Abstract: A hauling tarpaulin for landscaping and similar uses is composed of a flexible first sheet of fiber-reinforced plastics material and a flexible second sheet of plastics material. The first and second sheets are connected to each other with the top face of the second sheet in facing contact with the bottom face of the first sheet. The second sheet has smooth bottom face, a thickness greater than the thickness of the first sheet, and a flexibility allowing both sheets to be rolled or folded for storage. The sheets are secured to each other by rows of stitching, and the stitching is protected from abrasion by protective strips. The stitching passes through intermediate strips to which the protective strips are secured by an adhesive layer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for long life water cells are disclosed. The cells include two electrodes—an anode and a cathode separated by an absorbent material for connectivity such as cloth, sponge and/or absorbent coatings. The anode and cathode are cylindrically shaped and may be nested or stacked inside one another with the absorbent material positioned between them. A protective sealant coating made of epoxy, paint or glue deposited on the exterior surface of one or both of the electrodes is used to protect the electrodes and minimize oxidation to preserve and lengthen the life of the cell. Multiple cells may be connected in series to increase voltage and amperage.

Abstract: A sliding tarp for hauling landscaping materials and debris is composed of a flexible, foldable rectangular sheet having attached to its underside a widthwise row of three elongated, relatively rigid convex glides disposed rearward of a location midway between the front and rear edges of the sheet, and arranged so that the tarp can be folded along longitudinal fold lines extending between adjacent glides.

Abstract: A portable ramp assembly has many uses, but is especially designed to fit within the flat bed of a pick-up truck which, for example, has an eight foot long flat bed. The assembly comprises a housing which is sufficiently wide to accommodate two separate ramps in side-by-side separated relation. The housing is provided with special blocks for engaging the trailing ends of the ramps and lifting them to be closely aligned with the top, exposed surface of the housing, so as to at least reduce any abrupt offsets between the tops of the housing and adjacent trailing ends of the ramps. Special plastic guides are provided between the ramps and housing to facilitate movement of the ramps and keep them in proper lateral alignment as they move into and out of the housing.

Abstract: A device for use with conventional blood receptacle assemblies provides increased safety and stability for blood collecting operations. The blood drawing device includes a holding element for securing a blood collecting assembly and a clamping mechanism for clamping a blood sampling tube. A sliding mechanism is provided for sliding the blood sampling tube into engagement with the blood collecting assembly. In an alternative embodiment, the blood drawing device may be configured to include a carriage assembly moveably attached to a base and holding a plurality of blood tubes for blood collection. A servo motor moves the carriage assembly relative to the base. A mechanism reciprocates the blood tube between a first and second position such that movement of the tube causes the tube to engage a needle inside the blood collecting assembly.

Abstract: A frusto-conical drinking cup which is open at the top and a lid which is removably attached thereto by a "snap" connection. The lid comprises a top wall and an annular skirt depending therefrom. This lid is of a flexible plastic having the property of elasticity to a high degree. It is formed with a slit in close proximity to its periphery and cut on the bias to provide a drinking opening when the lid material is depressed. It is also formed with a straight slit at a site diametrically opposite to the drinking opening and spaced inwardly from the periphery a greater distance than the drinking valve opening. This lid provides a relief valve when the lid is depressed. The lid is fairly thin and is formed with a generally circular reinforcing rib spaced from its periphery and another reinforcing rib between the slit and arranged diametrically of the lid.

Abstract: A decanter for hot or cold liquids, comprising a cylindrical receptacle having an open top and a cover detachably mounted on the receptacle at its open top. The cover consists of an upper annulus and a skirt of larger diameter than the annulus and connected thereto by a shoulder. Portions of the skirt and the annulus are spaced apart to provide a groove which receives the upper edge portion of the receptacle with a sealing fit. A top wall is integral with the annulus and is tilted with respect to a plane normal to the axis of the receptacle. This top wall is formed with a drinking opening adjacent its periphery and a relief vent diametrically opposed to the drinking opening and also adjacent to the periphery of the top wall. Depending from the inner face of the top wall and between the drinking opening and vent are a pair of spaced posts.