Abstract: An insert (10) for use in clothing designed to protect against bullets or knife attacks includes an upper layer (14) having a ceramic matrix. A pair of plugs (20) are fitted to the ceramic layer (14), the plugs (20) being made from a material having an impedance to vibration substantially the same as that of the ceramic matrix at the point of manufacture. The plugs (20) are configured for conducting mechanical vibration through the ceramic layer (14), for recording a vibration-related signature for the insert (10). By comparing a series of such signatures recorded over time, it is possible to assess whether the internal structure of the ceramic matrix has become damaged, which is useful in determining whether the insert needs to be replaced or repaired.

Abstract: Cut resistant yarn the yarn containing filaments and/or staple fibers, the filaments and/or staple fibers containing a hard component to improve cut resistance of the yarn, wherein the hard component is a plurality of hard fibers having an average diameter of at most 25 microns.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ballistic resistant sheet comprising a stack of at least 2 monolayers with on top hereof a polymeric film, each monolayer containing nidirectionally oriented reinforcing fibers or yarns with a tensile strength of between 3.5 an 4.5 GPa, and at most 20 mass % of a matrix material, the areal density of a monolayer is between 10 and 80 g/m2 and with the fiber direction in each monolayer being rotated with respect to the fiber direction in an adjacent monolayer. The ballistic resistant sheet according to the invention may suitably be assembled together to form a ballistic resistant assembly or a ballistic resistant article. Such ballistic resistant article may be used as, for example, protective clothing and bullet resistant vests offering protection against ballistic impacts such as bullets and ballistic fragments.

Abstract: A glove includes a waterproof film, an inner substrate layer mounted on a first face of the waterproof film, and an outer substrate layer mounted on a second face of the waterproof film. Thus, the waterproof film has a waterproof function, and each of the inner substrate layer and the outer substrate layer has an air permeable function, so that the glove has waterproof and air permeable functions to enhance the versatility of the glove.

Abstract: A garment pocket configured to carry, in a concealed and readily-accessible state, a handgun or other object is disclosed. The garment pocket is configured to be folded to yield and maintain at least one additional configuration. The garment pocket can be folded to assume and maintain either a first folded configuration, or a second folded configuration. The garment pocket in the first folded configuration is suitable for carrying, in an ergonomic position, a handgun having, for example, a medium-to-long barrel portion, whereas the garment pocket in the second folded configuration is suitable for carrying, in an ergonomic position, a handgun having, for example, a relatively short barrel portion.

Abstract: Garments that provide a stimulant to maintain desirable proper posture and poise of a person wearing the garments. The garment, which can take the form of a shirt or blouse, provides a stimulant to elevate the wearer's thoracic cavity and retract the wearer's scapulas to support a more up-right posture through the combination of a stretch fabric and a control band. The body of the garment is typically made from stretch-type fabric that is adapted to fit snugly to the body shape of the wearer. The stretch-type fabric can include a reduced level of elasticity along the front of the garment to promote a lifting of the thoracic cavity. The control band typically comprises and elastic material and can be positioned on the rear of the garment proximal to the wearer's scapulas to produce a slight retraction of the wearer's upper arms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to placement of visual prompts on hospital garments and linens to suggest workers to practice hand hygiene. Prompts will be text in any language, symbols, or other designs and will be affixed to garments and linens with stickers, buttons, embroidery, dye, paint, and other means. Specifically the invention includes designs and/or statements including but not limited to CLEAN YOUR HANDS and PLEASE WASH YOUR HANDS FIRST on hospital linens and hospital garments, such as patient gowns, scrubs, sheets, and blankets to prompt healthcare workers in contact with patients to wash their hands.

