Abstract: There is provided a method and apparatus for manufacturing feminine hygienic pads in the form of adjacent thick and thin elongated panels having a filler of absorbent material and an outer covering. A rope of absorbent material and a web of the outer covering are brought together in a die. The die in the form of a hollow tube and a tapered guide causes the outer covering to enclose the absorbent material with the seam for the outer covering being on the inside of the pad. The adjacent panels are formed by sewing the pad.

Abstract: A particle separator comprising a liquid column having a liquid admission point located above the column lower end. Coarse size particles migrate downwardly to a hopper in the columns lower end. Carrier liquid flows upwardly through the column; fine size particles are removed at different levels along the liquid path.

Abstract: A device for insulating and re-insulating cable splices and terminations in which a housing encloses and defines a space around a portion of the cable to be insulated. An insulating gel fills the space. The insulating gel is formed of an imbibitive lightly crosslinked polymer having an insulating fluid such as mineral oil entrapped in the polymer network thereof. The polymer before it combines with the oil is granular, in the form of a multiplicity of imbiber beads. The imbiber beads may be formed of a styrene or alkylstyrene polymer.

Abstract: There is provided an improved apparatus and method for stripping insulation from coaxial cable for placing the cable in condition to be terminated to a connector. The apparatus is in the form of a hand tool which includes a single spring biased blade and a plurality of bore holes of different diameters adjacent to the blade. The coaxial cable is inserted in a first bore hole where the outer insulation is stripped by the blade. The cable braid is then partially flared out and the cable is placed in a second bore hole having an annular shoulder, which causes the braid to be peeled back thereby exposing the inner insulation which is then stripped by the blade. The blade does not come in contact with the braid, thereby alleviating problems of shorting the braid to the conductor, scoring the conductor, and damaging the blade.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for propagating plants is illustrated wherein provision is made for aeration and drainage of the root plug with increased air flow to the upper or leafy parts of the plants extending across a growing tray in a predetermined pattern. Provision is also made for filling the compartments of a growing tray with growing medium in a predetermined pattern to permit air flow across the tray from the bottom. Provision is also made to support strips forming a growing tray permitting horizontal movement of the strips as well as rows of compartments containing the plants, and a shelf is provided in the strips or partitions of the trays extending for a limited distance over a minor area of the compartments to confine the growing medium within the trays while permitting insertion of a member for pushing the plant upwardly from the bottom out of the respective growing containers.

Abstract: There is provided specialized pliers particularly adapted to close a locking ring which has locking members on the different planes. The pliers include a pair of jaws, each having grooves for receiving the locking ring. Inclined planes, which abut against one another as the jaws close, are provided on both jaws for moving the jaws normal to their plane of rotation thus bending the locking ring so that the locking mechanism will be interconnected. Spring elements are provided for maintaining the jaws in a predetermined position relative to one another.

Abstract: There is provided a method and apparatus for storing energy and for utilizing the stored energy. The apparatus includes a storage container which holds a phase change energy storage material such as water. A plurality of coils are disposed in the storage container and carry a refrigerant material. At least one evaporator is connected to the coils. A self pumping apparatus is connected to a condensing unit, to the evaporator and to the coils, and is operated by the adiabatic conversion of refrigerant from its liquid state to a vapor plus liquid state. The self pumping apparatus thus moves the refrigerant fluid to the evaporator without the need for additonal energy input. The self pumping apparatus includes a pair of tanks each of which alternately operate as a pumper and as an accumulator during ice melting. During ice freezing, both containers operate as accmulators.

Abstract: There is provided an improved surgical drape with a central sheet having at least one hole therein through which surgical procedure is to be performed. A pair of elongated pleats are formed in the central sheet along its outer edge, providing barriers to fluid which runs off from the site of surgical procedure and further directing the fluid along a portion of the central sheet so that fluid is more readily absorbed or contained. A pair of plastic sheets are connected to the central sheet on either side of the pleats.

Abstract: There is provided an artificial pine needle including a plurality of strands each of which may be made from an olefin material. The strands are adjacent and somewhat parallel to one another. The strands are attached to one another on one end. The strands have appearance and characteristics to emulate a natural pine needle. The artificial pine needles are used as a synthetic ground cover.

Abstract: There is provided an improved fluid pumping device including an enclosure to be placed downhole in a well. A first hollow tube is received in the enclosure and extends to the surface of the well for removing fluid from the well. A second hollow tube also extends into the enclosure for forcing a gas into the enclosure. The bottom of the enclosure has an opening for permitting fluid to enter. A mechanical mechanism is provided for forcing the closing of the opening in the enclosure so that the device may be utilized in deep wells where high fluid pressures occur.

Abstract: There is provided an animal collar which may be used as a training or choke collar as well as an identification collar. A pair of joined laminates form part of the collar. The laminates have rings attached to opposing ends. A ropelike web forms another part of the collar and is attached to one ring. The web is slidably received through the other ring. The collar includes an elongated leaf spring located between the two laminates for enhancing the collar's use as a training collar. The free end of the ropelike web may be selectively attached to one of the laminates so that the collar may also be used as an identification collar.

Abstract: There is provided a ladder having a leveler attached thereto. The leveler includes a T-shaped gripping device having a sharp edge which contacts the smooth surface of an adjacent slidable rail for locking the rail into position. The slidable rail acts as one of the legs of the ladder to level the ladder. The leveler has an infinite number of increments of adjustment so that the ladder may be used on most any slope.

Abstract: There is provided a method for enabling the placement of a severed tendon to a position in its associated sheath to be repaired or passing a tendon end through any small enclosed space. An elongated, flexible hollow tube with openings at both ends, and is received in the sheath. The tube has two sections with one section being somewhat rigid, although flexible, while the other section is thin, collapsible, and flares out. The flared section receives an end portion of the severed tendon. The opening in the end of the more rigid section is connected to a source of suction. The suction holds the tendon in place within the tube and causes the flared section to collapse tightly about the end portion of the tendon. The tube and the tendon are pulled through the sheath to the place where it was severed for repair.

Abstract: A seedling container is illustrated wherein a number of removable partitions or barriers are clamped together in a block by releasable clamping means permitting alignment of the partitions and then sequential removal in such a way as to support the removed partitions while removing the seedlings one row at a time. Additional stability and alignment is provided through the use of projections and slots as well as additional clamping means. Air pruning is provided, and through the use of a converging bottom in alternate compartments occupied by seedling plugs, loss of growing medium is avoided.

Abstract: A seedling growing container is illustrated wherein a number of removable partitions or barriers are positioned together in a block. Each of the partitions has interconnected diverging walls forming a series of troughs therebetween open at the top and the bottom so that the partitions may be placed in opposing relation as in a tray forming growing compartments from each of the opposing troughs which are in register with each other, suitable for growing a single seedling. Positioning of the plugs is contemplated such that alternate rows of plugs of growing material, each of which is capable of growing a single seedling, are utilized so that each plug will be surrounded for the most part by a partition with the remainder being surrounded by an air space for preventing roots from growing from one plug to the other through the process of air pruning.