Abstract: A plastic extrusion apparatus is provided which includes a gear pump for accurately metering the plastic through a die. The apparatus is adapted to process highly viscous plastic material under high temperature and pressure conditions, and the gear pump includes a non-leaking and substantially frictionless seal for the drive shaft. The seal comprises a sleeve surrounding the shaft, and a shallow helical channel formed in the bore of the sleeve, with the helical channel being of a hand such that forward rotation of the shaft results in the plastic which enters the clearance between the shaft and sleeve to be effectively pumped back toward the interior of the housing.

Abstract: An automatic development control system having a sensor providing a signal representative of developed toner mass on a patch sample on the photoreceptor. The signal is conveyed to a comparator through signal processing circuits for comparing with a reference signal. The signal processing circuits include digital to analog circuitry also capable of providing analog to digital conversion. The reference signal represents an undeveloped photoreceptor signal normalized to accommodate changing photoreceptor, sensor and operating environment characteristics. A dispenser solenoid activates a toner dispenser through an interrupt mechanism in given increments of time depending upon the error signals generated by the comparator.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an automatically controlled weigh feeding apparatus including a container for prefilling with a substance, a device for discharging the substance from the container at a controllable rate, apparatus for weighing the substance being discharged and for producing an electrical signal proportional to that weight, a voltage to frequency converter connected to receive the electrical signals, a digital computer, apparatus coupled to an output of the voltage to frequency converter for inputting data signals to the digital computer, the computer being adapted to compute a corrective signal based on the input data signals received, and coupling apparatus coupled between the computer and the device for discharging the substance from the container for controlling the rate of discharge responsive to the corrective signal.

Abstract: Flowable food is fed by a vibrator unit to a weighing platform which is carried by a weighing support which moves downwardly as the food builds up on the platform, the weighing support and vibrator being temporarily stopped by stops at a location prior to a point corresponding to a preselected weight and thereafter being allowed to continue its weighing movement or discharge food therefrom as the case may be.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing a carbonated beverage including a source of propellant gas, a reservoir for beverage to be dispensed, one or more dispensing valves connected to the reservoir, a propellant gas conduit for applying a first gaseous propellant pressure upon beverage supply vessels and for applying a second and lesser gaseous propellant pressure upon beverage in the reservoir, a beverage supply conduit for transferring beverage from a supply vessel to the reservoir and normally closed valves in the beverage supply and gas conduits, which valves are controllable by a level sensor in the reservoir; the appartus also features structure for automatically switching from one supply vessel to another as vessels become emptied; a method of dispensing includes the steps of providing a supply of carbonated beverage, applying a first propellant pressure upon the supply, selectively transferring beverage from the supply to a reservoir, applying a second and lesser propellant pressure upon the reservoir and dispensin

Abstract: The a fluid-tight receptacle comprises a container with a neck portion, a cup-shaped member tightly engaged within the neck portion, a cap threadedly engaged with the neck portion, a resilient liner inside the cap, and a float member slidably and concentrically mounted within the cup-shaped member; the float member has a cup portion so dimensioned as to lie within the cup-shaped member so that tight engagement of the cap to the neck portion forces the rim of the cup-shaped member to sink in the resilient liner of the cap; this prevents fluid leakage from the container during transport or as a result of accidental tip of the container.

Abstract: An arrangement for conveyance of waste water or liquid by vacuum operation, including a vertically movable container in which the waste water is collected. By causing the weight of the liquid to surmount a spring force and a force originating from the vacuum in the pipeline system an inlet for the waste water is opened. The waste water present in the container is then drawn into the conduit system by means of the vacuum present therein.

Abstract: Control for a multiple batch process for preparing product from a plurality of constituent ingredients, in which an error in one batch from the multiple batch is equally divided over the subsequent batches so that all of the remaining portion of the multiple batch can be used and the resulting product is uniform. In the process of preparing product from a plurality of constituent ingredients, a batch of certain of such ingredients is mixed in a receptacle, sequentially divided into substantially equal portions and transported to an apparatus for combination with certain other of such ingredients for preparing the product. The error compensating control comprises an intermediate chamber in flow communication with the receptacle and the apparatus. A predetermined portion of the mixed batch is transferred from the receptacle to the intermediate chamber, where it is weighed, and then delivered to the apparatus.

