Abstract: A dental floss dispenser and applicator to be used with fixed orthodontic appliances, provided for a wearer to clean food, debris, and dental plaque so as to prevent proximal caries and periodontal disease. The dental flosser includes a handle section, a dental floss mounting section, and a single floss support portion wherein the dental floss mounting section and handle section contain a metered floss dispenser and locking means for floss being dispensed, and wherein the floss support contains a through hole to continuously supply floss. The floss support is slender so that it can be inserted into the narrow clearance between the adjacent surfaces of the teeth. The locking means holds the floss taught and allows for easy access to clean floss during operation.

Abstract: A self-diagnostic system for a checking all functions of a cellular-transceiver system having a cellular-interface unit, which interface unit couples a standard telephone set to a cellular transceiver, which interface unit converts the DTMF or pulse-type of dialing signals into digital format for transmission to the cellular transceiver, whereby the dialed number made on the land-type of telephone may be used to call a number over the cellular system. The present invention not only monitors and checks the proper functioning of the transceiver and associated power supply, and the like, but will also monitor and check the interface unit, and report the results to an off-site monitoring center by means of the cellular network.

Abstract: An inflatable bed-pan pad-support of the invention has a shape geometry and configuration in its deflated state that is different from that in its inflated state, so that, when the pad is inflated, it assumes a natural, rectilinear-shaped outline, with the bed-pan receiving, U-shaped opening thereof having a substantially uniform width along its length when the pad is in inflated. Strengthening ribs are provided in the interior of the pad, which additional strengthening ribs extend between the closed, head end of the bed-pan receiving, U-shaped opening and the opposite, head-end end-wall of the pad, which strengthening ribs provide the necessary support to the bed-pan receiving, U-shaped opening so that it assumes, in its inflated state, a uniform width substantially along its length. Another pair of outer strengthening ribs are also provided, one on either lateral side of the U-shaped opening strengthening ribs.

Abstract: An apparatus for interfacing at least one land-line telephone service, at least one wireless cellular-type telephone service, at least one cellular-type wireless telephone and at least one standard telephonic type communication device through standard building interior telephone cable.

Abstract: A hose-coupler made up of a just one component having a main housing section with a female end and a male end. The second female end of the coupler is formed with interior threads, for receiving therein a portion of the male end of the second hose. The main housing section has a compressible portion adjacent to the first male end thereof all the way to the end of the female end. In order to compress the clamping jaws, there is provided a slidable outer housing. The male end is sealed in the female end of the coupler by a biased piston-member that forces a sealing washer against the male end by means of the pressurized fluid volume in the interior of the coupler. Two embodiments are disclosed: A first one that allows the coupler to be disconnected from the male end of a hose only after the water pressure has been turned off; and a second embodiment that allows the coupler to be disconnected from the male end of a hose also while the water pressure is still present.

Abstract: An apparatus for interfacing at least one land-line telephone service, at least one wireless cellular-type telephone service, at least one cellular-type wireless telephone and at least one standard telephonic type communication device through standard building interior telephone cable.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pulsed electric-field system, apparatus and method for the effective disinfecting and dewatering previously-dewatered, biologically active waste-water sludges (e.g., municipal waste-water sewage sludge) in an efficient manner, so as to dramatically reduce the resulting volume of the inert waste material which has to be disposed of by the municipality. The method employed sequentially consists of hydraulically pressurizing the previously dewatered sludge, pre-heating the previously dewatered sludge to a predetermined temperature range, exposing the previously dewatered sludge to a high energy pulsing electrical discharges, pressure separation of the resulting solids and liquid fraction, and final pressure extrusion of the separated solids through nozzles.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing an alcohol-glycerine disinfecting gel or liquid for use by doctors and nurses. The dispenser consists of a main housing which mounts a pumping mechanism for pumping out an alcohol-glycerine disinfecting gel from a replaceable, disposable supply-cartridge releasably mounted in the main housing. Since the main housing is small enough to fit within a person's hand, the doctor or nurse may dispense the contents of an alcohol-glycerine disinfecting gel simply by squeezing the two parts together. The dispensing of the gel is applied directly onto the fingers of the same hand that has squeezed the main housing to have caused such dispensing to occur. Owing to the small size of the main housing, the dispenser of the invention may be worn on-the-person, such as by the waist-belt.

Abstract: A vending apparatus for dispensing trays of hot food is provided with a vertical stack of the compartments for storing and heating the trays of food. Each compartment has a lower support-shelf, under which is an electrical, coil-resistance heater for keeping the food in the tray at a temperature of about 150 degrees F. Opening of the door of a compartment causes the opening of a micro-switch associated with the selected compartment, which opening causes power to be shut off to the solenoid of the compartment. Operatively associated with each compartment is a push-mechanism that causes the selected tray to be partially pushed out of its compartment when the associated door is manually opened. Each push-mechanism has a push-rod coupled through suitable linkage to the door, which push-rod contacts the rear surface of the selected tray for pushing it out as the door is opened.

