Abstract: A portion a the machine which the operator regularly engages with his or her hands has incorporated therein a plurality of passageways (14) through which a vacuum is applied to draw vapor which is emitted by the hands of the individual. Vapor from the individual's hands is drawn through a sampling apparatus. The sampling apparatus contains an electrical coil (32, 36, 42, 46) which is coated with a composite metal-nonmetal catalytic substance which causes ethanol to oxidize at the coil. When ethanol-containing vapor passes over the coil, oxidation at the coil causes an electrical charge to build up on the coil. The charge build-up is detected and processed in a discriminating type of electrical circuit which incorporates a wheatstone bridge or a constant-current loop. The resulting signal is further processed then ultimately used to estimate the alcohol content of the individual.

Abstract: A launching chamber (20) with an exhaust orifice (32) covered by an obstruction member (34, 36) is in fluid-pressure dependent mechanical communication with an equilibrium chamber (40) such that when the two chambers are in fluid pressure equilibrium and fluid pressure in the equilibrium chamber is decreased to a predetermined amount less than the fluid pressure in the launching chamber the obstruction member uncovers the exhaust orifice. The equilibrium chamber (40) is vented through a turbine tube (70) which drives a turbine wheel (72).

Abstract: A system for inhibiting use of a hand-operated machine by an impaired individual through detection of toxins in the individual has affixed to a portion of the machine which the operator regularly engages with his or her hands a porous membrane (5) impregnated with a substance (2) which reacts with a toxin by-product of an impairing substances such as alcohol, and another substance which causes the combined toxin and toxin-reacting substance to exhibit a color change. The system further contains a means (26) for detecting the color change in the membrane (5) and then causing a signal (14) to be displayed to the operator. Upon detection of the toxin-producing substance the system may also interrupt operation of the machine.

Abstract: A firing post is generally positioned at the center of the top end of the body of a toy projectile to receive a percussion cap cartridge. The toy projectile has a soft outer body made of light-weight, pliable, compressible material such as polystyrene. The firing post and cartridge are covered with a nose of compressible material which generally houses a hammer and firing pin in alignment with the firing post. A spring-loaded hammer and firing pin is cocked by sliding the hammer through a housing for the hammer until a notch in the stem of the hammer is engaged by the top of the hammer housing. The trigger is a lever which is movable against the inclined top end of the hammer stem. The hammer and trigger assembly may be rotated with respect to a firing chamber placed over a multiple-cartridge mount to successively fire caps on the mount. A spring-loaded index helps facilitate alignment of the trigger-hammer assembly and holes in the firing chamber.

Abstract: A modular signal attenuator is provided by resistors (R1, R2 and R3, R4) connected in respective series for connection in each branch of tip and ring telephone circuitry. A pair of capacitors (C1, C2) connected to equate to a non-polar capacitor and a resistor (R5) connected in series are shunted across the serially-connected resistors (R1, R2 and R3, R4) between adjacent resistors (R1 and R2, R3 and R4) of each series of resistors in the tip and ring branches.

Abstract: A spout-filling composition has from about 50% to about 70% by weight magnesium-aluminate spinel aggregate, from about 50% to about 30% by weight quartz sand, and lampblack in an additional amount of from about 0.25% to about 5.00% by weight of the magnesium-aluminate spinel aggregate and quartz sand admixture.

Abstract: A plunger (34) directs pumped fluid through a conduit (40) into a piston sleeve (60) having a piston (66) that is reciprocally translatable within the piston sleeve (60). The conduit (40) terminates in a nozzle (49) which projects into one end, a posterior end, of the piston sleeve (60). The piston sleeve (60) also has a fluid passageway (62) connected with a fluid reservoir (50). A second nozzle (58) at the opposite end, an anterior end, of the piston sleeve (60) leads to a fluid passageway upon which a toy projectile (11) or similar object may be mounted. The piston (66) which is slidable within the piston sleeve (60) has a head (68, 69) at each end formed of compressible material such as soft rubber. A turret (70) enables several mounts (72) for toy projectiles (11) to be consecutively aligned for launching.

