Abstract: An ultrasonic nebulizer for use in an inhaler, humidifier or mist maker, including a container holding a transmission medium, an ultrasonic vibrator having a sound wave generating area controlled by an electronic drive circuit to produce sound waves, and a tubular wave guide connected between the container and the ultrasonic vibrator to concentrate sound waves from the ultrasonic vibrator onto the transmission medium in the container, wherein the tubular wave guide has an inner diameter about the diameter of the sound wave generating area of the ultrasonic vibrator .+-.30%.

Abstract: A combined trigger and concealing device for an automatic sprinkler head comprises a first plate attached to a second plate by a heat fusible material in a partially overlapping manner. Each plate is formed with an aperture which receives an actuator depending from the bottom of the sprinkler head. The trigger device depends a preselected distance from the bottom of the sprinkler head body and has an outer dimension which causes the trigger device to conceal the internal components of the sprinkler head from view. An annulus defined between the periphery of the device and the bottom of the sprinkler head permits heat energy to be received by the inner surface of the trigger device. Conduction of heat energy from both the inner and outer surface of the trigger device permits the heat fusible material to be expeditiously raised to the preselected separation temperature. This uniform thermal conduction minimizes the response time of the automatic sprinkler head while maintaining a highly aesthetic appearance.

Abstract: Two associated air treatment compositions are formulated such that when used together they produce a constant emanating composition throughout the life of an air treatment dispenser of the wick type (dispenser). Composition I comprises components (at least two active agents) in their respective intended concentrations and is used to impregnate the evaporation surface and/or wick of the dispenser. Composition II comprises the same components (at least the same two active agents) as the first composition. However, the concentrations of the components in Composition II with respect to Composition I are adjusted such that a constant emanating composition is maintained. The relationship between Composition I and II can be described by equation ##EQU1## where ##EQU2## is composition II and ##EQU3## is composition I. Coefficients c.sub.i can be calculated based on quantitative analysis of composition I and II by means known in the art.

Abstract: A heated handgun and hose assembly adapted to dispense heated liquids, such as hot melt adhesives, coatings, sealants, caulks and various other materials. The handgun and hose assembly includes a gripping portion and an actuating lever extending generally in line with the hose. The actuating lever operates a valve integrated with the nozzle to selectively allow or prevent the flow of liquid through the nozzle. A connection between the actuating lever and the nozzle limits the stroke of the valve and the travel of the actuating lever. A hose heater and multi-layer insulating materials wrap around the body of the valve as well as along the entire length of the hose. A membrane switch is incorporated into the actuating lever for applications utilizing an electrically-operated pump. The valve includes a suck-back feature to improve liquid cut-off and to prevent drooling of liquid from the nozzle outlet.

Abstract: The metering valve is fitted in a hollow body of the injector and is contled by the armature of an electromagnet. The travel of the armature towards the electromagnet is arrested by a stop element fittable to the hollow body by a threaded element, which is screwed to a thread of the hollow body with a calibrated tightening torque to adjust the travel of the armature towards the electromagnet according to of the tightening torque. The method of adjustment includes the steps of fitting the stop element in the hollow body by a threaded element, and applying a calibrated tightening torque to the threaded element.

Abstract: An integrated tubing assembly for carrying fluids through a beverage dispenser system and for uniformly cooling fluids carried therein includes a compound tube with two opposing ends. The compound tube is linked with a first and a second inlet from the beverage dispenser system for receiving fluids therefrom and linked with a first and a second outlet from the beverage dispenser system for delivering fluids thereto. Accordingly, the compound tube includes a core tube in communication with the first inlet at one end and with the first outlet at the opposing end for carrying fluids therethrough. The compound tube further includes an outer tube in communication with the second inlet at one end and in communication with the second outlet at the opposing end for carrying fluids therethrough. As such, the outer tube is annularly disposed about the core tube.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for controlled droplet atomization and controlled projection of atomization droplets. More particularly, the present invention is a spray apparatus that produces uniform sized atomized droplets controllable from fog size to larger for spraying fungicides, bactericides, pesticides, insecticides, plant nutrients and other materials applied to crop, ground, and foliage for agricultural and horticultural benefaction. The apparatus generates laminar airflow in a vortex or cyclone pattern functioning to project and distribute spray droplets evenly and more completely on the sprayed surfaces. The resulting vortex or cyclone spray and airflow serves to lift, turn, and flutter plant leaves, exposing all sides to be coated with spray droplets.

