Abstract: A module adapted to generate a controllable volume of steam for humidifying an air stream. The module includes a generally rectangular tank transversely divided by a barrier wall into a water reservoir section and a steam generating section. The longitudinal position of the barrier wall in the tank is adjustable to vary the relative water capacities of the sections. Disposed within the steam generating section is a controllable electric heater unit that acts to boil the water in this section at an adjustable rate to generate steam which is discharged into the air stream. The water boiled off in the steam generating section is replenished by water drained from the reservoir section through a flow passage in the barrier wall.

Abstract: A squeezable plaything which resembles an animal-like or humanoid figure having appendages projecting therefrom. The plaything includes a hollow core molded of resilient plastic material shaped to resemble the figure and provided with an orifice which renders the core collapsible. Enveloping the core and generally conforming to the figure and its appendages is an outer shell formed of flexible transparent plastic film material. Injected into the core through the orifice is a charge of oil which when the plaything is squeezed and deformed, oil and air are then discharged through the orifice into confined spaces between the shell and the core. And when the plaything is released to recover its shape, the oil and air are then sucked back through the orifice into the core. These actions generate squishing sounds, as if the figure were walking on soft mud.

Abstract: Integrated with the structure of a motorcycle whose engine is supported on a frame between a front wheel turnable by a handlebar and a rear wheel guarded by an aerodynamically-contoured rear fender are a rumble seat and directional front signal lights. The rumble seat which accommodates a passenger is incorporated in a separated section of the fender behind the saddle for seating a driver whose hands grasp the handlebar. The rumble seat is provided with a hinged backrest having a rear section which when the backrest is folded down over the seat then merges with the contours of the fender to conceal the seat. The right and left arms of the handlebar each terminate in a hilt having one branch which functions as a heated handle for a hand of the driver and an adjacent second branch which acts to shield the hand and houses a lamp for a directional signal light.

Abstract: A cartridge strip magazine for successively feeding cartridges into the breech of a powder-actuated fastener setting tool. When a cartridge in alignment with the breech is fired, the resultant expanding gas acts to propel a drive piston to launch a fastener. The inlet to the breech is provided with a frusto-conical upper entry section and an inwardly offset frusto-conical lower section having the same slope as the upper section. The magazine is molded of a strip of resilient plastic material having a row of noses projecting therefrom, each nose socketing a cartridge and being adapted to nest within the inlet of the tool breech. Each nose is formed with an outer wall having a frusto-conical lower section which when the nose is nested within the breech abuts and conforms to the lower section of the breech, and an outwardly-offset frusto-conical upper section that then abuts and conforms to the upper section of the breech.

Abstract: A ride-on vehicle for a pre-school child in the form of a four-legged animal-like figure on wheels propelled by the feet of a child astride the figure. The figure which is mounted on a platform supported on a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels is composed of a collapsible fabric casing shaped to define the animal-like form and at least one bladder within the casing which when inflated, then erects the figure. The fabric forelegs of the figure extend over the sides of the front wheels and the fabric rear legs of the figure extend over the sides of the rear wheels whereby the wheels are concealed and the child astride the figure appears to be riding the figure, not the platform.

Abstract: A baby doll whose torso is defined by a fabric bag having a pair of arm openings, a pair of leg openings and a neck opening. Coupled to the arm openings and extending therefrom are hollow, flexible-plastic arms, coupled to the leg openings and extending therefrom are hollow, flexible-plastic legs, while mounted above the neck opening is a hollow, flexible-plastic head having a neck coupled to the neck opening whereby the arms, legs and head are articulated from the torso bag. Enclosed within the bag is an inflatable bladder which when inflated, erects the torso. The bag is formed of an outer fabric shell having a relatively thick inner liner formed by a layer of soft batting whereby the torso is exceptionally soft to the touch and the baby doll simulates the feel of a real baby not only in regard to the torso, but also with respect to the hollow arm and leg appendages and the head, all of which are soft and compressible.

Abstract: A method for enhancing female sexual response in which topically administered to the clitoris of the female subject and the surrounding tissue is a pharmaceutically-acceptable composition whose primary agent is a vasodilator, such as prostaglandin and whose secondary agent is a carrier therefor to deliver it to the clitoris and the surrounding tissue so that it is retained thereby.