Abstract: A system (10) simultaneously directs compressed fluid to a turbine while compressing fluid to disengage a locking mechanism that restrains movement of the toy vehicle (11). A primary tube (20), attached to the toy vehicle body (12), forms a primary chamber (22) which receives a plug in the form of a secondary tube (30) that seals the primary chamber (22). A fluid may be compressed into the primary chamber (22) through the inserted plug (30). The interior of the inserted tube (30) forms a secondary chamber (32) which encases a hollow piston (40). Fluid is compressed into the primary chamber (22) and secondary chamber (32) through the hollow piston (40). The hollow piston (40) also forms a part of a locking mechanism which maintains a latch (60), the primary tube (20) and the secondary tube (30) in contact with one another until pressurized fluid in the primary chamber (22) forces the piston (40) away from the latch (60).

Abstract: A housing (20) has an opening for receiving sunlight (54). The opening is covered with an ultraviolet-deflecting lens (50). The housing (20) contains reflectors (80, 82, 84) which direct sunlight (54) through a conduit (91) to a diffuser (98). The housing (20) rests upon and is rotatable with respect to an annular base (30). A horizontal sensor arrangement (66, 67, 68) controls rotational movement of the housing (20) with respect to the base (30) to maintain optimum horizontal alignment of the reflectors (80, 82, 84) with respect to the sun. A vertical sensor arrangement (63, 64, 65) causes vertical angular movement of the reflectors (80, 82, 84) to maintain optimum vertical alignment of the reflectors (80, 82, 84) with respect to the sun. The light conduit (91) contains an infrared-deflecting lens (92) to filter out infrared radiation. A dead air space (96) placed in the light conduit (91) prevents heat transfer as light is transmitted along the conduit (91).

Abstract: An elongated blade (20) has a slot (22) for receiving a contact bar (15) and an eyelet (30) at one end for receiving passing yarn (11). The eyelet (30) has a curled lip (34). The upper end of the slot has a slanted, or oblique, edge (23) which forms an angle with each side of the slot (22). A flange which includes an oblique edge flange (24) and side edge flanges (26, 28), extends around the perimeter slot (22) except at the intersection of the oblique edge (23) and the longer side of the slot. In one preferred embodiment of the drop wire (10), the blade is twisted (32) between the slot (22) and the eyelet (30) to position the eyelet (30) and slot (22) 90.degree. with respect to one another. In another embodiment (12), the blade is flat.

Abstract: A fluid pulsator (10) has a main housing (20) having an outlet conduit (24) projecting into a chamber (25) defined by the front of the main housing (20). A primary piston (30) is reciprocally translatable within the main housing (20) and has fluid conduits (34) for fluid flow through its body. A plunger (40) is spring-loaded and reciprocally translatable through the primary piston (30). The head (42) of the plunger abuts the front end of the primary piston (30) when the plunger (40) is in its retracted position. The main housing (20) has an abutment in the form of a flange (26) that defines the rearwardmost position of the primary piston (30). The main housing (20) contains a mechanism (21) for engaging the end of the plunger (40) so as to maintain the plunger (40) in its forwardmost position until released. Fluid flows (11) generally from the posterior portion of the main housing (20) through the primary piston (30) toward the anterior end.

Abstract: A wood preservative composition which contains poly ethylene oxide along with poly vinyl pyrrolidone is applied to wood in a four-step process. In the first step, moisture and excess resin are removed from the wood. In the second step, the preservative composition is applied to the wood by pressure injection. In the third step, the container for the wood is drained and excess solution is transferred to a holding tank. In the fourth step, a catalyst, either heat or a low-pH composition, is applied to the wood to cause chemical bonding of the preservatives within and with the wood. As a part of the fourth step, excess moisture is removed from the wood by subjecting the wood to a vacuum to draw out excess moisture and then subjecting the wood to a flow of desiccated air which absorbs the moisture.