Abstract: Continuous automatic feeding apparatus for bulk material is provided. The device has a vibratory feeder for moving the material to be fed, the feeder having a centrally disposed narrow spoon extending therefrom which provides a relatively small rate of material feed. A pair of hoppers are located under the composite feeder, and the material supplied to each controlled by a pair of displaceable deflectors. Each deflector has three positions: a first position in which the deflector prevents any flow into its associated hopper and deflects the flow into the other hopper; a second position in which the flow from the feeder is deflected to the other hopper but the flow from the spoon is permitted to enter its associated hopper; and a third position in which the flow from both the vibratory feeder and the spoon enters the associated hopper. Each hopper has a weigh cell and control apparatus associated therewith to operate the deflectors and empty the hoppers when a predetermined weight has been attained.

Abstract: A device for dispensing liquids such as paint, lacquer, glue and the like containing solvents which evaporate in air at room temperature, includes an outer rigid shell forming an enclosure for an inner flexible bag or container. The bag has an outlet orifice coincident with an outlet opening provided in the bottom wall of the outer shell, and an air inlet communicates with the interior of only the enclosure for establishing an atmospheric pressure therewithin so as to permit the dispensing liquid to flow outwardly of the outlet opening. The outlet may be closed by a shut-off valve so as to create a sub-atmospheric pressure level within the enclosure to thereby interrupt the liquid flow from the device. Otherwise, the air inlet may be closed when its outer end becomes submerged in a quantity of water contained within a receptacle and divided by a flexible diaphragm from the dispensed liquid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the feed of pieces of rubber or plastics material into the intake opening of an extruder where a feed roller has a control slide mounted thereabove which can be moved to increase or decrease the area of the surface of the roller which engages the material and thus the rate of material intake. Sensing means are provided to indicate to control means the level of material in the intake opening, the control means then operating the control slide to adjust the rate of intake of material.

Abstract: In a system for dispensing weighed or counted articles, articles are fed from a supply hopper by a vibratory conveyor to maintain a controlled level of articles in a bowl-shaped feeder hopper. In a weigher embodiment, articles are initially discharged from the feeder hopper through two discharge openings into an accumulator bucket. A weighing unit monitors the weight of articles in the bucket and signals a door to close one of the discharge openings as the weight of articles in the bucket begins to approach a predetermined weight. The weighing unit subsequently signals the feeder hopper drive to slow its feeding action as the weight of articles in the bucket more closely approaches the predetermined weight. The feeder hopper discharge openings are arranged near each other at locations where the door-controlled opening will provide a rapid, bulk feed of articles, while the other opening will provide a single-file trickle feed.

Abstract: In an apparatus for the pulsewise dispensing of very small amounts of liquid controlled with a measuring instrument comprising an ejecting device for the pulsewise ejection of a desired amount of liquid, a pump is provided for supplying liquid to the vessel from a reservoir. The pump includes a neck portion having an inlet at the bottom thereof and a foot portion, with at least the foot portion immersed in a liquid contained in the reservoir. The foot portion has a volume at least as great as the refill volume of the measuring vessel and a feedline to the measuring vessel is disposed within the neck portion and terminates in proximity to the bottom of the foot portion. A check valve opens and closes the foot portion inlet by means of compressed gas which is controllable by sensing devices at the measuring vessel.

Abstract: A control system for an ice dispenser maintains an icemaker thereof continuously operative whenever an ice storage hopper is less than completely full. This is accomplished by continuing to operate the icemaker while momentarily agitating and leveling the mass of ice in the hopper whenever ice builds up around a thermostat therein, and thereafter sensing whether the ice has dropped away from the thermostat. If it has, the icemaker is maintained in operation and the cycle is repeated. If, however, it has not, then the icemaker is turned off until sufficient ice is dispensed from the hopper to again drop the ice level to below the thermostat. In this manner, the number of on-off cycles of the compressor and other components of the icemaker are minimized in maintaining the hopper completely full, which greatly increases their operating life and reliability.

