit and the sleeve unit.

Abstract: A collapsible cooking stand or apparatus is disclosed and includes two“U” shaped members pivotally attached to a base member. In use the two members are securely retained in their assembled vertical position. A can holder is movably attached to the second“U” shaped member to support the can and its liquid contents from the bottom. The cooking apparatus can be used with various heating elements. The“U” shaped members form a stand that is inserted into the cavity of the chicken, along with the open portion of the supported beverage can. In this position, moisture from the contents inside the can is release into the cavity to compensate for moisture normally lost from cooking the chicken.

Abstract: A steamer for pastries and the pastries to be steamed thereby. The steamer includes primary and secondary receptacles, a lid, and a mold. The primary receptacle holds water therein that is turned into steam when the primary receptacle is heated. The lid selectively closing the primary receptacle. The secondary receptacle is steam permeable and holds the pastries to be steamed above the water in the primary receptacle, and is disposed in the primary receptacle. The mold contains the pastries and is hingedly attached to the secondary receptacle so as to allow the mold to pivot upwardly from the secondary receptacle for insertion of, and removal of, the pastries, and has a piece of perforated material that allows the steam to pass therethrough, as opposed to being trapped therein, and as result thereof, provides the pastries with a pleasing texture. The pastries include flour, yeast, sugar, milk, salt, and either butter or margarine.

Abstract: A barbecue cooking tool with a pair of hand holdable implements. The implements are configured so as to be capable to firmly hold an entire rack of ribs therebetween during a barbecue grilling process without the ribs separating and falling apart. The tool also includes a clasping mechanism for holding the implements together about the ribs. In one embodiment, the implements of the barbecue cooking tool are separable from one another during normal use and include a first implement and an second implement. Both of the implements have spaced apart rods. The spaced apart rods of the first implement are connected by a connecting rod at one end and by a raised portion on the other end. The spaced rods of the second implement are connected by rounded portions at both ends thereof. The clasping mechanism includes one rounded end of the second implement inserted beneath the raised portion of the first implement.

Abstract: A juicer comprises a base, a column extending upright from the base, a head securely attached to an upper end of the column, a vertical rod extending vertically through the head, a Y-shaped handle including a main section and two arms branching from an end of the main section, and a pair of connecting rods. A pressure cup is securely attached to a lower end of the vertical rod by a connecting member. The distal ends of the arms of the handle are connected to the head by an axle without threading connection. The lower ends of the connecting rods are pivotally connected to two ears on two ends of the connecting member without threading connection.

Abstract: The invention is a baling machine with an articulated guide track disposed in three operationally distinct sections. One section of the articulated guide track, representing approximately one-half of the track perimeter, is movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the large section completes a guide track perimeter. In the second position, the large section pivots away from tying heads of the baling machine to permit ejection of the bale from the machine.

Abstract: A drill cuttings slurry process system is disclosed for defluidizing earth drill cuttings, thereby extracting valuable drilling additives and returning them to the drilling system while producing a dense, drier material which may be discharged directly in the environment at or near the well being drilled or chemically treated for distillation and/or better dissolution into the environment, thereby reducing, cost in transportation and environmental treatment chemicals thus reducing environmental contamination. The system comprising a cuttings press having solids/fluids separation a dryer and/or a retort for flashing off any residual petroleum residue and moisture, a fines grinder and a chemical injection system. The retort including an analyzer system for weighing and determining rate of throughput and analyzing the cuttings for residual petroleum residue content prior to discharge to environment or further refinement prior to reinjection into the well or transport to environmental depository sites.

Abstract: A baler is described which has a collection chamber or duct and a baling chamber. Crop material enters the duct until a pre-determined level has been reached at which time a stuffer transfers the pre-compressed crop to the baling chamber. A control system is provided for calculating the ratio between the amount of crop material which should be formed into bales under optimal conditions and the rate of flow of crop material entering the duct. This ratio can be displayed and used to control the speed of the towing vehicle. The present invention uses the duct as a kind of measuring cylinder to determine the rate at which crop material is entering the baler.

Abstract: An hydraulic press includes a head member removably connected at each opposite end to a leg and formed of a unitary sheet of steel rolled into a generally U-shaped transverse cross-section. The head member includes a reinforcing tube at its mid portion. The press includes a bed supported by the legs and disposed beneath the head member. The bed is reinforced at its mid portion by a pair of diagonally disposed spacer plates in the interior of the bed and at the exterior of the bed by a breast plate permanently attached to the front panel and a back plate permanently attached to the rear panel of the bed. At least one additional hole is provided and bored transversely through each end of the bed and positioned so as to correspond to and align with the holes in each leg that receive the pins that support the bed. The pressing force can be provided by an hydraulic jack that can be attached to the head member or to a carriage that is slidably disposed between the head member and the bed.

