Abstract: A new and distinct variety of miniature rose plant particularly distinguished by its profuse production of small, Lemon Yellow flowers growing on a small, compact, upright bush having a height of about 17 cm. at six weeks of growth with a main stem length of 10 to 12 cm. from the last flower cut and a vigorous, free branching growth habit with small but abundant foliage.

Abstract: A miniature class rose plant having ease of propagation from softwood cuttings, very uniform, compact growth habit, long lasting bright red blooms, large production of flowers upon forcing making for a very attractive pot plant, and resistance to powdery mildew.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nectarine tree and more particularly to a new and distinct variety broadly characterized by a large size, vigorous, hardy, productive and regular bearing tree. The fruit matures under the ecological conditions described during the first half of July, with first picking on Jul. 1, 1990, and the last picking on Jul. 15, 1990. The fruit is uniformly large in size, very good in flavor, attractive in appearance, freestone in type, very firm in texture, and full red in skin color. The variety originated as a second generation seedling of a cross between Red Diamond (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,165) and Autumn Free (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,976).

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of heath named `Heidi`, a seedling of unknown pollen parent discovered growing in a field of Erica persoluta `Sunset`, the variety believed to be the seed parent, which is principally distinguished by its dwarfish growth habit which makes it suitable for pot plant culture relative to that of its parent, which is of the cut flower variety. The new variety is also distinguished by its red-purple magenta colored blooms, its natural abundant branching, its stiff erect stems, its compact, dense appearance, and its early blooming time of mid January through mid February which makes it available for the Valentine Day market.

Abstract: A variety of Hosta plantaginea having leaves with a white margin.

Abstract: A new variety of Hosta plastaginea characterized by a gold to lime green margin on a darker green leaf and a thicker, more rigid, and more coriaceous leaf structure, giving the plant a more upright habit than the original species.

Abstract: A new Poinsettia plant named Pink Yuletide particularly characterized by its pink bracts, development of full length shoots, relatively light green leaves, tolerance to low light and high temperatures in home environment, medium sized bracts, early flowering, relatively small, non-splitting cyathia which are retained under stress conditions, and relatively short growth habit.

Abstract: A new Poinsettia plant named White Yuletide characterized by its white to light green bracts, excellent branching similar to White Rochford, relatively short and compact habit, tolerance to low light levels and high temperatures, excellent foliage retention, early flowering, cyathia which are non-splitting and very stress tolerant, and by its strong thick stems that provide a mounded display of bracts.

Abstract: An endoscope specially adapted for use with a disposable sheath having an outer casing and one or more internal channels. The endoscope includes a tip portion connected to a control handle through a flexible insertion tube. The insertion tube is formed by a braided wire tube covered by a flexible waterproof coating and surrounding a resilient D-shaped tube through which optical components for the endoscope extend. A longitudinally extending groove is formed in the braided tube to receive and channel(s). The groove extends perpendicular to, and makes contact with, a generally planar portion of the D-shaped tube so that the D-shaped tube can restrict deformation of the groove as the insertion tube bends. Longitudinal channels are formed on opposite sides of the groove to house control cables extending from the control handle to the tip portion. The cables are surrounded by tubes that collectively occupy the entire channel so that the tubes prevent the channel, and hence the groove, from collapsing.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for automatically operating a gas and oil producing well of the plunger lift type, including a comparator for comparing casing and tubing pressures, a device for opening the gas delivery valve when the difference between casing and tubing pressure is less than a selected minimum value, a device for closing the gas discharge valve when casing pressure falls below a selected casing bleed value, an arrival sensor switch for initially closing the fluid discharge valve when the plunger reaches the upper end of the tubing, and a device for reopening the fluid discharge valve at the end of a given downtime period in the event that the level of oil in the tubing produces a pressure difference greater than the given minimum differential value, and the casing pressure is greater than lift pressure. The gas discharge valve is closed if the pressure difference exceeds a selected maximum value, or if the casing pressure falls below a selected casing bleed value.

Abstract: A process for treatment of power plant condensate water particularly from a boiling water nuclear reactor, where the condensate contains colloidal material, especially oxidized iron from the steam and condensate handling system known as "crud". The colloidal iron level of the condensate is lowered by contacting the condensate water with a mixed bed ion exchange resin in which at least the cation exchange resin has a core/shell morphology which has been prepared by a polymerization of monomer within a multiplicity of free radical-containing matrices.

Abstract: A weather-tight air conditioning disconnect switch has both plastic and metal enclosure components for low cost assembly. The exterior components include a metal case and cover whereas the interior non-electrical components are plastic-molded. One such molded plastic dead-front shields the electrical terminals within the enclosure and contains instruction and caution indicia integrally-formed on the exterior surface during the plastic molding forming process. ON - OFF indication of the switch is achieved by the orientation of the switch handle with the switch handle receiver.