Abstract: An optical display device for use with wearing apparel or in combination with novelty gifts for illumination thereof. The optical display device based upon a control circuit capable of energizing incandescent lamps attached to a conductive pathway. The control circuit having an IC based timing circuit with manual switches for lamp lighting mode sequence as well as sequencing speed. An alternative embodiment is disclosed using an EPROM IC chip wherein all sequencing and functional timing is performed by an instructional software program made operational upon manual switch toggling. The conductive pathway provides electrical coupling to the lamps with one embodiment having a pathway formed from flexible circuit boards. Use of flexible circuit boards permits simplistic color changing by use of peel-off covers placed over the lamps as well as protection from moisture, impact, or dislodgement of the lamps. The coupling of circuit boards across movable joints is by flexible wire or conductor tape.

Abstract: A multi-variate system having a microprocessor-based telecommunications interface which has a digital adaptive all-pass filter and automatically variable delay distortion equalization circuitry which in combination provide both pre and post delay distortion equalization on the transmit and receive sides of bidirectional data lines (or dedicated telephone lines), which interfaces a conventional 4-wire analog facility and a data station termination at the customer premises equipment. A method of practicing the preferred embodiment of the invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of installing sewer pipes for a new sewer line for achieving proper gradient, utilizes a plurality of two-piece pipe bracket-mounts. Typically, each length of sewer pipe is supported by two such bracket-mounts. Each two-piece bracket-mount consists of a lower, or bottom, semicircular half-section having a downwardly-projecting sleeve with a through-opening therethrough. The through-opening allows for the passage of an elongated, pointed-tip spike, which spike is driven into the bottom of the ditch by a hammer, or the like, to an amount that will achieve the proper gradient for the pipe to be associated therewith. After all of the spike have been driven in, the pipes are then laid on the lower semicircular half-sections and snapped in place therein. Then, the installer attaches the upper semicircular half-sections to the bottom semicircular half-sections.

Abstract: A method of connecting an end of a plastic, male vacuum-component to a female component in a vacuum system, by attaching an elastomeric sealing member to the end of the male vacuum-component, and inserting the end of the male vacuum-component into a female vacuum-component until the elastomeric sealing member is in at least partial contact with a mating surface-portion of the female vacuum-component, repeating the steps a plurality of times for other mating male and female vacuum-components, and then creating a vacuum in the vacuum-system in which the male vacuum-component has become part, in order to erect a stand-alone structure which is held firmly together by binding forces formed by the vacuum.

Abstract: Close tolerance, oil free scroll type vacuum pumps, when run at RPM speeds in excess of 1800 RPM, prevent pump exhaust outlet to pump vacuum inlet back diffusion (backwards migration) of light atmospheric gases from a process vacuum is useful in a number of vacuum applications. The light gas isolation capability of the invention scroll type vacuum pumps is due to the close tolerance pumping mechanism that these pumps employ, the RPM speed that the mechanism is operated at, and the absence of light gas absorbing materials inside the pump such as oil.

Abstract: A vacuum-packaging machine is provided with a drive mechanism for each of the tools at the forming and sealing stations that not only vertically reciprocate the tools, but which also horizontally reciprocate the tools. Before the next section of the film being processed reaches the forming or sealing station, the respective tool at each station is moved in the same direction as the film, while being simultaneously lifted up toward the film. As that section comes to a halt at the station, the tool is already raised into close juxtaposition to the film for performing its work. The tool is then raised the final quantum amount in order to start either the forming or the sealing process. As soon as the forming or sealing process has been completed, both the conveyer chain and the tools are actuated for forward, downstream movement. The tools, in addition to their forward, horizontal movement, also drop down, in order to clear the packages to allow unobstructed passage of the film.

Abstract: The Invention relates specifically to an improved method of joining plastic socket fit piping components for vacuum, pressure, and structural applications where a leak and contamination free connection is needed. A unique Dual Face/Circumferential Elastomer Seal is installed in a special Seal Groove located on the end of the male component. The male components are then inserted into the female sockets until contact is made between the Dual Face/Circumferential Elastomer Seals and the Female Socket Base Surfaces. The final assembly is evacuated with a vacuum pump to actuate and fully compress the seals. The final assembly is then checked for leaks. If the connections are to remain under vacuum and the ability to disassemble is advantageous, no further work is required.

Abstract: The invention is a target system capable of determining projectile entrance by detecting loss resistors formed by a graphic colloidal suspension coating of conductive ink placed beneath a graphic target. The target is a low cost sheet of flexible paper positioned by use of a tractor feeder. Actual loss of resistors is interpreted by a microprocessor running a grid simulation program. Upon loss of any one particular resistor, the microprocessor interprets the target to determine what resistors remain thereby providing a history of projectile penetration. The results of the target penetration can be viewed from a remote video display terminal.