Abstract: A bag including first and second walls having joined first and second opposed side edges, a top end edge, a bottom end edge, and two spaced-apart seal lines adjacent the top end edge of the bag, the improvement defined of a tear-resistant, bag-supporting handle defined with the two spaced-apart seal lines. The handle includes a hand-insertion slit defined of a middle slit portion parallel to the top end edge and the bottom end edge of the bag and perpendicular to the side edges of the bag, and two arcuate end slit portions, a first end slit portion situated at a first end of the middle slit portion proximate to the first side edge of the bag and a second end slit portion situated at a second end of said middle slit portion proximate to the second side edge of the bag. The end slit portions each define an arc greater than or equal to 180 degrees and extend greater than or equal to 0 degrees and less than or equal to 45 degrees of arc below the middle slit portion toward the bottom end edge of the bag.

Abstract: A pipe coupling joins together adjacent metal pipe segments. The pipe coupling includes a hollow metal body having first and second open ends adapted for receiving respective proximal ends of the adjacent pipe segments. At least one solder groove is formed along an inside surface of the body. A solder alloy is embedded in the solder groove, and is adapted to flow between the body and the adjacent pipe segments when heated. Upon subsequent cooling, the solder alloy joins the adjacent pipe segments and coupling together.

Abstract: A multi-density batt having a plurality of overlaid thermoplastic fiber web layers. Each of the web layers comprise a homogeneous blend of matrix fibers and binder fibers. The binder fibers have a relatively low predetermined melting temperature and the matrix fibers have a relatively high predetermined melting temperature. The binder fibers and matrix fibers are heat-fused together. The batt has a width defining a cross direction and a length defining a machine direction. At least one integrally-formed, relatively thick, high density region extends in both the cross direction and machine direction of the batt. At least one integrally-formed relatively thin, low density region extends in both the cross direction and machine direction. The batt can be used to form a cushion, such as a seat cushion.

Abstract: An elongate binding member 10 is initially open. A series of loops extend along the open edges and these are suspended from a row of holding teeth 12. The other loops are exposed and pages 9 are threader over the exposed loops to be suspended downwardly from the binder.

Abstract: An open-topped container (10) has stacking bars (12) which have a series of equally spaced ribs (18) projecting upwardly to engage with ribs (22) formed in the base of a container stacked above.

Abstract: A manually-operable shovel for efficiently moving material, including a shovel blade, a shovel handle, a joint for attaching the shovel blade to the shovel handle, and an articulation device cooperating with the joint for permitting the operator to position the blade to a predetermined fixed angle in relation to the direction of blade movement for moving the material in a predetermined desired relation to the direction of blade movement. The articulation device is moveable between an unlocked position wherein the angle of the blade in relation to the direction of blade movement is variable and a locked position wherein the angle of the blade is locked into a fixed angle in relation to the direction of blade movement. The articulation device automatically assumes the locked position during a forward, material engaging movement of the shovel and automatically assumes the unlocked position during a rearward material disengaging, movement of the shovel.

Abstract: A nozzle fluid supply system for use in sprayers that combines the modular advantages of a dry boom system with the high capacity of a wet boom system. Pressurized fluid is carried by rigid tubes connecting adjacent nozzle holding members attached to the sprayer. A two-part nozzle holding member is disclosed for attachment to a dry boom bracket through a hole therein. The combination of the short rigid tubes and two-part nozzle holding member provide a modular system with interchangeable parts.

Abstract: An apparatus for inserting twist into a moving strand, including a first body including an orifice extending therethrough for permitting passage of a moving yarn. An air channel extends therethrough and communicates with the orifice. The air channel communicates with the orifice at a tangentially-offset angle to the path of the yarn through the orifice to create a cyclonic air circulation pattern in the orifice to insert a predetermined direction of twist into the yarn as the yarn passes through the orifice. The first body is adapted for being inverted relative to, and placed in overlying registration with, a second like body whereby the air channel of the first body inserts one predetermined direction of twist into the yarn and the air channel of the second body inserts another predetermined direction of twist into the yarn.

Abstract: An automated laundry sorting system is disclosed of the type wherein previously-laundered laundry items on hangers are tagged with electronic identification devices and sorted into predetermined groups. The improvement includes an automatic joining apparatus for electronically separating the predetermined groups from each other and then physically joining together the laundry items representing a single group, such as garments belonging to a single employee.

