Abstract: An apparatus for assembling large panels, e.g. solar panels, from smaller, preformed sections comprising a plurality of press tables which are coupled to a carousel structure whereby each table can be located at one work station and then moved through a series of controlled stops to an unloading station. Each press table is comprised of a frame having a smooth surface onto which the preformed sections of the panels are positioned and, a press rack which is lowered to bring supports into contact with the adhesive on the backs of the preformed sections to form the large panel.

Abstract: A container with reinforced side walls includes an internal partitive wall forming two longitudinal compartments each associated with a transfer member including a ram to compact refuse and other waste materials into the container compartment. Push-out assemblies are supported at the rear of each compartment to eject compacted material therein. A hinged door on the partitive wall is latched by a load-bearing assembly to a side wall while forming an entry port below the door. A container end door is closed against the upper portion of the container. An opening in the lower part of the door communicates with two entry portal openings for delivery of material into the compartments. Separate security chutes communicate with separate charging boxes formed in the compactor.

Abstract: The invention relates to processes and devices for automatically depositing and pressing continuous tows in containers moved to and fro on a traversing device, wherein the start of the tow is transferred via a chute to a catch box on the container and is retained there, the container is weighed during each traversing movement because of the extension of a weighing platform and, when the nominal weight is reached, the fed tow is held and severed in a cutting and fixing device, the tow ends obtained are fixed and marked, and the tow end belonging to the deposited material and the start of the tow are introduced into the full container from the catch box.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing finger jointed lumber from random length boards is disclosed. Adhesive applied to the union of two boards of lumber mated end-to-end in a finger joint union is cured in a rotary bonding assembly including a stator and a rotor. Mounted on the stator assembly are a plurality of electrode plates disposed at equally spaced locations around the stator opening thereby defining a plurality of curing stations. The rotor assembly is mounted for rotation within the stator assembly and includes a plurality of electrode plates disposed at equally spaced locations and in axial alignment with the stator electrode plates. The electrode plates are adapted to conduct radio frequency current through the finger joint union of boards confined between the rotor and stator electrode plates at each curing station.

Abstract: A container with reinforced side walls includes an internal partitive wall forming two longitudinal compartments each associated with a transfer member including a ram to compact refuse and other waste materials into the container compartment. Push-out assemblies are supported at the rear of each compartment to eject compacted material therein. A hinged door on the partitive wall is latched by a load-bearing assembly to a side wall while forming an entry port below the door. A container end door is closed against the upper portion of the container. An opening in the lower part of the door communicates with two entry portal openings for delivery of material into the compartments. Separate security chutes communicate with separate charging boxes formed in the compactor.

Abstract: An improvement in the manufacture of flexible densified polyurethane foam wherein the partially cured freely risen foam is fed through a crush conveyor to minimize the density gradient throughout the vertical cross section. The crush conveyor includes an upper crushing section which is arcuate and has a radius of a dimension such that the ratio of the radius of the arc to height of the partially cured freely risen foam is 1.1 to 1 or greater. The crush conveyor has a bottom crushing section which may be arcuate with a radius of a dimension such that the ratio of its radius to the height of the partially cured freely risen foam is also 1.1 to 1 or greater. The radius of the bottom arcuate crushing section may be the same or larger than the radius of the top arc. As an alternative, the bottom crushing section may be planar and may be horizontal, or inclined with respect to the horizontal.

Abstract: A method of extracting clear juice from apples and similar fruit involving the use of a screw press having a feed screw with a very gradual continuous slope of the body of the feed screw such that the fruit is gently compressed as it passes through the screw press. The fruit is introduced into the input of a first of such presses and the juices and solids expressed from such gradual compressing are filtered and the juice separated from the remaining solids which are then reintroduced into the input for additional compressing. A second press of the same type may receive the pressed fruit pulp from the output of the first screw press and additional juice extracted therefrom.

Abstract: A sugar cane mill facility for the extraction with imbibition of sugar from sugar cane.This mill is characterized by the fact that it includes a fourth roller placed in front of the upper roller, against which it presses and, above the inlet roller and mounted on a mobile support, means acting upon the said support in order to flexibly push the fourth roller towards the upper roller, adjustable stops hindering these two rollers from coming together, and a trash plate placed between the fourth roller and the inlet roller integral with the said mobile support. The juices extracted by pressure between the upper roller and the fourth roller can be recycled to the bagasse layer feeding the mill, either with the juices which have passed through this layer, or with the juices extracted by pressure between the upper roller and the inlet and outlet rollers.

Abstract: A can crusher is provided utilizing a single lever arm pivoted in two places to a pivotal link and a crusher plate respectively and having a unique action wherein upon lifting the lever arm space is provided for a can and a foot extended from the lever arm crushes one end of the can, and upon depressing the arm the can is completely crushed.

Abstract: A screw press for extraction of liquids from solids or semi-solids having a feed screw disposed in a cylindrical cage formed from filter screens. The feed screw has a body portion that increases in diameter over the full length of the screw in a linear fashion forming a gradual slope providing a gentle pressing action on the materials being pressed. A variable speed drive is used to optimize the rotational speed of the feed screw for maximum liquid extraction versus material throughput. The cylindrical cage comprises at least one pair of semi-circular sections connected along a lower edge by a set of offset hinges and bolted together along an upper edge. For cleaning of the press or changing of filter screens, the sections open with the offset hinges causing the sections to move downward and outward, completely clear of the feed screw.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling cheese hoops with curd and for compressing the curd to form a finished cheese. The invention includes a hoop cart for supporting a plurality of generally cylindrical cheese hoops in closely spaced aligned arrangement and positioned such that they can each be filled from the top. The apparatus also includes filler trays which are receivable on the aligned cheese hoops to permit curds to be poured therein. Finally, the apparatus includes a vertically oriented press having a plurality of aligned downwardly movable plungers. The press is designed to receive the hoop cart and filler trays such that the plungers of the press are vertically aligned with the cheese hoops whereby the plungers may be forced downwardly into the cheese hoops to pack and to compress the curds therein. The plungers may then be removed from the hoops and the cart pulled from under the press such that the filler trays may be removed from the hoops.

Abstract: A system for the handling of solid waste involving multiple solid waste handling stations. Each station has a hopper unit for receiving waste, a storage unit, and a compactor unit for transferring and compacting the waste. Each station is provided with detector means for detecting a packed storage unit. Adjoining stations are operatively interconnected by station selector means. The station selector means responds to the detector means to deactivate a station having a packed storage unit and to activate an adjoining station having an empty storage unit.

Abstract: Apparatus for fabricating wood trusses having upper chords, lower chords, and web members, and more particularly for fabricating flat floor trusses. The apparatus has an elongate frame carrying a first series of supports for supporting the upper chord members and a second series of supports for supporting the lower chord members. A press is movable laterally along each chord from support to support to drive nailing plates into the wood members from above and below. Each support has a base, a vertical plate extending up from the base, and arms cantilevered from the vertical plate. Each support is movable longitudinally along the frame so as to be selectively positioned along the frame to support the wood members at this intersection. These supports are selectively securable to the frame in their selected positions with the vertical plates of the first and second series of supports in back-to-back relation with one another.