Abstract: A security pouch for carrying confidential documents or other valuables from a sending to a remote receiving station, the pouch being adapted to inform its receiver whether at some point in the course of transit, the pouch had been intercepted and opened and then reclosed. The pouch is provided with closure means, a locking mechanism which when locked engages the closure means and secures the documents within the pouch, and an electronic module operatively coupled to this mechanism. The electronic module includes a random number generator, an elapsed time measuring unit and an LCD display to present the number and the elapsed time. When at the sending station, the sender locks the pouch containing the documents, this action triggers the generator to produce and display a random number. And it also resets the elapsed time unit which then proceeds to count time.

Abstract: A multi-functional electrical stimulation (ES) system adapted to yield output signals for effecting faradic, electromagnetic or other forms of electrical stimulation for a broad spectrum of different biological and bio-medical applications. The system includes an ES signal stage having a selector coupled to a plurality of different signal generators, each generator producing a signal having a distinct shape such as a sine, a square or sawtooth wave, or a simple or complex pulse form the parameters of which are adjustable in regard to amplitude, duration, repetition rate and other variables. The signal from the selected generator in the ES stage is fed to at least one output stage where it is processed to produce a high or low voltage or current output of a desired polarity whereby the output stage is capable of yielding an electrical stimulation signal appropriate for its intended application.

Abstract: An aroma-generating greeting card in a folder format having a front panel that folds over a rear panel. Printed on the front panel is a greeting appropriate to a given occasion, such as a holiday. Printed on the rear panel is a message related to the greeting. Mounted behind a port formed in the rear panel and blocking this port is a gas-barrier bag housing plastic beads impregnated with a fragrance whose aroma is associated with the occasion. The aroma is dischargeable through a vent in the bag lying within the confines of the port. The port is normally covered by a removable sticker which seals the vent to prevent discharge of the aroma. When a recipient receives the card and unfolds it to read the message and then peels off the sticker, the aroma is then discharged so that it can be sensed by the recipient.

Abstract: A system for producing blocks of open-cell, flexible polyurethane foam material and for conditioning each freshly-manufactured block to impart thereto optimal flexible foam properties. The system includes means to pour the flowable constituents of the foam material to be manufactured into a production station at the inlet of a conveyor, the constituents interacting to create on the conveyor a block of open-cell flexible foam material which is then wrapped in a plastic film casing that exposes the leading and trailing end of the block so that the encased block is open ended. The conveyor transports the wrapped block toward the rear end of a gate in a conditioning station having a port therein whose front end is coupled by an air duct to a suction fan.

Abstract: A technique and apparatus therefor adapted to treat in situ a malignant tumor, use being made of a working electrode and a counterelectrode implanted in the tumor at spaced positions. Applied across the electrodes is a voltage causing a direct current to flow through the tumor producing an electrochemical reaction yielding multiple reaction products, some of which are cytotoxic agents destructive of cancer cells. Coupled to the electrodes is a control unit which acts to regulate the voltage applied thereto so as to optimize the yield of those cytotoxic agents having the greatest efficacy.

Abstract: An interactive safety helmet for a bicyclist, making it possible for a group of bicyclists wearing like helmets to communicate with each other and thereby coordinate their activities. The helmet is formed by an outer shell shaped to fit onto the head of the bicyclist and an inner cushioning liner having a pair of miniature loud speakers embedded therein at opposing sides adjacent the ears of the bicyclist. Extending from the shell is a gooseneck supporting a microphone at a position adjacent the mouth of the bicyclist. Mounted on the shell is a miniature radio transceiver whose transmitter section is coupled to the microphone and whose receiver section is coupled to the loud speakers. The transceiver is connected by a line extending from the helmet to an external battery power pack. In operation, a bicyclist wearing the helmet can by talking into the microphone and listening to the loud speakers interact with other bicyclists in the group.

