Abstract: A gas spring (7) comprises a cylinder main body (20); a rod member (21) slidable to cylinder main body; a gas filled chamber (23) filled with compressed gas and urging the rod member in a first direction; a rod inserting hole (32) inserting the rod member (21); an annular collar (24) slidable on the rod member at a position apart from the rod inserting hole in the second direction opposite to the first direction; an annular groove (24a) on the annular collar which is open toward the second direction; and a lock ring (26) engaging with an annular ring mounting groove (25) on the rod member (21). In assembling, the lock ring (26) is moved in the first direction together with the rod member, to thus engage with the annular groove (24a) on the annular collar, so that the annular collar for stopping the rod member and the lock ring is stopped by an end wall of the cylinder main body.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling brakes in bicycles and the like, made with a pump connected to a relevant reservoir, characterized in that the reservoir is disposed inside a containment body and exhibits a concave portion shaped complementarily to a handlebar's portion to which the body is to be fixed.

Abstract: A selective damping apparatus includes at least one sensor for detecting, and producing signals indicative of at least the frequency and amplitude of vibrations of a first structural component (a “resonant structure”) having one or more resonant frequencies. At least one vibration generator is provided for generating damping vibrations for application to the resonant structure, as well as a controller for controlling the operation of the vibration generator in delayed response to the signals produced by the at least one sensor. The at least one sensor and at least one vibration generator are adapted to cooperate with a second structural component (a “non-resonant structure”) that is relatively insensitive to the resonant frequencies of the resonant structure. The nonresonant structure is connected or coupled to the resonant structure either directly or indirectly, via one or more intermediate structural components.

Abstract: A carrying bag accessory featuring a mat that is externally affixed to a bag or any variant bag designs such as a gym bag, duffle bag, rucksack, backpack, etc., and conveniently stored in a folded configuration when not in use and deployed in an unfolded configuration adjacent to the bag when in use to provide a flat clean surface upon which a user can rest or place items on. The mat is comprised of a multiplicity of rigid or semi-rigid hinged panels carefully configured to fold in such a manner as to preserve the cleanliness of surfaces that come into contact with the user. The mat is retained in a folded configuration by means of magnetic or other types of fasteners allowing the deployment and storage of the mat by the user with minimal contact and effort.

Abstract: In a lockup device, a drive plate has a frictional coupling portion adjacent to a friction surface, and can provide torque to a turbine. The piston is a disk-like member arranged between a front cover and the turbine, has a pressing portion arranged on a side of the frictional coupling portion remote from a friction surface, and is axially movable according to a change in hydraulic pressure. The piston coupling mechanism unrotatably and axially movably couples the piston to the front cover. A seal mechanism seals a portion radially inside the piston at its axially opposite sides. The damper mechanism is arranged in a space axially between the front cover and the turbine, and is located radially between a drive plate and a seal mechanism. The piston coupling mechanism is arranged radially inside the seal mechanism.

Abstract: A dog clutch operative to provide shiftably connection. A first clutch element includes a plurality of dogs selectively engagable with a plurality of counterdogs coupled to the second clutch element for selectively coupling primary and secondary rotatable parts. The second clutch element further includes a bush coupled to the secondary rotatable part and an intermediate part containing the counterdogs. The intermediate part can be selectively coupled to the bush for selectively coupling the second clutch element and the secondary part.

Abstract: A clutch actuator is provided for operating a clutch between a drive motor and a gearbox on a motor vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, including a linearly operating pin, acting on a release mechanism which is coaxial to a mid-axis of the clutch. The pin is arranged in a plane essentially perpendicular to the mid-axis of the clutch and coupled eccentrically to a rotating body of a gear mechanism, converting the rotating movement thereof into a linear movement of the release mechanism.

