Abstract: An improved merchandising package for a foldable flexible garment bag permitting individualized compact packing and storing thereof and incorporating therein an inexpensive disposable hanger to enable the convenient and ready demonstration of the function, utility and advantages of the garment bag.

Abstract: An accumulating apparatus for storing a variable length of strip material in which said strip is in the form of two adjacent spiral coils mounted on a common horizontal axis. The rolling coils of the accumulator are identical in size but are wound in opposite directions with their inner ends connected to each other by a bridging portion of the strip material which rotates in opposite directions in dependence upon the relative preponderance of the rate of accumulation and/or withdrawal of the strip material into and from the apparatus. Each of the spiral coils is supported on the interior thereof by a system of angularly spaced rollers capable of assuming circular orbits of varying diameters corresponding to the inner diameters of said coils, to control the sag of successive lengths of the strip between the rollers, which facilitates the interface creeping between the successive turns of the coils. This effect may be enhanced by applying tractive forces to the supporting rollers, if found desirable.

Abstract: A framed garment bag with flexible walls having exterior suspension means at the top thereof and a jointed clamp disposed in a substantially vertical plane on the interior thereof. The upper jaw of the clamp which is fixed to the underside of the top and the lower jaw which is pivoted to the rear end of the former are fitted with contiguous edges of yieldable material which effect a tight retention of the hooks of the garment hangers disposed therebetween when the jaws are clamped together in a plane parallel to the top of the frame of the bag. When the jointed clamp is open for loading or unloading the garment hangers, the controlled limited downward inclination of the lower jaw provides a convenient frictional guide for the hangers preparatory to their lifting into juxtaposition to the fixed upper jaw by the movement of a clasp of high mechanical efficiency, which movement terminates in a secure clamping between the jaws.

Abstract: A combined garment hanger of molded plastic material composed of a pair of symmetrical lateral arms inclined downwardly from a central head portion and joined at their lower ends to a horizontal supporting bar by corners of relatively large surface area. The arms, bar and corners are structured with thickened marginal edges which embrace webs of lesser thickness. A U-shaped clasp is molded simultaneously and integrally with the hanger at each corner, and is readily severable from the finished hanger by frangible tabs of small dimensions which serve as gates for the plastic material during the molding operation. The clasps serve to clamp a garment to the hanger which may be suspended or supported thereon.

Abstract: A flexible rubber disk serving as a base for a transparent globular display container adapted to be filled with liquid, and as an effective seal for a circular opening in the latter bounded by a flared lip. The upper face of the base is provided with a central socket for a cylindrical block of yieldable porous plastic material in which are seated the components of a natural or artificial floral arrangement, or any other desirable ornament. The block is secured against displacement by arcuate ribs at the edge of the socket which impale substantially the entire lateral wall of the block. An annular recess in the upper face of the base permits the insertion thereinto of said flared lip at said circular opening, to form a liquid seal at the base of the annular slot and at the convexity of the flared lip against the inner lateral wall of the central portion of the disk delineated by the annular slot.

Abstract: A method for cleaning the sensing probes in a water quality momitoring apparatus, when the probes become coated with a build-up of slime, algae or particulate matter, which comprises the steps of continuously removing particulate matter from the body of the liquid, moving a part of the body of liquid into a confined zone surrounding the probe and applying ultrasonic energy to the confined liquid to remove deposits of foreign matter from the surface of the probe and the liquid confining surface areas.

Abstract: A shift-type strapless examining robe designed to give a female patient a sorely needed psychological lift during the physical examination. The upper portion of the robe is provided with elongated openings of different lengths at the front and back thereof to afford the physician ready access to the parts of the body requiring examination. Also the lower portion is flared extensively and includes a pair of pleats at the front of the robe adjacent to the bottom thereof which forms a continuous bottom section without any openings functioning as a tent-like covering during the pelvic examination, without need for any separate additional covering sheets.

Abstract: Pneumatic structural and cushioning material of plastic sheets, bands, and/or tubes, which are compartmentized into a plurality of chambers. The material is capable of convenient and economical storage and shipment in a collapsed state and rapid inflation to an operative state at the point of use. The chambers embody one-way valving arrangements to maintain the chambers in an expanded state over long periods of time, rendering the product useful in cushioning loads during shipment by land, air or water; in safety devices for humans in vehicle bumpers, air cushions, and buoyant devices of all types; and in structural assemblies of either temporary or permanent types to attain heat and sound insulation effects.

Abstract: Duplex flexible handles of molded plastic material for connection to luggage bags or receptacles of limp material having spaced pockets at the upper portions of the opposite sides of the receptacles. Each handle is provided with a hand-hold at the top and with legs extending downwardly from the opposite ends thereof which terminate in flattened extremities of reduced cross-section, and spaced from each other correspondingly to the spacing between the pockets. An upwardly directed barb extends laterally from each extremity. A horizontal bead or enlargement is molded at the junction of the upper end of each extremity and the lower end of the exposed portion of each leg, for limiting the extent of penetration of each leg within its pocket, through a horizontal slot in the latter slightly wider than the extremity, but less than the width of the bead.

