Abstract: A refrigerated open display case has receptacles or holders for directly receiving wet-pack shipping containers, so that flowers do not need to be repacked into vases. A laminar flow of chilled air over the flowers establishes a laminar flow boundary layer with the warmer ambient air. An array of perforations serve as chilled air supply openings on the vertical riser walls, and chilled air is discharged in a laminar flow. A return air intake grille extends across the cabinet below the front of the lowermost shelf, in an undercut transverse recess. The front part of each shelf member has a chamfer or downward slope. The receptacles for the wet-pack containers can include cutouts that extend onto the chamfered front parts of the shelves. The forward wall of the container is exposed above the chamfer, which facilitates insertion and removal. Inside the cabinet, the coldest air leaving the evaporator coil passes in contact with the underside of the shelf members and with the containers.

Abstract: Drive circuit for a blower motor employs a microprocessor control element, a controlled rectifier to provide DC power at a controlled rail voltage, and an inverter employing a pair of switching transistors arranged as a bridge inverter or half-bridge inverter. The drive circuit operates over a range of blower speeds and varies both the frequency and amplitude of bipolar pulses that are applied to the blower motor armature.

Abstract: A filter and frame arrangement, e.g., a HEPA type filter/blower unit, has an arrangement for sealing the filter in place to prevent contaminants from leaking around the filter. A secondary seal, e.g., in the form of a gasket, both holds the filter in place in the unit and also seals the space between the primary seal (e.g., gel seal) and the clean space. An extruded gasket seats into a peripheral recess in the frame. This can be removed when the filter needs to be changed out so the filter can be taken out from below and replaced. Then a replacement seal is installed after the new HEPA filter is in position. The gasket seal is as close as possible to the bottom of the frame, i.e., as close to the clean space, so that possible contaminants are prevented from falling into the space below. Instead of an elastomeric gasket, a spring metal gasket can be used, with caulking.

Abstract: Wave curb for the cow stand of a diagonal or herringone milking parlor is formed of an elongated sheet metal strip. The side edges are each bent over about 180 degrees to form unitary beads on the side edges. The strip is bent in alternate curves in the longitudinal direction so as to form a succession of alternate arcuate bights, preferably with a wavelength of about 36 to 42 inches. Preferably, the strip is stainless steel or galvanized steel, and has a finished length of about 36 to 144 inches. The sheet metal workpiece is inserted into a wave curb bending apparatus which simultaneously forms a first pair of opposite arcuate bights. Then the workpiece is moved longitudinally in the wave curb bending apparatus; and a second pair of opposite arcuate bights is formed in the sheet metal workpiece.

Abstract: A bow spreader bar employed in a plastic film processing arrangement incorporates an extruded member and a low-friction plastic wear cover. The bow spreader bar is positioned in advance of the film take-up roll and presses into the film web to eliminate folds, wrinkles, or creases. The extrusion can be of aluminum or another light-weight material having a T-shaped profile that is rounded on a side that faces the film so that the extrusion has an arcuate front surface. The associated wear cover is made of a wear resistant plastic material and is disposed on the arcuate surface of said extrusion. Preferably, the extrusion is formed with one or more tubular portions and can be fitted for fluid cooling. The arcuate surface of the extrusion can be provided with a low-friction surface treatment.

Abstract: An electroplaning technique achieves superior flatness of the face of a wafer. A chuck holds the wafer so the face of the wafer is oriented downwards and lowers it to an electroplaner stage. The electroplaner includes an elongated, horizontally extending cup, an elongated horizontally extending nozzle within it. Electrolyte flows non-turbulently from an upper side of the nozzle to create a meniscus of electrolyte that contacts the wafer. The electroplaner moves transversely while the chuck is held steady so that said meniscus sweeps across the face of said wafer. A rinser of similar construction likewise has a meniscus or rinse that sweeps across the wafer. The nozzle can have a row of openings along its upper side, or may be formed at least in part of a microporous material. The wafer is electrically configured as cathode.

Abstract: A foldable walking-assistant device with which the handle's height can be properly adjusted according to the user's height. The device itself can be used as a chair. Moreover, the device can be folded and unfolded easily by the one-touch manner. A left and right leg body each consist essentially of the horizontal leg whose longitudinal length can be adjustable, the handle pipe which is vertically placed on the horizontal leg and is adjustable as to the height of the device, and the rear pipe which is provided at the handle pipe. The leg body possesses the folding mechanism combined with the associated action of the cross bar. The hand brake is installed at the handle pipe.

Abstract: An interactive eyewear selection system comprising: a video camera and digitizing system for acquiring a digital image of a person's face, including the temple areas of the face; an eyeglass frames database for storing digital eyeglass frame images; an automated interface for selecting an eyeglass frame image from the frames database, the image containing frame temple portions; a digital processing system for automatically superimposing the selected frame image on the image of the person's face, in a composite image, such that the frame appears to be worn naturally on the person's face and the frame temple portions are shown at the temple areas of the face; and a display device for displaying the digital image of the person's face and for displaying the composite image.