Abstract: A clutch release bearing device including an operating element, a rolling bearing equipped with a non-rotating race and a rotating race secured axially to the operating element, and an annular fixing ring provided with an axial portion mounted in the operating element and with an axially elastic portion bearing axially against the non-rotating race on the axially opposite side to the operating element, the fixing ring being able to hold the non-rotating race axially secured to the operating element while at the same time allowing radial movement.

Abstract: A load conveyance device composed of: a load supporting device having a through hole passing in a gravity direction, and a fluid supplying device to supply a fluid into the through hole, wherein when load is dropped into the through hole from a top of the through hole, the load is supported under a floating condition by a force of the fluid in the through hole, and when the load is not supported by change of the force of the fluid, the load is dropped from a lower end of the through hole to an outside.

Abstract: A multiple coin actuation mechanism has a carrier wheel with angularly spaced first and second coin recesses aligned with first and second coin slots of a front cover plate when the carrier wheel is in an initial home position at which a user initially deposits first and second coins into the first and second coin recesses through the first and second coin slots. A pivotal coin removal blocking latch and an edge notch defined adjacent to one side of the first coin recess in the carrier wheel allows initial insertion of the first coin through the first coin slot into the first coin recess while preventing removal of the second coin from the second coin recess through the first coin slot when the carrier wheel has turned sufficiently to align the second coin recess with the first coin slot.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for authenticating a document. The apparatus includes a profile processor adapted to collect a plurality of data profiles from a suspect document, a comparator adapted to compare the plurality of data profiles with a set of envelopes of a library document and to determine that the document is authentic when the plurality of profiles conforms with the plurality of envelopes and a push-in lock that locks a cassette that holds authenticated documents to a body of the apparatus for authenticating the document.

Abstract: The invention pertains to an escalator (2) with an endless stair band (6) that is composed of several interconnected steps (4), wherein a step (4) contains a walking surface (16) and a front side (18) and is connected to respective lateral step chains (8) that are driven around a lower and an upper reversing point (22) by means of a drive, and wherein a step (4) contains at least one step roller (34) that is guided by a step roller guide. The invention is characterized by the fact that the point (32) at which a step (4) is fastened to the step chain (8) is arranged in the vicinity of the front side (18) of the step (4).

Abstract: An in-line gate is provided for a conveyor for particulate lading. The gate comprises a gate plate which is movable between a raised position in which the gate plate engages a seal extending at least along the sides of the conveyor exit and a lowered position in which the plate is beneath the conveyor's trough floor. In the lowered position, the gate plate is moved parallel to the direction of the conveyor between a closed position in which the plate blocks the opening and an open position in which the gate plate is positioned beneath the conveyor trough.

Abstract: A conveying assembly for fruit handling, comprising a carriage (20) adapted to be attached to a conveying chain arranged to displace the carriage in a conveying direction, a cup (30) adapted to support a single piece of fruit, the cup being secured to the carriage via a parallelogram linkage (41, 42, 22, 35) extending transversely to the conveying direction, the cup being pivotally secured to the linkage to be moveable from a conveying position to a discharge position, the linkage having release means (60) to cause the cup to pivot relative to the linkage transversely of the conveying direction to the discharge position to effect discharge of the fruit, the linkage allowing the cup to be vertically displaceable to effect weighting of the fruit.

Abstract: Product is conveyed as a continuous stream by a meter conveyor (12) unto a transfer plate (32) and a transfer device (42). The transfer device (42) is movable between a retracted position and an extended position extending over a sweep conveyor (22). In a preferred form, the transfer device (42) is in the form of a thin piece of flexible material and is moved in the conveying direction from the retracted position to the extended position by engaging with the sweep conveyor (22) and is moved to the retracted position by being wrapped around a rotated roller (46). Product is transferred from the transfer device (42) to the sweep conveyor (22) as the transfer device (42) moves from the extended position to the retracted position and is engaged by a metering bar (52ba) which controls the product acceleration on the sweep conveyor (22) to match the meter conveyor (12) until the product group leaves the transfer device (42).