Abstract: An improved hospital garment is disclosed for use by a patient. The garment may be a shirt-like portion having a placket to permit the shirt-like portion to be donned and doffed in the manner of a robe, and defining a neck opening through which the neck of the patient extends when the shirt-like portion is operatively disposed on the patient. The garment may include sleeves through which the arms of the patient extend when the shirt-like portion is operatively disposed on the patient. Each sleeve may be defined by a piece of fabric and may have a hook and loop fastener secured thereto. On each sleeve, the fabric piece, when the shirt-like portion is operatively disposed upon the patient and the patient is upright, overlaps upon and may be secured by the hook and loop fastener to itself upon the shoulder of the patient. This fastener may be releasable to permit the shirt-like portion to be parted along each sleeve to the neck opening to provide ready access to the upper torso of the patient.

Abstract: A patient gown comprised of therapeutic fabric for the prevention and treatment of skin wounds, and pressure wounds in particular, which includes a woven fabric having warp yarns and filling yarns woven to provide a smooth fabric surface. One of the warp or filling yarns is at least about 40% by weight of the fabric of continuous filament nylon, and the other of the warp or filling yarns is from about 0% to about 60% by weight of the fabric of continuous filament polyester or nylon having non-round filament cross sections. The fabric includes a conductive yarn at about 1% to about 2% by weight to control static dissipation, and an antimicrobial substance is topically applied or inherently available in the fabric. A method of using the patient gown to prevent and treat skin wounds, and pressure wounds in particular, is also disclosed.

Abstract: A glove comprises a hand portion and a wrist portion extending from the hand portion and terminates in a hand insertion opening. The wrist portion includes anti-roll down/anti-rucking means in the form of a band of friction enhancing material provided on a surface which, in use, will form the inside of the glove, whereby, in use, the friction enhancing portion contacts the sleeve of a garment worn by the user so as to increase friction against the wrist portion of the glove, thereby preventing roll-down/rucking of the glove. The friction enhancing material is applied prior to any finishing operation(s) which reduce(s) the residual tack of the glove material and is selected from a group of materials whose tack is substantially unaffected by the finishing operation.

Abstract: A necktie having a wide end portion formed of a material presenting a first pattern and a narrow end portion formed of a material presenting a second, different, contrasting pattern. The necktie is tied around the neck of a user in a fashion such that the narrow end portion emerges from the knot in front of the wide end portion and hangs down freely from the knot in pendulum fashion in front of the wide end portion so as to present a contrasting pattern to the wide end pattern. Alternatively, the necktie may be tied around the neck of a user in a fashion such that the wide end portion emerges from the knot in front of the narrow end portion and hangs down freely from the knot in pendulum fashion behind the wide end portion so that the wide end portion covers the narrow end portion in conventional fashion and the pattern presented by the tie is that of the wide end portion.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a glove having a fiber glove coated and impregnated with a polyurethane resin that is superior in wearing/removing efficiency and grip property between the glove and thumb and fingers and also in strength and flexibility. Another object is to provide a glove superior in workability, strength, durability, flexibility, as well as in waterproofness. A glove having a fiber glove coated and impregnated with a polyurethane resin characterized in that resin films or resin regions having uneven surface like a knit or weave pattern of the yarn are formed on a partial or entire surface in the impregnated resin regions on the inside surface by the resin impregnated from the outside surface to the inside surface, and the dynamic friction coefficient of the inside surface of the glove having the resin films or resin regions is 0.8 to 1.8.

Abstract: Footwear hosiery is provided, which includes a first layer defining a front portion, an arch portion and a rear portion. A second layer is connected with at least one of the arch portion and the front portion in a configuration to define a receptacle having an opening. A pad is configured for removable disposal within the receptacle. The first layer may be a fabric material. The second layer may be fabricated from a flexible material.

Abstract: The embodiments include a sock that is able to keep the toe box of a shoe from creasing through the utilization of an enlarged toe section of the sock. The toe section may be enlarged by the addition of more material in the toe box area. The material may be the same as the rest of the sock. Additionally the toe box may be enlarged by adding a padded area to the toe box and securing the padded area by a means of attachment. In either embodiment the sock can vary as any other sock known to one skilled in the art except that the toe section is enlarged or a toe padding may be added to the toe box section so that any type of shoe can be kept from creasing in the toe area.

