Abstract: A new and distinct variety of plum tree (Prunus salicina) with the following features that are desirable in a new variety:1. Vigorous, upright growth.2. Heavy and regular production of medium to large size fruit.3. Fruit with an attractive red skin color.4. Relatively uniform ripening of fruit throughout the tree.5. Fruit with good firmness, handling and shipping qualities.6. Fruit with the ability to remain firm on the tree 6 to 7 days after shipping ripe.7. The fruit having a good balance between acid and sugar with good flavor and eating quality.

Abstract: A new and distinct interspecific tree (Prunus salicina.times.Prunus armeniaca) which has the following unique combination of desirable features that are outstanding in a new variety:1. Regular and heavy production of fruit.2. Fruit with firm flesh, good handling and shipping quality.3. Fruit holding firm on the tree 10 to 12 days after maturity (shipping ripe).4. Fruit with excellent flavor and eating quality.5. Fruit with high soluble solids (Brix) averaging approximately 18.degree. with the refractometer.6. Relatively uniform ripening of fruit throughout the tree.7. Vigorous, semi-upright growth of the tree.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of peach tree (Prunus persica) which has the following unique combination of desirable features that are outstanding in a new variety:1. Heavy and regular production of large size fruit.2. Fruit with very good flavor and eating quality.3. Relatively uniform fruit size throughout the tree.4. Fruit with a high degree of attractive red skin color.5. Fruit that will hold firm on the tree 6-7 days after maturity (shipping ripe).6. Vigorous and upright growth.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of Rhododendron plant which was produced upon exposure to colchicine during tissue culture is provided. The parent of the new variety was an unregistered and unpatented Rhododendron selection available from Briggs Nursery, Inc. under the `PJM Compact Form` designation. Unlike the parent variety, the new variety is a tetraploid, forms leaves that are heavier in substance, forms thicker stems, and forms substantially larger vivid blossoms of varying shades of lavender/pink that are somewhat lighter in coloration. The new variety continues to exhibit an attractive compact growth habit and is particularly well suited for growing as attractive ornamentation in the landscape.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Osteospermum named `Cape Daisy Zulu`, particularly characterized by its upright growth habit with excellent bright yellow flower color, mid-season flowering and medium green foliage, and suitability to 6 inch pots and 8 and 10 inch hanging basket cultures.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Chrysanthemum, botanically known as Dendranthema grandiflora, and referred to by the cultivar name Raspberry Ice.

Abstract: A Chrysanthemum plant named Traviata particularly characterized by its flat capitulum form; quilled-decorative capitulum type; white ray floret color; diameter across face of capitulum of 83 to 95 mm when fully opened when grown as a natural spray; when grown as a disbudded cut mum diameter of capitulum is 127 to 140 mm; flowering response in Salinas under normal temperatures is 53 to 58 days after start of short days; flowering response in Bogota, Colombia is 65 to 74 days after start of short days; plant height is 84 to 102 cm when grown in Salinas with 18 long days prior to start of short days; height is 86 to 97 cm when grown in Bogota, Colombia with 21 long days prior to start of short days; peduncle length of the first and the fourth laterals at flowering after removing the apical bud is 8 to 10 cm and 13 to 15 cm when grown in Salinas, Calif. and in Bogota, Colombia; recommended both as a disbudded and a spray cut mum; and uniform flowering in year round flowerings in both Salinas, Calif.

Abstract: A new and distinct Phalaenopsis orchid variety named `Abylos` particularly characterized by its abundant white flowers which are flushed with pink, and a contrasting dark purple center. Its horticultural traits further include economical propagation via tissue culture, very rapid growth, abundant flower production, and plant dimensions suitable for packaging and shipping to market.

Abstract: A new and distinct Doritaenopsis orchid variety named `Aposya` particularly characterized by its magenta flowers. Its horticultural traits further include economical ropagation via tissue culture, very rapid growth, and plant dimensions suitable for package and shipping to market.

Abstract: A new and distinct Phalaenopsis orchid plant named `Sylba,` particularly characterized by its attractive white flowers with fine lavender stripes and a dark red-purple spotted center, economical propagation via tissue culture, very rapid growth, and plant dimensions suitable for packaging and shipping to market.