Abstract: A hopper releases articles onto a selecting sieve which selects and keeps complying articles, separating them from defective and/or fragmented ones and from powders. A linear conveyor, situated downstream of the selecting sieve, receives the complying articles for sending them, in an orderly way, to inlets of a plurality of feeding channels. A collecting vessel is situated near the inlets and collects the exceeding articles accumulated near the inlets. A transferring container receives the exceeding articles coming from the collecting vessel and transfers them upstream of the selecting sieve.

Abstract: A conveyor system transports a multiplicity of product items from an input portion to an output portion and is provided with a first conveyor that transports the product items from the input portion to a distal turnaround region. A second conveyor transports the product items from the distal turnaround region to a redistribution region. A first product transfer arrangement urges the product items from the first conveyor to the second conveyor. A plurality of exit conveyors are arranged to be parallel to each other for transporting the product items from the redistribution region to a product exit region located at the output portion, and are arranged to transport the product items at a respectively associated rates of transport. A product redistribution arrangement directs the product items to respective input ends of the plurality of exit conveyors.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transporting containers to be processed in a manufacturing operation includes a transfer assembly that transfers containers from a load area on an upstream conveyor assembly to a discharge on downstream conveyor assembly for further processing. The upstream conveyor assembly may include longitudinally extending first and second conveyors oriented at an angle to one another. The transfer assembly may include a rotating wheel that picks containers from a chute and moves them, one at a time, to the downstream conveyor assembly. The downstream conveyor assembly may be in the form of an elevator that has bays that are sized to receive individual containers. The bays are formed by vanes on a moving belt. The method includes steps inherent in the structure, including receiving a bulk supply of containers, moving them horizontally, columnizing them into a single file, elevating them and thereafter discharging them.

Abstract: Device for transferring electronic components (2) from a inclined gravity supply track (3) to another element, more particularly a receiving element (6), characterised in that it comprises at least one swing arm (14) fixed to an inclined rotating shaft (13) that is connected to driving means (15) and that is positioned between the supply track (3) and the receiving element (6), whereby the swing arm (14) forms an angle (C) with the rotating shaft (13) and is at least rotatable between a first position, whereby it is situated parallel to and above the supply track (3), and a second position whereby the swing arm (14) is situated above the receiving element (6), said device (1) further comprising suction means to suck up and to hold a concerned component (2) against the swing arm (14).

Abstract: A transferring apparatus is provided between a plurality of carrying apparatuses, each carrying apparatus comprising support means for supporting carried products Wf, guide means for controlling the moving direction of the support means, the guide means being provided along processing apparatuses for processing the carried products Wf, and moving means for moving the support means along the guide means. The transferring apparatus includes synchronization control means for synchronizing the moving means of the one carrying apparatus with the moving means of the other carrying apparatus; and at least one hand-over means for receiving the carried products Wf from the support means of the one carrying apparatus and handing over the carried products Wf to the support means of the other carrying apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for conveying objects generally transversely to a direction of initial delivery. The apparatus uses two conveying arrangements which can move independently of one another. Each of the two conveying arrangements have a transport region and a return region. A dividing gap is arranged between the two conveying arrangements. A sliding mechanism can be positioned to at least one of adjust a length of the transport regions and adjust a length of the return regions. An equalizing mechanism can be positioned to at least one of compensate for the change in the return regions and compensate for the change in the transport regions. The sliding mechanism and the equalizing mechanism are separate mechanisms. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for diverting a stream of articles, the apparatus including a framework, a first conveyor supported in the framework and conveying stream of articles along a first conveying surface, and a second conveyor supported in the framework parallel to the first conveyor and having a second conveying surface. A first drive mechanism drives the first conveyor at a first speed in a first direction, and a second drive mechanism drives the second conveyor at a second speed in a second direction opposite to the first direction. A carrier is arranged to travel along a path parallel to the first and second conveyors, and a diverter element is affixed to the carrier and extending across at least a portion of the conveying surfaces of the first and second conveyors to divert articles in the stream on the first conveyor to the second conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting flat work pieces has a first conveyor and a second conveyor. An inlet mouth is formed from the first conveyor and the second conveyor. The apparatus is distinguished by a geometry of the inlet mouth which can be optimized with regard to different, jointly assumed pivoting positions of the conveyors.