Abstract: A safety helmet for a bicyclist combined with a miniature public address (PA) system which makes it possible for the riding bicyclist to broadcast to those who are in the hearing range of the system. The helmet which is formed from an outer shell having a cushioning inner liner has extending therefrom a gooseneck supporting a microphone at a position adjacent the mouth of the bicyclist wearing the helmet. The microphone is connected by a line passing through the gooseneck and extending behind the helmet to a compact amplifier and loud speaker unit clipped onto the waist belt of the bicyclist. Power for the unit is supplied by a battery power back, included in the unit or incorporated in the frame of the bicycle.

Abstract: A molded plastic play ball having the appearance of a humanoid head. Formed on the surface on the ball at sites corresponding to respective facial features of the head, such as the eyes and a nose, are flat depressions that merge with the contours of the ball. Adhered to these flat depressions are stickers having color-printed thereon facial features appropriate to the sites. The appearance of the humanoid head is determined by the stickers selected by the player and applied to the depressions, which features may be altered by replacing some or all of the stickers with different stickers.

Abstract: A boxing training glove which incorporates characteristics of a heavy bag whereby when a boxer in training wears this glove and punches a hard surface, this acts to build up his muscular strength. The glove is constituted by a heavily-padded leather mitten having an inner liner formed by a plastic film envelope that conforms to the interior of the glove and is filled with a silicone fluid. The viscosity of the confined fluid is such that when the boxer punches the hard surface, the impact force is distributed throughout the liner by the silicone fluid, thereby replicating the effects of a heavy bag and avoiding injury to the hand wearing the glove.

Abstract: An innersole for a sneaker or other athletic shoe that is adjustable to impart to the innersole characteristics appropriate to the particular use to which the shoe is to be put by the wearer, such as jumping, jogging or running. The innersole, contoured to fit in the shoe, is composed of a flexible foam plastic pad encased in a plastic film envelope. Extending from the rear of the envelope and projecting through the counter of the shoe is a vent tube having a control valve therein. When the valve is fully open, the insole then acts as a shock-absorbing cushion whereby when depressed by the foot of the wearer, air is expelled from the innersole through the open valve, and when pressure is released, the innersole then inhales air as it recovers its normal shape. When the valve is fully closed to hermetically seal the envelope, the innersole then functions as a pneumatic spring to impart bounce thereto.

Abstract: A package adapted to stage a performance by a toy figure resembling a known character. The package includes a carton whose a flat rear wall is joined to a semi-cylindrical front wall to define a cavity, the front wall having a bay window therein. Behind the rear wall and hinged thereto a flap that is normally folded over the rear wall and fastened thereto. When the flap is unfolded, it creates in combination with the rear wall a stage backdrop having printed thereon material relating to the character, such as dialog taken from movies involving the character. Received within the cavity is an insert on which is mounted the figure, as well as a miniature stage and stage props, all of which can be seen through the window. In play, the flap is unfolded to erect the stage backdrop, the stage is placed in front of the backdrop with the figure standing thereon and with the props adjacent thereto. By manipulating the figure relative to the props against the backdrop, a player can enact a scene involving the character.

Abstract: A hand-actuated scissors useable by an individual whose hands and fingers are weak or impaired and therefore experience difficulty in operating a conventional scissors. The scissors include a pair of blades whose cutting edges face each other, the blades being joined by a swivel pin whereby in an open state of the scissors the blades are angled with respect to each other. When the scissors are put into a closed state, the blades are then brought together to effect a cutting action. The handle sections of the blades which extend beyond the swivel pin are so shaped that in the open state the ends of these sections are widely spaced apart. Bridging the ends of the handle sections is a yoke defined by a saddle-shaped plate of resilient material forming a spring-loaded grip which normally maintain the scissors in an open state.

Abstract: A toy missile which when let fly by a player and then caught by a catcher, produces upon impact sounds appropriate to the nature of the missile. When in the configuration of a humanoid figure, the missile includes a torso defined by a fabric casing stuffed with a soft filler. Embedded in the stuffing of the torso is a sound-producing unit powered by a battery through an impact-sensitive switch whereby when the missile is caught, on impact the switch then turns the unit on to generate sounds which are appropriate to the figure. Hinged to the torso of the figure and extending therefrom are fabric arm and leg appendages. When the player grasps one of these appendages and whirls the missile to let it fly, the torso of the figure then rotates in the course of flight, causing the appendages to stretch out from the torso to stabilize the flight.