Abstract: A large kitchen or barbecue fork and protector for preventing injuries from sharp tines of the fork and preventing food contamination from bacteria and dirt on the tines. The guard is movable on a shank of the fork from a covering relationship with the sharp pointed tines to an uncovering relationship with the sharp pointed tines. The guard is comprised of a hub portion which closely fits the shank and a cover portion which encloses the tines in the covering portion. In a first embodiment, the guard is retained on the shank at the covering and uncovered positions by a permanent magnet mounted in the guard. In a second embodiment, the guard is retained on the shank at the covering and uncovered positions by the friction of the guard on the shank.

Abstract: An eye wash station for administering an eye wash fluid to an eye which has been exposed to a noxious gas, or solid or liquid which can irritate or injure said eye. In a first aspect of the invention, a flexible bag, filled with an eye wash fluid is suspended from a hook or a stand. The flexible bag is operatively connected with a flexible tube to an applicator which is fed by gravity from the bag. The applicator includes a retractor for opening and holding open the eyelids of the eye which is being treated and a valve for controlling the amount of eye wash fluid which is applied to the eye. In second and third aspects of the invention, the applicator is connected with a pressurized water supply. One benefit if the invention is that it is disposable. Another benefit of the first and second aspects is that they are portable.

Abstract: A portable stand alone treatment station for eyes which have been exposed to corrosive liquids, noxious gases and foreign objects. An eye washing fluid reservoir and one or more applicators are mounted on a two-wheel cart. The eye washing fluid in the reservoir is stored under pressure to discharge the eye washing fluid from the applicator when a resiliently biased valve is opened. The tank is pressurized by a hand pump mounted in the tank or through a valve in a wall of the tank. The portability of the station allows it to be relocated on an as needed basis or to be transported to an injured person and carried in a vehicle.

Abstract: A sonic fruit and vegetable washer for removing inorganic impurities and pathogens from a variety of raw fruit and vegetables. The sonic fruit and vegetable washer is comprised of a housing, a removable basket, a liquid dispenser, a filter, a sonic generator, a spray head, hydraulic values, electrical controls, a blower, and a heating element. The washer is connected to an existing faucet, and drains into a conventional kitchen sink. During a typical operation, the controls are adjusted for a particular fruit or vegetable, a fruit or vegetable is loaded into the basket, and a small amount of a preservative, cleaning agent, sweetener or vitamin or mineral is added and electrical power is applied. Water enters the washer, is filtered, and one or more wash and rinse cycles are completed. The sonic generator is active during the wash and rinse cycles to remove and flush contaminants from the washer. Thereafter, a drying cycle is completed.

Abstract: An aerosol apparatus for applying health or beauty products to selected portions of a person's body. The apparatus is suitable for general use but provides major benefits to physically disadvantaged persons, such as elderly, arthritic, amputee, paralytic and bedridden persons who are unable to care for their hygienic, health and grooming needs. The apparatus is suitable for use in residences, hospitals, nursing homes, at the beach and while traveling. The apparatus is comprised of a replaceable aerosol cartridge, a slender elongated tubular member having an inlet portion operatively connected to the cartridge, and an applicator attached to an outlet portion of the tubular member. The applicator can be rotatable about three mutually perpendicular axes for applying health and beauty products to difficult to reach body areas. The elongated tube may be extensible to provide further utility.

Abstract: An ocular inspection and treatment apparatus includes an adjustable outer housing including a peripheral edge for contacting the bony orbit surrounding the eye and an inner housing including a peripheral edge, the inner housing being concentrically disposed within the outer housing, for contacting and retracting the eyelids to expose the eye for inspection and treatment. One end of the inner housing is adapted to receive a dispenser for administering a metered spray of medicine or a lavage to the eye as it is held open by the ocular treatment apparatus. A method of using the ocular apparatus for inspecting the eye or administering the medicine or lavage to the eye include adjusting the inner and outer housings, positioning the apparatus on the eye to have the inner housing contact the eyelids peri-ocularly to retract the eyelids and to have the outer housing contact the bony orbit peri-orbitally.