Abstract: A pin conveyor for pasty materials such as animal waste including a housing with a cylindrical inner surface extending along and about an axis. Within the housing surface, a shaft is mounted for rotation about the axis and has a plurality of pins attached to it in a substantially helical pattern. The pins have sleeve members slidably mounted about them wherein in operation, the sleeve members are centrifugally impelled outwardly of the pins to contact and scrape clean the housing surface as the shaft is rotated about the axis. The cylindrical outer surfaces of the sleeve members preferably overlap or are at least tangent to one another when viewed in a plane perpendicular to the rotational axis so as to effectively contact and scrape clean the entire housing surface surrounding them.

Abstract: An oven conveyor alignment system for maintaining a conveyor belt centered on its supporting rollers is disclosed. The system comprises a camera that generates an image of alignment and stores it as a digital pixel representation. Thus, the system is able to take advantage of new improvements in digital camera resolution. The image information is used by interactive software that is able to transmit an electrical signal to a tension adjustment assembly.

Abstract: Conveyors, chutes, skids, guides, and ways for the transporting of material are formed of a conductive loaded resin-based material such that fragments of these structures can be detected by a metal detector. The conductive loaded resin-based material comprises micron conductive powder(s), conductive fiber(s), or a combination of conductive powder and conductive fibers in a base resin host. The ratio of the weight of the conductive powder(s), conductive fiber(s), or a combination of conductive powder and conductive fibers to the weight of the base resin host is between about 0.20 and 0.40. The micron conductive powders are formed from non-metals, such as carbon, graphite, that may also be metallic plated, or the like, or from metals such as stainless steel, nickel, copper, silver, that may also be metallic plated, or the like, or from a combination of non-metal, plated, or in combination with, metal powders.

Abstract: The present invention is related to an adjustable finger guard or shield for a conveyor. The housing's slide can include the combination of a plate, one or more connectors and a rotable bearing's housing. Moving the slide from a first direction to a second directions alters the position of the shaft of the conveying drum driving the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A clamping device or anchor, at least two of which are used to clamp onto separated sections of a conveyor belt, which sections lie to each side of a repair site in the belt, whereby the belt sections can be pulled together by a power mechanism affixed between the clamping devices, whereby belt tension is relieved at the repair site to allow a repair to be made more easily, wherein each clamping device is provided with a stop shoulder which is adapted to engage an outer edge of the belt as the belt is positioned edgewise between a pair of upper and lower jaws of the device, and wherein the belt contacting portions or surfaces of the jaws are spaced inboard of the stop shoulder from about ¼ inch to about 1.0 inch such that the belt outer edges are not clamped and are not subject to tearing forces.

Abstract: Method for manufacture of links designed to be interconnected to form a conveyor and including the following steps; mold a body of the link of rigid low-friction material with said body being provided with projections protruding from one of its faces, and hot-mold on at least part of said face cooled to hardening a high-friction malleable material for formation of a skidproof covering with the high-friction material during molding striking said projections and being injected at a temperature higher than the softening temperature of the rigid material in such a manner as to cause plastic deformation of the projections that originate undercuts with the deformed projections upon completed molding remaining incorporated in the high-friction material to create a mechanical interconnection between the covering and the rigid body.

Abstract: A laterally adjustable conveyor utilizes a belt support assembly consisting of a plurality of pivoting support plates connected by pivots for sliding support of a flexible belt. A plurality of support stands provide support for the pivot plates from the floor or other supporting surface. A belt drive provides motive power for the flexible belt. A lateral adjustment assembly provides a means to position the back end laterally with respect to the front end of the conveyor by rotating pivot plates about plate pivots.