Abstract: The new and distinct Pelargonium .times. hortorum cultivar named `Purple Rose` is provided. This new Zonal Geranium was the result of a controlled breeding program wherein a plant designated 6714-17 (non-patented in the United States) was pollinated by a plant designated 6707-13 (non-patented in the United States). The new cultivar forms attractive semi-double fuschia florets having an eye of orange and red. Medium green foliage with zonation is well retained during shipment. The growth habit is vigorous self-branching and does not require the use of a growth regulator.

Abstract: The new and distinct Pelargonium .times. hortorum .times. Pelargonium peltatum cultivar named `Pink Passion` is provided. This new ivy/Zonal Geranium was the result of a controlled breeding program wherein a plant designated 6733-16 (non-patented in the United States) was pollinated by a plant designated 7012B-9 (non-patented in the United States). The new cultivar forms attractive small single deep pink florets having a dark rose eye on each petal. The small medium green foliage is well retained during shipment. The growth habit is compact and self-branching and does not require the use of a growth regulator.

Abstract: The new and distinct Pelargonium .times.hortorum cultivar named `BFP-1409 Light Salmon`is provided. This new Zonal Geranium was the result of a controlled breeding program wherein a plant designated 5076-16 (non-patented in the United States) was pollinated by a plant designated 4123C (non-patented in the United States). The new cultivar forms attractive semi-double salmon florets. Medium green foliage with slight zonation is well retained during shipment. The growth habit is vigorous self-branching and does not require the use of a growth regulator.

Abstract: The new and distinct Pelargonium.times.hortorum cultivar named `BFP-484 White` is provided. This new Zonal Geranium was the result of a controlled breeding program wherein a plant designated 995B-2 (non-patented in the United States) was pollinated by the `Jazz` cultivar (non-patented in the United States). The new cultivar forms attractive pure white florets. Medium green foliage is well retained during shipment. The growth habit is vigorous self-branching and does not require the use of a growth regulator.

Abstract: The new and distinct Pelargonium.times.hortorum cultivar named `BFP-1328 Red` is provided.This new Zonal Geranium was the result of a controlled breeding program wherein a plant designated 6583-52 (non-patented in the United States) was crossed. More specifically, 6583-52 served as both the female parent and the male parent. The new cultivar forms attractive velvety semi-double intense red florets. The medium green foliage with zonation is well retained during shipment. The growth habit is vigorous self-branching and does not require the use of a growth regulator.

Abstract: A new cultivar of Vriesea named `Apollo` characterized by its upright branched orange inflorescence, and its medium green, glossy foliage with thin dark green transverse markings.

Abstract: A mobile arrangement for rehabilitating a ballast bed by installing a protective layer between a subgrade and layer of ballast at a construction site of the track includes an excavation unit for continuously removing old ballast from the ballast bed to expose the subgrade and a rock crusher unit which receives at least a portion of withdrawn old ballast for comminution thereof. Comminuted old ballast is then laid over the exposed subgrade for forming at least part of the protective layer.

Abstract: A dry food processing machine designed to clean and polish vegetables such as potatoes as well as various fruits. The machine includes inner and outer, concentrically arranged, inverted, frusto-conical rotatable members which are concentrically spaced from one another to provide a product cleaning space therebetween. The conical members are rotatably driven in opposite or synchronous directions at selected speeds. Rotation produces a centrifugal force to the product which constitutes a vertical and horizontal component of force. Abrading devices are provided in the cleaning apace to assist in cleaning. Product is introduced through the inner member into the cleaning space and the provided vertical force will drive the product upwardly through the cleaning space for removal of material for final delivery of product to a collector cowling. Material removed rom the product will be driven horizontally from the cleaning space through the outer conical member for collection.

Abstract: Improved techniques are provided for drilling a deviated borehole through earth formations utilizing a rotary bit powered by a drill motor, and for obtaining information regarding the borehole or earth formations while drilling. An inclinometer is positioned below the drill motor and within a sealed cavity of a housing fixed to a drill motor sub, and a transmitter within the sealed cavity forwards acoustic or radial wave signals to a receiver provided in a measurement-while-drilling tool. The MWD tool may be provided within a non-magnetic portion of the drill string, and further houses an accelerometer for sensing borehole direction. Both borehole inclination and directional signals are transmitted to the surface by the MWD tool, and the drilling trajectory is altered in response to the signals.