Abstract: An applying means in a discharge means includes a set of electrodes, and the electrodes face the ground level, are aligned along one continuous plane, are separated from each other at specified intervals in the horizontal direction, and are set to the same electrical potential. When the direct current high voltage is supplied from a power supply means, electric force lines are directed upward in the air above the applying means, producing charged particles based on corona discharge from the applying means. The charged particles absorb water in the air, condensing and binding into water, and dispersing the fog.

Abstract: A decorative and educational waterfall device has a substantially continuous film of a liquid, such as water, low viscosity oil or an aqueous solution, extending between two vertically upstanding guides. The waterfall comprises a base reservoir in which is mounted an electrical pump. A tower containing a liquid flow passage is mounted to the base and a trough having two side walls and a bottom wall which terminates in a lip portion at the front edge of the trough is mounted to the tower so that liquid from the tower flows over the bottom wall and lip portion of the trough to form the waterfall between the two upstanding guides. The bottom wall of the trough is configured to cause the flow of water to be directed outwardly toward the guides to improve the adherence of the liquid film to the guides.

Abstract: A top dresser (10) includes a spinner assembly (40) removably connected by clips (44) to a cross beam (20) of the frame (12) mounting a hopper (30). The first and second sides (36) of the hopper (30) slope downwardly and inwardly to a conveyor (140) formed by sheeting (70) in the form of an endless belt having a relatively smooth outer surface. The valve (84) for the hydraulic motor (164) of the conveyor (140) is in series downstream of the valve (78) for the hydraulic motors (56) for the spinners (54) of the spinner assembly (40). Thus, it is not possible to mistakenly run the conveyor (140) without the spinners (54) operating. Therefore, the top dresser (10) is able to spread extremely minimal amounts of material evenly and without clumping or bunching.

Abstract: A sleeve, a method of manufacturing a rigid, tubular article manufactured from the sleeve and an article made according to the method. The sleeve has elastic crisscrossing first and second filaments which enable the sleeve to be expandable in a radial direction and longitudinally extending filaments of a reinforcing non-elastic material such as carbon, kevlar or fiberglass to reinforce the sleeve. The sleeve is placed over a mandrel having alternating larger and small cross-sections. The sleeve is subjected to heat and pressure causing the individual filaments to fuse together forming a tubular part. Upon having cooled, the article is removed and a rigid tubular article, for example, a rifle scope tube is thereby formed. In an alternative embodiment, a sleeve is provided which in its relaxed state is contracted longitudinally and expanded radially. The sleeve is slipped into a pipe joint, for example, when in its stretched state and is then released.

Abstract: A fuel nozzle including a nozzle stem having an annular overhang and a heat shield secured to the overhang is described. More specifically, and in one embodiment, the nozzle stem includes an upstream end and a downstream end. The annular overhang is intermediate to the upstream end and the downstream end of the stem. The heat shield includes a first end and a second end, and the heat shield is welded to the annular overhang at the heat shield first end. An annular air gap is between the nozzle stem and the heat shield.

Abstract: A decorative and educational waterfall device has a substantially continuous film of a liquid, such as water, low viscosity oil or an aqueous solution, extending between two vertically upstanding guides. The waterfall comprises a base reservoir in which is mounted an electrical pump. A tower containing a liquid flow passage is mounted to the base and a trough having two side walls and a bottom wall which terminates in a lip portion at the front edge of the trough is mounted to the tower so that liquid from the tower flows over the bottom wall and lip portion of the trough to form the waterfall between the two upstanding guides. One or more flow restrictors are mounted transversely across the trough, substantially parallel to the lip portion to decrease the turbulence of the flowing liquid and improve the capability of the liquid to form a continuous film.