Abstract: An improved silk screen frame for tensioning a panel of screen material via the rotation of a pair of screen-tensioning members adapted to grip a flexible strip secured to the edge of the screen material in an off-center position with respect to the axis of rotation of the tensioning member. Rotation of the screen-tensioning members imparts a force which thereby stretches the screen panel material to a taut condition, and places each tensioning member in position to be engaged by a pair of adjacent rotatable finger locks which maintain the screen-tensioning members in their rotated state.

Abstract: It is possible to obtain a screen printing method that may assure excellent printing qualities since the screen printing method of the present invention includes: (A) sliding a squeegee head with paste stored in the squeegee head on a mask plate, while the past is pressurized, and printing the paste on a substrate through pattern holes of the mask plate, (B) at least one step of (b) separating the squeegee head with the paste stored therein from the mask plate, and (e) sliding the squeegee head on the mask plate for a pre-squeezing purpose before the step (A). The step of separating the squeegee head from the mask plate includes the steps of (1) discontinuing the pressure application to the paste stored in the squeegee head, (2) horizontally moving the squeegee head by a predetermined distance while the bottom end portion of the squeegee head is abutted on the mask plate in a state of the pressure application being discontinued, and (3) moving the squeegee head upward off from the mask plate.

Abstract: A method for sensing a register discrepancy (r) in a multi-color printed item, the position of at least one register mark (1, 1′) that is associated with one color being sensed with respect to the position of at least one register mark (2, 2′) that is associated with at least one further color, and any density register discrepancy (r) using a measurement window being ascertained from discrepancies in the actual relative position (3) with respect to the reference relative position (4). The invention, furthermore, concerns an apparatus, a register control system, and register marks (1, 1′, 2, 2′).

Abstract: A multi-color printing press comprising a first print form cylinder; second print form cylinder; at least one first inking unit for inking the first and second print form cylinders; third print form cylinder; fourth print from cylinder; at least one second inking unit for inking the third and fourth print form cylinders with an ink color different from the at least one first hiking unit; a common blanket cylinder, the first and third print form cylinders contacting the common blanket cylinder during a first mode of operation and the second and fourth print form cylinders contacting the common blanket cylinder during a second mode of operation.

Abstract: A printing cylinder has a first rotatable section having a central image area on the surface, and a first and second end. A first shell is disposed circumferentially about the first end, and a second shell is disposed circumferentially about the second end, the first and second shells having image areas on the surface and movable axially with respect to the central image area. Also provided is a printing press comprising a first sensor for detecting register marks, a second sensor for detecting fanout, and a rotatable cylinder with a first section axially adjustable with respect to a second section. A method for correcting fanout in a web printing press includes sensing register marks to provide overall circumferential and/or lateral register adjustments of a printing cylinder, sensing a section of the web other than the register marks to provide fanout information, and changing a lateral position of a first part of the printing cylinder with respect to a second part of the printing cylinder.

Abstract: An offset rotary printing press for semi-automating switch operations has a first switch for reducing an ink amount to a basic ink layer thickness distribution by an ink supplement device 800 and web rolls 101 and 102 are exchanged and succeeded by continuous supply device 100, a second switch for operating printing plate change device 207, 208 and folding device status switch in the folding device 700, and a third switch for activating ink supplement device 800 that overlaps an ink layer thickness distribution corresponding to the next printing.

Abstract: An electromagnetically lossy liquid- or gas-tight fusion seal for use as a low pass radio frequency signal filter constructed as a matrix of glass binder and ferrimagnetic and/or ferroelectric filler. Metal cased electrical filters are made by reflowing the material to form fused glass-to-metal seals and incorporating electrical thru-conductors therein which may be formed as inductive windings.

Abstract: Exothermic reaction mixtures are electrically ignited with a low cost foil strip of two conductive strips separated by a layer of insulation. One or more holes are formed in the ignitor to create shaped spark plasma on one side and a venting plasma on the opposite side of the hole. The spark with low energy requirements is sufficient to ignite exothermic reactions for welding, casting and other uses. The ignitor may be part of reusable crucibles and molds, or expendable packages, containers, and molds, or smaller squibs for igniting larger charges. The ignitor may be immersed in or substantially adjacent the charge of exothermic material. The spark forming hole or holes is made and shaped by a punch in a simple and low cost manner. The ignitor eliminates the need for starting powders or materials and flint gun ignitors.