Abstract: Mountings for duplex U-shaped handles for luggage items of relatively small depth, for example, attache cases, in which the pair of spaced pintles for rotatably supporting each handle on each of the casing halves, is positioned close to the parting line between the open halves of the luggage case. Thereby, each handle in its inoperative position adjacent to the top of the case, does not extend beyond the outer wall thereof. To attain this objective, the opposed arms of each U-shaped bar extending upwardly from its fastening base-plate for supporting the opposite ends of each pintle, is curved inwardly towards the parting line, with the apertures at the ends thereof for each pintle disposed coaxially in each coplanar terminal portion of each arm.

Abstract: A knockdown carrier for a plurality of juxtaposed rectangular frames supporting canvas paintings and similar artwork, to bind and maintain them in spaced relation by means of pairs of rigid bars at longitudinally displaced points along said frames. Each pair of bars is provided with adjustably fixed spacer members which extend inwardly between the frames, with the respective members at the top and bottom being in alignment with each other to accommodate frames of different thicknesses. A flexible band encompasses the outer portions of the superposed rigid bars and the frames therebetween to bind and integrate the assembly for storage or transport, and in the latter case, a balanced handle device is detachably connected between the longitudinally displaced binding and spacing units. Stretcher rods between the bottom rigid bars and stabilizer buses connected between the top rigid bars may be used as accessory devices to insure the tightness of the individual and groups of frame assemblies.

Abstract: The heat treatment of a continuous band or sheet of metal as the same travels through a plurality of stages in a protective atmosphere, between conveying rollers, by applying direct-current electricity to the rollers for inclusion of the travelling sheet in the circuit therebetween. The charged rollers in the initial stage are spaced more widely from one another than those in the later stage, to compensate for the lower resistivity of the metal in the former, so that the Joule effect or I.sup.2 R factor in the stages are substantially equalized. The protective atmosphere of oxidizing, reducing or inert gases which encompasses the sheet, is confined in chambers of galvanized iron sheeting and the like, the walls of which are in close proximity to the travelling sheet, so that lesser amounts of reacting gases are necessary.

Abstract: A readily portable mounting for an adjustable mirror adapted to be positioned over a demonstration area, and capable of convenient adjustment in both elevation and angularity to reflect the upper surface of a support below said mirror towards a viewing audience positioned remotely from said area. The frame for the mirror includes a channel surrounding the latter containing illuminating lamps for effectively casting light on the demonstration area and reflecting the view laterally therefrom. The effectiveness of the apparatus as a demonstration and teaching tool, is enhanced by providing a chalk-board on the mirror frame on the side opposite the mirror, which may be used as an adjunct to complement the visual and/or vocal demonstration or lecture.

Abstract: A pre-assembled, low-cost, bidet or body cleansing attachment for a toilet bowl, which may be purchased by the consumer for mounting on a toilet bowl, which may be purchased by the consumer for mounting on a toilet bowl for selective manual positioning so that the spray nozzle of the unit may function as a body washer, or if this is not desired, it may be shifted into an inoperative position below the toilet seat so that the nozzle is beyond the path of body wastes and in position to be cleansed repeatedly by the flushing waters in the toilet bowl. The movable spray pipe may be swung completely out of the toilet bowl into a vertical position on the side and at the rear of the toilet bowl. The assembly is furnished with flexible plastic water pipes and water diverting clamps mounted thereon to permit the average consumer to connect the assembly to the hot and cold water supplies in the average bathroom without need for the services of a plumber.

Abstract: Toy animal figures built up of pliable wire, paper tissue, adhesive masking tape and yarns. A skeletal framework of wire, constituted by two lower parts forming the body and leg portions, and one upper part forming the body, neck, head and tail portions, are bound together and padded by successive coils of paper tissue, adhesive masking tape and closely wound coils of textile yarns. The animal body is then finished by affixing a plurality of pompons to the ends of the body, tail, head and legs, with additional complements of ribbon, simulated eyes and nose, to the head and neck of the toy animal.

Abstract: The heat treatment of a continuous band or sheet of metal as the same travels through a plurality of stages in a protective atmosphere, between conveying rollers, by applying direct-current electricity to the rollers for inclusion of the travelling sheet in the circuit therebetween. The charged rollers in the initial stage are spaced more widely from one another than those in the later stage, to compensate for the lower resistivity of the metal in the former, so that the Joule effect of I.sup.2 R factor in the stages are substantially equalized. The protective atmosphere of oxidizing, reducing or inert gases which encompasses the sheet, is confined in chambers of galvanized iron sheeting and the like, the walls of which are in close proximity to the travelling sheet, so that lesser amounts of reacting gases are necessary.

Abstract: A lifesaving device including a water floatable member to which is attached a lifeline, the floatable member or body being sized as to be conveniently held in one hand by the user and thrown with relatively complete accuracy to a person in need in the water, the water floatable member being characterized further by having sufficient weight to permit it readily to be thrown a considerable distance.