Abstract: An apparatus for applying an adhesive to the back of a book has a compressing plate inclined at an angle with respect to horizontal to provide a gap between the plate and book surface which converges in the direction the book travels whereby the adhesive layer is gradually compressed and pressed into the back of the book.

Abstract: A plate having a long handle attached thereto is used for spreading a semi-liquid composition over a base surface, the thickness of the layer being determined by a supporting spherical wheel. Another plate having a long handle is used for leveling the surface of the composition which is spread according to a pattern of juxtaposed strips.

Abstract: A device for smearing on slides a drop of liquid placed on a predetermined point on each slide has slide magazines containing a plurality of slides with the uppermost slide in each magazine having its upper face exposed for the reception of a drop of liquid towards one end thereof. Spreaders are adjacent the other ends of the slides. Means advance the spreaders out of contact with the slides, lower the spreaders into contact with the slides as they approach said predetermined points on the slides and slow the advance of the spreaders as they approach said points. The spreaders are retracted and the angle between each spreader and slide decreases to thin the smear of liquid. Means advance the uppermost slide in each magazine forwardly out of the magazine a predetermined distance to facilitate the removal of the slide by hand after the desired smear is made.

Abstract: A device for smearing liquid on a slide has (1) a housing and means for supporting a pair of slides on top of the housing, (2) a carriage with a pair of spaced runners which slidably support the carriage on the top of the housing, (3) a spreader pivotally mounted on the carriage and free to rock transversely with respect to a slide, (4) a member to advance the carriage and spreader, (5) a spring and dashpot arrangement to retract the carriage, and (6) latch means to arrest the carriage after it retracts a short distance. The means for supporting the slides may support the slide at an angle of at least five degrees with respect to the plane in which the carriage moves reducing the thickness of the liquid smeared on the slide. The dashpot plunger moves in the direction of an open end of the dashpot cylinder. Advantageously the device has means to clean the spreader.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a self-locking patch type fastener which includes carrier means for moving a plurality of threaded metal fasteners along an arcuate path, clamping means associated with the carrier means to clamp the fasteners to the carrier means, movable resin transfer means having a fastener contact surface, and the transfer means being positioned to move the contact surface into contact with the fastener as the fastener is moved in an arcuate path past the transfer means. The speed and direction of movement of the contact surface relative to the carrier means during contact between the contact surface and the fastener is such as to provide an even transfer of resin from the contact surface to deposit a plastic patch thereon. Unclamping means are positioned with respect to the carrier means to unclamp the threaded fasteners after deposit of the plastic patch thereon and conveyor means then convey the fasteners away from the carrier means.

Abstract: An integral, automated hematology slide preparation station is disclosed which includes assemblies for sample mixing, automated smearing and staining in a single unit. A rotary mixing sub-assembly is provided which interchangeably mixes vials of several sizes and requires no clips or auxiliary holding devices for the vials to be mixed. The pushbutton operated smearing or wedging sub-assembly includes a pivotally mounted, self-leveling counterbalanced reciprocating smearing arm which cams the wedging member and which, with a precise drive control produces highly repeatable blood smears containing substantially a monolayer of blood cells. The smearing sub-assembly operates in conjunction with a manually operated slide dispenser and automatic smear dryer. The staining sub-assembly is completely automatic and includes a conveyer system consisting of three synchronized, intermittently driven, conveyer sections.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are described for preparing a narrow trace of physiological fluid on a substrate from a discrete fluid pool. The trace so produced is substantially identical to traces manually prepared in that they are characterized by distinct macroscopic and microscopic zones. Automatic trace staining apparatus also is provided.

Abstract: In abstract, a preferred embodiment of this invention is a flow control system used in conjunction with the manufacture of polymer type printing plates to give even distribution of the liquid polymer prior to its being formed to a printing plate for use on a high speed printing press such as used by newspapers.