Abstract: A war games land mine includes a fluid supply mechanism, a housing and a sealing device. The fluid supply mechanism is configured for containing and selectively releasing therefrom a pressurized fluid. The housing has an interior surface, a first orifice and a second orifice, the first orifice of the housing being fluidly coupled with the fluid supply mechanism. The sealing device is movably mounted within the housing, the sealing device having a first side and a second side. The first side and the interior surface of the housing define a first chamber therebetween, the first chamber being fluidly coupled with the first orifice. The second side and the interior surface defining a second chamber therebetween, the second chamber being fluidly coupled with the second orifice and configured for being substantially filled with a marking agent.

Abstract: A weapon system and projectile are disclosed. The projectile incorporates a rheological fluid, the viscosity of which is adjustable in the presence of an appropriate field of energy. The weapon system includes a launching device (e.g., a gun) for firing the projectile and an energy field generator coupled to the launching device. The energy field generator provides the appropriate field of energy about the projectile to increase the viscosity of the rheological fluid. The projectile can be non-lethal when the rheological fluid has not been subjected to the field of energy and can be made more lethal when the rheological fluid has been subjected to the field of energy.

Abstract: A gas generator according has a polymeric closure and an igniter subassembly comprising an igniter and a polymeric gas generator body. The gas generator body and the polymeric closure define a hermetically sealed combustion chamber for receiving a gas generant. The igniter receives an electrical current and ignites the gas generant. The generated gas can be used in vehicle occupant safety devices including seat belt pretensioners, airbags, compressed gas vessel openers, and other devices requiring a rapid pulse of high-pressure gas.

Abstract: A traffic system is disclosed to include a passageway defining a moving direction and a vehicle mounted in the passageway and running along the moving direction. In one instance, the passageway has two inner side walls and an inner bottom wall having a transverse cross-section formed into a continuous smooth surface. In further a instance, there is provided with a buoyant fluid stored in the passageway for generating a buoyancy while displaced by the vehicle. A traffic method is also provided to include steps of providing a vehicle, providing a medium for carrying thereon the vehicle moving therealong, and providing a buoyant medium for reducing a weight of the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a low clearance, compact guideway, train positioning system that can be installed in close quarters alongside an existing railroad track. The system is chain driven and features an improved over/under or vertical sprocket carriage drive system in which parts normally exposed to the elements are protected while, at the same time, horizontal space requirements alongside the track are reduced. The system employs a vertically oriented chain drive which employs enclosed vertically mounted drive and idler sprocket units and a chain tube enclosing the lower chain strand which further minimizes exposure of the mechanism chain to the elements by totally enclosing the lower chain path in the over/under arrangement.

Abstract: An auto rack sidewall bumper guard device for auto rack railroad cars eliminates contact between a vehicle door and the sidewalls. The bumper guard device includes a mounting plate and a plurality of horizontally extending vertically spaced-apart relatively low profile bumpers extending from the mounting plate. The mounting plate is adapted to cover the sidewall panel and part of each adjacent vertical posts to prevent the vehicle doors from contacting the sidewall panels and vertical posts.

Abstract: A mobile work stand includes a base of a size and shape enabling the base to be positioned between the user's thigh and a seating surface and a top having a flat surface. A connector post extends between the top and base and a bracket disposed on the base is provided for removably attaching a connector post and enabling the connector post to be moved between the position extending upwardly from the base in a position generally parallel with the base. A coupling is provided and disposed between the top and connector post for enabling the top to swivel about the connector post.

Abstract: The work surface has a recess into which a solid state display is received. The display is mounted for movement between a storage position, where the rear surface is co-planar with, and forms a part of, the work surface and a viewing position wherein the display screen is visible. The angle of the display relative to the work surface is adjustable about a horizontal axis for viewing comfort. In one embodiment, the recess is located in a circular section of the work surface which is rotatable relative to the remainder of the surface so as to permit adjustment of the position of the display about a vertical axis, as well.

Abstract: A table extensible by turning over its side boards, constituted by a horizontal plane, having peripheral parts with upper side boards and lower side boards shaped as circle segments and a central part enclosed thereby. The central part is able to rotate on a base and is vertically movable relative thereto by means of cam profiles, which are fastened to the central part between the top surface of the lower side boards and of the upper side boards, which are fastened to the central part. The lower side boards are joined to a frame, bearing down on said base whilst the upper side boards are hinged to the upper side boards to be turned over outwardly.

