Abstract: A shopping aid for carrying bags, boxes and the like including a tubular member having a top section and a bottom section which meet at approximately mid-points of opposite sides of the tubular member and slots for receiving handles of bags.

Abstract: A soil test apparatus for field use comprises structure adapting the apparatus for transport over a field for testing the soil thereof; an infrared radiation generator for producing infrared radiation at a plurality of predetermined wavelengths, an elongate light carrying member coupled to the infrared radiation generator and extending therefrom for directing infrared radiation onto the soil; and a light detector for detecting infrared radiation reflected from the soil and for producing corresponding electrical signals.

Abstract: A hairpiece is attached and fitted by first removing from the scalp of the wearer, a length of the wearer's natural hair along a band below the wearer's natural hair line, and attaching the hairpiece along the band of removed hair in order to produce a long-term and closely fitting securement of the hairpiece to the scalp. Preferably, the band of removed natural hair extends along a generally circumferential length around the wearer's scalp while retaining a small amount of short strands of the natural hair within the band to promote bonded adhesion of the hairpiece foundation along the band.

Abstract: A decanter or carafe for serving hot coffee having a metal bottom to which a plastic upper portion is joined. The decanter is unbreakable and shatterproof for all practical purposes. The lip of the pouring spout is shaped to facilitate pouring to either side as well as frontwards. A pistol grip handle skeleton is integrally joined to the plastic upper portion and receives mating grip pieces from opposite sides. The mating grip pieces may be colored brown to designate "regular" coffee and orange to designate "de-caffinated" coffee. The composite handle incorporates vents to drain liquid that might otherwise become trapped therein.

Abstract: Apparatus for melting and heating shortening includes a housing having a top, a bottom and sidewalls; a heating grid mounted in the housing and spaced above the bottom thereof for melting shortening and allowing melted shortening to pass therethrough toward the bottom of the housing. A door is mounted to the housing for introducing a block of shortening onto the heating grid. A bottom heater is mounted adjacent the housing bottom for maintaining the melted shortening at a desired temperature. A control circuit maintains control of the operation of both the heating grid and the bottom heater in a predetermined fashion for initially melting a block of shortening introduced onto the heating grid while substantially preventing smoking of the same, and for maintaining melted shortening at the desired temperature.

Abstract: A grain bin structure having an inverted frusto-conical interior drying floor dividing the bin structure into a drying chamber and a storage chamber, and a transfer means comprising a rotating helical conveying system for transporting grain from the drying chamber to the storage chamber, said rotating helical conveying system having inlet means in communication with the drying chamber and outlet means in communication with the storage chamber. Preferably, the bin structure further comprises control means for sensing the moisture content of the grain in the drying chamber and for signaling activation of the transfer means when the moisture content reaches a predetermined level. The grain bin structure may also include improved diverter means for insuring complete transfer of the grain from the drying chamber to the storage chamber and deflector means for promoting even piling of the grain within the storage chamber.

Abstract: A boiling water dispenser includes a hot water reservoir, a user-actuated faucet for drawing boiling water from a discharge zone at the top of the reservoir, and a solenoid-actuated valve for admitting unheated water to an inlet zone at the bottom of the reservoir. An electric resistance heating element within the reservoir is supplied with AC current through a series- connected bilateral switch device which is periodically switched on and off in response to the sensing of steam in a reservoir venting conduit to maintain the dispensing temperature at the boiling point. An indicator lamp conditioned by a sensor in the reservoir confirms to the user that the dispensing temperature is at the boiling point.

Abstract: A plastic plank member, for use with a deck arrangement, having a rigid base portion and a tread portion attached thereto which are integrally extruded of suitable plastics. The rigid portion of the plank member is adapted to be secured to an underlying support structure. The tread portion is formed with protrusions projecting upwardly away from the tread and grooves formed therein. The characteristics of the tread result in a sufficiently high coefficient of friction to reduce the possibility of slipping on the plank member.