Abstract: An orthotic device having an arch gel pad formed of resilient material. The gel pad is designed to be removably placed into and housed within an elongated pocket which sewn into the interior of a foot sock and along the sock bottom, wherein the arch gel pad pocket is capable of housing the arch gel pad.

Abstract: Hockey helmet for receiving a head of a wearer, the helmet comprising: (a) a front shell for facing the crown region of the head; (b) a rear shell for facing the left and right side regions, the back region and the occipital region of the head, the rear shell comprising outer and inner surfaces and left and light elongated slots positioned symmetrically about a longitudinal axis of the helmet; (e) a rear inner pad for facing the back and left and right side regions of the head, the rear inner pad being affixed to the inner surface of the rear shell; (d) an occipital inner pad located between the rear shell and the occipital region of the head; (e) a central member extending along the longitudinal axis of the helmet, the central member comprising an upper part that is hingely mounted with respect to the rear shell and a lower part that is mounted to the occipital inner pad; and (f) left and right wedging members located between the occipital inner pad and the inner surface of the rear shell, each of the left a

Abstract: A helmet includes, a body, a retention system, and a fit system. The fit system includes a hanger extending from the body and a base configured to be coupled to the hanger at one of a plurality of attachment points on the hanger to adjust the position of the base relative to the body. The fit system also includes a plurality of arms extending from the base and an adjustment mechanism operable to regulate the position of the base relative to a front portion of the body.

Abstract: A structure for adjusting inside circumference of a helmet is implemented as a strap assembly coupled to a rear side of a safety helmet or bicycle helmet and includes a casing and a cover fitted therein. The cover is sequentially connected with a transmission gear, a resilient element, a positioning gear and a knob. By pressing the knob, the positioning gear is disengaged from toothed portions on an inner periphery of the cover, thereby allowing the knob to rotate an end of the transmission gear. Consequently, a first driving portion of the transmission gear drives two straps inserted in the casing to move toward or away from each other. The knob is released after a relative position of the straps is adjusted. The resilient element returns the positioning gear into engagement with the toothed portions on the inner periphery of the cover.

Abstract: The present invention is to provided a safety helmet visor setting mechanism, comprising: a shell, having an indent at each side, where one side is provided with a long opening behind the indent; an anchored unit, designed to fit in the long opening of the shell, having two grooves; a hold plate, fixed in the anchored unit, having two push chunks placed in the two grooves respectively; a link bar, having its bottom end fixed in the anchored unit and jostled with the hold plate, and can be moved by the drive of the push chunk; a cover, capping the anchored unit and jostling with the link bar and the hold plate for a lockup; a first visor joint, positioned inside the shell in one side, where its bottom end is in pinned joint with the top end of the link bar, and its top end is provided with a cave; a second visor joint, positioned inside the shell in the other side, having a springy slice, which forms an accommodation space with the shell; and a visor, having a clasp slice at each side, which penetrates the cav

Abstract: To enable a front portion of a chest protector to be easily undone to allow cooling down while maintaining the protection performance for the chest protector fitted to a garment. A chest protector detachably fitted to an interior surface of a body garment includes left and right protective shell members, with the left and right protective shell members engaging in a separable manner.

Abstract: This machine sits atop a preexisting toilet, replacing the ordinary seat. A motorized mechanism raises and lowers the seat continuously at the user's discretion. In one embodiment, the seat is adjusted by cables pulled by the motor's shaft. The cables wrap around the outside of the toilet bowl, each cable redirected by a pulley to pull upward on the seat's lifting tray. The pulleys are situated symmetrically around the toilet bowl, allowing for the seat to be raised evenly with no tilting or seizing. The seat extends downward over the toilet, leaving no gap for waste products to splash out. A waterproof lining may be used for additional waterproofing. In its best mode, the motor's control is attached to the basetray or tethered to the motor, and handles on the lifting tray assist the user in getting on or off the toilet seat.

Abstract: The Toilet Seat lifter is designed for health and safety prevention, by preventing physical contacts with the seat of a toilet, while being utilize by a male of female particularly in public places. It is also designed for males who don't want to physically touch the toilet seat with their hands before urinating in public or private toilets. This invention will be primarily made from rubber made material with various shades of colors. The toilet seat lifter (TSL) will and can be attach to either the left front side or the right front side of the toilet seat (in a waist belt like form) for lifting the toilet seat up to the standing position and then bringing it back down to it's seated position.