Abstract: A fishing line winding apparatus for removing and installing fishing lines on a variety of fishing reels. In a first aspect of the invention, an electric motor drives a belt apparatus to transfer a fishing line between a fishing reel and a storage spool. The motor is positioned in a linear arrangement between the fishing reel and the storage spool. Fishing lines are installed and removed by reversing the direction of rotation of the motor. The belt apparatus includes resiliently mounted pair of idler pulleys which remove belt slack and increase belt wrap. An electronic control system is used to reverse and vary the speed of the motor. In a second aspect of the invention, the belt apparatus is driven by a manual crank. Both aspects of the invention are portable and enclosed in a case.

Abstract: An ergonomic pillow for individuals who sleep on their sides. A characterizing feature of the invention is a recess along a lower front portion of the pillow which provides a protective space for a side, sleeper's arms. The pillow is divided into an upper portion and a lower portion which is set back from the upper portion to form the recess. Between the upper and lower portions is a flat planar member which distributes the loads of the side sleeper over the area of the lower pillow portion. In a first aspect of the invention, the protective recess extends across the front portion of the pillow. In further aspects, protective recesses are provided for the shoulders and arms of the side sleeper. A rear portion of the pillow is lowered for sleeping without a recess.

Abstract: A method for applying health or beauty products to selected difficult and hard to reach portions of a person's body. The method is suitable for general use but provides on major benefits to physically disadvantaged persons, such as elderly, arthritic, amputee, paralytic and bedridden persons who are unable to care for their hygienic, health and grooming needs. The method is suitable for use in residences, hospitals, nursing homes, at the beach and while traveling. A suitable apparatus for use with the method is generally comprised of a replaceable aerosol cartridge, a slender elongated tubular member having an inlet portion operatively connected to the cartridge, and an applicator attached to an outlet portion of the tubular member. The applicator can be rotatable about three mutually perpendicular axes for applying health and beauty products to difficult to reach body areas. The elongated tube may be extensible to provide further utility.

Abstract: A head rest and alarm for dozing in a sitting position at a table or desktop. In a first aspect of the invention, the head rest and alarm are comprised of a base, a standard extending upwardly from the base and a head support attached to an upper portion of the base and an audible alarm. In the operable position, the head rest is placed on the surface of a table and a user in a sitting position rests his head in a downward facing or side facing position on the head support. The audible alarm has a timer which is selectively adjustable to set a wake-up time of the alarm. In an alternate embodiment, the head rest and alarm further comprises the options of a tape or disk player, a clock radio and earphone jack.

Abstract: A household liquid dispensing system for dispensing a household liquid, such as soap, shampoo, dish washing detergent and bath oil through an outlet of a household water system. The liquid dispensing system comprises a household water system having an outlet, a storage unit for storing at least one liquid operatively connected to the household water system, and a control for connecting and disconnecting the storage unit to the household water system. In a first aspect of the invention the liquid is introduced into the household water system by a venturi. In a second aspect of the invention, the storage unit is positioned above an outlet of the household water system and is introduced by gravity. The control is normally biased to an “off” position. This invention can be utilized for showers, bathtubs, laundry tubs and sinks.

Abstract: A cover and noseform is disclosed for protecting, dilating and maintaining dilution of the nose as well as aligning the nasal passages with the nares of the nose to increase the efficiency of breathing and prevent problems such as snoring. The noseform is applied to cover at least a portion of the nose and causes the end of apex of the nose to be lifted in a direction aligned with the nose and toward the forehead of the person to align the nares and nasal passages of the nose. The noseform includes a first portion adhered to the nose, a second portion adhered to the nose distal from the first portion and a means for moving the second portion toward the first portion to lift the end of the nose toward the glabella or forehead region as well as covering the nose of the wearer. The noseform also includes a rest to prevent a pair of glasses from slipping down the nose and constricting the nasal passages.