Abstract: Compounds related to acetazolamide and to its N-methyl derivatives, of the formulae: ##STR1## wherein Y is one of the following groups: ##STR2## R.sub.1 being a straight or branched alkylene or arylalkylene, or a phenylene, and the processes for their preparation; the compounds so obtained are inhibitors of carbonic anhydrase like acetazolamide but, in addition, they are well absorbed topically so that they can be used as drugs for treating glaucoma.

Abstract: A musical wind instrument has a hollow, generally tubular body made up of a first body section and a second body section which may be telescopically interfitted to define the assembled wind instrument. Alignment and locating structures are located respectively on the first and second body sections for defining a predetermined orientation therebetween when interfitted into assembled condition. The alignment and locating structures include an axially projecting button-like member mounted on a peripheral surface of one of the body sections, and an axially inwardly extending recess in the other of the body sections of complementary form for receiving at least a portion of the projecting member when the first and second body sections are telescopically interfitted and brought into a desired radial alignment and fully axially and telescopically engaged.

Abstract: A versatile feeder for use in an automated feeding system of the type used to raise domestic birds and animals on a commercial scale comprising a pan member for containing and presenting feed for consumption, feeder tube means disposed above said pan member and connectible with a feed conveyor source, said feeder tube means having upper and lower feed gates for directing feed supplied to said feeder tube means from said feed conveyor source into said pan member, and rotatable collar means surrounding said feeder tube means for controlling a first feed flow directed through said upper feed gate into said pan member independently of a second feed flow directed through said lower feed gate into said pan member. Associated wing members may also be provided on said rotatable collar means to prevent access to said first feed flow by said consuming birds and animals prior to the feed reaching a limited feeding area defined within the pan member.

Abstract: The connection piece (2), which can be fitted in a sealed manner on an opening in the pulp chamber of a tooth, comprises a liquid injector (24) and a discharge duct (25) which lead into the pulp chamber. A vacuum pump (5) is connected to the discharge duct (25) so as to produce bubbles in the liquid inside the tooth. A pressure pump (3) connected to a liquid reservoir conveys the said liquid to the injector (24) so as to produce, by means of impulsion of the said bubbles, a cavitation in the liquid inside the tooth, owing to the action of the pressure.

Abstract: A desk organizer for office supplies including first and second sidewalls joined at their common ends and an endwall connecting opposite ends of the first and second sidewall. The desk organizer also includes a bottom wall and means for dividing the organizer into a plurality of successive bins.

Abstract: A hanger device integrally molded of plastic for a watering system for use in animal husbandry which facilitates the assembly of a watering system without the need for fasteners or tools. The hanger member is a vertically oriented beam member having a top end and a bottom end, the top end of which is attached to a flexible cord to suspend the watering system above a surface, the bottom end of which is formed with a pipe supporting portion to support a water pipe at the lowermost end of the hanger. Positioned generally in between the top and bottom ends of the hanger are a anti-roost wire bore and a support member bore. The anti-roost member bore provides insulated suspension of the electrified anti-roost wire between the hanger members and the support member bore provides a bore through which a structural support member projects over the entire length of the system.

Abstract: A hot water dispenser includes a hot water reservoir, a user-actuated faucet for drawing hot water from an outlet zone near the top of the reservoir, and a solenoid-actuated valve for admitting unheated water to an inlet zone at the bottom of the reservoir. An inline flow regulator establishes an inlet flow rate less than the faucet flow rate to maximize the volume of hot water available at the faucet. An electric resistance heating element within the reservoir is supplied with AC current through a series-connected bilateral switch device which is periodically switched on and off in accordance with the temperature of water sensed by a sensor at the faucet to maintain a constant dispensing temperature. The switch device is thermally coupled to the bottom of the reservoir such that the reservoir acts as a heat sink to dissipate heat generated during switching. An indicator lamp conditioned by the sensor confirms to the user that the dispensing temperature is within a predetermined range.