Abstract: A restroom system can include a fixed-in-place restroom building, a flush toilet housed in the restroom building, a water supply system in communication with the flush toilet, and a sewage-holding vessel in communication with the flush toilet. Sewage can be received in the flush toilet and water can be supplied from the water supply system to the flush toilet in an amount less than 1 gallon of water per flush. Sewage effluent can be flushed from the flush toilet, transported to the holding vessel, and extracted from the sewage-holding vessel and to a sewage hauling vehicle tank. The sewage effluent can be transported away from the restroom system in the sewage hauling vehicle tank.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for flushing a toilet wherein the duration of the flush, and thus the amount of water used, is selectable by a user. In an embodiment, the system includes a controller and a non-buoyant flush valve that are coupled together via a linkage. The controller opens the flush valve for a time period set by a user. Once the time period has lapsed, the flush valve is closed.

Abstract: A bedpan for use by a patient may include a bottom section to define a cavity for waste of the patient and a top section to define a seat for the patient. The bottom section may be integral with the top section, and the top section may include a central soft texture section. The central soft texture section may be foam, and the bedpan may be formed by reaction injection molding process. The portion of the bedpan may include an anti-infection coating to prevent micro-bacterial formation and growth, and the bottom portion may include a rib for support.

Abstract: The portable toddler potty seat is a lightweight potty seat/chair on wheels with a retractable handle. The seat also includes a removable case pivotally attached to the back of the potty seat in which to store items necessary for a complete bathroom experience, such as wipes, plastic bags, hand sanitizer, first aid kit, etc. The pivotally attached case can be removed and placed in the passenger area of a vehicle, if desired, while the potty seat is placed in the rear of the vehicle.

Abstract: A single-use toilet intended to be used for relieving one-self. The invention is characterised in that the single-use toilet is in the form of a bag (1) of a size sufficient to be used for relieving oneself, in that the bag (1) can be sealed after use, in that the bag (1) is made from an essentially gas-tight material that is impermeable to fluid, in that the bag (1) contains urea (8) in an amount sufficient to inactivate intestinal pathogenic micro-organisms, such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, etc., in that the bag (1) is made from a material (5, 6, 7) that is biodegradable, and in that the biodegradable material (5, 6, 7) is impermeable for fluid during the period that is required to inactivate micro-organisms, such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, etc., in the excrement by means of the said urea.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cover and sump assembly for a main drain of a pool or spa that prevents suction entrapment, and specifically, to an assembly having a frame with openings, plates with openings positioned on the frame, and a sump for collecting water and receiving the frame. The assembly reduces the velocity of water flowing there through, uniformly distributes a suction force created by water flowing into the sump, prevents a vortex of flowing water above the assembly, and provides anti-entanglement features to minimize the likelihood of an individual becoming entrapped on the assembly by a suction force produced by a pump in the pool or spa filtering system. The assembly includes a conduit defining an opening along a lower portion thereof that reduces the velocity of flowing water at the suction opening in the sump by reorienting the suction port from a vertical to a horizontal orientation.

Abstract: A spa comprises a water enclosure for holding a quantity of water. The water enclosure has two or more zones. Each of the zones has a plurality of jets. There is a control pad for each of the zones configured to control the water temperature and water pressure coming out of the plurality of jets in each zone.

Abstract: A pop-up drain stopper linkage assembly includes a lift rod, a connecting bar, a pivot rod and a drain stopper. The bottom end of the lift rod forms an engagement part. The upper end of the connecting bar has an engagement groove for the engagement part of the lift rod being engaged and fixed, and the connecting bar has a plurality of holes spaced apart a distance away from the engagement groove. The second end of the pivot rod connects to the drain stopper and a section adjacent the first end has a plurality of fixed portions for tying in with the hole of the connecting bar, and each of the fixed portions and any one of the holes are capable of being passing through and positioning with each other. Thereby, the pop-up drain stopper linkage assembly can be quickly and conveniently assembled with reliable linking effect.

