Abstract: An automated deep fat frying apparatus comprises a plurality of cooking vats in a housing having a filter pan pump assembly. The apparatus has an oil distribution system and a control system having a computer programmed to operate and control oil transfer functions. Motor operated drain and return valves with position sensors are installed on each vat in the oil distribution system and operated by the control system to provide an automatic filter function and an oil transfer function whereby oil is drained from a first vat and transferred to a second vat according to selection inputs from the operator. The system includes operator selectable automated fill and dispose functions. In addition to valve position sensors, the system includes oil level sensors in the vats and filter pan, a pan position sensor and may include level sensors in a supply or dispose tank tied in to the control system which prevent mishaps during oil transfer operations.

Abstract: A combination diaper bag and portable changing table provides convenient transport of infant care supplies and a place to change an infant's diaper which draws, filters, and then exhausts air from above the changing table. In a preferred embodiment, an infant care device has an enclosure, a lid pivotably attached to the enclosure, a generally planar platform which extends laterally across the enclosure, a generally planar foldable pad having a centrally disposed opening formed therethrough, and a fan which draws air from above the pad through its central opening.

Abstract: Inflatable plush toys are disclosed. The inflatable plush toys are made up of an outer cover and an inflatable inner bladder that is made of a substantially nonelastic film or sheet material. The inflatable bladder has substantially the same size and configuration of the outer cover whereby upon inflation the inner bladder fills substantially the entire interior of the outer cover. The outer cover and inflatable bladder can be made of a plurality of gores that are cut to desired size and then sealed together. The plush toys can have rather intricate shapes such as animal shapes, cartoon figure shapes and the like. A valve is disposed within the inflatable bladder whereby the bladder can be inflated with a suitable inflation gas such as air. In a preferred mode, the valve can be utilized to deflate the bladder whereby the object can be subjected to multiple inflation and deflation cycles.

Abstract: An automatic pill dispensing apparatus is provided having a plurality of cartridges supported in guide slots within a housing. The apparatus is integrated with a microprocessor operating according to an algorithm, which receives, stores and processes prescription schedule data. Each cartridge has a plurality of compartments disposed about its periphery for containing medication to be dispensed at proper intervals at a dispensing position. An alarm is sounded for the user when the cartridges are ready to be positioned for dispensing medication according to the prescription schedule. A dispense bar is manually actuated by the user to eject scheduled medication into a tray for user access. If the user fails to dispense scheduled medication, it is withheld to prevent double dosing at subsequent dispensing times. The plurality of cartridges enable filling by a pharmacist of independent multiple prescriptions.

Abstract: An improved rotary joint construction is produced by eliminating the external drive mechanism used for installing and removing such joints. An internal drive mechanism is provided within the bearing area of the stem which does not alter rated flow volume and which does not add to the length of the stem. The internal drive mechanism comprises a socket in the end of the stem which allows the joint to be installed or removed without using special tools. A more compact shorter joint can be produced without reducing the distance between the seals and without reduced rated flow volume and without reducing the contact area of the between the stem and barrel. Alternately, a joint with substantially increased bearing contact area and a longer barrel can be produced without increasing the stem installation clearance height and without reducing the interseal spacing flow passage geometry and subsequent rated flow volume.

Abstract: A system for transportation of sludge material comprising an elongated tank having an arcuate bottom portion extending longitudinally of the tank and having a withdrawal port located in the arcuate bottom portion of the tank. An elongated conveyor system is disposed in the tank and comprises inner and outer auger flights mounted in the tank an axle extending longitudinally of the tank. The auger flights transcend only a minor cross sectional area of the tank and are configured to have opposing pitch slopes. The outer auger flight provides a positive pitch angle in the direction of the withdrawal port to displace sludge material toward the withdrawal port. The compound conveyor system embodies inner and outer auger flights as described previously in which at least the outer auger flight is in the form of a ribbon which is spaced axially from the axle on which it is supported and is wrapped around the axle in a manner in which the inner diameter of the ribbon flight is spaced radially from the axle.

Abstract: A composition and method for the removal of ionic salt deposits from a surface using an organic solvent of low polarity and a complexing agent. The complexing agent is chosen from a group which includes podands, cryptands, and coronands. The method provides nearly complete removal of ionic salt deposits with a single washing of the surface with the low polar cleaning mixture.

Abstract: A stake puller (10) for use in removing a stake (4) lodged in the ground (2) utilizes a lever (12) and fulcrum (20) for mechanical advantage. The stake (4) is positioned between a blade means (30) fixed to the end of the lever and a back plate (40) pivotally attached to the blade means. When the user pivots the lever down, the stake is pinched between the forward edge (34) of the blade means (30) and the primary surface (42) of the back plate (40). The primary surface (42) is curved and diverges from the stake. This minimizes any bending or friction forces applied to the stake.

Abstract: A method is presented for releasing petroleum and hydrocarbon products sorbed onto or entrained by natural fibers in an aqueous medium through the use of enzymes to degrade the natural fiber sorbents utilized for oil spill cleanup, the method provides an opportunity for achieving responsible separation of oil from oil spill sorbent materials. Natural fibers which have been utilized to adsorb petroleum and hydrocarbon products are separated from these petroleum and hydrocarbon products by reducing the natural fiber links to the point that the adsorbed or entrained oil no longer has sufficient binding surface or fiber link to remain held by the fibers, thus float to the surface of the aqueous medium. Aqueous medium enzyme compositions are provided which are suitable for degrading natural fibers inclusive of cellulose-based and protein-based fibers resulting in release of adsorbed, absorbed and/or entrained radioactive contaminants.