Abstract: An array of disposable absorbent article configurations is provided comprising a sequence of designs corresponding to a wearer's stages of development. A merchandising system facilitates consumers' selection of an absorbent article configuration by appropriately matching an absorbent article configuration with a particular wearer's stage of development. The system includes indicia exhibiting pictorial representations of the absorbent article configurations fitted to wearer's at corresponding stages of development enabling a consumer to choose the appropriate absorbent article configuration for a particular wearer.

Abstract: A golf travel bag is disclosed which protects the golf clubs during travel and storage and which can be used in playing a round of golf. The golf bag includes a shell which is generally of parallelpiped shape. The top of the golf bag slants upwardly and is provided with stepped golf clubs dividers which include apertures for receiving golf clubs at the thread of each step. The golf bag includes pockets for carrying golf accessories.

Abstract: A package for containing a coil of wire having an outer cylindrical surface extending about a coil axis, a top and an oppositely facing bottom has a base for supporting the bottom of a wire coil when the wire coil is in the package. At least one side wall extends upwardly from the base about an outer cylindrical surface of the wire coil and has an upper edge defining a top opening in the package for removing the wire. The packaging further includes a hold-down bar between the bottom of the wire coil and the base which is transverse to the axis of the wire coil, and a lifting strap having a first end, a second end and a base portion between the first and second ends and between the bottom of the wire and the base. The base portion has an opening and the hold-down bar extends through the opening.

Abstract: A packaging (10) for a component (12) can be attached by means of at least one attachment element (14) to a mounting surface of a superordinate component, whereby the component (12) has an upper surface (12a), a bottom surface (12b) and at least one mounting (12c) for the at least one attachment element (14) continuous from the upper surface (12a) to the bottom surface (12b). The packaging (10) is at least partially substantially rigidly formed and the at least one attachment element (14) inserted in the at least one mounting (12c) is maintained in a position in a positive-locking (form-locking) manner, in which it does not project over the bottom surface (12b) of the component. For packaging of the component (12) into the packaging (10), advantageously an auxiliary element is used.

Abstract: A reminder device can be attached to the bottom of a medicine container that has a cap. The reminder device has an indicator rotatably mounted on a base in order to rotate and indicate a scheduled event. The base adhesively or frictionally engages the bottom of the container opposite the cap. The base may have an opening for engaging the bottom of the medicine container. Along some transverse plane within the opening, the opening may be shaped to engage the container along most of its periphery. A user can adjust the indicator on the base to indicate a scheduled event when medicine is ingested.

Abstract: An adapter frame has channels that hold multiple die carriers in each channel. The die carriers, such as 2?×2? or 4?×4? waffle packs or GEL-PAK die carriers, slide into the channels and are secured by a spring clip retention mechanism. In other embodiments, the adapter frame has molded individual cavities to hold single die carriers. The adapter frame has the same exterior dimensions as a conventional wafer frame. This allows the adapter frame to be handled at the die sorter output in the same or similar manner as output wafer frames, thereby eliminating the need to change handlers when switching the output from a wafer frame to a specific die carrier.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for sorting workpieces (204) includes multiple conveyors (201, 202), a scanner (208), an offloading device (216), a workpiece processor (218), and a computer (210). The computer has instructions for carrying out a method for sorting that includes obtaining the physical parameters of the workpiece by scanning the workpiece, obtaining an updated distribution of a physical parameter of a population of workpieces, obtaining an updated loading on each conveyor, obtaining the workpiece processor's capacity, obtaining a processing parameter indicating the required amount of workpiece processing to be performed, and obtaining each conveyor's speed. This information is used to place the workpiece on a conveyor in a manner that is calculated to utilize the optimum amount of workpiece processor capacity, while at the same time maintaining an even belt loading.