Abstract: A stowable baby changing system including a housing having a mount connectable to a first automobile seat, a sheet extendable from the housing over and above a seating surface of a second automobile seat, a locking mechanism for fixing the sheet in an extended position, and one or more attachments on a distal end of the sheet to secure the sheet over the seating surface, wherein the sheet is suspended above the seating surface in the extended position providing a clearance between the sheet and the seating surface.

Abstract: A mattress buckle for securing the position of a mattress (22) on the base (16) of an adjustable bed (10). The mattress comprises one of a pair of male and female elements of the buckle (12) secured to an upper surface of the bed base (16) and the other of the pair of male and female elements of the buckle (12) secured to the underside of the mattress (22). When these elements of the buckle are interlocked in snap-fit engagement, the mattress is constrained against movement on the base as the adjustable panels of the bed base are articulated relative to one another through various positions of adjustment.

Abstract: A bed rail is disclosed for use with a bed. The bed rail includes a clamping device to clamp the bedrail to the bed. The bedrail is moveable between an upright position and a released position wherein the rail is moved downwardly toward a sidewall of the mattress to facilitate climbing upon and climbing off of the mattress.

Abstract: A duvet cover (10) including an envelope portion (20) substantially closable for enveloping a duvet to shield the duvet from soiling. The envelope portion (120) is removable from the duvet for laundering. The duvet cover further includes a sheet portion (30) attachable to the envelope portion (20) to underlie the envelope portion (20) to shield the underside (21) of the envelope portion (20) from soiling. The sheet portion (30) is removable from the envelope portion (20) for laundering. There is also provided a method of minimising duvet cover laundering requirements.

Abstract: There is provided a sheet system for securing a child in a preferred position on a sleep surface and covering the child, the sheet system including: a base sheet; a band for securing a child in a preferred position; a first attachment means for attaching the band to the base sheet; a top sheet for covering the secured child, and a second attachment means for attaching the top sheet to the base sheet and a stabilising means for stabilising the base sheet on a sleep surface.

Abstract: A patient-support apparatus includes frame and a lift arm. The frame includes a base frame and an upper frame. The lift arm has a first end coupled to the upper frame and a second end spaced apart from the first end and coupled to the base frame. In this embodiment, the lift arm is configured to move the frame in a generally vertical direction while the lift arm rotates with respect to the frame. The apparatus is configured to allow the first end of the lift arm to translate along the upper frame while the second end rotates about an axis that is fixed relative to the base frame. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A laundry stain and soil pretreatment sheet including a water soluble or water dispersible carrier layer, preferably polyvinyl alcohol, a removable separator layer, and a layer of cleaning agent composition therebetween. The separator layer is removed, the composition layer is adhered to a stain on clothing, and the clothing is laundered to treat the stain. The carrier layer dissolves or disperses during the laundering.

Abstract: A control method of a laundry machine comprising a water supply, washing and rinsing cycle, the control method includes first determination step performed prior to the rinsing cycle and determining a kind of detergent, second determination step performed during a first rinsing course of the rinsing cycle and determining an amount of remained detergent in a rinsing water, and condition determination step of at least one following rinsing course based on the kind and amount of the remained detergent.

Abstract: Compositions and methods useful for providing one or more benefits, including a color rejuvenation and/or color maintenance benefit to a fabric are disclosed. The disclosed compositions contain at least one cationic polymer. The methods include providing the disclosed compositions in combination with a source of anionic surfactant. Unit dose and multi-compartment systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: An inkjet dyeing apparatus for dyeing a belt-shape textile includes a feeding section for feeding the textile, a front surface printing section for dyeing a front surface of the textile by ink ejected thereon, a front surface drying section for drying the front surface of the textile, an inverting section for inverting and feeding the textile to a rear surface printing line, a rear surface printing section for dyeing the rear surface of the textile by ink ejected thereon, and a rear surface drying section for drying the rear surface of the textile. A transporting section is provided to transport the textile for further processing. A control unit controls ink ejection at the front and rear surface printing sections.