Abstract: An axis block assembly is attached to a block holder arm of a lapping machine. The axis block assembly cooperates with a lens block to hold a lens blank in contact with a lap tool used for finishing a surface of the lens blank. The block holder arm moves the axis block assembly between a raised loading position spaced above the lap tool for loading the lens block and lens blank in the lapping machine, and lowered operative position for locating the axis block assembly proximate the lap tool during operation of the lapping machine. The axis block assembly includes a mounting block for being attached to an end of the block holder arm. An axis block is carried by the mounting block. The axis block has a magnetic surface adapted for engaging a metal base surface of the lens block for holding the lens block against the axis block as the axis block assembly moves from the raised loading position to the lowered operative position proximate the lap tool.

Abstract: A cable bend radius control attachment is used in combination with a cable-routing, vertical, slotted channel member defined by walls and including a plurality of longitudinally spaced cable slots. The cable slots are adapted for receiving and distributing optical fiber cable into and out of the vertical channel member. The attachment includes a generally U-shaped flange having an inner edge portion secured to a mouth of the cable slot and an opposing outer edge portion spaced from the mouth of the cable slot. The flange has a generally convex, arcuate surface between its inner and outer edge portions for extending outwardly from the channel member at a mouth of the cable slot. The flange defines a predetermined minimum bend radius for cable entering or exiting the channel member through the cable slot. The flange includes a base and opposing resilient sides integrally-formed with the base.

Abstract: An overhead door for occluding an opening in a structure. The door includes a pair of tracks having inwardly facing surfaces which define a channel. A door panel is located intermediate the pair of tracks and moveable along a predetermined path of travel which is defined by the tracks. A release assembly is borne by the door panel and is operable to releasably engage at least one of the tracks. The release assembly includes a moveable plunger which is received in the channel of one of the tracks and which guides the door panel along the path of travel. The plunger disengages from the channel when force of a predetermined magnitude is applied to the door panel.

Abstract: A vehicle window shade assembly protects the interior of a vehicle from sun damage and excessive heat. The shade assembly includes a flexible protective screen adapted for substantially covering a window of the vehicle. An elongated roller carries the screen and includes an internal winding mechanism for automatically moving the screen from an extended in-use position to a retracted storage position around the roller. A mounting assembly is provided for mounting the roller proximate a first edge of the vehicle window. A pull cord is attached to an end of the screen and is adapted for extending from the first edge of the vehicle window to an opposing second edge of the vehicle window with the screen in the retracted storage position. An attachment clip is mounted to the vehicle proximate the second edge of the vehicle window for holding the pull cord.

Abstract: A pump for precision metered pumping of high viscosity materials. A pump housing has a material inlet and a material outlet, a drive gear and at least one cooperating driven gear for receiving material from the material inlet and pumping a metered amount of material to and out of the material outlet. A motor rotates the drive gear, and an impeller also driven by the motor feeds material under positive pressure into the material inlet where the material is metered and pumped downstream into the outlet.

Abstract: A cleaning arrangement intended especially for cleaning drinks glasses includes an open-topped cylindrical container (11) in which is mounted a foamed plastics material cleaning member (18) which has protrusions (24) from its upper face between which an upturned drinks glass may be wiped.

Abstract: A self-propelled vehicle includes a waste processing attachment. The vehicle is adapted for being moved over a supporting surface, and has a moveable working arm for reaching outwardly from the vehicle and downwardly beneath an adjacent surface of a waste lagoon. The waste processing attachment injects and mixes a waste processing material into the lagoon. The attachment includes a bucket mounted on a free end of the moveable working arm, and having a plurality of spaced-apart waste sifting openings. A material delivery line extends along the working arm of the vehicle, and has a connecting end connected to a material supply source and a discharge end residing proximate the bucket. Waste processing material flowing through and exiting the delivery line beneath the surface of the waste lagoon is discharged into a target area directly adjacent the bucket and mixed with the waste as the bucket is carried by the working arm through the lagoon.

Abstract: A coiler apparatus for forming flat coils of textile strands from an upstream stand supply and depositing the coils on a moving conveyor belt for transport downstream to a strand processing station.

Abstract: An ankle splint product includes an ankle splint for being custom-formed to the shape of an ankle while flexible and upon hardening providing a rigid, supporting custom fit. The ankle splint product includes an outer container formed of moisture-impervious material, and first and second flexible ankle splint segments positioned in the container in substantially moisture-free conditions and sealed therein against entry of moisture until use. Each of the first and second ankle splint segments includes an elongate substrate and a reactive system impregnated into or coated onto the substrate. The system remains stable when maintained in substantially moisture-free conditions and hardens upon exposure to moisture to form a rigid, self supporting structure. An elongate, flexible protective pad is positioned on one side of the substrate along its length to provide a cushioning barrier between the substrate and the skin of a patient when the ankle splint is in use.