Abstract: A vending machine such as a coffee vending machine has a hot water tank connected to the outlet side of a pump. The inlet side of the pump is selectively connected to one of a plurality of water storage containers by way of a valve. Water for the hot water tank is pumped thereto from the storage containers. When a storage container is empty, the valve is moved to a position so as to communicate with another one of the containers.

Abstract: The storage level of ore, supplied by an overhead loader to a bin or pile in the form of large, dense, hard fragments, up to a foot or more in diameter, is measured and controlled by repetitively lowering a line carrying a weight, having a mass at least as great as the largest ore fragments, from above the stored mass to the surface of the stored mass and measuring the distance traveled by the weight. Feed of ore is automatically stopped when maximum allowable level of stored mass is detected. Measurement of ore level is accomplished by counting, during the lowering of the weight, the pulses generated by a pulse generator operated by the turning of a winch upon which the line is reeled. The contact of the lowered weight with the stored ore mass is detected by the slowing of the rate of pulse generation as the weight ceases falling under the influence of gravity and the winch therefore ceases turning.

Abstract: An automatic control circuit is provided for diluting a chemical concentrate in a container by the proper proportion, dispensing the mixture, indicating that the container is empty, and repeating the process. The container has a plurality of conductive probes which extend to different depths within the container. A pair of relays having contacts which control drain and fill solenoid valves in the container are controlled by the probes, depending on the level of the liquid in the container. Both visual and audible alarms are provided to indicate when the tank is empty and needs concentrate to be added thereto.

Abstract: A spout assembly is adapted to be secured to and sealably communicated with the interior of a flexible bag containing a liquid or pliable material therein for draining the material from the bag without loss through leakage. The assembly is comprised of a nozzle, a portion of which is to be inserted into the bag, at least one clamping member which is carried by the nozzle for holding the bag in sealing engagement with the exterior surface of the nozzle and locking lugs for maintaining the sealed engagement and preventing leakage about the nozzle while the material within the bag is drained therefrom.

Abstract: An integrated apparatus or device for transferring, that is, pumping water from a water bottle to a water fountain having a reservoir with a dispensing faucet. A housing is provided carrying a stopper for insertion into the neck of a water bottle. Within the housing, there is a pump; a tube is connected to the pump discharge and extends through the stopper for pumping air into the bottle. A further tube passes through the stopper for transferring water from the bottle. The other end of this tube extends to fitting means which can be placed on the reservoir in a position normally occupied by the water bottle in an inverted position. This fitting carries a float valve which closes the end of the supply tube when the reservoir is filled.

Abstract: A unit for weighing and dispensing portions of hot, fried, potato chips, comprises a casing in which are disposed a receptacle for receiving a supply of the chips, and a dispensing chamber opening into said receptacle and into which hot chips are fed by a vibrator unit coupled to a bottom wall of the receptacle, a heating element for maintaining chips hot while in the receptacle and in the dispensing chamber, the bottom wall of the receptacle being inclined upwardly in the direction of the dispensing chamber for allowing hot frying oil or fat to drain away in the opposite direction and into a collector, a weighing platform disposed inside the dispensing chamber and being hinged to a movable weighing support disposed outside the dispensing chamber and guided for vertical linear movement, the weighing platform being retained in a position to receive the hot chips and being released to permit it to hinge downwardly and discharge the hot chips therefrom in response to a predetermined amount of linear movement of

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and method for detecting the presence, or absence, of material at a predetermined location. A crystal controlled oscillator generates a constant-frequency, constant-amplitude signal which is fed through a load resistor to an antenna sensor circuit, including an antenna probe positioned at the sensing location. The amplitude of the signal fed to the sensor circuit varies as the impedence of the antenna probe is affected by material in its environment, or the lack thereof. The signal amplitude is converted to a d-c voltage level, which is added to a reference d-c voltage level preset with the antenna probe free of impedance-affecting material. The difference voltage level value thus obtained, and which reflects the environment of the antenna probe, is used to control a switching circuit whose output assumes one value or another, depending ultimately on the antenna probe's environment.