Abstract: An improved table frame for fastening loading members includes a fastening section extending from a table frame and a plurality of anchor elements fastened to the table frame at locations corresponding to the fastening section. Each anchor element has a first anchor ledge fastened to the table frame and an anchor flange opposing the fastening section to form a housing space therebetween. The housing space has a height matching the thickness of a loading member for holding the loading member. The anchor elements are fastened to the table frame through fasteners thereby allow the loading member held securely on the table frame.

Abstract: A safe for valuable documents having a shell protection around the safe for impeding attempts to force an entry thereinto and processor unit actuated in response to damage to the shell protection to initiate a safe protection function. The safe contains a plurality of units for accommodating documents, at least one of which includes a portable safe deposit box that, when placed in the safe, can be electrically connected thereto. The safe deposit box has a protective shell and a destructive device designed to effect local destruction of documents contained in the box. The destructive device operates automatically in response to damage to the protective shell when the safe deposit box is removed from the safe and an attempt is made to force the box open.

Abstract: A blower for a high efficiency furnace is provided with an increased interior space for accommodating an impeller of maximum practicable diameter. The blower includes a blower motor and a blower housing having a bottom piece and a top piece assembling with the bottom piece to define an interior of the blower housing. The top piece includes an annular lower support portion for supporting the blower motor and an annular upper portion extending above and around the lower portion. The upper portion has an outer peripheral edge and lugs extending outward beyond the outer peripheral edge. The lugs have lug holes to receive mechanical fasteners to secure the blower housing to an external device. The head of the mechanical fasteners are positioned above the lugs on the upper portion of the top piece. In this arrangement the diameter of the bottom piece is not limited by a need to accommodate spacing for the head of the mechanical fastener.

Abstract: A system and method for treating, injecting and co-combusting sludge in a municipal waste or other solid fuel combustor. The system includes a sludge receiving and treatment module and a sludge injection and combustion module. The sludge is received and stored in one or more storage hoppers where its moisture content is monitored and varied to obtain a sludge having a desired moisture content. The treated sludge is then pumped to a furnace injection nozzle where it is preferably atomized with steam and sprayed into the combustion zone of the furnace. Improved odor control in sludge handling is also provided by a storage tank and a sludge tanker trailer each having an air diffuser for mixing and aerating the sludge and a filter system for filtering odors.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of reducing plugging of a no-till seeder with crop residue by guiding the furrow openers of the seeder between the standing stubble rows of the previous crop. A guidance system is provided comprising sensing means to sense the standing stubble rows from the previous crop and to send a steering signal in response to changes in the relative position of the seeder to the standing stubble rows; and adjusting means to adjust the travel path of the seeder in response to the steering signals. The sensing means can sense the location of the standing stubble rows by contact therewith or by sensing the furrow from which the standing stubble rows extend. The position of the seeder relative to the towing vehicle is adjusted in response to steering signals sent by the sensing means.

Abstract: A device for detachable fastening of an embroidery frame (27) with one or more embroidering fields on an embroidery frame support (25) of a program-controlled sewing or embroidering machine. On the embroidery frame (27), two sliding interlocks (61) are fastened which guarantee a play-free latching in the x and y direction and which, for sliding the embroidery frame (27) in relation to the embroidery frame support (25), move a latching element temporarily out of a latching slot (51). The latching element is configured as a pivotable lever with a downward-projecting detent.

Abstract: A spreader driving device is constructed so that the stepping motor (2) driven in synchronism with the elevating motion of a needle bar and the support shaft (3) are provided at a frame mounted to the back side of a presser foot. A lever (4), fitted onto the support shaft, is provided at the rear end with a sector gear (6) and at the fore end with a spreader (5). The sector gear engages with a driving gear (7) driven by an output shaft (8) of the stepping motor, so as to swing the lever (4) and spreader (5) by the drive of stepping motor. Also, the frame is divided into a movable frame having the stepping motor, the support shaft, and the lever mounted thereon, and a fixed frame (17) for mounting the device to the sewing machine. Between the frames is arranged a shifting device (18) for shifting the movable frame a moderate distance parallel to the needle position with respect to the fixed frame, whereby the center of swinging motion of the spreader can be shifted from a point P1 to a point P2.