Abstract: A building structure comprising a paper strip formed into a cylindrical shape by spirally winding the same and securing adjacent opposed portions thereof by means of adhesives. The building structure has a peeling strength of not less than 13.0 kg/cm.sup.2 and a compression strength of not less than 250 kg/cm.sup.2, which can be used for manufacturing interior and exterior walls of buildings in simple steps, rapidly and at a reduced manufacturing cost.

Abstract: An extendible mooring hook has a pair of jaw members spring biased to an open position with a shuttle removably retained on one jaw member. A detent mechanism engages the shuttle member when the jaw members close around a mooring post and pulls the shuttle, and attached mooring line, around the mooring post when the jaw members return to their open position. The pole portion can be extended, and a incorporates a traveler mechanism to compensate for changes in cable length so that cable tension is maintained when the pole is extended.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for producing a resultant output signal from at least two output signals generated by an encoder. The apparatus and methods include: (a) generating a first output signal from the encoder; (b) generating a second output signal from the encoder; (c) applying the first output signal to the second output signal to produce the resultant output signal, wherein the resultant output signal includes a resultant number of waveform cycles per mechanical cycle of the encoder, and wherein the resultant number of waveform cycles is determined by the waveform cycles of the first and second output signals. Another apparatus and method involves varying the output of at least one emitter in response to an output signal of the encoder, to generate a particular resultant or application signal. A further apparatus and method involves varying the output characteristic of at least one photo-detector in response to an output signal of the encoder, to generate a particular resultant or application signal.

Abstract: A hand-held dental articulator, comprising a first frame, a second frame, and a support structure coupled to the first and second frames. The first frame is configured to accept for fixation thereto a first dental model. The second frame is configured to accept for fixation thereto a second dental model. The support structure is configured to support the first frame in opposing and overlapping relationship with the second frame. The support structure includes a manual surface that substantially conforms to the curvature of an operator's palm, such that the articulator is easily and comfortably held in the operator's hand during use.

Abstract: A topical mycological treatment composition for medical, veterinarian, or dental use contains as active ingredients clotrimazole, ketoconazole, micanazole, nystatin, tolnaftate, propionic acid, sodium propionate, undecelynic acid, and zinc undecelynate. These ingredients are contained in a natural cream base, and the base may also contain an anti-inflammatory agent and an antibacterial agent.

Abstract: A system for protecting a lift sling from contamination, wherein the sling is of the type having a bifurcated seat portion defined by a pair of sling extremities which converge at a junction area. The system comprises a pair of sleeves, configured and dimensioned to fit and be removably mounted on the pair of sling extremities, respectively. The pair of sleeves each have an extension portion. The extension portions are configured and dimensioned to extend to, and interface with each other at, the junction area of the sling. Each of the sleeves are made of at least one layer of material which substantially repels bodily fluids. Finally, a mechanism is provided for securing the pair of sleeves to the pair of sling extremities.

Abstract: A television scrambling system in which a television signal is scrambled by means of placing a scrambling (or jamming) signal into the luminance signal spectrum on the transmit side. On the receive side, the jamming signal is removed by a Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) notch filter. On the transmit side, pre-correction of the television signal is performed to compensate for amplitude and phase distortions introduced by the SAW notch filter.

Abstract: An compound archery bow has a riser with upper and lower limbs, a bowstring connecting outboard ends of the limbs, and synchronizing pulleys for ensuring equal flexing of the limbs. The upper and lower limbs each have an inner spring limb or power limb affixed to the riser; and an outer rigid limb or recurve limb. A hinge member pivotally joins the outboard end of the spring limb in line with the inboard end of the rigid recurve limb. A pair of cam plates are affixed to the recurve limb at its inboard end, and there are left and right cam members on the riser and coupled to rotate with the synchronizing pulley. Left and right cam cables extend over the left and right cam members, respectively, and then over the associated left and right cam plates. The cam cables cooperate with the cam members and cam plates to establish the draw characteristics of the bow. The recurve limb can have a recurve of e.g.

Abstract: A timepiece for measuring the lifetime of a personal life time event (e.g., marriage, birth, the start of a career) from the moment of occurrence of the personal life time event. The timepiece comprises a housing and a timer contained in the housing. The timer is configured for measuring the elapsed time of the personal life time event from the moment of occurrence. The timepiece includes a starting mechanism for causing the timer to start measuring the elapsed time from the moment of occurrence. The timepiece includes a display for displaying the elapsed time. The timepiece may be implemented digitally, and include a processor programmed to measure the elapsed time. Memory would also be provided for storing data associated with the personal life time event, including the time of occurrence of the event. A keypad would also be provided for entering and changing the stored data. The memory may include a non-volatile memory component in which is stored the time of occurrence of the personal life time event.