Abstract: A combination printed sheet and stamps that may be a direct mailer or a book of stamps comprising a sheet of imprintable material of substantially uniform thickness and including a first or stamp portion and a second self-mailer or stamp book cover portion, an adhesive coating on one side of the sheet and printed indicia on the other side thereof. The second portion of the sheet is foldable along a medial fold line to position the two segments thereof into superposed relation and the adhesive coating is activatable to secure the segments together to provide the thickness and stiffness necessary for the second portion to serve as a self-mailer or as a stamp book cover.

Abstract: A disk memory drive includes a brushless drive outer rotor motor having an internal space and a stator with windings. The outer rotor coolly encircles the stator and a substantially cylindrical air gap is defined between the stator and the rotor. The rotor includes permanent magnets and a hub fixedly connected with the magnet. A disk mounting section is provided on the hub for accommodating at least one storage disk positioned in a clear space, the mounting section being adapted to extend through a central aperture of the storage disk. The windings and the magnets interacting with the windings are disposed for at least half of the axial longitudinal dimension thereof within a space surrounded by the disk mounting section of the hub. Bearings rotatably mount the rotor and the hub.

Abstract: A system for monitoring power usage of various devices at remote facilities is described. The system employs sensors at each facility to sense the on/off condition of the devices. A processor at each facility, under the control of a host computer at a central location, stores the output data of the sensors in stripped-down form. The host computer specifies to the processor at each facility the time and date at which it should begin polling the sensors, the interval between pollings of the outputs of the sensors, the time and date at which the processor should report to the host computer and transmit the stored data, and the address location to be used when the processor initiates polling of the data. A master clock/calendar at the central location is used to synchronize the clock/calendars at each facility.

Abstract: A super-scaler processor is disclosed wherein branch-prediction information is provided within an instruction cache memory. Each instruction cache block stored in the instruction cache memory includes branch-prediction information fields in addition to instruction fields, which indicate the address of the instruction block's successor and information indicating the location of a branch instruction within the instruction block. Thus, the next cache block can be easily fetched without waiting on a decoder or execution unit to indicate the proper fetch action to be taken for correctly predicted branching.

Abstract: A method for making flowable alkaline thiosulfate, flowable alkaline sulfite, or a combination of the two, by blending an alkaline thiosulfate, an alkaline sulfite, or a combination of the two, with an alkali metal .?.arylsulfonate.formaldehyde.!. .Iadd.arylsulfonate.cndot.formaldehyde .Iaddend.in an amount effective to render the alkaline thiosulfate, the alkaline sulfite, or the combination freely flowable, and the product of this method. It has been found that the product of this method, such as freely flowable ammonium thiosulfate powder mixture, can be stored in a freely flowable condition for extended periods of time and can be dissolved into solution readily to form a clear non-turbid solution. The freely flowable ammonium thiosulfate powdered mixture of the present invention is particularly useful as a photographic fixative and bleach fixative for processing photographic elements.

Abstract: A structure formed of a composite material and a support material, the support material being integrally coupled to the composite material by an insert molding process to form an integral structure, and protective head gear, such as a welding helmet, welding shield, hard hat, etc. using such structure. A method for making a structure using sheet-like composite material includes adhering to the composite material a relatively rigid support member or frame by insert molding directly to the composite material.

Abstract: A finger and thumb protector providing two sheaths for fingers and one sheath for the thumb of a user working with solvents. The sheaths are connected by a tether. The protector is formed from a thin, flexible, elastic material impervious to solvents, such as polyvinyl chloride. Two sheaths for fingers are disposed parallel, abutting, and open in similar directions. The sheath for the thumb is angled with respect to the sheaths for fingers, thereby assuming positions natural for a closed grasp of a small object. Each sheath is generally cylindrical, domed at the closed end, and extends to the first knuckle of its respective finger or thumb. The tether is U-shaped, with the U-shaped channel open in a direction similar to those of the finger and thumb sheaths. The protector may be fabricated by dipping a mold into liquid, uncured resin and peeling the protector from the mold after curing of the material.