Abstract: A sugar mill utilizing an arrangement of rolls journalled between a pair of frame members, having a driven anvil roll as the lowermost roll. An adjustment cane roll is disposed between the frame members above the anvil roll. Intermediate and to one side of the cane and anvil rolls is a crusher/feed roll, and to the other side of the cane and anvil rolls there is a bagasse roll. The three uppermost rolls are adjustable with respect to one another, the side rolls may each be mounted in an eccentric or screw adjustable bearing support arrangement. A generally vertically disposed chute drops chopped sugar cane between the feed and cane rolls to permit gravity to aid in feeding of the chopped cane to the sugar mill. This arrangement of the rolls permits a higher sugar mill output per revolution of the rolls, than that of the prior art.

Abstract: A flow stoppage detector device for a particulate material supply line includes a housing that has a pivoted partition member for dividing the housing into first and second adjacent upright conduit sections. The partition member has a pair of leg members and is pivotally disposed in the housing for movement to a first position in which a first leg member forms a common wall for the conduit sections and the second leg member an obstruction to a material flow through the second conduit section. A switch means on the housing has a switch actuator extended into the second conduit section for movement from a first position to a second position in response to an overflow of material over the common wall from the first conduit section into the second conduit section.

Abstract: An automatic, intermittently operable proportional mixing attachment for non-carbonated beverage dispensing machines having holding tanks in which beverages, reconstituted from proportional volumes of water and liquid concentrate, are stored; said attachment including an aspirator, a water delivery structure for the aspirator and connected with a pressurized water service system, a liquid beverage concentrate delivery structure for the aspirator and connected with a static supply of liquid beverage concentrate, a beverage delivery structure extending from the aspirator to the beverage holding tank of a related dispensing machine, a normally closed solenoid operated on and off valve in the water delivery structure and a float actuated control switch for the on and off valve arranged with its float in the beverage in the holding tank and operated to open the on and off valve when the level of beverage in the tank drops below a predetermined minimum level; and a bypass to adjust the minus pressure established in

Abstract: A plug valve adapted to meter precise quantities of material passing therethrough in which a cylindrical valve plug is rotatably mounted in a cylindrically shaped aperture in a valve body. First and second sets of radially extending inlet and outlet passageways are connected to the valve body aperture, with each inlet passageway being radially opposite a corresponding outlet passageway. Two orthogonally oriented, nonintersecting valve ports extend through the valve plug perpendicular to its axis of rotation, the ports being closely spaced from each other along the axis and with the diameter of each valve port being approximately one-half the diameter of the passageways such that one valve port connects one set of inlet and outlet passageways while the orthogonally positioned second port simultaneously connects the second set of inlet and outlet passageways.

Abstract: An automatic device for supplying an elastomer or like material for an intion machine comprising an injection cylinder and a piston, wherein the piston is controlled by a hydraulic multiplier device formed by two stages, the first stage being called the downstream stage and the second stage being called the upstream multiplier stage, and wherein the device comprises a sensor for controlling the supplying of the cylinder with material so as to stock said cylinder by an electrically driven tape advance unit, the sensor being brought into play when the piston is moved in the forward direction, a pressure controller for tripping the upstream multiplier stage to multiply the pressure in the injection cylinder, the pressure controller being controlled from a pressure threshold of the fluid supply of the first downstream stage and an end of travel sensor for tripping the return of the first and second stages to make the piston return at the end of the injection.

Abstract: A flow regulator is disclosed for controlling liquid flow, for example, from a supply source to a receiving tank according to the liquid level in the tank. Specifically, a fluid interaction device communicating with the receiving tank causes a fluid pressure signal to be developed in response to departure of the liquid in the tank from a predetermined level. A differential pressure responsive valve adjusts liquid flow from the supply source to the receiving tank in response to the fluid pressure signal. Several embodiments and other features including a bypass for enhancing stable flow and a preferred valve structure are disclosed.A beverage dispensing system incorporating the aforesaid flow regulator is also disclosed. A cold carbonated liquid is continually circulated past dispensers from a pressurized chill tank having a carbon dioxide atmosphere. The flow regulator admits further liquid to the system from a supply source whenever liquid is tapped from the system by the dispensers.