Abstract: A rotatable display holder system includes one or more rotatable display holders constructed for stacking upon other rotatable display holders to store and display media items for easy access. The holders are preferably formed by injection molding by common materials to minimize cost. The holders may be formed as round, cylindrical housings, constructed with substantially flat upper and lower disc-like surfaces extending radially from the housing's axial center to create an open internal volume extending from an inner annular wall of the cylindrical housing at a distance R1 from the axial center to an outer edge of the cylindrical housing at a radial distance R2 from the axial center. R2 is determined so that a portion of intended media items extend from the edge of a compartment into which it is placed, and to define an outer boundary of the housing's annular internal volume.

Abstract: An apparatus including an open box structure having a top, a first side, a second side, a third side, and a fourth side, an inner chamber bound by the top, first, second, third, and fourth sides, and an opening leading to the inner chamber, is disclosed. The first side may be opposite the second side. The apparatus may include a first strap having a first end attached to the first side of the open box structure and a second end. The first strap may be of sufficient length so that the second end of the first strap can be pulled across the opening of the open box structure and attached to the second side of the open box structure, when the open box structure is fully extended. The first strap and/or a second similar strap may be used to secure the open box structure and freight within the open box structure to a pallet.

Abstract: A tamper evident cover is provided for engaging a container cap or drum bung, which cover has a plurality of locking teeth that snap under and engage a lip of the container cap. A frangible strip permits severing the cover to facilitate removal of the cover, and a series of tabs extend from the locking teeth and bear against the outer edge of the lip of the container cap to prevent any forcible removal of the cover without substantial damage to or destruction of the cover.

Abstract: A cap structure for a radiator used in vehicle is disclosed. The cap includes a main cap body, a connector shaft, and a leak-seal seat. The main cap body includes a metallic cap body and a heat-isolation covering body joined together using screw as a body. The connector shaft is screwed onto the leak-seal seat, and the connector shaft passes through the through hole of a metallic sleeve mounted on the heat-isolation covering body. The side of the protruded rim of the connector shaft urges the end face of the sleeve and a spring is used to mount the connector shaft onto the main cap body. The heat-isolation covering body with a thickness is mounted onto the metallic cap body and two screws are used to lock the metallic cap body onto the heat-isolation covering body to form a unit, and the end side of the covering body is provided with slip-proof teeth and the metallic sleeve is mounted onto the center circular hole.

Abstract: A floating apparatus for supporting fishing accessories includes a base member having a plurality of apertures. The apparatus further has a mechanism for floating the base member and a tether line including a plurality of spring clamps having opposed end portions removably connectable to the base member and a user respectively. The floating mechanism includes a first plurality of floats and a second plurality of floats provided with a conduit formed therein respectively. The second plurality of floats are juxtaposed between the first plurality of floats respectively and spaced radially about the base member. The floating mechanism further includes a resilient cord passing through the first and second plurality of floats via the respective conduits thereof. The floating mechanism further includes a plurality of fastening members having opposed end portions for securing the cord about the perimeter of the base member.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a tank having a partially cylindrical body extended by a cylindrical extension of smaller section by the intermediary of a tapered junction extension, and at least one internal reinforcement ring integral with the internal surface of the tubular part of smaller section.

Abstract: A box includes a base having a substantially rectangular perimeter. A pair of side walls and a pair of end walls extend upward from the perimeter of the base to form a box bottom having rounded corners and vertices. The box bottom includes a mouth at the top thereof. The mouth has a substantially rectangular perimeter. Reinforcing ridges are formed at the corners and vertices of the box bottom, and a lip formed at the perimeter of the mouth. A lid fits over the mouth of the box bottom. The lid includes a collar having a cuff that engages the lip to hold the lid in position over the mouth of the box bottom. At least one air hole is formed in the base and in the lid. A plurality of inwardly protruding panels is formed in the lid and in the base and walls of the box bottom.