Abstract: A package for a semiconductor die, particularly field effect transistors, operating at very high frequencies includes a base having integrally formed conductor supports. The base and the supports are formed from a thermo-formed or thermo-set plastic material. Metal conductors are plated to the supports and terminate in pads for connecting the die to an external circuit. A die is attached to the base and wires bonded to the package conductor pads. The surface of the die, the bond wires and the surface of the package conductors are substantially coplanar to reduce abrupt changes in the path of signal flow which reduces radiation losses. Package dimensions and conductor proximities and bond wire lengths are precisely located and enhanced to reduce parasitic inductances. When connected to an external circuit, the package is flipped and its lid inserted into a hole in the circuit board. The package conductors rest against the circuit board to the semiconductor device.

Abstract: A method for synchronizing ovulation in cattle by sequential injection of hormones is disclosed. A hormone selected from the group consisting of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH), luteinizing hormone (LH), or human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is administered to an open cow during an estrous cycle in order to stimulate follicle development. Prostaglandin F.sub.2.alpha. (PGF.sub.2.alpha.) is then administered to initiate corpus luteum regression about five to eight days after administration of the GnRH, LH or hCG. A second dose of GnRH, LH or hCG is then administered concomitantly with the PGF.sub.2.alpha. injection or up to about three days after the PGF.sub.2.alpha. injection. This second dose of hormone functions to stimulate the ovulation of a dominant follicle and the cow is then breed within one day of the administration of the second dose of hormone.

Abstract: A composition and method for the removal of ionic salt deposits from a surface using an organic solvent of low polarity and a complexing agent. The complexing agent is chosen from a group which includes podands, cryptands, and coronands. The method provides nearly complete removal of ionic salt deposits with a single washing of the surface with the low polar cleaning mixture.

Abstract: A tamperproof retractable non-reusable syringe has a one piece hollow outer body with a barrel for a slidable plunger, a transition zone and a smaller diameter nose portion. An elongated needle holder and spring combination is installable from the rear of the outer body, guided into the nose portion and held by cooperating inwardly and outwardly facing surfaces oriented in the direction of retraction at the most constricted past of the transition zone where the nose begins. The plunger has an opening with a dislodgable stopper for receiving parts of the retraction mechanism. The stopper and the head of the needle holder are of significantly reduced diameter from the injection fluid chamber to resist blowing out prematurely. In one embodiment the head of the needle holder is surrounded by a separable retainer member which is slidingly removed by contact with the tip of the plunger after the stopper is mostly or fully removed to avoid cumulation of force required for retraction after the injection.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a staircase handrail volute, comprising the steps of: (a) cutting a workpiece from wood with a bandsaw such that the workpiece has an approximation of a shape of the volute, wherein the approximation dimensions are larger than the shape dimensions; (b) mounting the workpiece so that the workpiece may be operated on by a numerically controlled machine tool; (c) cutting a bottom surface of the workpiece to the shape dimensions with the machine tool; (d) cutting lower side surfaces of the workpiece with the machine tool to a first dimension between the approximation dimensions and the shape dimensions; (e) cutting the lower side surfaces of the workpiece with the machine tool to the shape dimensions; (f) drilling at least one mounting hole in the bottom surface with the machine tool, the at least one mounting hole for holding the workpiece in steps (g) through (j); (g) turning the workpiece over and mounting the workpiece so that the workpiece may be operated on by a numerically control

Abstract: A golf club cover is comprised of a flexible cover member having a substantially cylindrical deformable body open at one end for receiving the head portion of a golf club and an essentially tubular member depending from the flexible cover member for receiving the shaft portion of the club. The tubular member is open at both ends and has a slot extending between the open ends. The shaft portion of the club is insertable into the tubular member by penetrating movement of the shaft portion through the slot in a direction generally transverse to a longitudinal axis of the shaft portion. The tubular member has flared first and second edge portions on respective opposite sides of the slot for urging the shaft portion through the slot. The tubular member has a predetermined resiliency such that first and second edge portions are laterally spreadable by the penetrating movement of the shaft portion through the slot.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a shoe cover that can be attached to a selected athletic shoe to provide an improved appearance of the upper portion of the shoe. The lower edge of the shoe cover attaches to the bottom of the shoe upper or to the side of the sole portion, so the bottom surface of the sole is not restricted. The top of the cover is retained tightly against the top of the shoe upper to give the cover a snug fit against the selected shoe. The shoe cover also carries one or more ankle supporting straps that are positioned near the wear's ankle when the shoe cover is installed on the shoe. The straps can be wrapped around the user's ankle where they are held closed with fasteners. Thus, the ankle support straps do not require that a separate sock element be worn under the shoe or that the straps be permanently attached to the shoe.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system to warn of early removal of food from a cooking medium. The system is a combination of a frypot, a basket sensor and an alarm where the frypot is a container holding a cooking medium such as oil or shortening. Food items to be cooked are placed in a control zone in the cooking medium and held by a basket that holds the food submersed in the cooking medium. The basket sensor is installed to detect the presence of a basket in the container. The basket sensor is monitored by a cooking computer that controls the alarm, activating the alarm if there is no basket in the frypot when a cook cycle is initiated or when the basket is removed before the cook cycle is completed. The cooking computer monitors the cooking cycle by using a preprogrammed cook time and adjusting the time based on variations measured in the cooking medium temperature or other factors.