Abstract: A self-tamping coffee holder tamps loose ground coffee obtaining richer flavor. The coffee holder includes a holder base and a holder cap. Coffee is loosely deposited in the coffee holder and the holder cap is attached to the holder base. An internal filter chamber holds the coffee and allows tamping of the coffee into a compacted state. The filter chamber may be formed by a fixed filter or by a removeable filter constructed of filter paper, nylon mesh, metal mesh, or any material capable of holding the coffee while allowing a flow of heated water through the coffee. The tamping may be by a spring or by a resilient solid material attached to the coffee holder and may push the coffee down inside the filter or push the filter and the coffee up against the holder lid.

Abstract: A clamping mechanism and method are disclosed for a mixing machine that detects when the upper clamping member engages the tops or lids of the containers loaded into the mixing machine. The disclosed clamping mechanism includes a lower base and an upper plate defining an adjustable clamping distance disposed therebetween. At least one of the lower base and upper plate is moveable to increase or decrease the clamping distance. The upper plate is pivotally connected to a cross member so the upper plate is at least partially pivoted away from the cross member when nothing is clamped between the upper plate and lower base. At least one of the cross member and upper plate is associated with a sensor. The sensor is linked to a controller, which controls the movement of the upper plate or the lower base (or both) for clamping and unclamping articles disposed on the lower base.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for crushing waste material that is manual and portable. On the underside of the lid to the apparatus is a detachable handle with a plate attached thereto that has a series of rough ridges. The handle can descend down the height of the apparatus through a pair of parallel channels located down the front and rear of the apparatus. At the bottom of the apparatus on the interior is a mating plate that has a second series of rough edges that fit like a zipper with the ridges of the top plate for crushing of waste. The handle is lockable through latches to the lid of the apparatus when not in use. A second lock holds the handle in place on the rear of the apparatus when not in use. An interior removable basket with foldable handles and/or gripping holes on the side. The interior basket has channels on the front and rear walls that correspond to the main body portion.

Abstract: The invention concerns a clamping device for a device for the production of metal parts by forming with a closed forming tool, the clamping device comprising at least several tension hoops (2), these tension hoops (2) each being provided with at least one tension frame (2.2) of a closed contour, the tension frame being provided with two segments (2.3) arranged opposite each other at some distance, between which a forming tool (12) can be arranged, each of these segments (2.3) being provided with at least either one bearing surface (2.1) or one bearing surface (2.4), and the tension hoops (2) being each linked by at least one articulated joint (8) in order to be pivoted, a bearing surface (3.1) which is located above or on the upper surface of the forming tool (12) and used as support for a bearing surface (2.1) of a tension hoop (2), and a device (5) which generates a clamping force of more than 3 MN and is composed of several power-generating elements.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for crushing aluminum cans, plastic containers and other crushable waste that is manual and portable. On the underside of the lid to the apparatus is a detachable handle with a plate attached thereto that has a series of rough ridges. The handle can descend down the height of the apparatus through a pair of parallel channels located down the front and rear of the apparatus. At the bottom of the apparatus on the interior is a mating plate that has a second series of rough edges that fit like a zipper with the ridges of the top plate for crushing of waste. The handle is lockable through latches to the lid of the apparatus when not in use. A second lock holds the handle in place on the rear of the apparatus when not in use. The bottom of the apparatus has one or more pairs of wheels to allow for easy portability.

Abstract: Method and Apparatus for carrying out an operation, such as pressing, riveting, cutting, etc., on a mechanical workpiece which operation comprises at least one stroke, or movement, along a predetermined path, of at least two active members (6,7) each being arranged on a carrying unit (1,2). The mechanical workpiece is first positioned between the active members (6,7). Thereafter the carrying units (1,2) for the active members are approached to each other in a first part of the stroke. The carrying units (1,2) are then locked to each other at the end of said first part of said stroke and a second part of said stroke is carried out by way of the relative movement between the active members (6,7) to achieve the desired effect on the said workpiece.

Abstract: A mold press assembly has an outer press frame carrying first and second inner frames that are interlocked to the press frame during relative vertical movements of an upper platen and a lower platen for defining a throat distance for receiving mold parts connected thereto and the first and second inner frames connect on first and second drive shafts for pivotal booking movement. The shafts are connected at one end to an electric motor and connected at other points therealong to ball screws for vertically positioning an upper platen with respect to the outer press frame and for reciprocating the lower platen outwardly with respect to the pivoted second inner frame; and the first and second inner frames are driven by other ball screws and electric motors to pivot about the first and second drive shafts for providing access to mold parts connected to the upper and lower platens.

Abstract: A mechanical packing apparatus (10) for packing cotton in a cotton trailer (106) after it has been dumped there by a cotton picker comprising a tractor (12) mounted and hydraulic powered apparatus. The cotton packing apparatus (10) contains a movable packer foot (84) which minimizes the repositioning of the tractor (12) during the packing process. The cotton packing apparatus (10) also is retractable for storage on the tractor (12) when not in use.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying variable pressure to selected areas of a bonding assembly jig to shape a face plate to conform to the contours of contoured heads and hold the face plate in place for welding comprises two inverted U-shaped support frames including two spaced apart elongated vertical support members each having a bottom end and a top end, an elongated horizontal top beam extending between and connecting the top ends of the vertical support members, a track extending between and adjustably fastened to the horizontal top beam, and at least one hydraulic press slidably suspended from the track and adapted to apply pressure to a bonding assembly jig. The support frames are provided with wheels and one of the support frames has vertical support members spaced at a distance less that of the other support frame. This arrangement allows the tracks of each frame to be positioned proximate to each other above a bonding assembly jig.

Abstract: A molding apparatus for producing a molding from multi-component plastic, especially polyurethane. The upper and lower parts of the mold are fastened, respectively, on mold holders of which at least one is movable relative to the other and can be propped in a closed position in which the upper mold part and lower mold part are still at a slight distance apart. Starting out from this closed position the upper and lower mold parts can be brought together and pressed against each other by a jacking device which is provided on at least one of the mold holders.

Abstract: A five bar articulating mechanism having the bars pivotally linked one to another forming a closed loop. Any one of the bars is intermittently rigidly joined to an adjacent bar to convert the five bar mechanism to a four bar mechanism.

Abstract: A drive for the pivot arm of a pivoted arm punching machine includes an electrical drive motor arranged to drive a driving gear wheel which, in turn, is in meshed engagement with and drives a driven gear wheel secured to the pivot arm. A braking mechanism arranged to stop the driven gear wheel when the drive motor is stopped. The braking mechanism includes a brake lining which is pressed against the driven gear wheel by a brake plate. The brake plate is actuated by a pneumatic cylinder located within the punching machine when the drive motor is stopped.

Abstract: A four bar linkage is movable from a first position to a second position by a continuous motion of a linear actuator. The linkage comprises a first leg and a second leg shorter than the first leg spaced from and parallel to the first leg in the first position. The first and second legs are supported at their lower end by being pivotally attached to a base, and the upper ends of the first and second legs pivotally support an upper platen at their upper end. The first and second legs, the base, and the upper platen comprise the elements of a four bar linkage. The linkage is translated from a first position where the first and second legs are parallel and extend vertically upward to a second position wherein the platen is rotated up to 90.degree. or more and is displaced laterally from the base and can face to the side and upward allowing access to the base and the upper platen from overhead.