Abstract: A positive displacement piston pump includes a cylinder having a working end, an inlet port, an outlet port and a working chamber bounded by the outlet port and the working end; a piston rotatably and reciprocably movable in the cylinder between a retracted position and an extended position, the piston including a free end having a recessed section alternately in fluid communication with the inlet port and the outlet port; a drive motor rotatably and reciprocably driving the piston in the cylinder; a yoke and ball and socket joint pivotally connecting the piston to the drive motor; a base having an upper surface with an elongated slot below the pivot point of the piston and an arcuate slot adjacent the opposite end of the cylinder; and first and second pivot pins secured to a swivel plate which is, in turn, secured to the cylinder through a vertical column, whereby the recessed section is positioned entirely in the working chamber when the piston is at the end of its pressure stroke, regardless of the angle b

Abstract: A method of upgrading the .[.selectively.]. .Iadd.selectivity .Iaddend.of a dry asymmetric permselective membrane comprising a porous barrier layer adjacent to a porous main body, where the barrier layer has an external .[.obverse.]. surface .Iadd.and the main body has an external obverse surface.Iaddend.. The method comprises maintaining the barrier layer surface in a drying atmosphere while applying a wetting liquid which is not a solvent for the bulk of the membrane to the obverse surface to wet interstices of the bulk of the membrane, and drying the membrane by continuing the exposure of the external surface of the barrier layer to the drying atmosphere as the wetting liquid moves from the obverse surface through the membrane main body and the barrier layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a steel sheet having an organic composite plating layer excellent in press workability, spot weldability, electrodeposition coatability and corrosion resistance which comprises a zinc plated, aluminum plated or zinc base composite alloy steel sheet, a first layer of an insoluble chromate film of 5% or less in the content of water-soluble matter formed on the surface of the steel sheet at a coverage of 10-150 mg/m.sup.2 in terms of chromium content and a second layer of a coating composition having the following composition coated at a thickness of 0.3-5 .mu.

Abstract: A composite laboratory specimen bag (A) and method is illustrated which includes folded tubing (D) having a releasable lock (26) for forming a first fluid-tight compartment (B) for containing a laboratory specimen container. J-folded sheeting (E) with a reverse flip (46) forms a second compartment (C) for containing associated paper work. The tubing and sheeting are heat sealed together across a web (32) of the tubing to form a closed top composite bag with side mouth openings (24,48) for the compartments. A protective plate (62) avoids damage to the lock during the heat sealing step.

Abstract: A bed comprises a base framework, an intermediate framework and a mattress framework which comprises a central frame, a head frame and a foot frame. Main rams connect the intermediate framework to the base framework for raising and lowering and tilting the intermediate framework relative to the base framework. The rams pivotally engage the intermediate framework by shafts. The ram is rigidly mounted to the main framework. A pivot frame pivotally mounts the ram about a pair of pivot axes relative to the base framework to accommodate tilting of the intermediate framework.

Abstract: A ventilated, heat attenuating hat is disclosed including an inner mesh section that has a crown portion for engaging the crown of a wearer's head and a pair of side portions connected to the crown portion for engaging the sides of the wearer's head. There is an outer mesh section interconnected to the inner mesh section for covering at least a portion of the inner mesh section. A channel is formed between the inner and outer mesh sections for allowing air to flow freely therethrough. The outer mesh section includes a metallized fabric for reflecting away from the hat a significant of solar radiation that strikes the outer mesh section.

Abstract: A hip protective hospital garment, adapted for use by individuals of all sizes, which includes a gown having a lower portion, a pair of upper chest flaps, and a pair of shoulder flaps, wherein the upper chest flaps are adjustably and criss-crossingly connected with the pair of shoulder flaps so as to provide a comfortable, quick, and non-restrictive fit on the individual user. Extending across an interior side of the lower portion is a large, sealable pocket disposed in substantially covering relation to the hips and upper thighs of the wearer, the pocket being structured to receive at least one lightweight, flexible, impact protective air bubble material liner therein so as to provide a protective area that will substantially absorb a force of impact to the hip area of the wearer, and thereby reduce the severity of injuries which may occur from accidental falls. The protective air bubble liner is so situated as to serve the added purpose of reducing risk of stasis ulcers or bed sores.