Abstract: A box-like container (10) is formed from a scored blank (12) which has a base panel (20) which serves as the bottom of the box, base side panels (22, 24) connected to the sides of the base panel (20), a rear panel (40) connected to the rear edge of the base panel (20), rear side panels (42, 44) connected to the sides of the rear panel (40), a primary top panel (50) connected to the rear panel (40), support flaps (52, 54) connected to the sides of the primary top panel (50), a secondary top panel (60) connected to the primary top panel (50), securement flaps (62, 64) forming tabs (66, 68) at each end, connected to the sides of the secondary top panel (60), a front panel (70) connected to the front edge of the base panel (20), front side panels (72, 74) connected to each side of the front panel (70), a canopy/auxiliary top panel (80) connected to the front panel (70), and support flaps (82, 84) connected to each side of the canopy/auxiliary top panel (80).

Abstract: A front portion of a pyramid-shaped base (20) has a pair of steps (26,28). Each step (22) has a recessed area (24) that receives the leg (13 ) of an exercise machine (11 ) . A member (30 ) connecting the pair of steps (26,28 ) provides stability.

Abstract: Wastewater is treated by promoting the presence and growth of BPR organisms, which have the ability to absorb and retain an amount of phosphorus in excess of the amount required by the BPR organisms for metabolism and cell growth. In the process, a mixture of influent wastewater (10) and activated sludge (14) containing BPR organisms is first subjected to a period of incubation in an anoxic zone (20) followed by a period of incubation in an anaerobic zone (30). Volatile fatty acids (VFA's) (16) are added in the anaerobic zone (30). The mixture is then subjected to an aerobic zone (41). The wastewater mixture (46) leaving the aerobic zone is clarified in a clarifier (50), causing activated sludge to settle. The activated sludge contains BPR organisms which are engorged with phosphorus absorbed from the wastewater. The clarified wastewater (52) becomes effluent from the system. The activated sludge (54) is removed from the clarifier (50).

Abstract: An article for storing fruits and vegetables (10) is formed from a sheet of mesh material (20) which has two edges (22) placed next to one another to form a tubular bag. The ends of elastic strips (24) parallely affixed along the length of the sheet (20) are joined to form rings creating pockets (26) in the bag.

Abstract: A completed, solved game puzzle 10 is a mobius strip made of multiple columns 24 and rows 22 of blocks 20, or block-like pieces. Each block 20 has opposing display surfaces and opposing connecting surfaces which are orthogonal to the display surfaces. The connecting surfaces have mechanisms such as a corresponding peg 30 and aperture 32, respectively, for connecting one block 20 to another block 20. The display surfaces exhibit a color, alphabet 28, number or symbol. The unsolved puzzle is one or more bands of blocks connected by and pivotable about an axis 26 extending through the center of each block 20 parallel to the display and connecting surfaces. The solution to the puzzle may be words or phrases spelled by aligned letters of individual strips, or a predetermined pattern formed from aligned colors or symbols. To solve the puzzle, the blocks of each strip must be connected adjacent the blocks of another strip at appropriate locations.

Abstract: A restraint for changing an infant (10) has a major band (20) and a restricting band (40). The ends of the major band (20) are adapted to wrap around a surface (11) upon which an infant (13) will be changed and connect to one another. A second band, a restricting band, (40) has two ends (41, 44) and attaches to the top surface of the major band (20). One end (41) of the restricting band (40) may be permanently affixed to the major band (20) while the second end, or free end, (44) of the restricting band (40) attaches to the major band (20) by means of a detachable fastener (46). The points of attachment of the restricting band (40) to the major band (20) define an infant securement area (30) which holds the infant (13) to be changed. Each end of the major band (20) may be split (22, 23) so as to accommodate obstructions associated with a changing surface (11) with which the restraint (10) will be used.