Abstract: A device having a screen, like that of a strainer, used to provide protection to beverage cans internally. The safety screen is located inside the can, attached to the underside of a beverage can opening about its periphery. It is meant to protect the entry of foreign objects, such as bees or insects.

Abstract: A sanitization system (10) for storing and dispensing a variety of sanitizing and cleaning supplies such as paper towels (70), tissues (80), anti-bacterial liquids (60) and spray bottle cleaners (90) wherein, the system (10) includes a housing member (20) having a rear panel (21) and a base (23) connected to a pair of side panels (24) (25) wherein, one of the side panels (25) is provided with an apertured pivoted front panel (26) and the rear panel (21) has a pivoted cover element (28) that overlaps the front cover (26). Furthermore, the housing member (20) has an interior vertical panel (30) having inwardly directed segments that form upper (32) and intermediate (31) shelves wherein, the intermediate shelf (31) cooperates with an elongated vertical opening (27) in the other side panel (24) to form a pair of side storage compartments.

Abstract: Vending machine product is moved by the use of an “X-Y mechanism” having two stationary electronically controlled drive “motors”. These motors drive (directly or indirectly) tension elements (belt, chain, cable, etc.) that position horizontally and vertically sliding components. A separation and selection system uses a “rotator” to release a product from a tray and a “gate” to separate the products into two columns on the tray. A “lever” (centered by springs) mechanically links these components. Products move off the tray by a spring powered “slider” (one slider for each product column) on the tray. There is only one “rotator-gate-lever” mechanism per pair of product columns in each display tray. That is, when a “cup” engages the “lever” moving to the right, a product from the left side of the display tray is pushed into the “cup” and vice versa. Adjustable side walls in each tray accommodate different sized packages. The delivery mechanism uses the “cup” for transport.

Abstract: Vending machine product is moved by an “X-Y mechanism” having two stationary electronically controlled drive “motors,” which drive tension elements that position horizontally and vertically sliding components. A separation and selection system uses a “rotator” to release a product from a tray and a “gate” to separate the products into two columns on the tray. A “lever” mechanically links these components. Products move off the tray by a spring powered “slider” on the tray. There is only one “rotator-gate-lever” mechanism per pair of product columns in each display tray. When a “cup” engages the “lever” moving to the right, a product from the left side of the display tray is pushed into the “cup” and vice versa. Adjustable side walls in each tray accommodate different sized packages. The delivery mechanism uses the “cup” for transport. A lower surface of the cup engages a sliding “door” to a balanced delivery “port” for delivery of product from the cup to the port.

Abstract: A dosing device of a pulverulent material uses an oscillating drive mechanism with straight to-and-fro movement to extract and dose a pulverulent material contained in a hopper with a calibrated outlet aperture, and then to transfer the extracted mass to a removal point. The hopper can be fixed or movable. To measure the mass flowrate extracted from the aperture, the hopper is connected to the mechanism by a flexible blade and bears on a table equipped with a weighing cell formed by a weight sensor. The weight variation indicates the mass flowrate, which can be adjusted by acting on the oscillation frequency of the mechanism, or on the opening of the outlet aperture.

Abstract: Collapsible tube head (100, 200, 300, 400) comprising a neck (103, 203, 303, 403) which is fitted, with a port (180, 280, 380, 480) and a shoulder (102, 202, 302, 402). The aforementioned head is fitted with a valve (110, 210, 310, 410) which is inserted in the neck of the said collapsible tube, the said valve comprising a sealing means (112, 212, 312, 412) which is connected to a ring support (115, 215, 315, 415) having an opening (122, 222, 322, 422), the said sealing means being maintained in the closed position of the said opening when the tube is not compressed, and being maintained in the open position when the tube is compressed. The inner surface of the tube is provided with a bore (105, 205, 305, 405) which is disposed close to the base of the said neck. The ring support is fixed to the bore by means of bonding, soldering or force fitting, and the said bore and ring support are preferably provided with complementary connection means, in particular a groove and rice grains.