Abstract: A firefighter garment having an outer shell with a waist portion covering a lower back area of a wearer and a front closure, an inner liner having a thermal layer and shaped to fit within the outer shell and a support member, attached to the outer shell, for supporting a lumbar region of the wearer. The support member preferably includes a plurality of elastic bands extending about the waist portion of the garment and having complementary closure members positioned adjacent to the front closure of the outer shell, and a contact member, attached to the elastic straps, positioned to contact the lumbar region of the wearer. In one embodiment, the elastic straps are integral with the garment, preferably a pant, and in another embodiment, the support member comprises a girdle which is attachable to the firefighter pant and includes buttons for attachment to suspenders, thereby forming a component of a pant suspension system.

Abstract: A sock includes a foot portion and a knitted-in storage area including an inner locking cuff layer which extends upwardly further than an outer storage compartment layer. Items may be stored between the inner and outer layers, and then the locking cuff is cuffed over the outer layer so as to lock the items within the storage compartment. A method of making and the improved machine therefor are also described.

Abstract: A ballistic panel carrier vest with front and rear ballistic panel carrying pockets and a trauma plate pocket has front, rear and side portions, as well as epaulets, breast pockets with flap closures and buttoned placket front opening that look like the same elements of an underlying shirt so that the fact of wearing the vest is concealed. The vest is made from a shirt of the type over which it will be worn by cutting off the collar and sleeves, and either cutting the shirt tail off at the waist or folding it under. Loose edges of epaulets, breast pocket flaps and placket are sewn down.

Abstract: A man's undergarment ergodynamically designed to have the combined quality and characteristics of a brief and an athletic supporter and which is of scant dimensions and fits snugly about a man's body with leg openings of such size as to provide additional comfort to the wearer. The system comprises four major parts, a waistband, a front panel, a back panel, and a 3-dimensional raised insert stitched in an oval shaped cutout in the front panel to act as a cradle and provide support without crush. Elastic edges are provided on the leg openings. Each of the parts are designed so that when sewn together, they provide a perfect fit for each size.

Abstract: A helmet includes a cap body, a shield plate pivotally mounted at left and right opposite ends on the cap body for pivotal movement between a closed position for closing the front face of the cap body and an opened position for opening the front face, and a visor which is attached at its left and right opposite ends to the cap body, a tip end of the visor being located at a position forwardly above the opening in the front face, thereby defining a housing chamber between the visor and the cap body for receiving the shield plate at the opening position.

Abstract: A dual flush valve assembly for use in the water storage reservoir of a conventional toilet is disclosed. The assembly includes a valve, a guide track, a pair of slider members, slideably mounted in the guide track and individually connected to the valve and an actuation assembly adapted for controlling the displacement of those slider members. The valve is adapted for effecting a discharge of a first quantity of water, and a second quantity of water. The action of the valve is controlled by the actuation assembly effecting a displacement of one or more of the slider members. The first quantity of water is measureably smaller than the second quantity of water. The invention provides a means whereby the user may select the quantity of water discharged in a flush cycle according to the type of waste materials being disposed of.

Abstract: A double flush toilet valve apparatus and method for permitting full and partial flushes of a toilet water tank by providing a vent hole in the toilet flush valve float which can be opened by an extended additional force actuation of the toilet flush handle to permit flooding of the float valve and premature closing of the discharge outlet of the toilet tank which is regulated by a float which is attached to the actuation chain of the toilet valve.

Abstract: A bathing aid includes a basic frame to be inserted into a bathtub. The basic frame has a U-shaped bottom frame with legs and a rear crossbar between the legs. Two outer hydraulic cylinders protrude obliquely upward from the rear cross-bar and have upper ends. Inner hydraulic cylinders telescopically run into the outer hydraulic cylinders and have upper ends. A seat frame has a backrest with an upper edge being pivotably connected to the upper ends of the inner hydraulic cylinders. A reversible multi-position valve connects the hydraulic cylinders to a cold-water faucet of the bathtub for hydraulically raising and lowering the seat frame in the bathtub. Two cylindrical rings encompass the upper ends of the outer hydraulic cylinders with play. A hoop joins the cylindrical rings to one another. A centrally mounted, rearwardly projecting strut and a suction cup lock the cylindrical rings to an end wall of the bathtub.

Abstract: A transparent emergency eye wash fountain is provided having a portable unitary housing including a fold down tray carrying spray nozzle means for discharge of an eye wash fluid onto the eyes. The fluid is discharged by folding down the tray to open a valve. A liquid reservoir is positioned above the nozzle means and opening of the valve causes discharge eye wash fluid through the nozzle in a sustained gravitationally fed stream from said reservoir. The housing is formed of a tough, impact resistant transparent injection molded polymer. The injection molded polymer preferably has an optical transmission of at least 45% in accordance with ASTM Method #D-1003, which enables viewing through the wall of the fluid level within the housing as well as the presence of harmful contamination.