Abstract: A recirculating carbonator and beverage dispenser requires only one pump. The system's function can be enhanced by the use of a two position spool valve having a fresh water inlet port, a carbonated water inlet port, and a fluid outlet port commonly connected with a central bore. A spool member is slidably disposed within the bore to selectively interrupt fluid communication between the carbonated water inlet port and the liquid outlet port during the presence of a low water signal generated by a level sensing device within the system's carbonation tank. During the interruption, fresh make-up water is added to the system. The level sensing device includes a body with a longitudinal bore therethrough, an inlet for the constantly flowing fluid, and a venturi tube depending from the body.

Abstract: A recirculating carbonator and beverage dispenser requires only one pump. The system's function can be enhanced by the use of a two position spool valve having a fresh water inlet port, a carbonated water inlet port, and a fluid outlet port commonly connected with a central bore. A spool member is slidably disposed within the bore to selectively interrupt fluid communication between the carbonated water inlet port and the liquid outlet port during the presence of a low water signal generated by a level sensing device within the system's carbonation tank. During the interruption, fresh make-up water is added to the system.

Abstract: A self-interrupting gravity feed device for a plastic raw materials mixer comprising a vertical flow tube which reaches from above into the mixer receptacle, and a horizontal baffle arranged at a distance from the lower opening of the flow tube. The baffle is similar in shape and at least as large in diameter as the flow tube opening and it is preferably vertically adjustable in relation to the flow tube.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining the height of a column of tobacco or similar particulate material in a downwardly extending channel, comprising a first capacitor, a second capacitor formed partly by an electrode plate extending above and below the desired average level of the top surface of the tobacco column in the channel during use, a third capacitor formed partly by an electrode plate lying permanently below the top surface of the tobacco column, and an electrical circuit which compares the value of the second capacitor with the sum of the values of the first and third capacitors and from which output signal can be obtained which reflects that comparison.

Abstract: New blanket cleaning liquid flows from an inverted bottle 16 inserted through a hole 7 in the upper arm 8 of a U-shaped bracket 5 to a cleaning bath 2 via a spring biased push valve 20 in the bottle, a supply pool 9 in the lower arm of the bracket beneath the pouring mouth of the installed bottle, and a three-way control valve A. The latter may selectively communicate the supply pool with the cleaning bath in a delivery mode, or communicate the bath with a used liquid storage bottle 28 in a discharge mode. The bath is vertically disposed at a position proximate that of the bracket, whereby the liquid level in the bath is automatically maintained at the same level as the new cleaning liquid in the supply pool, which in turn is maintained at the height of the pouring mouth lip of the bottle 16.

Abstract: A hopper device for delivering granular or powdery material to a conveyor system of a type having a circuitous tube and a continuous flexible member having disc members rigidly attached thereto has a material level monitor and control apparatus attached thereto. The continuous flexible member passes through the hopper and a material flow varying mechanism is disposed within the hopper for causing material to be delivered from the hopper into the conveyor system when such mechanism is in operation. A housing having a chamber therein is attached to the outlet side of the hopper and has a float assembly disposed in the chamber for sensing the amount of material being fed into the conveyor system.

Abstract: A diverter valve assembly and priority control circuit for use in an ice distribution system having an ice source and first and second ice delivery stations, the valve assembly comprising a valve body having an inlet section communicable with the ice source, and first and second outlet sections communicable with the first and second delivery stations, respectively; the valve assembly including a valve body having a central valve chamber communicable with the inlet and outlet sections and having a rotatable valve element disposed therein; an electrically energized motor for selectively rotating the valve element whereby to selectively communicate ice being supplied from the ice source to selected of the ice delivery stations, and a control system for use with the valve assembly, whereby to assure against actuation of the valve element during the delivery of ice to the valve assembly.

