Abstract: An extrusion-based production system (300), comprising: a filament roll with a thermoplastic filament (2); at least one assembly with: an entrance (3) for receiving the filament; an exit (4) for delivering the filament, a channel (5) between the entrance and exit; a first and second rotatable component (10, 20), respectively rotatable about a first/second axis (12, 22), and having first/second external ridges (11, 21), wherein, when a filament is introduced into the channel, and the at least one assembly is rotated with respect to the filament (2), the rotatable components rotate about their respective axis, and the axes move about the filament such that the components mainly roll over the filament, and the external ridges (11) penetrate at least partially into the filament (2). A method for feeding a thermoplastic filament.

Abstract: The single rod ultrasonic leak detection tool will be used to detect leaking fuel rods by evaluation if there is water inside the rod. The test will be performed by moving one fuel rod between two ultrasonic transducer oriented in a pitch/catch configuration. The detection tool uses ultrasonic transducers as the primary method to detect leaking fuel rods. Two probes are preferably positioned near the fuel rod in a pitch/catch or transmitting/receiving configuration. One probe 36 sends the signal into the rod and the other probe of a set of probes receives the signal. An evaluation of the received signal is performed in various embodiments, to determine leak tightness of the fuel rod. In various aspects, two sets of probes may be utilized so that measurements can be taken on both sides of the fuel rod.

Abstract: A beverage-making apparatus includes a fermentation tank assembly including a fermentation tank having an opening formed therein and a fermentation tank cover configured to open and close the opening. The beverage-making apparatus also includes a refrigeration cycle apparatus including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator. The refrigeration cycle apparatus is configured to circulate a refrigerant therethrough and to control a temperature of the fermentation tank as the evaporator is disposed at the fermentation tank. The beverage-making apparatus further includes a heat insulating wall surrounding both the fermentation tank and the evaporator.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a roll holder for tape dispenser and a tape dispenser assembly therewith. The roll holder comprises a cylindrical body and an annular portion made from a material having a high friction coefficient, the annular portion being fixed inside the cylindrical body. The roll holder tape dispenser is supported by a shaft. Two cylindrical bodies are connected to a roll of tape, one at each extremity of the tape spool by press-fitting. The shaft passes through the annular portion and the friction occurring between the shaft and annular portion induce a tension in the tape when the tape is unwound from the roll.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for removing a plastic wrap from a cylindrical module includes a conveyor transporting the cylindrical module toward a disperser with the cylindrical axis of the module parallel to the direction of conveyor movement. In another embodiment, the disperser is a travelling head disperser thereby providing relative movement between the modules and the disperser. The direction of the wrap around the module is determined and the cover is removed during rotation of the module, either by unwrapping the plastic or by slitting the plastic and then rotating the module. The equipment used to handle a cylindrical module is moved out of the path of movement of a conventional rectangular module so an installation can handle both rectangular and wrapped cylindrical modules.

Abstract: A container apparatus and method for handling fruit must (M). The apparatus (1) includes a rigid support structure (2) and, a flexible container (7) for holding a quantity of fruit must (M). The holding container (7) supported by the support structure (2) when holding the must (M). The holding container (7) has at least one opening (12) through which at least juice of the must (M), or wine, is removed. During fruit must (M) the holding container (7) is positioned in the support structure (2) and a quantity of fruit must (M) poured into the container (7). At least juice of the must (M), or wine, is removed through the opening (12). A flexible bag container (7) for use in the apparatus and method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is provided for processing a metal foil sheet to produce magnetic recording media. The method comprises providing an elongate metal foil sheet having a first side and a second side. The sheet is advanced through a plurality of processing stations in equal unit length segments such that each segment receives the same treatment to form a magnetic recording medium from each segment. Method are also provided to prepare the foil surfaces by polishing, texturing, cleaning, and stress relieving, to coat the prepared surfaces with at least one metal layer, to finish the coated layers by buffing, burnishing, and lubricating, and to form disk units from the prepared, coated and finished surfaces.

Abstract: A universal planetary feeder for feeding a wire which includes an elongate hollow body defining a wire feed axis and adapted for high speed rotation about the axis, and a pair of planetary rollers associated with the body so as to be rotatable together with the body about the feed axis and which are mounted about the feed axis in mutually skewed respective orientations. The planetary rollers define circumferential peripheral feed surfaces spaced from each other about the feed axis and are configured for simultaneous engagements with a wire along preselected lines of contact. Each of the feed surfaces is intersected at right angles by a plane which is offset from the feed axis by an offset angle.

Abstract: A reel-change device for feeding high-performance packaging machines with web-like packaging material wound to form reels (11, 11a, 12), wherein one of two working journals (13, 14) is resupplied with a ("full") reel (11a), while the other working journal carries the working reel (12) which is feeding the packaging machine. The new reels (11a) are extracted from a reel stock (18) by means of a transport arm (21) with a transport journal (22) and are pivoted to one side or the other in order to be brought into a position equiaxial with the one working journal which has been emptied (13, 14). When there is correct alignment, the reel (11a) is pushed onto the empty working journal (13, 14). For this purpose, the transport art (21) is pivotable and can be shifted axis-parallel relative to the working journals (13, 14).