Abstract: A slurry nozzle for supplying slurry in chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) including at least one slurry line, a slurry nozzle enclosure for accommodating the slurry line, and a baffle ring mounted at one end of the slurry nozzle enclosure. A plurality of apertures is formed on the sidewall of the slurry line for the slurry to spray out. The slurry spraying out from the slurry line flows down along the inner sidewall of the slurry baffle ring after the slurry impinges onto the slurry baffle ring.

Abstract: A spray control system for applying a coating composition to an object. The control system includes an applicator, flow control valve, flow meter, and an electronic controller connected to the valve and flow meter. The controller regulates the flow of coating composition to maintain it at a user-specified setpoint. The controller includes a learn mode in which it learns the proper valve setting for a particular setpoint and stores a valve control signal that is later used at the start of a spray application to initially set the valve at the proper position. Then, once the flow of material begins, the controller uses either incremental or proportional control, or both, to maintain the flow at the specified setpoint. When learning a setpoint, the controller also stores the current values of a number of user-specified process parameters, such as ambient air temperature and the coating composition source pressure.

Abstract: The spreader comprises an elongated hopper which is mountable across the rear end of a truck box in an underslung fashion. When the end-gate of the box is opened, aggregate can spill into the hopper. The hopper forms a discharge slot along its lower end. A pair of coaxial, end-to-end drums are rotatably mounted in the hopper and extend into the lower portion of the slot. Each drum is separately driven. A ramp extends between the box floor and the front upper quadrants of the drums for feeding aggregate thereto. A pair of separately actuated, pivoting flaps bear against the upper rear quadrants of the drums and function to open or close the upper portion of the slot. The ramp/drum assembly provides even, well distributed discharge of aggregate. The flap/drum assemblies can provide an effective shut-off or lay down narrow or wide strips of aggregate.

Abstract: A fuel injection valve, in particular, a high-pressure injection valve, for injecting fuel directly into a combustion chamber of a compressed-mixture internal combustion engine with externally supplied ignition. The fuel injection valve includes a guide and seating area formed by three disc-shaped elements provided at the downstream end of the valve. A swirl element is embedded between a guide element and a valve seat element. The guide element is used to guide a valve needle which passes through it and can move in the axial direction, while a valve closing segment of the valve needle interacts with a valve seat surface of the valve seat element. The swirl element has an inner opening area with multiple swirl channels which are not joined to the outer circumference of the swirl element. The entire opening area extends completely across the axial thickness of the swirl element.

Abstract: A shower head with water supplied through a flexible hose. The shower head provides for two different modes of spray that can be switched by operating two push buttons. The shower head comprises a delimited supply space, two delivery members, two distinct communication passages between the supply space and the delivery members, and two separate intercept valves, each valve controlling the flow through one of the communication passages. Each valve is connected to an operating push button. A valve lever connects the two valves, so that, as one valve is depressed and therefore closed, the other valve is correspondingly opened.

Abstract: A valve (1), particularly for an aerosol container, includes, inside a valve body (2), an inlet passage (4) communicating with the container and an outlet passage (10), a first elastic return (16) for urging the valve (1) into the closed position, and a regulator for regulating the product outlet flow rate, which includes a second elastic return (14) for supplying a set-point pressure for the regulator. The second elastic return (14) is arranged in a compartment (12) of the valve body (2) isolated from the product, the pressure inside the compartment (12) being equal to atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A gardening applicator for efficiently delivering liquid chemicals to selected vegetation is disclosed. The applicator includes a wind guard chamber through which a stream of emitted liquid chemicals may be directed in a predetermined path along a central axis of the wind guard chamber. The wind guard chamber is preferably tube shaped over a predetermined length and can incorporate a diffuser screen or mesh which extends transversely across the predetermined path at the exit end of the wind guard chamber such that the liquid chemicals are finely dispersed upon passing through the diffuser screen. Actuation of a pressure activated pump head may provide a pressurized stream of liquid chemicals through the wind guard chamber and onto the diffuser screen for dispersion onto selected vegetation. The pressure activated pump head may conveniently be connectable to a liquid chemical reservoir such as a generally commercially available bottle with a standard sized threaded opening.