Abstract: A fastener assembly for tubular garments utilizes hook and loop fasteners for quick, secure releasable engagement. Pairs of hook and loop fasteners are positioned around the cuff section of a sleeve and a glove to provide a mating relation to prevent cold air, snow or other adverse elements from entering the wearer's sleeve. The pairs of fasteners are also useful in folding the cuff sections to protect the fasteners when the garments are separated.

Abstract: A protective enclosure for the human ear which entirely encloses the ear except for a first opening sized to receive the outer ear and a second, lower, opening to act as a drain or weep hole, the weep hole having the ability to shed any liquid that is able to breach the enclosure. The first opening is surrounded by a band of pressure-sensitive adhesive to anchor the enclosure to the skin all around the base of the ear, forming a substantially fluid tight seal for the bag covering the ear. The opposite lateral edges of the enclosure are pleated inwardly to receive the operator's fingers in areas closely spaced to the adhesive while installing the enclosure over the ear.

Abstract: An open toe sock that includes a foot engaging portion, a leg engaging portion, a thin resilient circumferential band, and a skid resistant sole. The foot engaging portion has a heel area, an open toe area that is disposed in front of the heel area of the foot engaging portion, and a bottom area that extends from the heel area of the foot engaging portion to the open toe area of the foot engaging portion. The foot engaging portion replaceably and comfortably engages a foot of a wearer with toes of the foot of the wearer extending replaceably outwardly through the open toe area of the foot engaging portion and being exposed. The leg engaging portion is integrally formed with, and extends generally perpendicularly upwardly from, the foot engaging portion, and replaceably and comfortably engages a leg of the wearer.

Abstract: A padded brief especially for men comprising a garment shell having a front side and a rear side and at least one pad removably mountable on the rear side of the padded brief.

Abstract: An automatically activated pump for advancing mixed fluid waste from a toilet for disposal at an elevation above the toilet utilizes a flow sensing blade disposed within an intake conduit. The blade is joined to an activation finger located outside the conduit. The blade is adapted to undergo pivoted motion under the influence of a flow of fluid waste caused by the flushing of the toilet. The pivoted motion causes the finger to contact an electrical switch which activates the pump.

Abstract: A substantially annular toilet seat having a lifting surface which remains sanitary throughout a range of toilet seat positions between a toilet bowl and a toilet tank. The seat has a hinged end and an outer perimeter wall. The outer perimeter wall has a cavity therein which has a smooth inner surface and an open end facing outwardly from the toilet bowl. The seat has a hinging means connecting the hinged end the seat to the toilet bowl such that a user placing a finger in the cavity and pressing against the smooth inner surface may pivot the annular seat about the hinging means. This may be done without contamination of the finger because the cavity is shielded from urine splash and bacteria laden toilet water spraying outward from the toilet bowl when the toilet bowl is flushed. Alternatively, the toilet seat has a protrusion extending outwardly from the outer perimeter wall and having the cavity therein. The smooth inner surface of the cavity gradually converges from the open end to a closed end.

Abstract: A toilet seat assembly having a pivotal toilet seat and a pivotal toilet seat insert to overlie rear and side portions of the opening thereof to facilitate safe and effective use by children. A seat insert body defines an outer peripheral recess and a support shoulder for supported and positioned engagement with the inner peripheral portion of the toilet seat. The pivotal connection of the seat insert is separable when the seat insert is at a predetermined angle between its seated and upstanding positions. The tail piece and pivot connections of the seat insert provide a stop to position the seat insert at an over-center position when upstanding to prevent contact of the seat insert with the seat cover of the toilet seat assembly. The forward side edge portions of the seat insert body define outwardly facing angulated surfaces which locate the frontal contact points of the insert and the conventional toilet seat to minimize the possibility of pinching the child during use.

Abstract: A drain assembly which improves on the durability, economy and ease of manufacture and maintenance of previous drain assemblies. The drain assembly has a cartridge that threads onto a drain body. A spud or stopper slides up and down along the cartridge to open or close a drain. The improvement lies in a series of flexible structures extending outwardly from the cartridge to generate friction against the inner wall of the spud, holding the spud in the open of closed position. These structures may be finlike structures, bowlike structures, or both. The cartridge with the finlike structures and bowlike structures may be formed of a single piece of flexible plastic.