Abstract: Elongate round workpieces W (e.g. bar or tube) are loaded singly from a rack (252) on to a supporting cradle formed by four ball castors (38). At each end of the cradle is an upper operating unit (20) and (22) comprising a machining unit having a chamfering tool (34) and a workpiece-driving unit having a driving wheel (32) in frictional engagement with the workpiece. The wheels (32) are rotated about their axes to rotate the workpiece, and further can be pivoted to each side of a neutral position in order to drive the workpiece along its length into engagement with first one chamfering tool and then the other. The operating units are mounted on upper guide rails (16) and (18) for adjustment of the distance between them. Lower operating units mounted on lower guide rails (24) and (26) comprise deburring tools (36) which also operate on the workpiece ends, adjacent to the chamfering tools (34).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sensor for gaseous and vaporous species. The sensor comprises a substrate having a surface having an opening therein. A gas and vapor permeable sensing electrode having front and back sides is located across the opening with the front side facing generally the same direction as does the surface. A gas flow path leads to the back side of the sensing electrode. An electrolytic medium is in contact with the front side of the electrode. An additional electrode is in contact with the electrolytic medium and is electronically isolated from the sensing electrode other than via the electrolytic medium. A gas sensor as described has a very fast response time and an extended lifetime and can be made selective for any of a number of different gaseous species.

Abstract: An improved tube drive apparatus includes drive units disposed in respective orientations angularly displaced about and radially extending from a longitudinal centerline of a tube to be driven by the drive units and a drive train drivingly coupling a motor to the drive units for transmitting driving motion thereto. Each drive unit includes an endless flexible drive belt, a pair of spaced rotatable members entraining the drive belt such that an end of the belt drivingly engages the tube for transmitting driving motion thereto. One rotatable member is drivingly coupled to the drive train and the other rotatable member is angularly adjustable relative to the one rotatable member and the centerline of the tube such that runs of the belt can be changed between generally parallel and criss-cross orientations for varying the motion of the tube produced by engagement of the belt from solely axial rotation to solely longitudinal movement and any combintion of the two motions therebetween.

Abstract: An apparatus for rounding the circumference of a wood log which is supported by two sets of three drive rollers at spaced points between the ends of the log to establish a geometrical center. A knife is positioned extending the length of the log for cutting off a portion of the log for rounding the circumference of the log. The lower rollers are connected together through a shock absorber to accommodate varying diameters and one roller of each set is connected together by a torsion bar. One of the lower rollers of each set is positioned upwardly relative to the other lower roller an amount for allowing the apparatus to provide a maximum yield from different diameter logs. The rollers are of a plurality of self-cleaning, rotatable drive discs. The apparatus may include debarking arms. And the apparatus may sort the rounded up logs by diameter size.

Abstract: Pipe, bar stock, or other tubular member handling apparatus according to this invention includes means for elevating a section of pipe from a horizontal pipe rack, moving the pipe linearly into operative relation with a machine that rotates the pipe and does work such as machining threads at the end of the pipe, supporting the pipe for rotation during machining operations, moving the pipe linearly in the opposite direction after machining operations have been completed and then lowering the pipe back onto the pipe rack. The machine incorporates operation and control circuitry correlating certain pipe control movements and facilitating pipe handling with minimum control selection by operating personnel and minimizing handling time.

Abstract: The roller track for moving large pipes through a tempering furnace includes two pairs of relatively closely spaced, resiliently mounted rollers disposed in the end zone of the furnace, where any portion of the pipe passing through is hot and has minimum strength on account of the heating.

Abstract: A tool for removing insulation from a cable includes a plurality of rollers, with the axis of rotation of each such roller being angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the cable at a certain angle, and a further plurality of rollers which are together adjustable so that the angle between the axis of rotation of each such roller is varied relative to the longitudinal axis of the cable.

Abstract: Apparatus for the planetary feeding of electrode wire having means for adjusting the pushing force exerted on the electrode wire by electromagnetic means. Opposed canted rolls are mounted for rotation about their axes upon a first housing part which is rotatable about the axis of an elongated electrode wire which passes between and is fed by the canted rolls. A second housing part, which is disposed coaxially of the first housing part, bears means such as a cam or a cone which interacts with roll adjusting means mounted on the first housing part so as to adjust the force with which the canted rolls engage the electrode wire in accordance with relative motion between the two housing parts. The second housing part is driven for rotation about its axis.

Abstract: A chipper infeed spout incorporating two surfaces disposed to form a V-shape having one side formed by a pair of support means (an anvil member and preferably a roll). A driven power roll is moveable across the direction of travel of the log along said spout and tends to align the log and force it against the pair of support means whereby the log forms a beam freely supported (by the support means) and having a concentrated load (power roll) interposed between the supports. Preferably the power roll is oriented to apply forces to a log not only to tend force it against the two spaced supporting means but also to force it toward the apex of the V of the V-shaped supporting surfaces.

Abstract: Apparatus for moving objects which comprises at least one roller journalled for engagement with the object to be moved whereby rotation of the roller causes the object to move in a longitudinal and/or rotational direction. The axis of the roller may be canted or angularly disposed with respect to the longitudinal direction of travel for the object in order to control the speed of movement of the object.

Abstract: A planetary wheel advance for a meltable welding cable includes planetary wheels clampable against the cable by a pressure arrangement with their axes being at an angle to the cable axis, with the wheels attached to one end of a two armed wheel holder lever hinged to a motor operated rotating support and movable by the pressure arrangement, and the pressure arrangement having a spring which reacts against the support and which exerts a definite force on the other lever arm to effect the clamping pressure.