Abstract: A small watercraft includes expanded storage capacity so as to accommodate more of the type of articles that rider's typically what to carry on the watercraft. Such articles include, for example, towels, water skis, tow ropes, etc. At least one of the storage compartments on the watercraft is formed by an opening on an upper deck section. A container is affixed to the deck below the opening and has an upper end defined by a flange that extends from walls of the container. The flange is attached to an interior wall of the upper deck section so that the container and the corresponding upper deck section form a storage compartment. The upper end of the container, however, has a larger area than the opening in the deck so as to maximize the storage space within the compartment without weakening the deck and minimizing the area through which water can enter the hull.

Abstract: A compact and convenient hazard marker has a housing and a suction insert. The bottom end of the housing covers the suction insert where the releasing tab for the suction is hidden within the housing. Another embodiment of the invention has a spring-loaded mechanical device attached to a flag inside the housing. The flag is extendable and retractable outside the housing. The flag is retained by a locking means. There are grooves on the exterior wall of the housing for easy storage. The housing and the flag are painted in fluorescent color.

Abstract: A tamper-indicating device is described. The device has a first glass body member and a second glass body member that are attached to each other through a hasp. The glass body members of the device can be tempered. The body members can be configured with hollow volumes into which powders, microparticles, liquids, gels, or combinations thereof are sealed. The choice, the amount, and the location of these materials can produce a visible, band pattern to provide each body member with a unique fingerprint identifier, which makes it extremely difficult to repair or replace once it is damaged in order to avoid tamper detection.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for distributing seasoning on lanes of stackable chip product using a series of vibrating funnel fingers. A narrowed discharge end for each funnel finger is positioned over a lane of chips, thereby directing the seasoning on each chip and limiting the amount of seasoning that must be recycled or discarded. Oscillation of the funnel fingers insures even seasoning distribution on the chips and precludes accumulation of the seasoning on the distribution apparatus.

Abstract: An appparatus for confining plasma within a process zone of a substrate processing chamber. In one aspect, an apparatus comprises an annular member having an upper mounting surface, an inner confinement wall, and an outer confinement wall. The apparatus is disposed on or otherwise connected to a gas distribution assembly of the processing chamber to prevent plasma edge effects on the surface of a substrate. The apparatus provides a plasma choke aperture that reduces the volume of the process zone around the periphery of the substrate thereby eliminating uneven deposition of material around the edge of the substrate.

Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus for injecting gas within a plasma reactor and tailoring the distribution of an active species generated by the remote plasma source over the substrate or wafer. The distribution may be made more or less uniform, wafer-edge concentrated, or wafer-center concentrated. A contoured plate or profiler is provided for modifying the distribution. The profiler is an axially symmetric plate, having a narrow top end and a wider bottom end, shaped to redistribute the gas flow incident upon it. The profiler is situated below an input port within the plasma reactor chamber and above the wafer. The method for tailoring the distribution of the active species over the substrate includes predetermining the profiler diameter and adjusting the profiler height over the substrate.

Abstract: A pulsator provides alternating vacuum pressure and atmospheric pressure to an elastomeric liner in a sleeve of a milking claw in a dairy barn. The purpose of pulsation is to alternate the cow teat between a milking phase and a rest phase. The invention monitors the operation of the pulsator to determine if the pulsator is operating satisfactorily. The invention records data during a calibration mode from the pulsator in normal operation. The data that is recorded is the duration of the milking phase and the rest phase and the associated pressures. During pulsator operation, the invention measures the pulsation between atmospheric and vacuum pressures provided to the milking claw and compares this measured data to the recorded calibration data. If the pulsator is not found to be operating within predetermined tolerances, then an indication of a pulsator malfunction is provided, typically in the form of a light located in the milking pen.

Abstract: A pet air bed that includes a plastic housing having a base portion and an elevated pet support portion hingedly connected to the base portion and having a number of air flow holes provided through pet support and/or pet adjacent surfaces thereof; a fan assembly being connected to the plastic housing in a manner such that air flow from the exterior of the plastic housing is generated into a cavity within the plastic housing in a manner to cause air to flow out through the air flow holes in the elevated pet support portion; the cavity formed within the plastic housing is provided for positioning cooling or heating elements such that the pet may have a temperature controlled pet bed; a forward section of the plastic housing including clips for holding a name tag or other pet identifying type of plate.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a bird feeder that is formed of two vessels with detachable connectors between. The two vessels include a reservoir that stores feeding material and a feeding vessel with openings allowing birds to feed.