Abstract: A device for disinfecting and protecting a part of a telephone handset including a substrate of general shape corresponding to the telephone part, a layer of adhesive on one side of the substrate to receive a disinfectant carrying pad and to enable the substrate to be attached to the telephone part, and a pad for carrying a disinfectant affixed to the substrate by the adhesive layer or other means to contact the telephone part when the substrate is attached to the telephone part.

Abstract: Apparatus for supporting a telephone handset on the user's shoulder while leaving the hands free for other tasks in which a new and improved adjustment mechanism is provided. The handset support includes a shoulder rest; a support member attached to the shoulder rest, said support member having a first multiplicity of raised teeth arranged in a circular pattern about a central opening; a cradle member for supporting the telephone handset, said cradle member having a second multiplicity of raised teeth arranged in a circular pattern about a central protuberance having an axial opening therein, whereby said second multiplicity of teeth may complementarily engage with said first multiplicity of teeth and said central protuberance may complementarily engage with the central opening; and attachment means for passing through said central opening and engaging the axial opening in said the central protuberance.

Abstract: An anaerobic, pasteurizing conditioning system for treating matter such as whole and ground grain and minerals to increase the rate of conversion during digestion and thus the nutritional value thereof. The system comprises a direct fired steam generator adapted for producing treatment fluid comprising steam and non-condensible gases, the gases containing insufficient oxygen for substantial aerobic bacterial growth. The steam and oxygen deficient non-condensible gases are discharged into the vessel for counter-current flow relative to matter passing therethrough. The operation of the direct fired steam generator is controlled for producing a sufficiently large volume of oxygen deficient gases and steam for purging the matter of other gases flowing therewith and maintaining the deficient oxygen level in the non-condensible gases for creating an anaerobic condition.

Abstract: An improved liquid flow distributor for a process column of the type wherein the distributor is positioned above a packing section for the distribution of liquid downwardly therethrough. The improvement comprises a plurality of troughs formed with a downwardly tapering body section having holes formed therein for spewing liquid outwardly therefrom. Baffles are disposed outwardly of the lower tapering body sections of the troughs for receiving the spew of liquid therefrom and evenly distributing the liquid flow downwardly. A plurality of flow equalization pipes interconnect the troughs one with the other and are coupled to the troughs through a lower sidewall region thereof. In this manner, flow equalization between troughs is provided and the flow equalization pipes are presented in a configuration allowing debris to be removed therefrom. In one embodiment a series of screens are secured to the bottom regions of the baffles for further facilitating uniformity in flow distribution emanating from the troughs.

Abstract: A pet toy comprising a stuffed play object disposed at the end of a tether secured to a flexible telescoping wand. The telescoping wand is constructed with a plurality of segments, the smallest segment having an aperture formed in the distal end for connecting to the tether and the larger segment having a centrally disposed threaded bore for securement of a suction cup. The wand may be secured to any vertical surface such as a door, wall or refrigerator with the suction cup whereby the flexible telescoping wand extends outwardly therefrom with the stuffed pet toy dangling therebeneath. A bell may also be attached to the wand or tether to further facilitate pet interaction.

Abstract: A unidirectional drive tool cartridge for use as a torque transmitting device which includes a housing within which is mounted a unidirectional continuous clutch and drive shaft assembly. The drive shaft is carried within a bearing member located within a clutch. The bearing member has a central opening configured to receive a shoulder portion of the drive shaft so that the drive shaft may be slidably moved along an axis of its rotation within the bearing element and may be rotatably drive by the bearing element around the axis of rotation. Front and back faces of the housing are provided to constrain the longitudinal movement of the drive shaft therein. By virtue of the operation of the unidirectional clutch, the drive shaft may be driven in one direction on rotation of the head and is not driven in an opposite rotation of the head. The drive shaft is selectively movable within the housing to extend from either rotational direction, depending upon the direction of extension of the drive shaft therefrom.

Abstract: Method of and apparatus for temperature conditioning of matter of the type wherein matter to be conditioned is exposed to a vapor within a vessel for select heating and/or moisture absorption or desiccation. The system includes selectively providing a mixture of condensible and noncondensible gases while controlling the enthalpy, partial pressure and dew point thereof. The gas mixture is delivered to a vessel and interacted with matter disposed therein. The temperature of the matter is brought to the approximate dew point of the condensible and noncondensible gas mixture. In this manner, both the ultimate temperature and moisture content of the matter to be conditioned may be controlled by selectively controlling the aforesaid parameters of enthalpy, partial pressure and dew point. Control of the aforesaid parameters may likewise be affected by controlling the vessel pressure and the rate at which energy is supplied to the condensible and noncondensible gas mixture.

Abstract: Method of and apparatus for generating energy from a rolling or swiveling float tank utilizing the buoyant force of water contained therein. The float tank is mounted upon a central pivot to continuously swivel therearound. A series of flotation devices are mounted within the tank and forced upwardly by the buoyancy of the fluid volume shifting therein. The series of flotation devices are coupled to hydraulic cylinders or the like for transducing the energy resulting from the rolling flotation tank into a usable form. Swiveling of the tank is effected through a flow ballast fluid around the tank, the ballast transfer being affected by a central ballast discharge tank. The ballast fluid can be pumped from the tank or supplied externally to provide an efficient transducer system.