Abstract: A portable spa is provided wherein an external axis stairway is provided within an indentation in one of the sidewalls of the tub.

Abstract: The method of providing a spa tub, and comprising providing a load-bearing tub side wall having an inner side and an outer side, the tub having an interior to receive liquid; the tub side wall provided to include at least two wall sections, spaced about the interior, the sections assembled end-to-end to form the side wall to extend in a loop, and providing a flexible liner extending at the inner side of said side wall to contain said liquid.

Abstract: A spring assembly comprising a frame, a plurality of metal rails secured to the frame and a plurality of spaced spring modules secured to the rails. Each of the rails comprises a top portion and two sidewalls extending downwardly from the top portion and terminating in outwardly extending flanges. The sidewalls define a throat proximate the flanges. The spring module has at least one mounting foot comprising two opposed leg portions joined together by a connecting portion, each of the leg portions having a notch therein for engagement with a slot in the planar upper portion of the rail. The connection portion of the mounting foot is engagable with the throat defined by the sidewalls of the rail so as to inhibit lateral movement of the mounting foot within the rail.

Abstract: The present invention relates to blankets for use with forced air convection systems, wherein the blankets include means to provide air through selective areas of the lower sheet of the blanket. In particular, perforations are provided through the lower sheet of the blanket over only selective areas, such that air exits toward only those portions of a patient which are covered by areas of the blanket having perforations.

Abstract: A box spring wrap and dust ruffle system is disclosed. The box spring wrap is fabricated of a material to which hooks, of a hook-and-loop fastener system, may be attached. The wrap has a length selected so that it is long enough to wrap around two sides and the foot of the perimeter of a large box spring, such as a king size; the wrap also preferably is of a length so as to be tied about the perimeter of a smaller size box spring, such as a full size or a queen size. Drawstrings are provided to secure the wrap around the box spring. The dust ruffle of the system has hook fasteners attached to the reverse side along the top, and thus may be attached at any height of the wrap when secured about a box spring.

Abstract: A cushion that includes a cushioning element. The cushioning element has a number of substantially parallel elongate columns formed in a gelatinous cushioning media. The columns are configured so that when a force is applied to the cushioning element in a direction that is generally parallel to the longitudinal axes of the columns, the cushioning element will yield by a combination of compressability of the cushioning media and bucklability of the walls of the columns. In particular, the walls of columns which are located beneath a protruberance on an object being cushioned tend to buckle, permitting the cushioning element to conform to the shape of the cushioned object while evenly distributing a supporting force across the contact area of the cushioned object and avoiding pressure peaks. The preferred cushioning media is a gelatinous elastomer or gelatinous viscoelastomer. Various configurations of cushioning elements, including sidewall supports, are disclosed.

Abstract: An invalid bed guard sheet is presented for use with invalid beds having raisable guardrails. The guard sheet has a standard flat horizontal sheet which is placed over the mattress. Continuously attached to the sheet are left and right guard pads which may be folded over the guardrails. The inner and outer pads are then fastened to each other by means of buttons, VELCRO (TM) strips, or other fasteners. The guard sheet eliminates the gap between the mattress and the metal guard rails, thus making the bed safer for patients. The cushioning effect of the guard pads also makes the patient bed safer and more comfortable.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleanly and easily removing nails from drywall has a shaft portion with a narrowing portion having a first end attached to the shaft portion and a second end having a width narrower than the width of the narrowing portion first end. The narrowing portion and the shaft portion, in combination, are substantially flat. A prong is placed at an angle to the narrowing portion on the narrowing portion second end, and the prong has a width similar to the narrowing portion second end. Further, a radius portion near the shaft portion first end extends from the shaft portion or narrowing portion. The radius portion has a width similar to the narrowing portion first end and is rounded. The radius portion and the shaft portion form a gap area between the prong and the radius portion. A drywall installation and nail remover has a shaft portion and a prong placed on the shaft portion at an angle to the shaft first end.

