Abstract:
A method of packaging an article includes tensioning first and second webs enveloping an article seated in one of a plurality of through openings. The webs are sequentially supplied to at least one through opening and the article to be packaged is, in sequence, inserted between the first and second webs. Once the article is generally overwrapped by the first and second webs, overhanging portions of webs about the article are sealed thereby forming a packaged article. The packaged article is then relieved from the through opening by preferably cutting or punching it through the opening.
Abstract:
An assembly for combining an appliance, for example a microwave oven, with a range vent hood having an appliance housing and a support structure for mounting the housing to a wall or to the floor of an overhead cabinet above a conventional cooking range is disclosed. The support structure includes a back wall upon which ribs are formed so as to space the rear of the housing from the back to form a channelized air space therebetween. A plate is attached to a lower portion of the back wall and extends forwardly toward and beneath the front of the appliance housing to form a second channelized air space between the plate and bottom of the housing. The two air spaces thus formed, communicate with one another to permit cooking gases and vapors from the range to be drawn upward through openings in the plate, then through the two air spaces and out the assembly on or near a top rear portion thereof. Ventilating means for the microwave oven completely separate and distinct from the first and second channelized air vent spaces is also provided so that the range heed vent feature and the microwave vent feature of the assembly can be used independently from one another or concurrently as desired.
Abstract:
A sensor-integrator utilizes a light sensing diode directly connected to the inputs of an operational amplifier. The operational amplifier forms part of a dual-slope integrator and directly integrates the current generated by the light sensing diode thereby eliminating the need for preamplifiers and diode switching circuitry.
Abstract:
A lamp mounting assembly for a microwave oven which permits easy replacement of the illuminating lamps including a lamp housing which attaches to the top wall of a microwave oven structure and is located in a space between the top wall of the oven structure and the top wall of a support assembly. The lamp housing is accessible through a removable grille which closes the space at the front of the microwave oven. The top wall of the oven cavity has a series of openings through which light from the bulb is directed to illuminate the oven cavity. The assembly includes supporting sidewalls having elongated channels sloping downwardly from front to rear. The lamp mounting member is supported for reciprocal movement along the channels, the member being accessible through the removable grille.
Abstract:
A method of minimizing cross-contamination of pathogens between persons within a facility includes placing tags onto shared resources such as tables, desks, chairs, coffee makers, microwave ovens, sinks, bathroom stalls, etc. A mobile device senses the tags and approximates their locations, in embodiments relative to tagged anchor points. The mobile device can include any combination of tag-sensing and locating features, including a camera, LIDAR, GPS, sonic distance measurement, and accelerometers for inertial position sensing. In embodiments, the approximated tag locations can be verified and corrected as needed by using augmented reality to project the estimated tag locations onto the actual scene. The accurately determined tag locations are then used to assign resources to persons within the facility, whereby spatial distancing between persons and time intervals between usage of the same resource are maximized. A log of the resource assignments can be used to enhance contact tracing.
Abstract:
A novel system and process have been developed whereby a prepaid phone card, or any other similar inventory, may be easily and efficiently distributed at, for example, a point-of-sale. A computerized terminal including memory for storage is maintained at the point-of-distribution, or any other suitable location. The terminal's memory is adapted to store one or more security numbers, such as PIN numbers, telephone numbers and/or other suitable information corresponding to the information needed by consumers to utilize the service. The terminal initially connects to a host computer system in order to download one or more PIN numbers, and the downloaded PIN numbers are thereafter stored in the terminal's memory. The security codes, etc., may thereafter be dispensed by a user of the terminal onto cards, etc., without any need to connect to a host computer, and the terminal may be recharged with additional security codes, etc., only at a convenient time (e.g., at night). Detailed reporting may also be performed by the terminal, the host computer, or both. A mechanism for guiding the card into the terminal, as well as an assembly for securing an attached magnetic stripe reader may also be provided.
Abstract:
A tool attachment and release system for robotic arms which using a magnet for supplying the attractive force to hold the tool to the robotic arm while allowing separation of tools from the robotic arm without manual intervention. A series of tools are held at predetermined locations in a tool rack allowing the robot to automatically deposit therein or acquire therefrom a particular tool. Permanent magnets are mounted between steel inserts in the tool attachment block. The steel insert are used to direct and concentrate magnetic flux to the tool attachment surface and also to each of two shunt bar contact surfaces. During the attach and disconnect operations, magnetic flux shunt bars are placed in close proximity to the two shunt bar contact surfaces to thereby provide an alternative path for the magnetic flux. This greatly reduces but does not eliminate the attractive force between the tool adapter plate and the attachment block. This results in a relatively easy disconnect of a particular tool with its associated adapter plate thus allowing a simple, inexpensive, low force capability device to be used for controlling the disconnect process. However, there will remain enough residual attractive force to keep the adapter plate from falling off of the attachment block in an uncontrolled manner.
Abstract:
A garage door operator is disclosed to have a front coupling for a threaded screw of the operator and the rotor of the motor. The coupling includes a first coupling device that is a unitary coupling member with opposing recesses for receiving each of the rotor shaft and an end portion of the screw. The unitary coupling member thereby connects the screw to the motor for torque transmission from the motor. The second coupling device includes a thrust containment device that is supported on the screw, and an intermediate assembly disposed between the thrust containment device and an end portion of the guide rail of the door operator. A retainer component of the intermediate assembly restricts expansion of the thrust containment device.
Abstract:
Stacks (16) of sheet material are moved on a conveyor (12, 14) between air manifolds (18, 20) and guide pins (19, 21); so that, drying gas is directed between the sheets of the stacks to cause the stacks to expand to form fluffed stacks 28 through which air moves readily to dry the sheets. A compression roller (26) is used to expel air from the fluffed stack and return the stack essentially to its original height. A reduction in tendency to curl is achieved in low relative humidity environments for sheets of photographic film.
Abstract:
A method of inhibiting corrosion in separation units of water-free petroleum and petrochemical hydrocarbon processing systems which comprises adding a compound corresponding to Formula I below either alone or in combination with a film-forming amine corrosion inhibitor to the hydrocarbon being processed:Formula IR--O--(CH.sub.2)nNH.sub.2,wherein n is 2 or 3 and R is a lower alkyl radical of not more than 4 carbon atoms.