Abstract: A portable deck system comprising a fixed deck surface adapted for structural support through side panel secured thereto and expandable for adaptation to a plurality of sizes. The fixed deck portion is constructed of a wooden frame and deck members adapted for securement to a plurality of other platform sections for expansion in orthogonal directions to form a deck of unlimited size and shape. The side rail frames are constructed for securement to said platform along the edges thereof in structural truss interengagement therewith for providing requisite rigidity for a multiplicity of uses. The side rail sections and steps are constructed for coupling to said platform along interchangeable end portions thereof to facilitate adaptation of the deck to motor homes and the like facilitating selection of direction of entry or assembly.

Abstract: A conditioning system for particulate matter comprising a vertical conditioning vessel adapted for the counter-current flow of particulate matter and treatment fluid therethrough. The particulate matter such as grain, is fed into an upper region of the vertical vessel while treatment fluid such as steam and non-condensible gases is fed into a lower region of the vessel. A plurality of paddles adapted for rotation through the counter-current flow of particulate matter and treatment fluid are provided among a plurality of stators. The rotation of the paddles about the stators creates a plurality of notional mixture planes facilitating homogenous interaction between the treatment fluid and the particulate matter thereby providing control of temperature and/or moisture levels therein. In this manner, heat may be added to particulate matter such as grain to alter the molecular structure thereof and/or increase lubricity for subsequent operations such as pelletizing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a container for an offshore fishing lure which contains an elongated cylinder sized in proportion to contain the lure within it. The cylinder is provided with a first end piece sized and proportioned to frictionally and removably to fit on one end of the cylinder to selectively substantially close that end. The first end piece is apertured as by slot, for admitting passage of a leader on an offshore fishing lure, the first end piece has a projection extending from a side. A second end piece is fitted on the other end of the cylinder, and it too has a projection extending from the side. The leader of the offshore fishing lure can be wrapped around the two projections for storage purposes. The container preferably apertured at the ends and sides for ventilation and drainage purposes and furthermore is preferably transparent so that its contents may be viewed.

Abstract: A writing template comprising a planar surface and slotted lettering guide movably mounted thereon. The lettering guide is mounted upon the planar surface for rectilinear movement along a plurality of parallel steps. The planar surface includes a clip disposed on the upper end thereof for securing paper beneath the slotted template. An indexing mechanism is also provided whereby the slotted template may be momentarily lowered for facilitating the creation of a lowercase letter such as g, j, p, q and y. In this manner penmanship may be improved and writing skills enhanced by an inexpensive writing guide which assists in the creation of both uppercase and lowercase letters.

Abstract: Gas is vented through a very small orifice or pore with substantially stable pressures before and after the orifice. The orifice is designed so that the expansion through it is similar to a Joule-Thompson expansion of the gas. With ideal gas, this occurs isothermally. The flow through this orifice is determined for a selected pressure drop across it and the square of this flow is inversely proportional to the relative density. With real gases there is a slight error introduced due to a supercompressibility of the gas, but this is offset by an error in the opposite direction believed to be due to the Joule-Thompson cooling of the gas as it passes through the orifice. Substantially exact error cancellation is obtained within a preferred operating range of the pressure drop across the orifice for a given orifice diameter.

Abstract: A linear movement tuning key for the peg head of a stringed musical instrument. A key includes a generally cylindrical body portion having a radially extending flange at the upper end, upon which is mounted a guide roller having its axis generally coplanar with the body of an instrument string. The roller is adapted for receiving the string thereacross and rotating therewith for direct orthogonal transfer of string tensioning forces. A tuning piston is mounted within a central axial opening in the cylindrical body portion of the key with the lower inner portion of the axial opening being threaded to receive a screw actuation ram. The lower, outer portion of the key body is also threaded to receive a cylindrical mounting sleeve, the upper edge of bears against the under surface of the peg head to rigidly secure the key body portion within the peg head.

Abstract: An anaerobic, pasteurizing conditioning system for treating matter such as whole and ground grain and minerals to increase the rate of conversion during digestion and thus the nutritional value thereof. The system comprises a direct fired steam generator adapted for producing treatment fluid comprising steam and non-condensible gases the gases containing insufficient oxygen for substantial aerobic bacterial growth. The steam and oxygen deficient non-condensible gases are discharged into the vessel for counter-current flow relative to matter passing therethrough. The operation of the direct fired steam generator is controlled for producing a sufficiently large volume of oxygen deficient gases and steam for purging the matter of other gases flowing therewith and maintaining the deficient oxygen level in the non-condensible gases for creating an anaerobic condition.

Abstract: A mud saver valve comprising a tubular body connectable between a kelly and a drill string. A piston is mounted therein and includes a bore substantially coaxially aligned with the central opening. A plug is removably mounted in the piston and is movable between a first position wherein a spear sealingly engages the valve seat and a second position that allows fluid to flow upward between the spear and the valve seat. The piston is constructed with an elongate intermediate body section having a plurality of O-rings secured therein and disposed beneath angled ports for enhancing lateral stability of the piston within the body. The valve seat is furthermore secured within the body by a spanner ring with the valve seat being formed with a curved mating surface adapted for flushly engaging a curved valve seat surface of a valve seat disposed upon the piston. Both the upper and lower valve seats are removable for field repair while axially actuatable with lateral stability.