Abstract: The present invention provides a poultry house cleaner apparatus that is adapted to easily, quickly and efficiently clean, scrape and remove the manure of the chicken from the side walls of the chicken houses. This poultry house cleaner apparatus is adapted to be removably secured to a conventional tractor and comprises an angled blade having a sliding plate attached thereto. The sliding plate includes a somewhat L-shaped configuration for enabling one portion to be slideably mounted to the blade while a second portion extends outwardly and perpendicularly from the blade. This will provide for the sliding plate to scrape debris from any perpendicular surface. A transportation system is provided for enabling the debris to be transported from the sliding plate to an opposite side of the blade for relocating the debris to a more accessible location. Once relocated, this debris will be removed via any conventional removal methods, such as a conventional cleaning apparatus.

Abstract: A hairbrush is disclosed having an elongated, generally hollowed handle having a receiving cavity and a separate brush head having a connection end. At the inside base of the receiving cavity is a first blade slot for retaining one end of a flat, elongated spring blade. The connection end of the brush head has a second blade slot for retaining the other end of the flat, elongated spring blade. A locking button retained slidably within a button slot which penetrates the handle engages into a slotted collar in which a locking slot is formed on the connection end of the brush head by a pair of rotation locking tabs. The impingement of the rotation locking tabs against the locking button thereby prevents rotational motion of the brush head relative to the handle.

Abstract: A tongue hygiene device to be used with a mildly abrasive cleanser, the tongue hygiene device having a generally elongate handle section and a generally disk-shaped cleansing section. The handle section is ergonomically designed to allow the user to effectively and comfortably hold the tongue hygiene device in proper cleansing alignment with the tongue. The cleansing section includes three generally parallel, circular patterns of medium-length bristles of medium stiffness, protruding from a generally disk-shaped cleansing head, the cleansing head having a top face, and a bottom face from which the bristles protrude, and a large aperture extending between the centers of the bottom and top faces which is surrounded by the bristles on the bottom face. The bristles allow the tongue hygiene device to cleanse the tongue by brushing bacteria and food buildup from the tongue using a mildly abrasive cleanser.

Abstract: A device for application and manipulation of paint on a substrate includes a handle having a distal end and a proximal end, and a working tip attached to the distal end of the handle. The working tip is a flexible, non-porous extruded material having a distal working edge which is formed by an extrusion process, with the working edge being parallel to a longitudinal orientation of the extrusion process. In one embodiment, one of the working tip and the handle includes a rib along an end which interfaces the other and the other of the working tip and the handle includes a corresponding slot in an end which interfaces the one for mating with the rib. Preferably, the working tip is made of silicone.

Abstract: The present invention is a heated wiper blade comprising an elongated blade and a heating element connected to the electrical system of a vehicle. The heating element utilizes a material with a positive temperature coefficient of resistance placed between a pair of conductive members. The conductive members span the length of the heating element to provide a uniform distribution of heat through the length of the blade. Electrical connections to the heating element are preferably located at one end of the blade. The heating element can be located inside the blade or between a semi-rigid attachment member and an upper surface of the blade.

Abstract: A windshield wiper blade deicer (22) comprising an assembly (24) for lifting and lowering two spring biased wiper arms (12) of a pair of windshield wipers (10) repeatedly with respect to a windshield (16) of a motor vehicle (18). Snow, ice and slush (20) will be loosened and knocked off two windshield wiper blades (14) and the windshield (16) of the motor vehicle (18) to increase visibility for a driver of the motor vehicle (18).

Abstract: The control device for steam-generating appliances has at least one component having a variable internal volume that is accommodated in the handle of a fixture of the steam-generating appliance, and is filled with a nonconducting fluid. The component has a variable internal volume which can be directly or indirectly compressed by a user, and is connected, through an actuation tube, to a pressure transducer. The transducer is accommodated inside the body of the steam-generating appliance, and in turn actuates a respective steam delivery control valve.

Abstract: A wheel assembly for the tubular end of the horizontal member of an inverted T-shaped table leg comprises a cylindrical housing which plugs into the tubular end. A recess in the housing opens through its cylindrical wall at an opening which subtends an angle of less than 180.degree.. A wheel is mounted within the recess on an axle pin which is parallel to, and displaced from, the longitudinal axis of the housing.