Abstract: A modular ramp system contemplates two molded plastic ramps placed back-to-back with one another so that in a direction of travel, one would travel up one ramp and then immediately down the other. The ramps are interconnected by a spine including connectors interfacing with connectors provided on the facing surfaces of the ramps. In the preferred embodiment, the connectors consist of dovetail recesses and dovetail projections. The ramps also have connection structure on their lateral sides, so that other ramps may be assembled to the two back-to-back ramps to make a ramp that is incrementally wider. The ramp may consist of a plurality of ramp sections assembled together to create a ramp. A table is designed to be used with ramps and other components and includes openings to facilitate installation of a grind rail or a support rail. The table surface includes peripheral coping integrally formed with the table during manufacture.

Abstract: The invention provides a cleaning apparatus for removing particles attached to the fine roughness on the surface of an insulating body coated on the metal surface of a vacuum processing apparatus.

Abstract: An assembly for adjusting belt tension in a drain cleaning device is disclosed. The assembly includes an idler pulley assembly in which a pivotable idler pulley is urged against a belt by a tensioned spring. The tensile force exerted by the spring can be adjusted or otherwise changed by a rotatable spool engaged to the other end of the spring.

Abstract: An apparatus for sterilizing a tubular medical line port, having a cap with an open distal end and a cavity therein which is dimensioned to receive an outer scrubbing member and the medical line port. Outer disinfected-impregnated scrubbing member is coaxially received in the cavity and has a socket therein dimensioned for engaging exterior side surfaces of the tubular medical line port when inserted into the socket for thereby scrubbing exterior surfaces of the port with the scrubbing member by rotating the cap. The outer scrubbing member is axially displacable downwardly in the cavity by insertion of the medical line port therein from an upper position prior to use to a lower position where it is retained to thereby indicate that the apparatus has been used and should not therefore be reused. A reuse prevention insert is also provided in the cavity of the cap and is displacable with the outer scrubbing member from the upper position prior to use to the lower position during and after use.

Abstract: A multi-functional hairbrush with storage compartments for grooming, storing and organizing small beauty accessories, the hairbrush having a hollow brush head and main chamber, a brush lid portion attached hingedly to the hollow brush head, a plurality of spring clips mounted removably therewithin. The hairbrush also has a slot chamber positioned underneath the main chamber and a flat comb portion fitting within the slot chamber and inserted removably therewithin. The hairbrush has a hollow, elongated handle portion and an elongated chamber, with handle lid portion attached hingedly to the handle portion. The elongated chamber also as a plurality of spring clips mounted removably therewithin.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, this invention provides an easy-to-use, adjustable-head toothbrush that provides two or more locking angles for brushing.

Abstract: An instrument for cleaning surgical instruments during surgery includes a plurality of cleaning surfaces. The surfaces can vary in roughness and can include bristles that remain constant or vary in height or thickness or both. The surfaces can be replaced and are attached to a flexible base that conforms to the shape of a surface on which the instrument is mounted, such as an arm. The instrument can also include a sponge-like surface that can be moistened from a reservoir of fluid such as a blister pack.

Abstract: A baster has an elongated handle and a rotary brush applicator mounted at an end of the elongated handle. The rotary brush applicator has a pivotally mounted horizontal spindle, and a plurality of flexible bristles are affixed to the horizontal spindle.

Abstract: An oral care implement has a head and a first tooth cleaning element. The first tooth cleaning element has a generally convex end surface such that dentifrice applied to the head is adapted to be directed towards a distal cleaning surface of the head. The oral care implement can also include a gum massaging element extending from a peripheral side of the head.

Abstract: The invention provides a toothbrush having a handle portion defining a longitudinal axis, a head portion coupled to the handle portion having a plurality of bristles extending therefrom, a light source disposed within at least one of the handle portion and the head portion, and a base portion including a suction cup configured to removably adhere to a support surface, wherein the suction cup includes an actuator configured to actuate the light source.