Abstract: A device for controlling and monitoring the level of a washing liquid in a washing unit of a printing machine which includes a wash tank having a washing liquid therein and a pickup roller mounted in the tank and rotatable in the washing liquid to lift the liquid on the surface of the roller and transfer it to a rubber blanket roller to be cleaned, comprises a control tank which is connected to the wash tank and arranged at substantially the same level as the control tank. A supply tank for the washing liquid is located above the control tank and supplies liquid into the control tank under the regulation of an electromagnetically controlled valve. The valve is switched in order to provide for flow from the supply tank into the control tank in accordance with the level in the control tank. The level of the control tank therefore maintains a level in the wash tank by virtue of the flow between the control tank to the wash tank.

Abstract: The process and apparatus for effecting savings of compressed injection gs such as oxygen or nitrogen when injecting solids such as burnt lime pneumatically into a receiving vessel, such as the blow-line to steel melt has a solids conveying system, a compressed gas supply source and a conduit and valve system functioning in a sequence, by which the compressed gas upon termination of the procedure is collected and thereupon is recycled. The system is equipped with at least one pressure-reservoir to collect the compressed gas from the previous procedure for recycling it.The pressure reservoir is subdivided by a reciprocating divider such as a membrane or a reciprocating piston to subdivide it into two parts of variable volumes, the divider is pushed by the returning compressed saved gas from one wall of the reservoir to the other. Highly compressed gas is blown into the empty part of the reservoir to increase the pressure upon the returned gas.

Abstract: A movable ice receptacle for use in a refrigeration apparatus having a refrigerated cabinet defining a space within which the receptacle is normally disposed and which is selectively closed by a movable closure. The receptacle is mounted for selective disposition in a rearward ice storage position and a forward ice access position. The mounting of the receptacle is such that, when the closure is moved to an open position, the receptacle is correspondingly repositioned forwardly from the storage position to the access position. The receptacle may be gravity biased toward the forward ice access position and urged against the bias thereof by structure associated both with the closure and the receptacle to move the receptacle to the rearward storage position as an incident of the closure being disposed in the space-closing position. The mounting structure may be arranged to swingably mount the receptacle for movement in an arc. The storage position may be at a level above the level of the access position.

Abstract: In a batch weighing and dispensing system, articles are fed from a supply hopper by a vibratory conveyor to maintain a controlled level of articles in a bowl-shaped feeder hopper. Articles are initially discharged from the feeder hopper through two discharge openings into an accumulator bucket. A weighing unit monitors the weight of articles in the bucket and signals a door to close one of the discharge openings as the weight of articles in the bucket begins to approach a predetermined weight. The weighing unit subsequently signals the feeder hopper drive to slow its feeding action as the weight of articles in the bucket more closely approaches the predetermined weight. Once the predetermined weight is reached, the feeder hopper drive is stopped, and the weighed batch of articles is discharged from the bucket.

Abstract: A low-cost, motor-less carbonator has a housing having a fill chamber and a carbonation chamber. The chambers are maintained at different pressure levels to create a fluid movement from the fill chamber to the carbonation chamber. The fill chamber can be vented to allow a low pressure water feed to refill the fill tank. Carbonated water from the carbonation chamber is withdrawn on demand by a dispensing means.

Abstract: A feed control system for a plurality of packaging machines is provided wherein the overall supply to the machines is controlled in accordance with total demand. A pulse is produced by each machine after a filling and sealing operation is completed and a weight constant multiplier is employed to multiply this pulse by a weight constant associated with the package (the number of grams or ounces contained in the package). The outputs of all of the weight constant multipliers are connected to a parallel to series converter which produces a signal in the form of a pulse train representative of the total weight requirements of all packaging machines per unit time. This signal is converted into a corresponding voltage level which is utilized by a storage conveyor motor controller to control the overall feed rate to the machines.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with the provision of an apparatus for the metering of a viscous fluid, and more particularly to a metering device for controlling the advance of margarine feedstock into a crystallization chamber for molding into print forms by employing a first and second positive open and closure valve mechanism correspondingly operated by independent drive mechanisms.

Abstract: A level control system involving both an apparatus and a method for a rotary feed hopper of the inverted, open-ended, truncated cone-type, wherein heavy paste-like viscous material which is fed into the large open upper end of the feed hopper is delivered or discharged through the small lower end of the hopper. A load meter in connected relation with the motor which drives the hopper senses the power required to drive the hopper and thus indirectly indicates the quantity of the material in the hopper, and consequently, the height or level of the material. When the load on the motor reaches a predetermined maximum the feed of material to the hopper is discontinued thus preventing overflow. When the load on the motor reaches a predetermined minimum the feed of material into the hopper is resumed.

Abstract: A cement batcher for use with a concrete plant and having a suspended, elongated, low profile, hopper secured to an inclined arcuate trough, a helical auger operably disposed in the trough for moving cement from the lower inlet end to the upper discharge end of the hopper, a discharge tube secured to the upper end of the trough for discharging the cement from the batcher, a valve in the discharge tube to control the flow, and a plurality of holding baffles mounted transversely of the tube in the hopper to prevent the excessive free flow of cement to the lower end of the hopper.

Abstract: A control device in which the dispensing of particles from a storage container to a mix is regulated. At predetermined sampling intervals, the concentration of particles in the mix is detected and a signal indicative thereof generated. These signals are summed and processed by a program to develop an actuating signal. The actuation signal energizes the storage container to dispense particles into the mix.

Abstract: The method detects a toner concentration in a developer comprising a mixture of magnetic carrier particles and a non-magnetic toner through the determination of a leakage magnetic flux with a Hall element having a high sensitivity. The mixture is first shaped into a predetermined configuration and brought into a fixed magnetic field where the leakage magnetic flux is sensed by the Hall element. The shaped mixture may be a magnetic brush per se in case of the well-known magnetic brush device used. Such a Hall element is very susceptible to a variation of environmental temperature and thus requires a compensation therefor upon the determination of magnetic field. In one aspect of the invention, the compensation may be conveniently achieved by detecting a voltage across the control current terminals of the Hall element and supplying the detected result into an input of analog calculator.

Abstract: An apparatus in which a quantity of particles is stored for being dispensed gradually therefrom. The particles remain stored therein when the apparatus is stationary, and are discharged therefrom when the apparatus undergoes oscillatory movement.

Abstract: A device for transferring water from a standard five gallon water bottle to a dispenser spout, without the need for lifting the bottle and inverting it atop the dispenser, comprises a bottle pressurizing agent, ducting to carry water from the bottle to the dispenser and various control sensor and indicator means to control pressurant and water flow so that potable water from the dispenser is available on demand.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and a device for the continuous feed of a controllable amount of powder material from a storage container to a consumer, using a vertical pneumatic conveyor, to which is fed conveying air, with loosening air supplied to the base area.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an improved electrostatic paint spray system adapted for the application of conductive materials while at the same time providing for isolation of the electrically charged spray heads from the source of coating material. Heretofore, electrostatic paint spray procedures have been limited to a large extent to the use of non-conductive coating materials. Where it is appropriate or desirable to utilize conductive coating materials, it has been necessary to provide for the electrical isolation of the entire paint supply system, a circumstance which imposes severe practical limitations. The present invention enables an isolating stage to be provided within the coating material supply system, near the area of discharge, so that the "upstream" portions of the supply system are free of the high voltage electrical charge impressed at the spray guns, notwithstanding the use of electrically conductive coating materials.

Abstract: A device for metering by weight the delivery of liquids, comprising a container for the liquid fed through an electrovalve and having a delivery aperture and a spillway; a metering body immersed in said liquid and anchored in rest position by anchoring means; a mechanical-electric transducer inserted between the metering body and the container for the liquid, and connected to a first, to a second, and to a third comparator, in order to drive the first comparator and the third comparator, which through a first flip flop and an amplifier control the closure and the aperture of the electrovalve, respectively, as well as the second comparator, also driven by the transducer in order to control through a second flip flop a timer and a voltmetric digital indicator driven in turn by the transducer; an external generator controlling through a push switch both said flip flops.